Changing The Approach

There are a lot of changes going on in the Old Sew ‘n Sew’s world and some of them are harder than others. Physical incapacities related to my aging knees and anticipated double knee replacement (one in three weeks and the other in February) have necessitated a re-thinking of our Craft Show schedule. We’ve cut the outdoor shows because they require setting up the canopy tents and walking around, many times, on uneven ground. Anyone who has had knee difficulties knows what a problem that can be. We had to curtail the indoor shows for a period of time to allow the window for the knee surgery at the end of August and an appropriate time for recovery. Due to COVID, last years Craft Show itinerary went the way of the cancellation craze. On top of that, our booth at Taste Country in Galena, which was doing very well, was ended due to the inability of Taste Country to stay afloat under all the draconian COVID restrictions enacted by the Governor of Illinois. With all of that, the last 18 months has not been very productive, or fulfilling for my sewing endeavors.

Recently, and happily so, we were invited to display our products in the Riverfront Marketplace & Coffee Shop, 216 5th Ave. S, in Clinton IA. We opened there in the middle of July. The downtown Clinton area is in the process of revitalization and there is a lot of effort going into rebuilding the business activity there. We are pleased to have this opportunity and have stocked our space with sewing, embroidery and jewelry items.

Speaking of embroidery; I have had a frustrating experience with my “Great Deal” Singer embroidery machine that I purchased for a pittance from a local store that was selling all of their inventory in the process of moving. It never did work right. Part of the problem was that I didn’t know what I was doing and was trying things without reading the directions … only reading the directions after failing three times. Part of the problem was that I did not listen to the advice of Shirlee, who told me that Singers were junk. I believe that things are looking up though. The Singer has died an inglorious death and I’ve invested in a “real” embroidery machine; a Husqvarna Topaz 50. With some design software and some great help and encouragement from the folks at Westside Sewing in Cedar Rapids, IA I think I am starting to find my footing in the embroidery world. I’ll still be sewing but that will now be alongside the embroidery activity. Right now I’m making simple tea towels and coasters and a few more complicated projects, but I am encouraged.

All of this has precipitated a change here on the Jeske’s Law website. I’m no longer going to be keeping an inventory of sewn/embroidered items at home to supply online orders. I WILL be making things as orders are received however. The format, then has been, and is being changed to show the fabrics that are available and what can be made with them. Shoppers can then select their fabric and order the items they want. Those items will then be created as the orders are received. This is an experiment in marketing and I hope it works. But it was somewhat bewildering to figure out how to manage an inventory for the store, upcoming craft shows AND supply online orders at the same time.

It makes more sense too from the perspective of letting the world know what fabric choices I can offer. It was unrealistic to think that I could make a bowl cozy, some coasters, and a bag dispenser from my Betty Boop fabric just so I had them made “in case” someone ordered them.

On the embroidery side of things, I will be posting pictures of the things I’ve made. I haven’t got that all sussed out yet as to the format. I’m playing with some ideas and haven’t settled yet. But with the design software that I have I will be able to custom create things for the shopper. Perhaps YOU! Take a look and let me know what your ideas, thoughts are! Here’s the link.

Keep watching, and let me know if we can create something together!