a little shop in a curious street

Every now and then I come to a grinding halt. Last night just after I closed the shop door was one of those times. I sat behind the counter and looked around, half the lights were off and the shop felt both peaceful and anticipatory, waiting for its next day's trading. Sometimes I  look around at the stock and feel a little overwhelmed by all the making I do, all the product creating and hunting that goes on to find the things I need. I love sitting there seeing the beautiful work created by lovely friends and the special things we bring in to sell.
Last night's little pause though made me think most about the lovely people who have come into my life through the Cottage and through this blog. Really one can't perform well without an appreciative audience and you people have been really lovely. Its sometimes hard to put one's self out there, open to the public, and even after over 25 years of designing, making and selling it can be hard and occasionally soul destroying but the kindness and generosity of so many people takes a place like Cottage Industry onwards.
Thank you so much.