Open for Business!

A large part of my silence on the blog this fall has been due to a very full schedule.
And if you've been our friends for any length of time, you know that one of my big 'projects' each fall is to help some women from our village find markets for products they make by hand.

I love this project because it is valuable in so many ways...

• The women are able to supplement their family's income substantially (the last two years have earned them about 2 months' wages)
• Hard work is rewarded.
• This is a means for these ladies to earn extra money in the margins of an otherwise busy daily schedule that might not permit them to find an extra job.
• The knitters are affirmed in their creativity
• Risks are rewarded for styles and designs that meet clients' wishes and needs, while lessons are learned when the producers fail to take heed to trends from previous years
• I have 'an excuse' to meet regularly throughout the year with these ladies and their daughters for business coaching, meetings, and photography sessions.  (You know how life is -- sometimes you need 'excuses' to see people!)

• Others learn about Albania as these items are purchased and gifted to loved ones abroad.
• Our prayer team grows (I receive notes from friends who tell me they pray for us/the knitter/Albania whenever they use the product they bought through this project.

This year we have added some new items!  We have pillow covers, Santa hats, and boot cuffs!

We also have a new website with significantly improved shopping cart features!  No more confusing instructions!

We have some folks visiting us right now who can bring your item back to the States and ship it to you.  If you live in the area of Pekin, Illinois or Marion, Indiana, we might be able to drop the cost of shipping altogether if you are willing to arrange pick-up.

Come check out our new site at:  http://handmadeinalbania.org/

A special 'thank you' to everyone who so faithfully shares about this project and supports it with their business!  We are blessed with some wonderful friends and advocates for Albania!