I had a great day selling at the craft market in Uppermill yesterday. As well as lots of sales I also met lots of lovely people including one of the organisers of the event Maria Hourigan. Maria sells the most gorgeous patchwork creations and you can buy her items here. I also met Claire Ogden who specialises in handmade jewellery, tiaras and bridal pieces. Claire sells her creations on Folksy.
If you are local to Saddleworth and love handmade then this market is definately worth a look. The next market will take place on September the 9th in the Museum and Art Gallery in Uppermill.
If you are a local crafter and interested in selling at the next event then why not join the Saddleworth Handmade and Vintage Network - details can be found here or contact Maria on 01457 765632
Sunday, 10 July 2011
Saturday, 2 July 2011
New Generation Craft Market - 9th July 2011
Next Saturday the 9th July I will be taking part in the New Generation Craft Market.
The market takes place in the Saddleworth Museum & Art Gallery in Uppermill from 10am - 3pm and is organised by the Saddleworth Handmade Vintage Network
If you're in the area why not pop along to have a peek (and also purchase) some local handmade items - admission is free!!
Friday, 1 July 2011
July's Feature Friday - Maybe Daisy
I'm so glad to see the back of June - the weather's been rubbish and work.... well that's another story but all fine now!
As it's the 1st of July I thought it would be a good time to do July's Feature and this month I've chosen to highlight Emma from Maybe Daisy.
Describe what you do,when you started doing it and what made you decide that was what you were going to do.
I make jewellery, mainly from old, broken, unloved pieces. You know, the kind of thing you find in the bottom of your jewellery box or down the sofa next to the crumbs, the 1p coins and the empty crisp packet that's a flavour nobody in the house actually eats... I take them to bits and mix them with other bits and pieces before lovingly re-making them into something you'd actually like to wear....I hope!
What makes you different from other people selling/ doing the same craft?
My pieces are unique, you're not going to see someone else wearing the same thing! Unless of course that's what you want, I did make four necklaces the same for a customer recently.
Where do you get your inspiration/ ideas from?
I find it helps if you have a glass of wine in hand! I've only been jewellery-making seriously for six months and I can honestly say I've never yet sat down at my desk and not been inspired by the bits and bobs overflowing from it. If I can't see something interesting on my desk, I try the floor, where I re-discover all those bouncy beads that I've dropped recently.
Do you do this as your business full time or is it just a sideline. If you dont do this as a job would you like to?
I work full-time as an online journalist for the Beeb, but would Love (yes, with a capital 'L') to do this full-time. It's tricky trying to balance work, two teenagers, husband, dog and cat with playing with beads. I won't lie to you, sometimes one of us runs out of clean pants.... or food!
Where do you make your items, do you have a craft room/ studio?
I share an office at home with my husband. He's on one side, I'm on the other and the dog usually lies in the middle looking confused. I'm a very organised person, but my side of the room is a tip. Hubby's side of the room is a tip. He often accuses me of messing it up, but that's not true, he's quite capable of messing it up himself. If we're both in the room at the same time, you can hear him sighing as bits of metal ping off the blinds in the bay window where I sit trimming them. He also looks disapprovingly at some of my pliers... that used to be his....that I stole from the garage! Occasionally a teenager stumbles in looking for food or clean pants!!
Where do you sell and how do you market yourself?
I tried Esty, didn't like it as much as the lovely folk on Folksy. I also use my own Facebook page - facebook.com/maybedaisy - it's my personal one, there's just not enough hours in the day to have a fan one too! But feel free to offer your friendship!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
In a huge barn conversion, in my own craft room, husband playing with computers across the hall, house full of teenagers, wine in the fridge, dogs playing in our acreage. And all that's stopping me is a massive win on the lottery. (note to self - buy lottery ticket)
Do you have any advice for people out there who might want to start a craft hobby/business?
Go for it! What have you got to lose? If you like the stuff you make, chances are someone else will too, so share the love. Keep up to date with your books though! And buy extra pants because you'll get behind with the washing.
and last but not least this month's Random Question to Emma was... If you could invite 5 famous people round for dinner (dead or alive) who would they be and why??
Gary Barlow - 'Nuff said.
The actor David Boreanaz - (see Gary Barlow).
The architect George Clarke, because he is amazingly talented and lovely. My daughter is into interior design and he has advised her on a college project, and when I asked him to autograph a book for her as a surprise he was happy to oblige. Plus I want him to redesign the barn conversion I can't yet afford. And I did once see the outline of his bottom against a shower curtain on one of his programmes. It looked peachy.
