Monday 7 February 2011

Moving out....

I am aware that I have been absent for quite some time. Life has a way of keeping you busy...

It seems ages ago now but I hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year.

Just before Christmas, we went to France to stay with family. The plan was to go on to Belgium to attend a family Christening but due to heavy snow then ice, sadly we were unable to go.

In recent months, much of my spare time has been spent working towards my goal, opening an online shop selling vintage goods, handmade items and other things. I am finally getting closer to it.

As some of you know, my workroom is at home. It is filled with vintage textiles, home wares etc...or should I say overflowing...that would be more accurate! It's not just my workroom that has stock, it's the loft, the landing and our bedroom. Not a good way to work and not fair on everyone at home. So, after a lot of thinking and talking about it, I came to the conclusion that I would operate a lot better by moving all my stock away from home and rent somewhere else instead.



I have found a storage/workshop unit in Shepton Mallet. The unit is a shell at the moment but the landlords are converting it. My estimated moving in date is Tuesday 1st March 11. I will keep you posted with the progress!

The unit is in an old Brewery


It doesn't look inviting now but once it has been worked on, decorated and carpeted it will look a lot better. The ceiling is a little lower than I'd like but having compared this to other similar sized premises, over all this is the better one . The room will be around 600 sq ft (55 sq mt), plenty to get started with.

At last, everything will be in the one place. Stock will be easy to find and photograph. I will have more room to sew, design, package orders and will be far more organised. It is a big step to take but one I feel sure will pay off in the long run. We will regain space in the house and Phoebe will have a bigger bedroom...my old workroom which she has always liked.

My website should be ready within the next few weeks....As you can see, a lot going on...

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

P.S: I will have a neighbour I know, Becky from dots and spots who also has a unit there. Becky's business has grown so fast that she is in the process of moving to a bigger unit within the same building.

35 comments:

OhSoVintage said...

How very exciting! What a super place to have a workroom - is it far from your home? As you know I work from home and find that I have stock in nearly every room particularly when I am trying to photograph items with other things. My packing and stock room is in the loft conversion, my study and computer on the first floor but most photos are taken downstairs. All this going up and downstairs doesn't help keep me slim though. I look forward to reading your blog for further developments.

Crafts @ Home said...

Good luck with the move and website, you may find another blogger (dots and spots) rents two of the units where your going!

koralee said...

What exciting news you share this morning my friend....it is going to be fantastic. I can't wait to hear and see more. Follow your heart....it knows the way! xooxxo

Karen said...

What a wonderful and brave way to start 2011. I am sure your hard work will be rewarded and it will be easier to run a business when your stock is all laid out before you. Its lovely news and I look forward to your new website. Karen X

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

I wish you well and lots of success with your new venture. It sounds like a great idea...this new space! I look forward to the opening of your online store! Glad to hear that you and your family are well...
Take care, Laura :)

KC'sCourt! said...

All very exciting - good luck with it all - look forward to seeing future posts about it - you just have to follows your dreams
Julie xxxxxxxxx

Hen said...

That's great news Isabelle, how exciting for you too. Look forward to seeing everything once you're safely installed and hope to catch up with you at a fair or two in the near future.
Hen xxx

Elderberry-Rob said...

An exciting year ahead for you! wishing you lots of success in your new space. Betty x

salty pebble said...

helloooo isabelle, lovely big space to create in and store all your lovely vintage things- im sure being away from home will give you a better chance to focus- i was alot more creative in my university studio space...home life clutters creative thoughts hehe....good luck with it all x

Blondie's Journal said...

How exciting for you, Isabelle! I am really looking forward to when you open your shop and I am sure you are too.

Wishing you the best of luck.

XO,
Jane

Queenie's Vintage Finds said...

So great to see you posting Suzy and Congratulations on your storage unit! I know it will be worth the move and great to get everything in one place....I know it will be beautiful when you put your mark on it :)
Hope you have a sweet week!
Big Hugs,
Queenie
P.S. love those vintage suitcases...can't wait to see your other treasures in place....be sure to take some pics when you are done and let us see :)

Hesta Nesta said...

What an exciting time for you. I know how you feel as our spare bedroom, two garages and my summerhouse have become stock/workrooms!!Looking forward to seeing it all finished and up and running.
Jo xx

Serenata said...

How exciting! Look forward to hearing how you both get on !

It's me said...

What a great news darling !! wish you good luck !! i follow you....hahahaah!! love Ria...xxx...

Marigold Jam said...

Good luck with your new venture. Will you be open to visitors/customers? if so I might pop by one day as you are not so far away. Will you be at the Flea Market at the Bath and West Showground with your stock too?

Jane

elsy said...

good luck isabelle....its a bold move, but nothing ventured etc

Jess said...

How exciting, good luck with your new business, I'm sure you'll maje that empty area look amazing! xx

ted and bunny said...

this will be SO much better- it's so difficult at home when you're tripping over yourself just trying to find something, let alone work.
Can't wait to see the launch!
xx

Elizabethd said...

Very exciting for you. I hope you do well.

ahomespunyear said...

Good luck with the move...how exciting! You'll have your house back again and all that lovely space to fill with goodies.

Unknown said...

You must be so very excited ;-)) well done you and good luck, dee x

Lx @ Twelve said...

Congratulations on following your passion for all things vintage, I wish you oodles of success for the future..

Lx

Josephine Tale Peddler said...

Well done, Isabelle. It's going to be a big success for you! I hope my books all sell through the roof so I can support you always. You have the greatest taste and it's going to be lovely for you to work for yourself an create and Isabelle empire. xx

Nelly said...

How wonderful I understand what you mean as everything I have is scattered everywhere including a storage shed (which is on other side of town) I wish you great success and look forward to seeing how you set it all up.

Anonymous said...

Isabelle....what an exciting venture.....looking forward to seeing how it all goes.

LouLou xx

Ali @ Betty and Violet said...

Isabelle

This sounds so exciting ~ congratulations, I'm sure that your studio and website will be beautiful!
I too have a workroom at home but stock just seems to creep into every other room in the house!
Lots of luck and look forward to seeing you soon.
Ali x

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

How exciting! Good luck!!

Victoria xx

BusyLizzie said...

Super exciting news! Good luck with the move! Do email me any new images you would like me to add to the VB blog! xx

Bleudelavande said...

Very exciting for you!!!! 'm so so glad for you!!!!
Have a nice weekend and take care.

Katie said...

So exciting! The new unit looks great (even in its unfinished state)...I love old buildings like the one you'll be moving into! Good luck with it all. Katie x

Madelief said...

Hi Isabelle,

This must be such an exiting period for you. Wish you good luck with your store!

Lieve groet & happy weekend!

Madelief

Charlotte said...

Dear Isabelle - oh how exciting, and I am so jealous of your space-to-be. My little office is packed with toys and I may just kill for 600 square feet!!!
Charlotte
xx

Clare said...

It sounds fantastic Isabelle, really exciting! will you sell from there as well or will it just be for storage?

Pink Feather Paradise said...

Congratulations.... will you have to pay business rates? and big lucky hugs for a prosperous first year of trading ... the bulding loks wonderful... so much character!

x Alex

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Isabelle, this is such wonderful and exciting news! Congratulations!!!