26/11/2021
Business in the Spotlight: A Treasured Something
My First Media Art Painting ....
25/10/2021
Business in the Spotlight: Lizbet Felt Creations
Today's business in the spotlight is Lizbet Felt Creations
Introducing Helen of Lizbet Felt Creations.
How it began
Needle felting was initially just a hobby for me. I loved art at school, but to my regret ,I didn’t carry on with it. If could go back in time, I’d go to art college.
Over the years, I dabbled here and there, trying out different crafts in my spare
time, but nothing stuck. Then I bought a cheap needle felting kit and took to it immediately. The first thing I made was an apple, which is now sitting pride of place on my mum’s mantelpiece!
I carried on experimenting. In 2020, after receiving some lovely comments about my work, I started thinking seriously about opening an Etsy shop, but I needed to work out the business side of things.
It was a dream come true when my Etsy shop eventually went live in November 2020 (yes, during lockdown). I felt nervous, but had the attitude that if it sells, it sells, if it doesn’t, it was worth trying.
First Sale
The first creation I sold was a miniature penguin. I was sorry to see it go because it was a favourite of mine, but at the same time I was delighted to have made my first sale. I was so nervous wrapping the penguin up and preparing it for posting. What would the customer think? Thankfully I got great feedback, which boosted my confidence.
I’ve made many things since then, including lots of penguins.
I like to challenge myself. I have a list of things I want to make and am slowly working my way through it. Most recently I’ve ticked a cat off my list.
I can’t pin down one favourite creation. Each new make becomes my favourite, but I can tell you the ones which stand out, and they include a hedgehog, a Herdwick sheep, and I loved a snowdrop and a fox I made so much, that I decided to keep them. I put a lot of myself into my work, so sometimes I do get attached.
One off creations
My work is unique. Many creations are one-offs, like the angels. Others are limited edition. Take the penguins I’ve made, even though some of them are done in the same style, their faces are all different, so when you buy something from me, know that no-one else has an identical piece. Needle felting is a slow art too, so I can’t make hundreds of the same item (not that I’d want to).
Now I have two shops, the original Etsy shop, plus a Crafter’s Market UK shop.
I opened the second shop because I wanted to be part of a site which was UK based. The Crafter’s Market UK shop is still a work-in-progress, but I am aiming to have that one for pictures, brooches, cards, plus one-off hanging decorations, whilst birds, animals and angels will all remain in my Etsy shop.
Loving the journey
2021 has been a learning curve, in terms of what I can make, social media and most recently, I’ve been looking into getting my work into local shops.
I find needle felting relaxing. It’s the perfect way for me to express my creativity. It’s so exciting to start work on a blob of wool and to see what emerges. I love needle felting and I hope that comes across in my creations.
Etsy: Welsh needle felting artist based in by LizbetFeltCreations (etsy.com)
Crafter’s Market UK: Lizbet Felt Creations (crafters.market)
Twitter: @lizbet_felt
Instagram: @lizbetfeltcreations
What do you think?
Did you enjoy the post? Have you checked out Helen's wonderful creations? Aren't they lovely, so cute and gorgeous!
Not looked yet? What are you waiting for? Click on those links and check them out.
Isn't it wonderful how a hobby and interest you really enjoy, can become a business you love.
Another post you might like: From Handmade Hobby to Business
Thank you for visiting and taking the time to read this post. See you again soon.
22/09/2021
Money Making Crafts: Woodworking
With so many people out of work because of business closures and less jobs available in the real world, it makes sense that so many are looking online. Whether looking for jobs, working for someone else, or wanting to start a business it seems that online, a hugely increasing market, is the place to be
Working from home
Being able to work from home has been shown to be pandemic proof, in the main. Some businesses suffered of course, the wedding and travel industry are the main ones that spring to mind. Those that only had one website that was totally invested in either of those would have lost their source of income virtually overnight.
Not a good place to be. The lesson there is to diversify.
Times are changing
Lots of big businesses have survived by moving online which meant a lot of job losses. Those that could work from home during lockdowns and restrictions found it was a better option. They felt safer, there was no commute and no office distractions. Another bonus was they got more done in less time, so had more family or leisure time.
Many do not want to go back into a busy office or work environment, neither do they want to be on crowded trains or buses on the commute to work.
Online businesses
These are on the increase but with over 4 billion online users there is plenty of room for all. Many crafters have upped their game and turned their hobbies into a business. Lots of others are looking at what they can do to create a viable business.
