Firstly you may have migrated from various social network links to this blog post to see why we have decided to close down the shop – closing down the shop – OMG!!! yes I know its a big step and a big change. But fret not, in our far eastern soul searching we really sat down and asked ourselves, what's working and what's not and the answer is – classes and parties work. Ceramic cafe not. If its not working should we give it all up?? At first I was like yes – lets just draw a line, I am a little frazzled and tired and fed up of copycats and having to constantly think of new things and competing. In my grand old age of 30 ive lost the drive a little and just want an easy life. but christmas was so busy (I suppose thats why I was so tired as well. I felt like one of those hamsters on a wheel!!) Plus we always get amazing feedback and it seems such a shame to give it all up. I absolutely LOVE meeting all the different people over the years and many have become good friends, what a cheesefest, but its true!!. And I really do recognise that we are offering something different in Aberdeen still to this day. Perhaps we are too different and not mainstream enough??
So our next thought was If the classes and parties work, do I really need a physical location? Our conclusion is no. Nowadays with internet shopping many businesses are really asking themselves that question, the reason being rent and rates are extortionate, especially in our oil rich city of Aberdeen. On top of that, parking is expensive in the city centre as well as navigating the congestion, a lot of people just wont come into town, weekend or weekdays, I suppose these are the modern day challenges facing most towns and cities up and down the country and at the end of it all its the small businesses that suffer. And I have a lot of fans out in the shire.
So after all that we feel that we no longer need a physical outlet, my classes can operate closer to the customers in community centres, church halls, scout huts etc and the parties can operate as a mobile service. I can also work from home where I hope to install the kiln in my gigantic new garage, perhaps build a cute wee summer house to run classes from. Working from home will give me more time to work on other aspects of the business ive been neglecting ie my online etsy shops and blogging (of course haha!!).
So please don't shed a tear for us, we'll still be around offering I Heart Art mobile services and we are moving onto pastures new with the hope that it can be a little bit more relaxed, we still get to be involved in a business we love but also have time for US. That's another major reason we are closing the shop, it really is time to live our lives again. Its been 4 years of constant working day and night, events at the weekends, networking at night, admin in the mornings and it was a bit silly as I left the high-powered stressball job for this as I believe that you work to live rather than live to work. So enough is enough, time for our personal lives! Especially since mitchell and I got engaged in Hong Kong!!! whoo hoo, after 11 years he's finally popped the question and ready to make an honest woman out of me. So its gonna be one hell of a year crafting and planning party of the century! Im hoping to not dissapoint on the craft and creative front so watch out wedding world!!
and i leave you with a lovely piccie of my bling in one of our most favouritest places in the world in all its skyscraper and neon light glory.
