Rise Up Designs

​ This past week, I sat in church on Christmas Eve with my family. Truth be told, I don’t usually talk about my faith publicly — not because it’s not important to me, but because it’s personal. But something the priest said really stayed with me, and it felt too powerful not to share. He said something like this: “We spend so much time picking out the perfect gifts for everyone we love… but what gift are we giving to Jesus on His birthday?” Whew. That flipped something in me. It wasn’t guilt. It wasn’t pressure. It was a deep, gentle nudge to pause and ask myself: What kind of human am I showing up as? Am I leading with patience? Am I being kind in the quiet moments? Am I giving my best energy to what actually matters — or just checking boxes on a to-do list? December Is a Lot Let’s be real: this season is full. If you’re like me, you’re juggling a full-time job, a side hustle, family events, shopping, shipping orders, wrapping, entertaining, and trying to be a whole human in t...

The days after Christmas feel different — quieter, slower, and full of space to breathe. With the holiday rush wrapping up, I launched a 35% off sale to clear out over-inventory and make room for what’s next. It’s been a great way to wrap up the season while giving shoppers a chance to grab something special. But I didn’t just pause — I reset. I took advantage of holiday sales to replenish supplies for my mobile wreath parties, setting myself up for what’s ahead. And one of my favorite wins this week? Finally reorganizing my craft room. I created a full wall of cabinets — and let me tell you, there is something incredibly satisfying about creating a space that actually supports your creativity. Clear bins, clean counters, and room to breathe. It feels like I didn’t just reset my inventory… I reset my energy too. This season isn’t about rushing. It’s about realigning. Clearing space. Refilling intentionally. And preparing for what’s next — with clarity and calm. And honestly?...

​ This Flex Friday feels different — quieter, softer, and exactly how it should be. I’m wrapping up my last few Etsy orders before Christmas. No markets on the calendar. No events to prep for. Just packing, labeling, and reflecting on a season that stretched me, surprised me, and filled my cup in ways I didn’t expect. This one isn’t about hustle. It’s about completion. I’m proud of the markets I showed up for. Proud of the craft parties I hosted. Proud of the connections I made, the orders fulfilled, and the risks I took. And just as proud of myself for knowing when it’s time to pause. Sometimes the biggest flex isn’t doing more — it’s knowing when to slow down. So this is my quiet close for the season. A deep breath. A grateful heart. And a gentle transition into Christmas. Here’s to finishing strong, resting well, and letting this season end with intention. 💛

This time of year gets wild. Between my full-time job, side hustle, holiday parties, shopping, wrapping, planning, and trying to show up for everyone—I’ve been juggling more than usual. And if you’re anything like me, you probably haven’t stopped to check in on the most important piece of the puzzle: yourself. That’s what this week’s Sippin’ Sunday is all about. It’s not always easy to admit when you’re stretched thin. But taking a minute to breathe, to rest, to recalibrate? That’s not just helpful—it’s necessary. We pour into our work, our homes, our families, our customers. Let’s not forget to pour back into ourselves, too. So as the season ramps up, here’s your little nudge to ask: Have you eaten today? Are you hydrated? Have you taken five minutes for you? Can something wait until tomorrow? You can’t wrap all the presents, ship all the orders, and host all the things if you’re running on fumes. You deserve the same care and joy you bring to others. 🫶 Take care of you.

This week felt like the entire fall season wrapped into one — busy, surprising, successful, and full of gratitude. I kicked things off with a market event that went really well. Not only were sales solid, but I connected with several local vendors — building the kind of network that makes this small-business journey feel a little less lonely and a lot more exciting. 🤝✨ But the real surprise?  My backyard pop-up. I went into it with zero expectations… and it ended up being one of the biggest highlights of my week. Neighbors showed up, shopped, supported, and made the whole day unforgettable. It reminded me that sometimes the most unexpected opportunities are the ones that fill your cup the most. ☕️ Then came a private event for Chase Bank, which was another huge win. From there, orders kept rolling in — people reaching out to place office orders, including a really sweet one from a doctor’s office. It’s such a blessing to see word-of-mouth and community support starting to buil...

This weekend was full of heart, hustle, and hot cocoa — and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. On Saturday, I set up shop at a local vendor market. Even though there were a few other big events happening nearby, the crowd still showed up strong. The hosts did an amazing job promoting, and it reminded me how important that piece is for small businesses like mine. Every customer felt intentional, like they made a choice to come out and support us. That means everything to a maker. Then Sunday rolled around, and I tried something new — a pop-up market in my own backyard. I didn’t go into it expecting a crowd, just wanted to open my space to friends, family, and neighbors… and wow, they showed up! From sangria to support, it felt like one big warm hug from my community. 💛 These two days reminded me that support doesn’t always look like a crowd — sometimes it’s one person telling a friend, one neighbor popping in, one kind message on Instagram. That ripple of kindness is wha...

  This Flex Friday is simple — just gratitude . Nothing huge happened this week, no big events or major prep days, but I still had steady Etsy sales , sweet customer messages, and little reminders that people truly support what I do. And honestly? That’s more than enough to celebrate. 💖 I’m heading into this weekend with my last market of the season , and I’m feeling thankful… thankful for the people who shop small, who share my posts, who cheer me on, who believe in handmade, and who remind me why I started this journey. Flex Friday doesn’t always have to be about hustle — sometimes it’s about heart . Here’s to the weekend, new opportunities, and finishing the year strong. ✨