Gifts: Being passionate and also responsive to our customer base
Soon after
our recent Father' Day blog, we find ourselves writing another update. Please
note, we have changed our blog appearance – it looks more rustic and we hope
its easily accessible to all, especially for people with dyslexia or for those
who require assistive technology packages to access information. Don’t hesitate to contact us via Twitter or Facebook if
you wish to send any feedback on this subject or indeed if you want to comment
on the style of the new blog. We are hoping there is not a mad rush of people
saying they liked it the way it was before, but... hey if that happens we will
need to take it on board as this forum is really about you and a good read !!
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| Handmade bookmark |
We have
found after almost two years of learning IT skills, mainly through trial and
error, our confidence has tentatively grown in playing with creativity on IT
systems and packages on the computer, despite the fact that we only had basic
training in the bare basics years ago on ancient word programmes. It’s no mean
feat, especially when we grew up with the introduction of computers … we can
still remember the old sinclairs.
Like most
things, some of the best milestones are through experience and some of the
greatest lessons are from the mistakes and mishaps on the way ... these are vital
times for learning and they become the assets for building a platform for
better things IF you ensure that you
reap all the information that you gain from these situations.
We can relate to the singer, Jon
Bon Jovi's point when he said "success is failing nine times and getting up ten!!" At Little Wren Gifts, we think that we have been there.... it has been a big rollercoaster in terms of learning and maintaining motivation, but some of the things that have
spurred us on have been our passion, the kind words from others (including positive
comments on twitter and Facebook), but also thinking that somewhere people are having the joy or pleasure of opening a parcel
with anticipation - giving, (even if indirectly and we acknowledge our
commercial motives here too) is a wonderful thing!!
With the
passage of time, we have tried to learn what customers like and what products they
would enjoy seeing online – we appreciate that we need to do alot more work in
obtaining this feedback as it’s not always easy to gain such soft information in the virtual world.
We are hoping our new ventures at Applegates antique and craft centre, near
Chester will offer a greater interaction with people who visit and if you do
pop over, then we would really like to
hear from you.
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| Applegates antique and craft centre on the A41 |
We have recently
broadened our product range and really excited to be launching even more Welsh
handmade goods as well as new artists work across Britain – there is so much talent
out there and we think that there is a fresh awakening for the cottage and
small industries which is fabulous. There are some gifts and homewares being
uploaded. These include slate keyrings, Welsh prints, necklaces by Noa, wooden
dragons, colourful windmills, teddy motif baby grows and metal fish hooks. The
list continues and it’s a case of watch this space for more goodies, many gifts
are handmade in the UK or originate from small British businesses.
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| New local products from Little Wren Gifts |
Finally, we
are keen to hear from more artists, especially from people with dependents,
retired people and folk with either hidden or notable disabilities if they wish to supply to Little Wren Gifts. It was so pleasing this week to see the Arts
Council and the Creative Forum promote the UK’s first national literary
competition for marginalised and disabled writers which is around crafts which indicates that there is a recognition of such diverse talent from people who may bring their own story, making their work unique and special.
Just to leave with a few lovely words that sums up where we are today. They come from the iconic writer Maya Angelou famous for the book I know why the cage bird sings.
Maya highlights the question is not how to survive, but how to thrive with passion, compassion, humour and style
....... What a wonderful quote ! Until next time from all of us at Little Wren Gifts
