Like most quilters and crafters I have always dreamed of designing patterns, sewing all day long and owning my own little shop selling delicious fabrics, supplies and vintage bits and pieces - I even thought once upon a time when I owned a cafe that it would be nice to incorporate a cafe into that scenario as well. I have to admit that I am not good at taking risks and with a mortgage and 2 girls still at home and in a private school I don't really have the $$$ for making too many risks so have sort of found a compromise which I will have to admit is really scaring me !!!
So what have I decided to do?
Well I am going to turn this :-
into a store front for Mothers Cupboard. The builder starts on Saturday - He called last night to confirm .
The plan is that this 5 car garage will be lined, painted and fitted. New windows will be put in and 1 roller door (the one on the right) replaced with a glass sliding door. The left hand door will become the storage and delivery area and the complete right hand side of the garage will be the shop floor area .
Am I nervous?? - Very .......... I keep coming up with reasons why I shouldn't take the risk like what if I can't put the time in? What if it fails? What if ............. There are so many of them.
A friend visited last night and told me that If I didn't do it that I would always wonder - Yes Sandra you are right and I am going to put all of my fears aside and just do it........ It will not be a speedy process as I do not want to get any further in debt and will just do things as I can afford to. I have been purchasing stock for 12 months now so have a bit of a pile but need to purchase lots more.......
I have lots of vintage trims, fabrics, buttons, embellishments etc which I hope to specialise in a bit and also start to design and produce my own patterns to share with others. I have made so many things from scratch over the years but never really put pen to paper so I will start that process.
The plan is to open up a web based shop (Which is currently being designed) and to also visit a few festivals and agricultural shows with my travelling shop and also to open up the bricks and mortar shop front maybe 2 days per week initially. Hopefully one day I can turn my back on the corporate world completely and stay here full time with my dreams and aspirartions and of course looking after my grandchildren :)
This is the outlook from the shop which always relaxes me
And here is a sneak peek of something I am designing at the moment.
So let me know what you think - Ideas greatly appreciated.
21 comments:
Hi Fiona,
I think it sounds fantastic. I owned a Patchwork and Quilting Shop (before children). It was a wonderful experience.
Emma
Go for it Fiona,if it's something you love to do with a passion it will work out for you!gonna be very scary,but also very exciting,and as your friend has said if you don't try,you will always wonder,best wishes,Pamx
This is just one more reason to travel to Australia.;D
I think it's great you want to share your creative self with others. Carpe Diem!
How exciting for you! I'm looking forward to seeing your online shop. And maybe stop in one day on my way to Hobart.
Yellow & pink flowers, oh, it looks yummy!
Go girl.........you have wanted this for a very long time and now it is finally happening....woohoo.
I wish you all the best on this adventure.
Guess I had better bring an empty case home next trip to fill up..lol.
Love Shorty
I'm so excited for you! Can't wait to come and shop :-)
Hugs
Jo
What an exciting blog Fiona. Well done for deciding to take that final leap. Its true isn't it, we all have aspirations but always have those little doubts which stop us living our dreams. How fantastic for you to have the courage to step onto your dream train and start it rolling along the tracks. I am thrilled for you.
Good for you Fiona. One more place for me to visit on my way to New NOrfolk..........lol. Just breath each day, relax and go with the flow. Things will fall into place. May your little venture be Blessed.
Jules
Enjoy each step in the process, the journey is the reason to pursue the dream. Love those fabrics you have together to work on, can't wait to see the finished design. Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations Fiona, not many of us take hold of our dreams and run with them. All the very best for your new business venture.
Congratulations Fiona. I am sure it will be a roaring success. Best wishes on getting this far I hope all your dreams come true. Happy days to you and your family.
Wow, thats fantastic Fiona. Kerri and I were in the same boat about a year ago and decided we won't know it we don't try in regards to setting up our shop. I won't kid you its a fair bit of hard work to get established, a huge learning curve but we found it rewarding. I wish you every success.
Hello, back again I have just been down town and saw this saying in the florist window on a lovely plaque and instantly thought of you. "If you want to see new horizons you must have courage to loose sight of the shore"
Happy days.
Congratulations, what an exciting step towards your dream!
Good for you Fiona...sounds like a wonderful idea and so exciting. Whatever you are making there looks like its going to be gorgeous...hugs Khris
You Go Girl.!!!Congratulations on taking the First Step...Sounds Wonderful...All the Very Best & How Exciting....
cheers
Your friend is absolutely right Fiona, if you don't do it, you'll always wonder. Good luck on such an exciting adventure!
Just do it and love it, I did many years ago. It was hard but I wouldn't have missed it for the world, fabulous experience, good luck! Lizzie
Hi Fiona, that is so wonderful, living the dream huh. Go for it then! MY eldest daughter had a saying - "if you are not living on the edge you are taking up too much space"
have fun! Shiree
Hi Fiona,
Well I don't know how I can be sooo far behind, but I'm just reading about your dream and I wanna say go for it! Take it slow and steady and enjoy the journey.
I wish you every success in all that you do!
hugs to you
Robyn xx
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