Thank you, Gracefull Stitches, for sponsoring this post, part of Bahorich Abode's Shop Small Holiday series. I was selected for this opportunity by Gracefull Stitches; the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
I'm sad to say that our holiday shop small series has came to a close; however, we cannot end it without mentioning one more of my favorite shops - Gracefull Stitches!
I mentioned earlier this week how much I love graphic tees and cannot get enough of them. This year I was on the hunt to find something perfect to go visit Santa in. We are starting a tradition to go eat "Breakfast with Santa (for Dinner)" at an amazing local farm near our home. This farm is the perfect place to pick apples and pumpkins in the fall, cut down your own Christmas tree in the winter time, and hand select your buckets and buckets of strawberries in the summer. We love to make it down there and support the local farm whenever we can.
I cannot wait to visit Santa next weekend in our specially made tees from Gracefull Stitches. Owner, Jessica, surprised me with the design and it could not be more perfect for our family to have a lovely night out together creating traditions and memories with baby Ollie.
Her shop is honestly full of these designs to help make memories for your littles. She has these adorable onesies for the holidays as well as designs for back-to-school, sports, and more. She also crochets a ton and has some really pretty pieces in her shop!
Use the code either ABODE10 for 10% off or FREESHIPPING for free shipping at her shop for yourself! You have until December 31 to place your orders and get the discount, so don't delay!
♦ WIN IT ♦
Head on over to our Instagram page today for a chance to win a copy for your own home. Hurry! Our contest runs through December 12th!
Here is a little bit more about Jessica, the owner of Gracefull Stitches:
How did you get your shop started?
I wanted to go into to business for myself and be in charge of my own schedule. I was tired of working for others and then having to juggle being a mom in the process. Knowing that I had a knack for crotchet and shirt design, I decided to open my own Etsy shop. It has been one of my best choices and I am constantly improving my skill to make each piece better.
What is the hardest part of owning a shop?
The influx of orders. I thought I would open my own shop and do it as a hobby, but it has become a fulltime job. All of my crotchet items are hand stitched one by one, plus the shipping and responding to customers messages with in a timely manner. I want to do the job right and make my customers happy, so I have to put the work into making that happen.
What is one thing unique about you?
I am a perfectionist, I try to make every order the best that I can. I have even been known to be half done a crotchet project and rip it all out because the rows didn't line up perfectly and re-do it all over again. My husband says not to do that because I am wasting time, but I really what to provide a good product to my customers. I take pride in my work.
What is the best part of owning a shop?
The Thank You's. When someone receives my product either for themselves or as a gift and they tell me how happy they are to have it. Knowing that the time I spent, with constant messages back and forth and personalizing the item has all been worthwhile for a simple thank you. Then in turn they would recommend me to one of their friends.
How did you get your shop name?
GraceFull Stitches is two things, God's Grace is full of Stitches, symbolizing when God died on the Cross for our Sins and we as (humans) are never perfect and God is constantly putting us back together. Also Grace is a family name and it helps remind me that family always comes first and that I run this business for them.
What is one way that you keep organized?
Thank goodness for my Mac! I use my Mac for everything when it comes to orders. I normally right orders down on scrap paper and then transcribe it into a Pages format document that I use to keep track of all my orders.
How do you balance family life and work life?
Part of the reason why I opened my own shop was to make family and work life "easier" but it's never easy. My daughter is involved in every sport under the sun and my son does dance. So in between being a Basketball-, Cross-Country-, Dance-, JROTC-, Tae-Kwon-Doe- and Soccer-Mom by day, I am Master-Crotchet-Specialist by night. So it's difficult to manage everything, especially since I want to give all my customers instant responses to messages and make positive suggestions but I manage and I love what I do.
