GraciousMay | Gracious May

by GraciousMay on October 5, 2020 Leave a Comment

My Handmade Business Story

Here are 2 FREE RESOURCES FOR STARTING A HANDMADE BUSINESS!

6 Steps to Starting a Home Business: https://bit.ly/2HJrnxY

6 ways to market your Handmade Products: https://bit.ly/3l4pY3d

I have been a home-based business owner for 16 years, and a handmade business owner for over 10 years. In this video, I am sharing with you my handmade, home-based business story! If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below click the links above for my totally FREE step-by-step resources for starting your own handmade business. Starting a home business is a great option right now, and it’s even better if you have a good handmade product to market. Hopefully, this video will encourage you on your journey!

-Grace

Gracious May

Follow on IG: @gracious_may

6 steps to Starting a Handmade Business:

1 Pray Psalm 90:17 on a regular basis. Seeking the Lord’s blessing and direction upfront is paramount.
2 Decide what kind of item (goods) or service you are going to sell.
3 Find a place to sell your goods or services.
4 Decide what kind of payment options you are going to accept (cash, check, credit card, etc).
5 Decide on a name for your business.
6 Set up a bank account in your name.
That’s it… seriously! Starting a business is not hard.

Once you complete these 6 steps, you can dive into branding, marketing, accounting, goal-setting and so on! I think most people get overwhelmed thinking they have to do everything at one time when, really, you only need to do one thing at a time. When you make this mindset shift, the process becomes simple and enjoyable!

The IRS defines a business as: “any activity carried on for the production of income from selling goods or performing services.” Crazy simple, even by expert definition

6 ways to Market your Handmade Products:

1 Find a good market (online or in-person) with lots of traffic. At Gracious May, we have an online MARKET that you can apply to join!
2 Keep all of your customer emails (with proper permission) and send out a newsletter when you have a new product available.
3 Create your own website and begin pointing people there!
4 Create new items regularly and in a variety of different colors and styles.
5 Email online stores and ask them if they will carry your product on a drop shipping basis.
6 Contact bloggers and instagrammers with a large following and ask if they will share about your brand in exchange for one of your handmade products!

Consistency is key!

Proverbs 10:4 says: “the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” The dictionary defines diligence as: “Steady application in business of any kind; constant effort to accomplish what is undertaken”. Don’t give up if you don’t see immediate results… KEEP GOING

“And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish you the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish it.” Psalm 90:17

by GraciousMay on September 21, 2020 Leave a Comment

$44.25 Shopped Local!

The Farmer’s Market season is almost over, but we are taking advantage of what remains! For the past 2 weeks we have hit a few of our local markets to get in touch with what our community has to offer. I am so excited to be showing you what we find along the way! We hope these tours will encourage you to shop local and invest in small businesses.

If you can’t make it to a local market this season, be sure to shop the MARKET at Gracious May. We have put our favorite USA Made finds there and you can purchase from the comfort of your own home!

Here is what I bought at the market for $44.25:

Body Butter: $6.25

Duck Eggs: $5

Fresh Produce: $5

Breakfast Sausage: $10

Cookies: $4

Locally Roasted Coffee: $12

The Greenville Texas Farmer’s Market featured USA made jewelry, fresh garden produce, locally grown meats and sausages, pickles, baked goods, apparel, and more! I so enjoyed the time spent with Breichesen Farms. This farm-HER is cultivating an expansive 2 acre garden, growing fresh produce, and fresh eggs for her community. She beamed as she explained her passion, which is organically growing life-giving produce. Some of the produce she offersis native to the Philippines, where she lived until she married her husband and moved to the USA!

Below is a list if a few of the vendors from the Greenville Farmer’s Market Tour:

Sweet Susies Herbal
Brecheisen Farm
Capturing Essence Jewelry
M&B FarmGibson Acres Farm
Lewis Farms Fresh Produce

A goal of the Great American Farmer’s Market Tour is to get a look at what local has to offer, and support the businesses closest to us. We hope it encourages you to do the same!

“Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3

by GraciousMay on September 14, 2020 Leave a Comment

The Great American Farmer’s Market Tour

In a world that orders fruits and veggies through a computer screen, it is time to develop a deeper connection to what local has to offer. This week I documented my trip to my Local Farmer’s Market, where I found so much more than just food! Local artisans lined Market Square selling handwoven rugs, intricate woodworking, cold brew coffee, and fresh cinnamon rolls!!

The human connection is at risk of being washed away by an increasingly cyber social realm. After spending time with nearly every vendor at my local farmer’s market, I walked away with so much energy. I got in touch with what my farmer’s market had to offer, bought home grown sweet potatoes, met the vendors, and listened to their stories! I walked away so encouraged.

I am calling this Gracious May series The Great American Farmer’s Market Tour and I invite you to join me on the first stop via the video above! Be sure to subscribe to this blog where we will feature Made in the USA products on a regular basis.

GAFMT Featured Vendor List!

Paris TX, Farmer and Artisan Market: 400 1st St SW, Paris, TX 75460.

Liza’s Coffee: https://bit.ly/3ho1YpK

The Food Snobs: https://bit.ly/2ZzEtDQ

Booth’s Brew: BoothsBrew.com

Renno’s Heirloom Handwoven Rugs

Country Belle Pies

BFT Ranch Beef

A Stitch and a Wish

The Castles Cooper

C 3 Salsa

Nickey’s Nest

Clark Creek Soaps and Lotion

Just Keto

Downtown Manchester Farm

HIS Creations

Aspen Creek Reinventions

AND MORE!

If you were at the market and we missed you, please comment below!

“And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.” Psalm 90:17

by GraciousMay on September 7, 2020 10 Comments

A Decade of Children’s Shoes Made in the USA (our story)

But first, check out what is NEW THIS WEEK!!! The Simple Leather Flat is our latest Children’s Shoe Made in the USA! Available in Black, Medium Brown, and Gray.

Simple Leather Flats for Girls Children's shoes Made in the USA

“That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments…” Psalm 78:7

meet Grace, Steward of the Gracious May Marketplace

A Quick Word from Grace:

As CEO at Gracious May, this 10 Anniversary of our Made in USA Children’s Shoes is really an encouragement to me. Psalm 78 tells us to remember what the Lord has done, and tell others about it, so that we might set our hope in Him. I don’t want this walk down memory lane to be for Gracious May’s glory; I want it to be for God’s glory. As we celebrate 10 years of Gracious May Shoes I am grateful for the Lord’s mercy. I sometimes wish there was a rewind button on life. I’d be tempted to use it to go back and erase my trunk-load of bad decisions and wrong moves. But as I look through this 10 year summary, I see how year-after-year the Lord worked past my bad choices, and redeemed my wrong moves. When we are trusting in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and redemption we can boldly lay hold of Romans 8:28 which promises “all things work together for good to them that love God”.

Celebrating 10 years of Gracious May Shoes!

Gracious May 10th Anniversary of Footwear Line

June 2019 marks 10 YEARS of Gracious May as an officially registered Brand! Since 2009, GraciousMay.com has been providing the world with American Made Children’s Shoes and Boots! To commemorate Gracious May’s 10th Anniversary we’d like you to join us for a walk down Memory Lane! For those who are new here this will give you some history behind the footwear division of Gracious May!

2008: Gracious May’s First Pair!

Gracious May made in USA baby Shoes from 2008

Small beginnings: One of Gracious May’s first pair of Baby Booties from 2008!

In 2008 the very first Made in USA Gracious May Baby Bootie was stitched up by Grace in her basement. They were small and delicate, with felt for a sole! In 2008, Gracious May Shoes were only available in sizes newborn-9 months! To this day, Gracious May still offers our full line of American Made soft sole infant shoes! SHOP NOW!

2009: Gracious May®, the Official Brand!

2009: Demand for Gracious May’s Made in USA Children’s shoes was accelerating! It was time to establish Gracious May as an official brand. In the year 2009 Gracious May became an officially registered brand at the USPTO! In addition, we designed our first logo, launched Gracious May’s independent ecommerce site (graciousmay.com) and trademarked the slogan “Making Little Feet Sweet, One Bootie at a Time”. We still use this slogan in marketing our American Made Children’s Shoes today! SHOP NOW!

