I am especially excited to share with you the giving back part of this open house. It is two-part this time. First of all, the vendors will be sharing a percentage of profits with Got Love? This is a local group with big dreams of changing the lives of many families in Guatemala. All of the artists will be donating money to purchase used and refurbished sewing machines for women in Guatemala. This will give Guatemalan women a way to create their own crafts to sell and help support their families! How is that for crafting to give back--for more crafting! So super cool if you ask me! These women have never worked an electric sewing machine before. On their last trip Annette Kruschek's daughter and Mother-n-law taught women
how to operate a machine. Now these women are teaching others within
the village how to use the machines that were purchased. It has been
very successful and many items have been made since their trip. I love the, "Sewing Hope"
project. That is the ultimate goal... hope for a brighter future!! Annette Kruschek will also have a Got Love? table full of hand-made items made by Guatemalans. The proceeds from these purchases go right back to helping the needy in Guatemala. You are really going to want to check out their facebook page and see the amazing ways that they are giving back in this country with so many shortages. Annette will also be able to tell you so much more about what they have done and are planning to do. Of course, if you would like to sponsor a sewing machine yourself, you can donate directly at the open house as well. Giving a working sewing machine to a family is only $35!
The second way to give back at this open house is at the Craft to Give back table. Once a month, a group of amazing women get together and make things to help N's Whims give back to the community. N's Whims donates all of the supplies for each crafting session. Then, we work together to make the projects. We are now selling some of the fun things we make. ALL proceeds from the sales of these items will be donated to DAIS (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services) in Madison. How cool is that?! Here are some pictures of a few of the items that will be available at the Craft to give back table. Also, we would like to refurbish some outdated/unwanted furniture with good bones to sell at future open houses. If you have some furniture (even if broken, we can re-purpose parts) or paints you would like to donate, please let me know!
Now that you know about all the ways you can feel even better about spending your money at the open house, let me give you some clues as to who will be here and what kinds of amazing handmade goodies you might find! Of course, you will find N's Whims jewelry and other whims--I am going to be a jewelry making fiend this week, and won't be posting any of the new lovelies so there will be lots of suprises! Come early for the best selection as many will be one of a kinds! Bring a guest who is new to N's Whims and get 10% off of one N's Whims item at the open house! Make sure you let me know because it can get CRAZY during the open houses! Oh, and I should also let you know that I have someone on board to help me bag and ring this time AND my studio is now across the hall, so there is more room to browse in the boutique now! Woohoo! You will also find many N2 items in my boutique. These are fun projects that Nicole Mihalas and I create together--she is amazingly talented and so much fun to be with. So, we combine both of our skills and creativity to come up with some cool creations to sell. There are also a few items made by our girls, Zoe and Bella--gotta keep them busy while we are crafting! If you need some sticky bands from Cdel design, you can pick them up in my boutique as well. Dede's beautiful stained glass pieces will also be available at this open house. She will have several smaller pieces that are perfect for gift giving! Her glass items were very popular at the last open house! She will also have some winter hats--they are one size fits most. All of my girls and I enjoy wearing them all winter long! Here is a sample of her abstract glasswork--one of the pieces that makes me smile every time I walk into my living room :).
Sue Jacobs, who works at Arboretum School, is going to be joining us for the first time. She makes beautiful bags and purses--as well as other cool items. I don't have a picture for you--you'll just have to trust me that you'll want to arrive early and check out her items because they are mostly one of a kinds and are likely to sell quickly! Her items are so well made and use such cute fabrics. You are going to LOVE them!
Caroline Designs has been busy coming up with some new items. Her new skirt design is especially cute and whimsical. I love the little details on these skirts--each is one of a kind! She is also making the adorable ruffled pants pictured on the right. These are a great alternative option under skirts and dresses in the winter. My girls love wearing them because they feel like pj's, without looking like it :). She will have hair accessories, green snack bags, gnome doors & other skirts available as well. 
Super excited to get the rest of my holiday shopping completed at this open house! Can't wait to see you all there!
