The Art of Gift Giving

I make things for people.  I'm not a huge fan of selling things.  I have a problem putting a price on things that I make.  In fact I'm kinda in an argument (but not really) with my husband about what I should be charging for things at this craft fair...Not only that but I have EXTREME anxiety about giving anything away.  I'm always convinced that whoever I'm giving whatever I've made to is going to hate it....Anyway, most recently I made a vest for my mother-in-law's bff Gail. It's a knit vest (there are pictures below), made in earth tones with subtle striping and pockets.  It's a super warm long vest.  And the second it was in the mail I became convinced that she would hate it.  Which I know is ridiculous (but not really, not everyone has to like what I make), but I'm telling you it was an awfully long wait to hear from my MIL (Mother-In-Law) about it.  And even when she called and told me how much she and Gail love the vest I still proceeded to over think the vest.

The point of all this is I'm going to offer a few tips to those of you out there who have the same anxiety about giving away/selling things.
1.  Do NOT listen to the voice inside your head that says, "who's really going to like this?" because all that does is make you lose faith in your project and you'll stop working on it.
2.  Do not say, "I hope you like it, but if you don't I understand."  WHY would this ever be ok to say?  It's not, I've done so I know that it's not ok.
3.  When someone tells you how much they like what you've made do NOT proceed to wonder how you could have made it better.  If they like it that's all that matters.  The ONLY time it's ok to think about how to make it better is if someone else asks for something similar then the only way to make it better is to make it how the second person wants it...but with your own personal spin.
4.  Take a compliment.  Say Thank you, be polite and DO NOT say, "I was so afraid you wouldn't like it."  That makes it seem like you have a lack of confidence in yourself - which if you're like me you do, but that doesn't mean other people need to know that.
5.  And this one is the most important - HAVE FUN.  if you just remember to have fun with what you're making, that's all that matters.  Who cares if people don't like what you made, if you had fun while making it and like it yourself - well all that means is that you now have something really cool to add to your stuff.

Now if you (read I) can just remember these easy little tips I think we'll all be a little better off.  Now to the fun part - the pictures!!!!