It was awesome!

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"I got teary eyed leaving your shop last night! I was so happy to share time with crafters and it was so nice!!!!!"

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It was the day after we were featured in the Cape Cod Times and there was a lot of excitement and energy in the room!

So great to have a mix of people there, old friends, new friends, customers--- some family, even!

I suppose it wasn't a Craft Circle, exactly. More like Craft Pockets. I had rearranged the shop a bit to make room for little tables here and there, places where a few crafters could gather and sip and nibble and knit. There were about 5 or 6 little clusters and I really liked it!

It was very organic and relaxed. We had the twinkle lights on, cider in the crock pot and cookies made by our friend (new)Cindy.

I don't usually organize things or have parties, it makes me wicked nervous. And to organize a gift drive? We had no idea if people would respond or not.

You never know, you know?

I mean, Beth and I came up with the idea for Handmade for the Holidays just a couple of weeks ago while we were on the treadmills at the Y.

Within days, we had partnered with WeCan, started receiving donations of yarn and handmade items, were covered in the times (with a gi-huge photo of me on the front of the business section!).

People are really taking us up on this, and we couldn't be more pleased.

Here are some participants decorating blank cards, in which we will handwrite some loving words to accompany each handmade gift:

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"I enjoyed myself so much tonight. Was nice to sit and chat and giggle and watch all the crafters....your little shop was the PERFECT place to hold this craft circle. The atmosphere is so homey and welcoming. I was very comfortable.....and I am NOT a crowd person. Thank you for holding this. I'm so glad I was able to attend Only wish I lived closer so I could attend them all. "

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Chatting, knitting, appliquing, crocheting:

Gathered around for the door prizes (donated by a friend of mine from Random House- thanks, Kris!):

Not only door prizes,  the fabulous Alison Gordon from The Sampler made the trip to the Cape so she could hand out her awesome Samplers to our volunteers, too!

Yay! Who doesn't love prizes and goodies?

If you are an indie crafter, you need to know about the sampler! It's a great way to promote your biz!

Alison,  telling a little bit about what the Sampler is:

Alison is also co-organizer of the Boston Bazaar Bizarre, which I am hoping to make it to this year.

Of course, everyone was psyched to dive into these goodie bags which was fun for Alison to see, since she usually mails them out!

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"Fab folks in such a warmly creative environment for fab cause! Great time! "

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Beth and I hope you will join us for the next Craft Circle!

Friday, November 20 from 1-4pm

Since it will be during buisiness hours, we will gather in my studio in the back of the shop, ok?

Please email if you have any questions at all!

melissa@yummygoods.com

xo, m

A. Yay! Thank you for wanting to contribute! At this time, we are focusing on collecting only handmade items.

But don't fret, there might still be a way that you can help out! (and we love that you want to help.)

If you are a publisher and would like to donate craft books to be used as door prizes for the volunteers, well that would be awesome! Thank you!

Back in a jif while I figure out how else you can help! Remember, I'm new at this!

What you write could simply be your name, or it could be a favorite quote. It could be a prayer or a wish for the recipient. It could be a drawing or a single word that has meaning for you in hard times. 

This is about more than collecting items for the needy.

Handmade for the Holidays is about sending someone hope, comfort and love. All in the in the shape of a cozy handknit hat.

Or scarf. Or whatever you like to make.

:o)

I don't live on Cape Cod but I'd still like to be involved, what can I do?

Yay! Thank you so much!

We will be sad that we can't hang out with you at the craft circles or the open house, but we understand that not everybody who hears about Handmade for the Holidays will be able to come to the events. But you may certainly donate materials or a handmade item! Of course!

First, please register here so we can keep track of all of this stuff!

If you would like to donate materials, we would like to have those as soon as possible, of course, so that our volunteers may have time to work their magic with them! You may send knitting supplies or fabric to:

Handmade for the Holidays

c/o Yummy Goods

2455 Meetinghouse Way

West Barnstable, MA 02668

If you would like to donate a handmade gift, you may send it to the same address. We would need to receive it by December 4, so please allow for shipping time.

Thank you so much!

The next step is for you to tell us how you'd like to be involved. There are a few options:

1. Would you like to  donate a handmade item to the drive?

2. Would you like to donate materials for local crafters to use for the project?

3. Would you like to come to the Open House on December 4 at Yummy Goods?

4. Would you like to attend the craft circle on November 11 (Wednesday evening) at Yummy Goods?

5. Would you like to attend the craft circle on November 20 (Friday afternoon) at Yummy Goods?

Thank you so much for your enthusiasm about Handmade For The Holidays! Now you can translate that excitement into action by registering right here.

yay!