Open all hours

The last week has been unusual, at once sad, exciting and surprisingly relaxing. I retired from my 40-year involvement in the events industry at the same time as launching my new creative venture, including a web shop. I enjoyed producing my starting stock of candles, wax melts, soaps, shampoos, conditioners and all things scented and adding them to my shop.

My paternal grandmother had a a shop, an old fashioned general store with huge wooden display units the likes of which you now see at Beamish or the Black Country Living Museum. Apart from the local pub, Grandma's shop was the hub of the community, a source of real information, as well as gossip, and also served as a community exchange for services, a bit like a promise auction. Needless to say, it was open all hours and when the shop door was closed, people just knocked on the side door, the entrance to the living accommodation above the shop. As a small child, I loved visiting the shop and vast store rooms which still had a butter churn and ancient weighing scales. I marvelled at the stories my Dad told me and my brothers about playing hide and seek when he was a kid amidst huge sacks of flour and sugar which was, of course, strictly forbidden. I thought it sounded terribly romantic and wanted to have my own shop ever since. At the time I was totally unaware of the incredible demands and long hours required when running a general store which I became aware of later in life when I watched my aunt who had taken over the sop struggling to achieve a reasonable work life balance.

Well, I eventually fulfilled my childhood dream and opened a shop, albeit in a much more limited and digital age appropriate capacity. The excitement when the first orders came in was worth the long wait and I would like to wholeheartedly thank my first customers (you know who you are) for investing your trust and money in my products. I was particularly thrilled when receiving your positive feedback. I already have had to restock my lip salves and have taken the opportunity to improve the "recipe". I welcome constructive feedback as this will help me to expand and improve my products and range.

I have many ideas for new products, especially leading up to Christmas, which I hope might make suitable presents and stocking fillers. So, watch this space and continue visiting my shop. THANK YOU!