A new layout for my website. But why???
You may have noticed I have been MIA for a good few months now. Without a blog post to my name, which has been quite a shock for me to stop writing.
But there has been good reason ...
For everyone who knows me, you will know that technology baffles my brain. In fact one of the reasons I love crafting so much is because in the fast paced world of technology, I can find peace and calm in crafting. It is my place of mindfullness and meditation. However, whilst I know technology is not my forte, because I am running a business, I know that I need to keep myself as updated with it as I possibly can. It was for this reason I knew I needed to change and update my website. This has been a job I have procrastinated until I really couldn't reasonably put it off for any longer. There are always reasons to not do the thing you don't want to do, but I will be honest, a real sense of accomplishment when you finally do get to it.
I have talked before about this fast-paced world of technology which is very overwhelming to me. I have seen trends and best practices constantly evolve just as I get used to doing something. By updating my website, my goal is to stay as current with the latest design trends and technological advancements as I possibly can, which will ensure that the website remains relevant to all who visit it.
Shopping
If you have had a good look around the website already, you will notice that I have now added a shop. This wasn't available before, but I felt it was absolutely imperative for me to add this in to provide you with a seamless shopping experience. You can now browse through my products, if you want to you can make purchases, and track your orders all in one place. I want to make this as convenient as possible for you as I really want to make sure that all of my customers feel that I am the place to come to if you want a bespoke item for a gift. If you look at many of the items, it gives you the opportunity to change the size, colour or wording to help you to really build the individual gift of your choice. If you have an idea of something you want, but it isn't in the shop, please do contact me. I do try to find ways to create whatever a customer asks from me. I love variety and love a challenge!
But that's not all...
Within this same website, you will notice I have a section for my crochet workshops. I am delighted to be able to share this with you all alongside my gift shop. In hosting crochet workshops, I have the opportunity to bring together like-minded people who share a passion for the craft. I have already created a wonderful community of fellow crocheters. Within each of my workshops I feel that the group begins to foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie, where they can learn from each other and offer support and encouragement. In fact, one of the first groups I ever taught still meet up for socials frequently, and very kindly even invite me along. These are friendships that would never have happened without the crochet workshops. 
I do have a little confession to make to you all. Whilst I have been trying to build this website (with the very strong scaffolding provided to me by my wonderful husband and his equally wonderful cousin who are both very much more involved in the technology world than me), I have actually started to rather enjoy myself.
It reminded me of when I started to crochet. I WAS AWFUL at it. It took me an absolute age to try to work out how to chain, which for those of you who don't crochet, is the single most basic part of all things crochet. I genuinely mean that it took me weeks to learn how to chain.
I was sure that I would never be able to get it done. Then after a little bit of practice and just relaxing into it, I realised I had started to really enjoy the time I had with a hook in my hand. For someone who was unlikely to ever manage to crochet anything that resembled what I wanted it to, I actually started to make creations that people commented were really good, and asking me to make them things! Now - I don't expect that I will ever be able to become a web designer (far from it!) BUT - I have enjoyed stretching my brain a little bit and finding out about how to create something that runs alongside my brand and works for me!