Transitions are hard......As with everything in life, They takes time. Sometimes it feels like an eternity till things change over, or that you can't do them fast enough.....but all things happen in their due time I suppose.
I have been working a ton lately, so I decided to take the weekend off, packed up my Art supplies, and hit the open road heading North Solo to my friend Kamala's resort, Wandawood. That place gives me such peace, surrounded my Michigan's natural beauty.
4 white-knuckled hours later, I arrived and imediately got down to business......
when I say I am taking the weekend off, this does not really mean that I am sitting still.....you know I can never really do that.
My friend is going through some changes too with her mom and has taken over running the resort for her. This is a large endeavor with 2 kids in college, another child in middle school, and 15 cottages to maintain. So I decided to help her re-vamp some of the cottages to make them even more charming than they already are.
We spent the whole weekend sewing, laughing, and painting. it was a ball.
painting with a lake as a backdrop is a beautiful thing......this is not my idea of work.
We spent the first day taking notes and figuring out our plan.
I love how we were able to quickly tranform some of these cottages into amazing spaces with just simple little touches such as changing out a futon cover, adding pillows, or a colorful rug, and an original piece of Art. So Fun!
here is the 'before' photo of the cottage with a plain checkered futon cover, drab rug, and basically plain decor.....click on pics to see them larger.
here is the 'after' photo where we literally made this place look like an Artful retreat with just a few small additions.
the futon really pops against that red floor with the black cover, and the bold graphic pillows accented with that bright green rug. note the bright pillows in the background on the red coverlet.
I also made simple panels to cover the shelves in the kitchen with this cool fabric we found that ties in with the French chalkboard hanging above, making it all seem cohesive.
adding one of my folk art fish above the retro mustard colored stove that still rocks in this kitchen!
I love how those panels look from the living room, this is honestly my most favorite cabin now, I will be staying here next summer, that is for sure. :)
I made 8 folk art fish in all, adding a few of them to different places, a row of them ended up in another cabin on top of a beautiful window over looking the lake along with blue and green striped pillows. we were really happy with how this one turned out as well.
again, simple touches.....
in fact, if you would like to learn how to make one of my simple little folk art fish, you can sign up online here, I am offering a class this saturday, and one the following week as well, so fun! (and Easy!)
besides making fish, and pillows, I also made her a sign....
and we spray painted some chairs to go with the brown and turquoise theme of another cottage.
honestly, we got a TON done in a short amount of time, I only had a few photos of these two cottages, but we transformed more than 6 or 8 of them. seriously!
In fact, I did some of my own transforming at the shop before I left....painting the hallway a bright poppy colored red....folks, yes, I am on a ROLL.
In fact, I've been going through a lot of personal changes myself, so it's no wonder the shop is as well. So this week now that I am back home, and back to reality ...Life is ALL about Changes and Transitions.
I am not the best at making decisions, sometimes it takes years for me to 'get it'
for things to sink in, othertimes I can make snap decisions and be quite impulsive. But this one finally just seems right.
Ultimately my shop has always been about the Art. It's what got me started in the first place years ago, got me some attention, and beside my family, is truly my first love. all of the other stuff is secondary. But, being the people pleaser that I naturally am, I spent a great deal of time, energy, and money trying to sustain the retail portion of it to please my customers.
I have decided to no longer do that.
I can't tell you how many times I have had customers come into my shop ONCE a year and ask me why I don't have a particular hand lotion in stock.....or have people tell me they "love this shop at Christmastime!" or the people that come in once during Art fair each year for my sale items that are marked far below 75% off and try to get me to come down more on my price, telling me they are "really good customers" while in the same breath make comments about how my shop has really downsized and doesn't look as 'full'. There are also the customers who are unhappy that I don't have more handmade pillows in stock so they can come in a use their groupons to buy something at half price that took me hours and sometimes days to complete.
I wonder if they ever think about these things they say.
Well, after 7 years, and a flagging economy, a person can only take so much.
A shop cannot survive on customers that come in once a year. and only during Christmas or sale time.
