A while ago I hinted that we were hatching new plans and finally I can reveal a little of what we have been up to for the past few months. Basically, this:
The Shop of Happiness
Back in May this year, as I was on my way to Knit Night, I noticed a shop for sale in Lampeter. It made me start thinking… and what I thought was “I’d like to run a shop… something crafty”. I came home and mentioned it to Mr Snail, who said “Let’s go and look at it”. Unfortunately, when he called the estate agent he was told that an offer had already been accepted on this particular shop. However, I kept thinking about it. A bit of discussion and we decided that we’d go and look at some other commercial properties. We viewed several, but none was quite right. Every week I passed the original shop that had got me thinking and every week it still had a For Sale sign in the window. Then one Knit Night, someone looked it up on the internet and discovered that it was actually still on the market. The following morning I contacted the estate agent, was told that the original purchaser had pulled out, and arranged a viewing. The next day we put in an offer. Today, we got the keys and it is ours.
Over the months we have refined our ideas about what we are going to do and I’m delighted to announce that in 2022 The Snail of Happiness Shop will open it’s doors to sell mending supplies and pre-loved craft materials, tools and equipment. We’ll also be running courses on making and mending in our Have-a-bashery. Eventually we hope to have a purpose-built workshop out the back for running the courses, but in the meantime they will be held in the room above the shop.
Many, many people accumulate craft supplies that they never use, which is bad for the planet. In addition, many people inherit someone else’s stash and aren’t sure what to do with it. Charity shops often have no idea of the value (or even purpose) of craft materials and so donating them means that they won’t necessarily be valued and may even be disposed of. What we want to do is make sure that unwanted, good quality materials and tools find their way to people who will use them. In addition, we also want to encourage a culture of mending, so the shop will sell mending equipment: things like needles, darning wool, Sugru, glues… I’ve got a big list!
It’s going to take a few months to get things sorted, but hopefully we’ll be up and running by the Spring Equinox. So, if you are in the UK and having a destash, or have crafting supplies that you no longer want, or are dealing with an inherited stash, do get in touch. We will consider buying any craft supplies, although we won’t be able to give you the price you originally paid for them.
Shop Dogs
Watch this space for more news.
The Snail of Happiness 
iamsimplyhooked
/ December 17, 2021How incredibly exciting – I only wished I lived nearer and could attend classes! The very best of luck with your new enterprise ..
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Going Batty in Wales
/ December 17, 2021Absolutely thrilled for you. It has been a long haul and you must be so relieved the shop is finally yours.
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itwasjudith
/ December 17, 2021Congratulations!!!! What a surprise!
Perhaps a trip to Wales will be on sometime in 2022 🙂
Do you plan to only sell on premise or will the shop ship too?
If you happen to have a preloved wool carding machine (the small ones for crafters), I’ll be keen to get one. I’d like to make wool fluff from fleece to stuff cushions instead of the horrible synthetic material commonly used.
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Laurie Graves
/ December 17, 2021Marvelous! Best of luck.
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arlingwoman
/ December 17, 2021Wow, this is exciting! Wish I lived nearby! And I love that herringbone floor.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 18, 2021It’s lovely isn’t it? They are beautiful ceramic tiles.
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Kate Mcdonald
/ December 17, 2021Well done, I wish you every success. If we ever get to travel again you will be on my visiting list.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 18, 2021We’d love to see you!
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familyrulesbyplainjane
/ December 17, 2021Oh, I wish I lived close enough to come by and check it out!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 18, 2021we intend to have an online shop too, so travelling may not be necessary
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familyrulesbyplainjane
/ December 18, 2021😄
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anne54
/ December 18, 2021Such an exciting new adventure! The idea of this shop is such a Snail idea, and it deserves to be a big success. And shop dogs too! Like the others, I am sorry I won’t be able to visit.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 18, 2021hopefully our online shop, once open, will also be interesting to visit.
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Amanda
/ December 18, 2021This is such a lovely idea for craft supplies! Too often they get relegated to huge tubs in the regular charity shop, and ignored, if they make it to the tub at all!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 18, 2021I’m so keen to get people to value these things and make sure that they find new homes with new owners who understand their value too
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katechiconi
/ December 18, 2021What a brilliant scheme! I really wish you were a bit closer, because I’d parcel up all those “I’ll use it one day” items and send them to you. That half-full book of copper leaf. My pyrography tool. Yards of Aida embroidery fabric. Some of my extensive collection of tiny screwdrivers. Well, no need to air my shame any further… You get the idea. You are wonderfully courageous and inspirational, and I am gently envious.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 18, 2021It’s taken a lot of careful thinking, but we are very excited… I hope you won’t mind us using “ScrapHappy” to describe some of our activities.
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katechiconi
/ December 18, 2021Not at all, I’d be delighted!
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nanacathy2
/ December 18, 2021This is such a wonderful idea and I wish you every success. I had a total nightmare with Mr E’s things and was so pleased when I could donate them to a suitable scheme. Not sure you’d have been up for 3D printers. You never know I might well fetch up there one day, friends and relatives in Wales!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 18, 2021We’d love to see you!
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NIA RUSSELL
/ December 18, 2021This is truly wonderful news. I wish you the very best of luck and will trawl through my modest (erm, maybe not) stash of stuff for items that could do with a new home. x
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 18, 2021Thank you, Nia… we hope to see you in the shop one day.
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tinaor
/ December 18, 2021What a fabulous idea for a shop! I look forward to reading more in future, hearing all about how you get along. Congratulations!
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Murtagh's Meadow
/ December 18, 2021Very best wishes with your new venture..sounds like wonderful idea.
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Claire
/ December 18, 2021So happy for you! What an amazing new adventure!
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tialys
/ December 19, 2021Congratulations. A brilliant idea for a shop – I think there are lots of people who could make use of the various services you are going to offer.
Like others, I have excess or ‘unloved’ craft supplies items I’m not sure what to do with and it would be great to see them go somewhere they are valued.
All the very best with your exciting new project, I’m looking forward to see how it all progresses.
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Wild Daffodil
/ December 20, 2021What fabulous news! Well done! What a venture. I too have a few tools to pass on when you are ready to receive. And I will go through my embarassingly large stash of yarn. I might have to make a special trip to see you! Good luck, wishing you a smooth run to the Equinox.
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Wild Daffodil
/ December 20, 2021Is it ok for me to Reblog this post?
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Nice Piece of Work
/ December 20, 2021This is fantastic news, mazel tov! And what a beautiful stone building, too. I’m sure you’ve scored all round. Look forward to its progress and success 🙂
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DawnGillDesigns
/ December 21, 2021Genius. And what a wonderful resource that will be. Very, very best of luck. 💜
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cedar51
/ December 23, 2021well that’s amazing news and the building looks magic ….
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shapeofthingstoni
/ January 4, 2022Congratulations to you both! It’s a wonderful idea and I truly hope it takes off.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 7, 2022I’m getting lots of positive feedback and social media is really helping to spread the word.
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quietwatercraft
/ January 4, 2022That’s amazing! Congratulations! What a wonderful idea.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 7, 2022Thank you… I’m really hoping we can make a success of it.
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itwasjudith
/ January 19, 2022Hello,
I have a collection of various crafting supplies. I was wondering whether you might still be looking for some for your stock.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 24, 2022We certainly are!
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itwasjudith
/ January 25, 2022Great 🙂 should we get in touch by email? thanks
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 27, 2022I’ll reply to your email very soon – I promise!
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Over Soil
/ February 2, 2022Oh my word, yes, you have put the post out about where it is and here, not so far away.
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