Hello! I've just got back from three days in Sydney and one in Canberra. I flew out Saturday night after First Comes Love, and met up with James and our friends Denis and Laura for a few days of fun times! We had tickets to a couple of Vivid Live shows, both of which were brilliant (Janelle Monae and Bryce Dessner, Nico Muhly & Sufjan Stevens), and we were also keen to check out the newly re-jigged MCA (The Clock was amazing, and I have now developed an obsession with Aboriginal basket weaving!). The other thing high on my agenda was a trip to the new Koskela showroom, which was, as expected, completely amazing. It's like every big-name Aussie designer in one place, plus an amazing cafe, plus The School!
So that was Sydney, but why Canberra? Well, it might be time for some news! A couple of months ago James was offered a fantastic speechwriting job there, so we're on the move! Actually, he already moved over a couple of weeks ago, but I won't be following for another couple of months yet. It's a huge move for me because I'm very much a Perth girl (I'm so not going to cope with the cold!), and of course it means big changes for Mr Sparrow. It's all very convoluted, but here is basically what's happening: during August and September, the lovely Elli will be managing the shop while I'm away, and during this time the shop will be open Thursday - Sunday (that's right, we'll be open Sundays for the first time!), and of course online all the time. Then around early October I'll return to Perth and, sadly, shut down the Subiaco store. It won't be the end of Mr Sparrow, though, as I'll continue to run the online store from Canberra. There will also be another round of terrarium and kokedama workshops before I leave (which I'll be announcing very soon), and I also plan to run some other workshops in gift-wrapping, wreath-making and other fun things on return trips between October and the end of the year. Of course, this blog will be here throughout the changes, so keep an eye out for announcements of workshops, sales and other fun events to come! I'm very sad to be saying goodbye to this space as I have really fallen in love with it over the years and I think it has come to be something special. My very favourite thing about running Mr Sparrow has been seeing and hearing all the lovely, excited comments from my customers as they walk through the door, and it makes me sad to think that this happy little space won't be around much longer.
Anyway, it's not goodbye just yet, but I wanted to let you all know what was in the works so hopefully you can help me through this tough transition! Despite my sadness, though, I'm also excited about embarking on this new adventure, and really looking forward to improving the online store and hopefully having the time to work on some other creative projects that have been on the backburner for a while.
I just want to thank you all for being such enthusiastic supporters of my little store over the last four years, and if you've been meaning to come by the shop lately, please make sure you do drop by in the next few months and say hello before it's goodbye!
I'll be back later today with all the news from First Comes Love, and lot of pretty pictures!