While I don't want this to seem like a gripe session, because honestly, the good FAR OUTWEIGHS the bad, I felt the need to spill this......to give you a little view from my perspective. when you put your heart and soul into something, these things can eat away at you over time.
That is if you let them.
I have made many long lasting friendships, and built a customer base of people that are genuinely wonderful. customers that I love dearly and would bend over backwords for. It's for these people that I have kept my doors open as long as I have. I have a serious feeling of commitment to you people, I would never want to disappoint you. I'm told all the time how I 'can never close, because Ann Arbor would lose a Treasure'. So it's for these people, you people, that I continue to carry on.
BUT, I am changing it up a bit to take care of myself as well.
I am not your normal type of retail establishment. My family and my friends come first. and when I say that, I consider a lot of you that have been here with me from the beginning my friends. you mean a lot to me.
Just know I am one woman running this place, handling emails, cleaning, painting, waiting on customers, and creating. I have decided to focus soley on my Art work, and teaching classes. it's what people seem to want, and what makes me the happiest.
yes, this took me years to figure out.
You can buy a lotion or a book anywhere, but you can't buy an original painting, or a Pillow made out of a recycled sweater many places, so it's that what makes me unique that will be my primary focus.
So as I transition the shop to more handmade goods,
vintage goods,
and a dedicated class room where I will share my skills,
(in fact there are some classes online to sign up for here :)
I hope you will be a little patient with me, I am going as fast as I can.....
I have a head full of ideas....sewing, Painting and crafting into the wee hours to fill my shelves up with things that I enjoy producing, That I hope you will enjoy owning, because they have been made with true love, heart, and two hands. you really can't say that about something massed produced in China as far as I am concerned and in the end, that is what is truly important to me.
XOXOXO
The cabin transformations look wonderful! I would love to come spend a relaxing weekend beside the lake. And I'm sure your friend enjoyed not only the decorating help but the companionship as well.
While I am unable to physically make it into your shop, I have long admired the pictures that you post of the items that you sell. And in each one, I always notice the handmade items that you make. The other items were just small things that really set off your personally made ones. I think you are heading in the right direction and wish you lots of luck! I have wanted to learn how to make pillows for years and seeing some of the beautiful ones that you make are in inspiration.
XoXo,
Kristal
Posted by: Kristal | October 13, 2011 at 12:28 PM
I am wishing you all the best with your transition in life and business! You are a wonderful artist and person! Your friends and customers know that it is YOU who are the treasure and your artwork is a chance to keep a bit of that spirit in their homes and close to their hearts! Bravo for your smart decisions!
LOVE your blog!
Cathy G
Posted by: Cathy G | October 13, 2011 at 01:51 PM
We have never met. I have never been in your shop. I enjoy your blog and your work very much. I can relate 100%. I once had a shop that I gave 150% too. Worked night and day. I too am an artist and I was selling my work as well as buying goods to put in the shop. I still after 7 years of closing due to the same things you mentioned (people shoping only during a sale, only at Christmas etc.) have people come up to me and tell me they miss my shop. I am still an artist, I still make art and I still miss my shop even after 7 years. I am an artist but I also love having a shop. You are on the RIGHT track! I am itching to open up another shop again and I learned so much from having one before. Best of LUCK to you and all your changes....they sound wonderful!
Posted by: jenny elkins | October 13, 2011 at 03:15 PM
It's so true that change sometimes makes us realize what is important in our lives. I love your shop for all the handmade goodness. It's what makes it special. While I don't get to visit as often as I'd like to, I'm so happy to know you'll be there when I do. Which will be soon! Good for you for listening to your heart.
Posted by: Janet Caldwell | October 13, 2011 at 03:19 PM
One of the reasons I love to read your posts and pour over your photos is your ability to be real! You have an authentic spirit and even tho we have never met I can feel it in your writing! I have owned my Shoppe for about 9 years and we are always changing and evolving...some people like it, some people don't! But that is okay! :) Be true to yourself! I wish you the very best and will continue to read!
