Drink Shop Do

Kristie & Coralie and their lovely cafe are my new customers....







Sometimes when I have time I like to have a little peak online at what my outlets actually look like, otherwise they're just a name on an order form.

I'm always pleasantly surprised at how hip or gorgeous they are! I wish there were more of these gorgeous places near me - although for my bank balance it's probably just as well. I've had to ban glasses of wine and internet shopping recently, ahem.

Here's a pic of a new cafe in Kings Cross called Drink Shop Do, check it out if you're in the area, it looks cute, I love their colour scheme.

Print pattern feature...

I had to blog (with baby on knee!) to tell you about my new range featured on one of my fave blogs - print pattern. If you're not familiar then check it out, I find it really inspiring...

Hello long lost bloggers!

Goodness me, a bimonthly post is a bit rubbish isn't it?? Well it's sunday morning, I just made myself a big cup of Jo and a fried egg sarnie and settled down to catch up on the blogging world so I expect any minute now my sleeping babe will awake!

Amazingly I've managed to keep my business afloat and growing, new updates are my new range 'Fur & Feather' came out last month and is selling well. I have a fantastic new agent for the SE who's bringing in tons of new accounts and doing amazingly well. I also have a development with a company in Dubai who are setting up a moonpig type business and want to license my designs. I've also ventured into prints for a new company called 'Beautiful Pea Green Boat' who launch next Saturday, so it's all good.

I'm struggling to have time to create sales myself and I can only do the bare minimum for so long before it all catches up with me. My good old mum has stepped in to help and has taken on my orders and dispatch for me which is a god send and should free up more time for me to get stuck in to some marketing and design (in my sleep!).

Of course I'm a bit frazzled but we're through the toughest baby bit, she's still waking every 2 hrs to feed but 3rd time round I think I've become invincible! I just feel very lucky most of the time that I have a job I love and a gorgeous family, yes it's blinking hard work and I never have a minute to myself but I'm very happy and that's priceless.

I'm feeling creative

Maybe it's the spring sunshine (and the fact that I'm running short of time before baby arrives!) but my feverish brain has been spinning with lots of creative thoughts.

I couldn't sleep last night as my design cogs whirred and clicked with new ideas. I sold out of my birdy design some time back (sob! - my fave design) so I want to create some more designs that are blank for any occasion.

I'm going to start designing next week. God I love that bit - can't wait. I've also got to think of a way to produce new products that don't break the bank. These print runs are my biggest bank breaking expense and i always have more than i need. Hmmm a little lateral thinking is in order me thinks, time to get my biz thinking hat on as well.

Why are accounts such a 'mare??

What is it about accounts and creative people? I used to be so organised with my accounts but now it seems it's the first thing to be dropped when I get busy then I get in a pickle.

You may remember me mocking my husband as he ironed his receipts in the garden to radio four last summer after retrieving them from his filing system of the car floor. At least he got them in on time!

My new tax year resolution has been to find a lovely lady called Deidre to keep my books for me so I need never have to pay a fine or hunt for receipts again. I hate feeling disorganised and with baby no3 in the mix there would have been no hope & probably a spell in prison courtesy of Inland Revenue!

Brilliant News!

Yippee yay! Had a lovely mention on the delicious Print Pattern blog this morning, featuring lots of my new designs. I was a bit of a div though and forgot to mention my wholesale website - duh.

My other good news is I've also got 2 new agents covering East Anglia and Scotland!

Blog Update and Amazon a Go-Go....

You may have noticed that my blog has had a bit of a revamp. You can now shop from Amazon by clicking on the left. I have a blog search feature at the bottom of the page so you can find articles on my blog more easily on subjects that you're interested in.

I also have these 'quick shop' buttons so you can buy cards for upcoming events like Mothers Day and Easter.

Ooooooh I love having a tidy up and a sort out!

Amazon goes live tomorrow!

As I mentioned earlier in the month, Amazon have invited me to sell on their site. Well, tomorrow's the big day when my account goes live and you'll be able to buy from my whole range - yay! It's great as all 40+ designs are up there. Look out for the button on my blog and let me know what you think.

I'm actually nesting...

I'm getting rather large with baby no3 on the way and sitting at my desk for hours on end is pretty tough. I seem to need a mountain of cushions to get comfy! I've also decided to invest in a macbook so I can work in the evenings from the comfort of my sofa/nest of cushions/bed/anywhere in a horizontal position. Mmmmmmm, new gadgetry for my nest.