2010-2012: Gracious May Stays Stateside!

2010 was a decisive year for Gracious May. To meet growing demand, would we take production of our American Made Children’s Shoes overseas? After a lot of discussion, we decided that remaining MADE IN USA was our top priority as we grew. The LORD brought us some amazing ladies and gentlemen who came on board the Gracious May team with a serious passion for making children’s shoes! SHOP NOW!

2013-2014: Gracious May Shoes Go International!

In 2013 demand for Gracious May’s American Made Children’s Shoes began pouring in from other countries! We began shipping thousands of pairs of Gracious May Children’s Shoes to countries like Taiwan, Australia, Korea, and more! Countries outside of the USA were seeing value in Gracious May’s line of MADE IN USA Footwear!! To this day still ships our American Made children’s shoes world wide! SHOP NOW!

2015: Gracious May Moccasin Love!!

In 2015 the Gracious May American made Chestnut Moccasins experienced a tremendous surge in popularity. These versatile Suede Boots with flexible soles became wardrobe staples for little girls and boys across the country! We soon built on the demand for our Made in USA Moccasin Boots by adding several color options to the lineup. These Suede Boots remain bestsellers at GraciousMay.com to this day! SHOP NOW!

2016: Gracious May Launches First Hard Sole Option!!

2016 was a landmark year for Gracious May with the Launch of our VERY FIRST Made in USA Hard Sole Shoes!! To this point, Gracious May Children’s Shoes were made with either cloth, suede, or faux leather soft soles. The Gracious May American Made Footwear Line now features rubber sole shoes for for sizes 5 (toddler) and up! The addition of a durable sole made way for our significantly expanded size range (up to youth size 2)! SHOP TODAY at GraciousMay.com!

2017: Gracious May Perfects USA Shoe Manufacturing Methods

American Made CHILDREN'S BOOTS and Shoes

2017 was a significant years for us here at Gracious May. Though we launched hard sole in 2016, 2017 was a year in which the team worked feverishly to perfect our American Manufacturing methods. The United States Manufacturing landscape has been pilfered by a love for cost-cutting overseas options. The team at Gracious May worked (and is still working) to build USA shoe-manufacturing methods and facilities from the ground up. We are so grateful for the tremendous progress the Lord has made way for. SHOP GRACIOUS MAY SHOES TODAY!

2018: Gracious May Launches Special Needs off-shoot, ShoesforAFOS.com

2018: In July of 2018, we launched shoesforAFOS.com, a Special needs offshoot of Gracious May that makes custom shoes and Boots that fit over children and ladies orthotics! READ MORE about Gracious May Shoes for AFO’S HERE! As with all of our footwear, this line of boots and shoes for AFO braces are Made in USA!

2019: Gracious May Launches Ladies Footwear

SHOP MAMA JANES NOW™!

In March 2019, the Gracious May American Made Mama Jane™ launched in 3 colors! This Gracious May Ladies Mary Jane is already receiving some of the best feedback of any product we’ve released!! SHOP NOW!

Gracious May’s desire is to be the first name in MADE IN USA Footwear! With 10 years behind us, we are continuing the work to improve our collection of Made in USA Footwear. SHOP TODAY at GraciousMay.com!

2020: Artisanal Collection

Artisan Leather Flats for Regular and Wide Feet

In 2020, our emphasis is on expanding our Made in the USA Ladies shoe line. Not only this, but investing heavily in artisanal quality; not only in the construction but in the very materials we use to assemble our shoes (read more here). We are so excited to continue to serve you with our Made in the USA shoes!

Our First Goal:

The Bible says: “what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). At Gracious May it’s our foremost goal to turn our audience to the Lord. We want to point you to Jesus Christ who came to earth to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). The eternal souls of men are in danger of Hell apart from salvation through Jesus Christ. We want to urge you to open and read the Bible. The Lord says in Jeremiah 29:13 “Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

“To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 1:25

by GraciousMay on September 1, 2020 Leave a Comment

Women’s Dresses Made in the USA!

We are thrilled to announce our newest vendor at the Gracious May Market: Virginia Dare Dress Co.! Virginia Dare Dress Co. specializes in Women’s Dresses made in the USA. VDD Co. was founded by Rebekah Murray in Virginia state, USA. As of 2019, Virginia Dare Dress Co. garments are made in the USA. All dresses are manufactured locally in Virginia, USA!

