what have I done!?

Panic has set in here... It all seemed like a good idea - right up until the purchase offer was signed.  I'm fairly certain that I just purchased a yarn shop!  Please, please tell me....Am I crazy?   

This, a yarn shop, wasn't even  something I was thinking about only a month ago.  But I had been mulling over  putting some things in a local shop on consignment or opening a teeny tiny place myself when I happened to take a trip to the fiber shop for some roving wool. When I arrived the owner was just putting up some signs announcing that she would be closing the shop soon and the real estate agent was putting the for sale sign up in the yard.  It seemed like a sign from above... someone I probably shouldn't be second guessing... 

It doesn't seem real yet and I hope I'm doing the right thing.  Maybe because so far all I have to show for this life-altering move is some paper.  I still have to come up with the purchase price and move it all to the new location which is currently a large almost empty space.  The investment will definitely have things stretched a little tight for a while  - which has me terrified... but it's also true that if you never take a risk you often miss a lot of positive opportunities.  And I have a habit of playing it safe.

I haven't even settled on a business name yet but this (see above) is what I'm bouncing around in my little head tonight.  The shop's owner wants to hold onto the rights to the current name as she will probably open another shop when they get settled in Atlanta.  If anyone has any ideas please don't hesitate to send them this way!

The shop's current owner is moving along with her husband who is being transferred out of the area so the opportunity arose to purchase her inventory.  She has some wonderful fibers and a has built a nice client base... (just hope I can keep them!)...  and it seemed like a pleasant way to earn a little extra income in a creative atmosphere.  I'm considering moving my studio into the new store space too so I won't waste any time during slow retail hours but, and this is going to sound strange, I'm not certain if I would like not being able to get up and paint if I can't sleep.  Some kids have security blankets; some have their precious paintbrushes!

I'd love to hear what everyone thinks... it's still not too late to reverse things!  I've been agonizing over this for weeks now... along with all the other things going on... oh, woe is me (and on forehead)!

Comments

[tongue in cheek]

It sounds like you are on your way to an experience of leap of faith, with good reasons and ideas! It sounds good, you seem to have covered the main questions: Why is the person selling. How is the clientale? Inventory? Enough romm for your studio and venture. And you have a good name brewing, I like it!
Good Luck! I cannot wait to hear of your creative adventures and business!!

[Amy]

Wow! Talk about spontaneous! I love it and I love the logo you're working out. Good luck with this great new venture. It all sounds delightful. p.s. I think you should have 2 studios...one there and one in your house (so that you can sleep) When inspiration strikes, you must be ready. Am I right?

[onecrabapple]

I have prickles ! How exciting life is for you ! I wish I could be watching through the oracle glass (?) when you walk into the shop you totally own for the first time through the creeeek of the door that opens to the magic silence THAT IS ALL YOURS !

Oh please ! You are going to do so well ! And you will be so busy you won't have time to think of much else. It won't be that you are up wanting to paint in your studio - you will be wondering where to find time to paint in your studio !

does that worry you as well ?

I can just imagine that as creative as you are , this new outlet to that creativity is gonna BLOOM so big you will be overflowing !

I had the fun of running a gift shop for a year (not my money ! so I do understand your fears there !) and I miss the crazy pace and constant need for new energy and rapid turn over etc. etc. But that is why I got prickles on my arms when I read your latest news .... HOW GREAT IS THIS ! your own little shop. Waiting to BE! And you are going to have FUN !

Linsie (Lindsay?) Woolsie is so perfect I can hardly stand it ! And I want lambie in my hands to cuddle and share the secrets of which wools and yarns (delightful fibers !) are best for me !

I will be cheering from the sidelines (tho wouldn't I just love to jump in feet first with you !) I hope you post steps along the way and share it all .

Rooting for you. Happy for you.
Go go go !
Love, S.

[Sweet pea]

I think this sounds wonderful, and as you said, almost meant to be. Sometimes things do happen for a reason - why not give it a whirl, then you will never have to wonder, what if?

I think your business name and illustration is so sweet, so you and will really set the mood for the store.

Wishing you lots of luck in this new endeavour!

