Autumn\Winter Blog 2023 - The Start of a New Chapter
It's been a while since the last ScruffyDogBlog\Newsletter... truth be told, my little business has very much taken a back seat throughout the summer with one thing and another... outwardly I am hoping most of you didn't notice too much... It's been a summertime of incredible highs and some difficult lows... I knew things would slow down once we collected our beautiful pupster Fudge... the latest addition to our Family in late May... I very much expected a fuzzy whizzball of energy and sharp teeth to cause happy chaos... and thought I was fully prepared... But I was not prepared for lovely Lolly to become unexpectedly poorly less than 2 months later and to lose her so very quickly... it knocked us all for six... and then to lose our glorious old lady Muffin another 2 months after that... but only after we got her away for a week at the beach... she had a whale of a time... at 16½ it was expected, really... but nonetheless... has left another giant hole in our lives and our home... Everything has changed... They have been a part of our lives for so so long and of ScruffyDog forever... I have to count myself a lucky girl really... they both gave us so much... the holes they have left, the ache in my heart, is testament to the love we had... it's as simple as that...
I had to take a short break... we decided to escape to Cornwall for some more beach time... our favourite place... to get some sleep, to heal, to recharge, to settle little Fudge... and now it's time to begin again... A new chapter... I feel ready to get back to the bench and get the creativity flowing... for me making... it's a way of life... as natural to me as I need cake and the air that I breathe... All my scattered energies can be funnelled into creating new things...
This blog will also help focus my head... the summer has really gone by in a blur and amazing things have happened too...
Here is a little recap !
I celebrated my 15th business birthday ! Where exactly does time go !! I've been 'ScruffyDog' since 2011 but before that I was trading under a different name and making beaded and seaglass jewellery... I evolved !!!
I became a part of Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday community... this gave me a giant confidence boost and access to heaps of helpful advice.
I inexplicably won 'Best Jeweller' in the NorthamptonLife awards... absolutely and utterly down to you folks voting... and that meant the absolute world to me... Hope you know that !
THANKYOU !
ScruffyDogSilver spent the summer season at Zeath Gallery down in Polzeath, North Cornwall. I am now in part responsible for their social media campaigns... as well as displaying a fab collection of my work alongside some rather fabulous creatives... it's so lovely to be part of a Team. The Gallery closes for Winter at the end of this month but I shall continue to work their socials.
SCRUFFY DOG CHRISTMAS TOUR DATES 2023
I have a HEAP of dates in the ScruffyDog diary... more than ever before... There is no doubt about it, running a small business is getting much much tougher... so I think it's more important than ever to get out and meet people... face to face... chat... swap stories and make connections... oh and eat cake !!! Lots and lots of cake !!!
Watch my socials for all the details you need as each event rolls around... but as a quick glance... this is where you will find me in the lead up to the festive season...
Get your diaries OUT !!!
Saturday 14th October - Made in Stony at York House, Stony Stratford
Saturday 4th November - The Incredible Makers Market at the Kettering Arts Centre
Saturday 11th November - Duston Market at Duston Village Bakery
Thursday 16th November - Duston Christmas Market at Duston Village Bakery
Saturday 18th November - Grendon Christmas Market at St Marys Church, Grendon
Saturday 25th November - Meet The Maker Market at St Matthews Church, Northampton
Sunday 26th November - GSD Christmas Fair at the Ashwood Road Village Hall, Duston
Thursday 30th November - Late Night Christmas Shopping Evening at The Loft - Cafe & Lounge Bar - High St Moulton
Saturday 2nd December - Made in Stony at York House, Stony Stratford
Sunday 17th December - Eat St MK
Busy times are a coming !!! I think personally it will do me the world of good to now throw myself back into ScruffyDog... immerse myself more fully... but keeping one eye on that pupster of ours... She has a thing for stealing tea-towels and socks !!! She does make me giggle with her antics...
Keep an eye on my website... I have just updated it with a bunch of new makes... and there is more to come !!! Once I lose the light in The Shed (and don't the nights draw in ferociously fast now!!!) I can wrestle the laptop instead !
Finally... I often get asked...Why the name ScruffyDog?
It's simply a tribute to my beautiful beardie girls...
Originally Badger... but now also Muffin & Lolly...
Young Fudge has giant paws to fill which I know she will easily do...
Our story continues...
Orderbook... It's filling fast with bespoke requests for a festive deadline... so if you are after something sparkly for that someone special... get in touch ! I probably have time to send one last bundle of work off to be hallmarked... Everything slows down at this time of year...
PopUpShop - Once again this year... I shall be having the impromtu PopUpShop available by appointment only... if you fancied a more relaxed and personal shop... just let me know...
Also be mindful that the postal service slows down as Christmas gets nearer ! I still offer different ways to get your treasure to you...
Special Delivery
First Class
Evri Courier
Local Delivery
Free Collection
Think that's about it for now... I've bashed your ears enough ! Thanks for sticking with me, supporting my small business in such a huge way... I certainly couldn't do it without you...
I hope our paths cross at some point ! It would be fab to see you !
Steph xx