A return to the blogosphere...

Hello my very neglected readers (if you're still out there?). This post marks a return to my very sad and sorry blog that I've been neglecting whilst baking bigger business pies.

Here are some of my new designs, there's 18 in total. I'll be uploading them all on my folksy site soon. The good news is you'll be able to buy Design Rocks! cards on Amazon. Yes, I've been invited to sell with Amazon, so we'll see how that goes. There also other interesting developments afoot, so I'll keep you posted on how they turn out.

I feel like I've been in a washing machine for 2 months with such a massive workload (and massive bump, only 3 and a half months to go until baby no 3 arrives!). It's great but I'm glad to finally be able to do fun stuff again like reading, blogging and visiting galleries. I'm also really looking forward to meeting up with my lovely crafters and designers this weekend at the Craft Centre on Tib St for hot muffins and tea and a mooch round the N Quarter.




There's a fab conceptual wallpaper exhibition on at the Whitworth called 'Walls Are Talking'. Go and see it it's brilliant, there's everything from Warhol to Sindy to bloodsplats and barbed wire wallpaper.


Finally I leave you with Lola's Room, adorable photography by a gal with a great eye for colour and composition. I think her snaps would make great greetings cards actually. You can buy her pics from her folksy shop.

Wooo Hoooo!!!!

Just a quick post to say Top Drawer was a phenomenal success!!! I'm so excited and super happy! After all the determination, frustration, hard work and (many) tears - it's all paid off and I can finally make a living doing something I absolutely love.

I had tons of orders (actually quite overwhelming now) and more than 50 leads to other great retailers and developments. Some included John Lewis, Mamas and Papa's, Amazon and many many more. There's so much to get my teeth into.

People were so lovely and lots of people complimented the stand (pics coming soon) and said my cards were really different and stood out which is a relief because the greetings card market is HUGE so that's really important.

I was so tired after the show, standing around with a now rather large bump was a bit tough but I ran on adrenaline and had a great time. I'm still walking around with a smile, I'm a very happy bunny.

I've got a new website too so have a look if you want to see my new designs:


www.designrocks.co.uk

Craft Cafe a roaring success!

Yay and triple yay! I sold a ton of cards at the craft cafe, held at the Northern Tennis Club in West Didsbury. the morning was quiet but then it got really busy and my stationery was flying out.

I know I say it every time but it's such a confidence boost when I get such incredible feedback from customers and seeing their first reaction when they look. It makes me feel on top of the world to know that I can create products that make people happy and want to buy!!!!
And just the boost i need before Top Drawer.

I also road tested some new designs (will reveal all soon) and they also went down a storm. A little range of autumnal mini cards, I'll take some pics and get them on the blog as soon as I get a min.

Here are some little freebie gift tags for you to down load and print on to card. They look lovely with hot pink or orange ribbon.

Enjoy!

Didsbury Art Festival...

Quick bit of news: the Didsbury Art Festival is running from the 26th of September to the 3rd of October. There's loads of great stuff going on. Check out the website for the full programme.

I have a stall at the Festival Craft Cafe at the Northern Lawn Tennis Club, on SUN 27th 10am - 4pm.

There's a £1 entrance fee, there's cakes & a bbq on the lawn, live classical music and quality crafts (including my own goodies!). It all sounds lovely so get there if you can.

off to London Town...

This Sunday will be my recce for TOP DRAWER! It's the autumn show on at the mo. I need to get a feel for my competitors, the set up, market, etc before I exhibit myself in Jan.

I love day trips to London, apart from getting lost, sweaty & slightly claustrophobic on the tube and so on. When I was a wee nipper of a designer, many moons ago, I remember being reduced to tears of exasperation trying to find some random location in central Londres. I sat on my porfolio and heartily cried somewhere in Hackney.

Now I'm a true city girl, it's a total treat for my senses and always gives me a design buzz.

Will have a market/trend report for you on Monday (written on the train with a long coffee and lots of pics, I'll also be sketching and scribbling!)

I know it's barely September...

...but us card designers do our Xmas selling as early as June! It's hard to think about Christmas designs when you're sunning yourself with a long cocktail.

I sold my Xmas cards as singles last year, I thought I'd offer them as a pack this year - here's the new packaging.

The packs and singles will be on sale in my shops from this evening if you want to have a little shop. I'll also be doing mini stationary sets which will make nice stocking fillers or mini gifts for friends. I'll keep you posted!