Katherine Middleton (as was) because she just seems lovely and it would be interesting to see life from her side of the balcony.
And of course Katherine Brookes because she was nice enough to ask me these questions. :)
If you'd like to know about Emma you can find her on Folksy or Twitter
Describe what you do,when you started doing it and what made you decide that was what you were going to do.
I make jewellery, mainly from old, broken, unloved pieces. You know, the kind of thing you find in the bottom of your jewellery box or down the sofa next to the crumbs, the 1p coins and the empty crisp packet that's a flavour nobody in the house actually eats... I take them to bits and mix them with other bits and pieces before lovingly re-making them into something you'd actually like to wear....I hope!
What makes you different from other people selling/ doing the same craft?
My pieces are unique, you're not going to see someone else wearing the same thing! Unless of course that's what you want, I did make four necklaces the same for a customer recently.
Where do you get your inspiration/ ideas from?
I find it helps if you have a glass of wine in hand! I've only been jewellery-making seriously for six months and I can honestly say I've never yet sat down at my desk and not been inspired by the bits and bobs overflowing from it. If I can't see something interesting on my desk, I try the floor, where I re-discover all those bouncy beads that I've dropped recently.
Do you do this as your business full time or is it just a sideline. If you dont do this as a job would you like to?
I work full-time as an online journalist for the Beeb, but would Love (yes, with a capital 'L') to do this full-time. It's tricky trying to balance work, two teenagers, husband, dog and cat with playing with beads. I won't lie to you, sometimes one of us runs out of clean pants.... or food!
Where do you make your items, do you have a craft room/ studio?
I share an office at home with my husband. He's on one side, I'm on the other and the dog usually lies in the middle looking confused. I'm a very organised person, but my side of the room is a tip. Hubby's side of the room is a tip. He often accuses me of messing it up, but that's not true, he's quite capable of messing it up himself. If we're both in the room at the same time, you can hear him sighing as bits of metal ping off the blinds in the bay window where I sit trimming them. He also looks disapprovingly at some of my pliers... that used to be his....that I stole from the garage! Occasionally a teenager stumbles in looking for food or clean pants!!
Where do you sell and how do you market yourself?
I tried Esty, didn't like it as much as the lovely folk on Folksy. I also use my own Facebook page - facebook.com/maybedaisy - it's my personal one, there's just not enough hours in the day to have a fan one too! But feel free to offer your friendship!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
In a huge barn conversion, in my own craft room, husband playing with computers across the hall, house full of teenagers, wine in the fridge, dogs playing in our acreage. And all that's stopping me is a massive win on the lottery. (note to self - buy lottery ticket)
Do you have any advice for people out there who might want to start a craft hobby/business?
Go for it! What have you got to lose? If you like the stuff you make, chances are someone else will too, so share the love. Keep up to date with your books though! And buy extra pants because you'll get behind with the washing.
and last but not least this month's Random Question to Emma was... If you could invite 5 famous people round for dinner (dead or alive) who would they be and why??
Gary Barlow - 'Nuff said.
The actor David Boreanaz - (see Gary Barlow).
The architect George Clarke, because he is amazingly talented and lovely. My daughter is into interior design and he has advised her on a college project, and when I asked him to autograph a book for her as a surprise he was happy to oblige. Plus I want him to redesign the barn conversion I can't yet afford. And I did once see the outline of his bottom against a shower curtain on one of his programmes. It looked peachy.
Katherine Middleton (as was) because she just seems lovely and it would be interesting to see life from her side of the balcony.
And of course Katherine Brookes because she was nice enough to ask me these questions. :)
If you'd like to know about Emma you can find her on Folksy or Twitter
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Calling All Card Makers!!!
Now I'm a sucker for a good cause so this was right up my street!!
Operation Blue Witch Squadron was set up here in the UK by Cazz Wright, a fellow crafter She'd heard about schemes around the country that were sending handmade cards to the guys and gals serving overseas to enable them to send cards back home to their family & friends. As Cazz has a family connection with the RAF she chose to set up and co-ordinate a similar scheme for RAF Personnel serving abroad.
