I've been meaning to do an update all week but I'll be honest, it's taken me until today to find any form of real motivation to do just about anything. I can handle change really well normally. If I'm prepared. It's planned. I know what's happening. I used to do it as a job!! I don't, however, handle change so well when it's thrown at me with little to no notice and I'm not the one in control of it. So getting 24 hours notice that my main supplier was temporarily stopping shipping kinda threw me. I'd JUST got my head around continuing to take orders and how I could work it so I had no human contact in the process... Then that bombshell. Then another of my bigger suppliers stopped shipping, with ZERO notice. I kinda panicked and just said that was it, I'm not processing orders. I'm a bit of a Drama Llama at times! I liked my routine and someone has just stolen it!

Now that the dust has settled a bit. My brains had time to process it all a bit better. I've re-evaluated and although I can't offer my entire range (due to said suppliers not shipping) I can still offer a whole host of awesomeness which I CAN order from suppliers that are open and I CAN print and I CAN post out! So that's my aim. All the while Royal Mail are delivering then I shall do my best to continue printing gorgeous goodies for you all. It will be done sensibly though, minimum trips to the unit, minimum trips to the parcel box. I brought my computer home on Friday so I can work from here. I didn't however bring ALL my machines home. I figured 3 printers and the computer was enough. So it's time to get some sort of routine back!

So what can we order?

Technically, if you're happy to wait, you can order anything. My two biggest clothing suppliers have stopped shipping. This means that I can't get hold of the hoodies and sweatshirts I use as standard (and some of the other clothing). I don't want start looking at different brands as then I'd need to adjust all my listings etc for sizing, colours and pricing. Because most of my clothing is printed using Heat Transfer Vinyl, which would involve me bring a lot more equipment and supplies home, I've decided to put most of the clothing listings as "Available on Back Order". What does this mean?? It means you can still order it, BUT it WILL NOT be processed until I can get it shipped. I can "build an order" with my main supplier so I can reserve your items ready for when they are shipping. Obviously when suppliers are back to normal I will order supplies straight away and process any of the orders in the queue ASAP. So please take that in to account when ordering. If it says "available on back order" it WILL NOT fall within the standard 7-10 working day processing time at the moment. Anything that doesn't have this on (it shows on the listing when you select sizes/colours etc) will be on a slightly longer processing time of 7-14 working days just to allow for any delays in stock getting to me.

Quite a few of the Sublimation suppliers (think all the new stuff..keyrings, mousemats, wristbands etc) are still open though. So I have left the accessories etc on as available to order as normal. I even done a little stock take yesterday of what I have to hand. I've got my Sublimation Printer at home, next to me, so I can design and print at home and simply pop to the unit once a week to press orders. They will then be brought home to pack and post (because my normal printer is also at home with me). I had a few bits to do yesterday so my one trip to the unit for the week has been done. Next week I will plan a trip in around any orders that come in. I have got some bits "in stock" ready to print too as I buy them in bulk. This includes mugs, fabric wristbands and the microfibre cloths (glasses/screen cloths) amongst a few other bits.

Please bare with me the rest of this week as I do also still have my day job work to do! It's been busier than ever with the current climate.

New products to share

As always, I've also got new products to share with you all too! A couple of new items were done recently and I've got a stash of new products to test too. I need sit and think what I want to print on them... Ideas always welcome! Keep an eye on the Facebook page for some of the products I've completed recently! And which will appear on the website real soon.

Stay Safe. Stay at Home. Protect the NHS. Save Lives.

I really hope you are all keeping safe and well. It's such a strange time and we all have lots of adjustments to make temporarily. Please rest assured whilst I am still able to work I am taking even more care than usual with hand washing and cleaning, both at home and at the unit. As I've said, I'm mostly based at home at the moment, where it is nice and clean and nobody other than Ant and I have stepped foot inside for who knows how long. I feel we were prepared for the social distancing as we're such an unsociable pair! The unit trips will be minimal, hopefully I can keep it to once a week, and are safe as it is just me and potentially Ant there. I am in my own little area where nobody else is allowed. I clean it upon arrival each day normally as it is a huge fan of dust! So I shall continue to do that when I pop down now. All products are handled with clean hands. I will wash my hands before pressing and before packing to ensure they are as clean as possible. I have been taking my hand gel with me when I go to the Parcel Box too, so I give my hands a little clean before handling the handle and then again afterwards. Should I get symptoms at all, I will immediately stop processing any orders and inform you as soon as possible.

For now I shall leave you to hopefully enjoy your afternoon as best you can!

My inbox is always open for enquiries and if you have nobody you can turn to right now and need a chat then you know where I am!

Stay Awesome.

Charlotte xxx