tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post7234368346711728043..comments2023-10-28T16:39:00.771+01:00Comments on PhotoFairytales Blog: from the award winning site specialising in unique British handmade gifts: The changing face of retail in a time of Covid...Sarah @ PhotoFairytaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240346436283813044noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-12535059358152164862021-12-21T11:25:25.361+00:002021-12-21T11:25:25.361+00:00Great blog Sarah. A lot of food for thought. Since...Great blog Sarah. A lot of food for thought. Since opening my online shops I have bought more handmade items from small independents year on year. Partly because I love giving and owning items which are individual and lovingly made, partly because I value the great personal customer service you receive. It gives me great pleasure when I receive an order, take time and care wrapping and writing a personal note and sending it off to someone I hope appreciates and values the time and love that has gone into creating it. It makes it all worthwhile and spreads the love! I will carry on supporting small business and hope I can continue being a part of that community - difficult as it is at times!<br />My Folksy shop is http://Folksy.com/shops/bimblebird<br /><br />Best wishes,<br />Becca (Bimble Bird)šBimble Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06105750104959413160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-58054051454965267362021-04-19T10:31:46.391+01:002021-04-19T10:31:46.391+01:00Gorgeous shop - love your little wrens!Gorgeous shop - love your little wrens!Sarah @ PhotoFairytaleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09240346436283813044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-90903389487318982482021-04-19T09:48:41.613+01:002021-04-19T09:48:41.613+01:00I read this with interest, as a maker with a Folks...I read this with interest, as a maker with a Folksy shop and also a consumer in larger stores (its difficult to abandon it altogether) I imagine like most of us I see both sides. My hope is that people have enjoyed the experience we have worked so hard to deliver and remain loyal. <br />Realistically I think it will always be certain people who love and understand buying handmade and individual items but hey - I never set out to be Primart.<br /><br />My folksy shop - definitely smaller than Primart - <br /><br />http://folksy.com/shops/Sethceramics Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00493211501184984831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-40285019557404129152021-04-15T09:49:15.066+01:002021-04-15T09:49:15.066+01:00Couldn't agree more Claudie!Couldn't agree more Claudie!Sarah @ PhotoFairytaleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09240346436283813044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-68067209875773482942021-04-15T09:44:40.710+01:002021-04-15T09:44:40.710+01:00https://folksy.com/shops/Dotto
What an interestin...https://folksy.com/shops/Dotto<br /><br />What an interesting article and very well expressed. The salesperson sneaking a look at your plastic card in order to greet you by name is a bit dodgy, in my opinion - these days we should all (hopefully) have learned how to keep our personal details safe and secure, so it must be very unnerving when you get greeted in such a direct way by a stranger. An exception - the postman and, more recently the lovely Hermes delivery man generally greet me by name as I open the door and it always makes me smile.<br /><br />When people buy from an online craft outlet, I think it is important for the seller to go the extra mile. We canāt engage face to face with the customer, but we can make them smile in other ways. For example ā¦ beautiful packaging ā¦ a handwritten āthank youā note ā¦ and even a surprise free gift - anything to make them feel special and to show that their attention to you has been appreciated and reciprocated. This is the nature of online craft selling. This is the difference. For me, personally, I take it as an enormous compliment when somebody buys from me and I want to show my delight! I hope this is enough for people to continue to value online craft shopping ā¦ I think it will be. I think online craft shops will continue to be very popular, as people search for original items and āsomething differentā.claudiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14902089801139634875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-4450431477660610332021-04-12T13:34:42.057+01:002021-04-12T13:34:42.057+01:00Yes, I remember Chelsea Girl too - and Snob was an...Yes, I remember Chelsea Girl too - and Snob was another... and Richard Shops: I remember their advert telling us to 'make the world a prettier place' by dressing in their clothes! (Not sure they'd get away with that now!!) I've been trying to remember the trendy teen range from C&A - was it called something like Clockwork? Clockhouse? Something like that!Sarah @ PhotoFairytaleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09240346436283813044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-33217918787826708812021-04-12T11:53:46.931+01:002021-04-12T11:53:46.931+01:00Thanks Sarah, got here in the end!
