Getting out the house can lead anywhere :-)

Well my husband says I've turned into a hermit, he says I like sewing so much I've forgotten what it's like to go out of the house apart from of course the dreaded school run :-)
And hes right!
I love sewing and when I'm in the 'zone', designing, cutting and sewing I'm quite happy in my little bubble in my warm, quiet house...I don't want to go out. When I'm in the house I wear very unattractive joggers or other similar trousers, they allow me to move around the floor easily which is where I am when I'm not sewing at my machine. Therefore to go out means making an effort not to mention getting cold and wet this time of year so yes, I'm quiet happy in Fairy Hollow :-)
Any how after a few comments from the hubster I was starting to wonder if in deed I needed to make an effort to go out after all can you really run a business without leaving the house apart from saying the odd hello outside a classroom....I was admittedly beginning to wonder :-/
I knew someone cyberly on Facebook called Lesley Bee, we'd been chatting for a while on Facebook and although we actually live in the same town we'd never met in person. She is the most amazing photographer have a look at her website http://lesleybee.co.uk/
How she finds the time I'll never know but she's also an amazing advocator of local businesses, she runs a page on Facebook called Support Hinckley Bussineses which is a great help for all local businesses. As a spin of from this she came up with a fab idea about local business ladies meeting up, maybe for lunch, maybe to talk about business, but definitely to help each other with business.
The first meeting came along and there was a decent turn out...it got me out of the house and the magic words 'nice food' was all I really needed to persuade me to go :-) Although I hate the stand up and talk about business thing, OK anything, in front of a group of strangers fills me with dread, I actually found it inspiring, nerve racking but inspiring.
By the time the second meeting came last week our decent turn out turned into twenty six (or there abouts) local businesses and a true network was born. Lesley Bee should be extremely proud of herself for inspiring and bringing together businesses which are already fantastically networking and even more proud that she got me out of the house and inspired me to be proud of my business and very excited about the change in products for Fairyknowz as well as more importantly teaching me that its actually very good to get out of the house and network! :-)
From all this came an email from one of the businesses asking me if Fairyknowz would like to be involved in a local church tree festival and this is where the next couple of blogs will help anyone interested in making some easy, homemade tree decorations from things you may have around your home or using some very cheap bits and pieces for yourself. 

Super Exciting Times

It's been a while since my last blog and a lot has happened.
My youngest daughter's broken her collar bone and while sat on the bed with her came an idea between us for a snuggler.
I was trying to cheer her up so got some paper and pen and I drew what we discussed. We talked about how it needed to be floppy, "draggy" and snuggly :-)
To cut a long story short a Poplin was born.
In fact it's been a real project with help from lots of people already. My husband's friend Les helped with tools to test (which I still have under ransom) my youngest daughter helped with the design, my son helps with names, my eldest daughter with poems, Ian Howarth with beautiful drawings, The Soap Fairy Hinckley with support and nagging and yet again my poor hubby...with well just about everything!
So you see for the first time in my life I'm actually willing to stand on a box and scream about my new product...in fact I'm so excited about it I might actually explode!
So watch this space :-)

The bunny gets it!

So the weekend was D day for the bunny!
For a while I've been toying :-) with the idea of making some sort cuddle toy. I've been a member of a few CE sites on Facebook for a while now, just watching and reading and taking all the advice in.
Well last week I decided to take the plunge.
My daughter's got a bunny called Sarah that she tries to take everywhere so thought this was a good place to start. After making and changing a pattern three times to make it's belly more cuddly, a pattern was born :-)
I really enjoyed making him and put lots of love and cuddles into it.....he was sooo lovely.
Until.....I'd got to test him, poor, poor rabbit was sacrificed for the good of all children who are to have one to love safely in the future.
Going down the tests one by one, he was pulled, twisted, washed and attempted to set fire too.
He passed!!! With flying colours and what's more by youngest daughter has been looking after him since so he's having nice cuddles too :-)
So in a process I was so scared of became not too bad in the end but don't think I could of done it without the advice, links and help from one group of lovely ladies in particular so a big thank you!

Being nosey sometimes pays off :-)

Good morning!

Well my life seems to be finally sort itself out, today is the first day all three of my children are in full time education and although I feel a prang of guilt, the house is tidy, quiet and I can get along with some admin....or anything, for during school hours I am my own boss :-)

It feels like the timings are all in line, kids go to school while my business is starting to develop and move along. I have now nearly finished my branding and Fairyknowz is becoming to look more professional and like I mean business :-D
I've finally got a brilliant logo and I'm slowly starting to get it on to everything, I've found some amazing sites on Facebook, for lots of things, for my stamps www.facebook.com/littlestampstore and even my logo itself by Ian Howarth.