If you are a card -maker and have a few spare cards knocking around that you can't sell why not send them over to be used by RAF Personnel via Operation Blue Witch Squadron. Cards are accepted from anyone and everyone and if they are not handmade but shop-bought then that's okay too. All they ask is that there is NO LOOSE GLITTER on the cards for safety reasons. Cards must be packaged individually with an envelope inside a cellophane bag. Cards can be any size up to A5 and apart from specific occasion cards, they are looking for general birthday cards, anniversary cards, blank cards & baby cards. Please remember that there are both men & women serving abroad so cards are requested for both.
Please send cards to the following address and include your name & location:
FAO Cazz Wright
Operation Blue Witch Squadron
Flat14a Cambridge Street
St. Neots
Cambs
PE19 1JL
Details of the scheme can be found at http://obws.webs.com/
I am sending a large package of cards to Cazz tomorrow - hope you will too!!
Friday, 10 June 2011
June's Feature Friday - My Crafty Candles
What a week it's been!! I'm very very busy in the day job at the moment and finding it difficult to get the features prepared every week so I've decided that for the next few months I'm just going to do one a month.
For June I've chosen the very wonderful, and humourous Martina Gomez from My Crafty Candles. I've recently been conversing with Martina via Twitter and I have to say she cracks me up!! She's definately worth a follow if you are a Tweeter!!
Describe what you do,when you started doing it and what made you decide that was what you were going to do.
I make personalised candles to order, the website has been live since Aug 2008 when I started out this new venture whilst on maternity leave with baby number 4. Over the years I have added new lines to the site but have found my speciaility seems to be weddings, memorials and christenings - goes in hand with keepsakes and remembering.
What makes you different from other people selling/ doing the same craft?
Well I am not the only person to make personalised candles, what I am always doing is changing my designs and themes and making them really unique to me! My most recent images that customers may use for their candles were shot on location in Bali! (I wasn't the lucky one holidaying!!) I am not a follower but a creator and take pride in designing my own ranges from start to finish. I like knowing that my work and ideas are mine and that makes the piece purchased for the customer quite unique. I also get frequently asked to make bespoke orders too, these are fun as it's nice to make something as a one off for someone.
Where do you get your inspiration/ ideas from?
It usually occurs at the most random time! Not all of my ideas are good ones! Take the made moment of the ribbon printer.......sometimes I get caught up, I mull things over in my head and other times I need to order things and make straight away.
Do you do this as your business full time or is it just a sideline.
The website came from some strange need to try something out! I didn't really know what I expected from it as it really was a bit of a giggle! It isnt my 'real' job, well the one that pays the bills anyway, but it has now grown bigger than a hobby and it's keeping up that's hard. I have managed to reduce my real job hrs by a few each month which is great as I am home with my family. Anyone that has a website will know and understand how time consuming it is updating, emails, photo shoots - not to mention Facebook and now the Tweeting..it takes over!!
Where do you make your items, do you have a craft room/ studio?
Not lucky enough to have a studio but the other half has said he is going to build me a studio at the end of the garden..........or is he trying to get rid of me and my candles?! These are all made from my home, very tricky with 4 kids. The stock alone is stored everywhere!
Where do you sell and how do you market yourself?
My main outlet is the website www.mycraftycandles.co.uk, then I use facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/mycraftycandles/177423260395 which for me has been a great platform and generates a lot of sales. I am new to Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/mycraftycandles and will get a famous follower if it is the last thing I do! I dabbled with Misi but to be honest I don't have the time to keep up with lots of sites. I have run a few big magazine ads for high end wedding magazines, these do generate some work but the best way for me is internet lead, more search specific leads and then of course my loyal and faithful customers that come back to me! I have been approached by other websites to sell my products but I tend not to go there!!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Under a pile of wax if I do not get a workshop soon! But seriously I have no idea as I really didn't expect the site to do well. What I mean by that is that I never really thought about it, this may sound strange I know. I do at times wonder why I am doing this at all when I am in my kitchen at 1am wrapping parcels to post - it takes over!! But I just love seeing my inbox beep with 'Website Order Notification' I think to myself I did that!
Do you have any advice for people out there who might want to start a craft hobby/business?
Go for it and don't expect it to just happen, the internet is HUGE!! It takes a lot of time and dedication and an actual love and passion for your 'baby' and don't underestimate what you can do! I haven't been on any courses in business or web marketing, I taught myself and learnt by doing a bit of homework.
Random question - name 5 things you just can't live without!
Well apart from my kids and family.....
