And that makes paying the rent difficult for the co-operative which is closing its Ardmore St, Wanaka, shop today, after 21 years in business.
Mrs Wheeler, who has been looking after the shop one or two mornings a week will now spend more time in her garage turning out the little rimu kiwis she has been making and selling through the shop since 2004.
She is halfway through orders for 160, destined for Fox Glacier and elsewhere, and says she will now be able to spend more time on the lathe in her garage.
But Mrs Wheeler, who was ''talked into'' wood turning 17 years ago, laments the lack of outlets for locally-made handcrafts.
She says many of the handcrafts offered in Wanaka are not made in the area.
Co-operative members will continue to sell their wares through markets and online.