Each VDD Co. dress is made by hand in the USA. Their signature wrap dress is flattering, timeless, and extremely versatile. Each dress is designed to accommodate a wide range of body types and age brackets. Many of their dresses are nursing friendly, making them perfect for new moms!

Quality is a top priority for VDD Co. When you add a Made in the USA Virginia Dare Dress to your wardrobe, you are investing in a timeless staple. It’s a piece that feels fresh every time you pull it out of your closet. Rebekah says: “I wanted dresses that were timeless, feminine, and practical—versatile enough to be worn every day, and high-quality so that they would last for years to come.“

Rebekah shares some inspiration behind her brand name:

“Our name comes from Virginia Dare, the first English girl born in the New World in 1587. She’s associated with courage, a daring spirit, adventure, and innocence—all characteristics that we aspire to. Today, Virginia Dare Dress Co. is intent on finding our kindreds, creating clothes that make their hearts sing, and putting quality and thoughtfulness first, in all that we do.“

In a world where ethical manufacturing standards have been largely abandoned and sustainability is a foreign term; Virginia Dare Dress Co. stands apart. Each made in the USA women’s dress produced by VDD Co. is made with and an emphasis on quality over quantity. Rebekah puts it well as she articulates the mission behind her Made in the USA clothing brand:

“From the very beginning of our story, it has always made sense to be thoughtful about the impact that we have—not only in the lives of the women who buy our products, but also in the lives of the people who make them, and the wider community around us. We value generosity, meaningful relationships, thoughtfulness, and quality of craftsmanship over quantity and speed; our products are designed to be wardrobe staples that will serve you for years to come, made under ethical conditions, and purchased by you with intention and delight.“

You can now shop Virginia Dare Dress Co. at Gracious May! The VDD Co. line fits seamlessly with our collection of Made in the USA Ladies Footwear. Like the dresses, Gracious May strives for timeless design and quality that carries you through the years. We are thrilled that VDD Co. dresses and Gracious May Ladies Shoes can be now be shopped together!

“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” Proverbs 31:25

by GraciousMay on August 24, 2020 2 Comments

2020 Toddler Girl Boot Guide! | with AFO Friendly Options

(Press play for a video featuring our top pick for Toddler Girl Boots in 2019!)

Gracious May’s 2020 Toddler Girl Boot Guide!! (all USA Made)

https://www.graciousmay.com/product/hard-sole-chestsnut-suede-moccasin-boots-html/ — Kaylee in Chestnut Moccs>>

It is just about Fall y’all and if you are like us, you are pulling out all the fall outfits, dreaming of plaid, and cozying up to a pumpkin spice latte! (yep! I think we hit all the fall feels with that list!) If there’s one thing we know, it’s that you Mamas want cute boot options for your little girls as much as yourself! We are helping you in your search for 2020’s best Toddler Girl Boots by creating the ultimate Guide!! This list is comprehensive and features a wide range of options for your girl: Suede, Leather, Faux Fur, Feathers, Fringe, and MORE. We have even gone so far as to include WIDE WIDTH Toddler Boot options and Adaptive Boot styles for little girls in Orthotics (AFO, SMO Braces). Just because wide feet or orthotics are in the mix, doesn’t mean cute Boots should take the back burner! Also worth mentioning is that while ALL of these boots are available in toddler sizes (hence, the name of this guide!) some of the boots also include sizing for infant and little girl! The sizing indicator beside each style will give you the heads up about the size range. What’s more is that each and every boot on this list is MADE IN the USA! By Shopping Gracious May’s 2020 Toddler Boot Guide you are putting jobs back into our local communities and investing in a brighter future for your child! Wow!! When was the last time your boots did that? Keep scrolling, this is going to be too much fun!!

