When the Dust Settles

Since April 30th, I have been transitioning to life outside my brick-n-mortar Red Books & Chairs. The final days were literally packed with activity including a final 80% reduction sale, organizing non-profit charity pick ups, coordinating trash pick up (funny how much stuff a junker accumulates with a 'project' in mind), endless vacuuming and an overall dusting of the permanent fixtures.

A final turn of the key, a turn about like a guard at Buckingham Palace, no glance back; no taunt to my fragile emotional state. Off I traveled to the next page which came quick.

Everything has happened so fast with not a moment to ponder so with that, not a minute to miss.

The past couple of weeks have been spent painting, organizing and last night...setting up internet with the help of my techno daughter and a friend (yes, both from the technology generation!). So, now I look forward to digging in to start my home studio and produce hand mades to my heart's content.

Still no sadness for the finale of my B&M. I haven't been back to see the empty building standing, waiting for someone with a dream to fill it with the spirit of God's gifts. I look forward to seeing who gets the dust stirring again in that old historic building!

25% Off!

Last Saturday, I worked at the store until midnight. I was pulling all my displays apart; putting like items in areas around the store. I put all shutters up front, lamps on the stair case, dishes on the front display, linens on the vintage bed, etc.

If you’ve been to my store you know that I like to display rather than warehouse items so while this rearranging is probably helpful to those looking for something specific, it’s awkward for me to look at. The store is no longer like walking through my favorite magazine.

So after I left last Saturday I was happy with my progress knowing that the next day I would be having a private sale for business owners only. I got to the store around 11:30 Sunday morning with anticipation. I had the best helpers (Ginger, Phyllis, Tiffany, Marla & my Elizabeth) on hand to help. The sale was from 1:00 – 5:00 pm and would you believe there were a couple of people waiting at the door when I opened? This was a very hopeful site!

By 2:30 the ‘crowd’ was gone and for the next two and a half hours I piddled around the store and read my newest Romantic Homes.

Wednesday I opened the door with a 25% off sale and was flooded! Many regular customers came in to get some goodies and give sweet hugs. So now, until March 30th you too can get 25% off everything in the store (except fixtures/displays marked).

My life pages are turning slowly from one to another and I have to admit, it turns with some sorrow. I am, however, keeping a little list of things I want to do after the new page begins the next chapter. Here are some examples:
Sleep in on Saturdays
Walk around the square and C-Street visiting all the stores (their open hours are the same as mine at RB&C so I haven’t been able to visit)
Write, write, write (including more blogging)
Sew, sew, sew (& put on Etsy)

Visit my mom in Arkansas

Babysit my grandbaby more
See more of my family
The list will continue to grow I’m sure.

I hope to see you soon!

Turn the Page

Opening day @ RB&C

What if you took each opportunity, walked through every open door, accepted every gift, entertained risks, relied on faith? Would you have disappointments, failures, losses or finales? Yes. But if you are true in your intent, don’t manipulate others and rely on God’s direction it will be worth it with blessings to boot.

Red Books & Chairs has been a life long dream since I was a little child. I would clip pictures from magazines and make drawings of what I hoped it would be like. The passion for a vintage cottage store has always been with me and in 2006 it became a reality – a dream come true.

The financial risk, the unending tick of the watch, the unexpected business details, the friendships built are all bi-products of plunging into a dream.

When a person has even one single day to live their dream it is a memory never forgotten. Now, two and a half years after Red Books & Chairs opened it is time to turn the page to another adventure. Although nearly every adventure is not without grim & glee, the experience and memories make each new page of life worth exploring.

Many of you have become dear friends and I will certainly miss seeing you each month on your visits to C-Street, but have no fear! I will be active on-line and at local shows. If you receive my monthly e-newsletter you will still be notified when I am out in the public showcasing my new creations. And of course you know you can find me each 1st Friday right here shopping my favorite stores on C-Street!

There will always be a bookmark in my life at the pages of Red Books & Chairs.

Keep checking my blog as I detail how the closing of RB&C progresses through April.

Hope to see you soon!
Jennifer