21/07/2026
It’s time to say goodbye.
I’ve been putting off writing this post but the time has come for us to close The Bespoke Workshop.
In 6 months time, I would have been trading for 10 whole years! Nearly a whole decade of a business that my life has focused around. Hundreds of thousands of items that we’ve made, posted all over the world, a wonderful bunch of humans who have been apart of the team through the years and the nicest, kindest people who have supported us along the way - my heart has always been full reading messages and comments, getting phone calls and emails saying how our creations have brought happiness into the lives of others.
So so much to be grateful for. But the truth is this business isn’t the same as what it was a few years ago, and to continue to keep running it out of pride is just not sustainable.
This has been on the horizon for a while… The landscapes changed, the online space isn’t the same as what it was a few years ago. Visibility comes at a much higher price, something that our average £15 purchase just can’t factor in.
Plus the last few years we seem to have been constantly fighting different pressures; hackers, Chinese sellers stealing our designs and photos, costs increasing, algorithms changing, various new international posting demands, AI(!) Unsurprisingly sales are massively down and with all of the costs up, this is no longer a viable business.
It’s not all sad though. It’s something I’ve been aware of and alongside TBW we’ve been building another business called Lightning Laser, where we manufacture products for other creatives and businesses using their designs. Same amazing team, same machinery, just different focus.
But for this to thrive, we need to be putting 100% into it.
I love what we do, my business has always been something I’m really passionate about and I really believe that this could work well. It’s time though to close some doors so we can continue to run. It’s no longer sustainable to continue the way we are and as sad as it is, I just no longer see a future in TBW.
I’m planning to close the website this month and our Etsy will be reduced to only a few product listings that we will continue to make. We will also be running a last chance sale for anyone who would like to order any designs whilst available on our website.
It’s hard trying to wrap this up, just thinking about all of the years and memories is making me well up. All of our followers and supporters, customers and team members you have been incredible.
Thank you for being a part of our story. Scarlett xx
