Big updates.
ByHeya folks, here’s a big update on where we’re at.
Just before Frolic we were 3 weeks out on our very latest order. We had one week to prepare for Frolic itself and there was a tragic, young, death in the family of our assistant dyers, leading to them leaving us before we had planned for it. Without my assistants, one 40 skein dye run takes 12 hours of girl power. I put it in and we got to frolic and wingspan landed and we sold far, far more than we expected to. Aviary and the wooly mammoths had already done well, and wingspan put us over the edge. At the moment it’s looking like 8-10 weeks to get fully caught up.
I have done everything I can to adjust to this unexpected turn of events; I obtained a new studio space, hired a new dye assistant, hired a customer service manager to make sure everyone was being heard, hired a developer to automate part of our process, and ordered enough new equipment to double our daily yield. During this process I am still dyeing every single day. I scaled back the store to inventory only, I cancelled our booths at Festival Twist, the Kawartha Festival, Barrie’s Fiber Spirit festival, and possibly even Kitchener Waterloo.
That means we have committed to a massive space and a five year lease with no current revenue, and no guarantee that the sales will come when we reopen. That’s terrifying, but it’s the risk we took to expedite our timelines. Every day that we do not promote, produce and sell we are losing market share. I remind myself that no small company becomes a big company without going through what we’re going through, but the fact remains that it’s scary stuff.
We have been open from the moment we went viral; if you feel that the wait is too long you are 100% entitled to a full refund on the yarn. If you are alright with waiting then you have our undying gratitude and know that we are working as hard as we can.
Yes, Italy was poorly timed for us. Those tickets had been booked for a year and a half, since the day a dear friend got engaged. There were those who made it pretty clear that we had no business going, but we were not about to drop out on her wedding and, I promise you, we were wracked with guilt every day. To the point where I was very sick. If you’ve never tried to clean partially digested carpaccio out of a bidet I don’t recommend it.
As of the time of this writing we’ve been home 5 days. We’ve cleaned the space, laid down sub floor, primed and painted and gotten about a third of the way through the main floor. We’ve purchased and assembled furniture and begun to plan a space that will not only serve a functional purpose, but give our customers a place to come see us in person, pick up orders, enjoy knit nights with us, browse samples and swatches, and become part of our community.
The internet is a hard country. Lots of folks have encouraged me to look after myself, to take things at a reasonable pace. I love every single one of you. Lots of other dyers have sent messages of love and support for which I am immeasurably grateful. It won’t surprise you to hear that there are also angry people; who I encourage to reach out to us for full refunds. There are also cruel people who resort to accusations and name calling. They are more than welcome to get their orders cancelled and refunded.
We do not invest much in advertising. Public opinion and the feedback we get online is everything to us. When that tide turns against us because of events out of our control we do our best to communicate, to resolve, and to expedite. We are only a four person business, not a big machine, and we are doing our absolute best.
If you have a concern, please, please reach out to us by email so we can find a way to make it right rather than bring us down publicly within the online community. As we see time and time again, the opinions of the online world can make or break businesses, lives and people. I will be perfectly frank and vulnerable here and tell you that all the commitments I’ve made recently have scared the daylights out of me, and I need to believe that our community will back us when we are ready to return.
Thank you for reading this far. Thank you for sticking with us this far.
I promise the future holds fun things if we can just get though this.
Love
S.
I wish I was close so I could come help. ❤️
On Wed, Jun 5, 2019 at 8:29 PM The Blue Brick | Inspired Yarns wrote:
> The Blue Brick posted: “Heya folks, here’s a big update on where we’re > at. Just before Frolic we were 3 weeks out on our very latest order. We > had one week to prepare for Frolic itself and there was a tragic, young, > death in the family of our assistant dyers, leading to th” >
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Hang in there. Your yarn is worth waiting for, and you will make it through this, with a better, stronger business. I’ve been a fan since your very first sale. You’ve got this! 😘🤗
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You are doing a fantastic job. I look forward to getting my yarn when it’s ready and have plans to purchase other colorways when you reopen. You are going to make it, you have the talent and the drive. Not to mention an army of loyal customers!