Which brings me on nicely to....while on my Facebook travels I came across someone who had commented on a page called www.facebook.com/joannedewberry.co.uk. Being nosey I thought I'd take a peek as they were discussing something about a book on running a crafting business, well it turns out that being nosey really pays off :-D
Let's just say her book is well worth the money, probably the best tenner you'll spend if your wanting to turn your hobby into a business, or seem a bit half hearted on whether it will work. The book is light to read, can be picked up and put down, so easy to read while the kids keep asking their endless questions and it gave me the kick up the bum to sort my hobby/ business out without me even realising it.
Joanne herself is friendly and approachable and it shows in the book.
I really cant speak highly enough of it as well as Joanne and would I lend you my copy...well not really, I'm not sure you'd want it with all my high lighting and tatty covers where I've had it in the bath and my handbag!




Brightword Publishing Press Release - 2nd September 2012

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Joanne Dewberry, founder of craft business Charlie Moo’s, offers a quirky, no-nonsense guide to running your own successful craft business

Crafting a Successful Small Business Making, marketing and merchandising by Joanne Dewberry

The UK handmade market is currently riding high as our attitudes to shopping and the products we want to buy are changing. With this change comes a new wave of manufacturers - small, local and talented.

If you are a producer of handmade products, or you have a craft hobby and are thinking about taking the next step and wondering how to do it, then this book has the answers. In it you will find out:

• How to turn your hobby into a small business

• Where to sell your products, both on and offline

• How to price your products

• How to develop a unique and recognisable brand

• Where to start with visual merchandising

• How to use social media to market your business

This book not only takes you through these points in no-nonsense plain English, but also has quirky craft activities to complete along the way.

Jam-packed with top hints and tips from real-life crafty small business owners in the know, this book is essential reading for anyone looking to craft their way to success!

About the author

Joanne Dewberry started her first business Charlie Moo's just before the birth of her second child Megan in 2008. Disheartened by the party bags that Charlie had received at parties she decided she could do better and so Charlie Moo's was born.

Not a natural crafter nor had she sewn before, Joanne soon discovered how therapeutic sewing could be. Along the way she has learnt many new business skills which she is passionate about sharing with small business owners and in particular mums. With 3 children under 5 years herself Joanne understands the constraints on mums in business. Her passion and dedication earned her the title of Dorset Business Mum of the Year 2010 along with numerous other business accolades in the past 3 years.

Joanne is passionate about small business and writes a blog www.joannedewberry.co.uk providing small businesses training, advice & networking in areas of social media, marketing and juggling children and a business.

“In 2009, I co-founded a networking group for mums in business and I soon found myself surrounded by an enormous variety of small business owners; male, female, parents and single folk. But one thing was the same - the desire and passion each one displayed for their business. It's inspiring to be surrounded by people like this. I wrote this book in order to inspire others around me and give something back to all of those who have believed in me over the past 4 years of running my own small business. Consumers want to buy products that
are handmade, local and unique – crafters want to keep on making and not be overrun with stock. Crafting a Successful Small Business is designed to help talented crafters take that step from hobby into manufacturer.”

- Joanne Dewberry, July 2012

Crafting A Successful Small Business published in July 2012 by Brightword Publishing

ISBN: 9781908003423

Available in all good bookshops

Inspiration

During the Olympics some of my family were glued to the tv, they loved it. My husband watched it from the opening ceremony to the closing ceremony apart from the hours he was at work of course.
Me on the other hand could take it or leave it, I'm not a big sports fan and couldn't help but think "how much money, when normal families are struggling to feed themselves." I did watch some bits but have to say it never really bowled me over, my interest was never really there.
However, tonight the Paralympic's start and I'm actually looking forward to it! I'm sure this is mainly due to the amazingly inspirational tv advert. It's amazing...the music, the images and the whole brilliance of the Paralympic's this year.
So although I'm still not interested in sport and am still slightly grumpy about the amout of money the Olympics got I feel inspired to watch some, properly watch some, put my sewing down and sit and concentrate.
At a time when I feel inspired through my work and Fairyknowz moving forward I will definitely be watching the opening ceremony :-)
I wonder how many others will...

