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Celtic Attic the Beginning
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[The
Celtic Mum] |
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Our Irish Flag Flying up the hill from the Warehouse
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We have had so many people ask who we are and what we
are all about, that we decided to tell our tale right here. Celtic
Attic LLC began as a Small 10 page website selling handmade Sea Shell
Pendants and Celtic Sea Salts. We opened our website January
2000. We had our first sale in June 2000. As a hobby for
Computer Nerdette, Kristin, this was just that, a great diversion from
the Computer and ISP Business she owned with her now ex-husband Ben. Long
days of computer work, Website Development and down and dirty tech work,
required a break and Celtic Attic LLC was it.
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- So, In July of 2000, shortly after that FIRST SALE, Kristin
went out on the web and contacted family in Norway, Ireland and
Scotland and made a conscious effort to get Unique and Beautiful
Jewellery,
Artwork, Crafts and much more to add to the website. Well, she
went completely overboard and by the end of December 2000, we had
over 600 products on the website. We had a Small Shop in Port
Hueneme, CA and were selling at Celtic Festivals, Irish Festivals
and Highland Games.
- Throughout most of 2001, sales were tremendous over the Web.
The shop served as a Computer Repair Store in the back and the
Celtic Shop up front. In Mid 2001, The shop closed it's doors
because it was very obvious that the Website and the Festivals were
the wave of the future for the Celtic Attic LLC.
- By the end of 2001, it was obvious to Kristin, her Family and most
of her friends that Celtic Attic LLC was a hit. It was also
obvious after a short family vacation to the Olympic Peninsula in
Washington, that the family and business was destined to Move
North! So the house in CA was put on the market, sold in 4
days and for the next month until close of Escrow the family
finished remodeling on the house, packed their belonging in 4 haul,
and drove North! They landed in Silverdale, WA (Kristin, Ben,
3 kids, Kristin's Mom, 3 cats & 2 dogs), lived in a Hotel for a
week. They found their new Homestead and a little land at the
end of that week near the cities of Port Townsend and Quilcene, WA.
So off they went and unpacked and got settled.
- Well, NOW, July 2002 - Celtic Attic is finally settled in.
We are out at the end of the world - 20 minutes to any road that is
20 minutes from the nearest town. We love it. It's Green
and Peaceful and Pristine! We built a Warehouse and Kristin
did not hesitate to fill it up. Oh Yea, we SOLD the Computer
and ISP business. So Now, the family is all pitching in on the
business. We have relatives and friends that help out in the
shipping department (Big building off the warehouse). We have
Telecommuters that work from their own homes Prepping our orders and
helping with filing and accounting functions and much
more.
- Update: December 2002! We have had the
best Nov and Dec is shaping up to be the same. We want to
extend our Thanks, Appreciation and Blessings to all who have
shopped, browsed, researched, explored and found answers and goodies
at the Celtic Attic this year and all previous years. We are
entering our third year of business in January 2003 and we want to
wish you all the best for the Holiday Season and the New Year.
- We have been compared to Nordstrom's on many occasions recently
for our business philosophy on how we treat our Customers.
Kristin, won't sell something that she is not absolutely proud
of. "I want happy customers, I want repeat customers, I
want my customers to call me by my first name and have a Smile part
their lips when they think of Celtic Attic and the Pride of the
Celts & the Vikings! I love my heritage and I want to
share it with all my visitors, whether they purchase something or
not". Celtic Attic has tons of pages of Tips N Hints and
History on the Celts so those just interested in Information can
feel right at home at the Celtic Attic.
- We have just passed into our 3rd year as a Celtic
Business. It has been a remarkable journey. We have
expanded leaps and bounds and have quite a wonderful group of
leprechauns and elves helping us here at the end of Nowhere,
WA. We also have a wonderful group of customers that just keep
coming back again and again! Thanks so much! This month
has also been very hard as my Mum, Shirley Olsen, passed away on the
23rd of January, very suddenly. We are slowly recovering and
working hard to remember her life and the lessons she left to
us...Stay tuned for more Magical Journeys at the Celtic Attic.
- 2002 - Oh, the Joys of the Holiday Seasons. It is the beginning of
November. We are working diligently to stock up for the Holiday
rush of order... I think they have already begun - October was an
exceptionally busy month for us! We are working on expanding our
warehouse and offices.... So much work. We have added a lot of
new product lines with a few more to come after the New Year! So
stay tuned. As always, enjoy your shopping at the Celtic Attic!
- 2003 - Just a quick note to wish everyone a most joyous and Happy
Christmas! This has been such a wonderful year for the Celtic
Attic and its staff. We have been blessed with a lot of
business and truly wonderful customers. As most of you know my
Mum passed on in January of this year. I am very sad to announce
that my dear Dad just passed on December 3rd. Both will be missed
terribly by us, but will remain in our hearts and minds forever.
As we move into the year 2004 we hope to have some happy times on the
home front! The most Heartfelt Irish Blessings to all who enter
the Celtic Attic in 2004 and beyond!
- 2004 - We are starting out the new year with a Winter Wonderland
of White in NW Washington State. We had our first school Snow
Day on Friday Jan. 7th... Kids loved it! I just wanted to say
Thanks and Many Blessings for the New Year to all those that are
regular Customers at the Celtic Attic and to all our New Friends.
