Etsy's Handmade Blog
Celebrating July Fourth on the Homefront
Story by monsterbugblankets, TerisTreasure
Published on July 3, 2009 in This Handmade Life 		Photo by

BubbleGumGarden

As a military spouse, Independence Day means a lot more to me now than when I was a child. I have personally watched my husband and friends leave to serve overseas, many never returning home. When the American flag is flying high, I can't help but remember the fallen soldiers and the many generations of lives sacrificed for that flag to still wave so freely. On the Fourth of July, the fireworks burst with bright colors, I hear the national anthem, and it never fails to bring me to tears.

The people I’ve met through the Homefront Team are strong, courageous, and supportive.  We all seem to be opinionated and very talkative!  But we get along great — accepting that we have different beliefs on many issues, yet recognizing that we have a very strong bond that has pulled us together: the U.S. military.

The Etsy Homefront Team is made up of over 100 shops, all owned by veterans, spouses, and significant others of members of the uniformed services. We are male and female, of all ages and different nationalities, and are located, quite literally, worldwide.

Our one common thread is that we are personally involved in supporting our countries on a day-in, day-out basis. Without prejudice, or regard for religion, race, nationality or political views, we keep the home fires burning and our families together, no matter how far apart we are.

On this Fourth of July weekend, let me introduce you to a few of our members — so you can get to know us better!

Photo by levansphotography

What do you love most about being a member of the Homefront Team?
TwoSeasideBabes: “I love that as military spouses, family members, and veterans, we live a life that is completely unlike most civilians. We deal with issues that most could never imagine. Add in deployments, weeks at sea, and long field problems — and we are usually taking care of issues by ourselves. Often, we are stationed away from family.  I rely on the Homefront Team to get me through those days that are especially hard and difficult. We are there for one another about business matters and also family and military issues.”
DancingBearsTeaHouse: “Everyone is always supportive of each other in the downs and thrilled for each other in the ups.  This is a strong group both personally and creatively.”
levansphotography: “It’s another branch of the family, who really does understand what I’m going though.”

For veterans, what did you love most about serving your country as a member of the U.S. military?
WanderingWhimsies: “There was so much that I loved about serving in the U.S. Navy!  The traditions and history, the pride I felt being a part of the U.S. military, the people I met and the friends I made, the places I lived and countries I visited, even my job!”
TwoSeasideBabes: “As a combat veteran, I was privileged to see firsthand how people in other countries live. It's heartbreaking to have been to Kosovo and Afghanistan, seeing how young children grow up completely differently — living without the amenities and comforts we so often take for granted, and often expect to simply be given. Being a veteran made me truly appreciate the simple things in life that a lot of countries outside of the United States don't have.”



Pictured above, TwoSeasideBabes. Below, right, sygnetcreations and her husband.

What do you love most about being a military spouse?
DancingBearsTeaHouse: “The best part about being a military spouse is that I know my husband is doing what he wants.  The pay isn’t always great, sometimes the job is a pain, the hours are less than desirable, but my husband is proud of what he does.”
TheYarnChick: “I love moving around and traveling.  We get to visit and live in places that never would have been an option otherwise.”
LilacAve: “One word: adventure!”

What are challenges you’ve faced as being a part of the military?
TheYarnChick: “The separations are the hardest part.  Seeing Daddy leave again for who knows how long, and trying to explain to the kids why.  And not wanting to promise he’ll be back, because what if my promise is broken?”
WanderingWhimsies: “Separation from my husband and family was a big challenge, but so was adjusting to daily life when my husband would return from sea duty.  Or when we were stationed together, but worked opposite schedules — never seeing each other.”
FrayBabyBibsandMore: “I think any military spouse will tell you two main things — leaving friends behind and the constant moving.  But those two things military spouses accept as part of our crazy military life!  At every duty station, friends are made and friends are left behind, but those friendships are always cherished!  We don’t say goodbye — we say ‘until we meet again!’”
monsterbugblankets: “The sacrifices are hard — leaving family, leaving your country, leaving friends, your husband being gone for birthdays, anniversaries, months on end.  Some husbands miss the births of their children or the deaths of family members.  I had to learn to let go of all expectations — time and time again.”

How does being a part of the military work with selling on Etsy?  Are there extra challenges, or is it easier?
TheYarnChick: “The nice part about selling on Etsy is that my job can move with us whenever and wherever we go.  That can also be a challenge— having to register the business in each different state and learning the new state laws — it’s a bit repetitive.  When we live overseas, it is harder to get supplies, and takes longer for packages to arrive to the customer.”
BubbleGumGarden: “It's nice because Etsy allows us portability. When you move, your shop comes with you. Return customers are able to find you, even though you just relocated from New York to Arizona.”

