Melanie Rutledge

More revenue into smaller, privately owned businesses and sole proprietorships means more money into the hands of middle class citizens trying to make their way or trying to make some extra cash that the virus has unfortunately nabbed from us, due to layoffs and furloughs. You will even see that supporting small businesses is a surprisingly nicer experience, as most of the products that come from them are more intricate, handmade, or acquired with care instead of mass produced like the big companies such as Amazon or Walmart. Even though there is negative twist on social media about things going on nationwide, there is another little corner of the internet where makers, creators, entrepreneurs, and business savvy thinkers alike come together to support and share each other’s gift with the rest of the world. It is a place where we can be socially distant, yet relate to each other as we support one another’s crafts and online shops, communicating in a positive way to show love to other human beings who take time, effort, and blood, sweat, and tears (in some cases) to be able to create one of a kind items with their own two hands.

This post is dedicated to those who are making work for themselves, while also helping the community and the healthcare workers within them through this pandemic in a much bigger way than anyone realizes. These are the hard working individuals, who, while at home, are taking the time to create masks and bandanas (I’ll explain later) for healthcare workers and those in need of them. She makes headbands/bandanas with buttons on the sides for healthcare workers so that they can attach their masks to the buttons, and not get irritation behind their ears from the constant elastic of the masks. I think so highly of these women who have taken the chance on making their shops into a community project and helping our essential workers and healthcare workers who are on the front lines of this pandemic.

3 family members died, including my grandmother who I was really close with. Today I found out that I got the job for a public safety 911/police dispatcher! I’ll be making a lot more than I am right now, which means I can buy more inventory for my boutique! In other great news, I have created my own website for my boutique so I can now make direct sales!

A few months ago I was scrolling through Facebook..as I tend to do often, and I came across an advertisement for a company that creates custom hospital gowns for people who are stuck in the hospital for whatever reason. They create custom designer hospital gowns in multiple colors, patterns, AND SIZES! ” Gownies has matching gown and pillowcase sets, labor gown and robe sets, delivery robes, sleepwear, socks for labor, mommy and me sets for mother and baby, or mother and child, baby swaddle sets, little girl robes, baby layette sets, plush toys for children, and more. Gracie’s Gowns provides custom hospital gowns to children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses.