Hello Vessel!

Hi! I am Kristen from Vessel Handmade.

Wow! It sounds so weird saying that. For the past few years, I have been Kristen from Rock-A-Bow or to many people in the blogging and handmade world, simply Rock-A-Bow. Our blog and shop names so often become a big part of our identity. So this change is huge.

But I am so excited to introduce you all to the new name. The new look. The new me!

Vessel Handmade, although something completely new will still reflect pretty much the same things. You will still find a lot of the same products. I will still post mostly about my family and my faith. The core of who I am is still the same.

What is changing? In addition to the new look, there will be a lot of new products. Lots of styles of leather clutches. And later this year, an expansion in the whole leather product department. There will be a ton of new art accessories. Some cute little girl merchandise. Just fun stuff.

You will see some changes on the blog too. More shop updates, more tutorials and more recipes. Good stuff people!

So what do you all think of the new look? The new name? Are you as in love as I am?

If you are, hop on over to the new fan page and like us! There will be more posts happening over there. Maybe even some occasional games where you can win Vessel product.

If you aren't already a follower here on the blog, I hope you will consider becoming one. There will be so much happening here, I would hate for you to miss it!

Goodbye Rock-A-Bow

Since my daughter, now 3 and a half, was just a few months old, I have had this little business. In that time so much has changed. The product line has improved, morphed and grown. What started as a little home business making nothing but ribbon hair bows has turned into so much more. I taught myself to sew and changed direction so much from the early months. I began a blog where I have shared so much with you all. Through the blog and other social media, I have made so many friends. Some of the closest friends I have now came from right here.

All of this being said, Rock-A-Bow has become an identity in so many ways. I cannot count how many times I have introduced myself to hear words like "oh ya, you are Rock-A-Bow, right?" or " I know you, you're Rock-A-Bow". Numerous times, when life has got hectic, I have considered what things would be like if I stopped running this business. When it has come down to it, that identity has been too important to me. Not the identity itself but what has come with it. The friendships, the true connections.

And here I am. About to give up that identity. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little scared. I would be lying if I said I wasn't afraid I may lose something. But I would also be lying if I said I wasn't crazy excited about this new chapter.

This month, my identity will change just a little bit. I will still be Rhiannon and Talon's mommy. I will still be Steven's wife. I will still be a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. However, Rock-A-Bow will be no more.

But...... I would like to reintroduce myself to you all.




Hi, I am Kristen, the designer and creator behind Vessel Handmade!

I cannot wait for you to see the changes we are making over here! For now, here is a sneak peek of what is to come.

Did y'all think I was gonna leave you? If I tricked you or you are excited to see all that is coming, do me a favor and spread the news about Vessel Handmade!