Quest for the best!

Chickens for Easter at Carluccio's

Nice gifts at Carluccio's

Assorted cakes at Carluccio's

 Last night a couple of friends and I met at Carluccio's in Chichester for a treat. Eating anything there gives you a hint of what it must be like eating out in Italy. As I've never eaten out in Italy I have no comparison but I do think the food in Carluccio's is delicious.

I've been thinking a lot lately about making the shop the best that it can be. Doing some online research and thinking about the future.

Everyone tells me that shops can't compete with shopping on line any more.
That people have got out of the habit of looking round shops. I acknowledge that this is true for some people. Some of my friends only shop on line. But personally I like to feel what I'm buying. Something that may look good in a photograph may not look so good in real life and I like being served by a human being not a machine...

I also think that looking on line for something you want to buy can take hours and it's so easy to get side-tracked. I find this with Pinterest and I'm trying to limit myself to 10 minutes only on this addictive site!

So what is the answer? My answer is to be on a quest for the best. I want my shop to represent the best that I can find and for people to acknowledge the quality of everything in it. Now that Wild Damson, my neighbouring shop has gone (a big shock to a lot of people) I must make Handmade Happiness more of a destination store than ever.

Spring blossom in the shop

Spring  blossom branch made by Brenda Tilbury suspended in the shop window.

Brenda Tilbury's branch from outside the shop

New orange rose wreath by Brenda Tilbury

Please forgive the quality of these photos. Brenda's blossom branch looks stunning in real life but the windows are reflective and you'd be forgiven for thinking I was showing you how attractive the buildings opposite are... Also, note to self, do not take photos at dusk. Much better to take them at midday.

Spring feels like it's edging nearer and I hope that you, like me, feel energised and renewed. This morning I'm visiting the garden centre for flower seeds with wedding flowers in mind. This is a great time of year - enjoy your Sunday!

The ups and downs of life as a shopkeeper

Today Wild Damson announced they would soon be closing the shop but continue the business online and at fairs.

Inside Wild Damson when they first opened.

I was working in Tricot Too then, selling clothes

More of Tricot Too's unusual clothes

And then one day I saw this shop next door but one from Wild Damson

Five years ago I worked in Tricot Too. I loved the shop and designed and made jewellery for it as well as serving the customers. When Wild Damson first opened I urged those customers to visit it. The shop sells furniture and gifts which it will continue to sell online and at fairs.

It was the fact that Wild Damson was so close by that made me so excited about taking on the shop next door to it, pictured above. So I could say that without Wild Damson there would be no Handmade Happiness.
Nowadays a lot of my customers say they love to visit Wild Damson and Handmade Happiness and I am sorry it is closing.

Recently I've been wondering whether this January and February aren't the worse months I've ever experienced in the shop. But today I checked back over the years and found that actually the takings are average, neither better than nor worse than previous years. It's just quiet because it's that time of year. It is tempting, after a particularly bad day to think that all days are like that, but they're not. Tomorrow is often much, much better and I mustn't forget that. In the meantime I am thinking about a bit of diversification...

Flowers for weddings

I can hardly believe this double hollyhock grew in my garden but it did...

Peonies in the front garden. They bloom in May 

Iris and roses from the garden- lovely for May/ June

My youngest is getting married on July 31st and I would love to grow flowers for her wedding. This is a big leap as I totally neglected my garden last year and it is bare save for rose bushes, a hydrangea, two peonies, iris and lavender. But in March seeds could be planted... 

I've written a list of possibles and I'd love to know what you think. What would you recommend? What is easiest to grow in your experience?

Sophie wants predominately pale pink flowers for table decorations. She
 has also asked me to make some giant peonies from crepe paper  (which I will enjoy doing in quiet moments in the shop.)

So, thanks to Brenda, who I showed the list to I have whittled it down to these possibles:
Antirhinums (snapdragons). There was a shop in Paris that grew giant ones that looked so impressive but I'm thinking of short ones in pinks and whites.

Anenomes (poppies) I've saved seeds from previous years. Trouble is they don't like being in water so would have to be picked at the v. last minute.

Baby's breath - white, useful.

Cornflowers. There are pink ones and white ones...

Cosmos. Brenda recommends. I've not sure what it looks like. Small daisies?

Herbs like variagated mint and rosemary and lemon balm.

Hydrangea

Lavender -white and pink

Nigella (love in a mist) again I think comes in pink and white as well as blue.

Phlox,Ranunculi,Roses, Stocks and Sweet peas. This is taking up too much space! Isn't it nice to think of flowers blooming in our gardens soon when the weather outside is so grey and wet!

New in Handmade Happiness

Circus strong man embroidered on notebook by Carol Smith 22.50

Circus dancer and dog handler embroidered on notebook by Carol Smith 22.50

Naked lady embroidered on zipped pouch made by Carol Smith 22.50

Painted birds' eggs collage by Emma Clay  

Painted birds' eggs collage by Emma Clay

Chicken mug by Kate Hackett 15.00 with golden mohair teddy by Lindsey Agostinelli 60.00

Handmade Happiness has some presents I'd really like to give to myself and my family right now! 

