It’s been a year since we closed our doors for the first time due to the pandemic. I don’t think any of us were expecting things to go the way they did, and I for one, wasn’t expecting to have been closed for 6 of the last 12 months!
Over the last year, I’ve been focusing on parts of the business I ordinarily wouldn’t have time to work on. I’ve been able to redesign the website, add more than 400 new products to our online shop and redecorate in store too! It’s been a tough and scary 12 months but I have to admit it was nice to be able to decorate and reorganise the shop without it looking like a scene from 60 minute makeover!
I always try to focus on the positives in every situation, however hard they may be to find! After looking back over the last year, I’m actually a little shocked about how many highlights I could think of.
Here are my highlights:
Gift of The Year Awards 2021
I was asked to be a Judge for the 2021 Gift of the Year Awards! The Gift of the Year Awards have been running for over 40 years and have grown dramatically over this time. It was such an honour to be a Judge alongside industry leaders and influencers.
Designed My Own Product Range
I stopped making when I took over Handmade Design back in 2018 so it felt really good to be creating again! I have now developed a range of products including Greeting Cards, Wall Art Prints, Cushions, Tote Bags and Christmas Baubles.
Money for Nothing
In September 2020, I was filmed as part of BBC’s Money for Nothing series. As part of the show, I purchased a Candle Sconce and a Hanging Candle Light. Both pieces were created by the program’s presenter, Sarah Moore. She used vintage plant hanging baskets which she beautifully decorated with brass.
The episode has not yet aired on TV but should be showing over the next few months. I will give you the heads up on our social media pages as soon as I know the date it’s showing.
New Makers
I’ve been busy adding lots of new product ranges, Designer Makers and products to the shop. Over the last 12 months, we’ve added handmade skincare and bath products, increased our variety of handmade chocolates, expanded our range of a greeting cards to cover a larger variety of occasion and lots, lots more!
Thank you for sticking with me over the last 12 months! The words of encouragement, the recommendations, the review, the orders – everything you’ve done to support me and my small business. The shop is still here and I can’t wait to see what the next 12 months brings.
