Calm Thoughts

I am sitting at the computer trying to think calming thoughts - or as the ex-husband of my rather volatile friend used to tell her: "Positive thoughts Janet.  Positive thoughts".

Actually to worry to much would be to sound like a whinger; so I'm not complaining and putting a positive spin on the fact that I have tons of sewing to do and not a great deal of time to do it all in.




I started some new work this morning.  A friend of mine does some part time work in a local shop and she kept going on how I should get in touch with the owner.  It's a children's shoe shop that also sell some children's items.  I thought I would make some drawstring bags and oil cloth bags (now that I have my industrial machine). 

The idea is to have a few sample to show the owner in the hope of persuading her that she NEEDS to stock plump pudding in her shop.  Hence the oilcloth bags that I have started. 




The other photo is the drawstring bags that have been started (in that the applique has been attached) and need to be sewn together with the overlocker.

I have a florist customer who has sold out of my applique cottages and Crazy Patchwork Lavender Sachets.  She has had a request from a customer who has previously bought them and would like more to take to France with her at the beginning of next week.  Which means I have to make 10 of each. 



I did have about five of them in stock today, but they were taken by a lady who makes jewellry and is starting to sell her items party plan.  She has also taken a small quantity of my items to sell alongside her own.  My stock has been depleted.

Rather than be negative, I am using this as a lesson in keeping a certain level of items in stock.  Which is something I should be doing anyway, rather than making up each order as it comes in.  Positive thoughts, Samantha!



Liberty asked whether I could send the order earlier than originally planned.  We have agreed on half the order early and the remainder on the original date (or sooner if I manage to finish it).

I have blackout linings to add to a friend's daughter's curtains - not a terribly hard job, but one to do this week none the less.



Next on the list: tea cosies.  The shop loved the samples, but would like two more colours and then they should hopefully place an order.  I think they want to photograph the samples for their next mail order catalogue.

Last of all aprons.  I need to make samples of a full length apron and a waist tie apron.

So there we are.  Not much to do is there?  But I'm not complaining.  I would rather be busy and hopefully heading in the right direction business wise, than just sitting without anything to do.

All this sewing perfectly justifies my new purchase: an industrial overlocker



Not new.  I bought it second hand from a lady who makes costumes for the Welsh National Opera.  She is moving house and had an overlocker and an industrial sewing machine.  She just doesn't have the space in her new house.



Stephen finished work early today and we all went to Caerphilly to collect it.  It's about 2 years old and is SO quiet compared to my monster of a 1960s industrial machine.

The really odd part was chatting with the seller.  She asked me what I did in terms of sewing.  I told her I have a small business making items of loveliness (actually I made that last phrase up).  But I did tell her I ran my own small business.  And when I replayed the conversation in my head, I thought, do you know I do.  I do have a small business.  It's only small, but it's a business nonetheless.  As opposed to sewing because I love it. 

So no grumbling for me!

Comments

[paper-and-string]

hey liberty lady!
I know just what you mean, I'm nearing the end of a couple of big orders and boy do I wish I was holding more stock when they came in! your new overlocker looks like good fun and it looks to me like you have all your everythings under control!
Keep up the good work, Sarah xx

[sarah]

What a busy bee you're going to be. Very well deserved though - and you're right, you do run a small business !! Good for you ! That overlocker looks like a monster of a machine - makes my little singer featherweight look like a toy (which is all it is really !) Sarah x

[kim]

Oh dear Samantha, just ignore the email I just sent you asking whether you're just easing yourself in gently to the Liberty's order!! I should know really to check your blog first! Quite right - of course you have a business and you do produce items of loveliness! That machine would scare me (I feel another dream coming on!) Good luck with it all
Kim x

[Mymsie]

The umbrella pin cushion fabric is ADORABLE!

[Claire Hicks]

Wow you are busy! As I am starting to get things together to start selling I am really unsure of how many of anything to make - will they sell well and I will run out, or will I be forever stuck with 50 pincushions and 40 different needle cases! I am really glad that you are selling things in the way you are doing - gives me faith to floow in your footsteps at some point!

Claire

[Kristy]

If anyone can do it all then you can Samantha.Keep calm and carry on!!

[sarah]

wow Samantha, you go girl, well done you deserve it !!
x

[Kali]

Yes you do, and you should be so proud!
Love your work and all your lovelies :)

[Jen]

Yes you do - you run your own business!! I espesh love the tea-cosies and have been meaning to place an order with you for one. I think I'll hold off till you are a little less manic ;)

[bigbucketgirl]

As of Monday..i am officially UNWAGED. My adoption leave finishes. I should be going back to work. I can't. I don't want to. So...I'm taking another 4 months unpaid leave. To make my fortune. To make and sell. Do you smell the fear? Can you hear my heart racing and my brain set to implode! Three kids..no job..waht do i need..yes, POSITIVE THOUGHTS!
I AM thinking positively, and you are an inspiration!

[Amanda]

Congrats on all of your success!

[Lesley McCormick]

Good for you. Congratulations on your Liberty order - that's the big one!!!

[French Knots]

Congratulations on your success! You are indeed running an inspiring small business and I really enjoy reading about how well it's doing.

[Gill]

Stay focused Samantha. My mantra when I find I'm overwhelmed by demands of work is "Concentrate Gillian, finish one thing at a time!" Every one project you finish is another one behind you. Well done! You've come so far in the past few months.

[Martha in Massachusetts]

You can do it! I'm enjoying your blog, and following your progress as you continue to send lovliness out into the world. If my best wishes help, you have them!

[heidi]

deep breath babe. you are so busy and amazingly gifted. you will be fine and make many more folks happy with the results.

[nichola]

I'm bloody knackered reading your post and i thought I was busy!!!!

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

Beautiful projects!! You've inspired me to sit down at the sewing machine and get off the computer today!

[paula luckhurst]

I'm so happy to see how you are running at cruise speed. So many costumers to so many beautiful things.
And an amazing sewing machine.
Lovely things, all of them.
Ah, the tea cosies...