#1: The Chestnut Suede Moccasin Boot

(Like the socks? SHOP here: Cupcake Legwarmers)

The Chestnut Moccasin Boot is #1 one in our Ultimate Toddler Boot Guide for several reasons! First of all this style has been a bestseller for 4 years in a row! The versatile brown suede makes these boots both durable and the perfect match for nearly every outfit. These boots are ankle height. The fringe covered shaft adds makes these boots totally unique without compromising their durability level! The Chestnut Suede Moccasin is available not only for toddlers, but also for infants and little girls too. Baby sizes are made with a suede sole, and larger sizes (toddler 5 and up) are made with a rubber sole! These boots are easy to put on and take off because the zipper at the back extends from the top of the shaft to the bottom of the sole. These boots also feature a generously sized shaft, so the work well for toddlers with chubby feet and ankles! These are boots that moms come back for year after year. The Chestnut Moccasin is a girls wardrobe staple! Due to popularity, this boot is now available in six different color options: Cobblestone Gray, Azalea Pink, Black, Evergreen, Navy, and Turquoise. Chestnut Brown is still a bestseller, though, so definitely make sure it is at the top of your wishlist for Fall!

#2: Suede Slouch Boots (with WIDE WIDTH option!)

Wide Width Toddler Girl Boots by Gracious May

Fringe not your thing? No problem! Our #2 pick for toddler girls is the Suede Slouch Boot!! These boots come up to mid calf and are adorable with everything from leggings to dresses and back again! MAJOR BONUS: The Suede Slouch Boot is available in Wide Widths!! This style has a unique, equestrian riding boot feel to it. The Suede Slouch Boot can be dressed up, or worn casually! This boot is made with a faux suede exterior and a cozy wool-blend lining. This lining makes these toddler boots warm, and perfect for fall and winter. The sole is rubber, which is skid resistant (definitely a perk when busy toddlers are in the mix!). These boots are finished off with an adorable knot at the side. The shaft is a slouchy faux suede, which adds extra layers of warmth and texture! These boots feature a zipper closure making them easy to put on and take off (seriously a lifesaver when active little girls are the ones wearing them!). Sizing on this style starts and toddler 5 and extends all the way up to little girls 13! This broad size range makes The Suede Slouch Boot a great fall boot option for both toddler and big girls. These boots are available multiple color options: Stonewash Gray, Black, Chocolate, and Chestnut Brown. Can you imagine how cute these boots would be with a little corduroy jacket and some jeans? Snatch ’em up!

#3: MoccLuk® Fur Boots!

The MoccLuk was made to be the ultimate Cozy Toddler Boot! We imagine this little boot accompanying your girl on vacation to a snow-covered Mountain lodge! The MoccLuk Toddler Boot has it all: fringe, Faux Fur, suede, and pom poms (cue heart-eyes)! This boot is durable as well as warm for fall and winter. It carries with it all the versatility of our Chestnut Moccasin Boots, but takes the cuteness to the next level with the addition of faux sherpa fur around the shaft. These boots feature a rubber sole and an easy-peasy zipper closure! This zipper closure makes dressing a breeze (at least the shoe part of it!). Are you tired of boots that are constantly falling off your toddler’s foot? A trademark feature of Gracious May Boots is a built in elastic ankle strap that holds them on snug as your child walks. This is a design element that really makes these boots stand out from all others on the market. Finally, boots that stay on your little one’s foot!

#4: LUXURY Feather Boots

Like the socks? SHOP here: Legwarmers

The LUXE Feather Fringe Boot was designed to be the ultimate LUXURY Boot for girls! This boot is a go-to for the mama who wants something totally unique for her girl! The first time we launched this boot at Gracious May, it sold out in just 7 days!! We since restocked and upgraded to a genuine leather leather body. This boot is absolutely gorgeous, with a layer of (imitation) feathers atop faux suede fringe! These boots are finished off with a gold colored zipper at the back. Go LUXE or go home with these one of a kind toddler girl boots!!

#5: TRENDING: The Cardigan Boot

You can’t have an ULTIMATE list of toddler girl boots without highlighting what’s newly listed and trending NOW! The Cardigan Boot is one of our newest options at GraciousMay.com. This styles is designed with all of the fabulous features we’ve already mentioned: easy zipper closure, elastic ankle strap, rubber soles, and genuine leather uppers. In addition, this fall boot for your girl is features a cable knit shaft and an ornamental bras buckle. Don’t leave without checking out this brand new styles from Gracious May!

