Celtic Attic the Beginning

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Our Irish Flag Flying up the hill from the Warehouse

We have had so many people ask who we are and what we are all about, that we decided to tell our tale right here.  Celtic Attic began as a Small 10 page website selling handmade Sea Shell Pendants and Celtic Sea Salts.  We opened our website January 2000.  We had our first sale in June 2000.  As a hobby for Computer Nerdette, Kristin, this was just that, a great diversion from the Computer and ISP Business she owned with her now ex-husband Ben.  Long days of computer work, Website Development and down and dirty tech work, required a break and Celtic Attic was it.

• So, In July of 2000, shortly after that FIRST SALE,  Kristin went out on the web and contacted family in Norway, Ireland and Scotland and made a conscious effort to get Unique and Beautiful Jewellery, Artwork, Crafts and much more to add to the website.  Well, she went completely overboard and by the end of December 2000, we had over 600 products on the website.  We had a Small Shop in Port Hueneme, CA and were selling at Celtic Festivals, Irish Festivals and Highland Games.
• Throughout most of 2001, sales were tremendous over the Web.  The shop served as a Computer Repair Store in the back and the Celtic Shop up front.  In Mid 2001, The shop closed it's doors because it was very obvious that the Website and the Festivals were the wave of the future for the Celtic Attic.
• By the end of 2001, it was obvious to Kristin, her Family and most of her friends that Celtic Attic was a hit.  It was also obvious after a short family vacation to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, that the family and business was destined to Move North!  So the house in CA was put on the market, sold in 4 days and for the next month until close of Escrow the family finished remodeling on the house, packed their belonging in 4 haul, and drove North!  They landed in Silverdale, WA (Kristin, Ben, 3 kids, Kristin's Mom, 3 cats & 2 dogs), lived in a Hotel for a week.  They found their new Homestead and a little land at the end of that week near the cities of Port Townsend and Quilcene, WA.  So off they went and unpacked and got settled.
• Well, NOW, July 2002 - Celtic Attic is finally settled in.  We are out at the end of the world - 20 minutes to any road that is 20 minutes from the nearest town.  We love it.  It's Green and Peaceful and Pristine!  We built a Warehouse and Kristin did not hesitate to fill it up.  Oh Yea, we SOLD the Computer and ISP business.  So Now, the family is all pitching in on the business.  We have relatives and friends that help out in the shipping department (Big building off the warehouse).  We have Telecommuters that work from their own homes Prepping our orders and helping with  filing and accounting functions and much more.
• Update:  December 2002!  We have had the best Nov and Dec is shaping up to be the same.  We want to extend our Thanks, Appreciation and Blessings to all who have shopped, browsed, researched, explored and found answers and goodies at the Celtic Attic this year and all previous years.  We are entering our third year of business in January 2003 and we want to wish you all the best for the Holiday Season and the New Year.
• We have been compared to Nordstrom's on many occasions recently for our business philosophy on how we treat our Customers.  Kristin, won't sell something that she is not absolutely proud of.  "I want happy customers, I want repeat customers, I want my customers to call me by my first name and have a Smile part their lips when they think of Celtic Attic and the Pride of the Celts & the Vikings!  I love my heritage and I want to share it with all my visitors, whether they purchase something or not".  Celtic Attic has tons of pages of Tips N Hints and History on the Celts so those just interested in Information can feel right at home at the Celtic Attic.
• We have just passed into our 3rd year as a Celtic Business.  It has been a remarkable journey.  We have expanded leaps and bounds and have quite a wonderful group of leprechauns and elves helping us here at the end of Nowhere, WA.  We also have a wonderful group of customers that just keep coming back again and again!  Thanks so much!  This month has also been very hard as my Mum, Shirley Olsen, passed away on the 23rd of January, very suddenly.  We are slowly recovering and working hard to remember her life and the lessons she left to us...Stay tuned for more Magical Journeys at the Celtic Attic.
• 2002 - Oh, the Joys of the Holiday Seasons. It is the beginning of November.  We are working diligently to stock up for the Holiday rush of order... I think they have already begun - October was an exceptionally busy month for us!  We are working on expanding our warehouse and offices.... So much work.  We have added a lot of new product lines with a few more to come after the New Year!  So stay tuned.  As always, enjoy your shopping at the Celtic Attic!
• 2003 - Just a quick note to wish everyone a most joyous and Happy Christmas!  This has been such a wonderful year for the Celtic Attic and its staff.  We have been blessed with a lot of business and truly wonderful customers.  As most of you know my Mum passed on in January of this year.  I am very sad to announce that my dear Dad just passed on December 3rd. Both will be missed terribly by us, but will remain in our hearts and minds forever.  As we move into the year 2004 we hope to have some happy times on the home front!  The most Heartfelt Irish Blessings to all who enter the Celtic Attic in 2004 and beyond!
