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The Emporia => Sewing Professionally => Topic started by: Iminei on July 18, 2020, 07:33:14 AM

Title: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Iminei on July 18, 2020, 07:33:14 AM
I am going to GIVE IT A GO!!!!

After months of wallowing, today is the day!

Early this year a thread came up in my towns local onlline site calling for local artisans (I suppose) and offering space to rent in a soon to open shop, slap bang in the middle of town to which I responded.

The idea was to rent a shelf, a unit or space within this shop to display and sell your wares ... I thought I could do that so responded to the owner.

I showed my wares and we also discussed hanging a cot quilt behind the sales counter where it could be admired but not touched by sticky hands and displaying and hopefully selling my butterflies ... then the UK was locked down ...

In the last month Ken, the man behind the idea has got the shop ready, filled and he opened on the 1st of this month ... Was I there? Were my wares?? Was I hell!

I suffered as usual from a complete crisis of confidence .....

But TODAY is the day!

I have sewn and attached a temporary Hanging sleeve to the Cowboy quilt ...

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I have magnetised and found a way to display my butterflies, I have pictured them along with a brief bit of info and (most importantly) their prices in a book for people to peruse,

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I have packaged my coasters and found a nice way to display them and today is the day!

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I'm not going to devalue my (and Elvistoos) work and am hoping that having somewhere to display my quilts (£££) might lead at least to a sale or perhaps to a commission.

The Initial coasters I'm selling for £12.50 each, the mandala coasters for £10.00 and sewing cases (you might recognise your prototype  @Lilian  ) will be £15.00 small £20.00 Large.

All the small things can be made to order with a lead time of a week, sent direct to the purchaser for £1.50 (thinking daytrippers/holidaymakers here) or collected ...

Im also hoping to set up a small... well tiny ... website as I have finally regained ownership of the name iminei.co.uk which is printed on all my cards ... So people could look through what I do .. and maybe order through there too .

So ..... Today will be the day!

I better post this before I lose my nerve  ... I must be mad!

Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Ploshkin on July 18, 2020, 07:45:38 AM
Well done @Iminei for taking the big leap.  Its good to have the small items to sell and the quilt looks fabulous - why have I never seen your cowboy quilt?  The backing fabric looks familiar but I've never seen the front.

Very best of luck, you know we'll all be rooting for you.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: wrenkins on July 18, 2020, 07:55:09 AM
Well it's about time! Well done girl and as Plosh says we're here for you. (J is the most common first initial if you want to get a jump start!)
I can't make you have confidence in yourself and your work but I wish you could find it yourself. Your stuff is great. If you can exhibit to the great and good of the quilting world you can most certainly impress the muggles (I learnt that n here yesterday.   0_0)
All the very best of luck (and strength). <3 :flower:
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Iminei on July 18, 2020, 07:59:52 AM
Ah Ploshie and Wrenkies  my loves!

The Cowboy quilt (https://photos.app.goo.gl/e79F6NKRL1oFYJbXA) is very old ... made in 2014!!!!

But I have used that brushed cotton backing on the Chinese lantern wall hanging  (https://goo.gl/photos/zY5bAX3tDJQZidC26)  which started as a BOM and the Mystery Quilt (https://goo.gl/photos/DAq1iKMyqGfPiCxf7) in 2017 ...
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Sandra on July 18, 2020, 08:17:51 AM
Go girl!  0_0  I'm really pleased for you. Sounds like an ideal outlet to sell your items.

Be confident  :hug: Your work is beautifully done.

Sandra.
xxx
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Kwaaked on July 18, 2020, 08:24:45 AM
Congrats and nice displays!
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: SkoutSews on July 18, 2020, 08:28:22 AM
Well done Imi! It's a great way to put your talent to use.
Wishing you every success.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Efemera on July 18, 2020, 08:32:18 AM
Good luck.. hope it all goes well.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: wrenkins on July 18, 2020, 08:34:47 AM
Sell them up! I use my coaster as a mouse mat!  :loveit:
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Iminei on July 18, 2020, 08:37:28 AM
I've mentioned that ... I said my friend uses hers as a Mouse mat!!

I'm sure people will get the idea.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Pearl on July 18, 2020, 08:37:40 AM
I cannot tell you how pleased I am to hear this news!  You have so much talent.  I sincerely wish you every success in this.  I’m doing a happy dance.  Go, @Iminei .  You’ve even got a great name for a business. 