#6: NEW: The Leather Trail Mocc (Wide Widths available)

Toddler Wide WIdth Boots by Gracious May

#7: Toddler Girl Boots for Orthotics, AFO, SMO, DAFO!

Since 2015, Gracious May has been making custom shoes and boots for little Girls (and Boys!) who wear ankle braces (commonly referred to as Orthotics or AFO Braces)! Reasons for wearing these orthotics varies. For Gracious May’s customers, AFO braces are most often worn due to muscular spasticity brought on by Cerebral Palsy. Additionally, SMO braces are often worn by toddlers on a short term basis to correct mild foot and ankle deformities. No matter the reason, we love to customize our footwear so that your little girl can have an adorable pair of boots to wear! We have a variety of styles and colors that fit over AFO Braces: Fringe Moccasins, Slouch Boots, Cowgirl Boots and more! These stylish boots are entirely custom made to fit your measurements. To order a pair of our custom boots, hop over to shoesforAFOs.com and choose the style you like. Once you have decided on a style, follow our instructions for taking your girl’s measurements. Always take your girl’s measurements with Orthotics on. Once you have input your measurements in the fields provided on the product page, proceed to checkout! From there, we take your measurements and custom make a pair of boots that fit over your child’s Brace. We ask for 2-6 weeks (depending on season and demand) to complete your AFO Customized Boots. Browse our selection of AFO Friendly Boots Today!

Boots to Brighten her Future:

This Faux Fur Vest is by Gracious May and can be purchased under the “Girls Apparel” Section at GraciousMay.com!

Our Boots are designed and made in the USA! A Gracious May goal is to revive US Manufacturing. Through this revival, we aim to create a wider range of job opportunities for the coming generation. It is a vision aimed at investing in a bright and productive future for our boys and girls. By purchasing a pair of American Made children’s boots from Gracious May, you are investing in this vision!

“I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.” Psalm 9:1-2

Pin it!

by GraciousMay on August 17, 2020 Leave a Comment

USA Made Clothing at Gracious May

USA Made Clothing and Shoes at Gracious May!

At Gracious May, EVERY SINGLE ITEM is USA Made. We say it so often, that what it means could be is easily overlooked. Today we are talking about what Made in USA means at the Gracious May Marketplace. Read on to find out why you are investing in something worthwhile when you shop Gracious May’s American Made Shoes and Clothing!

American Made in USA Clothing for Girls — Made in USA Girls Outfits>>

At Gracious May, Made in USA means working hard as a team and family; it means putting our reputation into each piece; it means giving opportunity to the community that supports us; it means doing to others as we would have them do to us.

Made in USA Clothing Brands Snugars — Snugar Headbands: a Gracious May Marketplace Vendor >>

At Gracious May, we see first hand the positive IMPACT that MADE IN USA has on individuals and families. Our team members THANK US for giving them jobs. They are grateful for the chance to work hard and earn a living. Gracious May’s American Made Shoes and Clothing are more than just fashion statements, they have purpose behind them!

Made in USA Clothing for Children by Gracious May — Corsage Headbands>>

At Gracious May, our team members are COMMITTED TO QUALITY. Each member of our manufacturing team puts a piece of themselves into every item at our Marketplace. We take our work seriously. When you are happy with our product, we are happy.

American Made in USA Women's Shoes and Clothes — Gray Mama Jane™>>

Are you ready for an shocking fact? Back in the 1960’s, the United States was the leading manufacturer of footwear worldwide. Today, the United States only manufactures 1% of the shoes worn the in the USA. Here at Gracious May we are glad to be part of that 1%. We stay close to our manufacturing and, subsequently, close to our manufacturers. Made in America means Gracious May can keep a close eye on the manufacturing of our Shoes and Apparel.

Shoes made in America (USA) by Gracious May

At Gracious May, MADE IN USA means that moms and dads in our local communities have jobs. We are committed to making our shoes and apparel in the USA. We want to give back to those who have invested in us.

To Gracious May, Made in USA means vibrant, creative, and functional, products. We want you to shop Gracious May Marketplace not simply because you support our Made in USA efforts, but because you have found our American Made Shoes and Clothing to be truly excellent.

