tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post1471702673840596228..comments2024-03-12T13:57:38.337-07:00Comments on Chronically Vintage: Time to make some proverbial lemonadeWitchcrafted Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-28788738254248248202016-08-16T20:45:24.127-07:002016-08-16T20:45:24.127-07:00Hi Ruby, thank you very much for your comment. Thi...Hi Ruby, thank you very much for your comment. Things cooled their heels throughout July, but the latest update (I'm receiving the official updates from Canada Post via email) points towards rocky times and the possibility of a strike again (potentially before the end of the month). As has been the case with this situation all summer, nothing is written in stone yet, so I'm not taking any measures on my end at this point. If, and only if, a strike with complete ceasing of normal postal services does happen, then I may put my shop into Vacation Mode again. Hoping, as I have been all season long, that a strike does happen though. Fingers crossed!<br /><br />Have a fantastic week,<br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-32591208418221230982016-08-16T16:57:16.787-07:002016-08-16T16:57:16.787-07:00I have not heard any updates, but hope it's po...I have not heard any updates, but hope it's positive news!Rubyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15311021498743390316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-59636396011597087122016-07-07T22:21:04.718-07:002016-07-07T22:21:04.718-07:00Thank you very much, sweet Kate. Frustratingly for...Thank you very much, sweet Kate. Frustratingly for many (myself included), the Union and Canada Post keep pushing the date of the strike (or lockout, as the case may be) further and further ahead. Initially (and this had seemed really set in stone), they'd said July 2nd, the the 5th, then the 8th, and most recently, there's talk of Monday the 11th now. Postal services have been disrupted for weeks now and I don't, for a second, regret putting my shop into vacation mode when I did for that reason, but if they're going to strike, then I hope they'll just go ahead and do it soon as this state of limbo is hurting so many businesses (and everyday mail users alike) right now.<br /><br />Your hugs are sincerely appreciated, my dear friend. Thank you. Tons upon tons coming right back at you!<br /><br />xoxo ♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-12569639547596189022016-07-07T05:49:50.813-07:002016-07-07T05:49:50.813-07:00How very frustrating. I hope the postal workers re...How very frustrating. I hope the postal workers resolve their issues quickly so that you can get back to normal trading with your shop. It sounds like a very good plan to keep photographing and listing so that you will be good to go when it is all over. Sending a big hug!,Kate-Emhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15664293299445754159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-44818888677248200542016-07-06T19:59:18.338-07:002016-07-06T19:59:18.338-07:00Thank you very much for your caring words and enco...Thank you very much for your caring words and encouragement to take things a touch easier while this postal strike/lockout situation continues to unfold. You'll be happy to know that I did just that for a few hours last night (in the cool of our basement) - and it was delightful. :)<br /><br />Many hugs & joyful start of July wishes,<br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-5801609403152173482016-07-05T22:00:25.020-07:002016-07-05T22:00:25.020-07:00Thinking of you. Sip some lemonade - slowly - read...Thinking of you. Sip some lemonade - slowly - read a book, pausing at every comma and savouring every word...Elizabeth g.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08701073937645312469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-64173252417717098672016-07-05T21:34:45.593-07:002016-07-05T21:34:45.593-07:00Thank you sweetly, dear Lauren. It is certainly a ...Thank you sweetly, dear Lauren. It is certainly a curve ball that came out of left field and one that I'm anything but pleased about. Trying to make the best of things and hoping that we'll finally have a more definitive answer as to what it going to happen by the 8th of this week (that's the revised date that the news is giving the public for such).<br /><br />Big hugs & happy Tuesday wishes,<br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-68102467916888774912016-07-05T21:33:24.960-07:002016-07-05T21:33:24.960-07:00Hi sweet Theresa, thank you very much for your lov...Hi sweet Theresa, thank you very much for your lovely, caring comment and hopeful wishes. It most certainly is, you're spot on there.<br /><br />We were supposed to know if they'd strike, be locked out or go back to work as usual by the 2nd, then the 5th, and now they're saying the 8th. This state of limbo is not fun (or good for business) at all and I know that it's weighing heavily on many other business owners as well at the moment. Fingers crossed, no matter the outcome, that we really will know by this Friday.