It is hard to be.......

Everything to everyone.  As a small business owner, I find there is never enough of me to go around.  This morning I was half way to work when my husband called and needed my help.  I, of course went back home to help the situation at hand.  I posted to facebook that I would have to open the shop a bit late.  As a shop owner, that can't afford to do any different, I run my shop by myself, 7 days a week.  I cannot go on spur of the moment outings ( I probably miss that the most).  I have to plan sometimes weeks in advance to get time, and I mean hours not days, out of the store.  I have a great few friends and a mother I don't know what I would do without, that come and help when they can.  I find myself at their mercy.  If they have time and the want to fill in for me for a couple of hours.  That is not to say that I don't have many offers.  I have people (good people) all the time offer to help.  And as simple as it can be there are that many other things that can go wrong so I usually opt for staying here myself.

In saying that, I missed a customer this morning.  She sent a facebook message to ask what time I opened.  I didn't get the message until she was headed home because I was dealing with what needed to be dealt with at home.  I apologized, she accepted... she was truly very gracious about it and assured me that she would be back.

I just want to say Thank you to all of you that understand that as Small Business Owners/Operators.  We feel bad when things like this happen but we have no choice.  We do everything in our power to be here for you because our posted hours are as important to us as they are to you.  But on occasion when we cannot be there, THANK YOU for not being to upset with us, for understanding that we have lives that sometimes interfere with our businesses whether we want them to or not.  Thank you for not making us feel worse about a bad situation.  Today, this customer made me feel so much better just because I realized she was not angry or upset with me, she didn't post a bad review, or say bad words about me or the store.  She just excused me for something that was out of my control.  She was kind and polite.  It was a refreshing difference in what we sometimes see.

If this makes you think about the how you treated someone recently, or your reaction to something that happened that didn't make you happy.  Did you react with kindness?  I hope so because the person on the receiving end was probably very grateful if you did.

Kindness Matters 

Cadbury Eggs, Sunshine, Daisies... All things that make me think of Spring.

Does anyone else out there have a Cadbury Egg problem, I swear there should be a CE Anonymous group.  Today on facebook we have been having a discussion about how much I love these... I just offered free Fudge to anyone showing up with one.  I am secretly hoping for two or three.  As of yet I am at ZERO...  but hey, people do have to work and are not always checking their facebook to see what my needs are.   

I have some ideas for the shop, it will entail some Wooden Daisies of all sizes, a few silk flowers and anything that represents Sunshine.  All things that make me smile, all things that make me think of Spring.  They tell me Spring is 37 days away.  Doesn't sound like much but to a woman who feels cooped up in a store, all by herself, without alot of customers everyday.......   37 days seems like an eternity.  And I am sure that the Cadbury company could take some of the anxiety away.  

Until then, I will sit and figure my plan for some Daisies, because there isn't anyone I know that doesn't smile when they look at a bouquet of Daisies.  And if they don't make you smile... then you probably need therapy.  Happy Day my friends.  If you have a Cadbury Egg at home, eat one for me.  

Lisa @ Silkweeds

Times Change, Tastes Change and We have to learn to roll with that.

I have been doing this business for the last 11 1/2 years.  There are days that I am tired, and times that I wonder why I do this.  Then there are times like now....  When I look around this store and realize that i have reinvented myself and this store once again.  In those 11 years, I have changed.  So have trends and fads.  I remember when I could sell one Star or a hundred to one person.  They were literally hanging stars on every inch of their houses and barns, inside and out.  That was a fad.  It came and went in about 5 years, which in fairness is about 2 more years than most of those fads get.

Oh don't get me wrong, I can still sell a star to a primitive shopper but they don't fly out the door like they use to.  We are a primitive gift store and the newest trend in America seems to be AMERICAN MADE.  This is hopefully a way of life, not a fad or a trend.  We sell many handmade items from Curtains and linens, Jewelry, Two Made in Maine Candle Lines.  We have doll makers and seasonal items that are all created by hard working hands across America.  I have a Twig Wreath Maker, and 4 Furniture Makers.

 
 
 
 

We love our sign maker too.  Our Artisans work hard to create well designed, quality items that you can be proud to display in your home or to give as a gift.  We are always looking for new handcrafters to add to our forever growing inventory of hand made items.

