Gather Goods Co

Just got some new planners on the shelves.

I’m excited to share that I’ve designed 6 different mahjong mats that you can now find for sale in the Gather Goods Co gift shop and online. They each feature one of my signature artworks and patterns in a variety of colorful and bright motifs. They each measure 32.5” square and are made with a velvety washable surface and have a neoprene back so they won’t slip. Each comes with a handy travel bag that you can carry over your shoulder for easy transport. I’m so excited to see them in your homes with lots of different mahjong tile and rack combinations.

These past few weeks have been a lot of shop sales prep and restocks, amongst other things like dorm room shopping for my teen. Some other things: picked up flowers from a roadside stand created by Brittney Soderman. Picked up some rancho Gordo beans and flour from Rebus Works Gallery & Coffee Shop. Worked in the garden since the rain and the temps cooperated for the first time in a long time. Picked up plants and veggies from the farmer’s market. Had a kimchi croquette from Bakery Story. Spent a little time collaging and reflecting. Had the ladies from my Bookclub learn mahjong. Caught up on work outside. Got in a couple of the new mahjong mats I designed. How about you? What have you been up to these late summer days?

It’s the last day of our summer sale. Everything in the shop is 20% off including hundreds of items on our front table and hallway shelves that are marked down further. It’s a great time to buy cookbooks, fragrance, mahjong tiles/accessories, housewares, jewelry and other high ticket items. Mahjong tiles that are normally $400 are automatically $320 with the discount, so that’s an $80 savings! 😱 We have a limited selection left but there are still lots of options in the shop and online. We’re open from 11am-5pm and online anytime. See you soon!

Gather Goods Co is a gift shop, online shop, coworking space, classroom & maker of gift products (cards, stickers, mahjong mats, tea towels, gifts). It is run by me, Michelle Smith and I’ve been an entrepreneur since 2004 starting with the makers market The Rock & Shop Market which I produced for ten years & then Gather Goods Co starting in 2014. I design the gift products under the Gather Goods Co brand, the website, facilitate the behind-the-scenes operations, manage all the inventory & reorders & pick out all the products for the shop, create & teach many of the classes, etc but also have a small but mighty team of part-time shop employees too who you see in the shop when you come in & purchase things. My background is in web and graphic design & marketing & I’ve also worked professionally as a stylist, photographer, etc. I’ve worn a lot of hats but this is the one I love best as it combines so many of my talents & passions. Gather Goods Co is a labor of love & I both live and work here in downtown Cary. I’ve been in this location for over eight years & Gather Goods Co itself is twelve years old. I started my entrepreneurial journey when I was 24 & I’m now 46. Thank you for your support over the years & everyday, I really really appreciate it. My goal this year has been to save up to build a backyard shed studio at my house so I can have a dedicated art making & photography creative zone just for myself. I’m much better at building things that serve other people vs myself & I’m learning later in life that making space to serve just myself also has value but it’s a practice for sure & one I feel guilty about but am trying to deprogram myself from (hello, being a woman/caregiver/societal expectations/infj/neurodivergent). I’m a Scorpio rising, a Sagittarius sun & an Aquarius moon & I love talking birth charts. I am obsessed with gardening but in a very messy chaotic way. I love cookbooks, print magazines & discovering new recipes, objects, makers & just beautiful things in the world, as well as helping others discover their best versions of themselves through self reflection and community. I’m about to be a young empty nester and excited about what’s to come. ✨