'While Shepherds Watched' Blog
A chance for you to have a quick peak at the latest news from 'While Shepherds Watched'.
25th November 2009 - More Blue and White Striped costumes to come...
After a very busy day, I have just sold out of Blue and White Striped Joseph and Shepherds costumes, and also the 'Sheepskin style' waistcoats. Never fear, guess what I will sewing bright and early tomorrow!
If you'd like to order one of these costumes, please do. They will be back in stock very soon.
23rd November 2009 - More Mary & Royal Blue Shepherds have Arrived
The very last of the beautiful Fairtrade Certified Cotton tunics arrived today thanks to the lovely people at Bishopston Trading. I have updated the stock levels on the website.
I am currently down to the very last brown Striped Joseph costume. I have no more of this fabric, so that's the last one. I will be arranging another Joseph costume very shortly, But do remember that although I describe the costumes as 'Joseph' or 'Inn Keeper' or 'Shepherd', they are generally suitable for any of these roles (and more besides!) the costumes last
22nd November 2009 - Busy Busy Busy!
Its all very busy here at Costume Central! Costumes are selling fast, so if you want a particular costume order it before they all go! Looking in particular at the costumes with tunics made from Fairtrade Certified Cotton, then the stock numbers shown are all that I have.
17th November 2009 - The First Nativity Dog!
Well - I've just completed sewing my first ever Nativity Dog! I don't remember there being a dog in the nativity story, but obviously there was one! I'll post a photo when I get the chance. I worked from a photo of the customer's own dog, so hopefully she'll be pleased, and hopefully she'll let me post the photo of the dog so you can see if the costume resembles the dog (or not!)
I've had a few special requests come in over the last few days, not just dogs but longer length tunics, or just tunics without the head dress (for a 'village person'). If you need something special, then please get in touch in plenty of time, and I'll see what I can do.
Angel Wings
I've been waiting on some gorgeous looking feathered Angel wings to arrive, in order to complete the Angel costume. Unfortunately due to illness of my supplier, these are unlikely to arrive before next week now.
9th November 2009 - Orders are coming in now!
Orders are now coming in steadily - Mary costumes are particularly popular this week, for some reason. Remember, for many of these costumes (particularly those with tunics made from Fairtrade Certified Cotton) I have only a limited stock. Once they're gone - they're gone!
7th November 2009 - No Royal Mail strikes before Christmas!
It was with great relief I heard that the CWU have called off all postal strikes before Christmas. This means you can order your costumes with FREE First Class Postage, and not have to worry about them getting held up by industrial action. Phew!
Details are given on the Royal Mail website
5th November 2009 - Online Store Opens!
After a very late night last night, the While Shepherds Watched 2009 Online Store is officially OPEN! Please have a look through all of the costumes I have on offer this year. As a change to previous years, I have costumes that are In Stock and ready to be despatched the next working day after I receive your order. I also have costumes that I will be making myself which are Available To Order. These will be despatched around 3 -5 days after ordering.
Prices this year include First Class Postage. Alternatively, you can upgrade to Special Delivery for an extra £4.00 per order.
Please do Contact Me if you have any questions, or need a costume I don't have listed. I may be able to help!
31st October 2009 - Halloween outside, Christmas inside!
Just had to show you more about the Fairtrade cotton tunics that arrived the other day. Each tunic comes with a small paper notice about the village where it was made.
Each tunic also has a label sewn inside the back of the neck, showing that its made from Fairtrade Certified Organic Cotton. Washing instructions are on the reverse of this label.
I just know you are going to be as pleased with these tunics as I am!
29th October 2009 - Exciting Deliveries
What an exciting day! It started off at 8.30am with a courier delivering this year's packaging. Doesn't sound very exciting? Well, how does bright red mailing sacks sound! I think they look very Christmas-sy, and in the (hopefully) rare event of a parcel going missing, being able to describe a bright red parcel might just help.
A couple of hours later, another ring on the doorbell, and another two parcels turned up. These parcels were sewn into canvas packaging, and the labels on them showed they had come from Bishopston Trading, and so must contain my costumes!
My husband remarked it was like Christmas morning! Much rustling of paper, much calling for scissors, and then excited shouting because the parcels contained just what the opener had wanted. Except of course, this was me getting all over-excited rather than the children!
Now to make sure I have enough head dresses and headbands to go with the tunics, and to get Miss Auton dressed up for some photographs!
September 2009 - Countdown begins
Children have gone back to school after the summer holidays, and unbelievably its time to start the hard work of getting While Shepherds Watched ready for the 2009 Nativity season. The length of Bishopston Trading cotton (which is fair trade organic cotton) has arrived, and I am in the middle of making a dozen 'Joseph' costumes from it. This fabric is beautiful, a lovely weight, and the costumes are looking great!
August 2009 - Sourcing Fair Trade Tunics!
I have been searching for suppliers of Fairtrade certified cotton, in order to make this season's nativity costumes. I have been delighted to find Bishopston Trading Company, who not only supply fair trade cotton, but can also supply tailored garments to your own design, from their beautiful fabrics. I have ordered as many tunics from them as they have suitable fabric for!
Now I can't wait for them to arrive ...
May 2009 - Say 'hello' to Miss Auton
May I introduce my newest model - Miss Auton! Shown here with my now redundant models, who are (sadly for me) too tall.
Miss Auton is the size of a 3 - 4 year old, so I thought she was perfect for showing off my costumes, without any blinking or fidgeting, and no bribery needed!
(Just in case you were wondering, we're Doctor Who fans in this house, which is where her name came from.)
