The Mysterious Ways of the World

It happened again this week.  It actually happens more often than you'd think, but still, it never ceases to amaze me.  We sell a beautiful metal garland light made designed by Tord Boontje for Artecnica.  Or, more accurately, I should say, we carry this item, as we rarely sell one.  Still, it's lovely, and even if it doesn't sell well, we love it and it adds some serious whimsical beauty to the store.  We have it in both gold and silver.  Anyway, the other day a young woman asked me about them in the morning.  And then, she bought the silver one.  Toward the end of the same day, I was helping a customer at the desk when I noticed a woman looking up toward the lights.  She kept looking, and when I asked if she had a question or needed help - she said she wanted to buy one.  So - we had not sold one for probably two or three months at least - and then - two gone in one day.  It's just this strange retail thing that happens.  And a variant - I look at an item in the morning and think to myself - "I probably shouldn't have ordered that - even though I love it, it never sells."  And then, that very day - you can probably guess what I'm going to say.  A non-retail variant is when you think of a person you haven't seen or talked to in a long time - and then they walk in or call you.  The world is funny that way.

Back in the Saddle !

First- yet another apology!  I just got an email from a dear friend and Joiedeblog reader . . .  who said - basically - "You must be swamped with work and school or something because you haven't blogged in a long time."  Guilty as charged.  And feeling guilty.  I am starting to wonder if Joiedeblog would be better served if I posted on Facebook - so easy to pop up a comment and a picture- and keep this blog for the occasional longer, more contemplative post.  (Any blog readers with opinions on this, please let me know your thoughts!)  Anyway, since my last blog, I have been to New York twice, and Baltimore once, and I have found lots of good new items, and had a chance to catch up with a lot of Joie's suppliers and makers.  Some people complain about these shows - how much work they are, how tiring they are - but I can honestly say that with the exception of shows when I have been physically ill - a bad cold, a bum leg, etc - I always always enjoy them and wind up feeling inspired and energized. And, that's how I'm feeling now!  So - I hope that will translate to lots of Joiedeblog writing energy as well - stay tuned to find out.  And, a small teaser just to give you an idea of some of the things that will arrive here this spring:  solar pope, magnetic putty, fairy dust, octopus marbles, bouncing robots, air guitars, hedgehog puzzles, bobble head Einstein, and I conclude with that time worn, perhaps shop worn phrase that I generally dislike, but is sometimes like all cliches, apt - "and so much more!"

The Special Things We Get to See and Say

Sometimes when we're on the phone, we find ourselves saying things like, "Let me go in the back to see if we have the purple queen," or "You're looking for what?  Three singing pickles and a set of zombies?"  We do sell a lot of odd things - that sound even odder when discussed as though they weren't.  And sometimes we get sent excellent notices - like this one!  And I thought Cinderella would be with us always . . . .

Guest Blogger !

I was born in a factory in Newburyport, MA and had more relatives than I could count.  One day a thousand of us were put in a box and set on what I think was a loading dock - that's what I overheard these voices calling it. Next thing, we were in a truck and eventually, I saw the light of day again in a store in Cambridge, MA called Joie de Vivre.  I spent a few weeks on a shelf in the back room, and then got taken up to the front desk with maybe 40 of my friends.  We would hear a voice saying, "would you like a small bag for that?" and then one of us would get grabbed.  One day at the end of the day, someone grabbed me, but I didn't see any customers. Then I was opened and stuffed with cash and checks, and brought into the back where I lived in a grey metal box, along with some rolls of quarters and pennies.  I got to go out once or twice a week to the bank, and over the weeks, my age started, alas, to show.  People also wrote things on me, and sometimes I heard someone laugh when they read what someone else had written.  And out would come a pen for the response.  Eventually, I began to rip in several places, was scotch taped a few times, and then was put in a desk drawer.  I stayed there for several months, then I was taken out and pushpinned to a wall with another old bag just like me.  We don't know how long we'll be here - but we know we've already had a much longer life than the average bag.  If we're lucky, maybe we'll make it into the Joie archives of ephemera . . . people sometimes save strange things . . . .  oh - and ps - I am the bag on the left!

