Slap on the wrist...

Do you ever have those moments when you realise that you haven't spoken to someone for ages? Or that you forgotten to do something that you've been meaning to do for weeks?

That was the stomach wrenching feeling that I had last night when I realised that I had become so caught up in life that I hadn't written a blog post in months! For that, I give myself a slap on the wrist and award for the Worst Blogger of 2011.

So a quick update on Piccaninny Rugs...

After a couple of disastrous markets (distinct lack of customers through the door) I was pretty demoralized. Drove home more than once in tears wondering why I had bothered to kid myself that I could make a go of this little biz and kicking myself that I had invested so much time, effort and money into something that people like me would never succeed in. I mean, who was I kidding! I am a mum to an active 18mth old, work part time (3 days a week) and thought that I could build a business? Pfft! Then the rational side of my brain kicked in and I realised that if I kept doing what I had started with, and it wasn't working then it was time for a change!

I took a well needed break from markets over winter to collect my thoughts, re-energise and refocus.  I looked at my options for exploring other markets and have a clearer idea of where I want to be seen and the best times of the year to participate.

My problem was that people have been associating my product with nice sunny days spent outside rather than the multipurpose product that my rugs are! It was time for a little bit of a tweak to my marketing strategy... Winter was the time to focus on using my rugs indoors on those cold tiles and hard wood floors. The rubber lined backing is perfect as an insulator, not only as a water resistant layer, and the padding softens the impact when littlies topple over. I won't say that I achieved immediate results, but things have been slowly on the improve.

For a while I've been concerned with the amount of wastage that I get when cutting out the squares for my rugs. There is often a piece left over that is too small for another square but too large to throw away. The pile of 'it might come in handy one day' off cuts kept growing and growing until I decided that I could use it all to expand my product range. The Piccaninny Puppy was born! Super cute, about 40cm in size and oh so squishabale, my puppies were a hit at the very first market they were sold at! I really enjoy creating each litter of puppies and love seeing the kids give my puppies a hug as they walk away from my stall.

Winter also meant I had to be more inventive when it can to entertaining the little monster. Flicking through pattern books at my local haberdasher, I spotted the perfect imaginative play item - a Tee Pee! I bought the pattern, a roll of calico and, after a few hiccups, had a gorgeous Tee Pee set up in the family room a day or so later. The monster loves using it as a garage for his bikes and cars and daddy likes using it as a hiding place from where he can jump out and scare people! Unfortunately due to the cost and amount of fabric that goes into making a Tee Pee, I don't stock them for markets, but take my sons along and am happy to take orders. They are currently recommended as an inside only item but I'm hoping to add some vinyl around the bottom to protect the fabric from dirt so it can be taken outside.

My next new item is currently in production, and as much as I would like to reveal what it is here, I can't... Or won't... All I will say is that I ordered some hardware (yes, you read that correctly) and hopefully it will arrive during the week and I can unveil the surprise really soon. It's nothing groundbreakingly new and I haven't invented the wheel but it is a Piccaninny Rug take on something my brother had as a kid, super cute and very handy addition to any toy box.

My next adventure is my debut at Craft Markets Australia's Hanging Rock and Weribee Park markets in October and November and my very excited involvement in the establishment of Huckleberry Market a new and fabulous market in Melbourne showcasing the best of boutique and handmade items for babies and kids.

So there you have it, the trials and tribulations of Piccaninny Rugs! I'm back on track and ready for the really busy Spring and Summer market season...

Slap on the wrist...

Hi Everyone!

I am such a terrible blogger.  It's been ages since my last post and to be honest, I don't know that I have a very good reason for it!

I've been feeling a little flat and unmotivated with respect to my business, mainly as I wasn't sure where I was going to take it.  For a while there I was seriously considering putting all of my stock on Ebay and just cutting my losses.

And then came Fairy Floss Markets!

My first market with Kirsty the Fairy Floss organiser was in Williamstwon.  Just when I was questioning the viability of my business, I received really positive feedback from the customers at the market.  I didn't sell a lot of stock, but that didn't matter to me... I had confirmation that my product was beautiful and reasonably priced!

Fast forward to last week when I was madly making more rugs for my debut at the Berwick Fairy Floss Market... 7 rugs made within 24hrs and lots more encouraging and positive feedback from customers.  Over night my Facebook page jumped in the number of 'Likers' and views.

I'm reinvigorated all over again and searching out some beautiful fabrics for my rugs.

