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Be Nice or Leave!

8/27/2014

38 Comments

 
For those of you that are affected by negative words, pass this one by.   I write about all my experiences good and bad.  This one is bad and long.  And....I've used the "shit" word.
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I’ll bet you all clocked off at five, went home to the family and were happy for the evening.  I went home, cried for an hour, made myself ill and then went to bed for a sleepless, sheet tossing, frustrated night. 

Some don’t like that I post negative blogs but right now I don’t give a hoot, I need to vent.  I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.  I write about experiences and although I pray they could all be filled with butterflies and kittens, life isn’t like that.   I’m a good person, with a kind and generous heart but I'm at the end of my tether.

People are crapping on me.  I must be an easy target, trapped in a shop with no place to hide. Some of the people that cross my threshold are like a woman I used to know, generally sweet as pie but when she was in a restaurant she was terrible to the wait staff, took the woes of her cheating husband out on them.   It’s easy to crap on strangers, it’s unfair but who cares when you don’t have to look at them again?    

Over the past two weeks I’ve been hit so many times with attitude and rudeness that I am wondering what the hell I’m doing in retail.  My husband tells me to quit, he says I don’t need to do this, so why am I subjecting myself to the balls of shit being thrown at me.   I bend over backwards trying to please but I continually become the object of people’s wrath.    What do I say back?  Nothing!  I stand there and take it like a dummy.  I don't know how to fight, talk back or defend myself and then I fall apart.   

Yesterday, at 10 minutes to 5 three women came in.  One introduced herself as a hooker from a Fredericton group.  The other two weren’t rug hookers but they were looking at my stack of Initially Yours letters.  I told them I was hooking the alphabet and then planned to write a book about it.  The rug hooker of the group said she was told to come into my shop and asked who I was.  I said Christine.   She said, oh hi!

We chatted and then she asked to go to the bathroom.  I said "sorry we don’t have a public facility".   I told her if the town hall was opened across the street she could go there.    They left and I went to get my camera to take their picture for Facebook when they came back.  A visitor from New Brunswick is always exciting!   At 10 after 5 two of them came back.    The rug hooker said she found a washroom and I said great.  Then she said very bitterly with eyes that burned,  “I have a medical condition and I am very upset that you didn’t let me use your washroom!”  turned on her heel and walked out.  The woman with her spoke up and said, “She was going to spend money in your shop, but now she will never come back!!!” and left.

I stood there for a moment before the tears hit.  Shane said, “Mom, you can’t let that bother you!”   But it was too late.  Why wouldn’t it bother me? A rug hooker hates me and all the Fredericton group will be told I’m a miserable so an so.   I didn’t do anything to deserve this. 

Yes, we do have a bathroom but the toilet doesn’t work half of the time.  To be blunt, in the last three number twos, it didn’t flush and I had to plunge it.  Yuck!  It was my poop and awful, if I had to do this with a strangers, I would lose my lunch.  Need I tell you how shit sticks to a plunger?  Probably not. 

There is a problem in the line.  Apparently the building next door and my building are hooked up wrong and run on the same line that T’s to the main street pipe.  We are told by the Public works department, if we pay $500 to rent a camera to put down there and find out that the problem causing all the blockages belongs to the town they will fix it on their dime, if not we are out thousands of dollars for digging up the street. I don’t have that kind of money, to date no one next door has offered to share the expense.  

We can’t flush while the washing machine is spinning or rinsing.  If you do it won’t flush easily, not even with pee and a bit of paper.  It usually ends laying in the pipe somewhere along the line and starts blocking, usually at the 90 degree bend at the T.  We’ve had to pay to snake it out on several occasions, and the neighbour has had to do it as well.  We are using the washing machine to spin the dyed wet wool and wash wool all day long and try to coordinate our waste removal accordingly as not to tax the line.   The poor neighbour has had to clean up his basement after our bathroom illuminations more than he cares to mention.   It’s been joked about how someone in our shop likes corn…real funny!

Except for not wanting to go down the hole smoothly, it hasn’t backed up on us, because we are higher on the street.  They say shit rolls downhill and we can vouch for the validity of it.  We do get the smell of methane; sewer gas, oh yum backed up in the bathroom.   Because of this we use the toilet sparingly and flush as little as possible. 

