Just People Doing People Things!
Hi! THANK YOU so much to whomever is taking the time to read this story. From experience, as a buyer, sometimes a shop's story can make all the difference. Truly. For example, while searching for something on Etsy not too long ago, I came across a shop called "BeBraveBeTrue" (https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeBraveBeTrue) that had exactly what I was looking for! While the shop had a couple GREAT reviews, it didn't have very many at the time and I was a hesitant buyer. But then I read the shop story and I could relate to it so much that it nearly brought me to tears. So I messaged the owner, Jenny, through Etsy to see if she could do something custom and she responded right away. By far the absolute BEST shopping experience I have ever had. Jenny's story was inspirational and motivating and powerful and was ultimately the deciding factor for me when choosing which shop to reach out to with a custom order request. Incredible!
So here we are. Writing the Blue Line Family Crafts shop story!
Though nobody is required to read this whole thing, I sure hope you do, and I hope it makes you smile or get all the warm fuzzy feelings. My Mom and I have had our Etsy shop up since 2018, but until recently I hadn't really known what to share about our shop and our story. Being a part of a "thin line" family, let alone a police and corrections family my entire life taught me more lessons than I can count. Some harder to learn than others, which was why I was hesitant about publishing the story you are now reading. I was nervous to be vulnerable on the internet. To share to much or not enough for some people. But THEN my Dad reminded me for the millionth time, that we are all just "people doing people things" and whatever the outcome, it's okay.
I'll try to make this short and sweet, but more than likely... you're in for a long(ish), but great and honest read. My mom and I both proudly support all branches of emergency services in our homeland as well as all branches of the military. My Dad was a police officer for close to three decades, and my husband and I both work in the Criminal Justice arena. My mom and I came up with our shop name, Blue Line Family Crafts, because normally that is what our shop would be stocked with! We are a blue line family :-) However, the inspiration and passion of having a positive influence on other people and making every purchase from us a memorable and pleasant experience has us branching out a little more. I cannot count the number of times I have heard the words, "Nice is free" and "we are all just people doing people things". My dad is a master with words both complicated and simple. He is great about meeting you where you are at, as long as you put in effort. Without a doubt, I am a very stubborn individual. God has blessed me with a natural born fire, both in my hair and my heart... probably my temper too. I used to be very quick to anger and question people's motives and not believe in genuine kindness. But life experiences have taught me that genuine kindness exists and can be shared endlessly. Life, as well as my dad, have also reminded me that we are all just people doing people things. Nurses, Teachers, Bus Drivers, Court Analysts, Gas Station Attendants, Grocery Store Clerks, the homeless... we are all just people doing people things. No one person is more important than another. You will find that you have something in common with EVERY human you meet, even if it's just that you both have two hands and two feet. That is still a human connection and you are still both people... doing people things ;-)
OHMYGOODNESS! See? Longer than intended, but still heartwarming. So to make a long story, short, BlueLineFamilyCrafts is inspired by and passionate about the human connection. Genuine and true kindness and giving without receiving. Some day we are going to meet a great goal and will be able to give back tenfold what we receive (without creating a deficit that we could not afford to live on).
We make every single item we sell with love and attention to detail. Our hope is that whomever is receiving our handmade goods will love them. If it's a gift bag or survival bag going out as a gift, we hope the receiver cherishes the person giving the item, as well as the item itself. We also hope the giver feels their cup getting a little more full. One of our greatest goals is to make every single interaction with our shop a positive one! We love communicating with potential or current and repeat customers. When it comes to creating, we love custom orders too!
Anyhow, we are just people doing things! We aren't scary or mean. We are actually really nice! So if you have any questions or suggestions, please don't hesitate to message us! We would love to hear from you!!
Ta-da! Still sort of long. I may not have ACTUALLY made a long story short. It may have just ended up longer. Either way, I meant every word and THANK YOU AGAIN for sticking it out and reading, or skimming or whatever floats your boat.
<3
Tricia
&
Crystal
