Presque Isle has launched!

Finally! After months of crocheting, writing, organizing, and picture taking the Presque Isle shop on Etsy.com is open for business.

I'm sure some people expect a ton of responses and loads of orders the moment their store opens, but honestly, I'm happy to have a slow start. I need to work out the kinks before people start ordering things.

The CIRRUS beanie in gray and teal.

My friend Andi ordered a CIRRUS beanie from me and I still need to sew the label in, make the hang tag, and craft my follow up emails. She also requested a pair of gloves to match the beanie, and gave me some great advice on promoting custom orders in my receipts and thank you messages.

I have so much to learn!

For example, I didn't think I'd really need a logo, but as I create the hang tags I realize a logo would be a nice sign-off. So now I'm figuring out if I want to design one on my own or get my designer BF to do it for me :)

Anyway, check out Presque Isle when you have a chance and let me know what you think!

Planning for the holidays—in September

I can't remember a time when I didn't try to give at least SOME personally handmade gifts to my friends and family for the holidays.

One year it was cross-stitched tree ornaments. Another year it was fleece melting snowman decorations. Another it was decorative containers full of peanut butter blossom cookies. The year after that it was personalized oven mitts and potholders. Last year it was crocheted beanies and scarves.

I also can't remember a time when I actually got all the crafting done that I wanted to get done in time to give all the gifts I wanted to give.

Thus a holiday gift-giving post in the middle of September: because if I don't start thinking about it now I'm going to be holed-up in my parent's guest room on Christmas Eve frantically putting the finishing touches on a scarf for my mom... like last year...

Now to find this year's theme. I think cookies are a given. They're kind of becoming a tradition. But what should I make for my main project? This is obviously something I'll have to revisit in the coming weeks as I research the possibilities.

P.S. I'm still trying to figure out the Cumulus beanie pattern from the last post :(