Posted by: Kathy Kupferschmid | October 13, 2011 at 03:30 PM
I so agree with you. I have a quilt/sewing shop in Ontario Canada and I have some people coming in who always want what you dont have. I think they do that as a way of not buying anything. I see that classes are truly the way to go. It seems we have a thirst for learning. Best of luck.
Posted by: peggy R | October 13, 2011 at 06:11 PM
Good for you. I love your shop but now that I no longer drive to Ann Arbor for my haircut, I don't get in often at all. I will for sure be coming to take a class though. I hope your personal transformation brings you happiness and growth.
Posted by: Danee Kaplan | October 13, 2011 at 07:33 PM
Hi Catherine :) I love your art and am excited that you will be able to focus on it more. I would come take a class with you if I were local. I think you are making a wise decision to do what you love there.
I have been praying for you and your family.
Love, Suzanne
Posted by: suzanne b. | October 13, 2011 at 08:47 PM
amen sister balance is key okay so are you planning to sell the block people at the end of your post I want them really really really bad...xxoo patrice please let me know
Posted by: patrice | October 13, 2011 at 09:33 PM
You are so dang cool. I have a good feeling about your new direction.
I can't WAIT to take another class from you!
Posted by: Stacey | October 13, 2011 at 09:34 PM
Every now and then we all need to reevaluate how, and where, we should spend our time and energy.
You are obviously a very dedicated, loving and hardworking lady, and you owe it to yourself to use your talents in a style that is the most beneficial emotionally, and financially, to you and your children.
Best wishes to you ...
and if you ever decide to diversify your services, you'd offer some fantastic decorating services for residential and commercial clients. Nice job at Wandawood!
Posted by: Paula | October 13, 2011 at 11:49 PM
good for you! I'm a long time reader of your blog...from Indiana. I've loved looking at the photos of your shop and my eyes have always gravitated to your handmade art. Your style is unique and original and i think it's awesome that you are following your passion and your heart. You go girl! :)
Posted by: Lori McDonough | October 14, 2011 at 08:32 AM
handmade is the best! especially when it comes from your talented hands:) and i truly love what you guys did with the cabins. one of these days we will get up there with ya!!! and i'll try not to steal one of those darling fish:) xoxox
Posted by: noodle and lou | October 14, 2011 at 08:31 PM
More handmade and classes-hooray!
Posted by: Last minute lynn | October 14, 2011 at 08:45 PM
The world needs more art!
Posted by: michelle | October 15, 2011 at 06:47 PM
catherine thursby fanclub!
Posted by: lisa | October 15, 2011 at 10:56 PM
I am a long time reader and within (a long) drive of your store. Someday I WILL make it there and will be there for the art and handmade goods. Not for lotion. Thanks for creating and inspiring me to create. THANK YOU.
Posted by: Marie Taylor | October 17, 2011 at 10:54 AM
I love your blog -not just at Christmas or sale times but all year round! You are so inspiring, and I wish I could sign up to come in to your glorious shop/workshop and do a day with you. Unfortunatly I am thousands of miles away in the UK - so am sending a vertual hug instead -x-
Posted by: Kate | October 19, 2011 at 06:08 AM
That is why I just love your shop!! I so love every hand made pillow from you. Hand made is the best. One of a kind and made so well and with much love!! Keep up the wonderful work!!!
Posted by: Elma | October 23, 2011 at 04:11 PM
Your post choked me up. I also had my own store and the economy really hit me...right after I moved to a larger spot. Yes...you ARE only one woman and friends & family are what we are with at the end of the day. Great work at the cabins!I hope you feel recharged!
Posted by: madjoy | October 30, 2011 at 01:56 AM
Wishing you the best of luck and much success and happiness with your new venture! The cabins look wonderful, it is amazing what you can do with a little paint and lots of handmade touches. I'm excited for you and the new focus for Red Shoes--hope you'll consider adding online classes in the future for those of us who aren't local. Or perhaps you'll end up doing some travel teaching... :-)
Posted by: Jen B | November 14, 2011 at 11:09 AM