In greens and more greens...

Well, we've been busy on our Facebook trying to keep you all in the loop with latest stock items, dates, and markets.

So.... here are our market dates, so far:

28 November ~ Amcare market, Alberton
29 November ~ Walkerville Farmer's Market
5 December ~ Night Market at The Shed
6 December ~ The Shed AND Walkerville Farmer's Market
13 December ~ Bunny Park market, Benoni (to be confirmed)
16 December ~ Walkerville Farmer's Market
20 December ~ Walkerville Farmer's Market

I don't doubt there will be a couple more aded to that list, as our last 2 months are always ridiculously busy.

If anyone needs maps, gps coordinates,  we'll be dropping some on our Facebook page for you to use.

On overcast days...

Over the last few weeks, I have discovered several things...

I am useless at crotchet.
The Post Office is not going to help small business.
Wearing nice clothes and then dishing teff out to the pony...means someone is going to notice the teff stalks stuck in awful places.
I dream about resin making when thats all I have done all Sunday.
A hectically busy market does not equal good sales.
You are your best table assistant.
I make tue most amazing cheesecake in the world...and feel too guilty to have any.
Working to my favourite music makes my world go round.

I have also learnt that, even though it is ALOT of hard work...positivity suits me better than negativity.

Its hard being a crafty/creative/maker/indie artist/artist and being positive 100% of the time. When there are those bringing in lower quality, mass produced items and they get the sales and exposure that you work so diligently, ethically and hard for.
Where alot of other countries have been seeing a surge in COOL for handmade, South Africa still lags behind.
But we continue,  because alot of us know, that this is our only real source of income right now (and possibly ever).
We have started seeing some GREAT work on promoting handmade to the consumer, where we alone might not reach.

If you're into buying OR making handmade, try liking the page UTHANDO ARTS & CRAFTS on Facebook in the meantime.

We continue to evolve as creatives, and though 10 people may not think what we make is their cup of tea.....just remember that some people prefer coffee ;)

Not all can be won...

Well... last week was a frenzy as we prepared for 2 markets over this last weekend. Getting stock, making stock, doing freelance work... and we were exceptionally prepared for both Friday's night market and Saturday's market.
And no matter how lovingly you make your stock, how great you setup, how carefully you display. There is NO guarantee for sales.
And sales wise, this weekend stood dead on zero. And yet, I will not use the word "bad" for either market, because the atmosphere at both markets was great, the other stall holders were amazing and despite a few rain drops at both markets, the weather was great.

So, there really truly is nothing negative to leave with from this past weekend.

And we move on.
This Friday night, 7 November,  we'll be in attendance at the monthly Night Market at The Shed on R59.
And thankfully, there's no panic to make stock for it, because I don't think my nerves could take another week of time limits (or coffee is playing a trick on me).

I do have some freelance work lined up already for this week, but last night I got so much ticked off Wonder Struck Inc's TO-DO list that I am starting this week with the most amazing weight lifted from my shoulders. And I see that the Post Office is "kind of" back to working order. Which is good news as an international sale happened on the Etsy store early this morning. Shew.

Also...while we're on the subject of our Etsy store.
Please note that,  its been a very hard decision to make, but the cost involved is far far greater than we can support, so as items expire on our Etsy, we WILL NOT be renewing them or adding any new ones.
We will slowly be filling up our Storenvy and HelloPretty online stores and will be enquiring about a Facebook online store.
So whether you're a South Africa or not, you will still beable to buy from us AND we'll be far better priced than on Etsy.

This week I'll also be trying to get shelf rental at a cute little coffee and handmade shop in our town, as we move closer to our dream of having our own brick and mortar store.
It's a slow and trying process to get to where we want to be...but I know its all going to be worth it.

Then... did a poll of sorts on the Facebook page about how people would feel if we made moulds, silicone, resin and such part of our stock items, also some mentioned they'd be interested in classes. All of this is starting to happen!
Again, it's a process, and things are happening (albeit in small careful steps).
We will also be working on tutorials for those who just do not live within reach of our one-on-one classes, so keep your eyes open.

Now, go and have a fabulous Monday (treat yourself to a cupcake or something else you know would make your day that little bit better)
And don't forget how amazing you all are.

♥

All that blooms...

Out in the garden this morning,  gathering more little daisies and little violas so they can be prepared for the last stretch into the Seasons range.
These will be the last for the year as I go searching for more blooms as they come out to play, currently Jasmine is at the top of the list for the next few items.
But if I find some other interesting gifts from nature, you'll need to peek into our online store and grab yourself some items from the Seasons range quick quick.

It really is so beautiful though as I walked between the flowers, admiring the pansies that are lining the paths of my parent's home (this is where I give in to my flower fascinations and where I stable ponybrat, Leroy).
Alot has happened this year (personal and otherwise) and as each month passes all too fast, so ends one year and another begins.
And as the last 3 months bring 2014 to a close, and the promise of 2015 comes closer, I can't help but feel like I wish the days were just a smidgen slower... and yes even the bad ones.
Our lives are but hours of existence and we keep wishing it by so fast.
Hopefully you won't ;)

Missed out on doing ALOT of blog updates, with the influx of busyness and happenings and markets :/
But its not going to get any less busy, just because the year is about to wind down.

So, hold on to your hats, and stick with us.
Lots of things are going to be happening still and are happening, we're not about to slam on the brakes just yet :)

Inbetween and within it all...

Craziness level x10...

Right now as I have a brief still moment at The Master of the High Court (doing freelance work)... thought I'd do some blog work.

Its crazy that we are only weeks away from Christmas and stores already have had their Christmas stock out for ages already.
Well, we jumped on the bandwagon and have started booking ourselves for tables/stalls at Christmas Markets. We'll post a list once all the confirmations are in.

