Favorite Places to Shop Handmade

Last week I shared the Top Ten Reasons to Shop Handmade for Christmas. This week I've rounded up a few of my favorite shops to share with you all. I have such a big heart for small business owners and when I invest in something for our home or for a gift I want the item to have meaning as well. I'm slightly partial to these shops because I know the women behind the scenes and today I wanted to feature them and let you see the goodies that they create for yourself. 

East West Design Co | I have the incredible privilege of knowing one of the lovely ladies who runs this fabulous shop. Lindsey and I are sorority sisters (Hint: Red, Buff & Green), bible study buddies, lovers of The Office show and we could probably both eat our weight in sweet potato biscuits. She and her soon to be sister in law have been up and running for a few months and I've been so impressed by what they have created. I've already raved about the logo design and "Always Kiss Me Goodnight" print that they made me and I've got my eyes set on several things to order for Christmas gifts. They also offer custom work that is affordable and breathtaking. 

Refugee Sewing Society | In case you missed my introduction to these ladies a few weeks ago, check out how I got connected with these women here. The Refugee Sewing Society is a safe haven where refugee women from all over the world meet weekly in Clarkston, Georgia to create lovingly handmade items. I have the amazing ability to witness the love that is poured out on these women by staff and volunteers because I'm now working with them myself. We are currently working on new product designs that I cannot wait to share, but one of my favorite items is this Bhutanese Wedding Necklace that is pictured above. Traditionally Bhutanese women receive a necklace during their wedding ceremony instead of exchanging rings. If you desire to live intentionally to impact the nations daily, this is one amazing organization to show your support.

When It Rains Paper Co | Katherine is also a fellow sorority sister (Hint: we have a thing for squirrels), has impeccable taste, an infectious laugh and is an amazing teacher. She and her sister design gorgeous stationary, cards, party supply items and monogrammed goodies. They also blog with a few of their talented friends at You Can Sit With Us, a lifestyle blog following four friends in the Atlanta area.

How about you? Where are some of your favorite places to shop handmade? I'd love to hear a few of your favorites!
                                                                                                   

10 Reasons to Shop Homemade for Christmas

I don't know about you but I cannot believe that it's the end of October! I adore this Fall season and cannot wait to celebrate the holidays at home this year! Personally, I don't love that so many stores are rushing to put Christmas items out before we've even celebrated my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. That being said, I have a huge heart for small businesses and their owners and it's my goal this year to try and shop homemade or create my Christmas gifts this year. Here are ten reasons why I think everyone should shop homemade for Christmas.

1. Uniqueness | Who doesn't love receiving a gift that you know you won't see in everyone else's home, in every store you enter or all over Pinterest? It always makes me feel special as the gift giver when I know I've found an item that is perfectly suited for the person I'm shopping for.

2. Affordability | I often find that I'm able to stretch my money further when I purchase homemade items. There are times when homemade items can cost more due to the time that is put into making an item, but for the most part, I've found that that gifts I purchase are budget friendly.

3. Convenience | I've told y'all before that I'm a shopper and I love the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping season but there are times when I enjoy browsing through Etsy and I do appreciate knowing that my gifts can either be shipped to the person I'm shopping for or delivered right to my doorstep. 

4. Impact | Many of the shops where I purchase homemade items are run by owners who are selling their lovingly made treasures in their spare time or for a second job. Wouldn't it be a blessing to them if we were able to support these creative geniuses during the holidays? There are also many non profits and organizations who sell items by artisans from around the world. Your gift can bless the artist, their families the work of the staff running the organization, as well as the person receiving the gift. One of my favorite organizations is the Refugee Sewing Society, visit their shop here.

5. Quality | I can't speak for every person's shop who creates homemade items, but from personal experience, the handmade items that I've purchased usually last longer and are more durable than items purchased from a large chain store. 

6. Meaning | Often a story can accompany an item along with information about the person who made it or the organization who is selling the item for the artist. I love a good story and desire to have my belongings hold meaning.

