Tuesday, February 19, 2013

I'm going to be a shopkeeper (when I grow up)



Hello! 
How has your week been going? All good I hope.

I have been a bit preoccupied with something quite exciting. ( For me anyway!)

I decided that it was time to stop dreaming and procrastinating and wondering whether I should get another job outside home, and just have a go at a little venture of my own!

You might remember a bit over a year ago(!!) I got all excited about opening a yarn shop in our town, I got all enthused and was looking at a shop in Hastings and dreaming of all the crafty goodness that could go on in such a place.  Well, reality had to enter the equation somewhere, and sadly it was just going to cost way too much to set up and was just too much of a risk for our little family to take on at that time. So dreams were put on the back burner for the time being.

Well, now I have decided to have another go at being a yarny shopkeeper , we could do with another income and I can't think of a nicer way to earn a wage than being a purveyor of all things yarny and wooly !  The only difference is it's going to be online and a virtual shop!
Of course it is on a much, much smaller scale than my bricks and mortar idea, but you never know, from little things big things grow, and all that .... :) ( very, very, little things in this case!! haha)

Well what to sell?  The next question!

I thought I would start with yarn I know and love, stuff I use for my own blankets and makings and the yarn that I get quite a few enquiries about. It might be harder for other people to find as it is an Australian brand.


I contacted the company that makes a lot of the lovely wool I use and put an order in for my starting stock (gulp!!).
I spent a long time agonising over which colours to get first, money is limited for this start up, so I had to choose carefully to get a nice range that I think you all will love!!  I was a bit like a kid in a lolly shop, so many possibilities, it was a lovely task.....
I have a big list of colours that are waiting to be ordered next!! :)


So anyway, I now have a biggish pile of lovely yarns sitting in our lounge room, the boys are making jokes about wool taking over the house, and I have to make a shop for it all.  ( Nearly there with that, quite a slow process, photos, unloading, working out prices, shipping rates etc,  but fun!)

I am planning a give away of yarny goodness to mark the opening of my shop, so stay tuned for details later in the week.  

It is a little bit scary too, you know, doubts creep in, what if it doesn't sell? What if I stuff up orders? What if I'm destined not to have my own little shop?  What if no one likes the colours?   
All that sort of stuff.... but I guess I'll just give it a go and see what happens. 
Maybe I'll put together some colour schemes from my blankets to give people ideas, pick out nice patterns from ravelry and make up a few examples for everyone to check out....... I'm sure there's lot's of other things I can do with a big heap of gorgeous wool!! :)

So that's my big news, I'm going to be a (virtual) shopkeeper! Yay!

Hope you are doing something fun this week, fulfilling some dreams too I hope!

I'll  be back soon with more info and links and all things shoppy.
Have a great day!!

69 comments:

  1. That is so exciting! Congratulations :) I can't wait to see your shop!
    xo,
    wink

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  2. How exciting! I know exactly how you feel. I opened my own shop in July and the thing that scared me the most was choosing the yarns. It's hard to guess what colours people will like but I decided that if I chose colours I liked it would be much easier to sell it.

    Good luck!

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  3. Congratulations on your big decision! I can imagine it is scary though...
    Best of luck with starting up!

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  4. You go girl!! Don't let doubt creep in a steal your joy. I have decided to make a leap also. I had an idea to make something fun for kids and made the leap. I opened a new store, started a new blog and all new media sites just for it. So far it is a slow go but I am not giving up. Have a peek http://storybookfelts.blogspot.com. I am hoping, just like you, that this DREAM will turn in to a wonderful wonderful thing. Good luck and don't let those dreams get away. Tie a strong ribbon on the end of that big beautiful balloon and hang on tight. The ride might be a little scary at first, but once you get going the sights from up there will be amazing!! Good luck!! Those colors are wonderful!!

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  5. Whoop, whoop!! Congratulations ... and how exciting!!! xxx

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  6. Best of luck in your new adventure! Oh! to be surrounded by all that lovely yarny goodness! :)

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  7. Great idea! I wish you good luck!
    Liebe Grüße
    Kerstin

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  8. Wowwww....... I love the colors allready, don't be afraid, lol, I wish you lot of succes!

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  9. How very VERY exciting. I can appreciate all your fears and questions, but in the spirit of awesome quotes: you can never win if you don't try. I think its great and wish you the BEST of luck with your endeavor!

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  10. Oh! How exciting to be following your dream. Good luck with everything especially your lovely ideas.