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Whew, that was a lot, and your honesty is appreciated as always. Don’t worry about cancelling events. There is no market share if there is no production, no Shireen. There is always the possibility of marketing yourselves in the retail world once you’ve caught up. I’m sure everyone would love to see your beautiful work in their LYS.
In the meantime, you do you. It’s not always going to be like this. You have your supporters, ignore the haters. <3
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I wish you good luck and Godspeed! Your yarns are beautiful and your service has always been excellent. I will happily wait for you to get to your new normal. Thanks for letting us know!
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Your yarn is beautiful and you are wonderful. The new space looks fantastic.
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You have such a tremendous amount on your plate! Please take care of you! Your creativity is inspirational, and your commitment to your customers is so commendable. I can only speak for myself, but I am not going anywhere and am waiting patiently to order when things are sorted for you.
Keep on keeping on! Day by day!
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Oh my. Take a breath. Those that are unhappy need to “get a life”. On the consumer end, it’s only yarn not a life. On your end, surely different. Sending good thoughts and blessings and time to get it together. Your yarn is beautiful and well worth the wait Susan Venable Knitchk.com
Sent from my iPhone
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I have not yet purchased from you but am watching and waiting
You do amazing work and I look forward to adding your yarns to my collection.
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Shireen, I applaud you for your grace under pressure.
You will get through this, and be even stronger and wiser.
I’m sorry there are a few haters and entitled folks out there. Just please know that the rest of us – the vast majority – know you are making a fantastic product and are singing about it!
Word of mouth is everything and I personally will make sure I tell everyone how wonderful you – and your yarn – are ❤️
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You can listen to those sods who wish to tear you down – or be uplifted by people who aporeciate you. Take care of yourself. Remember life’s a series of ups and downs.
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Sweet lady.
I just shared this to my FB page along with my positive testimonial to how you’re handling this difficult transition.
Hope the positive press helps. 💖
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Sweet Lady,
I just shared this to my FB page along with my positive testimonial towards the way you have been handling this difficult transition.
I hope the positive press helps.
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❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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I echo every other commenter here. I wish I was closer so I could help, take care of yourself and ignore the haters. People need to have more empathy these days and it’s sad that there are those who are so entitled.
I appreciate your transparency with this entire process. I am happily waiting for my yarns and have my next order planned once you’re caught up. Hang in there girl… You got this!
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I’m flabbergasted that people would be hateful and angry about yarn – it’s just yarn (albiet lovely yarn). Best wishes in your new commitments – everything will be good.
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Hi! Your new place is on my bucket list. Going on a yarn crawl in August with 3 other crazy knitters 😜 and we look forward on visiting your new shop. Hope it is open in August!. Take care!
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Same here.
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I have been buying your yarns for about three years, now. I have bought them from brick and mortar stores, yarn festivals, and from your online store. I have *never* been disappointed. Your product is phenomenal, your customer support has been fantastic, and you are a truly unique and incredibly talented artist.
You will get through this. I personally rave about your product whenever I have the chance, and it is absolute truth when I say that you have a lifetime customer with me.
I am looking forward to the new and amazing places your company will go.
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I’m sorry that you are going through a hard time. i am a person who is waiting for an order and I Do Not Care. Honestly, it’s yarn. Anyone who is giving you a hard time about having to wait for yarn, maybe needs to think about re-adjusting their priorities.
You have made great efforts to be transparent about the time frames, and I thank you for that.
You have a beautiful product, I have faith that a few naysayers won’t impact your future sales.
I hope you had an amazing trip and congrats on the new space!
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I echo this sentiment!!
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I’m not even waiting for an order and I echo this sentiment. I’m waiting for you to get caught up and settled in your new space, then will order. This, too, shall pass!
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Thank you this heart breaking and caring message. Take you time, take care of yourself and send the tarn forth when it it ready based on your high standards. I am knitting a shawl with your yarn and am reminded how much Tunis worth waiting for. People who are mean and petty have no appreciation for the work and the result.