At Gracious May Made in USA means looking to the future. The ability to work hard and earn a living is a gift. It lends to a feeling of satisfaction that little else can. Gracious May’s effort to remain MADE IN USA is an effort to preserve this opportunity for future generations; the opportunity to experience the satisfaction of a good day’s work. Your purchase from the Gracious May Marketplace supports this vision.

Whether you are looking for a Baby Gift, functional Shoes for your Toddler, a Back to School outfit for your little girl, Flower Girl Outfits, or comfortable leather flats for Ladies, please think to shop Gracious May’s Made in USA Marketplace first!

Cute Pink Flower Headbands for Girls Baby — Made in USA Snugar Headbands at Gracious May >>

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17

The Gracious May Marketplace is an expansive range of Made in USA Wearable for Mother and Child. In addition to the Gracious May Label, we carry several high quality items from other Made in USA Brands (Snugars and Bushka Bag being our lead vendors). From Baby Gifts, to Ladies Shoes and Handbags, you can shop it at the Gracious May Marketplace! Gracious May products are made in the USA using USA and internationally sourced materials.

by GraciousMay on August 10, 2020 Leave a Comment

Snugars: Made in the USA Baby Products!

We carry a few different labels here at the Gracious May Marketplace, and Snugars is one of them! Gracious May and Snugars products are designed and made by the team here in Texas, USA. Made in the USA baby products is our specialty and now both brands can be shopped at GraciousMay.com. The Snugars line includes: Baby Hats, headbands, and legwarmers for baby and child!

Snugars is a Made in the USA clothing brand that specializes in hats, headbands, and accessories for baby and child. Snugars was founded in 2009 with a desire to create comfortable and functional baby accessories. Snugars made in the USA Baby products are handstitched with careful attention to detail! Snugar hats and headbands are made of soft stretch knit which is super soft and ideal for baby.

In 2019, we merged Snugars and Gracious May to create a cohesive shopping experience. Now the entire Snugars collection is available at GraciousMay.com! We did this because many of our customers love to shop Gracious May Shoes and Snugars accessories together. Now that both brands are on the same website, ordering Gracious May and Snugars Made int he USA Baby Products is now easier than ever!

Made in USA Clothing Brands at Gracious May — Snugar Headbands: a Gracious May Marketplace Vendor >>

Snugars made in the USA baby products make excellent gifts! They are handcrafted and one of a kind. Each hat and headband is designed for maximum comfort and functionality.

Shop Snugars complete collection HERE.

by GraciousMay on August 4, 2020 2 Comments

2020 Update for our Ladies Shoe Collection!

Gracious May Artisanal Leather Shoes for Women

Hello to all of our wonderful followers, customers, and cheerleaders! We appreciate you so much. We are sending this 2020 update straight from the heart of Gracious May. You’ve heard the term “Go big or go home, right?” Well, if you read on I am going to give you a personal look at some behind the scenes decisions here at Gracious May… and how we’ve decided to go big… in a small way :).

2020 has been a turning point for many businesses. It’s been no different here at Gracious May. We’ve spent a lot of time combing through the ways we should change, and the ways we should stay the same.

A lot of retail brands are running flash sales, liquidating inventory, running more sales. The goal is to sell more for less to stay afloat. Cutting corners and cutting costs is the current survival plan for many businesses in the retail industry. I talked about this in my made in the USA wardrobe series, but this is not sustainable and not the direction Gracious May wants to go as a brand.

Here at Gracious May we have doubled down on our decision to be different. This post is to let you know that we have had to raise prices on our women’s shoes, but more than that it is to let you know that we have doubled down on our commitment to artisanal quality and ethical US manufacturing.

I believe that more than ever, consumers are craving products with value. They want a true and genuine connection with the culture and creators behind the products they purchase. At Gracious May, we have decided to build more into our products. We have decided to increase the quality, and continue investing in our US Manufacturing infrastructure.

Our made in the USA women’s shoes are crafted one at a time using hand dying techniques and materials from the finest Leather tanneries in the USA. Wickett and Craig is one of these tanneries. Wickett and Craig was founded in 1867 and their vegetable tanned leather is some of the best in the world. We already have products at Gracious May that feature this amazing leather. A plan going forward is to increase our usage of made in the USA leather hides and phase out our usage of imported leather where possible.