Really enjoyed ...Thanks Sarah, got here in the end!<br />Really enjoyed your blog, so true, will definately be following you (online only of course)ha ha!<br />As a teenager in the 1960's (I was a mod), C&A was great, not expensive and great fashionable clothes. There was also Chelsea Girl where I shopped most Saturday's for going out that evening.<br />Sad so many shops have now gone, BHS was another.<br />SandraVillage Craft Englandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02031736590827944834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-62892961790179616902021-04-12T09:33:34.107+01:002021-04-12T09:33:34.107+01:00Thank you Sarah, much appreciated xThank you Sarah, much appreciated xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16684872750037192975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-6971293461034090262021-04-12T09:27:23.096+01:002021-04-12T09:27:23.096+01:00No, I don't feel ready for the high street yet...No, I don't feel ready for the high street yet - and I really hope that those dedicated high-street shoppers who've always shopped in bricks & mortar shops have now discovered the joys of shopping online in comfort, finding more choice and uniqueness and stick with it!Sarah @ PhotoFairytaleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09240346436283813044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-12994632862135488052021-04-12T09:24:05.684+01:002021-04-12T09:24:05.684+01:00Thanks Heather! xThanks Heather! xSarah @ PhotoFairytaleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09240346436283813044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-4722699988269245492021-04-12T09:23:36.628+01:002021-04-12T09:23:36.628+01:00Absolutely love your shop Marjan - makes me smile ...Absolutely love your shop Marjan - makes me smile when I look at it!Sarah @ PhotoFairytaleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09240346436283813044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-49353029812556994922021-04-12T09:21:23.850+01:002021-04-12T09:21:23.850+01:00Couldn't agree more Annie! I've just been ...Couldn't agree more Annie! I've just been taking a look at your lovely Folksy shop - https://folksy.com/shops/PoppyDarling - your work is beautiful :)Sarah @ PhotoFairytaleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09240346436283813044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-35624585402487146742021-04-12T09:19:31.910+01:002021-04-12T09:19:31.910+01:00Very true!! Very true!! Sarah @ PhotoFairytaleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09240346436283813044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-7277262434696060542021-04-12T09:19:05.983+01:002021-04-12T09:19:05.983+01:00Yes, it's definitely weird for a shop assistan...Yes, it's definitely weird for a shop assistant to call you by your name when they don't know you - so glad I'm not alone in my thinking!! :)Sarah @ PhotoFairytaleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09240346436283813044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-39423490827327702542021-04-12T09:17:41.103+01:002021-04-12T09:17:41.103+01:00Ooh, love your shop Bex! (And Monty the cockapoo -...Ooh, love your shop Bex! (And Monty the cockapoo - adorable! We have a cumberpoo who looks very like a black version of Monty!) ...and yes, definitely miss restaurants and just being able to go out. One day soon xSarah @ PhotoFairytaleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09240346436283813044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-18020827234890263412021-04-12T09:14:39.503+01:002021-04-12T09:14:39.503+01:00C&A, yes! My dad still has a C&A shirt tha...C&A, yes! My dad still has a C&A shirt that I bought him for Christmas about 30 years ago... they certainly made stuff to last in those days!!Sarah @ PhotoFairytaleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09240346436283813044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-55204376210894531242021-04-11T15:42:07.066+01:002021-04-11T15:42:07.066+01:00So very true- customers are making mindful decisio...So very true- customers are making mindful decisions about who to buy from and as a micro handmade business, I'm always thrilled when a like minded buyer connects with me and invests in my makes.<br /><br />Annie xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16684872750037192975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-46331998955200232302021-04-11T13:03:59.058+01:002021-04-11T13:03:59.058+01:00Very well said Sarah, we can't take anything f...Very well said Sarah, we can't take anything for granted these days. There have been so many changes to all our lives in the past year, it can sometimes be hard to remember what 'normal' is! CarmicCreationshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08614536842314728263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-27996064338284052832021-04-11T10:44:50.665+01:002021-04-11T10:44:50.665+01:00A great blog post Sarah and a very thoughtful insi...A great blog post Sarah and a very thoughtful insight into retail. Like you I hate shop assistants calling me by the name they've just seen on my credit card - a smile and a 'thank you' is all I need! I've never been much of a shopper and am a 'buy what I need' and not 'buy what I want' type. As far as possible I try to buy from small independent shops or small online retailers.<br /><br />I have started selling some of my cards on Folksy (crafting is my hobby and I make far too many cards to send myself) and I love to hear that customers are happy with their purchases. My shop address is: http://handmadebykath.blogspot.com/<br /><br />Kath xKathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10286926586389586552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-75401282779359808172021-04-11T08:44:05.298+01:002021-04-11T08:44:05.298+01:00Thank you for your informative article.
