First Thursdays!

Thursday  promises to treat us to spring,! Sunny with highs in the upper 60's! No reason to stay home!  We couldn't have planned it better for another First Thursday in downtown Mebane!  Here's a little bit about what First Thursday is all about.

On First Thursdays (the first Thursday of each month), many businesses downtown stay open until 8pm. Many feature special events, refreshments, art receptions, and live music. Here's a taste of what to expect (besides great weather!) for tomorrow's First Thursday event from 5 until 8...

 

Hollyhocks

...featuring locally made arts and crafts...

Customers will enjoy special treats (I baked for this!) during the evening. 5% of sales that evening will go to the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. I chose this charity in memory of my Mom and Grandmother who both passed away due to this disease.

Solgarden(just across the street from me)

Musaic Mosaics will be on hand with a special reception and exhibit of new art pieces from Justin and Nikki,

complete with live music by Justin Johnson.

 

  Hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served. 

 

 

Bella Bleue Savvy Spa and Salon

Enjoy refreshments and treat yourself to one (or more) First Thursday specials:

Complimentary haircut with a color service, complimentary bright eyes treatment with any facial, and/or complimentary french polish with a classic pedicure. On Thursday evening, 10% of sales will go to St. Baldricks Childhood Cancer Research.

 

 

Melville Trading Company

Ron Oakley will be at Melville 6:30-8:00 p.m. for a book signing of his new book about Mebane.

And, sign up and pay for an introductory "hands on" Annie Sloan Chalk paint class ($95 value) during First Thursday and receive $10 off the class.

Your $10 savings will be donated by Melville Trading Company to Paws4Ever, an animal protective agency in Mebane.

Quirks

Quirks will serve light refreshments and will donate 10% of all Thursday sales to Mebane's very own big cat rescue: The Conservator's Center.

Visit their website www.conservatorscenter.org or the Quirks website www.weirdstuffyouwant.com.

Xtreme Dance Academy

Xtreme Dance will be having a "Register for Summer Dance/Tumble Event!" Register on Thursday March 1st from 2:00-8:00 pm and receive a

20% Discount on any 1 store item!

 

Other shops will be participating as well, but they haven't disclosed what they are doing. So, you're invited to get your friends together for a lovely evening in downtown Mebane! You can have dinner, shop in the stores and know that because you are supporting local, independant businesses. That means more of that money stays in the community AND you'll be helping out with charities too.

 

 

We all look forward to seeing you!!

 

 

Jewelry Video

I made a short video featuring some jewelry pieces from the store. I hope you enjoy it!
Try our video maker at Animoto.

Time, time and a heaping plate

Have you ever noticed that the older you get the quicker time seems to move? More seems to get heaped on your plate than you ever wanted sometimes. I would guess it's because as an adult, you have deadlines and responsibilities that consume your day. I know I feel that way most days. Keeping this store going is a 24/7 job. Taking pictures, promoting, belonging to committees, being open 5 days a week with no help, etc. takes a toll. Now, I'm not complaining really. Most of this I have taken on myself with one exception that is now water under the bridge. I like being out with the public, sharing all the wonderful handmade items in my store. It makes me very happy when I have sales, no matter who's product it is. All sales make this store just a little more successful. When I passed the one year mark back in August, I was very proud that I had made it that far. In that short time I have seen several businesses open and close their doors in Mebane and the surrounding towns. That's one reason I am on committees-to help promote the downtown area and get people to think about coming here first. I joined an online group called the 3/50 project which does the same thing. A worthwhile group for any brick and mortar store to join. For more information on them, visit the350project.
I'd like to say I did this on my own, but I didn't. My wonderful husband has been instrumental in this shop from the very beginning. Without his help and guidance, I never would have made it as far as I have. He is my handyman, sounding board, voice of reason, and so much more. I owe him a huge thank you! ♥
Times have been tough lately with the economy the way it is, politicians bickering over the most ridiculous things instead of taking to heart and mind the plight of the middle class, and all the other stuff that's going on. I am not a political person so I will not get into that here, but I do believe that somethings got to give on both sides of the fence.
Okay, I'm jumping off the soapbox now. I hadn't intended to go there, but I did. Sometimes that just the way I roll.

First Thursdays

Today is the day of our first "First Thursday" event in town. It is sponsored by Destination Downtown. As a group, we are working hard to get more people to come downtown, to not only shop, but to eat, meet friends, and just enjoy everything town has to offer.
This month is geared towards the ladies. They are invited to come and shop late, enjoy some treats, and make a wish list of things they would like from the various stores. They will then give the list to their significant other and hopefully it will make choosing a Valentine's gift easier. We all know how guys can be. Of course I'm hoping they will choose to buy someting handmade from this store.
Each month we will have a different "event" with a theme, but it always be on the first Thursday of the month. Hope to see you in town!! :)

21 Shoestring Marketing Secrets That All Small Business Owners Need to Know | Manta Marketing Center

21 Shoestring Marketing Secrets That All Small Business Owners Need to Know Manta Marketing Center