12/03/2025
Before I start, I just want to say don’t panic when you start reading the rest! All Christmas orders WILL be completed & done in time. If being shipped, your orders are being prioritized! I will ship out those no later than December 15th!
🎄Christmas orders are CLOSED if I need to ship! Local customers, I’ll know by December 15th at the latest if I can take on anything last minute. I need to prioritize orders that have been placed weeks ago. I did the count a little bit ago && I need to embroider 55 items in the next 12 days 😳‼️
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Starting in January, I will be cutting WAY back on custom orders. I will be approaching this business as a “drop” type of thing. And only accepting a certain amount of orders at a time. This will allow for a shorter turnaround time (TAT) & for me to bring new items (smaller, RTS, cheaper?) to Haley Lynn Handmade!
I’m planning to use January as the month that I truly learn my sewing machine. Meaning I can create smaller things in addition to crews. I’m thinking scrunchies, bags, blankets, pillows, etc. I want to be able to learn it without worrying about orders to complete instead. I plan to do that when Nora is in the hands of family or she’s sleeping.
I’m extremely thankful that business is doing well enough for me to even feel the need to do this && as much as I wish I could be like “let’s get a second machine or a larger one to help with these orders” … we don’t have the space for it. 😅😂 My work area is our dining room. The living room is her toy & sensory playground. Spare room? Don’t have one. It’s a storage/litter room for our cats.
I need to prioritize my daughter. I need to prioritize myself. I need to prioritize my family. I’m either feeling guilty for feeling behind on embroidery when I’m focusing on her.. or feeling guilty for letting Bluey or Ms. Rachel babysit her while I work. Or guilty for wanting to go to the gym to get healthy, but with what time? I’m hoping to prioritize my health as well. Physical & mental.
The past few weeks & holidays have been an eye opener that I need to be there more for her than I’ve been. Again, a WONDERFUL problem to have in terms of my business … but I started this in order to be able to stay at home with her. But now I feel like embroidery has taken more of my time & I just can’t continue that. She only receives 30 minutes of therapy a week (as of now), so I need to be the one to fill in the gaps & work with her on her skills. Raising an autistic child is a challenge in itself, so to have a “no limit” approach to orders for my business has shown to be difficult.
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In summary…
✨ Shipped Christmas orders have priority. Local orders will follow immediately after.
✨ Customs & website will CLOSE starting January 1st. Until I start the new “drop” approach.
✨ Daughter is becoming my top priority.
✨ I am going to learn how to sew in January.
✨ “Drops” will be themed, some with customs only, happening 1-2 times a month. Limited spots available for crews & shirts. Hoping to have RTS sewn items.
✨ I still plan to post as often as I can!! I’ll probably have you all join me on my “learning to sew” journey 😅 so please be kind at first lolol
Most importantly, I want to keep doing this. I truly do, but I need to take a step back in business. And a step forward in family. ❤️