Pictured above, TerisTreasure's husband in Iraq.


Further Resources:
Homefront Team Blog

Looking for more interviews with Etsy Teams?  Check them out here!
Americana Folk Gift Guide | More July Fourth Posts | Items Tagged "Homefront Team"

Happy Fourth of July to all!

Tags America, army, fourth of july, holidays, Homefront Team, independence day, july 4th, military, military spouses, navy, patriotism, This Handmade Life, THIS HANDMADE LIFE, United States, veterans
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81 comments     Login to add your own!

July 3, 2009 at 1:18 p.m. SewnNatural

I admire your courage in facing these daily challenges and sacrifices. Thanks for sharing this, and Happy Fourth of July to you, and everyone.

July 3, 2009 at 1:20 p.m. 4TheSparrowsNest

Thank you for serving our country; I loved reading this! I love the men and women who serve our country...and their families who support them. Happy 4th to all!

July 3, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. FancifulForm

Great article!

July 3, 2009 at 1:23 p.m. foamywader

Thanks for sharing!

July 3, 2009 at 1:27 p.m. CarryTheWord

Thank you to all those brave men and women who serve our country, I appreciate all that you do! God Bless you and God Bless the U.S.A!

July 3, 2009 at 1:27 p.m. VintageinBohemia

very nice article, so sweet to see a reunion

July 3, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. belovedbaglady

Beautiful! Thanks for the boost of patriotism! Shop vintage this weekend!!!

July 3, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. AwApplesauce

Happy 4th everyone! :D

July 3, 2009 at 1:33 p.m. VintageEye

My thoughts are with all service people, spouses and
families this 4th of July.

July 3, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. JMCdesigns

Thank you for risking your life for all of us.
To all who serve, A deep heart felt thank you!!!!

July 3, 2009 at 1:44 p.m. voleurdebijoux

Thank you for your dedication and service.
Happy 4th of July to everyone!

July 3, 2009 at 1:46 p.m. BeadinBabe

We can't thank you enough!!!

July 3, 2009 at 1:48 p.m. michelewazzer

Thank you for a great reminder of what the Fourth is really about. The fireworks aren't just for the kids' fun; they're to remind us of what our military did and does to keep us safe.

Happy Independence Day!

July 3, 2009 at 1:58 p.m. LilacAve

fantastic! Happy 4th, Let Freedom Ring!

July 3, 2009 at 1:59 p.m. suzshan

Poignant! These fine families are the epitome of what our country stands for. We are free because they fight for us.
God Bless!

July 3, 2009 at 2:01 p.m. levansphotography

the article is fantastic, & thanks for using my photo chica.

It never fails to amaze me that military spouses the world over are constantly experiencing the same feelings day in & day out. This article sums up so much of what we go through, half of which we think is stupid until someone else says exactly what it is we're feeling. But i know none of us would change our lives for anything.

god bless all the men & woman serving their countries & all those supporting them from home.

July 3, 2009 at 2:19 p.m. BPyarns

lovely article~ Happy 4th of July !

July 3, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. Radness

horray for the armed forces!

July 3, 2009 at 2:31 p.m. KnotOriginal

Bless you and your loved ones...Thank You for keeping us safe♥

July 3, 2009 at 2:40 p.m. mrsdstahl

Congrats girls!!! I am so proud of our team. You all look great and have so much to offer this country through the service and support you offer your hubbies! xoxoxo Sarah :)

July 3, 2009 at 2:48 p.m. sewlittletimeinnc

Great article. All the contributing members of the Homefront Team did a great job putting this together.

Happy 4th of July to all my buddies on the Homefront Team.

July 3, 2009 at 2:59 p.m. ArtWhims

This is an absolutely beautiful article. So moving!

Happy 4th of July!

July 3, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. cherbie

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

July 3, 2009 at 3:08 p.m. animalcracker

Great article. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Happy 4th to all!

July 3, 2009 at 3:18 p.m. nikid

Monster and Teri: You did a wonderful job! Thank you very much!!

July 3, 2009 at 3:26 p.m. MagnetGames

thanks for this blog! I loved reading the comments by the members of the Homefront team.

<3
susan.

July 3, 2009 at 3:48 p.m. TreeHuggerStudio

Happy 4th!!! Be safe& WELL!!

