Now Welcoming Small Businesses and Handmade Artists
Sometimes I can’t believe that Making This Home will be turning two years old very soon. It’s helped me continue writing and building my voice. It’s connected me to so many beautiful people (like you!) and taught me that living big does not mean living better. Or at least it’s not better for me, and I feel so happy and confident in my decision to choose more simplicity.
I hope that maybe joining me here every day has offered you some really great things, too.

There are a few things that Making This Home hasn’t quite fulfilled for me. I haven’t felt connected to handmade artists and small online businesses like I would like to. This summer has really connected me to some really incredible artists and small business owners in my community… okay, county. Last month, Martin said, “It’s amazing how rural communities really take care of their neighbors and support each other.”
It’s so true. When we lived in Berlin, I’d forgotten what it was like to wave at every-single-person-I-passed, which is such a huge part of our life here. Sometimes when I’m walking down the gravel roads, it involves waving twice – once on their drive up the road and once on their drive back.
When Martin mentioned the rural community perspective, I paused. We were eating locally made ice cream at the locally owned campground. Eating that ice cream over any other not only tasted really good; it felt really good. I started to wonder. Why aren’t I supporting my online neighbors with this kindred attitude?
I’ve decided to open Making This Home to a small number of handmade artists and small online businesses in September.
If you are interested in promoting your shop, creations, or ideas, and getting the word out about your business and what you’re trying to achieve, please click here for all the advertising information.
Thank you all for sharing this journey with me. I can’t wait to start spreading some “country lovin’!”








August 28th, 2010 at 6:22 am
Wow Katie, what a great idea!
August 28th, 2010 at 7:45 am
Great idea, Katie! I hopped over to look at your FAQ and if I can put together a jpg button today you’ll probably be hearing from me for September. :) Two more questions/considerations for you, though…
1) Will you limit the number of advertising space available?
2) I think it would be more effective if you did the features earlier in the month than the 20th…. For example, if you did them around the 5th or so, then you’d put the business into everyone’s minds and then for the rest of the month they’d see the ad and would eventually find the time to actually click on over (research shows people have to see something 6-10 times before they’ll click and buy). If you wait until the 20th and they’re just a one-month sponsor, people might not see the ad enough times after your mention to actually click over and buy, and once the month is over then it’s “out of sight, out of mind.” Or should I say “off of site, out of mind,” lol! I know that the ad will be up all month but your feature will obviously have a bigger impact on cementing the product/company in your readers’ minds since we’ve all learned to “tune out” sidebar advertisements to some extent. Anyway, just a suggestion! :)
Now I need to see when I can fit in making a button… and how pathetic is it that I don’t already have one? ;)
August 28th, 2010 at 7:51 am
Cameron – thanks for the sweet note! You know I love your creations soooo much. :)
Yes – I plan on having only a very small, small number of advertisers. I was actually thinking that an early month mention might make more sense than a late one. So thank you for your perspective on that. I’ll switch that!
Looking forward to your button!
Katie
August 30th, 2010 at 9:13 am
Katie, this is a great idea. I’m looking forward to seeing the products of other folks around here!
September 1st, 2010 at 8:47 pm
that is such an awesome idea!!!! Sharing the luurrrve! Nice one! You’ll probably be surprised how many people let you know about what you’re doing