I’m excited to be teaching two classes in February here in Wellesley, Massachusetts. This is the third year that I’ve taught a series of business classes for artists and makers and it’s always a lot of fun. Most of the people who come live in town or nearby, but I’ve had a few people drive…
5 Handmade Dolls on Etsy
I absolutely love handmade dolls. The desire to make dolls is what drew me into sewing in the first place and I never get tired of looking at and admiring the way artists create people in miniature form with fabric and thread. The opportunity for creative expression is truly endless. Today, I’ve gathered five handmade…
New Pattern: Scarf Buddies + Bonus Mittens to Match
I’m so excited today to be launching my brand new pattern. Meet the Scarf Buddies! Four snuggly animal scarves to make for kids (or grandkids). For years I’ve made my daughter’s fleece animal hats each winter and I’ve always thought it would be so fun to also make cute scarves, too. It gets really cold…
Baby Gift for a Friend
A friend of mine is due to have her first baby next month. There’s something so special about sewing for a baby. In fact, I think a lot of people discover sewing or rediscover it because they want to make something special for a baby. These life cycle events seem to compel us to want…
2018 Year in Review
Me over the summer at MASS MoCA seeing the Sol LeWitt exhibit. There are just a few more days left in 2018 and it’s time to do some reflection on all that’s unfolded this year (fabric pun intended). In 2018 this blog turned 13 and my other business, Craft Industry Alliance, turned three. I continue…
Your 2018 Craft Gift Guide
My favorite kind of gift to give, and receive, is a beautiful craft book paired with a thoughtfully chosen supply that can be used to make the projects inside. That’s what this 2018 Craft Gift Guide is all about! I’ve selected my favorite new craft books of the year and hunted down just the right…
Black Friday Sale 2018
It’s Black Friday and time for my annual sale. Everything in my shop is 25% off today through Monday, November 26, and orders over $50 ship for free. Now is the perfect time to stock up on essential doll and toy making supplies like safety eyes and noses, rattle inserts and squeakers, and hemostats. This…
Checking In With Yourself
Have you checked in with yourself lately to see how you’re feeling about your day-to-day business activities? Being a solo entrepreneur means tackling many different tasks each day, everything from responding to customer emails to reordering supplies to meeting with your accountant, and so much more. You’re responsible for dreaming up the big ideas that…
On Embracing the Unknown – International Trade
The first week of July I got an email from a podcast listener named Elizabeth. Hi Abby, I listen to your podcast regularly and I wondered if anyone has addressed yet how the tariffs are going to affect small craft businesses and fabric manufacturers that print their fabric overseas? I haven’t really seen anything in…
On Beginning To Sew My Own Clothes
In June I went to see Roxane Gay speak with my friend, Jenny. “Did you know she had bariatric surgery?” Jenny asked me. I hadn’t heard. She recommended I read a piece Roxane wrote about it on Medium. I actually listened to Roxane read the piece (which is a really cool thing that Medium does) and…
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