Wednesday, January 4, 2012

A Look Back: What an Amazing Year


While I look forward to all that is to come in 2012 I think it’s important to take stock of the year that has passed. Looking back at 2011 I reflect on what a huge year it was, personally and professionally.   I would love to share some highlights of this past year.
Etsy Store Banner

At the beginning of last year I officially opened my Etsy shop. When I started this process I was thinking it would be very much like posting your items on kijiji but for the handmade world. As I went on the site, I was completely overwhelmed by all the work necessary to set up a successful store. I had the clothes ready to sell but had yet to design a banner, make store policies, shipping and return policies, create descriptions and then make decisions about making things made to order or made to ship. It was a huge learning process and honestly, it still is. To set up the store is one thing but the site is constantly evolving and there is always more learn.

Overlooking the city atop the John Hancock Observatory

I hit a milestone this year with my 30th birthday. I was not too happy about turning the big 3 0 but my amazing husband JD surprised me with a trip to Chicago. All of a sudden turning 30 didn’t seem so bad. I was able to gather great inspiration from the shop windows along the Magnificent Mile but in order to not waste my time in the city looking through clothing stores I only entered a few. The #1 store I had to enter was CHANEL (cue for ethereal music). I almost didn’t want to touch the clothes......but then I did.

Beautiful bride Krystal on her wedding day

I had a very exciting project his year from an amazing and creative bride.  I was asked to make a wedding dress from camo satin. Do they even make camo satin? Oh yes, they certainly do. White Timberland snow  camo.  It was so much fun.  This bride had 2 requests. It had to be camo and it had to have sparkle A.K.A. beading and rhinestones on the bodice. Done and done!

Our Home

This summer JD and I took that very scary and exciting leap. We bought our very first home. After renting in the hamlet of Greenway for the past 3 years we bought a beautiful home in the small rural town of Crediton.  We instantly fell in love with our home the moment we saw it; a 150 year old building (actually its 2 buildings, including what was the old town post office) complete with tonnes of hard wood trim and my favourite feature, stained glass windows. The bonus? The yard is filled with beautiful flower beds and a vegetable garden. I could go on and on about the house but this post would be 20 pages long. To sum up, we love it here.

Inside the shop

Along with the house, I moved into a new shop.  Of course I did, I work from home! One of the top reasons we loved the house was it has the perfect space for a seamstress shop. A room with a separate entrance, a lot of space and filled with character. It’s separate from the main house by a breezeway so my family still has privacy while the store is open. Sure beats working from my kitchen table. Oh yeah, and those stained glass windows I was talking about? They just happen to be in the shop. Pure bliss.

Soon-to-be big brother starting school

September was a big family month. First, our son started Junior Kindergarten.  When did he turn 4? How did this happen?  He was so excited for his first day of school and to top it off he got to ride the bus.  I have to admit it was so hard to give him a hug, an encouraging word, watch his short little legs climb the big bus steps and then watch the bus drive around the corner and disappear.  I’m actually tearing up a little bit writing this which could also be a result of the hormones, which bring me to the second part of  our big family month. We are expecting our second child. We are all very excited, especially our son who cannot wait to be a big brother. Baby  #2 will make his/her appearance this May.

Package ready to be shipped complete with handwritten thank you to my lovely client

While I have sold my original designs locally, this year I was able to make my first Etsy sale and send garments as far as BC. While I am unable to meet face to face with my online clients I try to give them excellent service by chatting over emails, sending them well made garments to their measurements and adding something a little special to their package. No matter how far away my clients are, I give every client my personal, undivided attention. After all, this is why you buy handmade. That is the appeal of the independent shop owner. We do it for the love of what we do and share that experience with our clients.

A lot can happen in a year and I cannot wait to see what 2012 has in store.
Cheers!

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