I guess I've been psyching myself out for the holiday season, because the past few weeks have all been about making changes and progress towards being the best I can for the holidays.

Some of that includes:

• Planning a general reshoot.  I noticed a bunch of my former 'okay' pictures really need to be redone.
• Making an effort to finish socks, rather than just putting them in my final touches basket.
• Adding pictures of my packaging to listings with an empty photo slot.
• Cutting out a bunch of paper for sock sleeves.
• Making repeats of current listings, so I can relist immediately or fulfill custom orders.
• Trying to knock out some of my personal projects before the end of the month.
• Planning my purchases for the holidays, so that I'm not in a rush on the gift giving front when orders pick up.

I also think I've settled on a supply order, so I plan on making that in the next few days.  Yarny goodness is so inspiring and motivating!

While I packed up an order today, I decided to take a couple of snaps of what my packaging looks like. This pair of socks is on its way for someone's son-in-law.

Socks are folded and wrapped with a branded band. The band is made from cotton paper, printed with my shop name, slogan, fiber content and origin, care instructions, size, misc. manufacturing details (can you call them 'manufacturing' details when they're handmade??), and my website.

Then the banded socks are slid into a sock bag. I make these bags from 100% recycled, heavy duty, kraft paper. Pictured is mauve colored. After I cut and fold the bag, I sew it on my sewing machine, trim out a flap, and it's ready to be used! 

I close the bag with a strand or two of yarn in whatever coordinating color that happens to be in my scrap bag and slide my cards (a thank you card, a coupon card, and my business card) into the little loop.

All of this goes into a recyclable tyvec mailer and into the mailbox!

So there you have it: simple, clean, handmade. :)