An Award

We are getting lots and lots of 2014 catalogues, sent out to entice us prior to attending all the gift shows - which start next week. I wanted to nominate a particular company for an award - an award I'm calling the "Grandiose Claim of the Year Award."  This award goes to a very nice company called Hog Wild, for calling their triangular
pillowy bookrests "Inspired by the Great Pyramids."   Somehow, when I see a plush pink or turquoise pillow, or one with an American flag design, maybe 6 inches high, the Great Pyramids are not the first thing that comes to my mind.  Or the second or third or fourth - etc.  They look more like a party hat to me - or possibly a tea cosy.  Anyway, we will look forward to seeing if anyone challenges their right to this award, and if so, we will be sure to report !

A Problem We Don't Really Have

We are digging our way slowly out of the chaos that piles up when it's so busy that we don't have time to keep up with anything but helping customers find their gifts and get out the door!  And I do mean slowly; after weeks of rushing around like a crazy person, then slowing down for two glorious days on the 25th and 26th, I'm having trouble returning to a normal state of energy.  Naps beckon . . .  wine instead of coffee .. . . gift books instead of balancing books.  Anyway, I just returned from the UPS store on the corner and they had stacks and stacks and stacks of boxes waiting for pick up.  At first I was confused.  So many people shipping gifts late?  But then I realized - no.  These boxes are customer returns.  And I thought about our returns so far this week.  One woman bought a few too many hippie sticks and traded them in for a book.  One woman returned a snake top because - there was no top in the box.  (our fault - whoops!!)  Maybe another one or two, but we are don't usually have a lot of returns.  There will probably be the odd one in a month or two - someone trying to return some bedraggled piece of holiday merchandise, which even though we have no obligation to take back, we usually do.  And I remember once, years ago, having the bright idea to go clothes shopping the day after Christmas while visiting my parents.  The department store was a zoo - everyone trying to return things, lines of 20 people waiting to do so.  Happy to report that we don't have that problem at Joie !

For the Baby in Your Life!

My niece posted something on Facebook from the point of view of a baby - about what it really wanted for Christmas.  I kind of reluctantly began to read it, thinking it would be something along the lines of "don't buy me a present, give to the poor" (not that there's anything wrong with that - but it wouldn't really be that interesting to read) -- anyway, because she had recommended it, I read it - and found the list of things the baby really really wanted quite eye opening - and funny.  And - if you can't find it in your heart to give the babies you know any of their passionately desired presents - we can probably help you out at Joie de Vivre with something they'll like!  Here you go - "A Ten Month Old's Letter to Santa." !!  

Advance Notice Appreciated!

The Joie blogger was reading the Boston's Globe's last minute gift guide over coffee this morning.  She approached it with a bit of apprehension, not having been contacted by anyone there to see if Joie had any possible products to include, and felt she would see other, newer, stores listed and remember the days when Joie was likely to be there itself.  She was preparing to feel ill-used and yes, slightly jealous, as she began to look through - of course there were items fro Etsy, and various websites - and then, the Field Guide to Famous Felines poster caught her eye, one of our newer posters.  And, low and behold, there was our name and information, listed right above it.  So - yay!  Someone is still using us as a resource.  But - not yay - they didn't even tell us. So - now, I'm wondering, how many of the posters do we actually have in stock?  How fast can I get some more?  After thirty years in business, I feel entitled to say, "back in the old days" so I'm saying it now - back in the old days the writer including us in the article would have let us know so we could be prepared.  On the other hand - not complaining, and thank you for the shout-out, anonymous Globe sources!

To Quote A Joie Item . . .

