A New Year!

So it has been a while since I posted in this blog. I originally wanted the blog to cover the move and start up of my little business. I have had a few people ask if I plan to continue-they aren't on Facebook so this is a good forum for keeping in touch. 

Since my last post much has happened! At the end of the summer season at Fisherman's Cove, the business which was in the little purple hut has left! This means that I could rent it! I am now happily moved into my new spot. It's a little bit bigger and a better shape. I'm excited! It is the one I originally wanted. 

I am only open on Saturdays through the winter but I will still be teaching art classes the rest of the week. Wish me luck! 

Happy New Year to all of you! 

Shockingly overdue update

Well it's about time I update this blog! So the summer is in full swing at the Cove here. The people out here must be solar powered-they seem to only come out when the sun is shining. So sunny days are great and foggy/rainy days I get a lot of knitting done. 

There is a pirate festival in August! I'm really looking forward to it. I have my outfit ready and I'm making some special piratey stuff for the shop. And there's a summer carnival coming up and another pirate weekend in September. I need a parrot in my shop. I would worry though that it would learn the words I say when gooey kids touch everything in the shop while they are eating ice cream cones. 

On a happy note, I have had some good luck with my fabric sculpting classes so far!

Tonight we will be making mermaids! Here is Cordelia-the prototype.

It is interesting talking to people in the shop-my map is filling up with pins! I have had people here from Cairo, India, New Zealand, Africa. It's incredible. 

Way overdue update!

I know I should have posted this earlier! It's been busy! 

Things are coming together nicely. My signs are up, I made crazy flower urns with unicorn horns sticking out of them for each side of the entrance-you get to see those pics on my opening day.

Lots of items are in the store! Sew Scary is all set up, Strange Day Knits is all set up. Jewellery will be set up today. 

Powertex fabric sculptures will be coming soon, and paintings are going up today!

I drove to a very cool farm today to pick up handmade soaps. Teresa Dunlop makes fabulous, fun stuff! My favourite is a jelly sops that looks and feels like jello but it lasts as long as regular soap! 

So I hung a world map up and a map of Canada. I have a big box of pins and I'm going to ask people to put a pin on the place they are from. Mostly tourists come down to the wharf, so I thought this would be fun and a good way to start talking with people-not that I have a hard time talking!

More photos will come soon! I have to remember to take lots opening day! There will be sparkly Violet cupcakes with unicorn horns!!! :)

And we're off!

The lease is signed! And I'm off to a good start. I'm making my way down my list very well so far. Later in the week I will post more photos as the shop starts getting set up. I have been sign painting and just have to attach the unicorn horn.

I still think the shop needs a giant horn on it-I will see what I can do that could tolerate the weather and wind. Nothing would be more sad than a broken, sad horn hanging off the store. 

I'm already planning the unicorn cupcakes and purple koolaid to serve at the grand opening!! This is like all the crazy in my head getting an opportunity to come out!  

Next, I need to make up the brochures for the classes, evening events and jewellery making for kids!

Reality TV?

I guess this blog is a bit like reality TV. "Watch as she starts a whole new business from scratch in one month!"

So far, it's going well. Business is registered and the ladies at the licensing office are interested in coming to my knitting night at the studio. I ordered my business cards, I'm painting the signs this weekend-I have a huge list, but it's starting to get checked off. 

This new shop has delayed my plans for a trip to Ontario in June. I am planning on popping over there after Labour Day now. I miss everybody but I will have to wait. Luckily it appears that many will be coming here over the summer! The Schmidt Haus B&B should be busy!

Right now I'm painting a sign to go under that light! I will, of course, be adding a unicorn horn somehow. I have been in contact with a metal work guy to see about having one made. My budget may not allow for it this year, but we shall see! 

I wandered along the wharf yesterday and met some of the other shop owners. I am definitely in the right place with the right people. They offered tons of very helpful information. 

I love that I live less than one kilometre from where I will be working. I have one major concern about this whole thing though. There is a candy store just down from me. I might have to rename the store next year "The Unicornopotamus."

Tide is turning

Well, I have spent a few weeks adjusting to the shocking changes in my life and now it's time to get down to business. I will still walk on the beach looking for shells a few times a week, but I suppose earning a living would be wise too!

I went down to Fisherman's Cove last week to ask about the cute little cabins they have for tourist season. It's less than a kilometre from my house.

Coffee shops, candy, gifts - lots of interesting stuff! And they are right along the shore with the fishing boats and seafood restaurants. RIGHT along the water-I saw a seal head bob up and look at me!

Anyway, I was told that there was only one cabin left and it was large. Larger than I want so I was a bit disappointed. And then I got a phone call yesterday morning saying that an absolutely perfect one is available! 11ft by 29ft. Doors at either end for access from the boardwalk or lane way. Ocean view. I have filled out the application and should know today or tomorrow!  This would be amazing! I can have a shop and use it as a classroom in the evenings to teach art. AND I can knit and look at the ocean all day. I think I may have found my happy place. Sigh. 

I was talking to a few locals who have shops there and they said in the summer whales go by as they swim into the harbour! WHALES!  I sure hope this all happens. Opening day would be June 1!

Send happy thoughts! I hope this happens!!!!

Very Good Friday!

Yesterday was a gorgeous day here! My apologies to those of you in the rest of Canada. Clear blue skies, maybe a bit chilly, but lovely despite that. I decided to go out for a drive along the south shore. My friend Frank had the day off and came with me!

There is a route called the Lighthouse Route so I decided to follow that for a while. 

Peggy's Cove was an obvious stop. Last time I was there it was covered in ice!

This is the perfect time to do this drive-the tourists haven't started yet. I want to see most of the tourist sites before the end of May. Less crowds, and I can have a good repertoire of places to show friends when they visit! 

We stopped in Lunenburg for lunch! I had the lobster sandwich! 

I'm loving the seafood out here-possible that might grow fins! 

This is a school in Lunenburg! How spectacular is that! It's up on a hill with a commanding view of the area. 

Theodore Tugboat was at one dock further down the shore--apparently he had a tv show? 

A great way to start Easter weekend! This morning I'm off to check out the market and meet up with a friend of a friend for coffee. :)