Monday, November 24, 2008

Oh, what a pretty bookshop

This is the title of the email we sent to our newsletter/bookgroup mailing list asking (as we are often found doing) for any spare xmas decorations, and also asking for volunteers to deliver leaflets in the area.
Once again we've had an amazing response and we've had bags and bags of tinsel and baubels being dropped into the shop over the last few days. There's more to come as well!
Also, our kind kind customers have also been picking up leaflets to deliver, and the map of the area that I have with the completed roads is filling nicely. I still have loads more to do, but it's been a real help.
The local newspaper has offered to put an article in this week asking for decorations and leafleting volunteers on our behalf, so that's all super duper. We're gonna be well festive.
Anyhow, this is how far we've got with the shop...
Tim's been up the ladder again putting lights on the gables and a spotlight under the sign. People can see clearly the Big Green oksho from the High Road.

The windows aren't quite finished yet, but doesn't it look inviting?

'OOooh, what a pretty bookshop. I simply must go in and explore.

For those of you who know the shop, this is where fiction was. We've made an extra 7 bookcases of display, so that people won't have to look to hard to find all those gorgeous presents.

Moleskines, Running Press boxes, Barak Obama, themanwhofellasleep. We've got it all! But I can't quite see those little cards on the shelves...

We asked our friends/customers to let us know what book they really wanted for xmas and why, and we made cards like this for the ones that we thought were the best.The photos were obtained from various sources, all approved of course.


Even the wonderful and anonymous Horace Bent took time to send in his festive choice.

There's still time to send in your own choice. Don't be shy.

We made our own signs in a thrifty and frugal kind of way.

We've been able to turn another 2 bookcases over to the kids section as there are so many books that we think deserve a faceout.

This is another West/Key invention. We don't have much room in the shop so Tim's made a second tier for our tables. This picture doesn't show it really clearly, but there's a smaller table on a bigger table, so you can display more books. Clever eh?

And ultimately, this is what we're hoping all the hard work will result in. Again and again and again please...

Let us know what you think, or if you have any suggestions.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey!

Found your blog through another blog... you know how these things work. You guys are living the dream, eh?!

Question for you: What's the book at the top right hand corner of the middle bookshelf of gift ideas please?! It looks real pretty and reminds me of John Connolly's The Book of Lost Things cover...

Thanks!
Caroline

Alis said...

It all looks fabulous - wish I didn't live so far away or I'd come and do all my book-type Christmas shopping in the Big Green ocksho!!

Lindsay said...

It looks really magical!

Aidan said...

the photo of the table reminded me suddenly of this independent bookshop in Penrith i went to once when i was there for work. absolutely bonkers, but packed full of good stuff. i couldn't easily get to one section because there was a sort of willow wig-wam in the way in the middle of the floor.
http://www.myspace.com/thebluebellbookshop
well worth a visit if you happen to be in Penrith...

Mark Thornton said...

Guys - you've done an incredible job, the shop looks fantastic.

BTW, don't waste your time reading "Crowdsourcing" by Jeff Howe, you guys need to write your own book on the subject - seriously!

Well done - good luck for your first Christmas...

Anonymous said...

That's called 'Lost Crafts' by Una McGovern, Caroline....