My Creative Space

A couple of weeks ago an item from my Madeit shop was featured in one of the weekly newsletters. Later that day I received an email from a friend asking, "is that you"?!? The exchange ended up with her asking me to make custom gifts for friends overseas who had just had new babies.

She loved my bibs, but wanted a little more, so I shared with her a jingle ball I had made as a personal gift for a friend. And so the baby bib and ball gift set was born (trying saying that three times fast:)

Yesterday I dropped off the finished sets; one using a vintage blue flannel with little koalas and the other using the Melbourne travel icon print (both babies are boys). I love how they came out!

And I love how someone seeing what I do resulted in me making something new. Thinking I might make a few of these sets for the shop, what do you think?

Hope your coming up with new stuff in your creative space. Visit Creative Spaces for more inspiration this week. Cyndy Pin It

Day 28 Blogtoberfest - To Market To Market

My next market is in 2 weeks, so Sunday was all about market prep. One of my best sellers at markets are my bibs in various Australiana fabrics (mostly vintage, but sometimes new). Here's a new one. The fabric looks linen like, but is cotton and features some well loved Melbourne icons.

Don't worry my Sydney sider friends. There's a fabric for you too:) I've even made enough to put a few of each in my shops (Etsy and Madeit), so look for listings later this week:) Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space - New Etsy Store

First a new market stall and now a new shop on Etsy! Yes, sometimes my creative space isn't about the actual act of creating/making, but the behind the scenes activities.

When I made the decision to start selling my handmade items, I knew I needed to start slow. The anal retentive in me also required me to have a plan. And so I created a loose business plan, with loose dates, goals and activities/tasks.

I dipped my toe in the water just over a year ago with my Madeit shop. My goal was to open my shop on August 1, 2011. And I did, with one item in it:). On average I sell a couple of items a month. I know it doesn't sound like much, but I am not the speediest of makers and I only list what is ready to ship.

The next goal in my business plan was to attend 4-5 markets over the year. To date I have done four:) I love connecting personally with customers and hearing feedback on what I make.

The final goal in my business plan was to open an Etsy shop by August 1, 2012. Admittedly, I was a little off goal, but I was finally able to hit the "open shop" button earlier this month (September).

And, fortunate enough to celebrate my first sale within 48 hours!

So, now I am done. No more plan. Ok, that's not completely true, I have two markets in November (which means I will actually have done six this year, one more than my goal:) and the anal retentive in me has been thinking about what is next, I just need to put it on paper!

What's happening in your creative space this week (in front of or behind the scenes?) To see what others are up to be sure to visit My Creative Space. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space - Easter Finger Puppets with an Australian Twist!

My creative space has been a bit hit or miss over the summer holiday. With all three children home there just hasn't been the time I would like (or space for that matter as they have taken over all spaces including my crafting studio, the kitchen table:) as keeping them occupied has taken centre stage.

But amongst the strawberry picking, beach going, op shopping, movie going, play dating, board gaming, video gaming, crafting and legoing I have been working on one little project for my Madeit shop - Easter finger puppets! I know, I know Easter already? But for once I am trying to be ahead of the curve:)

I find the focus on chocolate at Easter a bit overwhelming, so I try to minimize the chocolate by giving the children a few small bits and bobs in their baskets. I came up with the idea of Easter finger puppets last year. I know pretty mundane, but there is an Australian twist, as they include not only a bunny and a chick, but an Easter bilby:) They seemed to be a hit last year with the kids and friends, so I decided to make some to sell in my Madeit shop this year.

Despite the lack of routine and the feeling of constant chaos and clutter about the house, these summer holidays have passed quickly. Oldest and middle start back to school next week and littlest starts 4 year old kinder. Now that will be a big change - not sure what I will do without my constant shadow of almost 4 years!

Hope your holidays have been enjoyable whether you have been creative or not:). For more creative spaces this week check here. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space

This week things haven't quite gone to plan. Sick children, wonky Internet, and other commitments have meant my new shop isn't as up and going as I would like it to be. That said, I am proud of my self for meeting my goal of "opening" my Madeit shop on August 1. OK, I could only get one item listed on the day, but I did what I said I would do. I managed to get another one listed last night. What do they say? Slow and steady wins the race? Well, that is the philosophy I am buying in to:)

Thank you to all those who left encouraging comments last week - they really were appreciated! It was comforting to know I wasn't alone in my fears/insecurities. And despite my wonky Internet (apparently I have reached my limit this month so it is sloooow as molasses) I am glad to have taken the leap:)

Since my Internet time has been curtailed, I have had time to play around with an idea which mixes two of my favorite things: doilies and wool embroidery. Above is my first play. It's not done yet, but I am liking the idea.

I hope you are getting lots of things done in your creative space this week! See more creative spaces here. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space

This week is a sort of culmination for me. For almost a year I have been thinking about moving my craft from simply a hobby to a business. A couple of things to know about me before I continue:

I am a perfectionist
I am not a huge risk taker
I don't consider myself an extrovert

As you can imagine these characteristics can pose obstacles to the idea of actually selling your craft. I initially struggled with the quality of my craft. I would look at items I had made and while I felt fine about gifting them to people, selling them? Were they/are they good enough? I wasn't so sure.

Then there was the whole how do you actually sell you craft. What is involved? What does it require? I am generally not comfortable just doing something. I like to research, to learn as much as I can before I act; to plan.

Finally, selling your craft requires you to put yourself out there, to say to people, "hey, look at me" and to make yourself, well, vulnerable as your craft reflects you and who you are. I have always been more of a behind the scenes kind of person. Putting yourself out there means you have to hear what people think about you, that you have to submit yourself to scrutiny from others.

So it's taken me a year. A year to feel comfortable with the quality of my craft, what it says about me and to think through every little detail that goes with selling your craft a million times (did I mention I am also a bit anal retentive?). To try and make sure I have dotted my i's and crossed my t's. And now on Monday, August 1st I will "open" my shop on Madeit. Now, I know based on my research that opening a shop is not all peaches and cream, but I am hoping the same characteristics that resulted in my taking a year to finally take the step will also help me maintain my faith in myself and this venture.

So in case your curious...my shop is called Wombat's Picnic: a little piece of handmade Australia - and when I say Australia, I mean literally. While not a native, for over twenty years I have been enthralled with the many things that are unique to Australia (perhaps this comes with not being born and growing up here, but coming to live here later in life) and so my shop will feature handcrafted items of all kinds that celebrate all things Australian - its flora, its fauna, its cultural icons. I expect items to vary as I love to use vintage items including fabric and paper that I find at op shops.

So that's my creative space, dotting my i's and crossing my t's. Hope lots of creative things are happening in your space this week. For more creative spaces you can visit here. Cyndy Pin It