Six months ago I opened the door to my little pink yarn shop for the very first time.
I had every intention of sharing the experience with you dear friends but unforeseen events thwarted that particular plan. I don't mind telling you, the last six months have been a bit of a bugger! The most difficult of my entire life. You see, just as my foray into the grown-up world of work and retail began, the bottom fell out of my personal world.
My blog voice has been all but silent. I'm so sorry about that but there are just some journeys I guess we have to take alone. As you know, I battled through quite a hefty period of depression back in the summer. Since then, it has taken me a while to rebuild my confidence and find my feet in this new and uncertain world of mine. But find my feet I have and I can finally feel the sun on my face again.
As for the shop? Well, I've made mistakes (still am) and have had a lot to learn (still do). I'm definitely not a natural business woman, will never be a millionaire and am still completely poop at organising my time! But you know what? I get to spend five days a week surrounded by yarn, talking about yarn, and doing what I love!
As for the shop? Well, I've made mistakes (still am) and have had a lot to learn (still do). I'm definitely not a natural business woman, will never be a millionaire and am still completely poop at organising my time! But you know what? I get to spend five days a week surrounded by yarn, talking about yarn, and doing what I love!
I really wanted to give you some sort of explanation for my absence without going into too much detail. That and to thank you so much for all your support. I honestly could not have done this without you. I was quite nervous at first about the prospect of my real and online worlds colliding and, yes, it is still strange when someone visits me in the shop and tells me they've been reading my blog for years or following me on Instagram. Strange but nice. I have been completely staggered by the number of you who have visited, sometimes from quite far afield. Hardly a day has gone by when I haven't received the hand of kindness from one of you in some way shape or form. I really am so fortunate.
So here I am, a little more worldly-wise but sense of mischief restored, sashaying my way back into Blogland. I've missed this little space of mine.xxx
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ReplyDeleteThat's all ok, we look forward to hearing more from you! Carrying on with the shop despite depression is pretty impressive to be honest, I wish I could visit it!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to see a post from you Heather. You are very often in my thoughts. I'd love to pop into your yarn shop one day! I'm glad to hear things have turned a corner. Xx
ReplyDeleteWonderful that you and your talent are back in blogland :) Keep up the good work xxx
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to hear from you sweet H. I'm glad to hear you are feeling a bit chipper and we will always be here waiting for you.
ReplyDeleteS xxx
So good to have you back! Keep in there! Xxx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous images as always Heather, welcome back.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you are OK. I can hardly believe it's six months already! You have done so well opening your lovely shop.
Sending you a big hug.
Jacquie xox
Great to see you back ☺
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and bright images, if only I lived closer I would be visiting too. Congratulations on your shop and I hope that this goes from strength to strength. Take care x
ReplyDeleteOh I have missed you! Glad to hear things are picking up health-wise, lots of virtual hugs.
ReplyDeleteChristina xx
Such a beautiful post. So glad you are back and I wish you well in many ways. I would love to visit your sweet shop, but I am too far away. Could you open one in Indiana USA?
ReplyDeleteI love the cute little stitch markers and all the yummy yarn.
Thank you for sharing and hope to see more posts in the near future.
Mickie, Indiana
Hi there.I have you in my sidebar and look every day for a post,so glad you feel able to post you have been missed.Love this post and the cheery pics.Wishing only the very best of everything now and in the future.Huggles xxx
ReplyDeleteOh, your shop looks a delight. Gorgeous yarns, and how lovely that you have knitted samples. Have a lovely weekend
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ReplyDeleteAnd we have missed YOU... but take all the time you need Sweet One... your pictures are lovely.
ReplyDeleteWe will always be here waiting for you.
I think of you and pray for you...
Love to you,
Danette
Very happy to read your blog post!! I was wondering about you... I am very happy to see that you are feeling better. Would love to visit your gorgeous shop one day.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend, Pati xxxxx
I visited you in the summer but was too shy to tell you I read your blog etc etc! Didn't want you to think I was a stalker ;). I love the whole aesthetic of your shop, your website, your colour palettes, your finished makes....all gorgeous....really sad to hear that the last six months have been tough, but here's hoping the next six are much better! One-oh-four xx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're feeling a little stronger now, depression is a such a hard thing to battle. I'm glad things are going well with the shop, I'm in awe of all you have achieved, it always looks so beautiful there. And spending your time surrounded by yarn, wonderful. Sending you my very best wishes. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteHola querida! Qué alegrÃa volver a leerte,y esas imágenes, siempre es un placer! Esa madeja con pintitas, es un amor!! Yo entiendo muy de cerca sobre la depresión, era un sintoma de la menopausia, ahora estoy mejor, pero fue un largo camino!
