This is not a happy blog...On Thursday I had a relatively new stitcher in the shop who wanted some ideas for Christmas presents she could stitch so I told her about the little red striped towels I had made which I planned to give to someone in my family at our Christmas bash...and I went looking for them....nowhere to be found...but I had some others a blue one and a yellow one also stitched with pots of herbs which would give her an idea...also nowhere to be found...I tore the shop and house apart...finally on Friday I came to the grim realization that they had all been stolen!
Today I was going to show someone a little JBW design I had stitched and made into a pillow....it's gone too!
Heaven knows what else has been taken... one thing for sure that is gone is my trust!
I really thought in my very naive little mind that stitches were not thieves... now I will not paint every stitcher with the same brush but there are people out there who are not to be trusted....
These were Christmas presents and somebody stole them....
Maybe it means my shop has really arrived...someone thinks I am doing so well that I can afford to let them take stuff!
You may recall when I blogged about my sign going missing last year and how it was subsequently found in the field across the road...snipped off and flung there by joyriding yahoos who likely did not even know me....bad enough ...but these things were taken by someone who actually would have had a converstion with me...someone who looked me in the face and made off with my stuff in their bag when my back was turned or I was in the other room cutting fabric for them or something...pretty bold I'd say!
33 comments:
That is really sad, how can anyone look at those hand crafted items and not feel guilty about taking them!
I'm so sorry to hear this Ann. It is very sad to think that there are stitchers out there that would do that. I hope they feel thoroughly ashamed of themselves when they look at the beautiful items they have stolen and get no pleasure from them.
Oh Ann that is awful. What a horrible thing to happen to you. You would think that fellow stitchers would have more sense than to steal others stitching when they are fully aware of the time and effort that you put into these pieces.
Oh, Ann, that is just terrible! It boggles my mind that someone could actually steal something like that. No wonder you are disappointed. I hope that this next week will go better for you.
How awful! I'm so sorry to hear that someone would actually do something like that, let alone a stitcher!
How heartbreaking and sad to hear those pieces have been stolen from you. I had a pincushion stolen this year while it was on display in a shop. It makes you feel terrible.
That is so heartbreaking. I know my local lns had a few things stolen as well. It's just sad someone who you think was a stitcher would have so little conscious to steal. They should know how much work goes into everything we stitch. Both stitching and the thinking about who it goes for. I do hope the person grows a conscious and returns them to you. GRRR why do people have to be so mean!!!
What a crappy thing for someone to do! Probably what I would do is post a message where your customers can see it, briefly detailing what happened and posting a picture of the stolen goods. Make it clear that this kind of thing not only hurts you personally, but hurts the shop financially, as I would assume you're not operating on a huge profit margin. I'd also let it be know that you'd appreciate the return of your items, no questions asked. Clearly it was a stitcher who pilfered the items, someone that knew the time and effort that went into making them, and hopefully, they'll find their conscience and return them.
That's awful. I hope that the person feels quilty and brings them back.
-Jen
I curse them...may all their stitches unravel...may frogs visit every piece they stitch.
I'm so sorry this happened to you. ***hugs***
This is just downright pitiful. I am with you; I couldn't believe that a stitcher would ever do that! Maybe it was a stitcher's child, just roaming around the shop while the Mom shopped? Maybe the mom doesn't even know about it? I agree with what Jennifer said here. Post it in the shop, you might get them back. I am so disgusted by this! I know when I am in a shop admiring the finished pieces, I wouldn't even dare to touch one! I stand it awe of them and stare and drink them in, but I would never even touch one, let alone TAKE one! Horrifying! I have to believe it was a kid or something... Someone that doesn't know any better.
How awful, Ann! I can understand your disappointment. Your towels look spectacular but I can't imagine taking someone else's work and trying to pass it as your own. I hope she is the last thief to ever come into your shop and home.
Hello Ann - this is my first visit to your blog. I read on Dani's blog about the person who came into your home/shop and stole from you. I, too, thought stitchers were an honest lot and I am sure that most of us are. Problem is now you will look at each and every visitor to the shop as a potential thief which is very sad. I am in an RR group where one member kept 3 pieces of work - mine being one of them. It's sad that there are people out there who do this type of thing and I fully agree with Daffycat's comments!
Ann,
This is also my first time visiting your blog and I can't tell you how awful I feel for you...I just don't understand how a fellow stitcher can do this to another fellow stitcher.
Hugs to you Ann...I am so sorry this rotten thing happened to you.
I hope this stitcher is proud of themselves! NOT! What a nasty thing to do.