Does anyone care?  Why should I have to explain this to everyone?   Why can’t the fact that we don’t have a public washroom be enough?  Other shops on the street deny access and no one gets angry with them.  We are not in the food industry so we aren’t required to open it to the public.  The last person who was allowed to use it left a terrible mess that I won’t describe and I said no more.  If you use an excess of paper to wipe, it won’t flush.  Some women are not kind in public washrooms, they are afraid to sit on a seat so they hover and leave pee all over it and don’t clean it up.  Quite frankly I don’t earn enough to deal with this.   

And a bigger question is why do people save up a full bladder and/or colon and go into a store expecting them to take it on?  Mahone Bay has an Irving, some of the  cleanest bathrooms you’ll ever see, cleaned on the ½ hour  and we also have two public washrooms in town,  one directly across from the Irving and visible from our shop.   If I had a medical condition, I’d go to a bathroom before going into a store, there is no guarantee there will be a facility.  Even the market in town that sells food and has tables outside for sitting at to eat lunch, doesn’t have a washroom.   No one craps on them about it.

I ran upstairs and cried on the phone to my husband, who once again suggested it’s time to retire and then went home and bawled like a baby on the back deck because I’m so tired of this.  My pups were kissing me and wondering what the heck was wrong.  I don’t deserve  to be treated in this manner.   I can’t seem to grow a thicker skin and as I age I become more sensitive to people and their rudeness. 

I have a rule, no public washroom.  Why am I the bad guy, whether the toilet has problems or not?  Is my face the dumping ground for frustrations that have nothing to do with me?  The fact that I stand there and take it, not defend myself or speak back is justification to use me as a target? My big problem is that I keep comparing people to what I would do in any situation so I really don't understand.   I am respectful of others and don’t expect them to cater to me.  Rug Hooker from Fredericton, you didn’t use my washroom but you certainly crapped all over me!

I am tired and if this is the way I am continually treated I’m afraid I won’t be around long.  I carry negative feelings for a long time and it zaps every bit of energy from me.  My son keeps saying, don’t let it bother you but there’s a flaw in me that takes it all on.  I lose sleep, I feel physically ill. I’m a waste facility for negative energy.   There is a hook-in today and I don’t want to go to the shop.  I woke with a terrible headache, and I feel like I’ve been punched in the face from swollen eyes and puffy cheeks.   I wanted to finish my Z last evening but I couldn’t even hook. 

And....Just last week two woman came into the shop.  I spent time in the back room chatting with them while they went through the patterns.  The one gal kept telling me she didn’t have any money this month.  Three times she brought up her financial situation.   I thought it was strange.  I don’t pressure people to buy things in my store, completely the opposite.  

Anyway, the gal showed me her tattoos of sunflowers and said she really loved them.  She said she would like a pattern with three large sunflowers on it and I offered to design it for her, letting her know that isn’t something I do anymore, but the idea was interesting and it would be a nice pattern for the rack. 

The other gal wanted a design we didn’t have in stock but said she would order it and come back for it another day.  We had mail orders to get out, which I didn’t mention,  but I told her that if she planned on being in Mahone Bay for lunch, we would do up her pattern to save her from a three hour drive each way to come back for it.  She thanked me and we rang up her order. 

Her friend spied a sunflower kit and mentioned it was nice.  She said the flower was perfect.  Remembering the conversations about her being low on funds, I offered it to her for 20% off which was a $50.00 savings.  The rug kit was originally $249.95.   She said she would think about it over lunch.  The kit had been in the shop for over a year and the plastic bag was quite wrinkled and the paper label was dog eared.  It needed to be rebagged, I just never got around to it.  I’m saying this so you know I had no attachment to the wrinkled wrappings of the kit. 

A hour or so later I was called downstairs to help a lady from BC who wanted to buy a Lunenburg  kit.  The Sunflower gal had come back in and asked my assistant to open the bag that held the kit and she was spreading the pattern over the floor to have a look at it and said that it was actually larger than she thought from looking at the picture but was happy with the size.   I didn’t have any thoughts about what she was doing although she accused me of being angry that she had removed the pattern from the bag.    

