Where does time go?? Seven months since my last post and what a 7 months it has been. Little did we think back in March that in October we would still be experiencing the restrictions of the Pandemic.
To all of my loyal customers who have been ordering and creating during this time I thank you for your business and I hope that continuing with your creative craft has helped you get through the darkest of times, and you have some fabulous new jewellery to wear, sell or give as Christmas gifts.
To those who have lost someone close, during this time, my sympathy, as I too have suffered bereavement. In June my husband of 32 years and business partner Andrew, experienced a severe stroke and passed away. With no close family, and the limitations imposed by lockdown, it was a dark, difficult time. However the orders continued to come in so I focused on keeping the business ticking over which helped me cope with the sudden loss. In some ways the restrictions have helped me as I have not been thinking about what we would have been doing as a couple in normal times – holidays especially – two short breaks had to be cancelled. On the day he died we should have been flying to Italy!! What I really miss in the midst of all this is a really big hug – sadly not to be!! I do however have a large bank of virtual hugs which hopefully I may be able to cash in later.
I am a member of a local Fitness group, where most of the members are ladies of a similar age (the vulnerable bracket), our trainer has continued to do daily classes on Zoom so even in the early days of my loss I was able to see familiar faces and join in conversations as and when I felt able. Since lockdown eased a few of us have held a weekly socially distanced coffee get together and do walks around Bath. Human contact is so important at times like these. Just being able to discuss varied subjects, share opinions and views helps life seem normal. My days have taken on a routine of Exercise Class, Preparation of Orders and Walking to the Local Post Office and this has all helped me get through, each day. So a huge Thank you for continuing to order from me.
This month is the 12th Birthday of Beads and More. It’s hard to imagine that so much time has passed since Andrew sent back his first consignment of beads from the Far East. We then found a local web developer who not only did all the techie stuff but photographed the stock too and the journey of Beads and More began. There have been ups and downs; I was unemployed following a redundancy when this started, but was actively searching for a new position. Just as the web site went live I was successful in finding this, and so as the web site began I started a new management position, which demanded a considerable amount of commitment. Andrew was an accountant and worked from home so he juggled his work, with doing orders and going to the post each day, I also did orders in the evening after a full at day work. The next five years were quite hectic, with Andrew visiting the Far East each year to send back more stock – though at times he was a little too enthusiastic. I will not be running out of stock any time soon……….
Crafts seem to follow cycles and the popularity of beading and jewellery making started to decline after the first 5 years and so life became a little less hectic. Andrew continued his annual trips and sent back new lines. I enjoy the craft so I also do pop up shops, craft fairs and have a bead club with all of this we made the decision to continue the web site. Two years later when I retired from full time employment working on the web site prevented me getting bored and Andrew no longer had to do the orders, though he was still my post courier each day. I learnt how to do more of the background web work and take the photographs, a bit time consuming but I get there slowly.
So what for the future? Well it is just me working from home. I intend to keep the business; I certainly have plenty of stock and some wholesalers who I can purchase from to bring a new choice from time to time, without the trips to the Far East. I added seed beads and Delica’s recently. I would also like to add more of my handmade items, I have a Facebook page Barb’s Beaded Bling, but have not had the time to do more with this but hopefully as time goes on I will.
I mentioned it was a Birthday Celebration, so here is an offer for the remainder of this month. 12% discount off your order before postage, use the code DAY12 in the coupon section at check out. The code will expire at midnight on 31st October.
Looking forward to sending out more lovely beads to you and best wishes to you all.
Barbara Squires