Again, thank you so much for the email. Consider me patiently waiting. Most knitters have large stashes. There is always something to knit and again your yarn is well worth waiting for!
All the best, be patient with yourself and do take gentle care.
Martha Tetrault
Sent from my iPhone
>
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I love your yarns and just want to send my support and love, no hate. yhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh5 – that’s from my cat walking on the keyboard and sending his support as well!!
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Oh I feel so sad that you couldn’t fully enjoy your trip.
I am here to cheerlead for you! You Go Girl!
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While exposing your vulnerabilities is owed to no one, the fact that you are willing to be so transparent will go a long way to building the kind community that lasts.
As for the haters, refunds and moving on with your supporters is a perfect response.
It would be nieve of me to say “…and leave it at that.” Of course you’ll hurt and care about the anger but I hope the love and support will help you and The Blue Brick move past it more quickly and a little less painfully.
I hope to visit your space some day when it’s ready!
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Wow this just makes me want to knit 100 wingspans (ok maybe just 2). Thank you for sharing and know that even as I patiently wait
for my first wooly mammoth, I am already dreaming of what I will make next when you start your Italy collection. Life is too short to focus on the angry—bless them and move on and focus on those who love you and what you do!
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I don’t know you personally, and I only found out about your yarns with the release of WingSpan. Your yarns look amazing and I had to order right away. From what I have seen on your fb page and website leads me to believe that you are passionate about your business. Your attention to detail is amazing. I feel that you put your heart into everything you do. I wish you much success with your new building and your business. I have no problem waiting for my order. I already know it will be amazing and it will be the first of many more. You do you and enjoy this exciting journey that you are embarking on. (((Big Hugs)))
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All the best in your new adventure. Keep smiling.
Sharon Sent from my iPad
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I’ll be there when you’re caught up ;) Hugs from afar!
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You are worth the wait. I appreciate your caring and honesty. Be kind to yourselves.
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Your honesty and hard work will be rewarded! Absolutely ignore all the trolls and angry people and know that your beautiful works of art-( otherwise known as yarn!) will be flying off the shelves when they land at future festivals and LYS and online- your obviously a fierce and capable woman so never believe otherwise! I wish you all the best and look forward to seeing what beauty you will bring to us lucky knitters in the future
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Please take care of yourself before all else!!!
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Please take care of yourself and those around you. Life throws curve balls and we do our best at the time to handle them and hope to not get hit in the face.
I will wait for my order, because I know the time spent making it is valuable in more ways than one. Any chance I have to support your business by word of mouth or a personal order, I will. Cant wait to see the pics of your new space.
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So sorry to hear about your loss! Your yarn and your products are BEAUTIFUL. I was amazed when I saw the Wingspan shawl!!!! And I don’t even like shawls. I wasn’t in a position to buy it at the time, but I am saving up, so that when you are ready to offer it again, I will BUY IT. In my experience, most of the time the knitting/yarn/fiber community are amazing people. I’m not surprised that you have received lots of encouragement. Let me add my voice to that. I wish you MUCH success as you work so hard to expand your business and satisfy your existing orders. I look forward to buying your products and continuing to support your business. As far as your Italy trip: it was a major life event, planned out far in advance . You NEEDED to be there. Business is a fickle, fleeting thing. Friends and family are everything.
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Wow! I can’t believe how mean people can be! Starting a business is hard with a lot of growing pains! I’ve been with my boss for 15 years in the homebuilding industry in Arizona and we’ve started and stopped several times. Including shutting down due to the market crash in 2008! We’ve laughed and cried at the same time! It definitely makes you stronger! Keep going! It’s a journey, not a destination. I love your yarn and have put it on my Christmas lists every year for the past few years! I’ve made a shawl and some socks and they came out perfectly! Reading the comments above, you have a lot of people that love and respect you, so hold onto that!