I was at the counter ringing up the BC woman’s  order, and I was getting her shipping information.  While we were talking and I was writing down her mailing address  the woman that wanted the sunflower kit blurted out and asked if I would take $180.00 for the kit.     I’d just offered her $50 off and now she wanted another $20.00.  If she had asked me in private, took me aside and asked I probably would have said yes, the kit had been there awhile and I liked her, the project couldn’t have gone to a better rug hooker because of her love of sunflowers.  But she asked in front of the woman now buying a kit and a second customer at the wool racks.  There was no regard of how that would make other customers feel, they wouldn’t be getting any deals. 

I said sorry, if you purchase the wool off the rack it would be more expensive than the price I offered.   (Usually a kit is more expensive because you pay for my time to dye the exact colours and cut the strips and assemble the kit.)  Now she wanted even more off.   I said, if you aren’t interested in it, it will go back to the regular price after I rebag it.   I said it to impress that I was offering her the discount, that I didn’t plan to do it for anybody else. 

She said she was leaving and stormed out the door.  I was stunned  and said  “Ah, come on, don’t be like that”,  It probably wasn’t the best thing to say but that’s all that came out.  I’m terrible at confrontation and only come up with good things to say well after the fact.  Her friend left behind her and thanked me for making up her pattern. 

I started to tremble and nausea hit pretty quickly.   The woman I was waiting on heard it all and saw how I was reacting and told me to breathe and relax, not to let it bother me.  Well, that’s a snowball chance in hell…..not going to happen ever.   The rest of my day was ruined.  I was depressed and black as tar and I left early to get away from the shop.  My beautiful shop once again ruined by someone going off the rails.    All the way home I kept asking why I put myself through this?     I had a miserable evening and so did my hubby as the phone call was filled with whining. 

Before I went to bed I checked my Facebook page and there was a message posted by the sunflower woman  calling  me “judge mental”, “rude” and “snotty”.   That she has been through too much to be treated like that.    How I think I am better than her.   It went on and on about how awful I was to her.  How my assistant was nice and opened the kit but I was angry because of it. 

I replied and told her my side of things and she replied back again with more of the same, paragraphs of it.   Seeing that I wouldn’t  get anywhere I didn’t reply to her last message so then she posted a comment right on my FB about  ‘It’s not what you do in life that people remember, but how you make them feel”.   Well that works two ways doesn’t it?  I felt pretty awful after I’d been trying to help her.  I wonder about her…..she stressed twice that her life has been rough, if  she’s been treated so badly, maybe she’s always cocked and loaded looking for offensiveness where none exists.  I’ve been treated badly too, I don’t have an attitude everywhere I go and pounce if someone looks at me sideways.    She wants me to apologize to her for being judgmental.  I told her that in my heart that isn’t true.   I’m not sure what I was supposed to be judging?  I didn’t know her well enough to judge or even have an opinion about her, I didn’t  even know her name!    She wrote that f I had just said “no” she would have been fine.  Somehow I doubt that.   She tells me she will never come back and hints that her friend won’t be back either. 

There is not one iota of truth to my being mean with her.  I was stating facts.  I had offered her an exceptional deal but that wasn’t good enough.  My kits are works of art, top quality, not sloppy recycled wool thrown in a bag……and they are never on sale.

I’m a bit fed up.   This constant crap is tearing me down.  I’m not growing a thicker skin with age, it’s thinning to the point of breaking.  Even if I could come back with a retort it wouldn’t be mean, that’s not who I am.  So please, if you have a chip on your shoulder stay the heck away from me because I don’t have one, nor do I want yours.    This is rug hooking for god’s sake.  We aren’t fighting for world domination!  We’re on the same side! 

All I want to do is go to work, design some patterns, write my blogs and chat with the wonderful people I have the pleasure to meet.  It’s obvious I’m too much of a pussy to handle  problems.  I’m an Empath, all 30 of the descriptions fit me.  I feel things very deeply.  I just learned this and it answers a lot of questions.  It’s ingrained in my personality and I’m not going to change so I have to amend my circumstances so I don’t put myself in the way of those that are always ready to duke it out.    I have to stop wanting people to like me.  I need to appreciate those that do and build from that.  I need to toughen up and not sweat the small ‘minded’ stuff.   And then I think, if only I could follow my own advice...... 