Things need to change

I wish I could say this is what I told myself...but I didn't, I can't have the satisfaction of saying it :-D
They just did....change..or have started too :-)
I read a review for a book written by Joanne Dewberry on a website and needed to buy it, the snippet made perfect sense and was something someone had mentioned to me before but I'd not really taken any notice of after all being a mum and trying to start a business is hectic...I just went with the flow :-)
Anyway I've bought the book and am still reading so will let you know in due course.....but will say it's already making things change. I am finally in control of moving things forward and realise that I might actually be good at what I do :-)
Along the way I looked at her Facebook page www.facebook.com/joannedewberry.co.uk it's well worth a look and has great advice and links. From my mooching :-) I got "Blogging for business by Joanne Dewberry.co.uk and what an eye opener, if like me you have a blog set up, was enthusiastic and then wasn't sure what to write then this is for you! It gave me some great tips and things I'd never even thought about. It's not too long and is cut into easy sections, so for a busy mum it's great.
I can see lots of Fairyknowz blogs from now on :-)
Let me know how you think I'm doing :-)

An exciting week with far too much to do

I can predict the future...well, next Saturday night anyway.
Ready? Here goes....next Saturday evening I will be stressing, I will be grumpy with my poor husband (who will only be trying to help) and youngest daughter who is too cute for her own good. The other two will be safe with their dad lol
How do I know this will happen? Well easy really I have booked myself a space at a craft fair/ event. It's always the same. I'm officially a stess head and like being back at uni I'll leave everything to the last minute and will be winging it like an adrenaline junkie made worse by the fact I haven't done a stall since November and I've decided to controversially go without a table to see if I can draw more people into my little den :-). On top of that I have decided to do it in the same week my eldest daughter goes to France with her school for the first time and two of my children go on holiday with their dad for the longest time he's had them, abroad for the first time to Spain and the day before I spend a couple of days rest with my youngest daughter and my husband.
Blimey as per normal I have fantastic timing!

An emotional week

Sometimes I think the world's too hard, everyday feels hard. Everything feels like it needs too much thinking.
Of course it's not all the time I feel like this and I realise how lucky I am.
On Tuesday we heard that our cheap holiday to Cornwall was not going to happen due to unforseen circumstances, it made me sad. I have for some unknown reason have a need to be near the sea, to smell the sea, to walk across the beach and to feel the sand under my feet. It's been a long time since I smelt the sea...ok only since August but it feels so long.
On Wednesday, my eldest daughter played her clarinet in the school concert, she was amazing, so very clever. And as I sat there listening to all the solo pieces, I felt sad at how they all grow up so fast as well as proud at the young lady my daughter is growing into. There was a lady playing piano and as she played I watched the music flow through her, her movements were so smooth and she obviously loved playing the piano. As I sat watching her I thought about my uncle who sadly died earlier this year, how he loved the piano and amazing he was at playing.
And the week kind of carried on like that until today when my husband booked us another holiday at a well known holiday camp, and although the thought of this scares me to death it will be an adventure that our four year old will thinks heaven. With that change of mood direction came me cutting some patterns this afternoon and actually appreciating the beautiful organza flowers which I learnt to make via YouTube when I couldn't sleep in the week.
Sometimes life's is rubbish but as long as you can see that there will be a day, an hour, a minute that won't be as dark it's ok....well in my mind anyway xx

Scary!

As I sit here smiling while watching my youngest daughter playing in the bath I also think if the enormity of what's happening in my life at the moment.
It doesn't seem so long ago that I was sat in Scotland outside my beloved caravan with a glass of wine listening to the sea. A relatively happy preschool deputy on my holiday with my family, I didn't realise how breathtaking Scotland would be and how life changing that moment would be either.
As you all now know this was when I decided to try, and I don't say that lightly, to make children's clothes.
I had passed my design degree in 97 and wandered most of my life, I never knew what I wanted to be, all I knew was I quite like making things.
Anyway since then I've made clothes, sold them, ended up with facebook page, then website and now have added a shop on my website yesterday. Although my website is still being played with by my beloved husband it's there and very oddly it's mine. For yes, that's how I feel...odd.
It's like it's unreal, not mine, sure the clothes are there and yes I made them..oh my god I actually made them! :-) and I absolutely love my life.
It was a big risk and when I sadly had to give my job up in December to give my Autistic son more stability I wondered if I would ever cope and more to the point we would cope with money.
But life goes on and look where mine has gone on too :-) I'm a firm believer in fate but sometimes I wish it would wait for me to catch up :-)
I still worry someone might tell me this is all a dream or call me a fraud or worse but it seems I haven't got time to worry these days....and I love it :-)

The way things go

My daughter's preschool seems to be well and truly in party season mode. The first party in January was easy, when I asked her what she wanted to buy her friend she said make-up...easy.
Following this theme the second birthday came and I asked my daughter again, the answer came a tutu, ok so this wasn't too bad either, I'd made some for Christmas presents and had some tulle left so easyish :-)
Next party came and I asked again what she wanted to give, the answer came...some fairy wings. I looked for some but they were expensive for what they were. You Tube is such a wonderful thing, something I wasn't sure I'd use but as with all technology that I initially hide away from it appears to be quite helpful for crafts lol
After looking it up I found myself buying the stuff to make some wings, I must be mad! After layers of paint, torn hands from the wire and glitter everywhere the wings were born.
After posting some pictures on Facebook, a few customers wanting to buy some I have now added them to my making list, I love them. They're so individual :-)
I think I'm a little scared to ask what she wants to give the next little girl. I've got two weeks lol