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  11. How exciting - I can't wait too see your shop. I have always loved the colours you use in your projects and try and find alternatives here in the UK but the greens and blues you use are still elusive! xxx

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  12. I wish you all luck in the world. I think we all have the same dream, having our own yarn-shop. And your dream come true now.
    The colours of the yarn are very beautiful.

    Lisa

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  13. Congratulations and good luck! The colours look gorgeous and I'm sure your shop will be a huge success!

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  14. I wish you all the luck! I can't wait to see your shop! Liefs Else

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  15. Best of luck, you make lots of beautiful things, I'm sure the thought of being able to get similar results will be all the motivation we need to buy from your shop - remember money can't buy happiness but it can buy yarn, which is kind of the same thing! :)

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  16. I can't wait to see your shop! And I think it's wonderful that you're taking a risk and running with your dreams. Really, you can make it work if it's really a desire of yours!

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  17. What a great idea it's like a half way house, I have often dreamed about a little crafty yarn shop, with a coffee shop attached - but alas dreams and reality don't quite meet. Have fun x

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  18. Congratulations!! I wish you all the luck you need to be successful. :)

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  19. Hello!!! This is so exciting and these are very good news ! I am myself very happy that you are opening an online shop to sell yarn because simply i love the colors you use for your blankets an i think you know very well how to put them together!!!
    I will be one of your first clients i live in France and must confess there is not much Australian wool around here (as much as i know) and i hope you can ship ordered to Paris!!!
    This is a very good experience that i hope will work out for you! Good luck!
    Lina
    linouche24@hotmail.com

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  20. I am so happy for you. Congratulations on the new shop! I cant wait to see it.

    -Birgitta, Iceland

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  21. dear Jules,
    Good for you, scary but nothing was ever accomplished until you take that first step..people already love what you make and your eye for color..you will be successful .
    Xo

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  22. Good for you for being courageous! I hope you are wildly successful :)

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  23. Congratulations with your shop and good luck. I don't think you need it because the colours are beautiful. I think it is a very good idea to put together colour schemes. I've always liked the colour combination you used.

    Groetjes, Monique

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  24. Good for you! Good luck and hope you get loadsa customers Jules.

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  25. Very exciting, I am so happy for you,
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  26. Oohh you lucky, lucky lady. I've always dreamt too of owning my own yummy yarn shop. I wish you the best of luck with it all. I hope that it goes really well for you.
    It's such a shame that I made a stash busting promise at the start of the year. I've always loved your colour combinations. Nearly good enough to eat.
    Rosie xx

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  27. Good luck with your venture. I, for one, have never used Australian yarn so I could be one of your first customers! :)

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  28. Fantastic news! Best of luck with your new venture, I am sure you will be a success!
    M xxx

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  29. good luck - the yarn looks lovely, I'm already tempted!!!

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  30. Good for you! How exciting for your dream to become a reality. I'm looking forward to seeing your 'shop' open its doors x x

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  31. Good on you and best of luck, it's always great to read about someone pursuing a dream. I'm looking forward to seeing you online shop when it's up and running.

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  32. good fo you Jules!!
    that is fabulous news.
    a dream come true.
    i so look forward to watching your journey unfold and cheering you on.
    yayyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!

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  33. Hi Jules, congratulations on the decision, the yarn looks gorgeous.

    Can I just ask, as this is something I spent a lot of time researching yesterday on the computer for my own endeavours - have you got any thoughts on international shipping from Australia?

    It would seem that Australia has one of the highest rates for shipping. I just opened an etsy shop recently (nothing much in it yet until I figure this out), and when I started to work out the international shipping rates, I nearly packed it all in.

    Any thoughts you had to share would be great.

    cheers
    Fi

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  34. WOW HOW MANY BEAUTIFUL GRANNY COULD LET U.S.! IF YOU FORWARD A LITTLE WOOL ... THERE IS ME! :)

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  35. I WANT A GRANNY BLANKET HELP ME!! :)

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  36. Jules this is fantastic!!! Congratulations, I'm so in awe of you just going for it and getting a shop running. I now have the excuse of 'being supportive' to buy wool from you :p Maybe in a few years, when things pick up and you're established, you might be able to venture into a physical shop too :D My folks live in Kent, I'll visit when it happens :) x

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  37. Congratulations jules...will you send to Portugal?

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  38. good for you, I watch with great interest!

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  39. Congratulations!! and good luck with it all :) Looooove the colours!! Clarissa xo

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  40. Congrats to you for taking that leap of faith! I wish you nothing but success and happiness.

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  41. Congrats Julie, good on you for having a go..........i think an online store is a wonderful idea. No windows to clean or floors to vaccum, or dealing face to face with difficult customers, so you're ahead already.