<br /><br />On a more chipper note...it's so exciting that you'll be traveling north soon. I hope that you have a sunny, fun filled, fabulous time and that you find lots of great vintage treasures throughout your travels. <br /><br />Big hugs & joyful start of July wishes,<br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-50884012207173502482016-07-05T21:23:44.660-07:002016-07-05T21:23:44.660-07:00Thank you very much, sweet Nikki. I genuinely appr...Thank you very much, sweet Nikki. I genuinely appreciate your encouraging words and understanding, and will try to take your suggestions to heart. As I've blogged about here before over the years, I honestly struggle a lot with taking time off/relaxing by choice (save perhaps when I'm on an actual vacation) and find that I feel powerfully guilty and racked with anxiety if I'm not working pretty much around the clock, when my health and other circumstances will permit (I know this is not healthy per se and do try to actively work on getting better at allowing myself some guilt-free downtime). That said, this is my birthday week and I do plan to take things at least a tad bit easier. :)<br /><br />Many heartfelt thanks & the happiest of July wishes coming your way,<br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-41764486330939008532016-07-05T21:20:18.779-07:002016-07-05T21:20:18.779-07:00Thank you very much, dear Karen. I truly hope so a...Thank you very much, dear Karen. I truly hope so as well. I've only had my shop in vacation mode for five days now, but I've already felt the economic hit and and hate that we (the Canadian public) are still in limbo as to what is going to definitively happen (or not). As per the latest news stories, we should know by this coming Friday. <br /><br />Many thanks again & have a terrific start of July!<br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-68771927041723476202016-07-05T21:18:50.240-07:002016-07-05T21:18:50.240-07:00Hi sweet Sanne, thank you very for your kind, cari...Hi sweet Sanne, thank you very for your kind, caring words, which are certainly comforting to me (you always excel in providing comfort). I find things to get slower on the blogging front (a phenomenon that is sometimes referred to in the blogging world as the "summer slump") each summer without fail (ditto for around the Christmas season and most other major - especially US - holidays, which is completely understandable). <br /><br />It's really interesting that you've found summer to be a slower time of the year for your shop. Granted, I've only been in business on Etsy since May 2014, but I've found both summers that I have experienced to be way better for me than the spring and winter (save for last Christmas, which was surprisingly great). Fall, too, is a good time, on par with (or sometimes even a little better than) the summer. As such, I was really counting on this summer's sales to help make up for the slow season that we just got through and know that I'll feel the economic hit of being in vacation mode big time - even if it's just for, say, three or four weeks. Oh well though - that's life and I'll just make the best of this situation however I can. <br /><br />I hope you're right about when I'm able to reopen. That would certainly be wonderful! Honestly though, just being open again will rock and I cannot wait for that to happen. It's looking like, after yet another delay, we'll know one way or the other (strike, lockout, or back to business as usual) this coming Friday. A strike or lockout is most likely, but one never knows and no matter what, I'm remaining optimistic here. <br /><br />Really, thank you again for being such a dear and lovely friend, and for bolstering my spirits. You rock! <br /><br />Tons of hugs & happy wishes for this sunny July week,<br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-55640933876817714002016-07-05T21:11:52.370-07:002016-07-05T21:11:52.370-07:00Very well said, dear Brenda. I agree that it's...Very well said, dear Brenda. I agree that it's rather amazing how little coverage and, perhaps moreover, widespread voicing of opinions there is about this hugely important matter, which will hit so very many small and medium sized businesses big time. My shop has only been in vacation mode for five days now, but I can already feel the financial impact big time and shudder to think how much worse such will become (for myself and tons of others) as the days turn into weeks and, goodness forbid, perhaps even months. <br /><br />Thank you very much for sharing the points and news article quotes that you did here, and for your understanding. I'm sincerely sorry that you're feeling the impact of the strike firsthand yourself as well. <br /><br />Many hugs & high hopes that this situation gets resolved quickly,<br /><br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-19985744160069059412016-07-05T14:48:52.606-07:002016-07-05T14:48:52.606-07:00Oh man, I'm so sorry that's impacting your...Oh man, I'm so sorry that's impacting your business! Best of luck, lady!!!! XOLauren-Blair Donovanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02162094399216282573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-73320791692111322782016-07-05T10:48:09.693-07:002016-07-05T10:48:09.693-07:00Oh no, Jessica. Sorry, I just saw this post. Have ...Oh no, Jessica. Sorry, I just saw this post. Have been a bit swamped trying to get ready for my road trip up north. That is truly horrible that the whole postal system up there is going to come to a halt. I often sell to Canadian customers, so it won't be good for US online stores either. The implications of this strike are far reaching. Hopefully it won't last long and anyone who wanted one of your lovely items will order later. Just get ready for the packing frenzy you're going to have to deal with when this is over. Hang in there sweetie.When it comes to running a business it's always something isn't it? :) Theresahttp://www.vintagestylefiles.