"I'd like to take a brief moment to apologize!"  (imagine this said with a British accent - by our Sorry button, which says sorry ten different ways.)   The Joie blogger would like to apologize . . . for somehow thinking she could take a writing intensive course at Harvard this semester during the holiday season (the Joie blogger is a Harvard Junior, back in school after a 35 year hiatus.)  Why she thought it would be easy to write ten page papers and also keep everything rolling at the store, she couldn't tell you, but chances are good she won't attempt to do it again next year !  Anyway, the Christmas season is now in full swing, and we're enjoying seeing our many devoted once a year customers as well as our regular crew - but it feels like Saturday night at the most popular restaurant in town every day, so . . . we're just a little bit tired.  But - we have chocolate and coffee to get us through the day - and chocolate for our customers too - so, we know we'll make it!  Anyway, the last paper is due next Wednesdayand we look forward to resuming more regular posting soon!

What Brick and Mortar is Up Against - an Example

I recently tried on a dress at a clothing store across the street from Joie de Vivre.  I loved the it, and wanted it, but they did not have it in my size.  I asked them to see if they could order me one, but they called me later to say they would be unable to get it until January - too late for my dress need!  I knew the name of the company as I had also bought one of its shirts, so when I was sitting home one afternoon, I googled it to see if I could find the dress.  I did, within seconds. Didn't order it though, wasn't sure what size I did need, if I really needed it, etc, and clicked out of their site and onto another -  - maybe the New York Times, maybe Facebook.  The instant the new site appeared - the instant - up popped an ad - for that very clothing company.  I had never seen one of their ads before.  And in the days since - that clothing company pops up almost everytime I am on a site that has any ads at all.  It's relentless.  But it really helps me understand why people order things off the web.  They might prefer to return to a brick and mortar store - in a perfect world - but maybe it's raining, or maybe their kid is sick, or maybe it's the holidays and they're just crazy crazy busy . . . and there it is - the item that they want, popping up everyplace.  What could be easier than just placing that order?  That is one of the reasons the customer who says they'll be back for something never comes.  And doesn't think - oh, Joie de Vivre could probably ship me that item.  Of course, maybe they just changed their mind; I'm not completely paranoid.  But seeing the web work its insidious magic was both fascinating and sobering!

Losing My Voice

I am not speaking metaphysically today.  I can't speak out loud at all, which I discovered when I tried to answer the telephone at home this morning.  Nothing came out at all.  Then a couple of squeaks.  Then a very faint whisper.  (Happily my caller already knew I had a bad cold so she didn't hang up.)  Anyway, as I don't feel awful,
I headed to work, knowing I could spend most of the day in the back room where talking is strictly optional, i.e. mostly done at oneself.  But, my co-worker did have to eat lunch so I was on my own out front for a half hour or so.  And I realized - being able to casually say something to a customer is very important in retail !  I generally say hello when anyone comes in - couldn't really do that - and if I notice them looking at anything with puzzlement, I'll say something by way of explanation - or whatever - the demands of the job involve a lot of talking.  And it's very frustrating not to be able to just say something.  And talking on the phone is not really happening either - another constraint, as I often prefer to call people to ask questions - faster answers.  And, thus endeth my short treatise on the importance of the voice!

Unexpected Shout-out!

I have a friend with a wonderful store in another New England city who occasionally makes amusing drawings of things his customers have said.  It's kind of a retail thing - I'm not sure anyone but another retailer would really "get" most of them - but, I often look them over when I need some diversion from the never ending email and paperwork that seems to swamp me every day.  Anyway, just looked at one - and, we were mentioned!!

People do that in here too - show us wonderful items they got somewhere else - and I don't think it occurs to them that it can be a little annoying.  Of course, it's not always annoying - and often the item they are showing off is something I have seen and decided would not work here.  It can be annoying though, if there's other customers around and everyone suddenly gets interested in the non-available product!  Anyway, fun to see our name in lights as it were!  Thanks Matt - and for those who get to Providence - visit his store: it's wonderful!