Original Extension

Normally come Friday morning I am in the mood to be a little silly. Because it is the end of the week, and couldn’t we all use a break? Today, however, is not my usual Friday. Today is the end of a series, and I can’t in good taste go out with silliness.

Which, I suppose, works out conveniently because there is one more subject related to originality that I want to chat about before the series closes, and that is the practice of extending ourselves to others.

I use the words “practice” and “extension” intentionally here, because that is exactly how I feel about stretching myself to serve. It is figuratively a stretch for me--and like my sad, sad hamstrings, I’m often a bit tight and cramped up. And so I need practice. Lots of it.

This time of year we are often encouraged (or “bombarded” depending on how you look at) with opportunities to give of ourselves. And I wouldn’t be a good citizen or good human without urging all of us to take advantage of these open doors and give.

However, this year I want to dig a little deeper--make it a little more personal. And, frankly, a little more fun. And that is the “original” part of my quest. What I want is to start with what I have, meaning my skills and talents and resources, and explore the creative ways I can use those skills and/or stuff to extend myself to others.

So, for instance, when my good friend petitioned me last week to help her knit baby items as a fundraising effort for her international adoption, I was thrilled to say yes. Not only do I have a special place in my heart for women who are pursuing unconventional families (because I am one of them), but also I love to knit. Love it. And donating my time is a perfect way to extend myself for a good cause. It’s just the kind of practice I need.

During this season, then, I want to challenge myself (and you) to consider ways to give beyond the usual food donations and Good Samaritan coin collections (but of course give to them too!) by considering ways that we can creatively and with originality extend ourselves using the gifts we have been given. Maybe your talent is for cooking or sewing or organizing or just listening. Find it and give.

Because originality may start with us as an individuals, but I’d hate for it to end there.

And with that final note, I’m signing off! Stay tuned next week for photos and anecdotes from my Thanksgiving week, and then come back for the launch of my new series on handmade holiday fun! Until then--have a great Friday!

Photo Glossary:
photos 1-2: handknit baby sweater-dress, my latest knit design (I love how it turned out, don't you!?)
photo 3: handknit bunny from Last Minute Knitted Gifts
photo 4: bunny on baby girl quilt designed by me and sewn from recycled fabrics
photos 5-6: handknit raglan from Last Minute Knitted Gifts on baby boy quilt designed by me and sewn from recycled fabrics

Shopping for Good!

Monday mornings should start with good news, at least in my opinion. Fortunately I have some to share regarding the “adoption” garage sale that has been advertised here for the past month.

Great Success!
The sale, organized to raise money to support the adoption fees of two local families (one of them is Laura, a previous Marketplace Maven and owner of the Etsy shop, Uproar), was a great success. Laura reported to me in an email that she earned enough money to cover her home study--a crucial component of adoption--and is so thankful for everyone who turned out to volunteer and shop!

Thanks to You!
And so I’d like to extend my thanks, too, if any of you readers attended the sale. Using resourceful recycling (aka garage sale-ing) to benefit local families and good causes gets me very excited!

To read more about the garage sale, click here.

Come Back!
Don’t go too far! Today is “entrepreneurial Monday,” and I’ve got a few posts in store on just that topic!

Previous Related posts:
Marketplace Maven: Laura of Uproar
Deviancy and Compassion
Unclutter for a Good Cause

Marketplace Mavens: Laura of Uproar

note: Marketplace Mavens is a weekly series on entrepreneurial women with passion.  For an account of passion meets adoption and adorable accessories, read below.

You know those people in your life that just impress you the very first time you meet them?  Well, Laura of Uproar--this week's Marketplace Maven--is certainly one of those people for me!

I sat down with Laura over coffee because I had heard from a friend that she was a fellow Etsy seller living in town, and that her shop had a unique mission behind it.  Intrigued, I had to learn more.

You see, Laura decided to create "not so ordinary children's knitted wear" for her shop, Uproar, after noticing that there was a shortage of unique and special knitted items for kids.  But lack of cute knitwear was not her only reason for Uproar.  Visitors can catch a glimpse of her larger mission by reading her shop announcement--Laura and her husband are raising money for a very special mission: adoption.

Laura's journey into knitting was not uncommon for crafters around the world.  After moving to a new city, she was lonely and needed a hobby to keep her busy during that transitional season, so she picked up knitting and was hooked.  But it wasn't until she decided with her husband to adopt children from Asia that her knitting took on a new purpose.  "Finally," she said, "my passion for knitting and my passion for adopting came together."  The result: Uproar.

Here's what I like about Laura and Uproar:

* Her passion is contagious.  We talked at length about adoption (a long, expensive and complex process), about kids in need around the world, and about motherhood.  Like many mavens, Laura wants to use her work to support her family (in this case, her soon-to-be-family), and in turn, the passion she has for her future children fuels her work.

*  She is demonstrating "craftivism" at its best.  Craftivism, which is a catchy term used to describe social action through crafts, is one of my favorite hallmarks of mavenhood, and one of the best reasons I can think of to operate a small business.  Laura's Uproar is not just about selling neat accessories--it is about connecting children without families with parents who will raise them with love.  So dollars spent at Uproar are essentially a two-for-one: great knitwear Plus support for a great cause.

*Her faith is unwavering.  Laura has felt drawn to adoption for a long time, and is so excited to be advancing toward the finish line after years of prayers and hope.  But even at this stage she knows that there are a lot of hurdles left, money being one of them.  She believes strongly that her shop, plus other means, will pave the way for her family.

Please take a minute to visit Uproar, and to read Laura's brief account of her mission in her own words.  And consider supporting this unique mission of connecting children with families by purchasing some not so ordinary knitwear for the children in your life this winter season (I purchased a great hat, which arrived this weekend, and I love it!).  And if you remember, send Laura a quick note through her shop to say hello and encourage her on what will undoubtedly be an exciting and challenging journey into parenting.

Want to read other inspiring stories of Mavenhood?  See below:

Whitney of Lucky Me Beads

Amanda Soule of SouleMama

Hannah of Red Tandem Studio

Do you know a Marketplace Maven, or would you like to be featured as a maven?  Please Email Me your story today!