catching up...

Seems like I've been everywhere but blogging lately! So much has happened and been worked on but to type it all seems like it will take me forever!!
First things first....the CRAFT STATION!!!

Here is a pic:


How nice is that?? Hubby did it all!! He incorporated EVERYTHING that I need to actually get things done in an organized fashion!! And he forced me to re-organize my stash and purge the stuff that I really won't get too!! I was actually surprised that he didn't balk at all the yarn and I couldn't believe that most of it (notice I said MOST) fit into the shelves...I left out some acrylic nonsense for the back shelves of the basement and I actually donated a very large box of it to Interim House-an organization that helps women in Philadelphia recover from drug/alcohol addictions by teaching them to knit/crochet. How great is that??? I love the idea of knitting/crochet helping anyone out of trouble and I think that this organization is great!! It really felt great to send that big box to a good cause too.
Hubby also made this adorable SHEEP CAKE for my birthday-how great is that??


Yep-he's a keeper! He always makes my birthday feel extra special!
We went into NJ for my birthday-for two reasons....I wanted to check out Nona's Yarn Cafe to see what it was all about. I really liked the concept of a cafe and a yarn shop, although I have no interest in doing so at my future shop. And here's why: The owners no longer really run it as a cafe b/c their primary customer (women) are on diets so the food/beverages went to waste. Their cafe section is very small with just a few biscotti and cookies and water for tea/coffee. That's it. I'm thinking they should downsize their advertising then, though since I found them in the Debbie Bliss magazine, with a big ad for their yarn cafe....
Anywhoo-the women owners were very nice-a little assuming, but nonetheless very nice. They allowed me to ask them questions about their business and they didn't blink when hubby came in with the girls. Good. One of them, however, rubbed me the wrong way by asking me "Why do you want to own a yarn shop, huh? What-do you want to get the yarn at wholesale, is that why??" Huh?? Lady, right now, I get my yarn for free by working for a yarn shop, so why would take on such an aquisition just to get yarn at wholesale?? A bit of an assumption, but their business is struggling so I'm guessing she's just a bit bitter....I did manage to buy 5 skeins of gorgeous Plymouth Kudo yarn for my birthday present to myself-my summer clapotis! Love this yarn so far-a mix of cotton, silk and rayon-and multicolored of course...perfect for summer.
Now-back to those business questions-they were very helpful in telling me things that I was already aware of but to hear it live made it sink in. KNOW YOUR BUSINESS AND MARKET BEFORE YOU START A BUSINESS!!! They admitted to going in blind and overbuying bigtime and now being stuck with a lot of overhead. They also admitted to now just starting to go to shows and not really being up on what is big in the market. They stick to what their loyal customers want but they didn't seem to branch out to get new customers. They told me that their majority of customers were women age 50+ but the whole time I was in there, at least 5 women my age and younger walked in with the last group being a group of 3 teenagers. Hmmm??? Maybe some young-looking samples and free marketing on Ravelry/facebook/twitter might help? How about the local schools/colleges-offer a 10% student discount? Maybe I'm just a little over-eager and their enthusiasm is worn out. The owner did say that they haven't made a profit at all during their 4 years in business. That in itself is scary...

So, onto projects for me: Right now, working on a last-minute baby gift and my clapotis, then it's the girls' dresses and some clutches for sale, a hat for hubby (for his show??) and a summer top for me....we'll see...