Carol Smith's embroidered notebooks and pouches are collectable, they are so individual.
Emma Clay's pictures look fresh and clean and would sit beautifully against white walls or Farrow and Ball painted walls.

Lindsey Agostinelli's latest little bear has got such a sweet expression. I love him. Kate Hackett just delivered her latest spring designs and Easter ornaments. I especially like these chicken mugs. There is a differently coloured chicken on the other side. An ideal gift.

Spread the love!

Collage Valentine card from Handmade Happiness

Small heart wreath in the window by Brenda Tilbury 24.50

 Happy Valentine's Day! I wish you a day full of love and happiness!

Yesterday it was cold in the shop and I must remember to take in a second heater next week but the people who visited were warm and friendly! They were determined to find a lovely card and sometimes a nice present too for their beloved. Some people bought a nice present for themselves and I totally approve of this! Let's spread the love. 

I keep hearing of men (rarely women) who don't approve of Valentine's Day seeing it as just another chance for shopkeepers to cash in. 

 I like the attitude of one young woman who bought the biggest heart wreath in the window for £100. As she paid she said to me,'I just texted my boyfriend to tell him I just got his Valentine's present to me.' 

Serendipity

Love these sari silk ribbons

So much of life happens purely by chance. For instance, one day I was having fun experimenting with different embroidery stitches, doing a line of garden flowers and grasses on a piece of linen. A customer saw it on my work table and asked me to do some embroidery for her business.

When in a shop you never know who you are talking to, unless you get to know people over a period of time. For instance one day a good looking couple came in and liked the shop. After they left a woman came in and said,'Did you see Kate Winslet?' Well er, no, I hadn't recognised her.

Right now I'm considering moving house. Who knows what houses will be on the market at the moment I want to find a nice new home? It will be entirely serendipitous. Or do you believe that fate takes a hand in our lives?

(By the way I'm only thinking of moving within Petersfield. I would never move away from the shop.)

I wonder what will happen in the shop today? I know I have to make some more Valentine's cards. But who comes in to the shop and the conversation we may or may not have... It could be someone famous that I don't recognise or it could be one of you. Life is serendipitous like that...

Fair Isle tank top

Jenny Drant has knitted this Fair Isle tank top for a one to two year old.

This is the most beautiful piece of heirloom knitting. The yarn is Alpaca so the garment is extremely soft. It has a button up shoulder for easy dressing and undressing and will give a toddler an extra layer of warmth. 

Jenny Drant is a very capable knitter as regular readers of this blog will know. Now she is thinking of alternative colourways. Perhaps grey, pale pink and cream next to suit a baby girl. Yes, you know who I'm thinking of!

This week Jill Poole has brought in more paintings and Katrin Eagle has brought in woven scarves and bags in lovely colours. And I've started knitting another cardigan for a newborn as we look forward to another baby in the family.

More new things in Handmade Happiness

Handspun Shetland fleece, knitted and then felted by Georgina Hutber with horn button decoration

Bobble bag made by Georgina Hutber.

Very pretty hydrangea and dried roses wreath by Brenda Tilbury. £24.50

Dried roses heart made by Brenda Tilbury. £24.50. SOLD

 The New Year has brought a rush of new makers into Handmade Happiness with their work.
Georgina Hutber spins, dyes, knits and felts and the shop now has several of her bags and scarves. I particularly like the bag with horn buttons pictured. It is designed to be worn across the body and as the wool is very thick would be an ideal safe carrier for anyone's personal computer.

Brenda Tilbury has bought in more of her pretty romantic wreaths.

Emma Clay came in yesterday with her work which has a birds' eggs theme. Her pictures look original and fresh and I can picture them against any 'shades of white' painted wall lending a contemporary, clean look to a room.

I'm making Valentine's cards and doing some embroidery for an order. More of that later...

Samantha Robertson's ceramics

Samantha Robertson's beautiful bowls and coaster tiles in Handmade Happiness

Samantha teaches pottery and somehow she finds time to also make her own decorated bowls, coasters and night lights. The small bowls are £12, larger bowls £18 and coasters £5. Great gifts.

This week Kate Box has been in with a new navy knitted wrap and more of her popular wrist warmers. Sue Inglis has made new Valentine cards and Justine Jenner re-stocked with more of her white cups and saucers and dimpled jugs. Then yesterday Tanya Williamson brought in lots more of her wildlife cushions. So Handmade Happiness is filling up again after the usual empty look it gets after all the Christmas selling.

Quite a few new visitors are coming in after seeing the feature on Handmade Happiness in the local free magazine Life in Petersfield. Look out for more features on local makers in the months ahead.

Heart wreaths

Heart wreath made by Brenda Tilbury for the Handmade Happiness Valentine's window.SOLD

Green heart wreath made by Brenda Tilbury hanging from the flagpole at Handmade Happiness

New in Handmade Happiness

Doll and mushrooms designed and made by Jill Haines. Doll £38.50; mushrooms £7.50 each.

