What a difference a week makes...

What a difference a week makes!

My last blog was so boo-hoo about life stresses & uncertainty but this week I have a new flat that we are moving into next week! It's so beautiful, right next to Sefton Park with a view of The Palm House from the end of our street & so bright! It's going to make photographing new products a dream since I've currently had to wait until I could get to my Mums as our current flat has very little natural light.

I also got a promotion at work! This little business of mine is my full time dream but for now whilst it's still growing I need to work as sadly landlords & bills don't except dream building as payment. I'm one of this people who really needs security, I don't even sleep without a cover at night regardless of how hot it is!

My life is now organising & packing but we are very behind as I'm sick! All the sudden stress relief after 6 weeks of argh has left my poor body exhausted & full of cold which politely has taken up residence on my kidneys causing inflammation. Chronic kidney disorders are the worst, before this I could soldier on with a cold but now small illnesses wipe me out if my kidneys flare up. 

I have been that state of ill where you secretly go woo! Couch day & Netflix with knitting it is but I've managed very little; the mermaid blanket is now to my knee, that's it.

I did manage to get out to see a new store opening on Bold Street in Liverpool. The first store I was ever involved with, Rex, is opening again in a much bigger & more central location. It's going to be an independent department store & the plans look fantastic! Watch this space...

What was so nice was bumping into so many other independent business owners & having a catch up with my business mentors at The Woman's Organisation. 

Now the stress is relieved I feel like I'm getting back on track! I'll be having a big Etsy sale in the coming weeks to celebrate. These things are sent to try us, it's not about taking over the world, it's about looking after your own.

Feel Supreme

If I had to sum up my inspiration with one single quote, it would have to be Bob Dylan’s;

“A man who does what he loves never has to work a day in his life”

After years of working a job in which I was unhappy in, it was the mentality inspired by this quote which led to the birth of Feel Supreme. I realised the important lesson that happiness cannot be bought, only experienced.

I decided to focus on something which I am actually passionate about; something that would allow me to be happy and experience real quality family time. This led to the transition from full time worker to part time student. My chosen subject was Naturopathic Nutrition- the science of using food as a medicine. I would be lying if I said that I was not feeling a mixture of emotions, mostly fear and nervousness, but that fear bred ideas and opportunities.

Feel Supreme started as a social media page, mainly as a way for me to store important information, but also to pass on my newly acquired knowledge to like-minded individuals. I now offer private consultations, regular or one-off group sessions, Feel Supreme Coconut Oil and an organic food delivery service. Although there are many long days and late nights, I still haven’t worked a day.

Matt Murphy

Feel Supreme

        Facebook – Feel Supreme      Twitter- @feelsupremeco      Instagram- FEEL_SUPREME

Elabora

Elabora homeware and gifts was started at the end of 2013 by me, Peter. I had always dreamed of running my own business making high quality furniture and homeware products, and was trying to set it up while working full time to support my family. At that time I was working in a car parts shop and didn’t feel like I was getting anywhere near achieving my dream. I came across an advert for Government backed start up loans and so applied. With the cash injection and support from my business advisor, I was able to leave my job and concentrate on running my business full time 

Everything from Elabora is handmade in my workshop/shed at the bottom of my garden. As you can see it’s a bit of a squeeze... and a mess! Although I prefer to call it organised chaos!

By designing and making everything myself, I am able to ensure that all Elabora products are of the highest quality, environmentally friendly and ethically produced and sourced.
Al the wood used in Elabora products is either upcycled or FSC approved (http://www.fsc-uk.org/), which means that it comes from a sustainable managed forest. All the paints are chosen for their low environmental impact, for example, water based rather than solvent based. Even the sawdust is re-used to heat the shed in winter!

Everything is designed to firstly, look gorgeous, then to be functional. Like our phone holders. 

They look great on your desk, but they also have a handy feature so that you can charge your phone while it’s in the stand.

We also make things for kids - which I love because it is so much fun! Everything has the pass the 'Joseph Test' - that is my 2 year old Joseph has to love it, and not be able to destroy it! Our treasure chest toy box is particularly popular
 

Kids love it because it looks like a pirates treasure chest, and parents love it because it keeps things tidy!

So what’s next for Elabora? We have loads of exciting new products planned, including these LOVE blocks, which where designed especially for Valentine’s Day and loads of exciting new stockists. Keep checking our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/elaborahome and of course, keep popping into Rex which is always the first place to get new stock!

An Independent Cup of Coffee

I love coffee! I am a serious coffee addict. My coffee machine is never off…In work everyone drinks tea & I'm alone in my high caffeine bubble! I love independent coffee shops too, not the tax dodging ones but the ones that pride themselves on making a good cup of coffee rather than a mass produced one!

Awesomely I teach workshops in a coffee shop that ooze's what a coffee shop should be! Quill's Coffee...

At university, Lee recognised how important it was to have a space to read and study, and so tried to find such a magical place. Soon he found himself in a Goldilocks situation. The library was too quiet, stuffy and formal, and although it boasted quality resources, it suffered poor vending machine drinks and worse vending machine food. So onwards he travelled to the local coffee shop, where he found better food and drink with a somewhat relaxed atmosphere, but at the cost of crowds, tiny tables, and high prices.

Getting the balance right was tricky, and often meant only staying for a short amount of time. From this, the idea to offer a better reading, study and social experience was born: the study-equivalent of the 'just-right porridge'.

Not only do they have a wizarding way of making coffee they have their own blend and their cake-y goodies are made by a local independent baker!

They are heavily involved in community projects and have just launched a second shop in Nook & Cranny on Bold Street in Liverpool, the hive of independent business's!