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-31389244388745029682016-07-05T10:13:59.230-07:002016-07-05T10:13:59.230-07:00Ugh - so sorry to hear things have been anything b...Ugh - so sorry to hear things have been anything but easy for you these past few weeks, and SO sorry to hear about the post strike in Canada. Perhaps having a bit of time to rest, relax, and simply enjoy the summer season will have you feeling a bit more inspired and excited when things do finally get back to normal. Get some listings ready and focus on other things, sure - but do take some time to enjoy yourself! You've earned it, lady! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17523761345199493340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-14053677897819293552016-07-05T09:25:16.577-07:002016-07-05T09:25:16.577-07:00So sorry to hear this. How unfortunate! Hope it al...So sorry to hear this. How unfortunate! Hope it all clears up soon and business booms! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11095071233529383032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-35941603236396002082016-07-05T08:31:31.344-07:002016-07-05T08:31:31.344-07:00Ahr, poor you. This is truly annoying. Things like...Ahr, poor you. This is truly annoying. Things like this that are completely out of your hands and that you cannot do anything about is just annoying, but "all is good", dear. I've had my Etsy shop for 4,5 years now (time flies) and can tell you that in general it is quite quiet during summer. My logical explanation is that most people spend time in their gardens instead of in front of their pcs, this rings true for me/myself too. I hope this comforts you a bit. And you can spend the time working on updates, so that your reopening will be a grand opening and so that all your customers will go mad. ;) You can also spend some days off and enjoy yourself, which I really think you should, my dear. :) Stop and smell the roses, pet your dog, cat or Tony. :) XOXOSANNEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12973437247117000140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-28970525849579131012016-07-05T07:10:16.517-07:002016-07-05T07:10:16.517-07:00So glad to find your post, Jessica. It seems like ...So glad to find your post, Jessica. It seems like very few people have been talking about this issue. It does not even seem to merit mention in the newspaper.<br /><br />According to today's Canada Post update, "Nearly all large e-commerce customers have moved their parcel business to other carriers, resulting in a volume decline of at least 75 per cent from those customers." That's even before a strike has started!<br /><br />"The number of parcels arriving at the largest plants has declined to the point where there often are not enough parcels to last an entire processing shift." <br /><br />Unless they come to an agreement before then, it sounds to me like Canada Post will have to lock employees out on Friday, the first day that they are able to do so. The loss of business volume is phenomenal. They can't continue to pay those employees if there is no mail to work with.<br /><br />My business has been hit before by a Canada Post strike before and I hate being held hostage like this as well as, of course, the loss of income. I wish they would just get the strike or lock out started so that it can be over! Prolonged waiting only prolongs the pain.Treasures By Brendahttp://treasuresbybrenda.blogspot.ca/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-41967808291730470262016-07-05T01:05:59.790-07:002016-07-05T01:05:59.790-07:00It's funny, you know, so often you hear that t...It's funny, you know, so often you hear that things like "no one gets snail mail any more", but I really don't think that's true - or at least overly accurate.<br /><br />Yes, unfortunately, fewer people still get many (if any) handwritten letters and cards may be down, too, but in terms of packages I get far more as an online shopper than I ever did before and still receive numerous magazines, catalogs, cards, letters, flyers, and the like most months as well (as does my husband). <br /><br />I think that the same rings true for many of us, perhaps (though this is just an educated guess) even more so for those under a certain age bracket - especially for folks who came of age with the internet or are just a little older than that generation (a camp into which I personally fall). <br /><br />So many folks, sellers and buyers alike, are going to be hit by this strike (and some are already feeling it, even though it hasn't officially started yet) and my heart goes out to each and every one of them. <br /><br />Hoping for the best indeed! Last I heard, we'll likely know by Friday now (as there was 72 extension), and I'll be hounding the news for updates all throughout the week until then. <br /><br />Thank you very much for your kind, caring comment, sweet gal.