All set for Christmas and was busy preparing my display for the window although wrapping countless empty boxes was a little disheartening at times! I am very, very excited about Christmas this year. I do believe you think rather differently about it when you have a shop and want to start as early as possible. We have to give the big boys (Tesco etc) a run for their money don't we?

The huge Christmas tree has gone up in the town square right outside my window and there will be lots of celebrations, mice pies mulled wine and Carols around the tree this Friday at the extravaganza.

Wincanton is the friendliest place I have ever lived and I cannot fault the community spirit. Now my Mum and Dad have come down my life is complete!

25 sleeps until Christmas by the way!!!! However I have to make sure I don't peak too early as don't want to be a grumpy old cow by Christmas day!

So if you enjoyed the 90's as much as I did, get up off the sofa and come along to Jessica's House and you can share my passions! (for music that is, and of course art and design)

I have received some lovely comments about Jessica's House and customers are very supportive and understand what I am trying to achieve by supporting local artists. I have just sourced some baby wear, booties and lovely knitted blankets, also the new award winning Skibz will be here soon (cross between a bib and scarf) Along with some lovely contemporary ceramic tableware.

Thanks to you all for the lovely messages of support

K xx

Saturdays in Wincanton are fairly quiet as most people tend to go to the larger towns for their shopping, but I still managed to have a steady stream of browsers and customers through the morning. The mulled wine and cupcakes helped, although I had loads left over!

Now on to trying to work out the credit/debit card facility which arrived in the post yesterday, HELP!

Opening pictures of Jessica's House withPeter Vernon, featured wood artist, John Smith Cahir of Wincanton Chamber of Commerce  mayor of Wincanton Mr Colin Winder and me!

Somerset Arts Week www.somersetartworks.org.uk has been invaluable to track down local artists and designers and they are all so positive about the shop. I do need some more stock and am soon to have:

Wood sculptures by Peter Vernon

Wooden chopping boards, bread boards and wine stands from Hazelbury timber, They are also making me some lovely oak shelves

Gorgeous prints, cards and bags by Melanie Wickam

Throws and scarves hand weaved in Nunney, Somerset

and COWSHED!! Hurrah

I just need a till and a card machine and I am away! (It all sounds so simple - it's NOT!!)

I want to post an account of my experiences for all you budding retail entrepreneurs, and the pitfalls I encounter so you don't make the same mistakes! Hopefully there will be some good stuff along the way too!

Please keep reading........

This is where we started only a month ago. Things to do:

Move family into house! (with no removal firm!!)

Paint shop - outside

New signage

Paint inside, rewire and sort out hole in floor!

Source artists/designers - meet and pick up stock

Shopfittings (negotiated at Habitat before they closed!)

Display units

New floor (can't afford)

Accountant

VAT

Til and credit card machine

Oh, and full time job!

the list goes on............