October 2025

October 11, 2025

Behind the scenes of our small business(es)

 

Things have been busy around elSage & Valley Made. We closed out the 2025 Outdoor Season of Valley Made Market with a very PNW rainy day. The tunes were great and attendance was solid given the weather. From there we jumped right into holiday market coordination. We're so excited to be at a NEW LOCATION this year! Hillcrest Lodge inside Hillcrest Park is right in the heart of Mount Vernon & close to Downtown and our shop. You can make a day of our holiday markets with downtown eating before or after and a stroll through the park or shopping Mainstreet as well as the market. Hillcrest Lodge is ADA accessible, the rental fee supports Mount Vernon Parks & Rec, and it has ample parking and easy access to I-5. We cannot wait for all 3 holiday shows. Each one is a little different with varied vendor line ups and makers coming from just down the street and as far as Montana + Portland Oregon! 

 

Our shop is dancing between new creations from us (click here for the latest elSage) and custom projects for local farms, theatre groups, shops, unions, special gifts, workwear, and one ode to a lost pet. We are thrilled to be working with so many amazing people. If you have a custom design and/or printing project that you want to bring to life, click here start a conversation about working with us.

 

With the kids back in school, Jonathan and I have snuck in some date days and personal adventures. We've soaked up what feels like the last of the sun with bike rides and long walks. Our family recently went to Moana Jr. at The Lincoln Theatre -- I am constantly amazed by the talent and rich community of Skagit Valley. Bravo to TAG on another production well done. Next up for most of our family is opening night at Evil Dead. Our oldest is stage managing the production and we are so excited to see it! (Note: this is a 17+ production). If you're interested in tickets and information click here.

 

We've been leaning into joy, art, community, & connection. We're staying busy with things that excite us and hope you are too. The US news cycle is grim but I hold out hope that this is the death rattle/last power grab of the extreme right and that we're headed for a pendulum swing towards community care, logical governing, and far less drama. The next protest is a week from today on October 18th, you can find more information by clicking here. 

 

Upcoming dates:

Election Day November 4th (are you registered to vote?)

Valley Made Holiday Market #1 November 15-16

Small Business Saturday November 29th

Valley Made Holiday Market #2 December 6-7

Valley Made Holiday Market #3 December 20-21

 

That's all for now! Thanks for reading, and for being part of our community. We are ever-grateful for the opportunity to do the work that we do!

Joyfully,

Phoebe

October 29 2025 What's happening lately.   I was putting the finishing touches on this email and clicked the wrong thing- all my writing lost. So, I'll try it again and then make it to Costco before 10am (fingers crossed). This version will be a little shorter and might have typos, I know you get it tho. Thanks for your patience.   Since my last email we have printed for so many custom clients. Original designs for Martini Brunch, custom printing for NITE, and many more. If you're dreaming of a custom merch project or have printing needs reach out by replying to this email. We're booking our January 2026 schedule now!   Last week we helped put together an on the fly candy drive for the Downtown Trick or Treat, the response has been amazing! Our hope was to relieve the financial burden for the newest businesses downtown. Not only have we accomplished that we are on our way to covering most shops on 1st Street. This event had 2,200 attendees last year which is a lot of candy! Businesses have historically been tasked with providing all of the candy which equates to hundreds of dollars per store out of pocket. This year we asked for help and you all showed up! Thank you so much for exemplifying the power of community!   If you have candy to drop off, elSage will take it up until the event on Friday. We've been giving out set of 2,000 pieces but have some businesses not covered yet and we will distribute extras if they come through. If Venmo is more your thing donations can go to @elSage. Any money not needed for candy will go towards stocking the public school food pantries (more on that project soon). We hope to see you Friday- this event really is pure joy.   Valley Made Holiday Market promo is in full swing! If you're interested in helping us spread the word we have flyers, posters, and yard signs at the shop. We're happy to deliver yard signs too- just reply to this email with your address. This year's shows are at a new, central location inside Hillcrest Park. We are excited to be closer to Downtown Mount Vernon and in an ADA accessible building.   Ladies Night Out tickets are on sale now! Ladies Night falls on the same day as our Valley Made November market. What a banger of a friend hang to go from Valley Made Market, to dinner downtown, to Ladies Night Out! Get your tickets here. elSage is not a stop on the wine map this year but we will be open late and will have a hydration station and cookies from Skagit Valley Larder.   There's a lot going on in the world right now and something I've re-learned this week is that it feels good to solve a problem together as a community, however small. I'm a big fan right now of getting lost in things that interest you, starting a project, following a dream, making creative work. We can't solve all the sadness and brokenness, and we will ruin ourselves if we try to do it all. I'm focusing on doing what I can, where I can and I hope you are too. Remember to find joy and care for yourself. We must resist, but we also MUST restore. In solidarity, Phoebe   PS Don't forget to vote!   Coming up: School Board Town Hall (tonight) Downtown Trick or Treat Valley Made Market November Ladies Night