Seasonal clear outs

[Flo]

What has happened to the great seasonal clear out of unwanted toys? Usually at this time of year Freecycle, gum-tree and the charity shops have a backlog of toys that could help to fill up stockings and under the Christmas tree.

Looking at Gumtree there are plenty of nearly new plastic trees that have been used once at prices that are well above the equivalent new ones.

Has the reduce, reuse, recycle gone out of the season? Where is the old I'll do that up and it'll be a grand bike/dolls house or whatever for Christmas? Especially the early years gear should find an easy market for the under fives at least.

[Green Aura]

I don't know, Flo, but I can tell you that people don't seem to be spending their money as much these days. I sold so little in my shop this year that I decided to knock it on the head. Most of my remaining stock, all made by me, will be distributed between various local charities in the hope they'll be able to raise some money from raffling them or giving them to those in need.

[Flo]

It's been a hard year I think for the small crafts folk. And the Christmas 2 day market up the road in Hexham has been cancelled today due to the forecast for high winds making it unsafe to put up the stalls before trading starts. One of allotment association is a young mother and has been selling off toys from her 6 year old daughter's backlog (my she's a good one with stock for the trading hut, can sweet talk the suppliers a treat). She says she's getting peanuts for things this year whereas previously she reckoned to get enough to more than cover the year's stocking and under the tree.

[Flo]

One more item on the clear out front - something for the bran tub at the Chat Club Christmas party. Was totally out of ideas as it's supposed to be no more than a fiver. Hah - something that's not needed for the family presents pile as they have far too much in the bag and will do a treat.

[Green Aura]

I had a hospital appointment on Thursday, so while down in Inverness I took all that remained my stock, all handmade by me - a load of baby blankets and hats to the maternity unit; a bag of mixed handbags and other lovely stuff to Maggie's Cancer Care; scarves, shawls and hats to Blythswood; and more of the same to New Start (I had intended dropping those off at the Council's homeless unit but it had moved and they hadn't updated their website so unfortunately they'll probably get sold instead of going directly to those in need ).

It was my entire stock, three years work. I felt a very odd mix of joy at seeing the looks on their faces and slight discomfort at giving away stuff that was supposed to supplement my NHS pension. The shop looks very bare and lonely now so I need to decide what to do with it.The trouble is I'm getting the itch to make more now.

[Flo]

The shop looks very bare and lonely now so I need to decide what to do with it.The trouble is I'm getting the itch to make more now.

Don't make just because the shop looks sad and lonely. Only make to order. Anything else will just reduce your NHS pension. You aren't likely to get a glut of customers for specialist hand made with customer spending as it is at present. Even Primark said that it had a downturn in customer spending in November and John Lewis has found this year little better. If the big boys are fighting on the first hand market and the punters on selling sites are finding things hard going then the specialist ain't going for an easy time - as you have found.

[Green Aura]

I agree totally Flo and am fighting the urge. The trouble is I get myself into trouble when I'm not busy making - " the Devil makes work...." you know.

[Flo]

We should join up to cause trouble in the local community - some sorts of trouble can be quite productive in getting an out of the way place active.

[Green Aura]

By my reckoning that gives us all of Scotland and a smidge of Northern England to play with. I'm up for it if you are.

[ina]

By my reckoning that gives us all of Scotland and a smidge of Northern England to play with. I'm up for it if you are.

Count me in!