Unicorn collection finished

Well I got there in the end and all the new line of Unicorns is finished and launched. Final 2 items made, newsletter done, website updated.

Hanging

Lace Charm

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I am currently teaching myself bookbinding. Bought a starter kit a few weeks back and can now take a breather from creating and make myself a couple of notebooks. You never know may even add some to my repertoire.

Until next week, have fun x

Planner update and Unicorns

PLANNER UPDATE

Okay thought would give you an update on my planner. So far so good, did get a bit stressed if did not write anything 'To do' in a day but then thought, my time is mine to do what I like with it. Had always said that this year was about quality over quantity and no stressing. If I have a blank day because spent most of it reading, so what! Enjoy life as you only live once and each day is precious whatever your age.

For your info found another planner a lot cheaper and you print off as you want the sheets. Have to supply your own folder though but for the $12 good value for money.

The only problem I can see with this one, is would I print off the sheets as required, or slip into a lethargy for planning. I have to be firm with myself for any form of diary system. Start off well then drift into another realm.

However, this year so far I seem to be super organised and actually love to check the planner every day even if nothing much done.

UNICORNS

I love these mystical characters and if you had not gathered from last week's teaser they are the start of a new collection. Not finished yet as have some more ideas to do but hopefully should all be done by the end of January.

Again have only made 1 of each piece as these will be made to order. Will take to my November event but sell what I have left from the start of the collection. This to me is one way to keep my stock down as going away from events apart from 2 this year to have a big sale of old stock.

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Until next week, have fun x

Animals in Flowers new collection launch

Finally got there had to wait for silk organza sheets from the US, got impatient and ordered (more expensive) from a UK source only to be told after the order was placed that they were doing a stock take and would dispatch asap! However they arrived and I was able to complete my first new collection of 2018.

Clutch Bags

Gift Cards

Key Fobs

Decorative Hoops

I am happy with how everything turned out and just love these watercolour images.

Joined a challenge on a FB group for Valentines Day. Wanted to do something slightly different and thought these kitty and dawgie mug rugs were perfect. They are also not just for Valentines Day.

Now onto the next collection again just a teaser for you

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A New Year Dawns

Happy New Year folks, I mentioned in my last post before Christmas that I had bought The Maker's Yearbook for 2018. Julie asked if I would update how I was getting on.

I started after Christmas going through the review of 2017, it was very enlightening to the extent that events just do not work for me. Are a lot of hard work checking stock to take, pricing, packing, loading up the car, unloading the other end, setting up. Then repeat at the end of the event. Yes I made money but for the time spent? Are they good advertising? No as never had any follow ups to sales. I would have been better at home promoting online. I have sold far more sitting at home online than I have at any event last year. So this year? will still do my local event in the next village in November as part of the community spirit. Have a market to use up the rent I paid for this year and too poorly to do last year but will sell of old stock at this one. Then no more bookings.

I know other crafter's who do far bigger events than me have come to this conclusion about fairs and seems as if the internet has finally caught up with us. Heard that one stall holder who made beautiful quilts paid £600 rent and only sold £120 over 3 days. How soul destroying.

Now the other thing I have realised is that I tend to have so many ideas going through my head that I never complete collections. I start making, finish about 4 items then jump to something else. No cohesion at all. My stock will go down as planning to make to order rather than oodles of stock. I will have samples of everything for my website and sell those then replace, or if more than 1 of anything ordered make as required. I can do a day turn round on most items so not a problem.

To recap this yearbook is very good, far better than a normal diary or journal atm. I would say a considered buy and know on Etsy you can download digital planner prints and use as required. It depends what works for you, I will keep you updated as may find my organisation slipping later in the year. Funny but I am quite organised in my every day life but when it comes to creating? well chaos springs to mind especially in my head, lol. There are other planners out there geared to handmade and may give a different one a go next year.

I am currently working on my new collection, not finished yet but just a teaser for you all:

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Here's to us having a wonderfully successful 2018