A month ago, I 'soft launched' my small crochet business and am preparing to take a breather as I shift gears for the High Holidays.
It's been a great month full of learning curves, crochet-on-the-go (doctor's appointment? Crochet. Car ride with family? Crochet. Listening to a podcast? Crochet. Phone call with a friend? You've guessed it) and best of all - happy customers!
I've made over 30 custom-ordered kippot for over 20 individual customers, sold 16 epoxy resin stars-of-david and even made an American Girl doll kippah!
I've also experimented with Czech glass beading and suffered some mailing gaffes (the pretty biodegradable mailers I bought significantly pushed up shipping costs so off to Staples I went for decidedly unromantic yellow bubble envelopes instead). At present, I am fulfilling a last few orders as I wind down to focus on my rabbinic High Holiday duties, but I suspect my hands will not be idle for long.
Crochet is known to have empirically-documented mental health benefits and the rhythmic act of crocheting the kippot with their color and sparkle soothes my soul. Busy hands quiet the mind and improve the ability to be present. People have asked me 'how do you have time for it all?' and the fact is that I don't--I wouldn't have the time for it if I wasn't able to integrate crochet into my normal daily patterns. I almost never sit down to 'just crochet' unless I am exploring a new pattern or learning a new skill. I combine crochet with other pastimes, activities and waiting times. It's small, light and portable.
As I continue on this learning journey of running a micro-business, I look back on a satisfying and successful month. I have donated kippot worth hundreds of dollars in retail value to my synagogue gift shop as a small fundraiser and these have already started bringing in some income.
I am a week away from my (15th) wedding anniversary which was the whole reason I started 'A Small Sanctuary': I started selling kippot in order to save for my Renewal of Vows. I am happy to report that I have made enough in sales to be able to afford a quite beautiful dress. My next goal is making enough money for a professional photographer. Over the course of a year, I hope to have cobbled together enough funds to be able to organize a wonderful Vow Renewal for my family, so stay tuned!
And... after the High Holidays? I look forward to resuming taking new orders. I have invested in blue yarn for the Hanukkah season. Who doesn't want a blue Hanukkah kippah with beautiful, sparkly beads that catch the light of the menorah so prettily? I just know you do. Meanwhile, I remain well stocked in an assortment of other great colors, both for yarn and beads and after the High Holidays, I will update this blog with more specific information for your orders.
Last but not least:
A big THANK YOU to my lovely customers who have placed their trust in me and who are helping me build my dreams. May you all wear your kippot in health and joy.
For those of you who ordered High Holiday kippot, may my kippot add to your kavvanah (sacred intention) of serving the Holy One at this sacred time of year.
Wishing you all l'shanah tovah u'metukah - a good and sweet New year.
P.S. All inquiries and orders can be directed to asmallsanctuaryblog @ gmail. com (remove spaces).
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