Love it when a plan comes together

Have been working hard this week and apart from a break on Wednesday when I met up with a friend for coffee and chat, been ensconced in my sewing room.

Working on some old and some new projects starting with the last knitted bodice dress, pretty in pink and in this case a magenta top.

Needle minders

Been thinking of these for a while made out of wood blanks and some pretty prints added to the fronts. A floral button added to the bottom magnet makes it easy to remove from the top part, holding your needle. Then came the decision, how to display. A hoop seemed the obvious item but had to add 'Needle Minder' in cross stitch to the centre then of course some broderie anglais lace.

Order for lavender sachets, all packaged and waiting for courier collection on Monday

Sold another lavender lady to the same lovely customer who bought the last 3

Some more fun paperclips

Finally the Strawberry Lavender Sachets, these have been a bit stop and start as ran out of green embroidery thread so could not finish. Mainly because gave a load of thread to my sister when I had a de-clutter.

Linking up with Handmade Monday

Until next week, have fun and try to dodge the rain

events for 2017 and pricing

This is not so much about what you charge but the price of the items you take with you to an event. I have done multiple events over my 35+ years of doing fairs on and off. Started off with party plan which was okay but doing the orders afterwards could be stressful as had to make sure I could get all the elements. That was in the day of pre-internet any purchases had to be made in person. Can remember going to New Covent Garden Flower Market in Nine Elms at 4am on a Saturday morning to pick up lace fans, silk flowers and more. They closed at 8am so you had to go early. The smell as you walked into the flower hall was fantastic and so easy to get waylaid by beautiful flowers as I headed to the florist sundry shops all round the outside of the flower hall.

Whilst I do miss my trips as the experience is brilliant and well worth a trip if you can do it. Plus the banter and negotiations with the stallholders is always fun. The internet makes things so much easier and less likely to buy things you do not need.

Anyway back to the subject in hand prices for your event. As mentioned I have done a lot of events, made a variety of products but have learnt over the years that each event has it's own pricing ceiling. By that I mean at a  local village fair you are unlikely to sell above the £10 mark more likely £5 and under. I do take higher ticket items as they can be a feature of your stall and attract buyers and you never know you may sell said items.

I have made the decision to cut back on events this year and go back to local fairs, have 3 booked in total for October and November, not doing December as find most buyers have already bought gifts and off to the high street instead. Hence making lots of smaller items that hopefully will be well received and sell.

The reason for cutting back is I have got so fed up with all the lugging you have to do, sitting there trying to keep the smile on your face as the disarrrster of a day ticks down in seconds on the clock. Where 1 hour feels like 4 to the extent you have eaten all your lunch by mid-morning, the coffee flask is empty and you end up spending money at the coffee shop. One event I went to last year about 4 of us stallholders staggered back from the coffee shop with humungous slices of homemade Victoria sponge, it was delicious. Totally not needed but the boredom had set in big time.

Also using facebook more for promotion of my product line and various groups I am on. Tried the FB shop but that did not work. A few items on Etsy atm but when the time is up they will also go.

I have also got money conscience in my old age and object to paying high rents for no return.

Not trying to depress anyone but think for me the reality has kicked in,

Have fun and check out the other blogs at Handmade Monday

The meeces are here

Good morning all, hope you all had a good week mine was spent sewing and making up some mice paperweights. Something about meeces always attract me in designs and so happy with the way these linen ones now look, perfect to keep you company while working and your papers secure as the bases are filled with rice.

Found at the back of a drawer these dainty pink hats thought they would look cute embellished and added to hair slides.

On a roll with some linen squares cut into patchwork strips and made into triangle pouches

Finally some handbag mirrors with felt pouches

Joining up with Handmade Monday this week

Have a good week

Owls,

Another week gone and not long until Christmas, I know so annoying but for me Christmas is in July this gives me plenty of time to plan, prep and create.

Back to this week, as promised in my last blog the owls have flown in. Cute paperweights made in vintage style linen and filled with rice to add weight.

Not much else done apart from ideas and booking a table at a local village artisan market for October and November.  Have scaled back on events this year and only doing reasonable rent ones, not too far from home and easy to get to, unload and load up again.

I am joining with Handmade Monday this week

Until next week

Bows, Paperclips, Pegs and another knitted bodice dress

Been a productive week or two as did not blog last week but gave myself a mini home holiday. The temperatures have been rising again and could do with some rain to clear the air and help the gardens. Watering every day but tap water is not the same as rain water.

On the making front another baby dress, this time in lilac with a pretty flower fairy print

Now onto pocket money makes:

Flower pegs, ideal for keeping those papers tidy

Butterfly paperclips, no office can be without these

Glitter and fancy hair bows, on alligator clips

Lastly some travel sewing kits, perfect fit for a small handbag.

Apart from the dress these are not on my website but if interested just drop me  message via my contact details on my website.

Back to making some more owl paperweights, filled with rice and the perfect size for keeping loose sheets of paper safe.

Until next week, stay cool and have fun