Chickens

We've  had a new addition to the family.....Vicki the chicken.
Dropped our three children off at school and preschool and my husband and I snuck to a shop that sold chickens. I say snuck with a little chuckle, last time we went looking it was my turn to choose. Somehow we came back with a white chicken which my youngest daughter got to choose, so yes we definitely snuck lol
Anyway, first shop we went to only had brown ones and they didn't look too happy, they were huddled in a corner. So the good old phone came out and after a bit of Google'ing we found a place called Heidi's Happy Hens in Rugby, England.
It is a fab place and as the name suggests the hens are extremely happy, so Vicki was chosen :-)
Well that was just over a week ago and Mildred and Vicki are like they've been together since birth :-) they follow each other, share everything and seem to.look after each other.
The kids are still scared of them as Mildred's slightly over friendly :-) very comical to watch her chasing the kids for a cuddle :-) evil mum I know :-)

Finally found time...

What a dreary morning in Leicestershire :-( I love having my sewing room in the conservatory being able to look directly out of a big window but my goodness me this time of the year it's cold...even when the heatings on full.
This mornings not gone quite to plan, I've woken up with another cold, so grumpy anyway and one of our chickens has died of old age, bless her :-(
To cheer myself up though I've cracked on with my snow suit commission, I've drawn up a pattern after lots of scribbling and measuring and made a prototype, best to be on the safe side before I cut the 'best' material, especially when your feeling under the weather anyway lol
I've sewn the prototype together, re-measured it against my customers measurements and have now shaved a little more off the sides of my paper pattern, hopefully I'm not going completely mad and used goodness knows what measurements from I don't know where...only joking but do feel like I may need an early night tonight lol

Mornings

Good morning everyone.
Why is it some mornings I feel like I've done a full day before I've even got the kids to school. Oh I know the key is in the preparation so I try and get the kids to get their bags, uniform etc. ready the night before, I make the dinners the night before so surely all we should need to do is get up, get dressed, have breakfast and go...surely? So why oh why is it like world war three! My youngest (3) doesn't Like getting up, doesn't like cereal or having her hair brushed. My oldest (11) doesn't like getting up, brushing her teeth, being looked at or hurrying along with anything really. My middle child (8 til Friday)...well where do I start, he's got Autism so he does everything at his own pace, while talking/shouting at himself, to himself and generally tries to get a reaction from anyone to make an already stressful morning worse! It's no wonder I have grey hair!
I didn't finally sit down and try to drink my third cup of tea (other two went cold) until 10.45 when I'd finally got the kids to school, popped to town for fabric, hoovered the house and sent my husband to work.
Here's to a peaceful half hour before the madness of a three year old and the stess of looking for insurance start. Have a great day everybody :-)

Fairyknowz

After reading a fellow crafters blog I realised that I should maybe explain why I called my business Fairyknowz.

In August 2011 we spent 3 weeks in Scotland, sitting in the most amazing surroundings with wine in hand, out of nowhere I turned to my husband and said "I want to make children's clothes and sell them, I really think I could do it" I was never this confident about anything to do with my abilities normally and as I spoke the words I felt a release inside. A little voice told me I actually could pull this off. I loved my job as a deputy at a preschool but between family and work it was loosing its appeal.
Next day sitting in the sun, yes I know Sun in Scotland, my youngest daughter touched my nose and said "mummy where's your fairy nose? I realised she had once asked what my diamond nose stud was and I'd told her it made me a fairy :-)
That was the moment the sound of the name was born.
It was only later in the month when we were back home, my husband realised I was serious about my business proposition that he made the play on words.
And the spelling was born :-)
I now have a Fairyknowz business and on some days a fairy nose to make me special :-)

Picking apart

Sometimes I base my clothes on a paper pattern with I adapt, or a picture and sometimes I'll take apart an item of clothes to see what shapes I need before drawing up a pattern to certain measurement.
That's what I'm doing this morning, slowly taking apart a newborns snow suit so I can see the shapes I need :-)

Getting up

Why oh why do children get up on weekends and in the week they have to be dragged out of bed???
Anyway, hello everyone
Ive recently given up my job of being a deputy manager at a preschool to spend more time with my family and to pursue my love of sewing. It's a very scary but exciting prospect.
I live in Leciestershire, England with my three children and husband...not forgetting the dog, chickens and Giant African snails.
Hopefully this blog will track my adventure