Jingle Bells

I'm having a bit of a moment - Little Miss L and I decorated our Christmas Tree together for the first time yesterday.  For years, Christmas was more about enjoying the time away from work but now thanks to our 2 year old, we've got the magic back and we're stirring up the excitment of Father Christmas and his reindeer so much I'm starting to believe again myself!  To see her little face light up with all things Christmas is so lovely.

Rugby Ralph Lauren Tweed Run

The recently made blue and yellow bunting was used at the London Tweed Run on Nov 26th held in partnership with Rugby Ralph Lauren.

The Tweed Run is a super stylish 12 mile bike ride across London with cyclists dressed as dapper gents and dashing ladies - click here to check out some photos on flickr.

Being such a small and new business, getting the Ralph Lauren order has been such a confidence boost which I need to keep building on.  I have to admit that I was more than a bit chuffed to see my stuff being used!

Mega Bunting Delivered

Mission accomplished!  Managed to complete the 100m of bunting on Tuesday and then pack it all up (which took 2 hours!!!) and deliver it to Ralph Lauren yesterday in time for their event at the weekend.   I'm so pleased with myself that I was actually able to do this - the longest I've made is 5m so 100m seemed very daunting not least the thought of making 400 flags!

I had to call in the big guns (my Mum) just to help me make a good start as I had my first craft fair in between too - but we got there in the end. 

Making such a big order has shown that I need to make a few changes around here for us all to be able to work and live in the same house as the mega bunting took over the whole place!  So, top of my Christmas Wish List is a new bigger house or a lovely warm large shed in the garden - Mr L, what do you think??

Failing that a bigger ironing board would be most useful! 

How did it go?

Christmas Fair yesterday...........not sure how I feel about this yet- not quite success, not quite a failure.

I was so nervous - what if nobody bought anything, what if people turned their nose up at my stuff, what if the other sellers things were much better than mine!  I set up my table and checked out the competition and have to say that I easily fitted in so no more worries on that note.

As for sales - I only made 1 in the first 2 hours!  I was starting to get really disheartened - at that rate I wouldn't even cover the cost of table.  After a pep talk from Mr L (and a much needed packed lunch!), I changed my pricing and things picked up a little - I may have just have broke even.

Still, this was my first craft fair and I can't expect to be a success at the first attempt - I learned a few things and would do things differently next time although having Little Miss L as a sales girl  was quite a draw so she's a keeper!

In the meantime, I still have that large order to complete....25 meters to go

Need to keep going...

Last week I had an unexpected phone call requesting 650m of bespoke bunting in 2 1/2 weeks.  Unsurprisingly, I had to turn that down....but, they rang back and asked for at least some!  I crazily took this as a sign and agreed to make 100m - my biggest order yet!

So, here I am...not quite half way through and shattered.  We still have the Christmas Fair this weekend and I have a few things left to make and Little Miss L is recovering from having croup.  Fingers crossed at least some sales this weekend and at least a couple of good nights sleep!

Date for your diary - 19th November!!

I've made a bit of a leap and have booked myself a stall at a Christmas fair in November.  It seemed a good idea at the time but now I realise that I need to make a tonne of stuff to a) fill up my table space and b) sell!

I've been thinking about having a stall for a while and then came across a poster for the fair at the Community Centre nearby - it seemed an ideal opportunity as it's indoors and the table is provided meaning I don't need to fork out for any equipment.  So, even while Little Miss L and I were spending a few days away with family last week, it means spending every available minute making.

The Christmas Fair is the 19th November at the Hythe Centre, Thorpe Road, Staines  - come along if you happen to be in the area......there's even an inflatable snow dome (I don't really know what this is but it sounds intriguing!)

Handmade Christmas Decorations now available

Gosh, it was just as well I started Christmas prep early, turns out we have no tree!  We could have easily got to just days before Christmas and not even realised - is this what is meant by "everything happens for a reason"?  I start a business, make decorations for sale and discover we have no tree prompting a quick online buy of tree.  Mmm, I'm hoping starting a business will lead to slightly bigger things but I'll take it for now.  We have narrowly escaped a frantic Christmas Eve chase for a tree!

Well, everything is sorted now.  Below are pictures of said new tree with handmade Christmas decorations now available from my shop - reindeer, Christmas puddings and snowflakes.  Prices start at £5 for a set of 3 reindeer and snowflakes and £6 for 3 puddings.

We will be having these on our tree this year as I really like the homemade look of them; the puddings are my favourite!