And even though I’m not a tactile person, I’m giving you a big virtual  :hug:
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Flobear on July 18, 2020, 08:50:26 AM
Brilliant! Well done that woman  :thumbsup: 

I will have to hie me to the Forum in DDD during the height of the tourist season and exclaim gushingly over your wares. I shan't require any commission  0_0
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Sheilago on July 18, 2020, 08:59:05 AM
Excellent @Iminei. Hope you get lots of sales: your things are beautiful. Good idea to have smaller things as impulse buys. Good luck  :D
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Celia on July 18, 2020, 09:05:53 AM
Well done, your confidence will rise as you get sales and orders through.  It also gives you an excuse to purchase more fabric :devil:
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Lachica on July 18, 2020, 09:08:10 AM
Good for you! They're lovely. I hope you sell lots.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Sewingsue on July 18, 2020, 09:32:48 AM
Sending a virtual hug and all possible good wishes. Go Iminei!
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: jintie on July 18, 2020, 09:34:57 AM
Go go go! Mugrugs also?
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: snoozi soozi on July 18, 2020, 09:38:54 AM
Good luck  :hug:
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on July 18, 2020, 09:42:05 AM
Good luck  0_0
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Silver Rose on July 18, 2020, 09:49:10 AM
Good luck, I hope you sell lots of your beautiful work.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: twopence on July 18, 2020, 11:16:05 AM
Good luck.  I hope they sell well.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: BrendaP on July 18, 2020, 11:42:46 AM
WooooHooo!  Good for you!  and good that you are putting sensible prices on Elvistoo's time.  Don't be tempted to undervalue your time and skills either.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Ellabella on July 18, 2020, 12:11:32 PM
Go go Iminei :thumbsup:.

We all know your work is beautiful, now the rest of the world can discover it too.

BTW how much are the butterflies?
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Gernella on July 18, 2020, 12:17:25 PM
Oh what can I say that has already been said, you and Elvistoo  have much talent, it needs to fly. :hug:

PS  My niece's soon to be husband works from home creating games etc., he did other niece a gorgeous website for her wedding seamstress wares.  I  don't think he would be too expensive for him to create something for you.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Lilian on July 18, 2020, 12:44:06 PM
Well done @Iminei ! Yes, I recognised the needlecase design instantly!  I always suffer from a lack of confidence. Glad you have finally bit the bullet. Your work is very much to be admired and I am sure you will be busy repacing the sold goods.  Get in there!  :toast:
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Acorn on July 18, 2020, 12:45:58 PM
Well done!  They look really lovely.  Here's hoping for lots of lovely staycationers this summer, just longing to spend their money on authentic, artisan-produced, Dorset crafts.   :D
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Ohsewsimple on July 18, 2020, 12:47:44 PM
Good luck with it all @Iminei.  So glad you’ve taken the plunge. 
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Nevis5 on July 18, 2020, 12:51:54 PM
Sending you lots of love and luck, @Iminei  !  I'm sure they will fly off the shelves; they look amazing xx
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: maliw on July 18, 2020, 14:26:40 PM
It's now afternoon and I hope everything is going well. What a great idea and best wishes for a productive future. Go Girl.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Vezelay on July 18, 2020, 15:02:05 PM
Lovely products, great idea, well planned - now be sure to set up that website for online sales soon, and also a Facebook (business) page separate from your personal FB. You're a professional now! :)
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Kenora on July 18, 2020, 15:50:12 PM
Sending the very best of luck in your new venture. Here's hoping you'll soon be snowed under with orders! :)
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: coffeeandcake on July 18, 2020, 19:20:11 PM
The very best of luck with your new venture <3
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Lowena on July 18, 2020, 19:21:41 PM
Good luck. Don't forget to register with HMRC for when you're making millions
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Greybird on July 19, 2020, 09:57:06 AM
Well done! This could be the beginning of a whole new phase of your life.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: justpottering on July 23, 2020, 16:05:41 PM
Amazing, good luck Imi, it's an exciting (and scary) adventure - I wish you every success because it's what you deserve  :toast:
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Helen M on July 23, 2020, 16:48:30 PM
Good luck!
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Surest1tch on July 23, 2020, 22:10:31 PM
The very best wishes and luck coming your way from me too ❤️
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: RJR_38 on July 29, 2020, 09:49:51 AM
It all looks fantastic - well done you! Would you be tempted to branch out into things like embroidered drawstring bags etc as I think they would sell well? People like to buy things with an obvious use.

The butterflies are fantastic - how do you do them?
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Catllar on July 31, 2020, 22:34:32 PM
Good luck girl. When you're rich and famous we'll be able to say we knew you back in the day!  Love those butterflies!! <3 <3
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: blackcat001 on August 08, 2020, 13:30:26 PM
Best of luck.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: So Chic on August 08, 2020, 14:18:24 PM
It all looks lovely and the best of luck in your new venture
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: annieeg on August 19, 2020, 10:08:22 AM
@Iminei Hope you're selling well and it's great that you have a venue to exhibit your beautifully made goods.   
How do you make the butterflies? 
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: wrenkins on August 19, 2020, 10:10:50 AM
@annieeg I amended your post to tag @Iminei properly.  :)
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Iminei on August 19, 2020, 11:07:05 AM
Its been a month since I placed my goodies into Showcase and this morning on waking I thought I'm going to be realistic and admit that the stuff I make needs a clientele that doesnt visit Blandford Forum, especially in the strange times we now live in, so instead of throwing good money after bad I must admit defeat, take my wares out of the shop and leave my sewing as a pleasurable hobby.

