Handmade Mumpreneur: Baby Button

Janell Fowler of Baby Button is one of the finalist for the 2012 Connect2Mum Award for Favourite Handmade Mumpreneur of the Year.


As you know we asked each of the finalist what was the best business advice they received, here is Janell's answer. 


The best business advise I have ever received is to sell to my target market instead of the masses. You want to find the exact people you are selling for through narrowing down, demographic, gender, geography, income etc. That will allow you to focus you attention of the specific people who will be interested and wanting to buy your product. You will no longer be wasting your time and money trying to please everyone or convincing someone they need/want your product. Stay true to yourself, your product and your business and you will go far.


To vote for Janell simply click on the image button below

Handmade Mumpreneur: RedPoppy Handmade

Esther Houben, founder of RedPoppy Handmade Handbags Australiais one of the finalist for the 2012 Connect2Mum Award for Favourite Handmade Mumpreneur of the Year.

As you know we asked each of the finalist what was the best business advice they received, here is Esther's answer.



Hello everyone, My Name is Esther Houben, founder of RedPoppy Handmade Handbags Australia.

The best business advice I was given was from a friend who is an accountant and my confident.
I was unsure as to whether to leave part time work at the time and asked him how he felt about the idea.
Obviously my main concern was whether my business would keep growing to hopefully one day be able to support me, his answer to me was;


"Sometimes we need to take some un-calculated risks"


A broad but true statement. Suddenly it dawned on me, this is right, we cannot calculate the future, we can calculate our finances but can't calculate what might happen.


I have since left part time work, my business is thriving because I am giving it 100%. A little risk has changed RedPoppy for the better.

To vote for Esther click on the link below:

Award Season

It's that time of year again when Connect2Mums hosts their annual AusMumpreneure Awards.

What I love about these awards is that they have a section just for Handmade. Their 'Favourite Handmade Mumpreneur of Year' category is for the most popular Mum that designs and creates handmade products.
  
There are 18 Mums vying for this award in 2012, one of them being Ali of Cheeky Pickle, who is a regular contributor to the CHA.

Here at the CHA we asked each Nominee what was the best business advice they had ever received.  Responses to this question will be released over the next few weeks while the first round of voting is taking places (closes 22nd July). Stay tuned for some great advice.

NOTE:
I must acknowledge that there are non-Mums and Men in the handmade Industry (I'm thinking of you Jeanie of Inspired Wish and Gemma from GemmaJoy) but it has been my experience that many Handmade peeps are Mums, including myself.   Personally I think it would be great if the Australian Handmade Industry had their own Awards that catered for everyone.  

Visual Merchandising 101 - Be Different!

Be Different!

We all know that most retailers cater to the masses.  To be frank, it’s really boring and it’s just one of the reasons why markets are so great.

Have a think about something that will make you stand out from the competition.  Think about your brand, the theme of your range, or the mood you are trying to encapsulate and go from there.
Props play a great part here: think of a unique way to store and display your products.  Old suitcases and crates are gorgeous if you have a vintage look.  Books are fantastic to add some height here and there, or try some small shelves out for size.

Hone in on all the senses: play some music, burn a candle, have a bunch of fresh flowers, artificial grass and a white picket fence…whatever – just be creative.

Don’t be afraid to mix it up a little and stand out.  People will remember you for it.

Image used with permission by Little Muse

Next Post: Lighting and Safety

Introduction

Part 1: Grouping and Repetition

Part 2: Order and Balance

Part 3: Colour Blocking

Part 4: Tell a Story

Part 5: Focal point and Height

Part 6: Be different!

Part 7: Lighting and Safety

As a design addict and lover of all things artistic and crafty, Elizabeth can't get enough unique handmade goodness on her life!  When she's not working, playing Mum, Wife, re-styling her house or planning the next renovation, Elizabeth is wandering the markets, hunting for vintage goodies, reading blogs and watching Grand Designs. Preferably whilst drinking a strong espresso.   Elizabeth sells vintage craft and sewing supplies on Craftumi and feeds pinning addictions here and her Instagram addiction here  (username @walkamongthebirds) and lets not forget facebook. 

Visual Merchandising 101: Focal Point & Height

Focal Point

Depending on the style or size of your display, you should have at least one main focal point in your stall.

In the market arena it’s easy for a customer to mosey on by, 1 or 2 meters away from your table, and keep on walking with having made any emotional attachment.

