The contest is now closed. Also, all the spots for the coming giveaways are now taken! Thanks so much and see you Wednesday for the link up!

The Issue
You all know I’m not gonna embarrass myself and talk about politics or the economy or the quadratic equation on this here blog. But, there is one thing I do want to talk about. Small businesses. In particular, small in home cottage businesses run by us womenfolk who make cute stuff.

I love it when a mom decides that there is something she is so passionate about creating that she just cannot help but make it. Selling it comes second to the joy that making the particular item brings. Some of us even help bring in some much needed income.

I have a feeling there are lots of you crafty ones out there gearing up for the holiday season—you’ve purchased goods to make whatever it is you make, you have inventory, you are ready for Christmas, right? I spoke to a few of you last week {not necessarily the ones pictured–those were just the girls I had at the forefront of my mind} and from what I gather, business was slow. What can I do to help besides buy everything from you and then be broke and have to live with my family in a car full of cute handmade items?

The Ideas

More Giveaways. Since our last giveaway was so successful and I know how much you like to get free stuff and I know that there are so many of you talented ladies out there I’ve got a few more giveaways lined up in the coming weeks. {I have one or two more openings if you want to be a part please email me today.}

Buy Handmade. Most of us are all still going to be purchasing gifts this Christmas. Maybe we are cutting back or getting creative but I would like to encourage you to consider purchasing from a small business instead of buying everything from Target and Macy’s. Plus, if you buy handmade then you are getting something that real people made—not robots.

Free Advertising Here Next Wednesday. We’ve got another giveaway today and a few more coming up but, I would love to have a Mr. Linky party whatchamacallit for any of you out there who make stuff and sell it. Get your goods ready and link to your blog or shop and next Wednesday and we’ll all make the rounds and visit you. Hmmm, this might be a great time to hold your own giveaway! Can anyone think up a great name for this Linky? Handmade by Humans? Bloggers supporting Bloggers? Shop Cottage Industry? Don’t buy from Robots? I’m no good with words. Good Luck this Holiday season!

Today’s Giveaway

We’ll have 3 winners for this one and there won’t be a deadline for the winners to use their credit. Taken strait from her etsy shop, Keri makes wonderful “custom, personalized, ‘just for you’ card designs of all kinds. Invitations, holiday cards, announcements, business cards, digital scrapbook pages – if you can think of a way to use your photo, she can create something for you.”


What great timing for custom Christmas cards. If you win, you can use your $15 credit {the price of one design} for Christmas, a birthday invitation or a birth announcement – whatever you want, whenever they you it. There are no shipping fees as she simply produces the design and emails the file to the winner for you to have printed wherever you want at whatever quantity you want. Keri will do a custom design or personalize an existing one.


One more thing, Keri is having a sale: $2 off the first design and $1 off all additional designs (no limit, but they must be ordered at the same time.) Fly on over to her shop and order you up a design or two–you don’t even have to sign your names on your Christmas Cards this year! Let’s support each other this year! But I don’t blame you if you wait until Thursday to see if you won!

Leave a comment here to enter–remember, three winners and this contest ends Wednesday at midnight! Oh and for fun, tell me about how many Christmas cards you sent out last year. I’ll start. Zero because I’m lazy. But, if I were going to this year I’d order them from Keri.

PS my internet service has gone insane and I’m at a coffee shop once again I might be slow in replys and if I inadvertantly put something crazy in this blog post like “I love to polyester sofas” please forgive the fact that I’m not around to edit it out.