Fibergig, the Etsy shop I operate with my daughter Emily, is participating in Christmas in July with the Handmade Circle. My hands are busy with projects out of sync with the weather; my mind actively wanders over its own terrain. Why do I so enjoy making things for the holidays? I get great delight in making art and artifacts every day, but there is a peculiar joy in what I do for the winter holidays.

And I know many of my fellow crafters feel the same. I encourage my readers to take a look at the many crafted items in the shops of Handmade Circle. Locate them easily through this link: http://bagsbyhags.blogspot.com/p/christmas-n-july.html. Emily and I have created a treasury called Comfort and Joy of items from this circle of shops. Do they suggest comfort and joy to you? http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NzMyMTkzN3wyNzIwNDYyMTA1/comfort-and-joy

When I was younger, much younger, my holiday greetings focused on peace and good will. Over the years, there has been a shift to comfort and joy. Even when the family Christmas tree became a winter solstice tree to accommodate a larger scope of belief, the ornaments were about nestling birds and dancing stars. Comfort and joy. That is what I like to share, particularly during the winter holidays. And I often express it through items made by hand. How do you like to share comfort and joy?