Above: Maritza Soto and Liz Smith after a quilting workshop.

A very wise customer suggested we share some of the reasons why a variety of the folks that have pledged to back our Kickstarter campaign made that choice. As if it wasn't enough to get all weepy each time someone new makes a contribution, the answers we've received today to our request have been kind and thoughtful just like each of you. Today we are featuring Liz Smith, some of you might know her as Smith Dry Goods. Liz is actually one of the makers that inspired Virginia to "leap". Liz has been blogging about having a handmade business for years.

A very wise customer suggested we share some of the reasons why a variety of the folks that have pledged to back our Kickstarter campaign made that choice. As if it wasn't enough to get all weepy each time someone new makes a contribution, the answers we've received today to our request have been kind and thoughtful just like each of you. Today we feature the extremely talented graphic designer, home cook, and stitcher, Emily Luong. Watching Emily's sewing skills reach new heights is something that makes Virginia very proud of gather here. And there have been a number of occasions that we've asked Emily to help us solve our Adobe Illustrator problems.

A very wise customer suggested we share some of the reasons why a variety of the folks that have pledged to back our Kickstarter campaign made that choice. As if it wasn't enough to get all weepy each time someone new makes a contribution, the answers we've received today to our request have been kind and thoughtful just like each of you. The wise customer was this woman, Jeanette Eberhardy. When Jeanette is out of town teaching or helping her family, we all miss her. Having her cutting and stitching, getting knitting advice, and problem-solving with her is a highlight of our week. We chose not to edit or reformat Jeanette's answers, the following read like poetry. You can find Jeanette crafting stories for today’s meaningful work at WivInc.com

Above: Abby wearing her skirt from the "Draft Your Own Skirt Pattern" workshop.

A very wise customer suggested we share some of the reasons why a variety of the folks that have pledged to back our  Kickstarter campaign made that choice. As if it wasn't enough to get all weepy each time someone new makes a contribution, the answers we've received today to our request have been kind and thoughtful just like each of you. Today we'd like to introduce you to Abby Swann. Virginia and Abby met at a yard sale. They were both shopping for Pyrex - Virginia for the store, Abby for her new apartment. Abby is an Assistant Professor at the University of Washington and heads the Ecoclimate Lab there.

photo by Matthey J. Lee from the Boston Globe

A very wise customer suggested we share some of the reasons why a variety of the folks that have pledged to back our Kickstarter campaign made that choice. As if it wasn't enough to get all weepy each time someone new makes a contribution, the answers we've received today to our request have been kind and thoughtful just like each of you. Today we feature Tim Kardatzke who is also a small business owner, his company East Cambridge Handyman Services has come to our rescue a couple of times.