When people come in that are nice, I am high from the positive experience.  I go home and smile all evening long, even while I hook.  All is good in the world.  But when they aren't nice, it tears me down and it’s a struggle to get back up. 

Coincidentally, I was in a shoe store one the way to work yesterday and a woman wanted to use the washroom and the clerk told her that she wasn't allowed to take her purse in with her so it would have to be left behind the counter.   The woman left her bag, smiled and said thank-you.  Thank-you?????   I was shocked!!!!!  I couldn't believe it!!!!!  If I had a public washroom and asked someone to do that the fallout would be wild.  I can’t even get them to leave their coffee on the counter let alone all their money, keys and credit cards!    With me, they want to shoot the messenger.   I looked at the clerk with utter amazement, wondering what she did that created such a positive response.  She didn't even say please or thank-you….could that be it? 

In the past two weeks four patterns were stolen out of my back room, if I asked that purses be left at the counter, I’ll bet WWW III would break out.  My door would be broken from all the stomping and slamming!  I'll bet the farm I'd be accused of calling them a thief! 

So universe, please send kindness my way today so I can love going to work again.  I’m just a lowly rug hooker, not a witch or any of the rhyming ‘itch’ words.  As much as I hate to admit it I’m an idiot.   It’s embarrassing really.  I’m ashamed that I can’t let anything roll off my back.  I can’t change, nor would I want too, I don’t want to be retail hardened. People have told me that retail almost destroyed them before they got out of it.  If this world is on a downward spiral and people are getting progressively ruder and filled with entitlement, I will choose to be a recluse in my home. 

38 Comments
Bertha Mallard
8/27/2014 08:04:29 am

You poor dear. I feel so sorry for you.

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Julie
8/27/2014 08:38:13 am

I was thinking today after waiting on cranky seniors at a grocery store that I want to work in a place that serves a certain clientele that actually wants to shop in this place. I am sick of working and serving customers who have to shop at agrocery store. I hate "cheque" day.
Judging by your experiences, customers are all the same no matter where they shop. It's hard to let their comments and attitude role off your back. I really know what you are going through and I feel for you. I just keep telling mysel that tomorrow will be a better day.

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Adena
8/27/2014 08:39:09 am

There is nothing I can think of to say, I really don't know how you put up with it. Being selfish, hang in there, I love your shop and enjoy chatting with you all when I'm there!

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Betty
8/27/2014 08:39:24 am

I am appalled by this story! Where did I get the idea that we rug hookers had an affinity with one another, and had some sort of common bonding. I have been in your store lots of times and loved it there. NEVER had a problem, never been treated any way but great..last purchase of sky blue wool left me feeling mighty good at the excesses Shawn would have gone to to make sure the color was good..how can people be so hateful? I canNOT even envision a rug hooker stealing..
Christine, just hang in there. Your shop is lovely and we would hate to lose it and you.
Heres a hug! BIG one!!

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Pam
8/27/2014 08:41:27 am

Why, when we hear thousands of compliments do we always focus on the negative complaints? We have all been there, done that...bought a dozen t-shirts. I think Christine, we need to make a recording for you...from all the gals (and guys) who love you, love your shop, love all the wonderful things you do, and go out of your way to do. Make a recording of our thoughts of you and your shop....so when the negative nelly's come in...you can play the recording and know that you are loved and appreciated by so very many!!

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Donna Copeland
8/27/2014 08:42:32 am

I totally understand and am glad you posted this. I am an older lady running a small fiber farm and yarn/textile business on my own. My studio is in most of my 1870 farmhouse and am on a shallow well. I also don't allow public use of my bathroom. Yes I am 8 miles from town....but there is a gas station a mile away. Also not handicap access. I do the best I can but get really fried by woukd be customers with walmart yatn attitudes. Hey this is a local small business trying to survive. Ooops guess I ranted too..