Back to school - YAY!

I've got that back to school feeling - yay! After getting my head around the end of summer, I can't wait to get stuck into designing ranges, business, selling & growth for my little business. My new mantra: Create, enjoy, have fun & sell!

I have some new stationery (any excuse) my pens and pencils, a tidy(ish) desk and my new shoes - I'm ready to roll and all excited about preparing for Top Drawer London in January.

My exercise books sell really well but I just found this french exercise book complete with exercises inside from Etsy shop Petit Vintage. She has gorgeous Gallic goodies so have a nose if you get chance.

Happy Harrogate!

My God, people in the greetings card industry are SO lovely. I went to check out Harrogate Home and Gift to get an idea of trade fair set ups and a fresh feel for the market, before I take the plunge in Jan at Top Drawer. I chatted to a few of my competitors and I couldn't believe how friendly they were.

My two best show pals were: Iain from Hello! Lucky, here's their stuff. I've always loved the Letterpress stylie and these guys are definately one of the best so there was much scribbling and chin stroking whilst talking to my mini mentor Iain.

My other mini mentor/verbal sponsor is the lovely Alison from Aliroo. Not only is she always so generous with her time and knowledge, she does all this with a 10 week old baby in tow!

I think what I like the most is that these great people have the same outlook as me. I love helping people and sharing what I've learnt, I'm not guarded or defensive (or naive!). Supporting people on the way up is a two way street.

I believe there's a market out there big enough to support all these diverse companies so the best thing we can do is to support each other to make British design the strongest in the global marketplace. And I believe it is. Right. I'll get down off my soap box now.

BIZ NEWS!

Just a quickie to say Top Drawer has accepted me to exhibit at their lovely and very posh trade show. They called this morning when, very professionally, I was painting my little lady's toenails and without thinking just answered the phone with a chirpy 'hello'. They seemed quite excited for my products and have already sent my images to the marketing department!! Yippy yippee yay.

Hmm just got to pay for it now. ummmmmmm.

A bit of chin stroking

I've done an intensive month of craft fairs and been observing a lot of what works and doesn't work. After much thought and deliberation (ok, and a little wine). I think there is a magi formula to successful selling as a designer maker.

A. The product - must be of quality and a good price, be original - do what you do best and concentrate on that. Don't try and do what someone else is doing because they're making sales. The only way to be totally unique is to develope your unique skills to the max. Don't go all craft ADHD (very common problem). Stay FOCUSED dude.

b. Your market - get the right venue with the right buyers - old biddies - forget it. What you need is middle class guardian readers with muchos deniros and an appreciation of your hard work. Look out for craft fairs in trendy city 'burbs with a little cool subculture of their own. Think about who buys your stuff and imagine what they do and where they live - that should narrow it down. If there isn't anything there then set up your own - it's not that hard, just start small and invite friends.

c. Your sales technique - you are your brand! You need to be an extension of your product. I sell cards featuring vintage patterns and I love pattern. So, I wear my best vintage frock, a huge smile, and I engage and chat to as many people as possible. I tell them about the designs, where the patterns come from, the process, my inspiration - I sell the cool image. It sounds cheesy but people are buying in to you as well as your products. Your nice personality should come into it's own here, just be your self and enjoy the time you have with people. This is also a time to get feedback on your customers faves and what sells best - that way you can develop your range in the right direction.

Ok, enough waffle. just want to try and work out how I seem to have made a success of this and share the wealth with you good crafting people out there. Hope it helps.

If you want more great info the ETSY sellers handbook is a real help.

Chorlton arts festival

Roll up roll up... This weekend I'll be selling at the crafts market, within St Clements Church on High Lane, as part of Chorlton Arts Festival. I also have to give a plug for my daughter who's exhibiting at Battery Park and has her first opening (at the age of 9!!). Here's one of her sketches - they are way better and more stylised than anything I could do. She has a knack of capturing peoples expressions with a little squiggle here and there.

I can feel in my bones that this fair will be a good one. Watch this space for the post fair feedback from both of us!

I'd just like to add that in a whole sketchbook this was the only non smiley face (for all you amateur psychologists out there) and that it isn't a picture depicting my meaness to my first born!

BIZ NEWS FLASH: Also went to the printers yestrday to discuss the next range - very excited. Am also waiting for acceptance to do the hottest (and blinking expensive) trade fair in London. Hope they let me exhibit!