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Shireen, I am so sorry you are going through all this stress. Remember your health is important or you won’t be able to continue to run the business you and your hubby have given your all to get up and running. You are growing quickly as it should be but with it comes a lot of stress . I wouldn’t worry about the grumpy ones, refund their money and let them off the hook as well as yourself. You don’t need to cater to people who don’t understand an emergency situation. Your yarns are worth the wait. I am sorry I don’t knit as much as I used to but I have recommended your business to a lot of knitters. They always love the yarns I am working with when I am with the knitters group. Please take care of you and your hubby through this process. All will come together and soon you will have a lovely shop where people can come and enjoy knitting to its finest. Just wish I lived close to you and I could help you with setting up the shop, etc. I would love to be able to do that but….unfortunately am not there. Good luck and try not to stress and ruin your health. It will be a beautiful shop and chock full of memories getting it to the opening stage.
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I am a committed, patient customer who loves all your work and wishes only the best for you. However long it takes, it is okay with me. Just stay healthy and happy💕💕💕💕
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I appreciate your transparency and your commitment to keeping your customers informed of what’s going on and why. Running your own business is hard enough, I cant imagine what it looks like when things go viral and orders explode. I can wait for my order and I ain’t mad. ;) I hope that best wishes for continued success from a perfect stranger bolsters your spirits and helps to assuage your doubts- you have my support and as a customer, I’m not going anywhere. Go get ’em, tiger! I believe in you and your abilities. :)
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Whoever was complaining about you going to your friend’s wedding is selfish themselves! I hope you enjoyed yourself and wish you continued success.
Lynn Simpson
Sent from my iPad
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Thanx for your update and please take care of yourself. Your yarn is worth waiting for so I will continue to wait – so please take care of yourself
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Wow! I really can’t believe people would be that awful. I have been buying your yarn for the last couple of years (since I fell in love with it on instagram). I have never been disappointed by any of it and if anything, quite blown away by how long/how much effort goes into each skein. You’re creating art. Art takes time. Your yarn is worth the wait. Every time I order, I can’t wait to see my yarn because I’m so excited for it. I cannot wait to cast on my wingspan when it gets here, but I will happily wait for it. Never should any of this come at the cost or your health or mental well-being. You have always been very upfront if there are delays due to any reason and delays in a small business trying to do what you do are totally understandable. Take time, take care of yourselves. I’m sure most of us would rather have you continue your beautiful craft. Ignore the haters, they clearly don’t understand what you’re creating.
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I am sticking with you – your stuff is gorgeous and shame on people who choose to be so discouraging. hang in there – You will do it!!!
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I had never bought anything from you before I bought the Wingspan kit in the Ibis colorway, but I think you’re doing the best you can, and that’s all anyone can ask. I am sorry to read that people have been rude and demanding. Quality work takes time. Hang in there, and please be sure to take care of yourself and your staff! I look forward to getting my gorgeous yarn someday.
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I’m waiting patiently. I had a feeling you’d get slammed when I saw how beautiful the yarns are, without even taking into consideration the fact that Wingspan went viral. If my upcoming Longbeach Wooly Kenora Mammoth is half as lovely as I expect, you’ll definitely have a return customer in me after the Wingspan fever subsides. Good luck, stay well. The knitting community (at least my network!) is behind you.
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Reading your post makes me sorry to be part of the human race…some people can be so unjustifiably nasty, judgemental, petty, etc… nothing should take priority over health, love, sharing moments with family and friends. Your products and your dedication to your craft and business speak for themselves, and all of us that recognize that will absolutely continue to support you, and will continue to spread the word! As others have already posted, your yarn is the best, and to die for! Best wishes to you and yours- may all the days ahead be smooth sailing! You are in our hearts.
