Way back when this whole recession started, we lost Woolworths. This, to me, wasn't too much of a big deal. There were plenty of other places I could go for Pick and Mix, or toys, or music, or DVDs, or whatever else they were selling in there. But now, with the likes of Comet, Jessops, Blockbuster and HMV going the same way, I'm starting to realise the impact this is going to have on my life.
Shopping, for one thing, won't be the same.
My boyfriend and I ALWAYS make a point of going into HMV when we go shopping. Without it, we have to go in search for other places to buy our DVDs and CDs from. This is fine, but Tesco doesn't really have the range we're after. It seems to me like so many people have turned to Internet shopping that normal shopping has become obsolete.
I don't think it should be this way. I love the immediacy of normal shopping. You can buy a DVD and watch it the same day. Yes, you can do that on the Internet, but only if you download it. Otherwise you have to wait a few days for it to arrive in the post. That's great news for the Royal Mail, but it's not so great for you when you realise you have nothing to watch that night. And with clothes, the same thing applies. If you're in need of a dress for that night, you can just pop down to the shops and grab one.
Another reason for me not to shop online is that I have a huge aversion to paying by card. You see, I manage to keep my bank accounts in check by looking at how much I have every time I get money out to pay for something. If I pay by card, there's no checking my finances when I do it.
With these more niche retailers collapsing, I will have to turn to online shopping, and I really don't want to. Jessops is the other example of why I don't want to do it. I love photography. I love my fancy camera and I really want more lenses. When I have a problem, it's Jessops that I go to. Thankfully there are other places I can go to for buying fancy camera bits and getting prints done, but they aren't in the same place. And I certainly don't want to risk the life of my camera lens by getting it delivered to me from Amazon or eBay. I would much rather take it away with me and cradle it all the way home. A little overprotective maybe, but it keeps it safe.
So, to the main point of this blog. To all my readers (of which there are thousands (pffft)) PLEASE keep going shopping in the town, especially for niche items that are breakable or difficult to come by. The last thing I need to for Waterstone's to go down! Where else could I enjoy the feeling of browsing actual books, of flicking a few pages over and smelling that new book smell?
Certainly not on the Internet.
Lifestyle, Fashion and a Friendly Face
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Thursday, 17 January 2013
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Small Businesses and Hand Made Goods
In recent years there has been a boom in the craft industry, with more people than ever jumping on the bandwagon to sell their homemade goods such as jewellery, cushions, clothes, toys, you name it.
You can buy so many of their crafts online now that shopping for one off, hand made items has never been so easy.
The market is bursting at the seams with new products, as long as you know where to find them.
The Internet offers so many craftsmen and women to sell their wares, so we thought we would fish out some gift ideas for her, or for you.
The Spotty Dog ShopThis has the cutest jewellery and is perfect for when you want to find a loved one a beautiful gift. The ‘party’ charm bracelet to the left is adorable, and so colourful that it can be worn with anything. The prices are relatively cheap compared with big brands such as Topshop and Accessorize.
Munch Cushions.Authentic Harris Tweed cushions come in adorable designs. This cushion maker wants to make tweed a fashionable fabric again by using the material in bright hues like oranges, pinks, reds and yellows. There are a number of designs, including striped, checked and characters like ‘Oscar Owl the Outlaw’. For the children All the designs are hand made to order and range from £25 to £30.
Gilly’s Handmade Cards
www.gillyshandmadecards.co.uk
A selection of adorable and wonderful looking cards, they wouldn’t look out of place in your local Paperchase. The shop includes everything from wedding invitations to get well soon cards. Collections include; Rocks, Pebbles and Beans. These particular cards have amusing phrases and collages that make scenes to go with them. Such phrases include; “I’m Nuts About You’ and ‘Just Bean Married’. All the designs are hand made and inexpensive, with most being under £4.00.
CeeCeeBags
A collection of handbags made from vintage and retro fabrics. Prints range from the downright garish to simple pastel florals, but all are well made and look lovely. All the bags are one of a kind due to being made form the vintage fabrics, and are also hand made. Some have bows while others have buttons; each one is never the same. These are unique and stylish, and even though they are made from the old, they are very modern and perfect for the style conscious among us.
Prices vary, but are between £20 - £50.
The Soapy Cauldron.
These handmade wonders certainly put Lush into shame. They have a huge range of beautiful smelling bath items, including bath bombs, moisturisers, pumices, body scrubs, bath salts, baby products, the list goes on. We particularly like the gifts section, where you can find some great deals, as well as the pretty soap cakes. The prices are cheap and they include various oils and scents to make your bath time as relaxing as possible.
Helen Steel Designs.Helen Steel is a textile designer who makes cushions, tea towels, brooches, cushion covers, purses and lavender sachets in cute designs. We particularly like the lavender birds as they not only smell nice, but they look good too. Any of these products would be a perfect present for your mother, grandmother, or even your sister.
There are many online shops and societies that showcase hand made goods from small businesses. Supporting them will boost our economy and ensure that more people get interested in crafting their own goods. Small businesses are becoming more common now, but they need to stay afloat. They provide us with an alternative to the money-sucking high street chains like Primark and Debenhams and allow people to work from home, doing what they love.
To find more hand made goods, go to:
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