The Comfy Crafting Cafe Challenge

fairyclicks

I haven't posted in here for a while and as i have finished my first few projects of the year i thought i'd pop in again

So far i have finished my first ever pair of knitted socks and a wee knitted hat Must take a few piccies and share them with you!

I have already got some things needing finished as well - I've knitted a pair of booties and another hat since christmas and both are needing sewn up now!

I am planning on trying to organise my stock a bit better this year as its all over the place - first plan is to have a small box for things that just need sewn up and then work through it maybe once a week! Maybe this way i will get things finished :rotfl::rotfl:

simplydevine05

It's been a long time since posting and today is a brief visit. My business is so busy I've had to get rid of my to finish list for the time being! I'm back to my "day job" today for an hour. I'm still very much struggling physically although I'm on the mend. It's just slow. Hoping to officially ditch the day job later in the year. I just need a regular income in order to get a mortgage! I still want to get involved with fairs and teaching but fo be honest I don't see me having time. I was shortlisted in a competition run by local newspaper last month to go give a presentation to business advisers in order to win a years mentoring from the one and only Deborah Meaden! Until against these huge companies with lots of employees so being the only sole trader makes me feel very honoured indeed. I'm hoping to have an employee by the end of the year, so I've come a very long way in a year!
Good luck to all those just starting out. I don't think I'll be back for a while but I'll try. Happy crafting!

Kirsty x

stormbreaker

Just noseying through the boards and come across this thread and wondered if you we're aware of this board. There are loads of crafters on it with plenty of advice. For some strange reason the board name gets changed on the run up to Christmas but changes again shortly thereafter but there is a lot more than just Christmassy things on it!

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=101

CWSmith

Hand knitting seems really popular at the moment.

I work in a small gift/farm shop. Someone donated a load of hand knitted babies and children's cardigans etc. They weren't even that good ...... the sizing was a bit odd and the colours even odder!! But I couldn't believe how quickly they sold, especially as I doubted that any would sell!

So ........... I knitted a load of fingerless mitts and beanie hats. (All quick and easy!_ I put them out at £5 each and sold the lot (15 items) in 2 weeks. I'm now knitting furiously!:D

dig4victory

It's not really crafty yet, but my challenge this year is to learn how to use the sewing machine. At school (30 odd yrs ago) I was poor at sewing, all thumbs on the machine, but I would love to make basic things.

bluegiraffe_2

fairyclicks wrote: »

Well done on taking the plunge its certainly a great experience and a good way to get to know other local crafters etc

My advice would be to make sure you have plenty of stock with you and try out some different ways of displaying them at home. Its worth investing in some nice cloth and mobile display items but its hard to know what you need until you try some set ups!

Apart from that, try not to be too nervous and try to chat to as many people as you can!

Hope it goes really well for you! xx

Hi!

Thanks for your reply We tried some set ups over the weekend, and it was harder than it looked! We are going to have another go this weekend, but its all good fun!

Im not much of a people person, so that's the bit Im really dreading...

lizalloareds

CWSmith wrote: »

Hand knitting seems really popular at the moment.

I work in a small gift/farm shop. Someone donated a load of hand knitted babies and children's cardigans etc. They weren't even that good ...... the sizing was a bit odd and the colours even odder!! But I couldn't believe how quickly they sold, especially as I doubted that any would sell!

So ........... I knitted a load of fingerless mitts and beanie hats. (All quick and easy!_ I put them out at £5 each and sold the lot (15 items) in 2 weeks. I'm now knitting furiously!:D

well done on your sales, which pattern do you use for the beanie hats, I knitted my niece one but wasn't happy with the finished shape.

fairyclicks

bluegiraffe wrote: »

Hi!

Thanks for your reply We tried some set ups over the weekend, and it was harder than it looked! We are going to have another go this weekend, but its all good fun!

Im not much of a people person, so that's the bit Im really dreading...

Aw i'm not really a people person either as i'm quite shy and have anxiety disorder I find though even if you just speak to the people on either side of you and say its your first time and you are nervous etc you usually get a good few tips and it helps to ease the anxiety. If they aren't chatty people try and walk around and admire other peoples work (genuinely obviously ) you will soon feel much more at ease xx

fairyclicks

simplydevine05 wrote: »

It's been a long time since posting and today is a brief visit. My business is so busy I've had to get rid of my to finish list for the time being! I'm back to my "day job" today for an hour. I'm still very much struggling physically although I'm on the mend. It's just slow. Hoping to officially ditch the day job later in the year. I just need a regular income in order to get a mortgage! I still want to get involved with fairs and teaching but fo be honest I don't see me having time. I was shortlisted in a competition run by local newspaper last month to go give a presentation to business advisers in order to win a years mentoring from the one and only Deborah Meaden! Until against these huge companies with lots of employees so being the only sole trader makes me feel very honoured indeed. I'm hoping to have an employee by the end of the year, so I've come a very long way in a year!
Good luck to all those just starting out. I don't think I'll be back for a while but I'll try. Happy crafting!

Kirsty x

That is absolutely AMAZING Kirsty Huge Well Done xxxxxxx

fairyclicks

stormbreaker wrote: »

Just noseying through the boards and come across this thread and wondered if you we're aware of this board. There are loads of crafters on it with plenty of advice. For some strange reason the board name gets changed on the run up to Christmas but changes again shortly thereafter but there is a lot more than just Christmassy things on it!

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=101

Thanks for that very useful info on there! xxx