July 3, 2009 at 4:08 p.m. warmnfuzzies

Thank you to all our service men and women! Happy Fourth of July!

July 3, 2009 at 4:23 p.m. odiliafu

HAPPY HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

July 3, 2009 at 4:36 p.m. BlackStar

Great article Homefront Team! Happy 4th to all of you. (and us).

July 3, 2009 at 4:43 p.m. TheYarnChick

Awesome article. I'm so proud to be a member of this team.

July 3, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. modflo

thanks for sharing your thoughtful comments. happy 4th, all!

July 3, 2009 at 4:55 p.m. KOALACaddie

Thank you for your service. I'm also always impressed by all the handcrafted items being made for soldiers and veterans - from quilts to mittens. Great article.

July 3, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. beautifulbridget

Excellent article!!

July 3, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. AnniesWearableArt

Thanks to those valiant men and women who protect our freedom on a daily basis. We are so fortunate to live in this country and blessed by our military. May they also be blessed, this 4th of July and always.

July 3, 2009 at 5:27 p.m. ManateeDreamsInc

Great message and Happy 4th of July!

July 3, 2009 at 6:48 p.m. jenniferlynnstudio

I honor those who have served and grieve for those who have lost a loved one...remember what this day means.

July 3, 2009 at 7:55 p.m. SecondHandNews

Amazing Article. Thank you to all of America's Service Men and Women and their families. We are all so very grateful for your sacrifices and for protecting our families back here in the wonderful United States of America. A very Happy 4th of July to you all!

July 3, 2009 at 9:17 p.m. ME2Designs

Wonderful article! Because of the bravery of those who serve/served we're able to live in the land of the free, and we honor you this independence day. Thank you.

July 3, 2009 at 10:14 p.m. terryann

I am so proud to be a part of this supportive group!

July 3, 2009 at 10:54 p.m. curlyfrysc

Oohrah!

July 4, 2009 at 12:55 a.m. lavendergooms

It is a priviledge to serve your country and I admire and thank you for your time, dedication, and selflessness. It IS appreciated!

July 4, 2009 at 1:05 a.m. sygnetcreations

Happy fourth to you all!! Thank you Homefront Team for such a beautifully written article and for all your support. I have never been so honored to be part of such a beautiful group!! -

July 4, 2009 at 1:39 a.m. kidacollective

Nice to read such a personal article. Happy 4th of July America.

July 4, 2009 at 3:10 a.m. JoyandWhimsy

Thank you! A great way to support the military is through BOOKS FOR SOLDIERS dot com.

The books / mags, and any care package is requested specifically by soldiers online - for example one may ask for any sci-fi paperbacks you can send. It is not expensive to mail because the books are sent to a US Base (so your paying for shipping within the US) and that base transfers your packages to Afghanistan, Iraq, or anywhere else in the world - but be sure to ask your postal rep for the MEDIA MAIL rate so the price is cut down drastically.

BooksForSoldiers dot com

July 4, 2009 at 5 a.m. RedHarp

Thank you for this article. I work in a federal agency serving veterans so every day I see the sacrifice made by those who have served.

May I also suggest a charity: TeddyCare http://teddycare.coastside.net/ Making small bears is a good way to use bits of fabric left from other projects and make a difference in a child's life:

They give bears to the children of military parents...

"Operation TeddyCare is committed to recognizing these children's sacrifices. Military children are expected to be extraordinary -- to be brave, to do their homework, to do their chores, and to handle the stress of their parent being away from home. Operation TeddyCare is a way to express appreciation to these kids, and to tell them, 'You're being a great kid.'"

July 4, 2009 at 5:10 a.m. JingjingHandmade

Admired, really!

July 4, 2009 at 6:58 a.m. KiriShinigami

Not from the states but am wishing you all a grand 4rth of july!!

July 4, 2009 at 7:34 a.m. PawPawsWorkshop

Wonderful article

July 4, 2009 at 8:39 a.m. giraffelabel

what a great article guys! i am so proud to be a part of such a wonderful team! happy 4th!

July 4, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. CreationsAnew

This is a creative and supportive team who lives everyday the red white and blue!
Happy 4th of July !
RObin

July 4, 2009 at 10:29 a.m. HRPhotography

Happy 4th of July everyone!

What a fantastic storque article featuring our fabulous team members! :)

July 4, 2009 at 10:36 a.m. steampunkjunk

Very nice article!

July 4, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. athayes

I LOVE the etsy blog!! Thank you especially for sharing this post with us for Independence Day. I write a blog of my own and will definitely link to this today. Happy Independence Day!

