Hello Crafters,
Gosh it seems like only yesterday that we were in full lockdown. Slowly but surely the world is opening its business doors back up, but it is quite rightly a cautious process.
We are so lucky to be in a large retail space which lends itself to having a one way system. I see that some small stores have to work on a ‘one in one out’ basis, which must be very tricky.
Thankfully because of our square footage we can have lots of people in store and still have space to move around safely.
I wanted to say a huge thank you to those people who have come back to the high street and to our store specifically. It has been so nice to see both familiar and new faces in the shop these past few weeks.
Caroline and I can’t wait to see some more of you soon, as you gain the confidence to return to ‘normal’ life. We are ready and waiting to ease you back into retail heaven with our new safe and secure store processes. Read here for full details.
In Market Deeping, where our shop is based, we have always had a fantastic community group who champion the local high street stores. Never before has this support been more important both for the store owners and for the customers wishing to avoid the inner city.
Just like the poster says ‘Your High Street Needs You’, so spread the word peoples! We can beat the recession if we support one another, just like we have been doing emotionally for the past four months.
It’s really easy; just use your local butcher/baker/Riverside Beads and Crafts shop/etc. instead of the big international conglomerates. Mostly we provide a wider variety of goods and often much lower prices, and generally less people traffic to manoeuvre. All while keeping your local community alive. It’s a win, win, no brain situation if you ask me.
Speaking of community I’m very excited to announce the return of one of our favourite workshops, Crafty Lou’s Adult Colouring Class. Lou is going to be kicking things back off at the Riverside Makery from the 8th of August. If you’d like to take part you’ll need to wear a mask and bring your own tools but the colouring kit will be provided. We can’t offer our usual refreshments but luckily we have a coffee shop available next door who are supplying take out food and beverages, which you are welcome to bring to class. Get in touch to find out more and how you can use your Workshop credits in store and online.
If you don’t already have a mask you need to get one because they become mandatory in all shops from the 24th of July. We have a really quick and easy mask kit, which is selling fast, available here for only £4.95. So much nicer to make your own mask and you don’t need to be a master seamstress to tackle this simple project.
If you’d like more one-to-one tutoring, but don’t want to brave the real world just yet, then look out for our new online courses, using the Zoom virtual meeting service. Keep an eye on our website here for these future classes.
I’m even going to be holding a Kumihimo class on Zoom. You can book your space or if you are really lucky you can win a spot on the workshop by entering a competition which is soon to be announced. Make sure you are watching Facebook and the website for further information. If you don’t have social media then please do message or call us to find out how you can enter.
I know not everyone is confident or familiar with websites like Zoom. It’s a site that was originally used by businesses for corporate virtual meetings.
