Unwind's newsletter

I finished the newsletter and sent it out to everyone that I had an email address for. I've tried and tried to copy it into this posting, but I can't get it to work. It's in a pdf file. If anyone knows how to do it let me know.

If you would like to received an email copy of the newsletter, send an email to me at unwind.ayarnshop@att.net and I'll send you a copy.

Tomorrow marks the end of my first month in business. Bills are paid, yarns still on the shelves and I've still got money in the checking account so I think that means I'm doing pretty good!

I've got classes scheduled for beginning knitters. I had no idea how many crocheters were in Claremore. I'm going to have to work on my crocheting skills. But, I've got a lot of the crocheters interested in learning to knit.

I finally got my computer at the shop and I've been working on getting all my inventory loaded into Quickbooks. Man, that's a job and a half. Then I need to do inventory and figure out how much I have of each item and make Quickbooks do what it's supposed to do and tell me how much I've sold.

Once I get all that figured out and sorted through, I'm going to work on setting up a website. I'll have to figure out how to make a shopping cart and accept credit cards etc.

I hope everyone has a very happy and safe New Year's Eve tomorrow night. I'll probably be in bed before the ball drops.

Happy 2010!

Easy Button Scarf

Easy Button Scarf
Final measurements 28” x 5” (the ends will be 5” and the center of the scarf is approximately 3 ¾”

Materials:

#11 needles
1 skein Life DK – Copper
4 buttons 7/8”
4 stitch markers
tapestry needle

The pattern is available at Unwind for free with the purchase of yarn or if you'd like to use your own yarn the cost of the pattern is $3.99.

grrrrr

The UPS man drove right past me today. I checked the tracking and it said the packages were on the truck for delivery. My daughter called and my yarn was delivered to my house.

Now I'm waiting for grandson to wake up from a nap so she can bring me the yarn. grrrrr...

I'm getting some more chairs for the shop. They are blue and on wheels. I think they will be more comfortable around the table instead of the folding chairs that I have right now. Then I can put the folding chairs up and just get them out when I have alot of people here.

Started working a new project this weekend. I was planning on making the Kertzer, Easy Hoodie using Marble yarn in the ocean blue color. But I'm improvising the pattern so much that it won't even be the same hoodie when I'm finished. I decided to make it in the round instead of front and back and I'm adding a raglan sleeve. I've taken pictures but I forgot to bring my memory card thing to download the pictures. I'll do that later.

I've had quite alot of people in today, which is good, because last Monday it was pretty slow.

Ordered more yarn!

I've got an order from Berroco coming in on Monday if the UPS guy will stop this time. I spent all day with Betty from Brown Sheep. Got lots of stuff from Brown Sheep and Knit One Crochet Too.

My sis and Pam showed up this afternoon and they helped me pick out some stuff. Oh, I also got some great needle holders for dpns and circular needles.

My Amy Butler bags sold today and I've got more on the way. I'm going to have to hold one back for myself this time.

I left Chelsea in charge of the shop for about 15 minutes today and when I came back the front room was full of little boys and a dog. One of my new friends Amy, who I taught to knit last week brought in her boys, three of them. I taught the 10 and 7 year old to knit and they are doing a good job. The 10 year old is making a pillow cover in Orange for the Oklahoma Cowboys and the 7 year old is making, well, I'm not sure what he's making. Oh and the dog is theirs also. Apparently the dog was attacked by a big dog today and they were making sure he was okay and didn't want to leave him alone. Sweet puppy. Then another new friend, Kim came in with her son and she shopped while all the boys played. Thank goodness I've got a little coke crate wagon with some of Hayden's toys in it, that kept them all busy while Moms shopped.

The day flew by today, I hope tomorrow is as good as today was.

I just found out that my computer has now been delayed until January. It's hard not having a computer at the shop. There would be so much more I could get done if I just had a computer with me during the day.

Why won't the UPS man come see me?

He was in the parking lot, I was standing at the door like a kid looking in the window of a toy shop. Sending the UPS man the strongest vibes I could send. "Bring me my stuff!" I said in my mind hoping the telepathic waves to reach him. I watched him get in his truck, put on his seatbelt, pull the gear shift down to drive. Here he comes!!! I thought to myself as a huge smile spread across my face. Then I watched him drive right past my door. The smile turned to a frown. Why won't the UPS man come see me????

Oh well, I've got an order coming in on Tuesday according to the tracking. But I want the stuff that was backordered!!!

It's been slow today. Maybe 4 customers sales under a $100 so far, but I've still got 2 hours and 45 minutes left today so maybe someone will come in and suprise me.


I'm trying to get my class schedules set up. Looks like the majority on class suggestions was a beginners class and magic loop. I might try and do a beginners class before Christmas, but then again this month might just be too busy.


Have I said that this is the best job ever? As long as I can pay the rent and the shop bills and replenish my stock, I'm happy. I'll let the rest of the family worry about the household bills right now.

I meant to post this yesterday, but as I was typing, I had several customers come in and then I just didn't get back to writing.

Saturday, November 5th

I'm getting ready to head to town, got to run by Wal-Mart before I go to the shop. I forgot to pick up my blood pressure medicine yesterday, so I've got to take care of that first thing.

I'm expecting to be pretty busy today. I had several people tell me they were coming back on Saturday so I hope they really make it back in to see me. Even if they don't it gives me an excuse to finish knitting the 2nd Susie Hoodie. I've finally reached the hood part and this hoodie is actually going to fit her this time. Since I'm up to the neck she was able to try it on yesterday. It would be nice to get it finished today and then block it tonight and display it for a few days in the shop before I have to wrap it up for Christmas.

Time to head out, I'll talk to you all later.

Unwind is OPEN!!!!

Wow, the past two days have been alot of fun.

On opening day, Tuesday. I woke up at 3am and couldn't go back to sleep. My mind was reeling with things I needed to do before I opened the shop to the public for the very first time. You know how first impressions are and I wanted mine to be perfect.

The first thing on my 3am list was to go to the bank, because I completely forgot about getting change for the cash register. I guess since I rarely carry cash and use my check card everywhere my mind just assumed everyone would do the same. duh... but the bank didn't open until 9am. Also on my list was getting the table set, vaccuuming again, clean the windows and door just to make sure they were really clean. Get the apple cider in the crockpot and started heating. I left the house at 7:15 (I don't open until 10) got to the shop at 7:25 and started my chores which were all finished by 8 o'clock. I straightened the shelves just to make sure every skein looked it's best and then sat down and started knitting until 9, so I could go to the bank. Between 8 and 9 I probably had 6 or 7 phone calls from sales people wanting me to buy their credit card terminal. Left the shop, got the change and came back. Decided to put on a pot of coffee. At 9:45 I saw a car pull up and two people got out. I recognized Rebecca and her daughter from Ravelry. I opened the door and the day began. It was soo much fun!!!

People signed my email list so as soon as I get my computer I can start sending out emails to everyone. I also made a class suggestion list. It looks like most people want a beginners class and magic loop class, so I'll get those going as soon as I can.

Yesterday was a little slower. I had about 7 people come in and only had 1 actual sale. It was a teenager wanting to make a scarf. She spent 11.00. Luckily my buddy morgaine from Ravelry called bought a $50 birthday gift card for Amber, another Ravelry buddy. So my total sales for day 2 was 61.00 (about 7 times less than day 1). So here's hoping that today will be better than yesterday. My goal is $1000 this week, let's see if I can hit it.