It doesn't need to cost much to start up, website provider/hosting, domain name etc. It can take time to build a business and there is more to learn about than you realise.
You need to have good photographs from every angle with a good description. It's a good idea to have a blog on your website with articles on different aspects of your business or talking about what you make.
A good way to start off is advertising online via social media in your local area. It starts bringing in revenue quicker than waiting until your online presence has built.
What to make?
For this piece, I am going to start with woodwork. Why? Because if this is your forte there is such a variety of things you can create from large to small.
Let's start with a very popular item at the minute, a Mud Kitchen! Not heard of one? Nor me, until my granddaughter asked my husband to make one for our great-grandson's 1st birthday.
She gave him a picture for ideas and off he went.
The picture was before he added a top shelf and another underneath.
Now the reason for her asking was that so many she had seen were expensive. If they were a decent size, well made and looked good they were £300 upwards. Websites also charged extra for the accessories.
We discovered some pound shops had stainless steel bowls for £1 and sets of wooden utensils for £1. They were just cut down to size for small hands. So it's worth looking offline as well as on for extras that you need.
You can do research and find out whatever else is popular at the minute.
More ideas
If you like making big stuff, there are sheds, log cabins as a garden room. Children's playhouses, benches, tables, desks, stools and so on. The list really is endless.
Beds
My husband made some beds for the grandchildren. The first was a type of bunk bed over a desk though, rather than another bed. Camper van bunk beds that still look as good 10 years on. Very solid and sturdy unlike many you buy.
He also made a toddler bed that looked like a digger. A four-poster single bed, with a pull-out bed underneath on castors.
Then of course you can make bed bases with storage underneath, either by lifting up or with drawers or cupboards underneath.
The list is endless once you start thinking.
Shelves
Then there were shelves he made for a daughter's friends who saw the grandchildren's shelves. One person asked for a football pitch, another a sail boat and there were a few others too.
So after making many for free, well not free to us of course, another daughter suggested he make a business of it. But this time make and sell them using eco board and eco paint.
He made a variety of children's shelves including a rainbow cloud, racing car, double decker bus, a castle, a fairy castle and a train and so many more.
They became popular, but it got too much after a while, with his full time working. So he stopped.
You can make all sorts of shelves, not just novelty shelves, for all around the house.
Boxes
What about toy boxes or storage boxes? Be innovative and make sections to hold particular items. Paint them to match bedroom themes. Make big ones and small ones, perhaps even stackable for an office or craft room.
What about Pets?
You can make things for pets too. Kennels for dogs, hutches for rabbits and guinea pigs with or without a run, Hutches can of course be two storey to give more space to move around.
You can build aviaries for bird breeders.
10/05/2021
The Story of Me and My Business
The Beginning
I started crafting at a young age with my grandmother, trying to show me how to knit. It didn't compute well as I expected it to grow faster.
When I was 10 we moved house and rented an area that also had quite few things belonging to the owners.
I found a little booklet with detailed step by step pictures of crochet stitches. I tried it and bit by bit taught myself and from that moment on I was hooked.
I would make dolls blankets once I got hold of any wool, which wasn't often.
I would pick up the crochet occasionally but it finally became useful when I had children
I made many things for my home, especially after I got a knitting machine I learned to design basic patterns to make clothes for the children, jumpers for us and as gifts too.
Life got busier with a growing family and it was set aside.
Crochet was picked up occasionally from time to time but mostly lay untouched until grandchildren began to appear.
Time to move Forward
But then the universe in its wisdom decided I wasn't doing what I should be doing and gave me shove.
3 illnesses all at once for just over 2 years was a really effective way of doing just that. I have to say it was very efficient otherwise it might have dragged on for a few years.
I have never been one to sit and do nothing and there is only so much meditation you can do. So out came the trusty hooks and yarn. I began to crochet blankets.
But as I improved I wanted variation and commenced making hats, scarves and fingerless mitts.
Of course the few items grew into piles and kept growing.
Once I recovered I had a brilliants idea, I could sell online. It would be simple to do. Right? I have to say here, that I actually thought I would open an online shop and that was it, job done.
Starting that first online shop
I had absolutely no idea what I was doing or had let myself in for.
Just the initial set up was a challenge. I learned that I needed decent photos, not just one, but from every angle, as well as descriptions etc.
I did it, though it took a long while. The whole thing was a very steep learning curve and the more I learnt, the more I realised that I needed to know.
BUT .... once that first sale came in, I was hooked!!