A new ( or maybe not so new trend ) is Repurposing Flea Market Finds, We do our share of that also.  We will take Chairs like in this picture and repaint and repurpose them, We believe in showing New Love to Old Things so that this world is not just using up item after item to keep up with the generation that believes, Oh I don't want that anymore, so I will just throw it out and get something new.  We show you how you can still love your Old Items while making them New to you!


Check out the two hutches that we repurposed.  I truly should have posted before and after pictures so that you could have seen the remarkable difference. I am all about the repurposing aspect.  I am loving the change that can come from a coat of paint and some distressing.  There is of course a bit more to it but it seems to put me in my happy place.  I thought I could keep you posted on some of the fun things that I feel are up and coming so keep checking back and I will give you some insight to how I choose to decorate the store from season to season and why I chose the way I do.  Happy Day my friends!!!

 

After Christmas Sale 

going on now -  through January 4th, 2015 at Silkweeds

Bring canned goods for the food pantry and get 30% off Regular Priced Items.

All Christmas Items are 50% off!  That is Santa's, Snowmen, Christmas Wreaths, Snowmen Lights, Christmas Prints, Lighted Shutters, Snowmen Dishes and so much more.  

Hurry over because the sale ends January 4th at 5pm, and don't forget your Canned goods...even if you don't buy anything it is a nice thing to do to give back to the community this way.  Thank you!

30% OFF

SILKWEEDS

30% OFF 

ALL CHRISTMAS ITEMS, 

SANTA'S, SNOWMEN, ORNAMENTS, 

DECORATIONS, WINTER ITEMS. 

 COME AND GET THEM BEFORE

 THEY ARE ALL GONE... 

Right now at Silkweeds

Buy 2 Items at Regular Price 

And get 

ONE MORE REGULAR

 PRICED ITEM 

FREE!!!!

Excludes all the normal exclusions like fudge, red lined merchandise or merchandise priced in red.  Layaways, Gift Cards, Special Orders.

Thanksgiving Weekend Sale

@ Silkweeds

Friday, November 28th  30% OFF*

Saturday November 29th  25% OFF*

Sunday, November 30th  20% OFF*

*****  ALL CHRISTMAS ITEMS, SANTA'S, SNOWMEN, CHRISTMAS WREATHS, WINTER GARLANDS, AND SO MUCH MORE******

We will be giving away a FREE GIFT with Purchase (while supplies last).  We also will have spectacular sales on Items in store that you can only find out about if you visit with us.  

WE ARE OPEN 10 AM TO 5 PM EVERYDAY!!!!  

Winter Wonderland 2014

It's the time of year for sugar plum fairies dancing within dreams. And, nutcrackers,  gingerbread men, snowmen, and all sorts of wonders to make the season bright.  We have been blessed with friends that know how to do a video showing some of what we have to offer.  So please take a minute ( or five) to sit down and enjoy some of the sights of Silkweeds for the holiday season.

Silkweeds

Homespun Holiday Open House

Please join us for the festivities on

 Friday,November 7th from 5-9 pm. 

 We will have refreshments and there will be discounts, door prizes and free giveaways.  

We will continue the celebration Saturday Nov. 8th and Sunday Nov. 9th from 10 am - 5 pm.  In case you can't make it Friday Night. 

We hope you all can make it, we put our heart and soul into this every year, new displays, product and fresh ideas for you to take home.  All we ask is that you come, enjoy yourselves and have a wonderful evening out.

Please Note:  We will be closed to decorate from November 3rd through November 7th at 5 pm, when we open our store up to all of  you!

Fall is in the air!

At least it is @ Silkweeds,  I have just spent several hours out of a couple of days working on some fall displays.  It is the time of year that I love to decorate for.  The colors bring warmth to any room and they make you feel all warm and comfy!  It is my element, the one that I love to be a part of.  I love the store best this time of year and all for the reasons that I just told you.  I hope you all get to come by and check out our fall items.  We have more coming so check in regularly for the handmades.  They are beautiful and I just love that we are getting in things that are handmade from Crafters and Artisans right here in the good ole' USA!!!!

