Christmas is one of my favourite times of year.  Bright lights, chocolate, the magic and wonder.  We usually watch Polar Express and Muppets Christmas Carol on repeat and drink gallons of hot chocolate (with marshmallows of course!) 

For a small business owner, Christmas isn’t always so joyous.  Many of us have had events booked since spring, we’ve been making festive items since July (or earlier) and then we get to the festive season, we get out the Christmas jumper, put fresh batteries in the twinkly lights…. only to find Mother Nature has other ideas.  So far its been high winds and floods.  Hard work and planning scuppered, but at least we are all safe, sound, warm and dry!  Then if you throw in children into the mix we’ve had the dreaded lurgies and runny noses too.

Its hard work made harder and just tops of a particularly challenging year.  It didn’t help that I mixed up the dates for one market and double booked myself and then life threw a few hurdles our way.  Its been one too many plates to juggle and I have had to make the decision to cancel my remaining December markets.  It’s the very last thing I wanted to do but mentally I wasn’t, am still not in a good place so rather than rush and struggle I have bowed out until the New Year. 

As hard as it all has been we have still had fun.   There is still a bright side.  All though I am missing out of the busiest time of year I still have my website shop.  You can still shop my stall and we can do it all from the comfort of home in the warm and dry.

I have been able to go out and recce a few new venues that I’d like to try out next year, its actually nice to be able to go as a customer and have a decent look round and be able to support the other businesses. I still have the wonderful small business community that I can support and be supported by.  

This time out has given me chance to catch my breath and plan out new makes for the new year.  To see what’s working and where I need to change.  I’ve already started booking events in for next year which will see me returning to my favourite markets and trying out some exciting new ones too.  I will be back!!

There is hope and there is lots to look forward to – not just the selection boxes and chocolate for breakfast.  I am so thankful to everyone that has come out to see me at markets and craft fairs.  I have met so many wonderful people.  I have got to hear about you, your stories and your families.  My makes have been sent out across the world to places like Australia and Mauritius. You’ve come back for more and I thank you all. 

There is definitely still plenty of people that love handmade and handcrafted.  Hardcore markets goers that, rain or shine, are out and about looking for unique and pretty things.  You guys deserve a hug!

You can join in the fun by shopping small.  Visit your local markets, support the small and micro businesses.  If you can’t make the markets, shop our websites.  If you have got your Christmas shopping sorted, your stockings full and the crackers crammed already you can keep us in mind for birthdays, anniversaries, Mothers day, Easter and other celebrations.  Sign up for newsletters and follow us on social media.