7. Exposure | If you fall in love with an item that you purchased, aren't you more inclined to tell instagram all of your friends about it? What a great way to share your favorite shop with your family and friends this year!

8. Custom Made | Don't you just hate it when you find a gift but it only comes in orange and it just so happens that it's the color your friend despises? Maybe that doesn't happen to everyone but when it happens to me, I sure am thankful that I can ask the owner of my favorite shop to create an item that is simply perfect. 

9. Generosity | I firmly believe that as believers we are called to be generous and giving people. When we support other believers, we are able to sow back into the kingdom. I love Target but I would rather choose to spend my money in a responsible way. I also love gifting the shop owner with the ability to continue to be creative and use the artistic gifts they have been given to bless others. 

10. Loveliness | If all of the above reasons haven't stirred the inner shopper inside you, then surely the overall cuteness factor of handmade items should win you over. 

Shopping homemade just makes me giddy with excitement about this upcoming holiday season. I plan on sharing my favorite places to shop handmade with you soon!

                                                                                                     
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The Refugee Sewing Society

The Refugee Sewing Society

I am a true believer that the Lord allows us to see glimpses into his plan for our lives. A few months before Drew and I moved back from China, we were struggling with the thought of leaving and returning back to the States. But the Lord made it clear to us that our time was ending and that he had other plans for us back in Georgia. At that time, we had no idea what those plans were or what we would be returning back to do. We just felt lost. But during that time I had a few dreams, where I was surrounded by women from different parts of the world and we were completing simple tasks and chatting. It was a tiny glimpse at best. 

In the months that followed, the Lord provided me with a few part jobs that I was so grateful for. We were still unclear about what we were supposed to do and why we were back in America, but we continued to trust that He would provide. Before we moved to China, we had visited a small town just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, called Clarkston. Some very dear friends of ours had moved there and we were excited to see them and visit this unique place once again. Inside this square mile town, over fifty languages are spoken at the local high school, people from all over the world are coexisting and essentially starting their lives over. All of these people have one thing in common, they are refugees. Many of them have lived for years in camps after having fled their homelands due to war or the threat of genocide. They are then brought to America and dispersed into a few different towns, Clarkston being one of them. Essentially the Lord has brought the nations to us. 

Our hearts have been moved deeply over these visits and we began connecting with various people and organizations whose desire is to serve the refugees. One of these organizations is called Friends of Refugees, which offers programs like mommy and me classes, after school tutoring, summer camp, job training, food and clothing distribution and hosts a community garden. Additionally under their umbrella of programs is the Refugee Sewing Society; a volunteer group of women meet weekly with refugee women who knit, sew, crochet, weave and bead to create beautiful handmade items. The sale of these items generates income the refugee women use to feed and clothe their families. The staff's desire is to share the love of Jesus with these precious women while creating a sustainable business. 

My heart immediately began to get excited when I heard about this program and these women. Here's where the story gets real good. I had been making crafts with the women we were serving in China and was hoping to be able to get involved with something similar in the States. I knew that my photography could be used to benefit these women and their story. I had run my own Etsy store a few years ago and knew that I could run another one. I had just taught myself how to design a website for my photography business. And there was now an opening within the Refugee Sewing Society for someone to take pictures of their product, run their Etsy shop, redesign their website and teach one of their jewelry classes. The glimpse that the Lord gave me back in China to work alongside women from all over the world became an opportunity for me to now serve these precious refugees.

The Lord is so good to us. Even in the midst of the confusion, he provided me with a thread of hope to hold onto. He knows what we need and his timing is perfect. He can see what the future holds and asks us to seek him for the next step. I would invite you dear friends to visit the Refugee Sewing Society's website to find out more about the women who I love, their Etsy shop  and follow their new Instagram account to support them. I would love to hear a story that you have of the Lord's faithfulness in your life and if you are in a place where the end of the story is still unclear, cling to Him. He is waiting with open arms to provide you with everything that you need. Thank you so much for reading this story; I've created a free printable just for you! Click on the image below to download it.