Grand Opening

Okay, so it's been two months since I actually had my first day open but I only just had my Grand Opening a few days ago. You're allowed to do that when you make all the decisions yourself. :)

It was a wonderful day with lots of welcomed friends and some faces I didn't know which was great.

I truly meant to take a lot of photos especially of friends who helped me out for the day but besides taking a quick snap of the tea table before I opened and I last minute snap of just a few folks milling around......I totally forgot.......oh well.

                                              Tea table......best oat cakes EVER! Thank you again Jeannie. :)

                     My two helpers for the day on the far right, Joanne and Kathy, thank you both so much.

                                      It was a great day, good sales and wonderful company.

Busy, Busy

It's been a while since I've posted, busy with the shop and the "Home To Roost" exhibit.  Opening night went really well and just the other morning CBC radio hosted their live Information Morning show from inside the exhibit at the Centre for Craft and Design.  The Bird Show was on first , very early, and they were a natural fit surrounded by all our creatures in the exhibit. Then Steve Sutherland who hosts Information Morning had fun for a couple of hours learning how to hook. throw pots and in between interviewing all six of the artists in Home To Roost. Each of the interviews went great, fun and entertaining.


Yesterday I was interviewed for the local paper the Cape Breton Post. I'm having my Grand Opening this Saturday and they did a short interview with photo to promote the upcoming event. :)

                                                         
                                                            Cape Breton Post Article



Open House check list....

post a 20% off coupon on Facebook page for Grand Opening........check
beg for an interview with local paper......check
upload tons of photos on Facebook page to either bring people in or drive them nuts........check
re-organize shop for fresh look.......check
dig old percolator  out of attic (and wash) ............check
arrange barter system with awesome baker friend, oatcakes for fabric.........check
twist arms of two other friends to come for the day and either help me control the throngs or sit and gorge on oatcakes all day.......check
clean.....ugh.......still time tomorrow........


I'll let you know how it goes. :)

Finally, my own studio/retail shop !

After hunting and dreaming about it for a few years now, I have finally found a studio/retail space that I can afford! YIPPEE!!

I live in Sydney on Cape Breton Island (the big metropolis) and my new shop is in North Sydney, about 20 minutes drive from Sydney. Not to be confused with Sydney Mines which is the next town over. Bet you're all thinking right now that the first settler to Cape Breton was named Sydney, but hey, I wasn't around then and I don't know exactly how that whole thing happened. Anyhow, I digress...

My new studio is in here! Pretty building huh? It was first a bank (still has all the neat old vaults) and then a library. They built a new library and this building was taken over and renovated and turned into retail spaces.

This is an inside pic of the upstairs hallway where my space is. Wow to those windows huh?

This is my front door and you can see the sweet dress shop that is across the hall called LaQuaintrelle.

When you turn around this is the rest of that room. Now what is that little room off to the side?

Why it's my very own dye room!

Now turn around and WOW, how cool is this, two more rooms.

Both rooms have beautiful big windows.

Looking out over the water.

This is the ferry terminal to NewFoundland. Tons of people pass through here all year long and it's right next door.

Did you notice the beautiful hardwood floors and the great old cast iron rads? So much character in this wonderful old building. :)

Originally the entire building was to be full of small businesses and some by friends of mine. There have been some changes since the initial coming together. Some people changed their minds and moved on, then the first floor changed from several stores to one large one. I was very fortunate to get one of the second floor spaces but I am going to miss what could have been with friends next door, but I wish them all well and I know they'll all create wonderful spaces elsewhere.

Right now I am fluttering between sheer joy and terror. It's very exciting but also a big step. I move in the first of the month, that's about a week from now. Sooooo much to do, YIKES! I'll post photos of my progress, stay tuned and wish me luck. :)