Red White 'N' Bows

After graduating with a B.A. in theater and creative writing, shop owner Aileen Brenner Houston moved to the Washington, D.C. area to pursue a career in publishing. While working for a magazine, Aileen's boyfriend (now a staff sergeant in the US Army) popped the question and, after he returned from his second tour in Afghanistan, Aileen left her life in publishing to start a new life with her husband in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

With three Army moves slated for her next three years and few work opportunities for young writers in the rural South, Aileen fell back on her favorite coping mechanism for stressful times: crocheting. She had already outfitted her family and friends with more scarves, blankets, and ear warmers than they had closet space and, with encouragement, realized her best outlet for stress could be an outlet for much more.

A self-taught crocheter, Aileen poured her heart and soul into perfecting her craft and expanding her repertoire, and Red White 'N' Bows was born. A labor of love and patriotism, the shop travels with her in large suitcases from Army post to Army post, outfitting families for welcome home ceremonies, sharing crochet love with the interweb, and keeping Etsy ready for winter across the globe. Occasionally, the shop staff's love for wine, bourbon, and Harry Potter leak into the listings.