Wendy and Sarah here, hugging and squealing as we celebrate one year in business bringing joy to people who definitely deserve it and reminding our people that little moments and little joys are everywhere.
One year ago, Craft’n Pages began with a friendship, a shared love of books and creativity, and one big “what if?”
What if we created something that helped people pause? What if we paired wonderful stories with approachable crafts, thoughtful treats and little surprises? What if opening a box could feel like permission to set everything else down for a while and enjoy a moment that was entirely your own?
Over the past year, that “what if?” has become real—one book, one box and one beautifully imperfect creative moment at a time.
To celebrate our first birthday, we decided to turn the questions on each other and reflect on the pinch-me moments, behind-the-scenes fun, unexpected lessons and dreams that have shaped our first year of Craft’n Pages.
Let’s begin at the beginning…
Sarah asks Wendy: Thinking back to a year ago when we first had this idea, what has brought you the most joy between then and now?
Wendy (W): Every time my phone lights up with a notification that a new order has come through, I instantly text Sarah—with a LOT of emojis. That moment of sending party confetti and exclamation marks back and forth is such a high.
We’re celebrating every single win and every single person who believes in our “what if?” alongside us.
Wendy asks Sarah: What has been your favorite “pinch me” moment so far?
Sarah (S): Every time we receive texts, messages or posts sharing people’s reactions!
Knowing that people are saying yes to moments of “me time” through books and creativity—and that they’re excited for each new box—warms my heart. I’m so grateful for every one of those moments.
Behind the scenes at Craft’n Pages
Wendy asks Sarah: What is your favorite part of working behind the scenes?
S: I think we can both agree that it’s the reading, right?
Besides that, I love curating the boxes and thinking about what might make someone smile, feel surprised and genuinely allow themselves to enjoy the experience without feeling guilty.
Sarah asks Wendy: Do you have a favorite box we’ve created so far?
W: I really loved our September box featuring Whistler. It was a fabulous book that I thoroughly enjoyed—and I always celebrate when literary or historical fiction makes the cut.
We paired it with local jam from Frederick, a cute craft I would genuinely make and hang in my own home, and a beautiful ’zine designed by Sarah. I also really loved the playlist.
And I learned far more about Chevy jingles that month than I ever imagined I would. If you know, you know.
Stretching, learning and occasionally getting it wrong
Wendy asks Sarah: Has the Craft’n Pages journey taken you outside your comfort zone with books, crafts or business?
S: My Fable reading stats would definitely show that I’ve branched out into other genres. Last year, I read mostly mystery and romance. Now there’s certainly more Wendy influence, with historical and literary fiction appearing on my shelves.
But I think the greatest stretch has been learning to navigate a product-based business. There are some similarities to our service-based businesses as a designer and photographer, but this has challenged us to learn and grow in entirely new ways.
Sarah asks Wendy: People talk a lot about accomplishments, but what is one “failure”—or something that didn’t go as planned—that taught us an important lesson?
W: I actually love our “lessons learned” moments.
Sometimes an idea feels fun, fresh and celebratory, like the birthday boxes filled with our favorite things that we offered in February and March. Other times, we realize we simply aren’t ready for something yet, like a full merch shop—although our stickers are extremely cute.
Maybe this isn’t exactly a failure, but one thing I’m especially proud of is the way Sarah and I handle those moments together. We can begin on completely different sides of an idea or plan, but we always respect and listen to each other. Neither of us draws hard lines in the sand.
It’s a true partnership, even—and perhaps especially—when we don’t immediately agree.
Celebrating personal accomplishments
Sarah asks Wendy: What do you think your biggest personal accomplishment with Craft’n Pages has been?
W: Without a doubt, it was that one time I appeared on camera on time for one of our weekly meetings.
Oh, wait. Not that kind of accomplishment?
I might get a little ambitious with my morning multitasking, okay?
In all seriousness, I’m proud of how Sarah and I have brought together our individual strengths, passions and friendship and used them to care for other people—and to help those people take better care of themselves.
I’m a helper, a lover and a giver. I get immense joy from delivering a soft exhale and a gentle hug to people across the country.
And some cheesy puns, too, of course.
Things we’ve learned about each other
Wendy asks Sarah: What is something you’ve learned about Wendy that people might not know?
S: Wendy has learned that she likes mysteries more than she would like to admit. She’s the one who has taken a deep spiral down the Agatha Christie rabbit hole.
Oh, and she cannot make the rocker-hand symbol for Apple reactions during video calls. We usually end up with “hang loose” or “I love you” instead.
Dreaming about what comes next
Wendy asks Sarah: What is one future goal you’re especially excited about?
S: Sending a Craft’n Pages box to all 50 states!
We’ve reached six or seven states so far, so we still have quite a journey ahead of us. But it would be reallllly amazing—and honestly emotional—to know we had reached another human with a moment of joy in every single state.
Sarah asks Wendy: What is your hope for the two of us one year from now?
W: In one year, I dream of growth that allows us to outsource some pieces of the process while expanding into philanthropy and in-person events.
I hope we’re still dreaming together—but that we’ve also created more time and space to bring some of those bigger dreams to life.
Sarah asks Wendy: What is your hope for the Craft’n Pages family one year from now?
W: I would love to see a true community: something much bigger than a collection of beautiful boxes.
I hope Craft’n Pages helps create a small but meaningful change in how people experience the little moments in their lives. I want to see connections forming among readers, crafters and human beings who understand how much those moments matter.
And I hope our Craft’n Pages family continues to help guide our decisions, shape our ideas and inspire whatever we dream up next.
Let’s go, fam.
One year later—and still asking “what if?”
Our first year of Craft’n Pages has included exciting orders, wonderful books, cute crafts, very questionable hand gestures, unexpected lessons, big dreams and more behind-the-scenes conversations than we could ever count.
But most importantly, it has included you.
Every order, message, review, shared photo and word of encouragement has reminded us that this little idea means something beyond the two of us. Thank you for trusting us with a small piece of your time. Thank you for creating, reading and resting alongside us. And thank you for continuing to believe in our “what if?”
We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built in our first year—and even more excited to discover what the next one holds.
