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I'm going Christmas shopping tomorrow, in real shops even charity shops. Occurred to me that there's some pretty cool local businesses that also do online, so here's my starter for 10 for pickles and ferments made round the corner (no personal association other than popping round to buy and talk bikes).
What else you got?
I'm not going Xmas shopping at all 😀
Although apparently Mrs Weeksys perfume is £170 !!!! I nearly fell off the chair !
Anyone looking for signed art prints, greeting cards or original art with a wildlife theme? In a unique and quirky style and painted with love by my missus.
Locally printed on sustainably sourced card with compostable wrappers. Her 'folksy' online shop is here, but for Shropshire locals she has a stall at the Much Wenlock Christmas Fayre tomorrow in the priory hall.
blokeuptheroad has been press ganged to assist, come and say hi!
Some other pre Christmas venues below.
If anyone fancies giving her an insta follow, she would would be dead chuffed. She's on 944 followers and keen to hit 1000 before Christmas! 🙂
Although apparently Mrs Weeksys perfume is £170 !!!! I nearly fell off the chair !
As opposed to the cost of one of your motorbikes, mountain bikes or associated kit? 🤔😉
All my gifts are mostly purchased from independent shops and craft type fairs (good quality fairs, not the type full of tat).
Also I make some of my gifts.
Amazon is a no no in our house.
It's our monthly 'Maker's market' this Saturday. 99% of the items for sale are really good quality. Most are sustainable and of use.
I purchased some of Harry the Spider's hand made 'shimano chain' Christmas tree decorations. These will last forever.
Last Saturday I had a stand at our local Christmas Makers Market selling my prints and cards. There were loads of other local artists and crafters selling all manner of really nice handmade artwork, jewellery and ceramics. It was in the town centre at the civic hall and had been well advertised
Hardly anyone came. Those that did had a mulled wine and a mince pie, watched the carol singing then went home, probably to order some stuff off Amazon.
Talking to all the other stall holders at the end of a totally demoralising, wasted day, nobody had sold anything. I won't be bothering next year and I doubt anyone else will either.
That unfortunately is the reality
There are so many of these Christmas Markets now there's got to be an element of punter fatigue.
Just in Matlock - two weekends ago there was a 3 day Victorian Weekend Market and on the same day a market at the football club over the road and one in the town council rooms.
And they're currently setting up for another 2 day Christmas Market this weekend.
And the big city and country house ones have become 'we saw you coming' rip-off events that piss-off the shops who are there all year round.
@blokeuptheroad if Mrs BUTR gets Curlews back up on her shop I will take one 🙂
binners - I feel your pain. I've had a few stalls over the years. The worst one was in Bakewell, I sold nothing and the place wasn't short of footfall. Most people want bargains and something for nothing.
However our own Makers market in Marple centre does quite well.
Also the cost of having a stall at a lot of these events is expensive if one factors in the public liability insurance, there is the chance that there could be shop lifters too.
That unfortunately is the reality
And not just at markets. That’s retail in 2023. A hard winter for shops and direct sales of all kinds.
@blokeuptheroad if Mrs BUTR gets Curlews back up on her shop I will take one 🙂
@benpinnick that's great, thanks! She has just temporarily closed her online shop as she is flat out preparing for and attending events. Packing online sales and frequent post office trips were getting in the way of that. She was also worried that people ordering now for Christmas might be disappointed if the last posting day was missed. She will be opening it again early in the new year. Feel free to message me on here if you like and I'll remind her.
Book yourself and the lad maybe a biking trip abroad,
Now that's an epic plan... but we're already in Alps for 2 weeks next year... She can buy her own bloody perfume 😀
Ordered Lancashire Bombs last week (from Shorrocks but via their on-line partner retailer). Truly delicious.