Stepping into 2014- walking in My Shoes with Mooloo

Savvy_sewing

Thanks everyone.
Feel a bit like a headless chicken this morning!
Back to school for Monkey and the shop for me.
I've made my packed lunch so I don't spend money grabbing a baguette from next door.
The rest of my wet washing is hanging up in the bathroom now as the fog etc doesn't look very encouraging to hang stuff out.
DGD is protesting that she hates school! Oh dear, she's 12 more years of it!
Name tapes on her new things, so we don't get in trouble with school.
Now I need to get both of us dressed, and load up the car with stuff to do today. Hopefully I will at least have some interest and that people will come and see what I am all about.

stressed.mum

Good luck for today Mooloo xxxx

whiteguineapig

good luck from me as well
its the start of the month so hopefully you will have lots of customers who have just been paid!

thistledome

Best of luck with your new venture, Mooloo. I admire your courage and wish you all the success you deserve. :T

Savvy_sewing

well I had a lot of people looking in the windows. Gave out several price lists. Had several friends from the school come by. One bought two of my bibs. One of my regular customers brought down a coat to shorten the sleeves for her, which I did this afternoon.
I made two more appliqu! t shirts, for sale, and did some sample embroideries on the new machine.
Also was contacted about making cushions for someone in Lancashire who sells vintage fabrics. He wants cushions and beanbags.
Don't know how long it would take to make a bean bag, but I will have a go. See if we can arrange a decent price for them.
Been lent a dehumidifier from one of the mums at school, so hopefully the damp wall will dry out soon. I have left it running tonight and will see how much moisture it extracts.
Customer planning to come in with a leather jacket that her husband wants his sleeves shortening. So for a first day, I am quite happy.
Been suggested that I could hire out my workshop to a card making class that someone runs too. Every penny counts after all.

Almost-free

Hiring the space for craft sessions is a great idea, Mooloo! I used to belong to a scrapbooking group, and the on,y reason it stopped was because we couldn't find a replacement venue when our original one wasn't available anymore. I think we used to pay around £40-£50 for a 10-4 hire period. There was between 8-20 people at any session so it was affordable. Can't remember exactly as it was about 8 years ago!

Savvy_sewing

Yuck, another cloudy grey, misty start here. It's the start of the doldrums period. So the daylight bulb is on. The light lamp will be dug out, as I don't plan to succumb to the black dog this winter.
I shall be taking a fee more bits down to the shop today, so I will need to take the car to off load, then park further out, as the restrictions in the town mean there is no long stay parking in the town. Eventually I'm hoping that I will walk to work.
I am still trying to get my head around how I will do the second hand clothes that I haven't recycled into other things, or updated. Several people have suggested that I do it a bit like a dress agency, selling for other people and taking my split. I am not sure about that, as it's being responsible for other peoples things, and could get complicated to do. I had originally just wanted to sell a few things that I have acquired along the way and feel are ok as they are rather then Upcycling them.
What do you think?
I do have the space and need to make money of course.

I will see how the Craft Room space would work out. I would need to see how many people are able to fit comfortably in there.
But certainly a easier money spinning option when I am not running a class, or renting out the sewing machines if people are interested.

Time to get ready for work and school and wake up my little Monkey.

trix-a-belle

Personally I'd say stick with your idea, dress agencies seem to have barrow loads come in the door & not really leave in my experience, as you say you don't want to be responsible for other people's things.

Just a thought on the renting out sewing machines, consider what would be done if one was broken ie who would pay/how repairs would be covered. My local sewing course location allow students only to pop in & borrow the machines for small pieces of work when they dont have courses running & they are in the shop to give guidance as required.

Congrats on the first day, have you got any of your bunting up decorating the entrance & windows?

candlelight_2013

Mooloo many congratulations it sounds as though everything is coming together for you. You so deserve this little shop, and I think meeting new people will help you with your seasonal "doldrums".

Anyway you won't have time for the doldrums:), not if you are to keep your customers happy.

I wish I lived closer I would love to visit your shop.

Onwards and Upwards Mooloo

Candlelightx

Savvy_sewing

Comes bouncing in and skidding to a halt! What a good day. My first customer walked into the shop as I opened up. I have been sewing jobs all day. Although I have been stop start, as I took in jobs, gave out price lists and discussed the sewing workshop plans. 4 more ladies interested in lessons!
So a busy few days working out the lessons, dates and the relevant paperwork to do.
Job one was just leaving when job two came in. He was just leaving when job three came in. They were just leaving when job 4 came in.
I am pleased to say I had a very good day.
From a badge on a blazer, a leather jacket sleeves to shorten, 2 pairs of trousers to shorten, two skirts and one dress. Three zips to replace in jackets.