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Debbie
8/27/2014 08:48:45 am

It is always unfortunate when encountering nasty people. My way of looking at it. They don't deserve you or your store. Let them ramble, let them rant and rave. Those who know you, know better. As hard as it may be, brush it off and hold your head high.
Deep breaths and think of all the good people you meet each day.
Embrace that and don't give the nasties a second thought.

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Patsy Gorveatte
8/27/2014 08:51:31 am

Thank you for the good read. I have not had the same type of experiences at your store as described above and I will continue to shop at your amazing store. Not only is it bright and cheery full of beautiful wool and accessories but its air conditioned, has convenient street parking, and did Imention all that beautiful wool that I would like to roll around in? LOL
No, seriously, I appreciate you and what you do. I understand the "feedback" from customers isnt always the best but you have gotten lots of compliments from customers as well. Hang on to those thoughts. I worked in a fabric store and people would get mad because I couldnt pick the right fabric to match their bedroom....that I have never seen. I was accused of being a racist because of it. So I get it.
In general people have to stop taking out their frustration on strangers. Especially strangers who were trying to be helpful. I will be back next week and every week after that. I love coming to your shop and the hookins! THANK YOU!

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Starr
8/27/2014 09:05:32 am

Gosh! I'm so sorry people aren't nice to you and steal from you. They should be jumping up and down to have such a beautiful shop with great inventory, so inspiring and knowledgeable talented people like yourself ready to help them create beauty. I would give my eye teeth to have your shop in my area. ( I look weird but boy the beautiful rug hooking I could do! My mom use to say You have to have those bad days so you can appreciate the good ones. I think you are do for Wonderful days, weeks in near future. Don't let the crappys ones steal your happiness as it only hurts you cause they already gone on making someone miserable and forgot about how rotten they treated you. I think you and your shop so special. Beside you on my bucket list !!! Hugs

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Christine Vardy
8/27/2014 09:05:38 am

So sad and so true Christine.. they say the most thankless job is retail. BUT, as I have days like that as well and have also been brought to tears, I try to think of those who really enjoy my store and me ! For the most part my customers are truely wonderful people. some have become friends in my personal life. To the few that are testy, rude, and down right ignorant. PISS OFF.. don't threaten me by saying " I will never be back", please do me a favor and stay away!! I have never been to your shop. but I can tell you as soon as I can I WILL BE THERE!! I want to learn this beautiful art of rug hooking.. ( SOCK MONKEY PLEASE) and I want to meet you!! maybe we will laugh and cry together as we share our stories, but in the end I'm sure we will become friends and if you need some muscle ( LOL ) call me!! OK OK I live in Newfoundland but If I could I would be there for you. maybe you should post a sign that says NO PUBLIC WASHROOM, WE TAKE NO SHIT SO TAKE IT HOME!!!

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shannon
8/27/2014 09:09:28 am

unbelievable. post 2 signs: no washroom on the premises. and: please do not ask for discounts. our products are a great price!
http://www.drjudithorloff.com/Free-Articles/emotional-empath-EF.htm
(been there. too many times. my EX husband can verify for you. there is a reason he is my EX).

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Betsy Boltik
8/27/2014 09:09:44 am

I've worked with the public all my adult life. People can be so awful. I think they know that we the workers must take abuse at work and they use that to bully and be hateful. I often wished I knew where they worked so I could go and abuse them...you have to tell yourself THEY truly have a horrible life and try to wipe it off on us...don't let them win, get mad kill them in your mind after they leave...hugs to you.

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Susan
8/27/2014 09:31:12 am

On my last trip to Nova Scotia, the highlight of my trip (after seeing my family) was visiting your shop. I hope you can remember how much joy you bring to so many of us hookers who are in awe of your creative gifts. Take a break. Come visit Newfoundland and Labrador or just relax in your beautiful garden.

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claire molson
8/27/2014 09:35:17 am

Please feel free to use my favorite expression when people are rude " Keep on sucking lemons dear" they should get the picture ..

