02/10/2025
Hi all, it's been a minute, sit in for a long rant...
A little rant and a lot of honesty from behind the workbench today 🛠️
We're facing massive delays/difficulties getting tweed delivered to Northern Ireland, and honestly? I'm so frustrated and angry.
Here's the reality: UK mainland suppliers either flat-out refuse to ship here or hit us with shipping costs that would make your eyes water. The excuse? "Oh, Northern Ireland is complicated now." On paper We're part of the UK, but apparently only when it's convenient for them.
The ignorance and indifference is maddening. Half these businesses can't be bothered to understand the actual regulations, so they just... don't ship here. The other half use it as an excuse to charge triple. Either way, we're brushed aside like we don't exist.
And you know what the real kicker is? I'm a leather craftsperson. I trained to cut, stitch, and finish beautiful products. Now I'm having to become an expert in customs codes, shipping regulations, and cross-border trade law just to get the materials I need. This isn't what I signed up for.
I want to be in my workshop creating. Instead, I'm spending hours researching suppliers who'll actually treat Northern Irish businesses like the equal businesses we're supposed to be, not filling out endless paperwork, and trying to decipher regulations that change every few months.
I'm working on finding alternative suppliers and solutions because your orders WILL be fulfilled - that's a promise. But please bear with me if there are delays on Harris Tweed collars over the next few weeks.
To everyone who's been patient and supportive - thank you. Small businesses survive because of customers like you who understand we're doing our absolute best despite the system working against us.
Right, rant over. Back to the leather work I can actually control 💪🐾
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