...just LOOK at the trouble starting this journal has caused! I have gotten so caught up with this crazy creative life that I haven't even had time to do any posts! I'm in it with both feet, now!
Speaking of which, I am so so happy and proud to announce the Grand Opening of our brick and mortar boutique and gallery, Hello Bluebird! We have spent the entire summer working on our space (you can see photos of our journey here)and gathering artists and a million other little things--it has been an incredible journey, and I have never been so scared, exhausted, exhilerated, proud and humbled all at the same time. It is a strangely satisfying blend of extreme emotions, not unlike giving birth to my two beautiful children, which I think may be a clue that we are finally on the right track here!
We had our "soft opening" a week ago, so I have been at the shop everyday since, with Finigan as my best helper (did I mention no more daycare, either? no more dayjob...we're in this for REAL now!). Is it easy to have him in the shop all day? Heck, no! But he is a very good boy, and, in the end, I am truly enjoying getting to see so much more of him than when he was in daycare. This just seems so much more "real"(again, notice how I didn't say easy...!).
The customer response has been so wonderful. Since we aren't "officially" open until Thursday, we didn't do any advertising or even hang a sign until a few days ago, but the people who have wandered in from their lunch dates or the Sunday morning farmers' market have been SO complimentary, and the best and most amazing thing is that they have actually bought a fair amount of stuff! We are off to a GREAT start. I am so blessed.
The best customer comment I could have asked for came on Sunday, a day that we weren't even going to be open: (this girl lives in Philadelphia, a great indie city!): Oh my gosh, I love this store so much. I wish we had a shop like this in Philly!
:)