Hi everyone
Yes, the fat lady has sung because it's all over. My last day in the Christmas Emporium at Secretts Farm Shop was yesterday and I am completely shattered. I have worked almost non-stop for the last 30 days - in the Emporium or making new stock or completing orders.
This year at Secretts has been very successful for me and I have enjoyed it immensely. We have had tears and the odd tantrums along the way, but that's life when you get a bunch of women working closely with each other, isn't it? Sadly, two stallholders lost their takings on one day - a situation arose where a large group of people came into the Emporium, the stall holders who were on duty were busy with customers and some sneaky person or people took advantage of the situation and walked off with hard-earned cash. Most of the stallholders are small business sole traders, creating beautiful handmade items and although I do not condone stealing of any sort, big companies can bear the loss better than the small business person. Needless to say, after this happened we were all very vigilant and, sadly, suspicious of nearly everyone who came into the Emporium.
My best sellers of the event? My hand-decorated jute bags and wreaths - on the list for more jute type goodies for 2014 I think. Cards sold slowly, but I came to the conclusion a long time ago that people do not buy handmade cards in large quantities because it becomes too expensive for them. The odd personalised one, yes, but 20 or more drains the Christmas expenses pocket.
A quick post form Christmas Pie Crafts mainly to wish all of my followers, friends and readers a very Happy Christmas and a BIG thank you for your support throughout 2013. I wish everyone a great 2014 and particularly those of us in the world of handmade, I hope the UK recognises that we are a force of talent to be reckoned with.
Have fun everyone and I hope you manage to avoid this atrocious weather.
Jill
Oh- what a horrible thing to happen losing takings!
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best for Christmas and the New Year- hope you manage to have a well earned rest.
I wish you a Merry Christmas Jill, and the very best for the New Year!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad day for your fellow stall holders. Merry Christmas to you - enjoy a bit of a rest maybe? Best wishes x
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised your jute bags did well, they are lovely.
ReplyDeleteHave a Merry Christmas, and see you in 2014.
It's a shame that something like this can happen. I think 'bum bags' or something of that ilk are the way to go.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the event was a success for you, enjoy your rest and have a lovely Christmas.
Jan x
Have a wonderful Christmas xx
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying your Christmas break x.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that its been a successful month for you after all your hard work. That's very sad about the money that went missing though... :/
ReplyDeleteI look forward to hearing abut all the new creations you have planned in the new year - hopefully you'll have the chance to put your feet up and recover from the Christmas craziness first though! x
I hope you are enjoying a well deserved rest. It's such a shame that someone stole some takings :( I'm looking forward to seeing what you create next year.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that mostly it was successful, shame about the theft though - don't know how some people can do that to small traders. best wishes for 2014!
ReplyDelete