So Much To Say, So Little Time.

Where to start? Well anyone who has been following me on Twitter or Facebook will already know my good news!!! In my real life (when I'm not wasting time on the internet) I work in a branch of the bookshop chain Waterstone's (I look after the craft books, naturally!) and about a week and a half a go I was asked by my manager if I would like to sell my craft stuff in our shop. I jumped at the chance obviously and had a few of my crafty items on display within days (as you can see)!!!

So far I only have on display 13 felt decorations and 4 totes as I'm still undecided as to what sort of items I should sell. For the moment I think it'll mostly be on a trial and error basis, but I will be adding more items over the next few days. Things like brooches, bunting and hopefully if they're finished a new range of book bags, I bought a few sweet little cotton bags which are just big enough to fit a paperback in. They come in such lovely bright colours I had to get one of each, I just need to decorate them now. So I guess we'll just have to see what sells and take it from there.

Also with this new opportunity (and renewed enthusiasm) I decided to try some new designs one that I think has worked particularly well are my Russian Doll totes! I have been thinking about making something like this for a while now as I just adore anything Matryoshka (and Kokeshi) but I guess I've just been too lazy. I made 2 a couple of days ago I think they came out really well and I've cut out the pieces for 10 more in various different fabrics - I may have gone a little Babushka mad but I think they have worked really well and will (potentially) sell.

I have been so nervous about having my craft on display in the shop but all my friends and colleagues have been really encouraging and supportive. Their confidence in me has been rewarded as I sold my first item today (the tote below) which is great as they have only been on sale for 3 days, so even if I don't sell anything else I'm still really pleased (although I hope I do sell more!!!).

Right I guess I should really be heading off to bed now as I have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow (mostly sewing Russian dolls).

Happy crafting everyone. xx

Wow!!!

A Cloudberryskies record!!! I thought the last tote I sold (after three days) was a quick sale but I sold this Green Button Star Tote in less than three hours!! It has made me a happy girl indeed!!

Another Sale!

Yay! Another sale and my very first British buyer! Until now I've only sold my bags to Americans (and that lady in Norway). So my Safari tote finally sold, I'm glad as it was one of my favourites.

Most of today I've been thinking to myself  'If only I had more money' then I could create all the weird and wonderful things I think about when I'm at work and buy lots of lovely fabric without feeling guilty! I know they say 'you have to spend money to make money' but I really have to save for my holiday next year. The original plan was for me to go to Borneo next year for a month's volunteering work at an orangutan sanctuary but I've put that idea on hold for the time being as it's my mum's 50th birthday in April. I decided I wanted to take her somewhere special as she's had a hard few years so I booked us a trip to Egypt for a week (4 night Nile cruise and 3 days in Cairo). I can't wait the only problem is that I need to save up for it and I'm not doing very well so far!

I was reading one of etsy's featured seller interviews last week and she mentioned that she created her work around a theme or idea using a different one each week. I thought that was a fantastic way to work and thats a concept that I should adopt, it would help me focus my ideas (as I have so many that I never do anything about!) Anyway I am thinking that I could have a monthly theme to create around - obviously next month will be Halloween. 

I'm also thinking maybe over the next few months -

-pirates 

-dinosaurs

-cowboys

But then again I guess I should be seriously thinking about stocking up my shop for Xmas as it's not that far away! Aaarrgh! Where has the year gone! 

Woohoo a new sale!

Finally my sale has started to show signs of paying off! I decided that I would make a bigger deal of the 'half price' by putting it in the title of each bag and then decided to re-list two of my older listings (pink cord & pink/black stripey skulls) and within 15 mins they were both snapped up by a lady in California! I'm gonna go re-list some more items (although I'm worried I may get addicted to re-listing!) and keep my fingers crossed for some more sales.