The general consensus was that it took about 4 years to make a reasonable profit. I have to say that it was about right. Not bad though considering I knew absolutely nothing about online selling when I started.
I had never even looked at any social media platforms, they were a mystery too. I had resisted being on them but now I had no choice.
I loved selling online and no longer wanted it as a hobby, I wanted a business!
Turning it into a business
Finding the right tools
I kept practicing, drawing new styles and pictures.
Then I realised that I needed more software for the finishing of the pictures. They would need editing. Making the right size, leaving a margin in case they were framed. Also being able to move words about so the right ones were larger and more prominent and the less important were clearly visible but smaller.
I found the right software and had to learn how to use it for what I wanted. It was frustrating and fun all at once. Bit by bit I was getting where I wanted to be.
Word Art was born!
My first ones were very basic and I tested the waters with those. I made a few sales but hadn't gained the skills yet to alter the words without it being obvious. The price was lower while I worked this out but I didn't do many orders. I wasn't really advertising them much, afraid to put them out there in case it was a failure.
Gradually the pictures were getting better and I was building a basic collection.
Very slowly, orders began to come in. It was exciting and scary too.
The first Christmas I did 30 in the November and nearly the same amount in the December despite a cut off point. Considering each one took most of a day, more if alterations were needed, that was a lot. By the Christmas I was exhausted and ready to drop.
At the same time, it was exhilarating and fun.
Another shove from the Universe
When redundancy was mentioned I jumped at it because at least I would get something.
I considered getting another job but decided I would give myself 8 months to make it earn enough to at least equal my lost wage.
It was VERY hard work
Now I was working very long hours to make this into a business that paid me. I got up early, went to bed later and later. Designed new pictures, opened another shop, this time on Etsy and created a website.
The time passed in a blur. But before my deadline, it was a business that made the amount of profit I needed. In fact over time it surpassed my expectations.
At busy times, like Christmas, sleep became optional. 3-4 hours became the norm. Every single one took hours from start to finish, not as many as at the start but I wanted each one to be perfect.
I still love it but have cut back on it over the last few years as I spend time with grandchildren more.
I treasured the time with them and would not have given up the time for anything or anybody.
Moving On
Time to learn and grow
I love new challenges and this is a major new challenge. It fits well with my lifestyle now, keeping up with family as we spread out. My work can be done anywhere and word art posting is planned to suit around my many days away each month.
During the Pandemic, I couldn't travel because of the Lockdowns and restricted times but I learnt a lot more and did get more done on my websites. So it is all coming along nicely.
Continuing to build
It has taken a lot of hard work over the years, building social media and learning all I needed for each stage of my journey. However now it is a valued asset.
Now I know that learning never ends, that hopefully I will always seek new challenges and that life is more interesting when you are curious and have a thirst for knowledge.
I have also learned that change is good, you are never too old to start something new and that behaving like a kid, at times, is good for you too!!
I love my life and I am really happy, probably 98% of the time. The other 2% of possibly not, is because I am after all human and life happens.Lol.
03/04/2021
Business in the Spotlight is Create England
Today's business in the Spotlight is: Create England
I discovered Andy of 'Create England' on Twitter:
On Twitter he is Andy@Create-England Please do go to visit and Follow him there for the latest news and creations.
How the Business started
From Andy:
I started my small business out of necessity. I had a bad episode of mental health issues that left me unable to get work. I don't like being bored so I got myself a sewing machine and taught myself the basics. I discovered that I really enjoyed it, being creative cleared my head and gave me a focus. I began to make and sell a few things.
Of course, then the Pandemic hit us and I was asked to make facemasks. I also started making laundry bags for the local hospital from old pillowcases.
Making Bags
This then led me in to making bags which I now have a passion for. I like to make bags that are unique, strong, practical and look good too.
I purchased jeans, with broken buttons and zips, from the local charity shop and cut them up for the fabric to turn into bags.
My Take so far:
I love this bag, looks good and is very practical. Eco friendly too, having been made from recycled fabric, which is just what we need to help the planet. What an easy way to do your bit for the environment, not only not using plastic but purchasing an eco friendly bag!
It's great to see and encourage those that want to help themselves to recovery from mental health issues as well as being determined to work no matter what!
Back to Andy:
When the charity shops closed due to Covid-19 I had to think of other ways to make bags.
I had seen cushions made from lovely fabrics, so after looking into it, I decided to use that fabric to make some bags. And so my range of animal bags was born.