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Joni Black
8/27/2014 09:49:13 am

So sorry to hear that people (rug hookers at that) were so rude and nasty! As someone said you would thing because we share a love for this wonderful craft that we would have more compassion for each other.
I am with you on the bathroom.. before I leave home I make sure that I go and I plan that if I need to pee I am near a gas station - fast food place whatever.. I shop in little stores and most of them do not have public bathroms! I don't see what her issue was - she just wanted to rag on someone.
I would give my eyeteeth to have a store like yours near me.. I would shop there all the time - it would be my little slice of heaven..
Please please do not take this bad apples to heart.. there are so many other good, kind and generous people out there that appreciate you and what you provide.
I know it is hard not to take these things personally. I used to cry all the time when someone said mean things to me for no reason.. couldn't figure out why but now that i get older I really don't care because I know they are a sad excuse for a human being and nothing I do or say will change this.. don't make yourself sick over people who have no value in your life...the people who know you and care about you -- know who you are and that is what is important..a hard lesson to learn but it will come..hugs Joni

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Deborah Schrang
8/27/2014 09:49:24 am

Sadly, so many people have this sense of entitlement. That they are the only ones in your shop, and should be given all your time, and discounts and freebies that they request. I work on Disney property, not necessarily the 'happiest place on earth' judging from the complaints and requests of 'what can you do for me' we get nightly at the restaurant I work in. Try facing someone who just scarfed a rib eye steak, and practically licked the plate clean - who then tells you it wasn't cooked the way they wanted it, it took too long to come from the kitchen, wasn't the quality they expected for the price, and they don't feel they should have to pay for it. And, here's the thing, policy will dictate that they will get their meal free. These types don't usually tip much for the service either, if they tip at all. I think society has created monsters, that the rest of us have to deal with. Smile sweetly at them, mutter in your head 'f--- off' and be glad they won't be back. They sure aren't representing their area of the country well are they! One other thing, I have ordered by mail from you, and been extremely happy with what I have gotten. I have recommended your shop to others and I know that they have also ordered and been very happy. Your shop, and the Hooked Rug Museum are on the bucket list of quite a few members of the groups I hook with. Remember that the next time some fool treats you rudely!

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Carole
8/27/2014 09:59:01 am

I think you need to take a vacation and rejuvenate. You definitely deserve it! It's not worth retiring from something you have worked so hard to create. Don't give those few people the satisfaction.

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Chris
8/27/2014 10:16:56 am

Well, I think you know the answer to your problem........Nasty hateful people are everywhere. It's up to you wether or not you let them bother you! No sale is worth you sacrificing your self respect or you losing sleep over. If it is, then it is time to close your shop. Enjoy YOUR life. You can not be responsible for other peoples happiness :-)
P.S.- I am a vey new hooker (1project finished) and I truly enjoy looking at the pictures of your shop and your blog. I just wanna run my hands through that beautiful wool. I have no shops near me, and must buy everything on line.

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Ursula
8/27/2014 10:17:44 am

Two weeks ago I came into your shop with my husband. It was the last part of our week holidays before heading back home to Tracadie N.B. Before we left home I said we have to go to this shop. I was so excited ! That morning I awoke with the most painful sinus headache, so by the time we got to your shop I could not even think straight. I could not even remember what grippers were called till you told me. I left your shop and did not buy a thing and felt so bad and hoped I was not rude to you when I asked about grippers. What was to be the highlight of my trip was consumed by my headache and I was so disappointed. You have a beautiful shop and I would not let those people get you down. They most likely behave like that all the time and are know for rude behavior. I also have shed many a tear over nasty, mean , rude people , but not anymore. They are not worthy of my tears. Smile.

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ila wisdom
8/27/2014 10:20:38 am

Bless your heart. I hope you have a better evening and get some rest. Your shop must be an awesome place to visit and you seem like a friend already from FB and your blogs. It appears you and your shop are on many bucket lists, including mine, so think of all the people who do care, not the few who are stooping so low as to steal or act rudely.. Prayers and hugs from south Texas.