We had a tremendous year and grew by more than 30% this year. As
always, we try to give back a few of the blessings we receive...We
will continue to have our Free Giveaways each month and give donations
to Charities that request our assistance. Our hearts and prayers
go out to all the families of the recent Tsunami
disaster. We
hope that 2005 brings a brighter future with Peace and Love for all
the planet. On a personal note - I am happy to say that my
husband is cancer free and I am slowly recovering from the loss of
both my mum and dad in 2003... Happy memories are replacing the
sadness. For all of you out there that are adopted or your
looking for a parent of sibling or other family member - DO NOT EVER
GIVE UP! Ultimately the search is worth the time, trouble,
money, pain and joy. Whatever the outcome of your search, you
tried and that is in itself worth the search.
- Just a quick note this lovely, rainy May day 2005 in WA... I am
working on a couple of books that family, friends and many clients
have been telling me for years I should write. The first to be
released with be a Family Cookbook with our old recipes from both my
Great-Grandma, Granny, Mum, and some Norwegian recipes from my dear
Dad's side. I have also found some old notes in the old family
cookbook with a lot of Irish dishes that my Grandfather apparently
loved. He didn't know growing up he was of Irish descent, yet
that is where his tastes always were. Irish Food and the song
"Oh Danny Boy" are fond memories in my minds eye. The book
should be released by July 1st and will be available for sale on the
website and then on Amazon... The next book will be a Poetry
anthology. I am working on a Genealogical Journey tale of
finding my dad and a tribute to the women in my history. This
book is due to be released sometime in Spring 2010. Have a
wonderful Spring!
- 2005 We want to thank you each
for your patronage over the last year. You have helped make Celtic
Attic LLC twice as successful as last year! We have had a tremendous year
and a Fantastic Holiday Season. Thank you to each and every one of
you. May all your wishes come true this Holiday Season and for the
New Year! With your help we were also able to donate quite a tidy sum
to the Katrina Hurricane Victims, Homeless shelters, Food Co-ops,
Local and National Charities, Military personnel serving in Iraq,
Several Local Military families, 3 children chosen at random received
everything on their Christmas Wish List and last but, not least 2
Celtic Attic shoppers received gift baskets for the Holiday Season. Public adjusters were very helpful after Katrina, helping people get the most from their insurance companies.
Thanks again, you are all awesome and we send hugs and kisses for a
Grand New Year!
- 2006 Just a quick update to let all our shoppers/friends/customers know that we are undergoing a major company
restructuring this year. My partner/husband and I have decided
to go our separate ways both in the business arena and in our personal
lives as well. After 10 years, a new path has begun for me and
for the business. As my partner was basically a silent partner
and no dealings with the day to day operations of Celtic Attic LLC,
nothing will change on the customer side. We will be updating
our shopping cart software and the owner name change will take effect
shortly, but everything you know and love about Celtic Attic LLC
will stay
the same. We are looking on this as new adventure. I would also
like to announce the employment of my eldest son Josh as a customer
service associate. Thanks and we look forward to serving you for
at least another 100 years!
- May 2007 Another update from the Celtic
Attic LLC. Thanks to everyone for your concern, compliments and
assistance over this last year of transition. We finally have it
mostly figured out. Life is wonderful and I encourage you all to
stop for just a moment each day and give thanks for the blessings in
your world. It is amazing to watch and learn. I am now
writing a Celtic Article for a National Magazine - Mystic Pop.
It comes out every other month. I have also released 3 poetry
books, 1 very funky Celtic Cookbook and 2 children's books. I am
working an Internet Business book that will go to print in Sept 2008
(hopefully).
More on this one later, but just wanted to let all my wonderful
customers and friends know that life is truly grand. Drop me an
eMail if you want to say hi or chit chat. Peace!
- May 2008
A very wonderful belated New Year and Thank you to all our wonderful
customers and friends that keep visiting us year after year. We
love your stories, pictures and questions... 2007 was a fantastic year
and 2008 looks to be even better, which means I am busier than ever.
Thus the belated addition the beginnings tale pages... We are working
on opening the Celtic Attic Tea Stop out here at the end of nowhere...
We will be offering Celtic snacks and treats, Irish teas and Irish
coffees and smoothies... It will be worth the drive to stop for a
beverage, some awesome chocolate, sit and listen to Irish tunes and
browse our catalog or use the Internet Cafe to visit the Celtic Attic
LLC and place an order. Call us if you want to know our Grand
Opening date! 360-765-0186. Also, we will be starting a
Spiritual and Artist Tour of Ireland program beginning May 2009.
We will send some more details out in our newsletter later this year
and also it will be listed on the website after the Summer season.
Blessings to all of you and your families. If you ever need
anything, you know you have friends here at the Celtic Attic LLC and all
you have to do is ask...
- January 2010 2009 was certainly a
difficult year for most businesses and families. The Economy
and the Media as well as everyone you seemed to talk to was worried
about one thing or another. Lots of people lost their
homes and loved ones in natural disasters. This is the first
year after starting Celtic Attic LLC that I can remember thinking to
myself, if I get through this year, I might consider selling and
trying something new. As I spoke with customers, I learned
they were so glad I am still around because it gives them a sense of
stability in their shopping, that I now know I will be working with
Celtic Attic LLC in some fashion or another forever. I love it
and love sharing. Thank you to all our customers that shopped
with us even though they were watching their wallets and wondering
like the rest of us. Thank you also to everyone that
personally was with us through all the problems with my youngest
son. He had a hard year, but is now doing so much
better. We moved after my middle son graduated from High
School because although it was nice to have our little rural store
and house, it was too rural for me without help. So in June we
put the house up for sale. In Sept we rented it out and moved
to Bremerton WA. We are temporary executive suites which are
great, but not where we want to be permanently. They are nice because
I have access to an entire suite to host sales and Celtic Attic LLC
parties. We are also going to start doing more traveling and
shows and Highland games next year. So check out the Contact
Us pages for our upcoming show schedules. Thanks again for all
your support. Peace and Light.
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