Finished

Here are the finished Blue and Turquoise Stitch and burn brooches.

I actually like them a lot more now they have been cut out and finished.

Thanks for everyone who gave me positive feedback when I gave a sneeky peak earlier in the week. Its always nice to get some encouragement.

Hopefully I'll add some of these to my Folksy shop at the weekend.

Nervousness

I'm sure its not just me, but I get really nervous when I sell something online and even more so when I do a custom order. I think its just because I really want them to like it, and as as they haven't seen it in the flesh it can be a little scary.

On Monday I dropped off the lampshade I had made for someone. I was very please and relieved to hear that she loved it and its a great feeling. I had also made a couple of hotwater bottle covers for someone at work, again it was great to hear that she really liked them too.

I am sure with time I'll get less worried about these situations, although to be honest its probably not a bad thing as it means I care about what I produce and also try to do the best I can.

I've got a bit of a cold this week and not feeling too great. I've got a couple of big projects happening at work, so its not a good week to have time off. Although I do feel a bit better today after the best sleep I have had in ages!!

Weekender

Felt Lampshade with flowers.

Stitch and Burn Brooches

I'm pleased to say the weekend lived up to my expectations and I managed to have two really good making sessions. So feeling much better about things (although some more sales would help).

I had a few custom orders to finish, which I felt were hanging over me slightly, so its a relief to finish them.

Felt hot water bottle covers

As well as catching up with orders I also made 8 stitch and burn brooches, 16 felt flower cards, 6 tissue holders, a pyjamas case for myself and caught up on my very neglected accounts. So I now need to take some better photo's (it was bit dark by the time I finished yesterday) and list some of these in my shops.

Tissue cosies

Now I am feeling on top of things again I am hoping in the next few weeks to start some development work, particularly for some work to exhibit at Sherwood Art week in June. I also have a craft night planned on Wednesday night with a friend, so finally I am feeling back on track.

Felt to make felt flower cards - will show you completed cards later in the week.

Commissions and Sales

So far January has been a pretty good month. I was expecting things to be really slow, but I have had several sales in my Folksy and Etsy shops. I have also had a commission from someone I work with for two felt hot water bottle covers. And yesterday whilst working in the Nottingham Craft Mafia shop I got a commission for a felt lampshade. So its been a great start to the year.

I was going spend the day working on some ideas for a new project, which hopefully is going to lead to something to show at Sherwood Art week. But I think I better do some felt making first.

The top photo is of some unfinished heart brooches. These are made from layering fabric and then cutting back to reveal the layers below, machine embroidery is then added. I hope to add them to my shop this week.

This lampshade is for sale in The Nottingham Craft Mafia shop, I have been asked to make a purple one.

Love is in the air....

I was meant to be going to Yorkshire for a friends party this weekend. But we decided it was a bit daft to drive in this weather, so I had an unexpected weekend at home.

So I put this additional time to good use by making some Valentines Heart brooches / Cards. I'll be putting them in my Folksy and Etsy shop this week, but thought I would give you a sneeky preview. I am really pleased with them, especially the pink ones.

A Good Start

Well the new year started has well, as I have already had my first Folksy sale of the year. This is very exciting as this shop has been very slow. So I have my fingers crossed that its the start of things to come.

I spent yesterday sorting my stock box and getting organised. I also took lots of photo's of items I want to list over the next few days (I have a lot of listing to do). I can't wait till the spring as my winter photo's are so rubbish, even yesterday when it was fairly sunny everything looks dark, but they will have to do for now.

As well as new listings and having a sort out of my Folksy shop and I am also planning on having a bit of a relaunch in my Etsy Shop. I haven't had any sales through Etsy yet. I find Etsy so huge and competitive, but I know some people who do really well through it, so I think as I do have quite a bit of stock at the moment (and no fairs planned) I may as well try putting some new items on Etsy, I certainly have nothing to loose.

I have also been looking at some of my prices. I know I have written about pricing lots of times. Its something I find quite hard. I know how you are meant to do it, but I think if I really charge my time at a decent rate I would never sell anything. Having said that I have been looking at some of my items particularly my textiles art pieces and I think maybe I am selling them too cheaply. So I have increased some of my prices slightly. I have been thinking about this for a while and have come to the conclusion that I really need to charge a bit more for some items. But I hope the prices still seem reasonable and affordable.

So all in all yesterday was a good and productive day. Here's to many more this year.