1. My Blackberry
2. Social networking...how very sad!
3. Earl grey tea - cant manage 'common tea' since baby number 4
4. Crocs flip flops
5. Spotify...for when I am working, I can stream music
Anything you'd like to add??
I feel very fortunate to have made this mad venture a semi successful one, I have 4 children one who has autism so life in 'our house' is busy, mad, loud and different!! This year my friends nominated me for a Mum's Club Business Award - I was short listed and then a finalist! I was entered into the resiliance category. I was thrilled just with the nomination. I have all the rosettes on my homepage and am proud to show them off!
For June I've chosen the very wonderful, and humourous Martina Gomez from My Crafty Candles. I've recently been conversing with Martina via Twitter and I have to say she cracks me up!! She's definately worth a follow if you are a Tweeter!!
Describe what you do,when you started doing it and what made you decide that was what you were going to do.
What makes you different from other people selling/ doing the same craft?
Where do you get your inspiration/ ideas from?
It usually occurs at the most random time! Not all of my ideas are good ones! Take the made moment of the ribbon printer.......sometimes I get caught up, I mull things over in my head and other times I need to order things and make straight away.
Do you do this as your business full time or is it just a sideline.
The website came from some strange need to try something out! I didn't really know what I expected from it as it really was a bit of a giggle! It isnt my 'real' job, well the one that pays the bills anyway, but it has now grown bigger than a hobby and it's keeping up that's hard. I have managed to reduce my real job hrs by a few each month which is great as I am home with my family. Anyone that has a website will know and understand how time consuming it is updating, emails, photo shoots - not to mention Facebook and now the Tweeting..it takes over!!
Where do you make your items, do you have a craft room/ studio?
Not lucky enough to have a studio but the other half has said he is going to build me a studio at the end of the garden..........or is he trying to get rid of me and my candles?! These are all made from my home, very tricky with 4 kids. The stock alone is stored everywhere!
Where do you sell and how do you market yourself?
My main outlet is the website www.mycraftycandles.co.uk, then I use facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/mycraftycandles/177423260395 which for me has been a great platform and generates a lot of sales. I am new to Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/mycraftycandles and will get a famous follower if it is the last thing I do! I dabbled with Misi but to be honest I don't have the time to keep up with lots of sites. I have run a few big magazine ads for high end wedding magazines, these do generate some work but the best way for me is internet lead, more search specific leads and then of course my loyal and faithful customers that come back to me! I have been approached by other websites to sell my products but I tend not to go there!!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Under a pile of wax if I do not get a workshop soon! But seriously I have no idea as I really didn't expect the site to do well. What I mean by that is that I never really thought about it, this may sound strange I know. I do at times wonder why I am doing this at all when I am in my kitchen at 1am wrapping parcels to post - it takes over!! But I just love seeing my inbox beep with 'Website Order Notification' I think to myself I did that!
Do you have any advice for people out there who might want to start a craft hobby/business?
Go for it and don't expect it to just happen, the internet is HUGE!! It takes a lot of time and dedication and an actual love and passion for your 'baby' and don't underestimate what you can do! I haven't been on any courses in business or web marketing, I taught myself and learnt by doing a bit of homework.
Random question - name 5 things you just can't live without!
Well apart from my kids and family.....
1. My Blackberry
2. Social networking...how very sad!
3. Earl grey tea - cant manage 'common tea' since baby number 4
4. Crocs flip flops
5. Spotify...for when I am working, I can stream music
Anything you'd like to add??
I feel very fortunate to have made this mad venture a semi successful one, I have 4 children one who has autism so life in 'our house' is busy, mad, loud and different!! This year my friends nominated me for a Mum's Club Business Award - I was short listed and then a finalist! I was entered into the resiliance category. I was thrilled just with the nomination. I have all the rosettes on my homepage and am proud to show them off!
Sunday, 5 June 2011
My One & Only Event - Saddleworth Show
I'm in preparations for my one and only craft event of the year. I used to do a lot of craft fairs, but found that most of them barely made me back the stall fee, so I made a decision a couple of years ago to just do the events I knew would be profitable.
Saddleworth Show is a local event which is organised every year by the Rotary Club and pulls in 5000+ visitors. There are lots of things going on, last year they had racing camels!! The first time we did this event the weather was fanastic and it was really busy in the craft tent. Despite sharing the tent with Phoenix Cards I still managed to do well. Last year it rained and we had issues with the tent roof leaking - we still sold well and hoping for another successful event this year.