During the morning however I found myself making a label for the QAYG tutorial playmat (its 35" ish so cant really qualify as a cot quilt)

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Its called 'A Handful of Magic' ...  tho' I really wanted to call it 'Give Me A Handful of Scraps and I'll give you a Quilt' but thought that would devalue it in people / paying customers minds ... 'Oh its just made of scraps, that cant be worth anything' ....

So after my trip to the Post Office I walked into the shop to change the quilt display (from Cheeky Cowpokes (https://photos.app.goo.gl/fFKPBmcGyUt4WzfN9)) to find I had actually sold a coaster!!!!!!   :faints:

I put the sale of that towards next months rent and am slightly more upbeat about it all .... The shop is starting to sell more than just masks so who knows ......
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Greybird on August 19, 2020, 11:25:07 AM
@Iminei I don't think people are venturing out for much pleasure shopping yet. If you can sell anything non-essential under these circumstances you are doing really well. Give it a bit longer - for people to tell their friends etc - and see how it goes. There are some hardy souls who start thinking about Christmas in September and it could just take off - it certainly deserves to!
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Flobear on August 19, 2020, 11:30:02 AM
I agree with @Greybird . If you can afford to stay on a month or two until the early birds are doing their C  :ninja: :ninja: s  shopping then you're in with a good chance of some sales, I reckon.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Iminei on August 19, 2020, 11:31:01 AM
I totally agree, for me shopping is now essentials only as infrequently as possible ...
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Ohsewsimple on August 19, 2020, 12:19:11 PM
I don’t think I’ve been into a shop since the end of March.  Doesn’t mean I’m not spending money but have to do it online I’m afraid. 
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Lowena on August 19, 2020, 13:37:00 PM
@Iminei have you got a Facebook shop too? Lots of people are buying online and your things are small enough to post. Just a thought
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Ellabella on August 19, 2020, 13:55:40 PM
It’s a weird time to sell anything not purely practical at the moment, people are not browsing.

If you can keep going a little longer you should hopefully get the Christmas trade.

Have you thought of Etsy?  I don’t know how much they take but you can sell things without having to leave home apart from going to the PO.

Love the quilt BTW and how much are you charging for the butterflies?
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: jintie on August 19, 2020, 15:16:32 PM
@Iminei your work is beautiful enough to look good online.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: snoozi soozi on August 19, 2020, 15:39:47 PM
This might not work either but what about a market stall?

I visited a nearby town last week on market day and it was lovely to have a browse in the open air with no need to wear a face mask.  Spent money at the button stall too....
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Missie on August 19, 2020, 20:34:49 PM
Have you thought of Etsy? 

There was quite a lot of coverage flying around a few months ago about Etsy making changes to their platforms that disadvantaged the small suppliers.  I would advise careful and thorough investigation if going down the Etsy route.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Happymrsg on August 19, 2020, 20:49:04 PM
@Iminei the quilt is absolutely beautiful.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Iminei on August 20, 2020, 09:48:44 AM
The Handful of Scraps Magic one ?

Thank you, super easy, super quick .... I made it for a tutorial  (https://photos.app.goo.gl/EC7CE1Uir5r2vGR2A)on QAYG ... (which you BOMers better be boning up on ... the times approaching :devil: )
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Happymrsg on August 21, 2020, 20:26:32 PM
The Handful of Scraps Magic one ?

Thank you, super easy, super quick .... I made it for a tutorial  (https://photos.app.goo.gl/EC7CE1Uir5r2vGR2A)on QAYG ... (which you BOMers better be boning up on ... the times approaching :devil: )

Super easy & super quick? I usually do garment sewing. Ive had a quick look at your tutorial, It looks like I would need to buy a cutting board, rulers & stuff. If we are locked down this winter, it might be time to have a go.
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: wrenkins on August 21, 2020, 20:31:09 PM
Well heloooooo @Happymrsg. Come away in and have some cake.  :cake: @Lowena keeps a tight rein on the biscuits so cake's easier.  :laughing:
One mat, one ruler, one cutter and you're off!  ;)
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: SingingSinger on August 21, 2020, 21:38:20 PM
Well heloooooo @Happymrsg. Come away in and have some cake.  :cake: @Lowena keeps a tight rein on the biscuits so cake's easier.  :laughing:
One mat, one ruler, one cutter and you're off!  ;)

Watch out @Happymrsg. The Darkside will reel you in. You'll be making a quilt before you know it  :laughing:
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Lowena on August 21, 2020, 22:24:29 PM
Welcome from me too.....just counting the garibaldis....
Title: Re: Well Hardly professionally .. but giving it a go ...
Post by: Happymrsg on August 22, 2020, 13:34:44 PM
Thanks so much for your kind comments. I will have a think.
I have some stuff to do in my house before I can embark on this.
But hopefully in a couple of months....