Men are the most challenging group to sew for, in my opinion. Leather Dopp kits, grilling tools and hipster-inspired beard accessories are the most frequent finds if you search Etsy for "gifts for men."

That just doesn't work for the men in my life!

A custom bag request for an engineer inspired this bag. Before I get hate mail about women engineers, I get it!! This would be a great gift for women too, but this happens to fill the head-scratching question people like myself ask this time of year--What to get for him??

An unassuming khaki bag from the outside, but a fun and personal lining hiding on the inside. Choose a lining based on whatever he likes best.

What would he use it for? Travel, electronic cord storage, sunglasses...think of ways someone would use a plastic zip baggie. The possibilities are endless!

This is inspiring me to do some holiday gift planning.

• Tips for Reading Sewing Patterns
• Sustainable Sewing at Home
• Amazing Embroidery Art
• Why is it so hard to find age-appropriate Superhero/villain costume inspiration? This is my starting point for a child's Poison Ivy costume. Though this is simply stunning. And this might factor into the final plan somehow.​
• Finally, some fun sewing inspiration for your weekend. Enjoy!​

Artisans like myself have been thinking about and planning for the holiday season since, oh, about June. Hopefully it is a very busy time of year for me, and to make it less stressful, I like to plan ahead.

Something I have always wanted to offer, but never had time until now is gift wrap. In my shop, you will find a separate listing for gift wrap ($5), available with 4 different ribbon color choices. Any size item you purchase will be beautifully wrapped and can even be mailed directly to your loved one (leave the address in the comments section at checkout).

Make sure to add the listing to your shopping cart, choose your ribbon color from the drop down menu, and your item will arrive ready-to-gift (price stickers will be removed!).

If there is a specific color ribbon you want, but don't see offered, just ask!

This week I had planned two blog posts. Since it's already Wednesday when I sit to write, one is about all I'm going to manage.

Hangovers. They are real in the world of small business. A two-day craft fair, such as the one I attended last weekend at the Norman Bird Sanctuary, leave you with quite a hangover.

It was a lovely event once the rain and arctic chill of Saturday passed. But Saturday was a long haul.

Not only does an artisan need to physically recoup from hauling, setting up and staying warm, but there is emotional recovery from running your business from the middle of a muddy hay field for two straight days. I forget how many customers I talked with (enough to give me a scratchy throat from so much talking!). The vast majority were absolutely lovely--I thank you for that. But there are always the 1%-ers, though, who make you feel like crap. Tossing my bag onto the (muddy) ground because you didn't like the price tag? Really? The other dozen people who picked up the same bag and complimented my embroidery skills--well you're just good people, thank you!

There is much work immediately following a fair. Follow up newsletter sign ups, restocking inventory, accounting and tax paperwork. Then there's the huge (for me) task of photographing things that didn't sell for my Etsy shop. And orders I put off while prepping for the show.

Lots to keep me busy this week, so one post will suffice. I know you understand.

This Saturday will be my last in-person event of 2015. I'll have a full tent at the Aquidneck Growers Market from 9-1 at Newport Vineyards. That means NO holiday craft fairs. Nothing is on my schedule, nor will it be, until at least next Spring. Trust that I have my reasons. I'm thinking of it as a show sabbatical.

Shop with me this Saturday, or in my soon-to-be-filled-to-the-brim Etsy shop this holiday shopping season. Locals should feel free to contact me, I will still be offering free local delivery to Aquidneck Island.

Until Saturday, my show hangover might make me sneak in a nap here or there.