Hey everybody! Sorry for not updating the thread in a while, we've been working like rented mules to get these bags done.
Seriously, the donation drive generated over 600 bags to be done, 500+ to two game stores alone. Also, when you count the 100+ custom bags and the 30 orders (about 100 bags) we already had in our queue and you can see why we're behind. Our monogrammer is still abysmally behind and unfortunately there's no relief in sight for her. She's busy enough that she & her husband are working 16-18 hours a day, but they can't afford to hire any help since they just started 6 months ago!
To top everything else off, we've been further slowed by our chainmail guy being behind as well because, like us, he's been dealing with life stuff and that's taken away from his time to make the chainmail. Then, of course, we had to have some more of the smaller silver grommets we use - we ordered them and they were out of stock. So, we spent two weeks waiting for them to come in - just got them a couple of days ago. *whew!*
On the job front: I still have been unable to find something, although I must've put out my resumé 500+ times by now.
On the snatching-victory-from-the-jaws of defeat front: my company that I'm a partner in that as of two weeks ago had made zero money, in fact was $40,000 in debt, in just over a year of existence - has now, no one pass out, made money. Granted, it goes to cover the -$40,000, but suddenly (we can only assume the economy is finally improving) we're actually getting business thrown our way! Our problem this whole time has been that folks would approach us and say that they really would like us to do X, Y, and Z for them - but they didn't have any money in their budget! Now, knock on wood, that seems to be turning around. Hopefully the economy will actually keep turning around and we'll be able to survive (maybe even pay the rent this month!) Another thing that has helped us recently is that we decided to expand our services to include security cameras (CCTV) and that has been extremely popular. Sooooo, everyone keep thinking good thoughts toward this business growing, and for the Gamer's Bag to keep going too.
Right now we're still balanced on the edge of a knife, but we're praying that we'll be out of this financial hell-hole soon. Thanks again to everyone for all of your help, support and continued patience for those still waiting on bags. We are shipping out a LOT of bags today, by the way. I'll be e-mailing those folks today and letting them know their stuff is coming!
In the mean time, if anyone would like to order, we've just finished a lot of bags and should be getting closer to our usual 4-6 weeks timeframe on getting orders out.