I am an a...Thank you for your informative article. <br />I am an artist and paint original art and also illustrates children's books.<br />Here is the link to my folksy shop:<br />https://folksy.com/shops/MarjansartMarjanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05743007677495076824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-2744355150203323852021-04-11T08:24:23.827+01:002021-04-11T08:24:23.827+01:00Excellent Blog Sarah! I agree, if a shop assistant...Excellent Blog Sarah! I agree, if a shop assistant thanked me using my name, Iād immediately panic that itās someone I semi know and not recognised them or something! Excellent customer service and a personal touch is so important and something I strive to do in my own little business. If youād like to take a sneaky peeky, my shop is https://folksy.com/shops/BlueDesignShed <br /><br />Have a great weekend and good luck if you brave the high street this week. Iām leaving it a while yet as I donāt need anything (but really miss eating out, cinema and theatre.) Bex Burstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10047460370011928894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-24054032337820309082021-04-11T08:24:17.428+01:002021-04-11T08:24:17.428+01:00Excellent Blog Sarah! I agree, if a shop assistant...Excellent Blog Sarah! I agree, if a shop assistant thanked me using my name, Iād immediately panic that itās someone I semi know and not recognised them or something! Excellent customer service and a personal touch is so important and something I strive to do in my own little business. If youād like to take a sneaky peeky, my shop is https://folksy.com/shops/BlueDesignShed <br /><br />Have a great weekend and good luck if you brave the high street this week. Iām leaving it a while yet as I donāt need anything (but really miss eating out, cinema and theatre.) Bex Burstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10047460370011928894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-40242654839270018252021-04-11T08:24:12.078+01:002021-04-11T08:24:12.078+01:00Excellent Blog Sarah! I agree, if a shop assistant...Excellent Blog Sarah! I agree, if a shop assistant thanked me using my name, Iād immediately panic that itās someone I semi know and not recognised them or something! Excellent customer service and a personal touch is so important and something I strive to do in my own little business. If youād like to take a sneaky peeky, my shop is https://folksy.com/shops/BlueDesignShed <br /><br />Have a great weekend and good luck if you brave the high street this week. Iām leaving it a while yet as I donāt need anything (but really miss eating out, cinema and theatre.) Bex Burstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10047460370011928894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-8287802769548164762021-04-10T19:56:20.509+01:002021-04-10T19:56:20.509+01:00Hi Hi Whimsical Bellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10664365884721247818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996169506779150810.post-57976662010163680702021-04-10T18:16:54.424+01:002021-04-10T18:16:54.424+01:00Hi Sarah, such a lovely post! I miss Woolies too a...Hi Sarah, such a lovely post! I miss Woolies too and C&A, though Iām not sure many people remember them these days. Change is inevitable but youāre right when you say itās about how adaptable we are. <br /><br />Good luck. <br /><br />Cheers Lou (https://folksy.com/shops/WhimsicalBells)Whimsical Bellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10664365884721247818noreply@blogger.com