I have posted some pictures to our facebook page so please check us out there and give us a "LIKE"  that way you can see what is going on in Searsport.  Have a great day!!!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Silkweeds/105900868272

Just a reminder that Silkweeds will be closed all day today on the 4th of July.  We will re open at 10 am Saturday July 5th.  We hope you all have a safe and happy holiday.  

Schools out for Summer!!!!!

And we are starting off the beginning of Summer with a Furniture Sale @ Silkweeds.  

Buy 1 piece of furniture at Regular Price and you can get your 2nd piece of furniture at 1/2 off!  That is such a great deal, but if you need even more than that...we will give you the same deal again for as many pieces as you need.  

Happy Shopping!!!

Hope you all swing buy to pick up those TWO pieces that you just can't live without. 

The Furniture Whore.... 

Okay I know it isn't an appropriate name... but I would like to have a name, a cute little saying or something for my back room, you know the new one that holds all the treasures for you DIY'ers out there.

Between me and my friends I always joke that I am the furniture whore... because I absolutely love used furniture... I know, I know.... It doesn't sound good, so here is the deal...

If anyone of you come up with a better name for my DIY room and I use it... I will give you a Gift Card to use in the store.  Yup a gift card, just for you to use towards ANYTHING you want in the store.  I am trying to see just how many of you will interact, plus I am trying to see just how many of you are worried enough to help so that I don't hang a sign that says "The Furniture Whore"  

My mind is tired and my thoughts are clouded...and you, yes YOU could be the keeper of the name of the DIY ROOM at Silkweeds.  All you have to do is come up with it.   

Ready, Set, Go.... 

Transformation

Silkweeds has been in the throws of a makeover, we have moved our Linens and rugs to the front of the store.  The room that they have been put into is warm and cozy and I think I fell in love all over again the minute it was done.  Yup, that is what a great room can do to my heart.  How about you?  I hope you can find the time to stop over, to enjoy a stroll around, and take in the scents and love the new look we have going on.  

and once the what was the Linen Room was empty, we began filling it with Furniture and small goods that you could re purpose yourself.  Oh, don't get me wrong, I have no objections to doing the finishing myself but there are a lot of people out there that would like to buy quality furniture and small goods to do themselves.  So we have started filling the room with those items, you see it is a win, win situation for me.  I get storage for things that I might want to do in the future but if they sell first untouched by my hand well that is okay too.  

So I am hoping that you get some time to check us out, to come on over to hunt for your next project, and have a relaxing time strolling around the store.   Check back often as we will be filling it on a daily basis as we find things that we know you will love.... 

This Saturday (tomorrow) @ Silkweeds

We hope to see you there!  The Artisans will be selling right on the spot plus they will be doing some demo's on how they put together some of their items.  

Change is Good!

Change is good, change is good, change is good..... if I say it enough will it magically appear?  That is a big fat NO (laughing).  But with a bit of help from some good friends and a whole lot of WORK change will be happening at Silkweeds over the next few weeks.  So in case you don't see to much of me on here, don't despair..... Change is good but that damn fairy godmother, apparently her wand is broke or she is on vacation.  Happy Day my friends.  

Loving what you do comes 

with it's own set of issues

I love my job, I love that I get to come to work everyday and work for myself.  I love creating spaces, items and even possibilities for someone else's home.  I mean, I love creating for me and it isn't that different doing it for you.  

If I had my way a perfect week would be this

Thursday thru Sunday - Store

Monday - Day off for just me  :)

Tuesday - Day off to go junkin'

Wednesday - Day to Paint, Create, Build and Love

So you ask "What are your issues?"  

I work the store all 7 days a week.  I don't feel like I can take time off for the things I love because we have a MORTGAGE PAYMENT, and those three days I want to myself won't make me any money.  I know, I know you all think I should just hire someone to work the store.  It's not that easy, the reason that Silkweeds can turn product over, offer rewards programs, and bring in NEW inventory so often is because I work the store.  If I pay someone else to work the store, It means less money for product, less money to buy and build and create.... It means less of everything.  Yes, I would love to be back in a situation where money flowed freely, but in this economy, it is not an easy feat. I am no different than all of you.  We are watching our pennies, we are doing things differently, not because we want to but more because we have to.  When you as customers do not shop as much then we as retailers cannot buy as much product or hire as many people.  This is not something that we all complain about but it is a reality.  

