faq
Do you have questions about me or my business? I hope I’ve answered them here! If not, please email me: ellen (at) handmaderecess (dot) com. I love emails!
Will you feature my blog or shop or business or campaign on handmade recess?
At this time I do not advertise for companies, businesses and campaigns big or small. My focus is on sharing my life and business and voice. This doesn’t mean that I don’t love you or what you are trying to do or that I don’t support you. I’m your biggest cheerleader. I just can’t blog about it or put it in my sidebar or link to it.
How did handmade recess begin?
I started this business over three years ago with a few small designs and a few local shows. It started as a way to help with the monthly budget and has grown into a huge creative blessing for me. In the past year, I’ve been focusing on taking part in craft shows and growing my online business. You can find my online shop here.
Were do you get your fabric? What’s that fabric I saw on that one bag?
I order most of my fabric from Hawthorne Threads. Unfortunately, I’m not able to tell you the exact designer and name of each piece of fabric as I use so many different combinations and yardages. Sometimes I don’t even remember! I’d suggest visiting Hawthorne Threads and using their color wheel to find specific fabrics.
Where do you get your trim?
I have a few vintage sellers on etsy that I love. It’s so much fun to plug in vintage FILL IN THE BLANK and spend hours treasure hunting there.
When do you work?
That all depends on the season. My marriage and my three children are my first calling and so I have some pretty staunch boundaries about time with them. When school is in, I usually get at least two mornings a week and a few afternoons (on my neighbor’s carpool day) to churn things out. Sometimes I have interns. Sometimes I do have to work when my children are home and awake. I’m learning ways to be creative about that: sneaking in simple finance management while we are all together for homework time, cutting fabric while they have reading time in the same room.
Do you homeschool?
We don’t homeschool. I love homeschooling! I think it’s awesome! I’d do it in a skinny minute. But. Right now our family is called to be in a public school and we love it. I don’t love all of the running around but we are taking advantage of the opportunity to build some community. I also don’t love blanket statements about how one form of schooling is better than another.
Where do you get your labels?
How do you make time for everything?
Are you ready? Really ready? I don’t. Please, please hear that. Sometimes my house is an absolute wreck. Sometimes I have a deadline and my kids are watching a movie. Sometimes my husband has to step in and help. Sometimes I feel defeated. Sometimes I feel like a horrible mom. I haven’t really found some super duper secret balancing trick. I’ve just learned that it’s about choices. And I’ve learned that everyone has days where the house is destroyed and the dinner is burnt and the sales don’t come in and the hope feels far away.
Do you take custom orders?
At this point in time, I don’t take custom orders. In some special situations, like bridal parties or large orders, I will make exceptions. Please email me if you think you might be interested in purchasing a large custom order.
