Decisions...Decisions...

I've been doing a lot of thinking recently, regarding my little 'Nostalgia at the Stone House' empire! It has become very difficult for me to have the small business that I crave and care about, when I have to fit all that needs to be done into a 7 day week (or ideally a 5 day, 9-5 working week!) I've never been one to back away from hard work and am often typing away on the PC, or crafting late into the evening. As some of my customers will agree, it’s not unusual to receive an email about an order or an invoice from me at 9.30pm or beyond. But I do feel that this is starting to take its toll, especially when I have to fit things in around family commitments.

I have therefore decided to make some big changes to my website. It has become evident that it is my handmade goods that most customers are looking to buy. Of course I am thrilled that anyone would wish to buy something I have made; it is a real compliment and I’m grateful for the continued interest and support that I have received over the years. I do feel however, that there is never enough time to really do justice to my work. My head is always buzzing with ideas that I want to put into practice, or designs that I would like to develop, but again the time ticks away far too quickly.

I spend so much of it photographing, listing on the website, answering emails, invoicing, wrapping and packing, as well as trips to the Post Office (in the next village 3 miles away), not to mention book keeping/tax etc, and sourcing materials from all over the SW, that it leaves me with very little actual sewing/crafting time. (Oh' dear, hope that doesn’t sound like a huge whinge! – Of course all of this work is part and parcel of a busy website. I’m just justifying my reasons for change) I know that I could automate a lot more of my website, but I do believe that the majority of my lovely customers appreciate the personal service that I provide. I answer all emails personally and send out accurate invoices with actual postage included, having located a suitable box and weighed their parcel. (One of the best compliments that I ever received was from a lady in Italy. She said that ‘Due to your kind emails, customers feel cuddled... And your prompt service is impeccable!’) In fact I enjoy the interaction that this allows me and feel that I have built up some good friendships with like-minded women.

On an almost daily basis, I receive emails about my handmade dolls. It is clear to me that this is the main area that I need to work on and develop. Each of my dolls takes at least one day to complete, usually two. This doesn’t include the sourcing of vintage fabrics and adornments, or the associated paperwork. So I shall never be able to churn them out by the hundreds. Besides, they would no longer be special and unique and be what people would be prepared to pay the little extra for. But it would be nice to have the time to think about each design in a less rushed state and perhaps to make a few extra over the months, than I can at the present time. The emails often express disappointment that the dolls have sold quickly and once again the person has been unlucky. I would be unhappy to think I had permanently lost a customer visiting my website because they didn’t see the point, when stock is always reserved within hours.

I am often asked if I take commissions for dolls, but for several reasons I prefer not to. The main ones being:
1. I work with antique and vintage fabrics, so I cannot always produce a doll in a required colour scheme/style/era etc. if the fabrics aren’t in my store cupboard.

2. If a customer wishes me to repeat a doll’s design that was sold on my website previously, it may be impossible if I no longer have enough of the fabrics/trims. I usually add a unique touch to each doll which is impossible to replicate, for example an unusual vintage brooch, or a fragile lace trim. Plus the doll that has been sold has been bought in good faith, in that it was a one-of-a-kind creation and the customer was buying into this fact.
3. A commission order could be placed with very specific requirements and if I cannot carry out a customers wish exactly, they may be unsatisfied or disappointed. And perhaps even return the doll and I would be left with a doll not totally to my design and perhaps not saleable.

4. Time, of course. If I was always working to commissions, I may have no time to keep my website stocked. I have a large mailing list of interested customers and it is my aim to try to keep them all happy where ever possible.
5. At the end of the day, I also need to enjoy what I do, or it will begin to show in my work. I’m not a factory, so varying each item that I produce keeps it interesting and exciting.
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One of the decisions that I have made, is to cut back the amount of vintage stock on my website to one small category of special vintage treasures. I won’t have to spend quite so many hours sourcing items. I will always be on the look-out for beautiful fabrics and trims for my crafts on buying trips, so I am bound to discover other interesting pieces whilst at fairs etc; but the smaller vintage category will mean I can add special finds when they really ‘speak’ to me. Less stock should mean less time spent on all the ‘background stuff’ that I have mentioned previously.

