What's Happening for the Rest of 2014

Happy Fall, y’all!! I can’t believe it is already here. Here in Virginia, the weather was mild all summer, so there wasn’t a stark contrast between the seasons like usual. I am excited to pull out sweaters and scarves and indulge in all the fall-related festivities that go along with the season.

Announcement:
A new change going on in my crafting life is that I have decided to end my venture with the brick-and-mortar shop, Pastiche at Main, as the availability of my time is not what I thought it would be when I began. Just a few days after signing the shop contract I was offered a full-time job at a nearby university, which I could not pass up. I tried to handle sewing and selling as well as the Mon-Fri, 9-5 type job with two little ones at home and a husband who works evenings, and I knew I just couldn’t produce the results I needed with the lack of time and energy to devote to the craft. But, it was nice to see what it was like selling at a real store and being a part of a very unique community of crafters. My items will be in Pastiche through the end of September (which is coming up very soon!), and then I will take what is left to the craft shows I have decided to attend this year.

Next step:
The “Frolic in Forest” Fall Bazaar & Fundraiser in Forest, Va on Nov. 22nd. I hope to spend what time I DO have between now and then crafting little gifty items that do not take as long as bags do (although I am sure I will want to throw some of those in there, as well—can’t help it!). On my to-make list are things such as coffee cozies, mug rugs, fabric-covered notepads, keychains, tea

wallets, tissue cozies, checkbook covers, ornaments, bookmarks, zip pouches, embroidered items, etc. As you can see, I have a lot of ideas! I have not done a craft fair since 2009, so I am excited to set up a table,be creative, and see what happens!

After that:
My brother and sister-in-law have invited me to sell (long-distance) at their community craft fair in Ossining, NY in December. I am sending up a small collection bags and items that will hopefully do well there.

For the future:
I am hoping that these 2 craft fairs will help me use up at least *some* of my fabric hoard and materials from Sparrow & Joy, and then I am pondering closing up shop officially on Jan. 1^st, 2015 unless things change job-wise and schedule-wise. My sewing business ventures have been a bit rocky over the past few years, and I am praying on what is the best avenue to take for my family. It is possible that this is not the best time in my life to sew and sell, and I am ready to accept that. 

I am tiring a bit of the bag-making and would love, if I ever have the time, to expand into different types of art & craft that might inspire me into the original state of excitement that creating with fabric first held for me. I have been feeling a bit stale lately, and I miss that creative freedom I once felt.

I want to thank all my customers for helping me make my creative dreams come alive and for your support of the work I create.

I will keep you updated through FB or this blog on what is going on with my Etsy store.

Sewing in 2014

....there has been very little!!!

But that is because a lot has changed in my life right around the 2013-into-2014 bend.

We moved to Vermont from Virginia, so there is that to adapt to, and we are in a totally different living situation. But the good news is I have a nice place to sew in my mom's sewing room (we are living with my parents).

I actually have access to a large cutting table complete with self-healing mats and a rotary cutter!! Boy, do those make pattern cutting so much quicker. Love them.

My mom quilting.

I've done the tiniest bit of sewing for Sparrow & Joy and wish I could do much more, but it is taking a backseat to things closer to home. But I hope to add new things to the shop in spurts when life gets into some sort of normal pace.

For now I am waiting for some huge creative outburst which I hope will come when the season turns to spring.

This squirrel knows that it will be a while and it is time to stuff those cheeks. :D

Here's to crafting joyfully in 2014!!!

Sad News

Today is a day with a sad post. I have closed my shop down for personal reasons that I do not wish to go into, but I hope that you all understand. I have SO enjoyed sewing and selling and do not regret a moment of it! But for the time being, I cannot run my shop. I hope someday to make this a certified, real deal small business, but right now it is not possible to go to that level.

I am finishing up custom orders that have already been placed, so no worries there. I honor my commitments and do not want to leave anyone hanging. Please e-mail me at mattsarahhyde@gmail.com if you have any questions.

I am going to keep my Facebook page running and this is definitely not the end of my sewing hobby! I have tons of fabric and materials to use (and patterns), and I will still sew for pleasure and gifts. I will keep sharing about projects for those who enjoy hearing about it. If you have no interest in staying a fan of "Sweet Sparrow", I understand if you want to remove yourself from the fan list.

Oh, this is bittersweet!! But it is for the best and I will have more free time to sew for gifts and home, which is a good thing. I am trying to find good things about this, but it is hard!

I am going to change the name of this blog to "Sarah's Craft Blog" to keep it consistent with what's going on. The web address will stay the same. 

Thank you, ALL, for your support and business, and I will never forget what you've done for me by buying my handmade crafts! It has been so wonderful and life-changing, really, to have an Etsy shop for 5 years.

God bless,
Sarah