Making Wishes Come True

The creator behind inspiring hand-made Perth based Imogen’s Angels, Fiona Holmes is hosting the second annual Princess Ladybird Week commencing 24th April 2013 to raise funds for the Make- A- Wish® Australia.

In 2010 Fiona’s daughter Imogen earned her soft feathery wings and joined the other angels after a courageous journey through illness.  Known as the Princess Ladybird, Imogen was a loving, determined, smiley, loud, boisterous, happy, bossy character who was literally “louder than life”
says mum Fiona.

“While Imogen left us nearly 3 years ago, she is still very much with us and by creating Princess Ladybird I can help myself and my family to remain close and connected to her and at the same time we have a chance to give back to an organisation that helped Imogen to fulfil a wish of her own.”

Imogen had a unique fondness for ladybirds, something she shared with her mum and the women in Fiona’s family.  For them the ladybird represents luck, innocence, magic and joy.  During one of Imogen’s treatment sessions a little ladybird somehow made its way into the completely sterile treatment room, earning Imogen the nickname Princess Ladybird from the nursing staff at Princess Margaret Hospital.

During the week of 24th April to 1st May each year, Fiona sells Princess Ladybird brooch pins to raise funds for the Make- A- Wish Foundation with 100% of the profits going directly to the foundation.   This helps to support Make- A- Wish to grant wishes to other seriously-ill children and their families so that others can experience the magic that Fiona, her husband Jason, big brother Kody, little brother Ashton and Imogen were able to experience when they went to Queensland thanks to Make-A-Wish in
2009.

Imogen lives on each and every day in the creative magic Fiona shares with her range of high quality products she hand-makes with love and sells through Imogen’s Angels.

For more information and to find out how you can purchase your own Princess Ladybird visit www.imogensangels.com.au.

'NO' isn't a dirty word

Source: Pinterest via 24.media.tumblr.com

'NO' isn't a dirty word. In the past I would bend over backwards for customers and sometimes I would make items which were not within my defined scope.

A while back I've decided to give saying 'NO' ago.   And with that I realised that saying 'No' wasn't a bad thing, in fact this word that is commonly thought of in the negative turned out to be a positive for my business.

Saying 'No' has enabled me to focus on what I want to make, what type and quality of yarns I want to use.  It has helped me to be creative and decisive.

Sure I have lost some sales because I've said "No" but the eventual cost of saying no has paid huge dividends.

"No I won't copy that beanie"

"No I'm not going to make that in cheaper low quality yarn"

"No I'm not going to sell it for less than what it is worth"

Saying no has helped my business to grow and thrive.

So next time someone makes a request that doesn't feel right say "No", because you are in fact saying YES to keeping your brand integrity and YES to spending time doing what you want to do.

About the Contributor: 

Christine is a Wife and a Mum of 3.  She is the owner of C Percy Designs and the Editor of The Contemporary Handmade Alliance.  She is also the Editor of the Handmade Cooperative - Australian Handmade 4 Kids and is a little obsessed with all things crochet. 
To find out more about Christine go to her blog or Like her on Facebook.

This post was originally posted on C Percy Designs blog. 

Facebook cover changes and how they affect small business

Recently facebook have altered their rules regarding what can be placed in your cover image on your business page’s timeline.

As all covers are now public and appearing in news feeds of your likers (and their friends), the push is to make them more image based and less text. All covers must now only contain 20% text (this includes any text in a logo), the upside of these new rules is that you now have more freedom in what text you use.

Previously you were prevented from including web addresses, phone numbers and pricing in your cover. Any “call to action” was also prohibited (asking likers to enter a competition, share with their friends etc..). These rules have been lifted, making it easier for businesses to comply.

Facebook uses a graphic overlay to determine the percentage of text, you can test your cover using the same grid at http://coverphoto.paavo.ch/ any box containing text counts towards your 20%.

Non compliant cover image

Compliant cover image containing 12% text

Whilst it is common for businesses to ignore these guidelines, facebook has been known to shut down pages without warning, it may not be common, but you would hate to be the exception and have to start your page again from scratch!

Clare Armstrong is a mother of 3 little girls, wife of a FIFO worker and owner of Little Waves and Bridal Waves. After working as a manufacturing jeweller for over 15 years she has left the big city workshops for her home studio, to design, create, and spend time with her daughters.




NB: The CHA is not an affiliate of pavvo and receives no payment for their mention in this post.