There will be 3 other categories on my site which will be handmade goods– ‘Dolls’, ‘Handmade Assortment’ and ‘Gift Sets’. It is my hope that this will allow me more sewing time, without so much invoicing/packing etc to be done. And perhaps all of those who would like to own one of my dolls will have a chance to order one sometime over the next year…

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I have also been successful in booking a stand at the ‘Vintage & Handmade Fair’ next May. That possibly sounds a long way off just now, but I will need time to create new items for this as well as keeping my website stocked. I want to work on some new original ideas for affordable gifts, which will hopefully be what customers to the fair are looking for. I have a little notebook by the side of my bed, which I jot down ideas as they pop into my head. I can’t wait to get started on some ‘smalls’ for the spring fair. It will be fun too, to actually meet some of my customers face to face for a change…

And talking of next year, I shall re-launch my website early in January with its new look. Hubby and I will take some time over the Christmas break to work on the changes, but rest assured, it won’t change dramatically and should continue to be easy to use and navigate.
I will be closing it towards the end of next week for the holidays. I would like to thank everyone who has visited during 2008. To those who have made a purchase or two…and who have sent me such kind and friendly emails. May I wish you all a very ‘Happy Christmas and every good wish for a wonderful New Year!’

*One final thing; my ‘Living with Nostalgia’ calendars were flying out yesterday, so I have now added another lot to the website. My very grateful thanks to all who bought a copy and I hope that you will enjoy using them throughout 2009!

Niki x

Seeing Red

Hope you had a great weekend...

Mine ended up being a very enjoyable 'doing' weekend; with me getting done all of the jobs that I hadn't found time to do during the week...

I was given this very large hat box a few years ago, but I've never really felt that it fitted with my style. I had decided I would cover it in vintage wallpaper, so I used the fruity French one that I bought in Devon this summer.

A length of old lace tied in place, keeps it closed. I shall use the box to store some of our Christmas decorations in when they are not in use.

I have also made-over this old (filthy!) Victorian mirror...

A coat of paint and some new rose prints - it's waiting to be hung on the landing.

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Hubby and I have hung this mirror in the hall. Originally it stood on top of the grey cupboard, which now accommodates my new (old!) dolls house.

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What I was really looking forward to doing though, was returning my kitchen back to its red accent colour for the festive season.

It was a case of re-hanging the curtains at the front door and under the counter unit...

As well as in the alcove. I repainted the glazed cabinet in 'Pale Truffle' by Laura Ashley, added a gingham trim along the shelf edge and arranged my Midwinter domino oddments amongst the vintage pressed glass. I will be filling some of the jugs and bowls with glass baubles soon for a festive flourish!

My collection of French enamelware, textiles, china etc came back from the laundry room on to the kitchen shelves.

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I think I need to paint this little cupboard too, when I have time, (also Pale Truffle) and stick some pretty French fabric on the door panels to mask the floral doodles!

If I think about it, I prefer the red scheme in my kitchen, rather than the pale green and pink - its more 'me' and has a very cosy feel for the winter season.

I've always loved my handmade patchwork of assorted C19th tickings that make up the curtains. They took me a long time to complete, so it seems a shame to hide them away come the spring...

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I have also been busy making a few more dollies for my website. They have been added this morning and include Skye in her Fair Isle ensemble and Imelda in a fluffy turquoise jacket.

Sorry, we are now reserved. Thank you!

Two small festive fairies have also flown in!

Sorry, we are now reserved. Thank you!

I hope that you will enjoy taking a look at their listings if you have a spare moment. If I can find the time to make any more items before Christmas, I shall add them randomly as soon as possible before the festive season is officially upon us.

My thanks to all who have made a purchase from my website recently - I hope that you will enjoy your new treasures.

Have a great week,

Niki x

Update 10th Dec: The 'Living with Nostalgia' calendars are now in stock on my website again.

The Tourist Bit.

