For the first time since September, today’s SBQ was suggested by none other than Renee and is:
Do you do your stash shopping at your LNS, ONS, or both? Which do you like better? Why?
Interesting question. Despite the fact that I have an LNS that is about 30 minutes away, I very rarely go. There are several reasons for this – one is the drive, coupled with their hours. I’m so exhausted when I get home from work that I just crash. Weekends are my relaxation time and I don’t leave the house unless I have to! 🙂 Another reason is their layout and selection. Things are hard to find and they don’t carry fibers that I want like Waterlilies and Needle Necessities. They carry GAST and WDW, but I only pick those up when a pattern calls for them. They don’t carry hand dyed fabrics, so nothing really grabs me from that perspective. They have tons of models, which I love to look at, especially the hardanger ones; however, their chart arrangement is hard to follow, making the right charts something that I have to go hunting for. The third reason is the group of women that seem to hang out there. The DMC drawers run down one wall of the communal stitching area. Last time I was in, there were several ladies at the table, all talking very loudly, while I was trying to browse and I felt like I was in their way and an outsider. Not exactly how I want to feel in an LNS, especially as an accomplished stitcher myself!
But the final reason is price. Let’s face it, I’ve become a retail snob. Between my two major ONSs, Needlework Plus and Stitching Bits and Bobs, I never pay full price for anything anymore, except for hand dyed fabrics from Silkweaver. Jennifer at NeedleworkPlus has been so helpful. She orders items from other companies like Mill Hill and Yarn Tree for me and still applies a discount. She’s been invaluable to me in matching threads and fabrics when needed. I’ve never asked, but I bet she might even do a floss toss for me! It’s not quite the same as being in the store yourself, but it’s close enough for me. And Bobbie’s near constant 25% off sales… need I say more?
So, the bottom line is that I do my shopping at ONSs. I would prefer to have an LNS with a huge selection in my backyard in which I could live, but I don’t, so I shop online.
Our LNS stinks, so I rely on ONSs and have been really happy with Stitching Bits and Bobs, too. They’re s-l-o-w but their prices and fair shipping more than compensate the wait.
I have a LNS only a mile from me. I really like the owner, she’s very sweet and helpful. Unfortunately, she doesn’t carry the latest and the greatest designs and she’s not very quick about ordering them, so I’ve tuned to online shops too. I haven’t tried Stitching Bits and Bobs yet, but based on so many favorable reviews, I may have to try them!
I’ve become a big fan of ONS’s too and like you I try not to leave the house on the weekends.
I find from my travels to other LNS’s (I try to check them out whenever I go somewhere outside of my area) don’t stock the hand dyed fabrics. I think it costs them more to have something sitting there that won’t sell. I also find the mark up on them atrocious! Whereas if you buy direct from the supplier they dye your piece when its ordered, they don’t have lots of actually dyed fabric hanging around.
Interesting answer Jenna. I usally got to the LNS (40-50 min drive) and it is because I like to SEE what I don’t need to buy : ) lol