Mooloo's "Making my future, one stitch at a time"?

DollyDabbler

Mooloo, if you can sew campervan cushions, could you advertise on specialist caracan sites, like Uk campsites? There are always people on this forum particularly who are looking to update the interiors of their vans at a reasonable price, by either re upholstering cushions or changing curtains.

greenbee

I think Mooloo's problem is not that she doesn't have enough work making things, it's that she doesn't have enough time to do the work that comes in and man the shop.

Mooloo - As you need cover in the shop to give you time to sew, is there plenty for the staff to do when there aren't any customers in? And can they work unsupervised? Maybe instead of stocking the shop yourself you could let people who make stuff you like rent space and you can process the sales for them (a bit like the antique cellar does, but for new stuff/crafts).

Eager_Elephant

Mooloo wrote: »

I did have an Etsy Page a few years ago, but only sold one thing so didn't restock it. Perhaps now is the time to look at it again.

I managed to get my Hormone prescription sorted out yesterday, so hoping they will help me with my emotions. I had run out and couldn't find the script so been without for about 5 days and think it was affecting me on top of everything else.
The lecture from my brother really didn't happen at the right time and yesterday I was an emotional wreck. Thank goodness it was not a day I was in the shop.
I have asked my lady to come in this morning so I can work upstairs this morning and try to get the bigger jobs further along, now the fabric etc has arrived. There are no lessons today, so I can hopefully concerntrate.
DGD is going through an emotional time trying to adjust to Mummy having the new baby, and not understanding the dynamics, and why She lives with me.
The school are seeking advise, and someone to talk to for her.
I hope it will work.

I didn't get on yesterday and I see you needed some support - I am so sorry your brother was being a twit, sometimes families really kick you when you are down!!


((Mooloo))


I expect your mother would worry more if you suddenly stopped telling her things as she is used to knowing what is going on and she would worry that you are bottling things up and that is not good for anyone's health.


Also wanted to send some hugs to DGD - I hope the school can find her someone to talk to about the family dynamics.


Hope today has been a better day.

Savvy_sewing

Thanks everyone.
I had a better day yesterday. Although still a bit quiet, it was enough for me while I am feeling so yuk.
The first customer was in st opening times. But there were only 5 new jobs in. All small.
I had one lady come for some buttons, going through the button jars, and chatting away while I sewed. She had a bag ful to take home to her Autistic son by the time she had finished, and as I have some dealings with children that are special then a chat and a rummage gave her some much needed respite and the therapy that only those who played with granny's button box could understand.
Lots of new faces in looking. Quite a few sewing accessories sold, always good that the investment seems worth it.
And one of the thermal cooking bag was collected. £30 cash was a boost. Considering the day before I only took £13 it was a welcome relief. Still not the money I need to pay the bills but better.

I have made all sorts of things over the years. Cushions are easy enough to do. I have in years gone by made new covers for sofas too. But don't want to be doing that as much as it involves so much time going to people's houses and measuring etc.
I will try and get more pictures of the things I do and put them up on my website and Facebook page.
This morning it's a bunting for a Cake Lady, for a table top sale coming up. So a little light relieve between campervan cushions. Those are for this afternoon between sewing lessons when I get staff members in.

On the bonus side, the assessment of my accounts actually turned out that I had paid too much of my council tax and they now owe me.

Savvy_sewing

dktreesea wrote: »

I had to laugh reading this. Campervan cushions.... Roman blinds... You do realise that most people including those who (claim to) sew, like me (I say claim to because I hardly ever sew, but claim to know how - I wonder if I would even remember how to thread the machine, it's so long since I have done any ) wouldn't know where to start to make either of these.


Maybe you could link up with some interior designers? Or turn your hand to upholstery? The lady downstairs has just had two armchairs done. £450. She thinks it's a bargain. I suppose the material would have been quite expensive, but it got me thinking about something.


Do you know what is quite hard to get here, which you would probably know how to make - good cushions and backs for rocking chairs. The kind you tie on with ribbon ties, with a separate cushion and a separate back. This is the nearest I could see to what I was looking for:
http://www.kitchenlinens.in/home-furnishing-cushion.html#rocking-chair-cushion
But even these are kind of ugly.


