Welcome to the first Fiction and Fairy Lights Blog Post
Fiction and Fairy Lights will be an independent cosy book shop in the heart of Cannock Chase, which will open at the end of January 2026. We will be serving hot and cold drinks and cakes and will also be selling gifts.Â
As a record for myself more than anything, but also because loads of people have been asking about progress, I have decided to write a blog so you can see what’s going on behind the scenes. So many glimmers of joy to record!Â
So here’s where we’re up to so far!Â
This is me on the day I got the keys, walking towards the bookshop in the pouring rain and opening the door for the very first time. A very exciting and emotional moment.Â
On Thursday 11th December, my coffee machine and cup warmer were delivered! That was another exciting moment too! They’re still in the box though, as I’m a bit scared of them. I need to put on my big girl pants and show it who’s boss! When I’m brave enough! LOL!Â
I also took some boxes of books from the existing shop, down to my shop and this is a little video of me carrying them in!Â
My bro-in-law Pete and friends Bev and Shaun heaved 50 planks of wood delivered off the back of a trailer. Then Pete started to cut them down into the height we’re having for the bookshelves. Â
I started sanding them and here’s a very short video of me beavering away.  I did four boards in two and half hours! At that point I had another 80 or so to go! But the sander and I became firm friends and I ploughed through them all and was delighted when I got to the part when I had enough for 11 bookshelves. Â
Builders have been in and partition walls have been knocked down, ceilings repaired and the counter has been mapped out. We have cabinets for the counter and I have an office full of STUFF!Â
Oh and we have chairs for the upstairs event space too! So pleased with them. You might get a sneaky peek of the colour that the walls upstairs are too! The painting of that area will be finished VERY soon. Â
While all of this was going on, I was also thinking about the events and even getting a couple into the diary. There are lots of exciting things ahead. Â
The one thing I didn’t factor in was that a lot of the book industry closes down for Christmas, so there are things that I am waiting on and was told that they’d happen in the new year. Â
I keep hearing my lovely Dad’s voice in my head telling me to slow down and be patient and it will all happen when it’s meant to. Â
This weekend we had a breakthrough! At 4pm yesterday, my amazing bro-in-law, nailed the last nail into the eleventh bookshelf that he has built.Â
I can’t believe that after all that sanding, (did I mentioned that I’d lovingly sanded every single plank myself?) have eleven bookshelves and I don’t mind telling you that I shed a little tear or two when I saw them all lined up! I think Pete shed a tear of relief to be honest. Â
They still have to be stained but now they’re build and most of the sanding has been done, the floor can be repaired and the walls can start to be painted and hopefully it’ll start to feel very different again.Â
Blooming snow has come along and interfered with my scheduling, but it has meant that I’ve cracked a long way on with my to do list today and feel like I’m finally starting to see my vision come to life. Â
Every day we’re making progress and moving the story forward, which is all I can ask for (even if I am really impatient and want it all done NOW!)Â
There’s so much admin to do behind the scenes too. I just bumped into someone in a shop recently, and she said I looked tired. LOL! I blooming am! I’m waking up at the crack of a sparrow’s fart every morning thinking about my mahoosive things to do list and trying to get out of bed as soon as I can to get cracking on it. I tick five things off and add ten things on!
The outpouring of love and offers of help along the way is filling my heart with joy!Â
A huge thank you to everyone who has helped, encouraged, brought food parcels, come and made me a cup of tea, given me a beep as they pass by in the car or a wave if on foot and made me feel so very loved.
I cannot tell you how very much it means to me.
Kim
xxx
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