With 2 custom orders on the go and stock to make in readiness for the Geelong Fairy Floss Market in April, it seems like it's all systems go, full steam ahead (you choose your metaphor).

Stay tuned!

So slack! So sorry...

Hey All!

I am feeling a little embarrassed to admit that it has been several weeks since the Sugar and Spice market at Woodend and I haven't posted a report since then...

All up the market was disappointing - not just for me as a first timer, but for all stallholders.  There were very few visitors to the market and it appears even fewer who were there to shop.  That's the bad news... the good news is that I did sell some rugs and managed to cover the cost of the stall and petrol to get to Woodend so it wasn't a complete loss! The other good news is (and it's not really good, good news) is that none of the other retailers at the market were busy either so it wasn't just me.

I have enjoyed my break from the sewing machine and with the stock that I have left over from Sugar and Spice, I shouldn't have to do much preparation for the 2 markets that I'm hoping to do in January. My bank account has also enjoyed the break from the beating it gets every time I step foot into Spotlight!

I'm hoping to take advantage of the summer holidays and get into a couple of markets in popular tourist destinations.  My application for the Queenscliffe Community Market is going in the post today (they only do it be snail mail!) and I'm going to aim for the Fairyfloss Market in Williamstown too. Now I just have to hope that people have cash left over following Christmas and those dreaded Boxing Day sales!

I managed to get the 2 orders that I had in the mail prior to Christmas and both mums seem really happy with the results which in turn makes me really happy.  I can't wait for them to upload photos of their beautiful bubs enjoying the beautiful sunshine on their Piccaninny Rug!

I'm also considering adding another item to my repertoire - book bags.  I have made one for Christmas for the 2y/o of a friend (haven't seen her yet to deliver it!) and I think that it looks pretty special.  The only down side is that they take a bit of mucking around to make.  Then again, the rugs were pretty time consuming until I got into a rhythm...

I'd really appreciate your feedback on the book bags.  Any ideas on how to improve them and maybe how much you'd be prepared to pay for one would be highly valued!

It's also time for me to organise a pamphlet that I can drop at local Maternal Child Health Centres, Childcare Centres and the like.  I know it hasn't been that long since I started up, but I was hoping that word of mouth would have moved a little more swiftly than it has so it's time for me to start putting myself out there a little more.  It goes against the grain a little, but it appears that self promotion is required.

There's time for that later... I really need to go and enjoy the beautiful sunshine with my beautiful son on our rug!

The Countdown is on...

With only 3 more days until I have to have the car packed and ready to go, it's fair to say I'm approaching this market with a fair degree of trepidation...  I have invested so much time and energy (not to mention money) into this venture that my worst fear would be to come home with almost as much stock as when I left that morning.  And I hate to say it, but it could happen.  I'm not sure how many people go to a market with a wad of cash in their pockets and are willing to shell out $100 or more on one item...  Fingers crossed they see the beauty and value in my rugs and are willing to pay what I think is a fair price.

Darling Hubby was hard at work yesterday making me a display ladder. It's not quite finished, but will work wonderfully.  He's quite handy when he puts his mind to it!

I've got my business cards ready to do (and I love my logo!), care instructions are copied and cut, order and receipt books are ready.  The only thing that I don't have organised is signage...  I'm planning on going to OfficeWorks to get an A2 sign made up with my logo on it, but I also have to sort out signs with pricing for each of my products.

Speaking of my products, they all have a name now:

• Tag Blankies
• Tummy Time Rug (1.0 x 1.0m)
• Play Time Rug (1.5 x 1.5m)
• Family Time Rug (1.5 x 2.0m)

I've been working hard the past couple of days and have the patchwork tops for about 12 rugs ready to go.  Now I just need to cut the backing and wadding while The Tornado is asleep.  Trying to do it while he's awake is a nightmare!  He knows that the rugs are for sitting on, so like a cat when you're trying to read a newspaper, he plonks himself right in the middle!  So cute, but not exactly conducive to getting anything done!  He also loves to grab handfuls of the wadding and pull it off in tufts, leaving it around the lounge room as a trail of destruction...

It's going to be a busy couple of days so I'll sign off for now.  The next post will hopefully be an exuberant one following a really successful market day.

Wish me luck!

Time for some Shout-Outs...

I thought that at this point in the development of my 'little biz' it might be a good time to publicly acknowledge the people who have been supporting me so far in my journey to become a mumtrepreneur...