    Just look at the positives Julie, we all know life can throw us a curly one now and then but no point worrying when it hasn't happened.
    You know we all love your work and the colours you use, so you can't go wrong there.

    Make sure your shoe laces are tied, your socks pulled up and go for it.......you'll be successful give yourself some time and how wonderful to be able to play with all that gorgeous wool.....

    Claire :}

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  42. Wow, so glad to hear it. Is this only for Aussie land or can USA-ers also benefit ?? You are a favorite with so many that I am sure you will be successful .....this is very exciting. Good job.

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  43. Julie's I wish you lots and lots of luck! I have just read all the comments so far and it seems as though I am the only reader who has used these colours...forgive me if I missed some. I love this wool and use it for mo,st of my creations or incorporate with others. The colours are beautiful, the yellows, the pinks and when Greedy for Colour comes to stay she always buys the red, oh and a creamy white that wew use as a base for lots of things as well! So good luck and well done for putting your dream into practice! By the way your vegetable garden and roses are AMAZING! Happy selling....Mrs A

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  44. Wow How exciting cannot wait to see it! You will do great.

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  45. So exciting and I'm very happy for you. Wishing you much success and happiness in this venture!!
    xoRobin❤

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  46. Oh I can't wait to see your online store! I sure hope you deliver to the US because I know you'll have something I just can't live without! Good luck on your new adventure��

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  47. Hello and congratulations on your new adventure in shop keeping! Sending you a wish for good luck and much yarny fun as you get your shop ready to launch.

    Dominique
    (Canada)

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  48. Congratulations on stepping out! I find online shopping so easy and I think this venture is an exciting oppportunity for you! Can't wait till you open!

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  49. How exciting! Congrats :-)
    Your colour selection looks great - I wish you all the best with your new venture!
    Sarah xx

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  50. YES, Yes, Yes - I've been waiting for this!! your lovely colours in your stripy bobble blanket in a mixed pack maybe?? I've tried and tried to replicate the colours to no avail!! mark me down as one of your potential customers!! yay you!!!!

    Kathy, FRANCE

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  51. Chosen as BEST BLOG!...you can see my Top 10 list here... http://chimichurritejidos.blogspot.com.ar/2013/02/mis-10-best-blogs.html
    Kisses

    Ana

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  52. That'e a great idea, Jules! You always have to risk a little, and in the end you'll be rewarded. I think that they are many people (including me) who don't have access to all the yarns around the globe, so it'll be a great opportunity for us to finally feel that wool in our hands :) The colors you chose are pretty!
    Keep up your great initiative!

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  53. WOW, FANTASTIC! What a fabulous step you've taken with an online shop. The beauty is that you love and are passionate about your product and that will make you the very best of online shopkeepers. I love your blanket colour combinations so that would be rather a nice way to start, getting a list of colours and yarns so we can emulate your gorgeous work.
    Have fun,
    Anne xx

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  54. Wonderful!!! I share the same dreams as you on this one. I shall be watching with interest - good luck! Xxxx

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  55. The colours are wonderful!! You will be a sucess!!

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  56. love those colours cant wait to add some to my stash

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  57. Julie, this is super-duper exciting!! Congratulations for having a go at something I'm sure you'll be brilliant at. What fun choosing colours and patterns ... all in the name of work!! Good luck. x

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  58. Congratualtions! Wish you all the best!

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  59. Awesome wool, love the colours, can't wait to visit your shop online and buy! Love your blog, very inspirational !

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  60. Very exciting, well done for making your dream in to reality. So what if its on a smaller scale that you first dreamed, you are doing it and should be proud. You go girl!! :)

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  61. I heart your blog and I love love love the colors you use :)
    I would definitely be interested in your online shop just so I could try out the beautifully colored yarn you use!

    Jade

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  62. Oh I love this wool! Congratulations to you on taking that next step. Can't wait to see what big things you have in store for us next. xx

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  63. Good on you! I wish you the very best of luck, I'll buy some, I've been reading your blog for a couple of months now and think it's great- even more so now that I realize you are a Hastings person, I'm a peninsula person too :)

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  64. Oh my gosh, how exciting for you. I love all the colors and the yarn. I am looking forward to getting to see the yarn and hopefully, putting in an order.

    YAY! for you.

    Hugs,
    Sharon

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  65. Congratulations on your new shop...yes sometimes dreams can come true...I think you should sell yarns you use for your projects beacause they are great inspiration for us. you could create kits ready made for that kind or blanket or that kind of project..
    Good luck
    Laura

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  66. Congratulations!!!!! Sounds like lots of fun ahead!

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