Tag: COVID-19

Sunday was a bit of a shit day for our self-isolating little family. First, my wife was told that her grandad had passed away in the night. Shortly after, I was told that my dad had also passed away. Both largely without drama, and nothing to do with COVID-19. It does mean that visiting was out of the question and any funerals will be somewhat difficult to plan.

I was fairly prepared for my dad passing. I saw him last Sunday and he was clearly done with it all – he said as much. Not in a depressing, defeated way – this has been a rapid deterioration – but he was ready to go. I knew I may not see him again.

Still, rough day, & weird times. I think we’re OK. Little man is clinging to his mum a lot, and is getting upset easily, but seems otherwise fairly well. Hopefully a false alarm. He bloody loves Totoro right now, so we’re watching that twice a day and spending time in the garden whilst the weather is nice. Could certainly be worse!

I received notice this morning that, following Monday’s announcements by the UK government, my place of work is shutting entirely. As I’m still not allowed out, I can’t retrieve any stock from the workshop. The store will remain open, but all orders will be delayed indefinitely – except those consisting only of print-on-demand items. Those will continue as long as I have material with which to print.

Print-on-demand items include: 3D Alien Worlds scenery, Bushido zones and accessories. All resin items, such as shoulder pads, are stuck at work 🙁

Take care of yourselves, and paint your minis!

Ben.

These are strange times. Our hobby finds itself split between being ideal for isolation and massively crippled by it. In some ways, I can imagine demand for hobby products increasing, but many of us find ourselves in a position where we can’t guarantee our income over the coming months.

I’ve moved much of my office home for the time being, though the workshop remains at work. The intent was to head in to the workshop once a week to cast, pick, & pack orders. This could lead to delays in dispatching orders, but would allow things to keep going. I have brought my printers home, so print-on-demand stuff should be largely unaffected. I simply can’t transport all my stock and resin casting equipment home right now.

All of this was fine until my son developed a cough and fever on Friday. Our family finds itself looking at at least 14 days of self-isolation. At the same time, my 86 year old father is in A&E suffering with breathing difficulties and other complications. We’re awaiting test results. It doesn’t look great, honestly, and I have had to come to terms with the possibility that I have seen him for the last time.

How does this affect Master Crafted Miniatures for the time being? For the next 14 days, no new orders will be fulfilled. I’m looking at a way to circumnavigate this, but I obviously can’t head in myself. Any print-on-demand orders which are made will be printed during this time, for dispatch once I am able to return to the workshop. I will continue my freelance sculpting for GCT during this time, so expect to remain financially secure. MCM isn’t going away!

I’ll update as things change, and post to social media when I can.

Stay safe, and paint your minis!

Ben.