Cat by Jill Haines. £14.50

Mushrooms in spring colours made by Jill Haines. £7.50 each.

 Jill Haines' things are beautifully made and a welcome addition to the gifts offered in Handmade Happiness.

 Samantha Robertson just brought in more of her popular tile coasters and decorated ceramic bowls and Brenda Tilbury has made the most amazing large rose decorated heart shaped wreath for the window. Brenda also made the big green heart that she attached to the flag pole outside the shop and some dried rose heart decorations also for Valentine's Day.

I got to work decorating heart shaped boxes today and tomorrow I'll work on Valentine's cards...

Please note...

Lovely, arty fabrics by Bluebelle Grey. My neighbour, Tara Interiors stocks this brand.

If you want to see me, personally, I won't be in the shop this afternoon, so come in the morning.
After a quiet January week I've decided not to open on Tuesdays for the time being. As from next week the shop will open Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. 
January is always the quietest month of the year customer-wise. It is very cold, often raining and if I were a customer I would stay at home too!!

On a brighter note, Jill Haines brought in pieces of her work this week. Delicately embroidered toadstools, a rag doll wearing vintage materials and an amusing felt cat with a fish. I like her work and look forward to stocking more of it in the months to come.

Look out for this month's Life in Petersfield if you live locally, the shop is featured in it. 

A death in the family

First of all, apologies to anyone who visited Handmade Happiness on Saturday and found it closed. My mother had died the day before so I couldn't work that day.
Having been healthy all her life my mother succumbed to dementia around the time of my father's death, nearly five years ago.

 To anyone reading this who has someone in the family suffering with dementia, my heart goes out to you. It is the most cruel disease and, as with cancer, I do hope that a reliable cure can be found soon.

From today, Tuesday, the shop will be open as usual, 10 to 5, closed on Sundays and Mondays.  

New Year's Resolutions

Pam Dew's quilt in Handmade Happiness.£295. The fabrics are all designed by Kaffe Fassett.

I just found a sheet of New Year Resolutions I wrote maybe 10 years ago. Interestingly they were the same resolutions as I would write today.

 Basically: Improve your home, improve yourself, make more stuff to sell and write more. I have succeeded in getting a shop - that was one of my resolutions for decades as regular readers will know. But basically, aside from getting a shop and moving house I haven't pulled off any other dramatic changes in the last 10 years.

So if we don't put into practice our resolutions each year what is the point of them? The good thing is it focusses our attention on what we want and where we are going.

 I just got 'The Happiness Project' by Gretchen Rubin. She zoomed in on her life and read masses of books and came up with some interesting tips to make life happier. I'll tell you more when I've finished reading it. Meanwhile you can look at www.happiness-project.com for more details.

 Where Gretchen and I differ is that she gave her project masses of energy and determination. Energy and determination are vital to change and puting New Year Resolutions into practice. So pass me the iron pills someone I'm getting help in the energy department.

Nice things in Handmade Happiness

Sheila Barrow's Up the Garden Path embroidery.

Love these useful zipped bags made by Carol Smith

Clever knitting in this scarf by Jenny Drant

Love this sari silk I bought at the Knitting and Stitching Show this year.

Sophisticated grey porcelain decorations made by Niloo

Cushions by the talented Tanya Williamson

 When beautiful handmade things come into the shop I'm often tempted to buy them myself but I usually manage to resist. But I do regret not buying the little picture by Sheila Barrow at the top. It is a little bit of perfect.

I did buy the stitched  bags in the second photo made by Carol Smith and I keep my fairy making materials in them.

When Jenny Drant showed me her knitting this year I was blown away. A lot of us can knit but she takes knitting to a whole other level. I look forward to selling more of her work this year. 

I used the ripped sari silk ribbons to make the big decorative birds you may have seen in the window in November. Wish I'd  bought more now. The colours are intense.

Niloo makes the popular black on white spotted pots and this year she bought in these contemporary decorations. They really are little works of art.

People love Tanya Williamson's cushions and I hope she'll make many more for the shop this year.

I'll try and take some more pictures inside the shop today. I'm looking forward to having a bit of a spring clean ready for a sparkling 2016 when Handmade Happiness will be displaying a lot more of talented makers' work. I'll keep you posted.

The shop will be open from 10am to 1pm today.

Happy New Year !!!

Star garlands made by Sue Inglis

Spring flower mugs and plates by Kate Hackett

Love this painting by Christine Burgess

My favourite linocut card by Christine Burgess

One of those UFOs (unfinished objects) I'd forgotten about making...

Love this arty tea cosy made by Kate Box

All change! Wayne Osborne of Osborne Signs painting the shop's new lettering.

I hope your life in 2016 is everything you wish it to be!
Here are a few pictures from the first half of 2015. More tomorrow.
Handmade Happiness will be open tomorrow morning Saturday January 2nd from 10am to 1pm.