Networking, promoting and a new Poncho

This week, I didn't get much chance to be creative, as it was a short week, as I travelled up north Thursday to spend time with my brother who is visiting from Australia.
I spent a lot of time on promotional work and sourcing.
I dont like to use the C word, but, I need to start thinking about Christmas, and making some Christmas products that I can sell.
I sourced various genuine vintage christmas fabrics this week, Im not entirely sure what Im going to make yet, probably some bunting, stockings and bags. In Mid November I will be selling at a Christmas Craft Fair and potentially exhibiting at a pop up shop for the whole of December, to be confirmed.

Vintage Christmas patchwork

Vintage Christmas fabric rose

Vintage Christmas fabrics

I hemmed some curtains for a customer and then spent most of my time on promotional work.
Monday I had a visit from Newburys 'Out and About' magazine. I had contacted the journalist via twitter and she came, with a photographer to interview me about my business on my boat. I was very animated, and hopefully it will be published in next months magazine.

I joined in with Twitter Storms #UpcycledHour (Tuesdays) and #HandmadeHour (Wednesdays). I made new contacts, promoted myself and found some really cool businesses that make lovely things. I'm getting to grips with the social media and using it to my business advantage, and I actually enjoy it. Twitter storms are a great buzz particularly, this is when lots of people go on Twitter at the same time, using the same hashtag to get it 'trending'.

On Thursday morning I attended a new networking group for crafts people with small business. I was really pleased when Sue suggested that we start a networking group. I have attended network meetings before, and often they can be 'stuffy' and 'awkward', with some of the attendees trying to sell you loans or business advice.
We met at Nelsons diner, a new cafe in town with a vintage, 1950's retro theme. You can fill your mug as many times as you like, and they do an all you can eat breakfast for £5.00!  (I'm trying that next time). There were just four of us in attendance but we had lots of ideas, and I came away with a spring in my step. We, are calling ourselves Newbury Crafters Network and my role was to start the Facebook Page, we will be meeting again in a few weeks. This is really good for me as working from home running your business can be very solitary, so its nice to get out and speak to other people and share experiences and support each other.
I'm looking forward to starting work on Monday, I should have had lots of fabrics arrive whilst I have been away, so I plan to have a highly productive week.
A great end to the week, was the gift of my new poncho, my vintage supplier gave me a pattern for a cool 1970s poncho (with arm holes - handy for cycling). I passed it on to my mum, who has hidden talents of her own (I sew but I dont knit). She chose some fabulous wool, that suit the Foxy Lady retro look, and knitted me a very professional looking garment, that I will get years of pleasure out of. Thanks mum, you've done me proud.. The end result..

Retro 1970s  Hand made Poncho