<br /><br />Big hugs!<br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-35271056312306761292016-07-05T00:58:52.813-07:002016-07-05T00:58:52.813-07:00Thank you very much, my caring friend. I really, r...Thank you very much, my caring friend. I really, really hope so as well. It's looking like we'll most likely have an answer (as to if they're going to strike or not) this week, but things are still majorly up in the air and, IMO, not a ton of specifics are making it out to the general public yet (this short article has a bit of info, but not a ton: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canada-post-lockout-notice-1.3664710).<br /><br />And in the meantime, mail service is hugely disrupted and I don't regret at all that I put my shop into vacation mode when I did, especially since they'd first said that we'd likely know one way or the other by the 2nd of July. Of course, if this strange sort of limbo were to drag on and on, I might reopen before a definitive strike decision was made, but for now, I'm taking the cautious route and remaining temporarily closed.<br /><br />Lots of hoping and finger crossing for a swift, positive outcome for all involved here (postal workers and Canada Post customers alike).<br /><br /><br />Many hugs & happy start of July wishes,<br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-29827651886140809512016-07-05T00:51:28.713-07:002016-07-05T00:51:28.713-07:00Thank you very much, sweet Beate. I second your ho...Thank you very much, sweet Beate. I second your hope and appreciate you raising the point of natural disasters, which are, objectively, far more devastating when they really hit hard than a man made event like a postal strike. It's good to stop and put things into perspective like that. <br /><br />Tons of hugs & joyful start of July wishes,<br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-13828091261896429662016-07-05T00:26:12.503-07:002016-07-05T00:26:12.503-07:00That's a very decent yard sale profit. Congrat...That's a very decent yard sale profit. Congratulations! The days of vintage items aplenty at yard/garage sales around here is long, long gone, too. Sure, thankfully, one will still luck out sometimes, but the last year that I'd say was even marginally decent on that front was 2012. It's been a near ghost town for vintage items at the ones I've been to ever since. Shame indeed that there isn't more vintage to be had at these kinds of sales on either of our ends.<br /><br />Here's to the hope that the strike doesn't materialize or if it does, that it is super short lived, and that neither of us hit too epicly by it. <br /><br />Many hugs & happy start of July wishes,<br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-11028585332224771722016-07-05T00:21:55.505-07:002016-07-05T00:21:55.505-07:00Thank you very much for your caring, understanding...Thank you very much for your caring, understanding words, dear Serena. They mean a lot to me - as does your vote of confidence. June was a bit of "full on storm" month for me/us, and I'm still rebuilding, so to speak, after the effects of such, but I'll be okay and am already doing and feeling considerably better than I was even just five days ago. <br /><br />Big hugs & many heartfelt thanks again,<br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-23438990571051499462016-07-05T00:19:03.867-07:002016-07-05T00:19:03.867-07:00Thank you so very much for thinking about me, Grac...Thank you so very much for thinking about me, Grace, I appreciate that a great deal - as I do your immensely lovely comment. <br /><br />Penning this post went a long way in helping to quell my worries and nerves alike and hopefully my b-day later this week will continue to do so all the more.<br /><br />Thank you again & have a stellar start of summer!<br /><br />xoxo ♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-53292497127463743632016-07-05T00:17:27.640-07:002016-07-05T00:17:27.640-07:00You're such a sweet, lovely person, Denise. Th...You're such a sweet, lovely person, Denise. Thank you deeply for all of your kind, encouraging, upbeat words and wishes. I share your hope and will just have to pretend I have an invisible cloaking shield around me this week that is impervious to any negativity (how cool would that be, if such were real!). :)<br /><br />If anything comes close, for me personally, it is my birthday (or Halloween, but that's still nearly four months away), so hopefully smooth sailing will fill my days this week. Fingers crossed! <br /><br />Tons of hugs & sincere thanks again,<br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.com