In My Haven: December 2
This week in my haven we returned from our Thanksgiving travels and got back to school and work. It was so nice to get away from home for a little bit and spend time with family. (Our travels were the reason why there was no “In My Haven” post last week. I hope you were too occupied with relaxing to notice that I didn't send out a bazillion Black Friday/Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday emails.) I did return to quite a long to-sew list though! I am so thankful that this holiday season has been so full of fun and special orders to sew. I really feel like I have found my niche when I have previous customers return to make another order because they were so pleased with the first or when I have new customers reach out about creating unique, custom designs for them.
In addition to the custom orders and online orders I've been hard at work on, I also had to prepare for the craft fair at St. Nick’s Fest in Evanston. This is my first time participating and I'm feeling both excited and nervous about it. I always feel this way before I go a market. It can be such a challenge to predict what will sell and how much to make. All I can say is that if the visitors to St. Nick's Fest are half as pleased as I am with the selection of products I have ready, then I'll do just fine. If you're in the Evanston area this Saturday, be sure to come say hi! Or if you're doing your holiday shopping near Geneva, Illinois, you could also find some Haven Handmade goods at a new shop called Midwest Nice that just opened up and is carrying a selection of my products. And if you're no where near Chicago or prefer to shop from home, you can always order from the Haven Handmade online shop. I have lots of great gift suggestions for you in this week’s journal. If you want your order in time for Christmas, please order this weekend though. I don't want to run out of time! No matter where you're at this weekend, I hope you get a chance to savor some of the joy that the anticipation of Christmas brings.
Haven Handmade Shop Gift Guide
Stocking Stuffers
A bookmark makes a perfect stocking stuffer for recipients of almost all ages! I just added bookmarks to the product offerings for the following designs so that you can add a little handmade touch to your favorite reader’s holiday.
Mr. Snowman
Perky Penguin
Sweet Kitty
Loyal Puppy
Noble Cardinal
Clever Fox
Buzzy Bee
Name or Word
Food Lovers
If you know someone who delights in cooking or eating well, a tote with a bottle of something special tucked inside makes the perfect gift. I encourage you to think beyond the obvious bottle of wine and wrap up some fancy olive oil, flavored drink syrups or unique condiments instead. I think all of these designs would look great on a bottle tote!
Mr. Snowman
Initial in Quatrefoil
Perfect Present
Sweet Home Chicago
Name or Word
Home Bodies
For those that appreciate the comforts of home, I would give a pillow or a personalized wall banner. Something with their name, monogram or special meaning shows that their space is uniquely theirs. These are the designs I'd recommend.
Initial in Quatrefoil
Name or Word
Simple Initial Wreath
Rose Wreath Monogram
Sweet Home Chicago
Travelers, Writers, Journal Keepers, Artists, Kids
My travel drawing sets are perfect for artists and writers of all types and ages! There are three versions to choose from too—a mini one filled with crayons, the regular style with a flip-up cover and ten colored pencils, and a zipper case style that can hold extra supplies. So many different appliqués look great on the cover too!
Any of the adorable animal faces
Name or Word
Solar System
Strawberry Patch
Rainbow Hearts
More From My Haven
Since life isn't all business, here’s a little more about what’s happening in my haven this week.
What I'm cooking: This recipe for Balsamic Brown Sugar Pork Roast was one of the tastiest things I cooked this week!
What I'm reading: I'm almost done reading book 4 of the Mirror Visitor Series by Christelle Dabos. What should I read next?
What I'm reading with Joanna: Joanna and I started reading The Horse and His Boy, book 3 in the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.
What's happening in your haven this week?
Warmly,
Beth
Disclosure: The links in this post are not affiliate links. I do not receive any compensation for the recommendations I make in my journal. It's just a place where I can write about what I like and think you might too.
