A Catch Up coz I am Rubbish!

First of all let me apologise for being so quiet of late, I work a day job 3 days a week, work in The Duke Street Bazaar 1 day a week & then weekends are always events! I've also been away on a gorgeous family holiday (first one in 9 years!) which was much needed. Sadly whilst we where away a friend of mine & my boys died so once back we had the funeral.

Family selfie! Horrible but hilarious!

This was the view from the cocktail bar, yeah I nearly cried leaving!

It's also been an insanely busy two months! I have JUST caught up with my emails & as soon as we got home had to hit the crafty ground running!

My inbox was full of commissions, places in want of workshops & I had 2 major events to partake in (more on them in a later post), events to decorate & lots & lots of family occasions!

Small amount of baby shower decorations!

Friends Birthday Treats!

Little Sisters Graduation!

I've been run down for about 2 weeks now & in lots of pain with my kidneys so Im writing this at 3.50pm on a rainy Sunday afternoon, still in my pyjamas under the duvet as starting tomorrow life returns to what has become "normal". I, however am not complaining as its brilliant at the moment (although the cat is driving me mad!)

So this week be warned! There will be multiple blog posts! I have a lot to tell you all & a favour to ask so keep your eyes peeled!

I also need a new title for this blog as its a bit poo & I'm having some issues with Eastern European search engines....another reason for me being so quiet! All suggestions welcome!

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.

The Week in which EVERYTHING Happened...

Well last week was fun!

I've managed to give myself half a day off today (I'm typing this at 11pm after craft meet) after doing 7 full days last week but I love my little business & I will do what it takes for it to be a success. Fingers crossed.

It started last Sunday with a stall for International Women's Day at The Baltic Social which was ace! I love working stalls at fairs as I love interacting with the other stall holders! Everyone is always so friendly, lots of advice & it makes for a great day regardless of what sales are like!

This was my first stall with my boyfriend as an assistant & to be fair he was pretty good! He even taped one of my business cards to his chest to be a little walking advertisement! 

Me & Frank :)

Monday was all day admin applying to more fairs & doing the books. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday was working in the day job, I normally only do 2/3 days a week so bit of a hit to the system. Luckily I only did short-ish shifts as I had meeting on Wednesday, left early to go to The Lock In on Thursday & more meeting Friday!

The Lock In was brilliant! Its a networking event with workshops & applications for funds in a very relaxed atmosphere with like minded small businesses who get the opportunity to meet with a variety of people who can help with funding & other businesses who might benefit you! 

Me top right!

The only downside was wheeling a suitcase full of wares around all day but that is the life if you do not have a car! 

Saturday I did my first fair with Tinderbox Fairs at The Arts Club in Liverpool & we could not have been looked after better by Jenny or the staff!  I'm working with Jenny again in the future & I'm super excited about it! 

I worked the early shift on Sunday then it was off to my Mum's to cook her dinner since it was Mothers Day & I do get a wonderful amount of support, help & encouragement from her during stressful periods, as well as everything else in-between! 

Now this week, no rest for the wicked, I am running my first set of workshops at The Rare Bear Boutique teaching knitting & I'm really looking forward to it as its such a beautiful & inspiring setting as well as donating some knitting or crochet classes to a S.O.B's (Survivor's of Bereavement by Suicide) fundraiser as well as a lace & fabric cushion. This is just such a fantastic cause (click here for my blog on knitting & mental health) & if you are Liverpool based & can make it on Saturday then you should! Click here for the Facebook event page.

However its not all work as I'm out with the girls on Wednesday night! My friend is back from Australia for a few months so high school reunion time! We have been friends for over ten years so I just hope we all behave & do not drink too much as if you look at my Facebook page I've mountains coming up!

More about that later though! ;)

Hope you have an excellent week! 

Read all about it!!!

I'm sorry I've been so quiet lately I've been so busy!

Lots of commissions on and last weekend I had my first craft fair for The Hobo Bazaar down at Unit 51!

Hobo Bazaar!

It was a wonderful mix of people & I really enjoyed talking to customers & hearing what you want to see from me! It has been heard! 

Many baby hat commissions! 

I thought I should give you all a re-cap of where I am & what's going on!

* Sunday 9th November I'm at Memory Lane's Fairs at The Metropolitan Cathedral 

*Saturday 22nd November - Arm & Finger Knitting Workshop at The Crosby Tea Rooms

* Sunday 23rd November - Crochet Mittens Workshop at The Crosby Tea Rooms

* Saturday 29th/Sunday 30th November - The Hobo Bazaar at Unit 51

* Saturday 6th December - Winter Arts Market at St. Georges Hall

* Saturday 13th December - Pom Pom Decorations Workshop at The Crosby Tea Rooms

* Sunday 14th December - Crochet Decoration Workshop at The Crosby Tea Rooms

AND MORE TBC!!

Heart necklaces & mega chunky scarf's!

Totally love my new cable laptop covers! 

One not to miss!

I am a busy bee but I'm really enjoying the self employment part of my life! The self doubt monster is always in the background but I'm finding that all the hard work is paying off!

I also received this wonderful write from The Woman's Organisation :)

Hope to see you at one of the upcoming events! 

UPDATE!

NEXT FRIDAY 14th November I will be at Quill's Coffee in REX (Underneath Rapid in Liverpool city centre) doing a pompom decoration drop in session!

The next post will be all about the upcoming workshops!

Prevent Craft Based Injuries!

Everyone seemed to enjoy the benefits of knitting article I posted on the social media sites (Facebook & Twitter) but I want to discuss the flip side to it, the injuries it can cause. An I'm not reffering to the pointy end of a knitting needle.....

The holiday season is upon us crafter's!

This means late night knitting and crocheting and panic making things whilst trying to multi-task everything else!

Now I suffer from pains in my neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers, pins-and-needles and numbness. All craft related. I'm only 25, my crafty career is not going to last the year if I don't start looking after my tools properly!

Working a lot can put terrible strain on our joints, (I learnt how to knit as a result of my Nan no longer being able to due to her arthritis) and after having such a busy commission week I am in agony, so taking care of yourself during the biggest crafting season is very important!

Beware of RSI

Below are some links that should help prevent injury because you have to ask yourself this; if you couldn't craft, what else would you do?

Knitting Yoga & Exercises 

Knitting for charity pain free

Hand exercises help

Shoulder & neck pain are common

Knitters Advice 

Knitting Based RSI Prevention

How to prevent injury whilst crocheting

My personal favourite for crochet advise is this Pinterest board I follow - CROCHET.without.injury 

Take care of yourself! I'm off on my holidays till Saturday and I have banned myself from crafting to allow my aches and pains to heal....I'll have twitching fingers by Wednesday.

Do you have any advice that you swear by?