Amber
Threads
www.amberthayes.com

July 4, 2009 at 12:06 p.m. Iammie

yay for America!

July 4, 2009 at 1:05 p.m. emptynestegg

God bless you both.

July 4, 2009 at 1:10 p.m. GimCarry

Happy Independence day to Everyone (* v *)

July 4, 2009 at 1:44 p.m. CutieDynamite

Thank you for sharing!

July 4, 2009 at 1:49 p.m. ToxicInk

This was great! Thank you so very much for sharing!

Happy Independence Day!

xoxoxo

July 4, 2009 at 2:04 p.m. TerisTreasure

Happy 4th everyone! Thank you so much to Etsy for posting our article! Its an honor to be able to contribute a post on such a proud day to me!

July 4, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. slumptown

Happy 4th of July. Thanks for sharing this wonderful article.

July 4, 2009 at 2:38 p.m. mirkah

Yei, go Homefront team! Great job with the article.

July 4, 2009 at 5:01 p.m. DalkullanJewelry

Great article, thanks so much for writing it. Thank you all the brave members of our military, active duty and retired, and their families, for your wonderful service to our country. Freedom isn't free, and you've paid, and our paying the price for our freedom.
Wishing all the military and their families, a wonderful Independence Day.

July 4, 2009 at 5:07 p.m. urbandesign

Wonderful article! We owe so much to the brave men and women who serve our country, thank you!

July 4, 2009 at 6:18 p.m. pandawithcookie

Happy Fourth! I liked reading more about this team.

July 4, 2009 at 7:23 p.m. BayMoonDesign

From a member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a happy fourth of July to all.

July 4, 2009 at 7:35 p.m. KLynnae

Thank you for including my work in this stoque article. I am so proud to be a military spouse. Thank you to all those who serve! Happy 4th of July everyone!

July 4, 2009 at 11:51 p.m. karenleanneking

Our military is our Families! It is our dads, brothers, uncles, cousins, friends, and in my case, recently is was my Daughter! Although she has served her term in the US Navy, and has gone on to graduate with her B.A, those days were a significant part of my life as a parent, and as a US Citizen. Our dedication to our country has made this nation great, and it will continue to stay great, as long as we remember why this country was founded in the first place. I am a decendant of a group of the first Pilgrims, in the Mayflower era, yet on a different ship of it's class. They came here to worship God free from tyrany, and if we let go of that foundation, we will ultimately lose our freedom, so dearly won. May God Bless This Great Nation, and all the souls who've given thier lives for her, as well as those fighting who still live.

July 5, 2009 at 2:12 a.m. AgelessThings

Thank you for the introduction to all these wonderful, artist people.
Thank you to them for the strength, courage and sacrifice, day to day, to keep our country safe.
On this 4th of July, 2009 our independence is as fragile as it was in 1776.
Thru the barbeques and fireworks let us be thankful for all we have in the USA. And thankful to the people and their families who protect and defend the principles of our great nation.

July 5, 2009 at 7:38 a.m. KymminNC

It is great to be a part of such an inspiring group of people. Loved the article! Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their holiday!

July 5, 2009 at 7:52 a.m. BizzieLizzie

LOVE the article! One of my proudest times is being in the USN. Thanks to all who have given of their time and lives to support and defend our Country!

July 5, 2009 at 9:07 a.m. klacustomcreations

Happy 4th of July, hope everyone enjoyed some fireworks!

July 5, 2009 at 11 a.m. VixVintage

Thank you for such an inspiring and honest article.

July 5, 2009 at 1:19 p.m. rctees

What a wonderful tribute!! I salute you all!!

July 5, 2009 at 2:17 p.m. CustomCoffey

Your strength and dedication to our country is greatly appreciated!! What a great article!

July 6, 2009 at 11:22 a.m. lovelygifts

Great article!

July 6, 2009 at 12:05 p.m. SeaPinks

Wonderful!!! Thank you so much for this article :)

July 6, 2009 at 2:10 p.m. lambsnivy

From a military wife to the Homefront Team- I salute all of you! Freedom is NOT free!

July 6, 2009 at 6:24 p.m. vivilian

Thank you for sharing this to us!!
Xoxo

http://www.vivilian.etsy.com

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July 6, 2009 at 11:35 p.m. oldschooltrading

God bless our military!! From a Proud wife of a US Navy veteran!! Thank you for the post!

July 11, 2009 at 2:19 a.m. Tina669

Happy peace

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