Hasn't the weather been gorgeous recently? Very hard working inside at the moment - I can make cards outside, so that is not a problem but making candles is a little tricky and that is what I need to work on now. moment.
Stall-holders do not take payment for their goods; on entry into the market customers are issued with a list and for each purchase the stall holder adds their details. Payment for everything is made at a central point (rather like a supermarket) and during the first market of each month, cheques are issued to the stall holders for their sales during the previous month. If sales are high, I would find this difficult because of needing to purchase supplies to make more stock - however, it is rather like being an employee as in paid at the end of the month. I look at it as another outlet for my work and the feedback was good - lots of people said they 'will make lovely Christmas presents', so fingers crossed.
My fellow stall-holders were great, very friendly and helpful. Two offered to source cups and saucers for my candles, told me of good places locally to buy them as well. The event is well organised and everyone pitches in to set up and clear away.
This week (or rather it is last week now) has been hectic. Not a lot of making, but a lot of other creating. On Monday I went to West Dean with Linda (the cake-maker). We went for some forward planning time in gorgeous surroundings, also to check out the shop as on a previous visit Linda had been amazed to see a cup and saucer candle set on sale for £24.95! We have lots of plans, ideas and proposals for the Christmas sale season. It does seem very odd planning (and making) for Christmas when I am desperate for summer to arrive, but as we know in the craft world you have to be at least one season ahead.
On Tuesday I met up with the lovely Twitter Gals (Lesley, Dawn and Michele) for lunch at the Harrow in Compton. We were able to sit outside - so nice to have lots of lovely sunshine and good company. Dawn is going to be a Stampin' Up demonstrator and this leads me nicely to my next 'bit' of news.
At the end of the week I met up with Lauren who I worked with at my inaugural card-making workshop. Lauren is a Stampin' Up Expert and we spent Friday afternoon planning our next joint workshop. The date is 11 June 2013, and the theme is likely to be cards for males (always hard to find really good ones in the shops or the right material to make them). We have agreed date, content, costs, and I am off to check out two potential venues on Tuesday and then it will be advertise, advertise and advertise. We have lots of ideas and plans for future workshops, so watch this space and if you know anyone in our area (Guildford, Farnham, Ash) who may be interested in attending our workshop, please ask them to get in touch with either of us.
It's time to get back to digging and planting, but before I go I want to thank Wendy of Handmade Harbour for her lovely digi-stamps, which I am trialling and using to create cards. I will post the results next week. I have an order for a new baby card and am using one of the designs for this. One of my fellow pottery students gave me an order for a card this week - the recipient likes natural things, so I have a lot of work to do to come up with ideas that may suit. Don't forget to visit my guest blogger's post - all about tools and equipment for the craft market. Many thanks for taking part Alison. Finally, a 'must do' is a visit to the Handmade Monday bloggers - always lots of great reads.
Have a great week everyone. Milly will be here on Wednesday (she is rather busy at the moment as she is being interviewed by the gorgeous Rumpydog) and I will be back next weekend.
Jill