We also know that with gas prices soaring and people still buying heating oil this time of year that the average person does not have the extra income to shop whenever they want.  So we have had to change with the times too.  Now there are rewards for shopping with us on a regular basis.  I am willing to give discounts to the people who think to shop with us on a regular basis, these options are all visible in the store.  We have choices of rewards, we have a large versatile selection of product and we try hard to make our customers happy.  Can we make everyone happy?  No probably not, and after 10 years I don't try to make everyone happy anymore.  What I do strive for is to offer great things at a reasonable price in an atmosphere that is relaxed and I refuse to push my customers into a purchase.  

I stand by my choices but don't think for a minute that this is easy.  Fun?  Yes, of course it is...  but not easy.  Have a great day my friends.  

Lisa @ Silkweeds

Friday turned into Wednesday

Today my Friday peeps showed up, so that was a nice treat for a Wednesday.  They didn't hang around long they had errands to run, they were on a mission today, after all, they are busy, busy, business women.  They were hanging flyer's for the Art Market at the Searsport Lion's Club on May 10th.  They still have a few spaces left so if you are a Crafter or a Artist and you would like to join this wonderful group of people by all means contact Sonja Twombly.  You can find her info on the bottom of the postcard below.  

This is the same group of people that I am proud to have doing the Art Markets at Silkweeds this summer.  These people are driven and determined to make quality items for you to love for years to come.  I hope you all will take a few moments to show support for this Market and for all of those to come to Silkweeds this summer.  

Happy Tuesday,

Today I find myself with a few to many unfinished projects,  I have a table and chair set that has been here way to long and because I am not in love with the color I have struggled to get it done.  It is within a smidgen of an inch of being there and the owner of it loves it.  She saw it this past weekend so as long as she is happy then I should be too.  

I have to deliver a piece of furniture to a friend this week at some point also.... so maybe before 5 I will put it in the car and do that tonight.  

I have two unfinished pieces in the back room that will be gorgeous when I get them done.  I already know what colors to paint them and where I will put them.  Now if only I could find the motivation to get it all done.    Just wanted to check in and let you all know that Silkweeds has so many new things coming every week.  We would love to see you, love to have you stop by and enjoy some of the new things that we have put out for you to see. 

Now I suppose I should get back to work.  

Lisa@ Silkweeds

Spring seems to be on hold!

Winter was officially over weeks ago....but Spring still has not shown up.  It gives us a glimpse here and there and then retreats.....only to my dismay.  You see I am long overdue for a some capri's and a pair of Teva's.  Literally, that is what I live in from April until November...and this year I am running a bit late.  Still stuck in sneakers or shoes, wool socks and long pants.  No matter how I seem to change my mind set I get sucked back into the throws of the long a$$ winter that we have had here in the state of Maine.

Springing up all over Silkweeds

We have floral's, bunnies, fairies and more.  Bright colored Owls and fresh smelling Candles, great Linens and so much more!!!!  We invite you to come on over, check us out.  Maybe you can bring a touch of sunshine with you,  If you have heat in your pocket all the better.  

VIP Update

If you are a Silkweeds VIP, Your names were put into our Easter Drawing and I would like to say Congratulations to Stacey Parra, you are one of our VIP's and it was your name that was drawn from the pile of entries we had for that drawing.  We would also like you to know that if you come in between now and the end of April we will offering you a free giveaway.  (A $10 Value)  Just show us your card and you will get your free gift.  If you are NOT a VIP then by all means come on over and find out how you can become one.  

Thank You

I would like to take a minute and say Thank You from the bottom of my heart.  Without the support of our faithful shoppers we might not be here and I feel so very blessed that even in a bad economy this business is still here serving the public everyday.  We know things have changed, some because it had to, some because we wanted it to.  Everyday we look for new ways to bring you a relaxing and inviting experience when you walk through the door.  We want you to be inspired, we don't want you to feel pressured to buy but we love it when you do make a purchase, we want you to touch and feel the quality of what we have to offer, we want your visit with us to be remembered, remembered so that the next time you are out shopping you think of us and all we have to offer.  Remember that shopping with us keeps another locally owned business in business and your purchase had a part in it.