I continued to learn, innovate and improve my craft, something that, of course when you are doing something you love, never ends,My Take on these:
I think these look absolutely gorgeous. There are a variety of bags available besides the ones you see here.
More from Andy:
I think:
When I spotted those on the website I thought what a brilliant idea they are. Not just for those that struggle to pick up the post but for those with pets. Especially the ones that like to eat the post if they can or even just like to rip it or make it unreadable by chewing it to a pulp.
Then of course there are babies and small children. Crawling babies love anything that appears within reach and love nothing better than a good chew to help their gums while teething. Toddlers like to 'help' by opening the post even if the contents are no longer whole and sometimes they wander off with it and tuck it away safely somewhere unbeknown to parents.
So here is an unusual gift, a letterbox post catcher, that is ideal for yourself or to give to someone you know. Great for the elderly or those that struggle generally with mobility, for parents and pet owners too.
Final words from Andy:
Conclusion
10/01/2021
A New Business was Born
For this post I am introducing my granddaughter Anya and her 6 month old business.
She has always been interested in what I do and as a teenager, helped me when she could, with my business.
My Business
In the early days, over 10 years ago, I created accessory designs and crocheted them for something to do while I was ill. I ended up with so many that I decided to try selling them. Gradually the business changed and morphed into the word art I sell now.
Anya and her partner got their own home and then a baby followed. The lockdown of course overshadowed this special event with no one being able to see them and the baby after he was born. Not an easy time to become new parents.
Some would say it was a crazy time to start a new business. However, start it she did with us all cheering her on and it was a hit from day 1. I was always proud of her, still am of course but even more so now with the way she juggles the baby, her home and her business so well, as though she has been doing it all for years.
ANYA's Story
It's crazy to think that ever since the age of 14 I used to plan a new business idea every month and tell my Nanny & Brother what I was going to do but never went through the idea! Well here I am at the age of 23 and I've finally gone through with it and living the 'dream'.
Welcome to Life In A Print Art
The first one
Setting up Shop
The entrepreneur's ditty!
She started young, testing the dream
many a teen is not what they seem.
She yearned for a business online
to fulfill her life, rather like mine.
The entrepreneur, waiting in the wing
has finally found her time to sing.
With creative ideas flowing fast
boring and dull is way in the past.
Living the creative life in flow
The bonus is, it makes you glow.
Live the life that sets you free
There is no better way to be!!
What do you think?
08/04/2018
Facebook tips
First of all I have to say that I am not an expert by any means, nor ever likely to be. Having said that you can`t use any social media platform without learning what works best for you.
Put a link to your business page on your personal page. Most people comment via a personal page, but the person behind the post you commented on cannot find you without a link. A lot miss out on extra likers because they aren`t easily found.
Facebook reach is how many people get to see your post. This no longer depends on how many `likers` or `followers` your business page has, as it did in the past. Now you have to work much harder to improve it or even keep it at a steady level. This is time consuming but worthwhile so that more people get to see your products.
Post regularly, at least once a day to encourage interaction with your posts. The more interaction you get, the more the reach improves. I have also found that if I respond to each comment that seems to make a difference too. I also go and comment on random posts, as I discovered that when I do, the reach figures rise.
I also do my best to comment on at least one post, more if time allows, of those that have commented on my posts. It is after all a two way street. You cannot complain that your reach is poor and no one sees or comments on your posts unless you are prepared to make the effort too.
Many have said that if people don`t reciprocate, they no longer bother with the persons page. They will persevere for a while, then give up. It`s no good flogging a dead horse, as the saying goes.
We all have very busy times where social media has to take a back seat, so you let people know you are taking a break because of the volume of orders/sales/clients etc. Once past it though you renew those efforts once more.
I have also noticed lately that the `reach` goes in waves, climbing steadily, peaking, then going back down steadily. There seems no rhyme or reason to it, I do nothing different, in fact I have increased my efforts at times but it still goes down steadily, pauses, then climbs once more.
Facebook can be the bane of life
those changing numbers causing strife.
Number watching can drive you nuts
considering all the ifs and buts.
In time you`ll find what works for you
understanding the rhythmn is the clue.
Every so often come the dire warnings
for old hands, it causes many yawnings.
They are a business, FB, just like you
they want to increase profits too.
They are going to do their very best
and put us severely to the test
in a bid to get our money
but we don`t find it funny.
FB get your act together
cos we`re at the end of our tether!
Thanks for visiting, please come back soon.