Thursday 22nd January, 2026

In Which Time Is Questioned and the Shop Grows Roots

Today was a quiet day - the good, steady kind.

An author replied to one of the new agreements I sent out yesterday, to let me know I’d dated them all January 2025, which - though mortifying -caused me to reflect that in January 2025, I would never have dreamed this is where we’d be a year later. Mind you, the error is irritating, and says a lot about where my headspace is currently residing.

Kris spent most of the day continuing work on the brocade vest, locked in battle with a row of particularly stubborn eyelets. This resulted in a fair amount of swearing and hissing emanating from the sewing corner, but the vest is coming together beautifully. Some things are simply worth arguing with.

Stars popped in to paint again, adding flowers, mushrooms, moss, and a delicate spiderweb dusted with dewdrops. Every time she adds to the mural, the wall seems to breathe a little more easily. She is, quite frankly, ridiculous with talent.

It was cool enough today that long-sleeve shirts found their way home with people, along with a spider brooch, pens, stickers, and leaf earrings. We also met Astryd, a fashion designer, who promptly fell into deep conversation with Kris about costume-making and design - the sort of conversation that comes with hand gestures and shared understanding.

Another local, Shaun, came in and stayed for a long chat about his travels around the world, eventually leaving with a brightly coloured shirts that suited him perfectly. The shop likes it when people dress like themselves.

A lot of customers in the last week have told us how excited they are that we’re here. Many vowed to come back now that they know we exist. Some immediately thought of someone else who would love the shop. It’s a lovely thing - realising that we fit into people’s mental maps, and a happy recognition is spreading in quiet ripples through the community.