These look nicer, but still not the country look I had in mind
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mxlWPSk7tL4/TUHwoHCyp-I/AAAAAAAAIc8/xEEC64BSymU/s1600/rocking%2Bchair%2Bcushions%2B003.jpg


http://www.amazon.co.uk/LSI-Rocking-Chair-Cushion-Set/dp/B00EO90FIA
This is kind of what I meant, without the heavy quilted look.

Thanks.
I can make cushions like this if you didn't get any. The costs always depend on the fabric used. I prefer it if the customers buy the fabric themselves for orders, as sourcing fabric etc takes so much time to get.
Although I have used reclaimed fabric on a lot of my makes.
I made blinds for one of the ladies from this thread before now. She came quite a long way especially to use me, which was very heart warming.

Savvy_sewing

DollyDabbler wrote: »

Mooloo, if you can sew campervan cushions, could you advertise on specialist caracan sites, like Uk campsites? There are always people on this forum particularly who are looking to update the interiors of their vans at a reasonable price, by either re upholstering cushions or changing curtains.

I had not thought of that. Perhaps I will ask for photos of the van when it is finished, and ask her to dish out some cards when she is on a rally etc.
Obviously putting these things up on my website would also be a good idea.

Savvy_sewing

Eager_Elephant wrote: »

I didn't get on yesterday and I see you needed some support - I am so sorry your brother was being a twit, sometimes families really kick you when you are down!!


((Mooloo))


I expect your mother would worry more if you suddenly stopped telling her things as she is used to knowing what is going on and she would worry that you are bottling things up and that is not good for anyone's health.


Also wanted to send some hugs to DGD - I hope the school can find her someone to talk to about the family dynamics.


Hope today has been a better day.

Thanks EE. I need a good hug every now and then!
My brother has become too over protective of my Mum, and he forgets that it is only me here in the UK most of the time to help Mum.
I still haven't called him back. I will when I feel strong enough.

Savvy_sewing

greenbee wrote: »

I think Mooloo's problem is not that she doesn't have enough work making things, it's that she doesn't have enough time to do the work that comes in and man the shop.

Mooloo - As you need cover in the shop to give you time to sew, is there plenty for the staff to do when there aren't any customers in? And can they work unsupervised? Maybe instead of stocking the shop yourself you could let people who make stuff you like rent space and you can process the sales for them (a bit like the antique cellar does, but for new stuff/crafts).

The lady that does the shop, helps by unpicking Zips that need replacing, is in charge of changing the window display, she prices the nearly new clothing, the jewellery, and the habadashery. She keeps the record of what sells etc for me and does the banking etc as well. She will change her hours as and when needed to fit in with lessons, or when I have larger makes etc that have to be done upstairs.
The shop next door sells other people's things, a bit like the Antiques Cellar, so I think I would be stepping on her toes a bit if I did do that, and she's a member of the business community that has been helpful rather then not, so for now anyway I won't.

If the work didn't come in enough then I suppose I would have time to do more makes, and do more promotional things.

Savvy_Sue

Do make sure you only ask people to advertise for you if you want to do (maybe a lot!) more of the same! :rotfl:

One of my siblings used to have a canal boat, and there was one person who specialised in making the waterproof covers for the open bits at the end. Hard work, stiff fabric, not something I'd want to specialise in!

MatyMoo

Not been on here for an age and see you have been having problems Mooloo, sorry

Glad the housing benefit is sorted though, big weight off your mind

Please, please don't leave your accounts so long, it is vital in a small or new business to know exactly where you are. And a good Accountant, who can understand your business, is worth their weight in gold. They can pay for themselves in the savings they can make you

Just a few thoughts on your Mum. In the past she has had your Dad there to bounce things off and talk through, she may be bouncing things off your brother instead and he isn't used to it?

As my Mum aged and got less mobile I found that she spent her time sitting and worrying about things we hold her. Initially I still told her things but in a more upbeat, I can sort it, sort of way and it stopped her worrying and dwelling on things so much. Later on that didn't work and so I didn't share my worries with her at all really. It was tough and I missed her help and guidance….but sadly it did prepare me for when she wasn't there to share with anyway

Poor DGD, she must feel really confused at the moment, I hope the school can find her some help.

I will try not to leave it so long