• 2004 - We are starting out the new year with a Winter Wonderland of White in NW Washington State.  We had our first school Snow Day on Friday Jan. 7th... Kids loved it!  I just wanted to say Thanks and Many Blessings for the New Year to all those that are regular Customers at the Celtic Attic and to all our New Friends.  We had a tremendous year and grew by more than 30% this year.  As always, we try to give back a few of the blessings we receive...We will continue to have our Free Giveaways each month and give donations to Charities that request our assistance.  Our hearts and prayers go out to all the families of the recent Tsunami disaster.  We hope that 2005 brings a brighter future with Peace and Love for all the planet.  On a personal note - I am happy to say that my husband is cancer free and I am slowly recovering from the loss of both my mum and dad in 2003... Happy memories are replacing the sadness.  For all of you out there that are adopted or your looking for a parent of sibling or other family member - DO NOT EVER GIVE UP!  Ultimately the search is worth the time, trouble, money, pain and joy.  Whatever the outcome of your search, you tried and that is in itself worth the search.
• Just a quick note this lovely, rainy May day 2005 in WA... I am working on a couple of books that family, friends and many clients have been telling me for years I should write.  The first to be released with be a Family Cookbook with our old recipes from both my Great-Grandma, Granny, Mum, and some Norwegian recipes from my dear Dad's side. I have also found some old notes in the old family cookbook with a lot of Irish dishes that my Grandfather apparently loved.  He didn't know growing up he was of Irish descent, yet that is where his tastes always were.  Irish Food and the song "Oh Danny Boy" are fond memories in my minds eye.  The book should be released by July 1st and will be available for sale on the website and then on Amazon...  The next book will be a Poetry anthology.  I am working on a Genealogical Journey tale of finding my dad and a tribute to the women in my history.  This book is due to be released sometime in Spring 2010.  Have a wonderful Spring!
• 2005 We want to thank you each for your patronage over the last year.  You have helped make Celtic Attic twice as successful as last year!  We have had a tremendous year and a Fantastic Holiday Season.  Thank you to each and every one of you.  May all your wishes come true this Holiday Season and for the New Year!  With your help we were also able to donate quite a tidy sum to the Katrina Hurricane Victims, Homeless shelters, Food Co-ops, Local and National Charities, Military personnel serving in Iraq, Several Local Military families, 3 children chosen at random received everything on their Christmas Wish List and last but, not least 2 Celtic Attic shoppers received gift baskets for the Holiday Season. Thanks again, you are all awesome and we send hugs and kisses for a Grand New Year!
• 2006 Just a quick update to let all our shoppers/friends/customers know that we are undergoing a major company restructuring this year.  My partner/husband and I have decided to go our separate ways both in the business arena and in our personal lives as well.  After 10 years, a new path has begun for me and for the business.  As my partner was basically a silent partner and no dealings with the day to day operations of Celtic Attic, nothing will change on the customer side.  We will be updating our shopping cart software and the owner name change will take effect shortly, but everything you know and love about Celtic Attic will stay the same.  We are looking on this as new adventure. I would also like to announce the employment of my eldest son Josh as a customer service associate.  Thanks and we look forward to serving you for at least another 100 years!
• May 2007 Another update from the Celtic Attic.  Thanks to everyone for your concern, compliments and assistance over this last year of transition.  We finally have it mostly figured out.  Life is wonderful and I encourage you all to stop for just a moment each day and give thanks for the blessings in your world.  It is amazing to watch and learn.  I am now writing a Celtic Article for a National Magazine - Mystic Pop.  It comes out every other month.  I have also released 3 poetry books, 1 very funky Celtic Cookbook and 2 children's books.  I am working an Internet Business book that will go to print in Sept 2008 (hopefully).  More on this one later, but just wanted to let all my wonderful customers and friends know that life is truly grand.  Drop me an eMail if you want to say hi or chit chat.  Peace!
• May 2008  A very wonderful belated New Year and Thank you to all our wonderful customers and friends that keep visiting us year after year.  We love your stories, pictures and questions... 2007 was a fantastic year and 2008 looks to be even better, which means I am busier than ever.  Thus the belated addition the beginnings tale pages... We are working on opening the Celtic Attic Tea Stop out here at the end of nowhere... We will be offering Celtic snacks and treats, Irish teas and Irish coffees and smoothies... It will be worth the drive to stop for a beverage, some awesome chocolate, sit and listen to Irish tunes and browse our catalog or use the Internet Cafe to visit the Celtic Attic and place an order.  Call us if you want to know our Grand Opening date!  360-765-0186.  Also, we will be starting a Spiritual and Artist Tour of Ireland program beginning May 2009.  We will send some more details out in our newsletter later this year and also it will be listed on the website after the Summer season.  Blessings to all of you and your families.  If you ever need anything, you know you have friends here at the Celtic Attic and all you have to do is ask...