The show takes place on the 12 June from 10am until 5pm at Churchill Playing Fields, Greenfield, Oldham. OL3 7AQ. Admission prices are £4.00 Adults, £3.00 Concessions £2.00 Children, £10.00 Family tickets include 2 adults and up to 3 children.
If you're in the area why not pop along. http://saddleworthshow.org.uk/index.html
Come say hi if you do!!
Friday, 27 May 2011
Friday Feature - One Stop Pamper Shop
Wow another week done and I'm so looking forward to a long weekend. Really hoping for better weather than what we've had lately - hopefully off to Formby on Sunday or Monday for a nice day out.
So this week I've got another lady's talents to share with you - let me introduce Maryann Morris from One Stop Pamper Shop.
Describe what it is you do, when you started doing it and what made you decide on your chosen craft.
I create candles, Really smelly ones! I started off when I was a teenager, but when I was 24 I decided to try and make some money from it. 6 years on and this is how it worked out!
What makes you different from other people selling/ doing the same craft?
I believe 100% in handmade, its not just a means to make money, but a whole way of life. I care about the products I make and therefore do everything I possibly can to make them the best scented candles ever!
Where do you get your inspiration/ ideas from?
Everywhere! Quite literally it drives my partner insane. We could be anywhere or doing anything and an idea will suddenly pop into my head and I'll need to write it down - I'm so forgetful!
Where do you make your items, do you have a studio?
I have a studio in a craft village in Essex
Where do you sell and how do you market yourself?
I sell from my studio, my website, Folksy, Etsy and http://www.fromthewilde.com/
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I would like to think I would be in exactly the same place, just bigger and better!
Do you have any advice for people out there who might want to start a craft hobby/business?
There's never going to be a "right time" so if its really what you want to do then just give it a go. At least if it then goes wrong you can say you tried. Build up from small and don't borrow a penny if you can help it, that way every penny you make goes directly back into your pocket.
And this week's random question – You can take 3 CD’s with you to a desert island – what would they be and why??
Green day - Nimrod, Aerosmith's Greatest Hits and some Bob Marley - well if im going to be stuck there for a while I may as well rock out where no one can laugh at me!
Contact details for One Stop Pamper Shop
Website - http://www.onestoppampershop.co.uk/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/onestoppampershop
Twitter - www.twitter.com/onestoppamper
Folksy Shop - www.folksy.com/shops/onestoppampershop
Other Outlet - http://www.fromthewilde.com/
Blog - http://confessionsofacraftymummy.blogspot.com/
So this week I've got another lady's talents to share with you - let me introduce Maryann Morris from One Stop Pamper Shop.
Describe what it is you do, when you started doing it and what made you decide on your chosen craft.
I create candles, Really smelly ones! I started off when I was a teenager, but when I was 24 I decided to try and make some money from it. 6 years on and this is how it worked out!
What makes you different from other people selling/ doing the same craft?
I believe 100% in handmade, its not just a means to make money, but a whole way of life. I care about the products I make and therefore do everything I possibly can to make them the best scented candles ever!
Where do you get your inspiration/ ideas from?
Everywhere! Quite literally it drives my partner insane. We could be anywhere or doing anything and an idea will suddenly pop into my head and I'll need to write it down - I'm so forgetful!
Where do you make your items, do you have a studio?
I have a studio in a craft village in Essex
Where do you sell and how do you market yourself?
I sell from my studio, my website, Folksy, Etsy and http://www.fromthewilde.com/
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I would like to think I would be in exactly the same place, just bigger and better!
Do you have any advice for people out there who might want to start a craft hobby/business?
There's never going to be a "right time" so if its really what you want to do then just give it a go. At least if it then goes wrong you can say you tried. Build up from small and don't borrow a penny if you can help it, that way every penny you make goes directly back into your pocket.
And this week's random question – You can take 3 CD’s with you to a desert island – what would they be and why??
Green day - Nimrod, Aerosmith's Greatest Hits and some Bob Marley - well if im going to be stuck there for a while I may as well rock out where no one can laugh at me!
Contact details for One Stop Pamper Shop
Website - http://www.onestoppampershop.co.uk/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/onestoppampershop
Twitter - www.twitter.com/onestoppamper
Folksy Shop - www.folksy.com/shops/onestoppampershop
Other Outlet - http://www.fromthewilde.com/
Blog - http://confessionsofacraftymummy.blogspot.com/
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