Go Handmade

This morning brought a super surprise, not only was it the first day this week of being able to get on with work at home, but I discovered my 'A Satisfied Mind' charm bracelet has been included in issue 3 of Go Handmade the online magazine showcasing UK designers. The magazine is created by the fabulous Leanne of See the Woods Designs and this issue has some excellent gift ideas, recipes, festive wrapping tutorials and much more.Check it out!

Starting up your Business

As some of you may know from a previous post I was fortunate enough to have a consultation with a creative business advisor when I had decided to become self employed. He gave me a wealth of information, much of which I'm still working my way through. Now that the school term is nearing an end I know I'll have more time to further develop the business side of my work and thought I'd share with you some of the links and tips given to me as I revisit and revise my plans.

• Business Link Starting Up Huge amounts of information and the best place to start for those of you in the UK. Business Link offer twelve months free support to those just setting up in business and they are definitely worth contacting for guidance and opportunities in your area.
  

• Registering as self employed Information directly from HMRC.
  

• PEST analysis provides a framework for considering your environment before starting to plan your marketing activities.
  

• Writing SMART goals for you and your business.

• Ecommerce and the Law what you need to be aware of before selling online.

• Creating an online shop

I'm going to be focusing on stocking my Folksy jewellery shop whilst working on my painting and doing up the studio - we've just collected litres of white paint from a kind fellow freecycler so it should look refreshed soon, although R has talked about painting downstairs as well, so we might be in for a summer of decorating!

When school finishes work on my website begins in earnest, I'll keep you posted!

One Hundred Followers

As of a few moments ago I now have one hundred followers on Twitter, thank you kindly to all my followers! It's a funny old thing, Twitter, but I've found some great sites, helpful information, worthy causes and hilarious videos through it and it is so good to receive a joke or brief word of encouragement when you are busy working away. It's a bit like the office banter you miss when you go self employed so cheers everybody! Same again next week!

Snow, Hearts and Robins

Like so many we've had plenty of snow which has been beautiful and given me loads of time away from school! There has been loads in the press about over reactions by the public and county councils however, I have to give it to our Head teacher: there was no safe way of keeping our school open as it is on a split site divided by a hill, lots of slopes and steps and a very steep main drive, not safe for over a thousand teenagers.

So, snow day it is! Was delighted to get the message this morning that, having re-opened yesterday, the school was closing again today! I've been using my extra time wisely and have an update on the ol' list:

1. Stocked my shop with at least 12 listings only got 11 but I ran out of daylight, hopefully tomorrow I'll get another piece photographed

2. Ordered some pmc ordered a host of basics to get me started from Art Clay Suppplies who have been great, they were out of stock of two items and phoned me to see if I wanted an alternative and as I was happy to wait a few days they included the large size resin at no extra cost, how lovely! I yipped joyfully at the arrival of the box and then felt the fear over the size of the pmc, a small amount still costs a lot and I can't afford to mess it up!

3. Registered my business name - depending on advice on Friday
After my meeting with the advisor last week I decided to trade under my own name in an effort to be more recognisable, as, at the start those who know me will look for me by name rather than the business name I was going to register. Much simpler and removes the need to register a business name so I have now filled in and sent off the self-employment forms.

4. Finished the 'heart' range I've started the range and perhaps "finishing" was never the right choice of word! I decided to put items together into sets so my planned full shop looks a little less than full as six items are only three listings. There are more heart designs ready to go and this might be an ongoing theme beyond February and 'Heart Month', have an idea for silver clay involving hearts if I ever pluck up the courage to open the packet!

5. Upload an image to redbubble Yet to do this - we went up to Cannock Chase and I have a load of snow photographs still to go through so should get something up before the end of the week. During the walk I spotted a robin posing on a branch and he let me step in to take a photo, just as I did he launched himself straight at me in a brave bid to move us off his patch!

I'll leave you with the new sets listed today:

Meetings, Rain and Florence

Yesterday morning I had my introductory meeting with a Creative Launchpad advisor: a very knowledgeable-without-being-patronising man called Andy. Having been previously told the meeting would be approximately three hours I was imagining this to be excessive, but as it turned out three hours was very much required and packed full of information for me to digest.
Bizarrely nervous about the whole thing, mainly because I didn't really know where I was going, I hopped on the train, as hoards of my bemused students flooded off the opposite train on their way to school and wondering loudly why I wasn't! It was bitterly cold and lashing down with rain in Birmingham on Friday morning and in my explorations to find the Custard Factory (where was Mackay when I needed her!) I got drenched and any prior attempts to look composed and in control washed swiftly away.
There was no need for the apprehension, some kind passers by pointed me in the right direction and the meeting itself was hugely helpful. Got me thinking about a host of things from how on earth to fill in a tax form, e-commerce, marketing, insurance, networking, an artist called Robert J Ennis, whose work is stunning, websites, receipts, press releases and a stack more!
Glad I went - even managed to pop to the shops on the way home and bought a new pair of shoes. Plain, black, flat, for school, not very exciting.
Today, I've made some more teal and silver jewellery but haven't got good photographs yet as the sky was dull by the time I'd finished and the photos were a bit pants. I love teal. It's a beautiful colour. We went for a dander to post a manuscript off to an agent (fingers crossed) and it was very chilly, this Siberian cold snap is clearly on it's way. Have been back in for hours and am still wearing my hat and scarf, brrrrr.
Checked flights for Florence - we are planning to go back this Easter - and prices look good, phew, so we should be booking tomorrow, yay!

For Next Week . . .

. . . I want to have:

1. Stocked my shop with at least 12 listings
2. Ordered some pmc - you guessed it I got paid today!
3. Registered my business name - depending on advice on Friday
4. Finished the 'heart' range
5. Upload an image to redbubble

I've got school and my first private tuition session this afternoon so I best put down the beads and wire and bits and go prepare.

Lists and Listing

Today is my first Tuesday not at school for ages, hooray! My new timetable kicks in this week and having two whole days to devote to getting this creative venture off the ground is very exciting. I've been fidgeting around wanting to get on with making and listing new jewellery items on my folksy shop but never had enough time. This turned out to be a good thing as I've had a chance to scribble a few ideas and sketches and give some thought to what order to list new items to fit in with what I've already listed.

Over the last few weeks I have made a few things and now I have the time again (joy!) I've set about photographing a few new pieces and listing three jewellery sets. I'm pleased with how they have turned out and if you fancy a look just click on the mini pic below.



As for the other lists . . .
Last week I planned to:
1. Arrange a meeting with a Creative Launch Pad advisor
This is the one I'd already done! Ha! Got a meeting this Friday morning and I'll no doubt be posting about how it went, what I learnt, what I need to do ya de yade!
2. Order necklace chains
Done, and I resisted buying a load of silver clay and resin stuff, must pace myself and wait til pay day (tomorrow, phew!)
3. Organise the studio - well the jewellery bit to start with
This was a joint effort and it looks great now. A proper working space and as I type R is in the corner at his new table (a lovely pine job we got from ebay for £13, score!) working away. Might have to take a few pictures for you.
4. Finish unpacking
Very nearly, almost there! I have one box of school files in the boot of my car which might just have to find a drawer in a classroom for! Apologies in advance to GEM for messing up her room!

I've a few ideas already for what the next week's list, but that can wait until the next post.