Postal update.....

Lots of companies who send items by post are now putting out information on how their deliveries are likely to be affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.

At present, as we're effectively self-isolating, I'm reluctant to go and  stand in any queue, let alone the one at our nearest Post Office, which even at the best of times is l-o-n-g and slow-moving.

So, from today, we are only taking orders for items which can be packaged in a flat(ish) box which we can drop off at our local parcel-drop postbox.  Fortunately, this includes ALL of our kits as well as dressed toy dolls as they will easily fit into the required size of box.

For the time being, my Downsizing Sale has been put on hold, as many of the items are bulkier and also require an insured mail service, for both of which I must visit the Post Office.  If you've already had your eye on something, and are happy to wait, just let me know and I'll put it aside for you.

Otherwise it's business more or less as usual. 

However, as the situation worsens, I expect that a lot of small business, like ours, will be hit hard. In uncertain times, people tighten their belts and their purses, and it's likely that when the crisis is over, the business landscape will have changed.

Fellow miniature artisans will already have been working for months towards exhibiting at Miniatura, which has been cancelled, and KDF, which has been postponed for several months.  For many, those fairs represent a significant percentage of their annual earnings.

Granted, most of us have alternative selling platforms... our own websites, Etsy shops and the like, but with potential disruption to postal and delivery services, those avenues may become unreliable, or even close down completely for a time.

As self-employed individuals, none of the measures announced in the recent Budget will help us.  We won't get sick pay or any of the financial relief which larger businesses will qualify for.  Many hundreds of thousands of self-employed people are in the same boat which I fervently hope isn't named Titanic! 

In the meantime though, we will carry on while we can.... self-isolating is a perfect opportunity for me to create new dolls and complete languishing projects.  I might even get that book finished... who knows.  Let's hope it's not published posthumously!!!!!

Stay safe and well and keep on washing your hands!