Think about your stall - what is it that will catch their eye?  Think of the item/s that you are displaying here in your focal point and make sure they are a strong representation of your brand or the theme that you wish to convey.

When making a display with a strong focal point, don’t forget to keep balance and order in mind; they are your friends!!

Image with permission from One Little Sparrow
Taken at Lollipop Markets

Height

If you can add some height to your market setup – go for it!

This is an area that is often forgotten as many stallholders opt to display their products simply on a table.  Think back to your focal point – you want to catch the customers’ eye, and where is the customers’ eye?  Up high!!

If you are going to use this option, ensure balance by creating a pyramid or stepped display (again, the rule of 3 is applied!).

Image with permission from Memories by Mel
Taken at Mummy Tree Markets
Stall – Swinging Tales

Next Post: Be different!

Introduction

Part 1: Grouping and Repetition

Part 2: Order and Balance

Part 3: Colour Blocking

Part 4: Tell a Story

Part 5: Focal point and Height

Part 6: Be different!

Part 7: Lighting and Safety

As a design addict and lover of all things artistic and crafty, Elizabeth can't get enough unique handmade goodness on her life!  When she's not working, playing Mum, Wife, re-styling her house or planning the next renovation, Elizabeth is wandering the markets, hunting for vintage goodies, reading blogs and watching Grand Designs. Preferably whilst drinking a strong espresso.   Elizabeth sells vintage craft and sewing supplies on Craftumi and feeds pinning addictions here and her Instagram addiction here  (username @walkamongthebirds) and lets not forget facebook. 

The Annual CHACraft Swap - SWAP RULES

By taking part in the CHA Annual Craft Swap you will have a great opportunity to challenge yourself! You are not restricted to only swapping things that you sell; in fact we encourage you to challenge yourselves! Go nuts and try something new.  You can do it!

Here are the SWAP RULES you need to follow to ensure a smooth, fair and fun experience!

1. Once you have received your swap partner details you MUST contact your swap partner within 14 days or you will be left out of the swap and your partner will be allocated another partner. 
2. Please note that this is a direct swap, that is you send to and receive from the same person. 
3. Through out the swap to keep in contact with your swap partner via email. If you want to, you can give the person who is sending to you an idea of your likes and dislikes - or you can go for a complete surprise, it's up to you.  Make sure that you check out your partner’s website to get an idea of who they are, and what they might like.
4. If for some reason you have to drop out of the swap – please contact your swap partners and the co-ordinator (aka Christine Percy) as quickly as possible, as we might be able to arrange a new swap partner for that person. 
5. Before sending your parcel, take a photo and remember to include a note with your gift, telling how you decided to make what you did. If possible a personalised label on your gift is a great way for your swap partners to remember you for years to come. 
6. All swap items must be in the post no later than 30th July 2012.  Please send items via registered mail or prepaid satchel so the item can be tracked.  
7. You must email you partner notifying them that their item has been sent.  Please note down the date sent, the tracking number and the location you sent it from.  
8. Email your Swap Partner when your item has been received. 
9. Once you have opened your gift, ensure you thank you swap partner.  We are also encouraging participants to post post a message on their Facebook page (or similar social media tool) with a link back to their partners business, with a description and photo of your gift.
10. If you find you are having problems with a swap partner: Before posting a message about this publicly please contact the co-ordinator who will try to resolve it for you.  NB: CHA cannot take responsibility for people who fail to follow through on their swap
11. Please don't disappoint your swap partner, please remember that you have committed to creating an item:
• that is hand-crafted item which you would value between $20 - $50.  You can send multiple items to bring it up to this value if you like.
• that is for an adult (and not a child); your item is a gift for your partner.
12. If you don't follow these rules you wont be accepted to be in any swaps.

Take this opportunity to get to know someone in the industry!

CHA cannot take responsibility for people who fail to follow through on their swap.  After we assign your partners, it is up to you and your partner to establish communication and complete the swap by the due date.

PLEASE NOTE THIS SWAP IS FOR AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS ONLY

Follow Up

We welcome you to send in a photo of the items you send to you partner, for potential inclusion in our post swap review.  You can email them to: contemporaryhandmadealliance@hotmail.com.

Ensure you make it clear who (business name) produced the item, as well as your business details:

NAME:

EMAIL:

FACEBOOK:

WEBSITE:

BLOG:

We would also love it if you could spend the word about our fun Craft Swap.  You can do this by tweeting about it, doing a shootout on Facebook, mentioning it in one of the forums you are active in, Pinning our Pin-able to you Pinterest Page, blogging about it etc.

