Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different
- Albert Einstein
This Spring the vicious cycle will come to an end, I will either find a retail space in another town as Kennebunk retail space is not affordable or I will close Karleen's Ideas shop and only do online sales unless this blog sparks locals to just stop by Karleen's Ideas to see all the beautiful items I have created. I am writing this blog to let locals understand what Karleen's Ideas is all about.
I started Karleen's Ideas a long time ago while we were still in RI, I started it with making Weighted Blankets for children with Autism & SPD. I wanted to help Autism families afford the sensory items their children desperately needed. Over the years I have been adding creations so when we found out that I could do home occupation, I jumped at the opportunity to work from. I thought that since Kennebunk is so big on supporting local businesses and farms it was a great way for me to have a shop and be home for my boys. Well hundreds of cars pass my house weekly yet only about 25 locals have stopped into my shop in three years, if I were to subtract friends then that number drops to 10. Many have said, "It doesn't look like there is a business" (Not allowed under Home Occupation guidelines)- I agree from the outside it does not look like a business, that is because I am not allowed to look like a business. But when you walk into my shop, it looks like a very cute small business with many, many unique creations at every price level. Everyone that has been Brave enough to come in the door loves my shop.
Karleen's Ideas has Jewelry, Shell Art, Christmas Stockings, Sewn Items, Sensory Items, Team Items, etc.....I also do a lot of custom orders so together we create the perfect gift.
At first Karleen's Ideas was so I could work from home then my dream became that one day I would open a shop downtown for my boys to take over. Having three boys with Autism I worry about how they will be able to support themselves if they cannot or do not get a college degree. Karl & Donald have shown great interest is taking over our shop. Donald loves to sell, if you have seen us at a craft fair then you know he is quite the charmer. Karl loves to create, he takes after me in every way :) Kyle shows some interest but he is still young so that could change.
If you are one of the many that have said, I always wanted to stop by but for one reason or another did not, now is the time as this may be the last year Karleen's Ideas is open.
This Spring the vicious cycle will come to an end, I will either find a retail space in another town as Kennebunk retail space is not affordable or I will close Karleen's Ideas shop and only do online sales unless this blog sparks locals to just stop by Karleen's Ideas to see all the beautiful items I have created. I am writing this blog to let locals understand what Karleen's Ideas is all about.
I started Karleen's Ideas a long time ago while we were still in RI, I started it with making Weighted Blankets for children with Autism & SPD. I wanted to help Autism families afford the sensory items their children desperately needed. Over the years I have been adding creations so when we found out that I could do home occupation, I jumped at the opportunity to work from. I thought that since Kennebunk is so big on supporting local businesses and farms it was a great way for me to have a shop and be home for my boys. Well hundreds of cars pass my house weekly yet only about 25 locals have stopped into my shop in three years, if I were to subtract friends then that number drops to 10. Many have said, "It doesn't look like there is a business" (Not allowed under Home Occupation guidelines)- I agree from the outside it does not look like a business, that is because I am not allowed to look like a business. But when you walk into my shop, it looks like a very cute small business with many, many unique creations at every price level. Everyone that has been Brave enough to come in the door loves my shop.
Karleen's Ideas has Jewelry, Shell Art, Christmas Stockings, Sewn Items, Sensory Items, Team Items, etc.....I also do a lot of custom orders so together we create the perfect gift.
At first Karleen's Ideas was so I could work from home then my dream became that one day I would open a shop downtown for my boys to take over. Having three boys with Autism I worry about how they will be able to support themselves if they cannot or do not get a college degree. Karl & Donald have shown great interest is taking over our shop. Donald loves to sell, if you have seen us at a craft fair then you know he is quite the charmer. Karl loves to create, he takes after me in every way :) Kyle shows some interest but he is still young so that could change.
If you are one of the many that have said, I always wanted to stop by but for one reason or another did not, now is the time as this may be the last year Karleen's Ideas is open.
I will never give up trying to open a shop in a retail space but I cannot continue to hope locals will come into my shop at the house.
Karleen's Ideas is open - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 12 to 5 (I take two short breaks on weekdays to bring & pickup Donald from MSK, The breaks are from 1:45 to 2 and from 3:50 to 4:05)
Karleen's Ideas is open - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 12 to 5 (I take two short breaks on weekdays to bring & pickup Donald from MSK, The breaks are from 1:45 to 2 and from 3:50 to 4:05)