My sincerest sympathies on the violation of both your trust and yopur hospitality. The problem seems to be endemic ... the owner of a shop I visited while on vacation in Maryland last June had resorted to the tactic of hanging all her shop models nine to ten feet above the floor. Her class models were kept either in locked cases or behind the counter where she worked. I can't say I blamed her: either she or her daughter had stitched most of the models. One was stitched by her 12 year old grand-daughter. I only spent an hour with this lady and I couldn't imagine anyone being so cruel and amoral as to steal from her ... she was helpful, charming, interesting, generous with her time and energy. The hour I spent in her shop is a very happy memory for me.
I am sure the vast majority of your patrons hold you in the same high esteem and value your shop accordingly. I only know you through your blog and I have learned much from you and would dearly love to visit your shop should I ever manage to drag my husband out of the US while vacationing.
I would search e-bay auctions for the pieces that went missing ... dollars to donuts, your thief is making a tidy profit on your work.
I'm in shock...I know a large number of the stitchers that frequent your shop and to think that one of them (or someone we don't know as well) would have the guts and conscience to take something that isn't theirs makes me angry.
I agree with with Jennifer, I would put something up that reminds them each and every time they are back in your shop. If they do come back.
I hope your weekend with Dani was a bright spot after this.
Oh Ann that is utterly devistating. To think that anyone, let alone a stitcher would stoop so low...maybe to pass this work off as their own also. Have you had any new customers lately? I can't see any of your "regulars" doing such a thing. This sort of thing just puts a knot in my stomach. It would be one thing to pilfer a skein of thread or chart, but a finished piece & Christmas gift.
Hopefully, as someone else said...maybe they will get a guilty conscience & it will show up anonymously too.
Marg
Awww Ann...I knew you were looking for those towels on Thursday, I'm just absolutely in shock to think that anyone would come into your store and blatantly take something . That is just horrible.
You are always so generous and kind to clients, this just isn't right.
If there is anything I can do to help you at ANY time let me know.
I have read your blog for a bit, and feel just terrible that someone would steal from you like this. That just hurts.
I work in retail. It is very sad indeed what people will do. I hope - somehow - that good will come out of this. Perhaps it seems hard to think it at the moment.
((((((((hugs for you))))))))))
Laura
Ann, I can't believe that someone would steal completed stitching right out of your house.
It is indeed sad when that happens, you have been nothing but generous with your fellow stitchers. I agree with some other comments, I can't believe your regulars would have done anything so dispicable. I can't even believe this would have been a regular stitcher. They would all know how much time and love is part of the completed cross stitch.
Hoping you get the items back
Carmen
Ann, I am so sorry to hear about this horrible thing! Like everyone else, I can't even imagine a stitcher doing such a thing. If I can help by stitching anything for you, I'll be happy to.
You know what they say about Karma....
I read about this on Dani's blog and just wanted to pop over and say I am so sorry - not just for your lost items, but more for your loss of trust in stitchers. What a horrible person. {{hugs}}
I am so sorry to hear that this happened to you. I hope that the person who took them will feel remorse and return them to you ASAP!
Oh, Ann - that is just awful. I cannot believe that another stitcher would take those things. They know how much time and work goes into each piece. I am so very sorry. Your home has always been such a warm and welcoming place for all of us. Hugs my friend
Ann I am so sorry to hear this has happened. It's terrible to think that stitchers could do something like this when they know how much time and effort goes into stitching something. I thought stichers were better than and, thankfully, I think the majority of us are good people. Shame on those who have done this.
So sorry to hear about the theft, that is horrible.
Hi Ann, I can't believe this happened. You are so generous and helpful. Hoping the person has a change of heart and brings the items back.
Colleen
I am so sorry to hear about your losses Ann.
How awful, Ann! I had the same experience once when they stole my purse while talking to me (3 persons), looking me in the face while another one grabbed in my bag. It's beyond words and I am very sorry all your work is gone now. Hopefully you won't find more losses!
Take care & hugs, Carolien
I read about your loss on Dani's blog. I'm so sorry this happened to you. I just don't understand how anyone can do this.
~~Martha~~
I'm way behind in my blogging and only just now found out about your theft via Dani. Ann, I'm feeling so badly for you. You are a very warm and welcoming person and I was so thrilled to have met you this summer. I can't believe the nerve of some people and a stitcher at that! Losing trust is a terrible thing.
I hope this is the only time that this happens to you.
Unfortunately I'm not surprised, as I've heard stories such as this before - including entire quilts being stolen from patchwork shops! It still disgusts me when I hear of it, though ... and leaves me speechless at such a dastardly and cowardly deed :( If you need a hand replacing some of those wee models, please let me know, I'm more than happy to do a bit of stitching for you to help you ... seriously! {{hugs}} Sorry for the late reply, but I'm still catching up after having no internet for a month!
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