Tuesday, September 27, 2011

a new adventure!

Hello my little bunnies,

I've know I have been absent for some time but I promise you it's all in the name of progress....




.............drumroll please.................





....we are opening a shop called Handmade Highstreet!!!



Hooray!

Here's a little bit about the project:

I am aiming to give independent handmade artisans a marketplace in which to display their goods without the need to sit at a market all day. Keeping rent low will be a focus so that the contributor can make the most of their sales and profit. After the agreed rent is deducted from their sales, they will receive 100% of the remaining money.

I believe in handmade, being an artisan myself. I also believe that small business has a place in modern society even though it sometimes feels like big corporations and businesses have the market share in retail. I would love to give likeminded people the opportunity to support local artists. I know from experience it can sometimes be hard to find quality, handmade goods unless it is online. I would like customers to be able to see and touch all the items in store and educate them on the makers and their process.

Our community is so integral to our enjoyment of life and I believe that giving to those less fortunate is paramount to ensuring they have some equality. This shop will have a dedicated area which would provide free-of-charge spaces to artisans who are disabled or disadvantaged. The sales from the stock in these areas would help to buy new supplies and help kick-start a business idea for someone who needs a helping hand.

So do you think this is going to be a grand idea? Yes? I would love your support on this one and you can do so in any of the following ways:

1. Give us lots of encouragement, let us know what you think!
2. Come and help us paint and move furniture - in return I will get you yummy treats and maybe a glass of champers for the opening!
3. Help us out with a little bit of capital - see that little button over on the sidebar? That links through to our Pozible site where you can give us a little bit of cash to help out with shop fitting and funding our community, rent-free spaces.

I would also love to hear from anyone who is interested in stocking Handmade Highstreet. Opening dates and location are TBA (but that will be announced in the next week) but we are likely to be up and running in early to mid November so let us know if you would like to be involved.