Firstly, the BubHub girls who have been so encouraging in their support and advice.  Especially during the debacle that was 'Moderator Gate' and things got really tough...
Coglibear, for ordering the first ever rug made for someone other than my son;
MagicGirl, Kaceemaree and Mrs Walrus who quickly followed and have been enjoying their rugs for quite some time now. (and Kaceemaree for wanting another rug in the New Year!).

Nic and Sam from Sugar Plum Tree who have been consistently giving Piccaninny Rugs a spot on their Tagging Tuesday posts.

Build a Little Biz (on FaceBook) for having the answers to the kinds of questions that a newbie like me needs...

Good friend and amateur public relations extraordinaire, Mardi, for being arguably my best customer.  I gave her a rug to celebrate the birth of her son, Phoenix and since then she's ordered no less than 4 rugs!

Darling Hubby, Jason, who insists that I get back into what has been affectionately termed "The Sweat Shop".  He also manages to keep Darling Son, Will occupied while I sit for hours at the sewing machine.

I know I've probably forgotten people, if I have, please don't hesitate to remind me by commenting on this post... my omission of your role in the development of Piccaninny Rugs wouldn't be deliberate, just fuelled by a long night last night with VERY interrupted sleep!

We're on the home stretch to the market with only 13 days to go!  I have 3 custom rugs to make and another 5+ to get done for the market.  At the current rate, I might just get them done if Darling Son allows it!

Wish me luck!

WorkCover?

Apart from the usual aches and pains that I always have (thanks to carrying around a grizzling baby for much of the day), I can now add a workplace injury to the list.

I sewed my finger today! 

OUCH!! 

I refuse, however, to take the entire blame for said event.  I would like to attribute some of the responsibility to my Darling Son who has an ongoing love affair with the foot peddle of my sewing machine (which I may have mentioned in previous posts). 

Mid-seam, Darling Son decided to pay my foot a visit, pressing rather firmly and making the sewing machine take off faster than I would usually be operating it.  In an attempt to extricate my foot (and peddle) from the iron-like grip of my son, I moved my hand and inadvertently put my middle finger on the left hand in the line of fire.  Several needle punctures later and I have a nice jagged cut long the top of said finger.

I would like to take the opportunity to say that sewing one's finger hurts like hell!

I had previously scoffed at hearing of people with sewing machine related injuries, my mind boggling at how a person could allow their phalanges to cross the path of a rapidly moving, sharp metal object.  How the mighty have fallen...

I must soldier on as I have 3 rugs to make for one customer and more stock to finish off for the fast approaching market debut of Piccaninny Rugs!

Just getting better and better!

Please excuse the short, sharp post but I have to share the awesome news I just got...

Piccaninny Rugs is now an officially registered business name in Victoria!  Woo hoo!!  I've been waiting for several weeks for this news, been rejected numerous times in the online application, rejected from my hard copy application, requested a review of the decision and now, finally, SUCCESS!!!

This means that my enthusiasm has gone up a gear and I'm revved up and ready to conquer the world! (well, Woodend for now will do!)

I had a pretty productive weekend of sewing with 3 rugs made (not the 4 that I had hoped in my Face Book post) and 8 Tag Blankies in various colours and with a range of embellishments for tactile bubs.  It was rather interesting trying to sew with Darling Son (not Monster Head today) crawling around the room now affectionately known as The Sweat Shop.  He has a love affair with the peddle for the sewing machine and loves nothing more than to press down on it or give it a good chewing on.  That's all well and good when the machine is turned off, but if I'm pinning or cutting and have forgotten to flick the switch I get a nasty tangle of thread inside the bobbin run as he delights in hearing the whirring noise created by his actions!  To circumvent this, I realised that I can get a good inner thigh workout and sew at the same time (and avoid the tangled thread) if I operate the peddle, not with my foot, but between my knees.  It took some time to perfect, and I can't get the machine going as quickly as by foot, but it works.  I guess being able to squeeze the peddle harder and thus have the machine sew more quickly will come with the added toning that my thighs will be getting!

And in more good news, Spotlight is having a sale on one of the fabrics that is a major part of my rugs, so I get 30% off the RRP of that!  That means I'll be saving of over $100 for a whole roll (which I have put away for me ready to collect tomorrow!)

Now I have to apply for an ABN to go with my Registered Business name and it's all official!  Exciting but scary at the same time...

Got to get back to the sewing machine... I have a rug half made and a baby who is in a surprisingly good mood...  Time to take advantage of that!

(and if anyone from Blogger is reading this, a sensational addition to the blogs would be the ability to add some emoticons!  I just can't convey my excitement without them!)