Thursday, August 14, 2008

"About time!" I hear you say.

I was meant to keep you up to date with everything beady I found on my trip to Europe.... But what I did not anticipate was:

How few bead shops would exist in the places I visited!
How few Internet Cafes there are over most of Europe!

I spent most of my time in Milan, Italy, and in Ascona, Ticini, the Italian speaking part of Switzerland. My daughter is studying fashion in Milan, so I could lodge with her, and I stayed with a friend in Ascona ... only 1.5 hours by train from Milan.
I also made short trips to Rotterdam, Paris, and Stuttgart, and a whirlwind tour of central Zurich, because my train arrived too late, and I needed to get to the airport, where I finally languished for 3 hours, waiting for my 'delayed' flight back to Singapore.
( The original idea was to go via the airport by train, book my seat, offload my luggage, then take more time in Zurich.... but unfortunately my train did not stop at the airport).

I was driven by friends to 2 bead shops in Paris, but they were closed on Sundays..... C'est la vie! Both were fairly central, so I imagine they are busy.

On a trip in a typical Dutch area, visiting beautiful countryside and old towns south of Rotterdam, I finally found a bead shop open for business. Exciting!
It was great to find, and lovely to walk around.... but I saw nothing inspiring. I just wondered how they survive, in such a small town!

I found a tiny Bead Shop in central Milan ... too small for a serious income, but again a welcome sight! I was by then getting pretty desperate to see more bead shops!

What I did see, especially in Paris and Milan, were hundreds of shops selling good quality "ready made" beaded necklaces and bracelets. It means that beads are very much in fashion!

Also, it probably means that people in Europe are not prepared to make their own... or do not have the time, but do have the money.
Everything was very expensive, even with our high (at the time) dollar!

Talking about survival, just now... many small bead shops are closing their doors here in Australia. The economy is really taking its toll, even on micro businesses.

However, Cabeadle is staying open for business, as it has been for almost 15 years now!

Our new location is working well for us.
Although we have lost some small spontaneous sales, we have gained larger, more serious sales. The new position means people come to the shop intentionally.
We thus have more time for our regular customers.

I was very lucky to have Gerda to take over in the shop while I was away.

Must admit, the jet lag has taken it's toll, but not too badly, and I am almost ready for business as usual. I am still catching up on those inevitable bits and pieces which were waiting for my return.

I think Gerda is ready for a break!

Look out for the next Cabeadle Newsletter! There'll be some nice surprises!

You'll hear from me again, soon.

Rae @ Cabeadle

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