Next weekend I'm running a workshop knitting/crocheting Easter Bunnies at their original shop in Rex, just off Church Street, in the  basement of the old George Henry Lee's in what is now Rapid! (More info & how to book here!)

Regardless the staff are amazing, they really love what they do and they have achieved their original goal so pop in, treat yourself and do not forget to tell them I sent you!  

Nook & Cranny is located at 28 Bold Street right by Central Railway Station.

Rex is located in the basement of Rapid, 20-48 Basnett Street just off Church Street.

Knit a Tulip for ME!

I am constantly approached by charities wanting me to help them out with a project or a cause & I find it hard saying no. However if I said yes to every request I'd be a full time charity knitter unable to do my day job or my business. 

After the success of the NHS Blood drop campaign donations I felt the need to do some more woolly goodness.

However this one never asked me, I stumbled upon it via someone else I know & these guys are awesome!

Knit a Tulip for ME is wanting to take a campaign to Parliament next year to protest the governments funding cuts of families with disabled children. They want to lay 25,000 tulips outside, one to represent each child diagnosed in the UK with ME to show the volume of people that will be affected. The Tulips will all be for sale (bit like the ceramic poppies outside The Tower of London) to raise money for the charity AYME.

The deadline is May & I know that knitting magazines are doing features on it etc so they are building up a lot of awareness but they need A LOT more tulips! 

If you want to get involved them awesome! To save on everyone's p&p if you are local to me I will be sending off a batch with GOPA covering the postage cost so shall arrange a collection point! If not I can get the postage info for you or you can send to me & I'll send them on! 

Challenge accepted anyone? (The picture above is what 830 Tulips look like so can you imagine 25,000?!)

If so let me know how many you will commit too...be realistic & don't put yourself under too much pressure!

Colour wise it's all down to you!

UPDATE!!

If you are local to Liverpool you can drop the Tulips off to me at our bi-weekly craft meet or at Rex;The Concept store! (Map below) They will be having a collection box at the entrance! 

Rex Location

  

Merry Christmas!

Hello all!

Just wanted to give you a quick heads up that I will be having an Etsy sale starting on the 28th in case you fancy treating yourself once Christmas is over ;)

Gift box for REX competition!

Those local to me Im also having a sale at Rex starting the 27th! Some items have up to 30% off coz Im feeling festive!

Christmas Party at REX!

I've been a bit quiet of late whilst I've been making millions of candy canes & Christmas pudding decorations & I've been up to my eyes in commissions! I've put a few pictures below but A LOT are Christmas presents so cant show too much! Some are AMAZING & I'm feeling really pleased with myself so I'll post them on Facebook & Twitter on the 26th ;)

Ben's 1st Birthday bunting commission!

Vintage style ruffle purse!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all your support since April, everyone who has attended a stitch n bitch, a workshop, bought from me from a stall, placed a commission or liked/retweeted a social media post! I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas whatever you get up too! ;)

Big thanks to Lisa Takes Pictures for this! Pudding on a tree!

I'm at the in-laws this Christmas, first one away from home!

Crochet Christmas lights!

My stocking on a Christmas Tree! 

Custom stocking colours!

Long mittens & baby hat!

Mix of REX shop, Christmas goods & commissions!

The Winter Arts Market :)

Winning & a hot drink!

Cup cosy's make for happy mugs and hands!

For those of you that follow me on Facebook & Twitter will have seen that I have a new job!



What most of you wont see through the delightful happy posts & tweets is the reality of what running a business & working 20-30 hours a week in another job is. Its getting up to do business work on 4-5 hours sleep when I have 'work' in the evening so working a 16-20 hour day is not uncommon. It's never having a full day off because for a business to succeed it requires immense amounts of hard work, especially since everything is hand made by me. I'm often found crocheting or knitting on the couch till I fall asleep in my work.

Your average night

The old job, which I'm in till Friday, can be physically as well as mentally demanding & draining. The hours are not set so I often find myself trying to change shifts as I have arranged meetings/have workshops etc & have been unable to get the time off I need. Its trying to pick up more hours when mine are short, so I can live, do not want to touch the business money at all if I can help it.

Getting weekends off, being a waitress, is a nightmare as well but all my workshops & stalls are at weekends!

However this is all about to change!

Me now...

My new job is set hours. Its also day shifts so my sleeping pattern might now start to match the average person (mines currently sleeping hours between 4.30am - 12pm if on a night shift with no daytime business work that needs to be done in the morning) & its weekday work too....jackpot!

The volume of stress & pressure that has been taken off me is incredible as now I feel I can start to get more organised rather than playing it by ear & it being a week to week or day to day plan.

So new workshops! Yay!

Look how happy he is with a snuggle coffee!

After a mega successful weekend of workshops; pom-pom's Friday, arm & finger knitting Saturday & crochet, perfect fit, mittens on Sunday I'm looking ahead to December!

Thank you Sian for letting me photograph your fingers!

The Crosby Tea Room dates are already available for mega pom-pom decorations on the 13th & crochet Christmas decorations on the 14th December (more on them later in the week!)  but now let me introduce you to knitted or crochet cup cosies on the 7th December at Quill's Coffee Shop in Rex!

YOU NEED TO BOOK ON THIS ONE as its a set start time of 12 - 3pm! I will bring all the materials need!

Only £5 each (retail up to £10 on Etsy!) you will go home with a hand made cup cosie which is great for yourself or as a gift for that tea or coffee lover in your life!

You can either book online by clicking here or you can book through Quill's Coffee Shop themselves & do not forget to have a shop around & stop by my little shop!

My shop :)

New design baby comforters!

New stock!

Baby hats & phone covers

Purses

Cable laptop covers