Thoughts for 2018
I have just been reviewing my activities in 2017 in some depth, and have formed a plan for 2018. There will be some changes, and I will be focusing less on areas which were not so successful and more on existing and new products which I have been developing.
Craft Fairs were a disappointment – in most cases I barely covered the cost of standing – and after two years of persevering I have decided that I will use other avenues for selling and be very selective when considering Craft Fairs.
On the positive side, I will be concentrating more on my website ................ and on some exciting newly-developed products.
New Products
The new products embody two pillars on which my business is based – sustainability and quality.
It’s sometimes fascinating how these two features come together, almost by chance. For example, a few weeks ago the redhead was throwing away a pair of cotton chinos, at the same time mentioning that he was looking for a new, practical shoulder bag to hold wallet, phone, car keys and items like a sandwich box, water bottle and a novel for days out in the countryside or on a train.
A couple of hours later I had designed and made a prototype bag from his rescued chinos – he uses it every day and is delighted with its practicality and the robustness. Following this success, I used the rest of the garment to make a similar bag for my Sister-in-law. She was so pleased that, from the scraps that were left, I made her a purse and a make-up bag for Christmas, and her comment was ‘best pressies ever!’ And so a new product was born from a throwaway comment (not to mention throwaway trousers!).
I then received a commission from someone who had seen my husband’s bag, this time in canvas.
Again, the customer is very happy, so this is an area I will be developing throughout the year.
More Bags
I developed and made ‘Sally’s Shopper’ a couple of years ago as a sustainable cotton shopping bag to replace the plastic ones sold by supermarkets at the till. I have made some modifications to this, giving the bag more strength through lining and webbing handles. Considering the critical situation the planet faces with plastic waste, I will be marketing this friendly alternative this year as a contribution to a better world to leave to the next generation.
And More Bags ‘...felt with the heART’
In 2017 I worked with the amazing animal artist, Frances Daunt, to create items based on her stunning artwork, whether it be felts or portraits printed on fabric. This is one of the items developed, and again we will be promoting this and others under the ‘...felt with the heART’ label in 2018.
We are still marketing our Cozypads for sophisticated ipad protection, some of which are shown below (the Unicorn is laptop sized).
And finally,
So that I don’t give the impression I am turning into the Bag Lady, I will of course be heavily involved in producing my usual ranges of kitchen linens etc, and developing more products as the need arises.
March 2017
I can't believe Valentine's Day and Mother's Day have been and gone, and Easter is almost upon us!
I must begin with what I think is a most exciting development for Sally Ann Sews. I have joined forces with the amazing animal artist Frances Daunt. Among many other artworks, Frances creates beautiful felts depicting animals and birds in glorious colours and detail. Frances and I have got together to produce articles such as Cozy Pads (protective iPad cases), where Frances creates the felted panel, and I incorporate it into the finished article. The combined effect of a practical product, with a piece of original artwork is stunning.
We are calling the venture '...felt with the heART', based on the Helen Keller quotation "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, but must be felt with the heart". Says it all.
Although I didnt plan for them to be a major part of my workload, I am still carrying out plenty of alterations. I am happy with this, as saving articles from a premature visit to the skip fits well with my brand philosophy of product longevity and reducing waste.
I have also made new altar cloths for St Margaret's Church at Bilsthorpe in time for their Easter celebrations - this is a labour of love, as well as a business project.
One of the problems for many businesses producing quality hand-made articles is finding a selling platform other than the internet, where the customer can see and feel the quality at first hand. I am delighted to have acquired shelf space at The Squirrel Shack in Lambley (based at Floralands Nursery), and at The Fabric Daisy in Newark, who are happy to offer my articles for sale on their premises.
Still working on this year's plan to attend selected craft fairs, my next one will be at Grange Hall in Radcliffe-on-Trent on 29th and 30th April. I will build on last year's experience of the venue to showcase selected products, such as the Cozypads above - it is an art exhibition too, of course.
Theme of the Moment - Newness
There's an old saying that 'If nothing changes, things will stay the same'. Of course, but this has a deeper meaning than the obvious consequence.
I suppose there are times when we hanker for a simpler life, for 'the good old days', but imagine a world without electricity, central heating, the motor car, the sewing machine, the internet and so on. We take these for granted now, but there were times when we had to make do with oil lamps, making fires, (and cleaning chimneys!), needle and thread, Shanks's Pony and posting letters.
Some of these still have a charm, but I for one am grateful for the men and women who had the urge to look for better ways, and the genius to make them work.
Now, I dont put my recent innovations up against those of Einstein or Madame Curie, but I am excited enough with developments to want to share them with you.
The list includes:
A new business name - Sally Ann Designs 9 becomes the more accurate Sally Ann Sews
A new business logo, to go on new business cards
A new website, which you've obviously discovered!
And in the interests of continuous improvement, a new tea cosy pattern to give improved shape and fit.
New pattern
I felt the need to change these aspects of the business, but I can confirm one thing which does not and will not change, and that is my commitment to Quality above all else!
