Changes are a comin'......

12/16/2015

As 2015 begins to fade to black and 2016 enters stage right, we are using this time to reflect on this past year and all the wonderful people we’ve met and the beautiful rugs we’ve seen along the way.

At Encompassing Designs, we know the importance of our customers; we are literally nothing without you! Deborah, Shane and I want to show our appreciation by offering the continued top notch product and service we’ve done in the past and would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your past patronage and to let you know there will be changes coming in the New Year.    We want to serve you better, offer you more and come up with new and innovative ideas.

We are head banging right now to come up with new ideas and your opinions are very important to us, so if you would like to drop us a comment on a change you would like to see, please let us know, we are open ears and hearts.   This isn’t just a business to us....this is our passion, and Deb, Shane and I are going to work even harder to make our beautiful store a destination point in both walk in or virtual visits.

Stay tuned for all kinds of new, updated and improved old, and all else in between. Our mandate is to help you with the best rug hooking products to make your projects all that they can be.   You the customer and our shop are a team so please leave a suggestion, we will take every one seriously as we redefine our commitment to serve you better, each and every one of you!

All the best, whether your preference is Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, we sincerely wish you happiness for the season. Have fun and stay safe!

14 Comments

Janet Delo

12/16/2015 10:08:43 am

Hi guys-I must say,there has never been any issue with any product that you supply to our craft,but I have noticed much better customer service from a customer service point of view,over the past year.I think Christine ,you were so overwhelmed,trying to do it all, that customers got lost in the shuffle.It is soooo nice to go in there now and be greeted by happy people.Keep it up all of you.It is now a pleasure to go in the store and see smiley faces.Happy holidays to all.

Adena

12/16/2015 11:07:25 am

Merry Christmas Christine, Deb, Shane (and Hubby) and a happy and prosperous 2016.

Ingrid Taylor

12/16/2015 12:14:37 pm

I agree with Janet's comment above. When you drive almost 2 hours to visit your shop it is so nice to be greeted with a warm smile and chit chat when, as a new hooker, I try to figure out colors, textures, etc. Thanks for that! A Very Merry Christmas to you Christine and all your family and Shop 'Helpers' 🎅. Can't wait to be able to drive over to Mahone Bay and visit your shop in the early New Year.

Andre

12/16/2015 02:14:28 pm

Christine, I have always enjoyed good customer service in the store and excellent turn around on any orders placed over the phone. You have a beautiful shop that is very visually stimulating. I could spend hours there. While there are times I wish you were closer to Halifax, my wallet is most likely relieved I only venture occasionally. I love your blog and read each and every post. The sharing of others projects provide food for thought. I especially appreciate when you post how to information. An idea for consideration…. is a monthly post on your blog of tips, tricks or how-to’s for hookers or info on a certain subject . Then once these how –to’s are posted, there is a designated area in your blog archives for them. Currently, one has to review the months . You have posted valuable info in the past such as how to put x-mas stockings together, pillows, how to calculate the amount of wool for a project, how to calculate the value of your rug and the info you posted the other day on creating dimension with light and dark values was great as well.

Another suggestion… A Wool Club Card. Create a criteria for every time you buy wool, based on the amount, you receive points or something and then once you reach a certain level, you get a certain amount free …. i.e. once you buy 10 yards, you get ½ free ( I don’t know the cost/benefit of this - just using these values to explain the point). For those that purchase over the phone, you would have to keep a record in the shop
I quite often work on larger rugs and they get heavy and awkward to carry to rug hooking sessions or classes in addition to my frame and other supplies. I have been using yoga mats carriers or empty covers for the canvas folding chairs. The benefit of these are you can roll up your rug and store it inside and it has a long enough strap that you can sling it across your shoulder or cross-body fashion leaving your hands free to carry frame and wool/supplies for current project. No matter how organized I try to be, I can never travel lightly when it comes to rug hooking thus the request for your team to brainstorm or source product around this idea.
Some food for thought. Thanks once again for sharing with us daily on your blog--- whether it is rug related or dealings in your personal life… your writing is so clear, concise and I especially appreciate your descriptions and sense of humor. Merry Christmas to you, Shane and your staff

Christine

12/17/2015 05:46:39 pm

Hi Andre, A loyalty card is the first thing on our new list. Thank-you for taking the time to comment, stay tuned for good things coming!

Alexandra

12/16/2015 07:02:40 pm

It is always a pleasure to visit your beautiful shop, Christine. I so appreciate the hands on help you & your friendly staff have been able to provide me over the years. It's great to be greeted with a smile upon entering the door & I'm always surprised you remember me even though sometimes months have passed since I've been in. I like Andre's suggestion about organizing how-to topics in a way that's easier to access. You have offered numerous helpful topics over the months & it would be great to be able to revisit them easily without running through all the months to find them.

Another idea to consider might be to offer your dye formulas in single format. I'd like to be able to have access to your beautiful formulas without having to buy an entire dye book & swatches. Perhaps one formula per one dye 'card' with a sample attached?

Thanks for asking for suggestions. Merry Christmas to you all. I look forward to coming by in the new year!

Christine

12/17/2015 05:50:29 pm

Hi Alexandra, A helpful hint is to click on the categories to the right as I put each blog under a title. This will be faster than scrolling through each month.

The dye card idea is a good one, two great minds.....it was suggested by Sue sometime ago and it is actually in the works. We look forward to seeing you in the new year!

Louise

12/16/2015 09:06:15 pm

Christine, it is always great to enter your beautiful store and feel like I am entering Cheers where everybody knows your name. There is always conversation, coffee and a few laughs. I think sometimes you are too accommodating but you are a much nicer person than I am. Some of the things that have been said to you would not have been handled as tactfully by me. I do like the suggestion of having a specific day for a hooking lesson/tip. Perhaps invite questions and answer one a week. Anyway looking forward to being in Mahone Bay soon and will stop by the shop. Happy Holidays

Christine

12/17/2015 05:51:56 pm

Hi Louise, it's always great to see you! Thank-you for your suggestions. Stay tuned for some new ideas!

Glenna

12/17/2015 05:42:59 am

Merry Christmas......I would like to see some classes such as dyeing, pillow making etc. Hope you have a Great Christmas!!!

Christine

12/17/2015 05:53:23 pm

Hi Glenna, There will be workshops! Great seeing you the other day! I hope you and Victor have a great Christmas!

Patricia

12/17/2015 10:24:06 am

Joys of the Season to All!
Your service IS outstanding.
Perhaps you might consider a free online class or similar idea for a pattern you sell. Instruction is free but pay for materials. A thought.

Christine

12/17/2015 05:54:32 pm

Hi Patricia, I hope to be doing more things online in 2016! Stay tuned!

Christine

12/17/2015 05:56:41 pm

Thank-you everyone for taking the time to leave comments! Have a wonderful holiday!

Changes are a comin'......

Leave a Reply.

Archives

Categories
(Click on the categories for past blogs)

Changes are a comin'......

Leave a Reply.

Archives

Categories(Click on the categories for past blogs)

Categories
(Click on the categories for past blogs)