Bless the brick and mortar stores!

18/2/2015

There is a glory in browsing crafty things, touching fabric samples, and also in the human contact you get from shopping in real bricks and mortar shops. I say this because over the past two days, Nottingham's excellent The Bead Shop have proven themselves helpful, cheerful and very willing to go the extra mile!

I like to get some craft things online*, either because I can't find a real world supplier, or I need something in bulk and it's cheaper, but going into a shop allows me to know exactly what I am buying, get instant answers about stock availability, plus discover alternatives, get advice on using items... And of course, I can browse and pick up things I never thought of, as they catch my eye. ;)

Because of working a dayjob, I must be a minor bane to the staff at The Bead Shop, often bombing in at 5.15 and getting to the till as they are trying to close up at 5.30 - but it's never a chore for them and the help is just as patient as any other time.

Today, well, they have become saintly in my eyes! Having discovered that the beads I purchased last night (as they were locking up!) wouldn't do what I needed, I phoned to ask for some advice, hoping to then take less time tonight after work. The gent fantastically went to the shop floor, tried and tested various beads, and called back to let me know exactly what would work for my project!

I may have also received this kind of help by calling an online retailer, but then would be waiting for delivery on top of the existing project delay. A solid local shop, with helpful staff, is well worth supporting, especially when they are so happy to smooth out craft hiccoughs.

*The Bead Shop do sell online, for those of you who can't get near Nottingham, and will be just as helpful for online orders :)