Small business thoughts

One of the things that I think is holding me back in building my work from home business is thinking that I have to production line my products. That I have to produce scores of different sizes of each design, all identical to the last.

In the past I have had customers ask if I have certain items in another size other than what I have on display for sale. I get stuck in answering them as they want that same design in that fabric but that usually isn't possible for me as I only buy small amounts of each gorgeous fabric.

My ideal way of running my business is to not mass produce. It's to create one-off original items that you most likely won't see again. You certainly won't go to a party and see someone wearing the same dress or top as you. What stirs my creative juices is having the freedom to create what grabs me at the time. To design or create something in response to a delicious fabric or divine vintage pattern that I have bought.

I have it in my head that's it's a rule that I have to mass produce. But in fact there is no such rule
written in any official guide or rule book. I must start to allow myself to run my business the way that it suits me. Have you come across this stumbling block with your small business? I'd love to hear from you how you tackled it.

Crafty Hijinkery

It was on us as quick as a flash. The inaugural Crafty Hijinks get together on September 15th. I had fun organising the day from afar, as it was held in Ballarat at Brown Hill Hall. The hall was suitably low-key and absolutely perfect in a crafty-get together's kind of way.

I drove over from Adelaide on the Friday before hand and the gracious Jodie put me up for a couple of nights in her home. A day of garage sale-ing, getting goody bags ready, crafty shopping and smooching with Jod's beautiful dog. Out for dinner with these gorgeous gals on the Saturday night for some nosh and goss. Big thumbs up to Morgan of The Crafty Squirrel who had been stall queen at a market all day and was absolutely kerschnackered but still made it to dinner.

The day arrived. Up early and setting up the hall. Big thanks go to the gals that came and assisted with the setting up of chairs and tables. Another grateful nod to the very organised stall holders who arrived early, most from Melbourne, to set up their wares before the hordes arrived.

Jodie held a short workshop on how she tackled her rag rugs.

Rebecca of Beccasaurus demonstrated how she put together fabric hexagons and made them into flowers. She and Cam had put together some lovely little kits for the Hijinkers to use.

Wendy of hARTy little peaces showed the Hijinkers how to use colour in their craft and got them experimenting using the colour wheel as a guide.

  

There was lots of this all day. Smiling. Crafting. Instagramming. Catching up with old and new friends. We ate scones, sandwiches, very interesting slice with lots of coconut in everything.

 We drew the raffles and had some very happy winners. The money that was raised totaled $400 and we will let you know as soon as possible as to which crafty/charitable worthy will be receiving it. We did have one intended recipient but that has gone a little askew so please trust me, I won't be running off to the Bahamas with the $400 just yet!

 

  

 

 

I love this photo so much!
(Thanks Jodie for letting me borrow it)

 I also got to catch up with one of my most very favourite bloggers in the entire blogosphere. Juddie of Flightless Boyds. Juddie put some long thought about wheels in motion some two years ago when I met her at Sew It Together in Sydney. I was so impressed and girl-crushy about her pin-up/retro style. It was something I had been coveting and wanting to do for so long. Meeting Juddie was a catalyst of sorts and got me really inspired to dress in the 1950's style that I do now most days. And it was even more lovely to see even more of Juddie, with a junior Juddie on board too. How gorgeous!

 

At the end of the day, we all said our farewells and I headed my weary feet to my digs for the night. Ballarat Premier Apartments was absolutely lovely. Very swish for a crafty gal on her own and I just loved the chandeliers which were everywhere! A glass of well earned champagne and some sticky date pudding which was divine.

 

 Back on the road to Adelaide Monday morning it was for me. The canola crops in full bloom were magnificent. A gorgeous riot of vibrant acid yellow. I made a few little rest stops along the way, including a quick hello to this likely lad. I tried to attain the same unimpressed facial expression as he totes. Do you think I succeeded?

 

All in all, an absolute cracker of a time and I had a complete ball. It was great to spend time with Jodie and hang out. It was lovely to meet so many bloggers whom I'd had the pleasure of reading their blogs but never meeting them in person. It was relaxing and mind clearing driving myself over to Ballarat and back. I love solo long distance driving.

And yes, next year, I'm sure Jod and I will get another Crafty Hijinks organised. Thank you to all the sponsors and businesses who donated goods. So very appreciated. Thank you to the stall holders who gave another crafty dimension to the day and sold their gorgeous wares. And biggest thank you of all to Jodie. You're a champ, my friend. I do so wish you lived at the end of my street.