It’s so nice to get some handmade love in the mail! 

{Promotion} 'KEEP Craft Your Business'

So, you have a craft based business.

But now what?

How do you stay focused?

Where do you meet other lovely handmade businesswomen?

We think we have the answer

‘KEEP Craft Your Business’ is an informal workshop run by Thornbury Womens Neighbourhood House.

The workshop is an extension of our very successful Make Craft Your Business Course and Made ‘n Thornbury Craft Market.

This  workshop will be lead by Deanne Wild, Make Craft Your Business co-ordinator and handmade business owner.

Our guest speaker is Kylie form Change Agent Coaching. Kylie’s presentation will focus on building your handmade business.  Change Agent Coaching have a unique approach for business coaching handmade business’ and are keen to share this with you.

Other topics will include market preparation, staying motivated and social media skills.

This workshop is designed to bring together handmade business women to learn skills to maintain and grow their businesses. It is a great opportunity to meet and network with other handmade business women and share our skills and ideas.

KEEP Craft Your Business is being held in Melbourne at the Leinster Grove Community Centre, Thornbury on Saturday July 14th 2012 from 10 am – 2.30 pm.

The price of the workshop is $25.00 per person which includes a light lunch.

To book your place please email Trisha Collinson -  trisha@twnh.vic.edu.au

 

Contributor
Deanne Wild. Deanne  is passionate about all things handmade. Deanne is coordinator of the Make Craft Your Business Course and Volunteer Coordinator of Made ‘n Thornbury Craft Market. When not sewing, blogging or trawling through opshops, Deanne can be found enjoying Melbourne’s dynamic handmade and craft market scene. Or drinking red wine whilst eating great food  or  taking photos of red wine and great food. 

Counterpoint: Branding

After reading Ali's series on Branding, Jeanie of Inspired Wish shared this post by Pugly Pixel with me.

Click on the image to go to Pugly Pixel's post

I love this post by Pugly Pixel as it has an interesting point of view, that being from the consumer.

Have you ever been disappointed by a products lack of branding?  

How important do you think the branding of your handmade products?

We'd love to know your thoughts, leave a comment below. 

Further Reading:
Getting the Best from your Graphic Designer - Part 1
Getting the Best from your Graphic Designer - Part 2

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 co-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 - cpercydesigns.blogspot.com or follow her on Facebook.

The Annual CHA craft swap 2012

 

Taking applications now!

All items to be mailed no later than 30 July 2012


Yes! It is that time of year again when we host our annual craft swap to get your warm and fuzzy, handmade love on!

The last two years have been a resounding success, with a multitude of great handmade businesses swapping lots of lovely handmade goodness.

This year, we are hoping for 100 participants. So remember to spread the word and encourage fellow crafting businesses to get on board. Post about it on your Facebook page, blog about it, pin our pin-able to your Pinterest board. After all, who doesn’t adore getting handmade love in the mail?


THE DETAILS
Please create a hand-crafted item(s) which you would value between $30 - $50. You can send multiple items to bring it up to this value if you like.

Please create an item for an adult (and not a child); your item is a gift for your swap partner.

Please ensure that your item is in the post no later than 30 July 2011. If you have any issues meeting this deadline, please contact the CHA and your swap partner to advise.

Make sure that you check out your partner’s website to get an idea of who they are, and what they might like.

You will need to contact your partner via email to get their postal address. Take this opportunity to get to know someone in the industry!


IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
It is really important that people don’t miss out because their partner doesn’t follow through on their commitment. Therefore we ask 3 things of you:

1. Only sign up if you are committed to your participation and to creating quality items for your swap partner to enjoy.
2. Only sign up if you are able to post your item no later than 30 July 2011
3. That you supply AT LEAST 1 of the following: Facebook page address, blog address, website address to ensure you are contactable and legitimate.

CHA cannot take responsibility for people who fail to follow through on their swap.



PLEASE NOTE THIS SWAP IS FOR AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS ONLY


SIGN UP
To get on board, sign up by completing the below online form. Then wait for us to email your swap partner details through. Once you receive them, make contact and get to know each other. I know that last year’s craft swap helped many participants make new, genuine connections with other handmade businesses; and some friendships bloomed too! How nice.

ONLINE APPLICATION FORM


Please review the Craft Swap Rules before signing up.


Some images from the 2011 CHA Craft Swap

Have fun!

Christine