Happy 2nd Birthday to us!
It doesn't seem like 5 minutes since we were celebrating our 1st birthday and here we are at birthday number 2! Time flies when you're having fun!! It has been a great second year of trading - I'm excited to have achieved a lot of 'firsts' this year: first sewing show, first exclusive products and first time co-hosting a sewing event.
My stand-out highlight of the year was taking part at the Sew Sustainable Fair in April, which was my first sewing show. It was a huge learning curve and I just loved everything about it. You can read about my experience here.
One thing that has always surprised me about owning an online shop is how much contact I get with customers, bloggers, vloggers and fellow home sewists. It's an utter delight to connect and really is the joy of the job. This year I've been lucky enough to have lots of opportunities to meet in person too - the Sew Sustainable Fair, London Stitchers meet up picnic, Herts Sewcials, New Craft House party, and The Stitch Festival to name a few.
Business-wise, I was utterly thrilled to be featured in The Haystack Pack in September and finally got to meet Kate, who runs the pack, in person. I also expanded out into more haberdashery and was delighted to welcome The Specky Seamstress and Jenerates brands to the shop. Seeing the Bornella Fabrics branded ruler is the sort of thing dreams are made of! (Well my dreams anyway... it would be weird if your dreams had Bornella Fabrics rulers in!)
On the downside, economic times are tough and It has been noticeable whenever a big economic announcement comes along. Sales are affected, no two ways about it, as people have less to spend on the important things in life.. like fabric! Luckily I can keep my overheads to a minimum and ride it out. I also broke my wrist in December which meant not being able to sew for 2 months. My husband Steve got the job of cutting orders as I was unable to use scissors. Thankfully I'm fully healed and back sewing!
I'm buzzing with ideas for the year ahead and looking forward to bringing you lots more sustainable sewing ideas, fabric, haberdashery and patterns in the next year.
Happy second birthday to us!!
Tanya xx