Blog
Keep it local this Christmas – 20 November 2020
It’s been a very difficult year for many of us – and this is no different for small, local businesses like ours, and so many others, who will have been impacted by the pandemic.
But, in the spirit of staying positive – we need to keep smiling – we are celebrating why shopping local is a great thing to do, even if it’s not with us at Fine Lines HQ!
1. It supports the creative arts
For little businesses like ours, it’s so important people shop small, to keep on supporting art and creativity locally. We need colour and art in our lives - it picks us up, it brings vibrancy and individuality. And we need to make sure we keep backing our local creative industries so that we can continue to support future artists and creators.
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2. Unique and handmade is best
Sure, you could go online to Amazon (other ginormous outlets are available!) but by shopping local you can guarantee that you will buy products that are handmade, unique and, most importantly, made with love. We don’t have any fancy machines or conveyor belts in our little workshop – just a few tools and two pairs of hands for crafting our gifts!
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3. It supports local jobs
Shopping with local business keeps more local people in jobs. More people spending money locally, helps to retain money locally. It’s as simple as that!
4. It keeps people’s dreams alive
Without the local support we’ve had over the last 20+ years, Myra wouldn’t have been able to realise her dream of being a full-time artist, and Jane wouldn’t have been able to refine her creative, yet meticulous, streak – these button canvasses don’t sew themselves! So when you’re thinking of what to buy this Christmas, why not consider what local business are offering? Shopping local keeps people’s dreams alive – and keeps people like us hoping for better things around the corner, where we can get through the difficulties of the year and keep our business going. We think now more than ever, given the difficult year so many of us have been through, it’s good to have some ‘hope, sweet hope’.
It's all change - 5 August 2020
The Coronavirus pandemic has meant that the world has had to change and adapt. It has affected us greatly, as we're sure will be the case for many other local and independent businesses. Sadly, after consulting with Marketgate Shopping Centre management, it looks very unlikely that we will be able to trade in the Centre this year- something we have done for the past twenty-one years.
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In the spirit of adapting and changing in the face of the pandemic, we, a pair of "technophobes", have decided to take to blogging to let you know that even though we won't physically be selling in the run up Christmas this year, you will be able to buy all of the Fine Lines products you want online from our little digital shop!
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So please, have a nosey around at our sea glass pictures, our calendars and other familiar products- and if there is a product you have in mind that you can't find online, just send us a message at info@finelinesart.co.uk and we'll sort it out for you.
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Thank you to our local Lancaster, Morecambe and Cumbrian customers (and beyond!) for your ongoing support, we really do appreciate it.
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Take care and stay safe.
Myra and Jane xx