I hope you are enjoying the run up to Christmas and aren't feeling too stressed.

On Wednesday I decided it was high time I made an effort to get some of my Christmas shopping done. I love living so close to Bath, but shopping there on a Saturday is to be avoided at ALL costs! The Christmas Market is in full swing at the moment and attracts many tourists and with Bath being such a small city, it just can't cope with the numbers. As it is, during the week, you really need to be parked by 10.30am or you will struggle to find a space.

So, early on Wednesday I made a quick dash around the chalets. I would say its nice to look, but not great for finding Christmas pressies - a lot of the stalls are extensions of some of the shops in Bath, so nothing new. And apparently the chalets are very expensive to rent, making it beyond most hand crafters budgets, so unusual one-of-a-kind items are few.

I was impressed by this beautiful handmade soap stall. The aromas were gorgeous, with only pure essential oils being used to produce each item. (You can request their catalogue here.)

Coming away from the market a huge carousel dominates the square outside the Pump Rooms - trying to negotiate your way around this on a Saturday can be a bit tricky!

There are plenty of carol singers, live bands and street entertainers throughout the winding streets of Bath. Would you believe this isn't a real statue?! This guy certainly fooled this pigeon though!

The florists on Pulteney Bridge had a stunning display outside. I just adore the festive foliage and beautifully arranged wreaths and baskets.

Well, taking all these photos wasn't getting my shopping done, so I had to get on...

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My youngest daughter said she'd like to visit the market after dark, so hubby and I took her last night after school.

It certainly takes on a different atmosphere in the evenings. People seem more relaxed (perhaps that's the mulled wine and cider on sale ;-)) and happier to take things at a slower pace.

The Abbey becomes even more spectacular when floodlit against the jet black sky.

We discovered that it is possible to take a tour of the towers in the evening at this time of year, and with the offer of mulled wine included when you reach the top, we decided it had to be done!

The views from the bell tower are fabulous, particularly at night with the festive lighting adding to the scene.

Below you can see the Roman Baths floodlit for the occasion.

And the tiny chalets of the market sandwiched in amongst the fine architecture.

There were only 10 people on the tour, so we all got to ring one of the enormous bells which date from the 1700's.

Then it was time to leave the roof top and climb the couple of hundred stairs back down again.

Hope you've all had a great week.

Enjoy your run up to Christmas,

Niki x

A Second Home!

I do admit to sometimes dreaming of owning a second home. A small bolthole to escape the stresses and strains every now and then...
Well I never thought for one minute that my dreams would actually come true....

Thankfully, what with the credit crunch and all, this one came to me mortgage free!
I've had my Christmas pressie from hubby a few weeks early and here is my new property -
'Lucy House'.

Even though it will involve a bit of down-sizing, it will still be somewhere to escape to. I shall enjoy making things for my new home and furnishing it to my taste.

Miss Lucy was a milliner and although she has moved away now, I would love to create a milliner's workshop in the basement room, with living quarters above.

We found the house in our local junk shop and believe it to be Victorian. Its been completely built from scratch from off-cuts of wood and found objects, probably by a father or grandfather for a daughter/granddaughter, which I love it all the more for. Everything is a bit wonky, but is full of charm.

The millinery workroom will be situated here in the panelled room, with the stairs leading to the study...

The rustic kitchen awaits a stove and perhaps a dresser.

I love the butler sink with its plug fashioned from an old boot button.

There's a sumptuous boudoir to retire to in an evening, with embroidered silk bed drapes and fabric lined walls.

And cosy fireplaces made from old copper drawer pulls, with lace dressing the mantelpieces in true Victorian style.

A few other possessions from the previous owner still remain, such as this original painting in the parlour, as well as silhouettes of past occupants in round frames.

Hope you enjoyed the tour of my second home!

Niki x

PS: I've had a plea from Catherine at Alchamillamolly, who is looking for any vintage type fairs going on in the Yorkshire/Cleveland/Durham areas, as she is at a loss to know where to shop. If anyone could help, I know she would appreciate it - please leave any info that you have with Catherine on her blog - thanks!