Memorygirls - Make Do and Mend

Mags30

@Claire I think you need to look at MrBig's pampering challenge and create a version of it so that the kids know when you are working on the jewellery and are not to be disturbed. Allocate maybe an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening to it or 4 half hours throughout the day. You really do need somewhere you can leave everything laid out even if it's the floor of a spare bedroom. A desk might be too small anyway for dealing with gift wrapping and envelopes. Or get some sort of large tray that you can move from the dining room table at mealtimes without having to pack all the beads up. The constant packing and unpacking of beads is a waste of time and really annoying.

No space isn't really an excuse, you have a house so find some space even if means adding to the clutter short term. You want this jewellery business in your life so you have to make space for it:) (as advised by the Secret)

I'm going to see Eat, Pray, Love this evening.:T Have a mystery shopping job near the cinema to fit in as well---I have to pretend I want to buy curtains:p

Hoping everyone on this thread is planning to go to see Eat, Pray, Love. Here's a quote from Julia Roberts in an interview "My life needed to evolve until I found a place where I wanted to live in forever". I think that applies to all of us on this thread, we're all looking for some sort of a happy place to continue our lives from.

Looking forward to MrBig's update toninght as well:)

clairewop

Peace is shattered boys just come in from school.

well i've taken photo's will edit then in a bit

Tescodealqueen

clairewop wrote: »

Is it too early to put these on the website?

How lovely. I am sure that the universe intends at least one pair ro come to me when they make it to the website

clairewop

Tescodealqueen wrote: »

How lovely. I am sure that the universe intends at least one pair ro come to me when they make it to the website

He he i've been pm'd about those earring all day

taka

clairewop wrote: »

got any pictures of your jewellery you can share? I'm not afraid of competition lol, If I can do it so can you, are you a bead weaver? if so theres a gruop on facebook that share free patterns.

Hope you arm mends quick

Thank-you! I think I've only got one pic online at the moment... here . I really need to get a website sorted out... oh and choose a business name! (Heeellllpppp!) :eek: Never tried bead weaving - knowing me I'd drop beads absolutely everywhere! :rotfl:

I prefer texturing and shaping silver - there is nothing quite like attacking a piece of silver with a blowtorch or hammer if I've had a bad day at work! :rotfl: I also have a serious addiction to pretty semi-precious stones/beads too.

Do you have space for a bookcase, trolley or small set of drawers or similar in the room where you craft? It is important that you have somewhere you can work and store everything. Or what about something like this, this, (or your own version) or prym clip / stackable boxes for the stuff you are currently working on which can be tidied away easily and quickly with your packaging / larger stocks of things stored elsewhere?

For a while I was using a cheap and cheerful basic computer workstation to work at - Space on top to store things in a racks/boxes etc, the pull out keyboard shelf to work on and a shelf underneath to store larger things. It fitted in a really small space and the working area of the keyboard shelf could be stored away as is to make it even smaller. (Use a beading mat or tray if it is stuff that is likely to roll away when you close the keyboard shelf though - I speak from experience! :rotfl:)

clairewop

all my beads are in boxes, well nearly all when i've decluttered the last box

pictures have been edited ds's have been sent upstairs to do their bedrooms

i will in a minute put more stuff on the website and i need to get my notebook and jot down the earring orders i have had today

Your a silver smith then I would love to do that

Mrs_Hicks

Wow Taka that's beautiful! Both you and Claire are very talented!

taka

clairewop wrote: »

all my beads are in boxes, well nearly all when i've decluttered the last box

pictures have been edited ds's have been sent upstairs to do their bedrooms

i will in a minute put more stuff on the website and i need to get my notebook and jot down the earring orders i have had today

Your a silver smith then I would love to do that

Its really good fun! I started by going to council run evening classes at a local school - I was unemployed at the time so it cost me £5 + £5 for materials to start with. Maybe there is something similar near you if you fancy it? It'd be investing in your continuing development and possibly an allowable a business cost!

clairewop

ooohh been offered a printer on freecycle the lady is a bit far away but will see if she can deliver it for me next week

Souk08

Right, just about caught up and all I can say is WOW!

Dedicated DFW where are you? Wardrobe decluttering and styling are my business idea and I love doing it for people. Think it's free listing on ebay this weekend so this might be a good time to start. I set myself a time limit ie if it hasn't sold in a week it's off to the charity shop and stick to it. Non season clothes go in a vaccum bag under the bed. Just about to put my summer stuff under there, it's frozen up here!

Claire my mum used to go to a craft class in a bit of a deprived area and they got a local authority grant for holding it there. Don't know where you are but it might be something to look in to re hiring a cheap hall and getting help with costs. Have read but not done all the challenges. Very exciting!