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Take care of yourself. I ordered yarn about 6-7 weeks ago and was hoping it would arrive for a project for my overseas trip (I’m leaving this weekend for 3 weeks). It hasn’t, but at the end of the day I’m a crafter and have hundreds of things I can be doing 😀. I’ll just be really excited when it does arrive, it is beautiful. I hope things settle down, I’m sure it’s hard and I can’t believe people are nasty about it (or I can, but I never understand it)
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All I can do is send warm wishes and empathy. As for the ignorant who feel a tragic death should take second place to yarn – you really don’t want / need them as clients. Looking back in time you may well realise that taking the trip as planned could be the best way to help you through this time. In my day job I have seen the effects of sudden death more times than I can ever count and the only correct way to handle it is whatever gets you through the day – there is no right or wrong. Ignore them and move on. X
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I was indeed concerned, since I’d placed my first order from you back in April, when the website said shipping would happen in 4-5 weeks. I did suspect Wingspan was big enough to overrun your normal process. I’m glad I came to the site and found this update – I’m not in any special hurry for my yarn, just wanted to be sure it was still coming. Thanks for sharing this update and being as transparent as you can. It might be hard to wait, but I’d rather do that than have you wreck your health *or* compromise on the quality of your product!
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PS: Further updates, when and if you can, would be much appreciated! But, you know, just when you need a sit-down break from everything else :-)
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I don’t mind waiting at all! I’m so excited to get my yarn and your hard work will absolutely pay off. However, I would have appreciated an email to say that the order would be delayed. I ordered in March which was before Wingspan, but I was a little upset to see you have kits for it when I still hadn’t received my yarn after almost two months when it was supposed to arrive in 3-4 weeks. Maybe that’s my fault for not being subscribed to your blog or newsletter, or for trying to reach out on IG which I never got a response to. I’m not going to cancel my order, at this point the money is already spent, but maybe a separate email list for people who are on backlog to know what’s going on would be helpful.
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As one who was waiting for an order – I did not know your predicament. I’m glad you posted this so I can understand the wait. Any project can be done later while you catch your breath. Best wishes on your new space and hope you can find an equilibrium soon.
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As one who is waiting for yarn – I was glad to see this message. Any project can wait while you catch your breath. Looking forward to getting the yarn whenever it arrives. Best wishes on your new space and on finding an equilibrium.
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Hope your stress decreases. I await your return to full productivity. I still intend to place an order when you are fully operational again.
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I love to knit, and I’ve been knitting for most of my adult life, but when it come down to it, it’s a craft, and yarn is no reason to be abusive to people, so I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. Anyone who’s going to be a jerk about it needs to get some perspective. And I work in a medical clinic serving low-income patients, mostly recent immigrants, so I hear stories of things that are much, much worse than having to wait a few weeks for yarn. Hang in there,
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I want to say that I can’t wait to be able to buy yarn for the Wingspan pattern, but the truth is that I can. I absolutely can and will wait until you’re up and running and have some inventory. I have plenty of yarn and patterns to keep me busy in the meantime.
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I am more than willing to wait for my yarn! I am sorry for all that has happened to you and your shop family. Thank you for the update. As I’ve said previously, I have no idea what color way I ordered so it will be a lovely surprise. Appreciate all your hard work and perseverance. Prayers for you.
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All good from here Shereen. I am glad you didn’t cancel your trip and sorry that it wasn’t as lovely as it should have been. I am happy to wait for my yarn. Thank you for the update and here’s hoping things head in an upwards direction from here on in!! Looking forward to my surprise in the mail whenever it arrives!!! Godspeed.
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Yes, a big change would be totally mind blowing….Take some breaks but please continue. I will be waiting to order the yarn for Wingspan when you get back in production for some of the colors that are all sold out. I am waiting for his next pattern which he says will be for larger sizes so not only will I need more yarn………….its a perfect rest assured that I will get it done a bit later on!!!! Will you be doing updates on any of the suggested yarns becoming available??? Will you have a waiting list???? BEA
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Even though this was my first time ordering I k ow it won’t be my last. Your yarn is worth waiting for ❤️ Remember to take some time for yourself. Getting sick doesn’t help anyone ❤️❤️❤️
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You might want to send this out in an e-mail. I just came to your website to see if I could figure out what was going on with my yarn order. I am willing to wait, but it has been a while since the last update.
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this stated you were 3 weeks out in june, Its July and people who ordered in April are still waiting. Please provide an update.
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