All change - but for the better!!!!

Hi everyone, I haven't posted for quite a while, but things have been changing in my life which I will tell you about.
I have been working for a company for nearly seven years, and as we know, everywhere is having to cut costs. To do this, the company introduced an automated system to deal with a lot of our calls, so we didn't need as many staff.
After about a year of great pressure, and worry, in October I lost my job. A very worrying situation, when it's only yourself to pay the bills. I had applied to agencies, but to be honest they haven't been much help. Things didn't look too good : ( . It is really awful being in limbo, and not knowing where your path will lead. 
However two things happened which I didn't envisage, and these were a perfect solution to my problems.

In the lovely nearby market town of Olney, in Buckinghamshire, a friend of mine was opening a Boutique of new, and pre loved designer & high street clothes, also Vintage items too.

This is the gorgeous little shop, she opened - Chic Boutique !!!!

Lots of beautiful clothes & accessories, for ladies, men & children! All of the shop reflects her love for Vintage, with a lovely old till, rustic fruit crates, & old pine furniture!

Also this wonderful old dresser to display accessories & her Vintage china, eiderdowns, and other pretties. A real Aladdin's cave, you never know what treasures you will find there!!
Running the shop 6 days a week, is pretty demanding when you have a family too, so help was needed a few days a week. So, I was offered a part time job here for 2 days a week, and other days as required!! How great was that ??!!!


As you know I make a lot of handmade goodies, and sell at a few shops, and also Craft & Handmade & Vintage fairs. One of the shops I sell at is the one below -

It's called Wollaston Garden & Home, and is situated in the village, next to mine. It is in a courtyard of lovely old farm buildings, and there's a gorgeous tea room, beauticians, a great photography studio, & an Interior design shop. It's a great little shop, & sells flowers, pots, and lots of garden related loveliness!

The potter actually makes all these pots next door!

This is the scrummy tea room next door, that also sells local bread, fruit & vegetables. The cakes are gorgeous, and you can have loads of lovely home cooked meals here, cooked breakfast, afternoon teas, and there have been cupcake decorating classes here too : )

Go inside, and you will see beautiful flowers, and gift ideas.

Shelves full of beautiful things for the home.

Cushions, hearts, pictures....

Loads and loads of present ideas & Christmas decorations and goodies!

Retail therapy for stitchers & crafters too. I adore that gorgeous old Singer sewing machine : )

The shop also sells handmade items from local crafters too, which is great, as you can find unique one off items, and combining that with coffee & cake next door can't be bad !

The owner here is a lovely lady, and is opening ( with her business partner), a Boutique of new & Vintage clothing , shoes, and accessories in the courtyard. She needs someone to work there, and asked me if I would be interested?? The shop will open all being well next Saturday. ( Well, you can guess what the answer was to her question!!!)

All in all, within the space of 3 weeks, I had found two jobs!! I may be earning a bit less, but I am so much happier, and in much nicer, less pressured environments, with like minded friendly people!! Also I will still be doing my Vintage & Craft fairs too, what more could I want??!!!

There is a Christmas event in the Village next Saturday, and the shop will open that day. I already had a Vintage Fair booked for that day -

So I will keep you posted. It's all exciting!!!! : )