Review of 2010

ECHO

It was difficult to know how much we had achieved at ECHO until just before Christmas. The shop looked wonderful and comparing it too what we had for sale the previous year demonstrated just how far we had come.

There is so much happening all the time we don't always record all the achievements, brilliant ideas and moments of genius that go into making it the special place it is.

Looking ahead we need to become more sustainable and I'm currently writing a report for the board looking at our online options.

Make and Take Away

Elsewhere workshops happened for Shropshire Short Breaks, Leominster Youth Centre, Surestart and Queenswood. However, even Make and Take Away will not escape the funding cuts as the current climate has caused every department of local authority to examine how spend every penny which will bring about changes this year. Last year many clients would not commit to spending as they were unsure just what their budgets were going to be until late into the year. But bring on the change there are always opportunities.

On a very positive note the studio is up and running with power, heating and nearly everything in the right place. Can't wait to spend more time in there very soon.

Spring forward

The warm weather has made a huge difference at the Echo shop. We have been able to create a mini market in the front porch and generated plenty of sales as a result. Last week we were visited by Sheila who used to run Chattels in Hay on Wye. She passed some great advice on how to style the shop and I've spent the last few days rearranging and 'zone-ing' as she suggested. Seem to be fixated with changing the layout but hopefully this will be it for a while. At least until Wednesday when Jan, my job share, comes in and suggests an even better way!

Lovely day shopping in Cardiff on Saturday, it was as good as everyone said. Found Paperchase and bought gorgeous paper and then discovered the most fantastic bead shop. We bought beads, of course, but also some coloured hemp cord and lots of sculpey.

Last week I tried out a Clover product which was meant to 'simply' make a daisy shape in needle felt, Broke 5 felting needles and didn't turn out as expected. Rachel asked why I'd made an octopus.

Still on the cheap

Haven't quite managed the quantity of freebies that I did previously but the website is coming on thanks to some assistance from the web design team at BT. Yes, I did get a free website but for £149 I can have a logo designed, 2 pages on the website and an hours training. Which seemed like good value to me. But I'm reaping the benefits of free motivation in the form of a wonderful site and blog from Judith Morgan, inspirational stuff. I'd also recommend Danielle La Porte, I wish I had one ounce of her sass.

Make and Take Away HQ is coming on, one more days painting and the flooring can go down.Yay!