[Trixie]

I wish I could be there on opening day to wish you great success! I would definitely come to your store, just because of the logo you are working on and the type face you're using! All the good joy of the yarn would be icing on the cake!
--All the best from Trixie in Oklahoma City

[Clarice]

Well I love the name, so I would say you are off to a great start. Looking at your blog I know it will be wonderful. I wish I could come and see it. I love my yarn store, churchmouse. Clarice

[Heather]

How exciting! I absoutely love the name - it's perfect - and that sheep is beyond adorable. I really admire you for taking the leap and giving it a chance. I wish I was in a position to do the same.

My personal fantasy is to buy an old farm house with orchards and a big old barn. My husband and I would convert to barn into a plant nursery and an antique/gift boutique with a studio in an adjoining room and a playroom for the kids so that I could work and they could play while business is slow. I'll definitely be rooting for you to make your own dream a (successful) reality.

Congratulations!

[Ness]

How inspiring you are, from your art to your endeavors. I can't wait to hear more. Your ideas are brilliant and there is nothing more exciting than the serendipitous changes in ones life. Take it by the proverbial horns and enjoy the ride. I am sure you should have art in your store, a spot for you to work in your downtime would be positive, you would only be wishing for such if you don't. Maybe even if it were as small as a sketch book with an array of pencils and the like. I am unabashedly in love with your art and love seeing your images on your site, they are so delightful, oh how I wish I could explain myself more coherently! One suggestion though, get a bell that will tinkle when the door opens, those nasty buzzer things are horrendous! But I'm sure you are brimming with ideas right now. All the best!

[linda harre]

WOW....you are not letting any grass grow under your feet:) I think it is a great idea....especially since you can more your studio in as well. the time element seems so important in having your own business! what to do when it is slow???? Great idea to have your other creative outlet right there to fall back on. I am surprised you are not publishing your work somewhere, somehow! I think your art is outstanding and you could also be selling it in published form. Have i missed something and you are already doing that? if so, shame on me! anyway, you are such a creative person and i see this being sent from above:) you can always have a sub-studio at home to get up to in the middle of the night:)

[Karen]

I LOVE your logo design. I want to shop there. Just from seeing the sign on your new store I would know it is where I would want to buy yarn. Love the lettering.

All your art is so beautiful! Could you have a mini studio in one location?

Conratulations! I hope all goes really well for you! Cheers!

[lauren]

lulu!!! How exciting! How impulsive! I love it. My personal belief is that when you jump at an impulse such as this~it can't help but be successful! You reacted to a spur of the moment daydream that must have been buried inside you for a long time. This daydream muse screamed out loud at you when it saw the 'for sale' sign, and you listened!
How fun. I have ALWAYS ALWAYS wanted my own shop. What a special treasured moment for you. Will you only sell fibers? What a great place for your soft sculptures. I can see all your watercolors on the walls, inspiring shoppers... Oh, it all sounds so lovely and so incredibly exciting. I love the name, the logo, just beautful. Keep us informed of your progress as you go along, wont you?
CONGRATULATIONS and YIPPEE for you!!!!!

lauren

[amy rue]

How neat! I'm excited for you! Congratulations to you!

[Anastasia]

Wow! congratulations! Keep us informed about your new venture!

[Leisl]

Congrats! I can just feel it in my bones that it's going to be a huge success!

[Rosa]

Oh!!!! How very exciting!! Good for you. Sometimes you just have to do things that feel right before thinking about it. (Gosh, if we thought too long, we would never do a thing!)
With a name like Linsie Woolsie, how can you go wrong? You should set up lots of classes--that way, you will bring in the newbies. I want to learn to knit but no shops here that offer it. Good luck and best wishes for a wonderful success! How wonderful for you.

[Ulla]

Lulu, how exciting! Having tested the retail end of a shop, I know I prefer being in back running the details. Hope you figure out a nice balance for yourself - yarn sales and artwork... It could be a blessing in disguise - I hope it works out for you! Let us know as soon as you get settled, how its going..!

[myra]

Oh my gosh, that is so exciting!! Definitely go for it! And I love the name Linsie Woolsie! I can already imagine how lovely your store will be. Do you plan on featuring your gorgeous work around the shop too, or even on the tags and bags?

I'm sure it'll work out swimmingly whichever way you decide to go, but I can't help but root for going for it! Best wishes!

[onecrabapple]

okay I know you are busy...but I am dying to know !!! what did you decide ? what is going on there with the new Linsie Woolsey shop ????