Elspeth Gardner News
June 2021 – Work wise, 2020 was a bit of a relevation.
It had a very fortuitous start; in January 2020 I delivered over 2000 (more than double the original amount requested) door plaques to ‘WeeBox’ – a subscription based gift box that specialises in Scottish gifts for Scottish diaspora throughout the world. WeeBox encourage interaction so I had included info about my business with a discount code on my website and new Etsy shop. I started to see orders coming in from all round the world in February and March 2020, (Brazil! New Zealand! Finland! America! Canada! Mexico!) while at the same time doing my usual preparation for bespoke designs and stock orders for the great Scottish shop season to open for Spring.
Then …. the news started to spread, everything went on hold, and finally, stopped. All orders for shops postponed. Cancelled. I ordered a jigsaw.
Then….sales started to gather pace from individuals on the website and Etsy. Don’t get me wrong – we’re talking a teapot or two a week, some mugs, maybe a couple of tiles….but it kept coming. Then, as lockdown went on and more people were online browsing, realising the money they had for a holiday could be spent on a new sofa, or small DIY jobs in the house, I ended up working on a lovely variety of small commissions for kitchens, splashbacks, fireplaces, showers….each one was, as always, a challenge and a push. This time though, I had the time to explore the possibilities more. I’ve painted huge panorama style tiles (these massive tiles have to be fired on their side! Was the glaze going to run? Let’s find out!)
The most recent was to make the most detailed delft style tiles I’ve ever done, for a fireplace in a beach house in California. Each one took hours of design prep, but I had the hours to put in to it – all I had to relay was how this would reflect on the cost but it got an enthusiastic go ahead. These are now among the tiles I’m most proud of, they really worked and look lovely!
In the meantime….Etsy/website keeps me going with sales of teacups, trivets, tiles, teapot, the occasional whole teaset or sets of pasta bowls…..and on my own personal down days I’d head to my reviews to give me a bit of much needed cheer!
I have had customers tell me of personal circumstances, (maybe the stress of lockdown helps people open up and reach out?), so not only has this been a privilege but it allowed me to respond in a more personal way. This has been so rewarding – to feel that real connections have been made.
I am delighted shops are re-opening, and I am always thrilled when my products are chosen for them, however I have loved this special work year where everything slowed down.
