This time before the change from old to new year is my absolute favourite. Not just because there is a majorly fun holiday in there, or two, but it is a time for the cobwebs of the mind to be swept out and new beginnings to get a consideration.
With Christmas postal deadlines coming to pass and sales slowing down, my heart can turn to other projects. These next two weeks are like a little holiday, when all our regular scheduled work takes a breather. Office tools are downed, sort of, and the creative cap can be put on.
The holiday decorations are being aired and will be going up this week. And to Tree or not to Tree is currently the question. We’re toying with making a sort of tree. Or at least something to hang decorations on. (As you may know, much to Pumpjack’s consternation, I have a passion for pallets, and I have found some great tree ideas made from a pallet.)
This time last year saw a new Big Dig commence. This came about rather by accident. Mild weather and a digging of worms in the duck enclosure unearthed a stone wall. Then a corner. Then a continuing stone wall. Curiosity has no bounds here, and so of course the whole duck enclosure was more or less dug up and remodelled in the end.
This year the weather is not so cooperative and leans one towards staying indoors a bit more. That is fine by me as I have a multitude of hobbies and projects I would love to delve into. Grey days certainly give a good excuse. A chance to sit down to music or an audio book and write, stitch, knit or glue.
It’s also a time of tidying. Clearing not only my minds cobwebs, but desk drawers, shelves and wherever else takes my fancy. I discovered some old cards I had made years ago. It’s time they had a new home so they will be used for my Christmas kind of New Year cards.
Gifted a wonderful dipping ink pen a number of years ago, I finally gifted myself an ink well to go with it. A gorgeous glass Art Deco double well. Not good enough for our shop, but perfect for me to use. I will enjoy moments over the next few weeks, taking time to write to friends, old and new. Other cards are still works in progress but the opportunity of creating with paper is always a draw for those cold rainy days. That and a good book.
A whole slew of vintage silk scarves have just come in for my French Scarf shop. I had a buying blitz this past week as I spotted one or two beautiful and unusual gems, which always seems to lead to finding more. Time now needs to be spent cleaning, pressing and photographing, with the aim to get them into the shop in time for the new year.
And last, but certainly not least, will be some photography and eventually designing. In pursuant of following my heart not just down the vintage path, but the creative side too. This time of year I dedicate time to my third shop, Taking Time Too. It’s the quiet one ticking along in the background. It sells ‘printables’. Imagery and designs that you can download and use for your own creativity. Of course there’s often a vintage slant.
So watch this space, and I hope you will tag along with me over the ensuing weeks to see what unfolds. And in the meantime, may you enjoy your own ‘quiet’ time, whatever that entails, before we enter this forthcoming new year.
PS.
Here’s a tiny sampling of what we sell in our Pumpjack & Piddlewick Shop:
Click on the image to see more.