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Dawn Ross
8/27/2014 11:08:41 am

Christine, please know that your shop is a treasure, as are you. There will always be the nasty folk out there. Thankfully not too many who are truly artistic and committed to creating beauty through their hooking. Without your encouragement I wouldn't be working away on my Cadillac of frames, cherishing my hook and bravely trying my hand at design. Be gentle with yourself, hug your pups and let the angry folk go be angry elsewhere. Perhaps in addition to the 'no washroom' sign post that lovely quotation asking everyone to please be responsible about the energy they bring into your sacred space. Hope to see you soon in your beautiful shop.

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Joan Sponagle
8/27/2014 11:37:51 am

Christine, a wise man ( my dad) once told me a very precious thing that I hold close to my heart and it has never failed me. You will never like anyone all of the time, you will only like some people some of the time and a lot of people you will find hard to like any of the time- so you better love yourself all of the time. Very few people embrace their weaknesses and forgive themselves. Let it all go- life is too short to worry about what other people think or do.

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Wendy Tremblay
8/27/2014 12:12:33 pm

Greetings Christine! I have meant to say I truly enjoyed meeting you and love, love,love my octi-spinner floor stand! I was not planning on buying one but you were patient and informative! My husband and I so enjoyed a wonderful holiday on the south shore and can't wait to return....people were all so friendly and relaxed....I tell everyone who asked how my holiday was...that I left something behind....my heart!
You even took the time to pose for a pic and posted it on your Facebook...be strong and hold tight the memories of the lovely folks that cross your path...shame on the rest!
Ps...Linda-Ruth at come by chance is such a treasure also
Cheers to the wonderful shop keepers of the south shore!

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Ervina Malin
8/27/2014 12:58:48 pm

Christine, I look forward to all of your posts and am so inspired by you and all the others hookers who share their gorgeous work. I'm turning 61 on Monday. I don't know your age, but aging changes our hormones and and they change us. I started noticing these emotional changes when I was around 47. I was having difficulty sleeping and was very depressed, but didn't even know that I was. Long story short, I take an antidepressant and my life is so much better! The meds allow me to think clearly and recognize ugly customers as just that. No one has a right to treat you badly. Your gorgeous store and art reflect who you are and don't let anyone take your happiness away. Clearly, there are more of "us" than them! Believe me, the next trip we make to NS, from Rochester NY, will be a trip to your shop and include a big hug from me! Still loving my "E" and getting close to finishing it! Thanks so much for the beauty and inspiration you bring to my life. e

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Honey Gill
8/27/2014 01:02:07 pm

Years ago I was a long distance telephone operator in Santa Monica, CA. I can't begin to tell you how many people cursed me out because they put their finger in the wrong hole! I decided to kill them with kindness (albeit not sincere kindness) and it worked! Who knew?! Working for the public is the pits, no way around it. That being said, I think you should count yourself lucky if these negative people never set foot in your store, ever again. Don't give a "shit" what they think about you or even what they say, as it's better for your health not to have their business. Also if they're that much of a "Negative Nancy", with you, they're most probably that way with everyone. Therefore the people unfortunate enough to be around them know this, and hopefully they're intelligent enough not to let this sad being sway their opinion. Just say "bye-bye and don't let the door hit your ass on the way out"! Also please tell me you delete negative comments made toward you that are posted on FB!

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Gina Munsie
8/27/2014 03:34:58 pm

I am so sorry you have to hear garbage like that from people. i agree, put signs up...sorry no public washroom....no discounts....
have you ever thought of talking to a therapist to have someone to vent to...maybe they can help you gain the confidience to tell these folks off. i would also respond to that woman on your facebook the way you did here...and dont worry you will still get plenty of people who want to come to your shop for you and your products!

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Roxy Labrador
8/27/2014 09:23:54 pm

solution! You put a sign on the b'room door:

"Sorry broken. awaiting plumber."

I work from home and my bathroom is not open to the "public". "Sorry, I can't let you. My dog might jump on you and I can't be responsible."

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margaret
8/27/2014 10:09:36 pm

I think you handled this perfectly. You explained your case. Now hopefully those who really care, will read this, understand ... and give you a smile next time they are in for a visit. Focus on the good people .... there are plenty of them out there.