There are a lot of shoes in the world, but at Gracious May, we want to press into the effort to make the best shoes in the world.

Maybe this decision means Gracious May will forever remain a small artisanal company. Maybe it means that we will never join the big players in the business realm, maybe we’ll never have a warehouse with robots, or lease a multi-story office building uptown. But, I don’t mind one bit. It hasn’t always been this way, but I’d rather stay small doing things right than grow big the wrong way.

Artisanale Mules for Women Made in the USA

We have raised our Ladies Shoe prices for 2020, but here are some of the things we are building into our made in USA shoe collection:

Sourcing artisanal leather hides that are made in the USA.
Phasing out our usage of imported leathers where we can.
Expanding our size range to include women’s shoes in sizes 12, 13, 14, 15 and WIDE options.
Maintaining a 3 year limited warranty for all of our women’s shoes.
Increasing the intricacy of our designs.

For Gracious May, “going big” means we are willing to stay small. We will continue to put our hands on each pair of shoes before they ship. We will strive to invest in the little things that connect us to our customers. We will aim to continue manufacturing in a way that honors God: the Creator of all men.

If you have read to this point: Thank you!! We realize that some of you have had our shoes on your wishlists for a while. You may not have expected the price increase and we want to be fair with this transition. We have a limited special for you! For the next 7 days, use the code “LOYALTY” to order your Gracious May Ladies Shoes at pre-increase prices.

Much love and appreciation to you all,

Grace // Founder and Co-owner at Gracious May

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1

by GraciousMay on July 27, 2020 2 Comments

New Made in the USA Products at the Market!!

The Gracious May Market Section is a portion of GraciousMay.com that is dedicated to featuring not only Gracious May products, but also items from other USA brands! It is a Gracious May goal to revive US manufacturing and this little Market hub is our way of giving a boost of exposure to other made in the USA brands! Here are a few new items at the Gracious May Market section…

Liberty of London Gift Set for baby Girl!

Baby Gifts sets for girls Made in the USA with matching clothes shoes and headband Gracious May

Artisan Made in the USA Leather Sandals for Women!

Leather Sandals for Women Made in the USA

These leather sandals are made to wear in, not wear out! They are assembled by hand in the Dallas Texas, area (USA). These sandals are made using a vegetable tanned leather from one of the oldest tanneries in the USA, Wickett and Craig!

Bushka Diaper Bag and Layette Sets

Made in the USA Diaper Bags and Baby Blankets

You can now find Bushka Diaper Bags and Layette items (soft blankets and bibs!!) at the Gracious May Market! The Bushka Diaper bag has a dual function, opening up to be a changing station (or nap mat!) for baby and toddler. We have baby products that are Made in the USA!

Bushka Diaper Bag and Changing Station Made in the USA

Bushka’s Made in the USA Diaper bags open up to create the perfect space for diaper changes, napping, snacking, and more!

The Leather “Lifetime” Wallet

Made in the USA Leather Wallet for Men with Customization

We call this the “Lifetime Wallet”! It is a brand new item at the Gracious May Market. This men’s wallet is designed to last a lifetime. Custom lettering available for the exterior and interior of this wallet! This makes a great gift for the man in your life and is built to last!

Made in the USA Suede Hats by Emstate, NY!

Made in the USA Suede Ball Caps (perfect for fall!!) by Emstate, NY! These caps feature a high profile and are made of a medium brown genuine suede! These made in the USA Ball caps feature an adjustable strap at the back making them perfect for men and boys!

If you are new to the Blog, check out “My Made in the USA Wardrobe” series! It is a consumer-driven movement, encouraging followers to incorporate 1 made in the USA item into their outfit every day. Through the USA Wardrobe movement we hope to transform the American wardrobe into something purposeful and stimulate 330,000 US Jobs!!

Products in the Gracious May Market section are Made in the USA of USA and internationally sourced materials. A list of the materials we use includes leathers from USA based tanneries such as Wickett and Craig; and the finest floral fabrics from the UK based textile company, Liberty of London!