Sorry to disappoint all of you online and social media fans, but I’m an old-fashioned gal that doesn’t jive with this new dance. The internet serves to mildly entertain me when time allows, but I’m not big on being connected to devices as if they are an extension of my life. I rarely go online, nor do I carry my phone everywhere I go.
I have an iPhone with huge bells and whistles that I’ve not even tried to ring or blow. I have never purchased an APP, I don’t email on my phone, check my website, purchase goods online or do banking on it. Its purpose is for emergency calls or communication with hubby or the shop when I am on the road, etc. It’s a phone, right? I do have a FB page that I sometimes look at on my phone but quite frankly, I hardly check it during the day because I’m busy, working. I don’t utilize the features on these devices because I’m technically challenged, I ignore them because I’m not interested, preferring real life to an electronic facsimile.
I don’t run my business through the phone or through FB. I use the page to post photos or announce a new blog, an advertising forum to showcase new designs and dyed wools with links posted to the website for pricing and details.
I rarely check emails after hours or weekends. I’m busy enjoying my free time. Over the years I’ve been surprised to realize that some assume that I live at the studio. Well, I don’t. So, if you send me a text or message with questions about stock, I wouldn’t even know what might be in the back room for patterns or what dyed wools are available on the rack. Those are questions only answerable while we are physically at work in the studio.
We’re living in a faster paced world of consumer ‘need it now’ which is a big thumbs up, yippie-yi-yay during work hours. But afterhours, it doesn’t allow for a separation of work and personal life, and that can wear a body out. When work inquiries and questions come in while I’m having dinner or watching a movie or whatever my evenings entail, I usually don’t respond. I can’t be there for you every minute of every day or night. There are thousands of you, and only one me. I’m sure most of you will understand.
Social media has changed the face of a retail business. No longer are there business hours confined to a set portion of the day. The brick-and-mortar store can be closed at 5:00 PM but communications can go on long after Elvis has left the building. Today, work can stretch beyond the normal eight hours, some retailers even advertise they are there for you 24/7. I can’t imagine checking for orders and questions in the dead of night when some forget there are four-hour time zone differences, they’re working a night shift or suffering from a bout of insomnia.
Social media creates an atmosphere where a shop owner can never get away from their work. As much as I love my studio, it is still my job, and there is a time and a place for working and a time and place for personal space.
We have a toll-free line 1-855-624-0370 and we would love to speak to you during work hours to answer questions, offer advice or take your orders. Leave a message on the shop answering machine if you phone after hours and we will get back to you the next working day. We also have an Order page on the website and a Contact Page for inquiries and questions. Deborah and I reply to emails during work hours, 10-5 Monday to Friday. I’ve put the shop first for a very long time but, things have changed with perhaps entering the last leg of my life. I’m shifting into the comfort part of my journey and need to take care of me. I plan to keep the shop open until I’m 90, even if I have to hobble on my walker to the studio, so I need a balance to keep rested and motivated.
Since we opened in August, we’ve been closed Saturdays but I am happy to open the shop for prearranged appointments. Right now, we are short staffed and I’ve had to work nights to make up for the deficit. I can’t physically do 6 days a week with evenings and nights as well. I hope to find another employee to free up some of my time and then Saturdays will be put back on the menu.
And as for holidays, we are constantly asked if we will be open for them. We all need a break and enjoy the few special days off when they are offered. A holiday is meant for everyone, including the small shop owners and their staff.
Sunday, the shop is always closed. I’m not comparing myself to the big guy upstairs, but everyone needs that guaranteed day of rest to recharge the batteries.
I have an iPhone with huge bells and whistles that I’ve not even tried to ring or blow. I have never purchased an APP, I don’t email on my phone, check my website, purchase goods online or do banking on it. Its purpose is for emergency calls or communication with hubby or the shop when I am on the road, etc. It’s a phone, right? I do have a FB page that I sometimes look at on my phone but quite frankly, I hardly check it during the day because I’m busy, working. I don’t utilize the features on these devices because I’m technically challenged, I ignore them because I’m not interested, preferring real life to an electronic facsimile.
I don’t run my business through the phone or through FB. I use the page to post photos or announce a new blog, an advertising forum to showcase new designs and dyed wools with links posted to the website for pricing and details.
I rarely check emails after hours or weekends. I’m busy enjoying my free time. Over the years I’ve been surprised to realize that some assume that I live at the studio. Well, I don’t. So, if you send me a text or message with questions about stock, I wouldn’t even know what might be in the back room for patterns or what dyed wools are available on the rack. Those are questions only answerable while we are physically at work in the studio.
We’re living in a faster paced world of consumer ‘need it now’ which is a big thumbs up, yippie-yi-yay during work hours. But afterhours, it doesn’t allow for a separation of work and personal life, and that can wear a body out. When work inquiries and questions come in while I’m having dinner or watching a movie or whatever my evenings entail, I usually don’t respond. I can’t be there for you every minute of every day or night. There are thousands of you, and only one me. I’m sure most of you will understand.
Social media has changed the face of a retail business. No longer are there business hours confined to a set portion of the day. The brick-and-mortar store can be closed at 5:00 PM but communications can go on long after Elvis has left the building. Today, work can stretch beyond the normal eight hours, some retailers even advertise they are there for you 24/7. I can’t imagine checking for orders and questions in the dead of night when some forget there are four-hour time zone differences, they’re working a night shift or suffering from a bout of insomnia.
Social media creates an atmosphere where a shop owner can never get away from their work. As much as I love my studio, it is still my job, and there is a time and a place for working and a time and place for personal space.
We have a toll-free line 1-855-624-0370 and we would love to speak to you during work hours to answer questions, offer advice or take your orders. Leave a message on the shop answering machine if you phone after hours and we will get back to you the next working day. We also have an Order page on the website and a Contact Page for inquiries and questions. Deborah and I reply to emails during work hours, 10-5 Monday to Friday. I’ve put the shop first for a very long time but, things have changed with perhaps entering the last leg of my life. I’m shifting into the comfort part of my journey and need to take care of me. I plan to keep the shop open until I’m 90, even if I have to hobble on my walker to the studio, so I need a balance to keep rested and motivated.
Since we opened in August, we’ve been closed Saturdays but I am happy to open the shop for prearranged appointments. Right now, we are short staffed and I’ve had to work nights to make up for the deficit. I can’t physically do 6 days a week with evenings and nights as well. I hope to find another employee to free up some of my time and then Saturdays will be put back on the menu.
And as for holidays, we are constantly asked if we will be open for them. We all need a break and enjoy the few special days off when they are offered. A holiday is meant for everyone, including the small shop owners and their staff.
Sunday, the shop is always closed. I’m not comparing myself to the big guy upstairs, but everyone needs that guaranteed day of rest to recharge the batteries.
We may not be available 24/7 but we work our butts off when we are here.
We pay strict attention to detail, don’t cut corners and work to the best of our ability.
Because we make most of our products, we may not be as fast as Amazon, but we guarantee that top quality items will arrive at your door.
We care about you and take great pride in knowing that you will be working your magic with our perfectly drawn patterns and gorgeous wools.
We are here for you.
Thank-you for your continuing support and making the last 21 years a wonderful experience.
We pay strict attention to detail, don’t cut corners and work to the best of our ability.
Because we make most of our products, we may not be as fast as Amazon, but we guarantee that top quality items will arrive at your door.
We care about you and take great pride in knowing that you will be working your magic with our perfectly drawn patterns and gorgeous wools.
We are here for you.
Thank-you for your continuing support and making the last 21 years a wonderful experience.
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