ReplyDeleteHermosa la tienda! Abrazo y bendiciones! Vicky Dc
Hang in there !! Enjoy the things around you. I just discoverd your blog and shop. I'm from the Netherlands and work as a psychotherapist. Knitting, crochet and baking is my personal therapy I always tell my cliënts and encourage them the find something for themselves that has the same effect. I will for sure visit your shop mext time I'm in England.
ReplyDeleteYou are so beautiful as are your gorgeous photos. You embody all that is lovely in my life. Pink is more than my favorite color, it is the outlook I try to maintain as I journey through life. When I eventually visit your side of the pond, I'll hope to land near your shop.☺
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to hear an update from you. I love to read your blog. Depression can be crippling, it's good to hear that you're feeling on the up. Your shop looks so beautiful, I'd love to visit. I adore those cake stitch markers.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see you again & know that you've been missed ~ I think you touch many more lives than you realize & are an inspiration to many. Big hug & Thank You
ReplyDeleteA wise person once told me to never apologise for absence from online life....it is part of the joy of it, never having to say sorry ��
ReplyDeleteBrighter days ahead, there is always a better day to look forward to. I've been there and back a few times xx
Glad to have you back,
Ali xx
Welcome back! Sincere best wishes to you!
ReplyDeleteLovely to see you back Heather xxxx
ReplyDeleteI love your shop and the colour pink!. Your blog is fab and I am glad you are back.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see you back Heather - I really must have me a day out in Leicester, you have the dreamiest yarn stash I've ever seen xx
ReplyDeleteSo nice you've found your way out again. Everyone of us faces challenges that seem to big for us. But here we are, on the other side. Congratulations
ReplyDeleteEvery post is a gift to us! We're here with you.
ReplyDeleteYES! And we are all still hear. Silent or noisy. We are all here. We get it. We don't need an explanation. We accept. And we are heart skippy happy you have landed on your two flat feet again. I say we because I don't think I'm the only one wanting to tell you this. Just so happy and inspired by you following your dreams and facing all your fears. You will do great. When we learn we live. When we stagnate we die. We shall keep on learning and challenging ourselves forever and ever. Well done girl!
ReplyDeleteXxx
Annette
Congratulation for your first six months at the shop...and best wishes for you...happy blogland!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a newcomer to your blog, and it's beautiful....no need to apologise for anything...we all understand...your shop looks awesome..I only wish I lived closer!!!! A visit will definitely be on my agenda if I get back to the UK soon...just keep doing what you're doing and it will all sort itself out. xxxx
ReplyDeleteWell I agree congratulations for making it through the first six months.. There is no need to give a explanation, I'm sure everyone is in agreement.. I'm just glad you are okay and doing well. I'm sure you have a lot going on with a new business.. Take your time.. I lve your blog and wish I could visit your shop. Wishing you the best and will wait patiently for a visit from you here from time to time.. With love Janice
ReplyDeleteWoohoo!! So good to hear from you again! I must post some pictures of the cowl and gloves I made from my wonderful yarn pack - I am so thrilled with them. So glad you are able to do something you love each day. Few of us will ever be millionaires but living well and doing stuff that makes us happy is absolutely the BEST way to live, so I'm chuffed to bits that you are getting to enjoy your little pink yarn shop. We used to live in Leicester and I was a regular on Francis Street. If we visit again I will be sure to try to pop in and buy something from the physical shop :) *hugs* Love O. xx
ReplyDeleteI've mentioned before that I too am a depression sufferer, it's an awful invisible inexplicable illness, so misunderstood and. Dry hard to describe how bad it is to those are lucky enough not to have suffered from it. I'm glad your shop is going strong, it was and continues to be a massive step, I'm in awe of your strength.
ReplyDeleteHugs from me,
Jillxx
Ahhhhhh lovely H, I would SOOOOOOO love to visit your shop. Would I tell you who I was? I would love to, but I think I'd be too shy and just have a nice conversation then run away! ha ha!
ReplyDeleteI think it's an amazing step to open a shop and follow your yarny dreams........especially when life is testing in other areas. That takes enormous strength you know, so always be very proud of knowing that you could get through it all.
This year for me has been creatively pants, utterly pants in fact. My creative mojo left at the beginning of the year, and I still cannot find it. It's actually a little scary, as i've never had a creative drought that has lasted this long. I think if I can feel more settled in other areas of my life, then i'll settle my head and be ready for ideas and inspiration to give me that buzz and rush again. I miss it. boo hoo. I think I need a morning in your shop!
Take care beautiful, and I hope you get to have a super duper Christmas and New Year.
much love
Ness xxx
I love your site and shop. Wish I could visit it, but I am in US and don't do much traveling. I admire and applaud your courage in opening your beautiful shop. Just enjoy it and keep being yourself and it will be a success and you will be happier than you ever thought you could be. Hugs.
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