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Joanne Seruto
8/28/2014 05:30:55 am

I am so sorry :(
Do not despair, sometimes we are tested. I love your blog and your beautiful alphabet !! I'm in Los Angeles and your talent has reached me :) That says something. I've owned a restaurant for over 25 years with my husband , its truly his baby. We sometimes deal with YELP reviews by people who are unqualified to leave them have no idea how much it hurts a small independent business owners . I just tell my husband and YOU also " just think how awful it must be to be them !! So negative that they have to hurt people just so they feel better about themselves !! " Know there are people around who have never met you or been in your store that admire, follow what you do and APPRECIATE you !! :))
Hope this helps <3

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Maureen McIlwain
8/28/2014 06:21:51 am

I'm an optimist by nature and am always surprised by gratuitous rudeness. Joan Sponagle's dad had it right. One of my mother's favourite sayings was "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all". I try to live up to that, though I don't always make it. Perhaps when you are dumbfounded by nasty customers/browsers, you could say something like "I'm sorry you feel that way. I'm doing the best I can" - with a big smile, even though it might be forced. At least that bounces their rudeness right back at them. Good luck - your shop is beautiful, your wools delightful and your patterns are wonderful. It's always a treat to visit when I am in NS.

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Wendy Proulx
8/28/2014 07:34:06 am

Hang in.... For every miserable soandso, there are 10 wonderful, kind souls. Unfortunately, or fortunately, you have to deal with both.

Big hugs!

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margaret h.
8/28/2014 07:34:11 am

Have you thought of putting up an outdoor bathroom? Far away?
Please don't leave your shop. You could always move it to Nfld. We have little resources here for rug hooking and most of us depend on mail to get our supplies. I was in your shop a couple of years back and would have stayed longer if my non-rug hooking sister was not with me and looking bored!! Not a creative bone in her body! These people who give you a hard time must feel miserable so have to take others along the same road. Chin up girl. Your fans love you!!!

Reply
Nancy Doucette
8/28/2014 11:44:24 am

Christine, I've read your blog with interest and thought to myself, OMG I can't believe these people. I've worked in retail and know that it takes all kinds of nice people and the weirdos who pull out their ugly horns to make up everyday. I'm like you, I just don't understand how people think they can crap all over you and then walk away. That old saying in retail that the customer is always right is just a load of hogwash. It is very, very hard to stand there and take what people are dishing out and walk away unscathed, I know I never could so I know exactly how you felt on the above days. My heart goes out to you and I know that you know not everyone is like that and that there are a lot more good days than bad ones. I can only say that my experience last week at your shop was wonderful and I look forward to coming back. I'm so sorry that you had to be the brunt of those ladies' anger because you didn't deserve that either time. By the way, we stopped at Tim's before leaving Mahone Bay and the washrooms there are very nice and clean also. I can only hope that you have some great days ahead, you deserve them. Take care, Nancy D

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Edna Olmstead
8/28/2014 01:40:25 pm

I'm sorry for this experience. It sad that someone is in so much pain that they lash out at others in such a manner.

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Lorraine
8/28/2014 09:13:19 pm

Hey beautiful lady , yes the world can be full of nastiness BUT your amazing shop is like walking into a rainbow and you my dear artiste friend are like the pot of gold at the end , always willing to help and advise . When you feel that negative energy coming your way just try to remember all those who love you, and then accept that there are people out there carrying a heavy load of bad baggage and they would just love someone else to take it off their hands. Don`t let them pass it to you !
Have missed being at your Wed night hookins --hope to see your smiling face soon

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Catherine
8/28/2014 10:45:59 pm

My hooking friends and I regard your shop as a DESTINATION holiday! All the beautiful wool, patterns, accessories for hooking! Amazing lady that you are, to have put it all together in a homey environment. I can never get over how people can feel so entitled to be rude, just because they (might) have money to spend! It would be a great tragedy if you were to retire, so hang in there girl! And I concur - time to post that sign!

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lucy
1/30/2015 03:09:12 pm

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Reply
Cristy Davis
11/9/2021 07:19:46 pm


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Reply



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    Max Anderson, Australia, recipient of my Nova Scotia Treasures rug.  An award of excellence for promoting Canada through his writing.  
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