We do, however, have the next 3 markets sorted and will have one last off weekend before the next string of madness begins.

Last week we took stock to our first brick and mortar shop, Silver Dream Tattoos,  in Lancaster road, Boksburg.
So if you're up for grabbing your hands on some of our items, head over to their shop... they do great tattoos and piercings too.

We'll also be looking at renting a shelf space at a more local shop, and will post pictures as soon as we get the thimbs up... if we get a thumbs down, we'll need icecream donations please.

Apart from the short update, we hope you're have a great week and an even greater day...

Post market buzzings....the morning after

Well hello chirpies!

It's a bright sunny morning around HQ and we're unpacking the work vehicle and packing the workroom from last night's market at The Shed.

Eskom was load shedding, and all us poor vendors were trying to do sales by candlelight and cellphones. So it wasn't easy.
But the atmosphere was so good and the place was PACKED with visitors.
So we enjoyed ourselves nonetheless.

We had to cancel our market for today, meaning our next market is at The Walkerville Agricultural Market at the end of April.
It'll be happening over Saturday and Sunday.
We will post all the details in the next few posts. Then you better come say hi!

We're doing a FREE SHIPPING run on our Etsy until 30 April 2014.
So go look see.
We're adding more stock this weekend.

Then if you're not a shopper on Etsy, or a PayPal haver, we'll be listing stuff on here so you can grab some seriously discounted items... (We don't even have space on our tables for all of it)

Then, to those that came to say hi at last night's market, those who are new likers on the Facebook and all those that have been around for a while.....
You made the weekend great and it's not even over yet!

Have a great Saturday people.
Mwah!

Autumn comfort hoarding....

I sat down and a very... Kind of serious talk with myself about minimising the online work load.

That has since gone out the window...
Ahem.

Now with an "online presence" from:

Etsy (international)
Storenvy (international)
Ideasmarket (South Africa only)

And soon to be stocked, our new Rebels Market stall and Hello Pretty store. Both are internationally accessible as well.

It's going to be a lot of work (not like much sleep is had anyway).
But I don't feel there'd be less work with a physical store.

I'm excited about the possibilities 2014 still has for all of us. And well, I don't believe anything just happens without working your fingers to the both.... Nothing *worth it* anyway.

So... For everyone's past, current and future support. You all rock my world and make Wonder Struck Inc worth every waking minute.

...then. Had suggestions about doing a "how to" bit on the blog.
Because as crafties and handmade loving peeps, we want to know what goes into some of the stuff we see.
Recently the knitting bug bit again, mostly so I could add some really cool pieces to my wardrobe and because, creatively when these WANTS hit... They can do so much good for your head and heart.
So...me being awful on camera, and searching and sifting through knitting how to vids to find something I enjoyed to learn from... I will be linking you knitters to some very cool KNITTING How To's in the next post.
Yay.

This will be so fun :)

Also... I'm going to start nagging some crafties for "interviews" so I can introduce you to some really cool handmade stores and people.
\m/ («.») \m/

And, that's about it for today's post.
Hope you guys are having a fantastic week!

So far...

This Summer is sweltering... Fans are on almost 24/7 in the workroom, between the odd rainfall and sleeptime.

Tomorrow is our first Market of 2014, and also our first market as Wanderland (Wonder Struck Inc & The Journeyman).
We'll be at The Walkerville Farmers Market tomorrow, 25 January from 9am till 4pm.

Then it's a 2 week work space, then Wanderland will be at The Shed on R59's Night Market, 7 February.
From 6pm - 10pm.

Lots of newness has already sprung up on our Storenvy, and limited stock items on our Ideasmarket and Esty stores. Pick and choose through our awesome items.
90% of what we do is one of a kind, so there's a good chance that once the item sells, it will not be restocked. So take advantage while you can.

We're about to shut down shop for the next 60 hours for the market.
Shew, back to work then.

Have a great Friday peeps.

Business as...usual

Back to working in overdrive for me.

Things have been quieter than usual in the workroom as I work on one resin supply order and some stock pieces.
I've had to take a bit of a time out ...well compared to the usual.

But it's back to working late night's until we shutdown in December.
Looking at filling in some weekends with dayjols and some other market spaces.
Keep the eyes open for dates and times and addresses.

We *won't* be at the Medieval Fayre (organised by the dynamic duo of Neigh-hours.co.za) as we have made previous commitments elsewhere. But defenitely going next year!
We will be at our usual stall at Wyetti for the last Saturday of October and November.
We still have no market dates for December. Yet. We usually get a FLOOD of invites between myself and Heatherlynn (The Journeyman) around November. So sure we'll have about two or three markets to update you on for final Christmas shopping.

If you haven't noted on our Etsy yet, I've been *completely* reshaping item and shipping pricing. As of re-opening in 2014, there will be a slight increase, but right now anything that is $15 and under is our new pricing.
Shipping costs have just changed to accomodate better individual item pricing and correct shipping.

To those that spread the word of our crowdfunding campaign. Thanks!
Unfortunately we didn't make target, or the 50% minimum, so no new molds for now, and probably not before year end.
Maybe we'll be a bit more successful on the international crowdfunding platform over November, so keep those fingers crossed.

The amazing resin artist I crush over in the USA, has come out of her second shoulder surgery for the year, and hopefully things will be better this time round.
I don't stock any of Lunaricsales' pieces, but if you are interested in her pieces and don't have PayPal, I can easily source the items for you.
You can find her on Instagram, where she's currently having a sale on selected pieces.
The more people that need me to buy for them at the same time, the less postage is charged on each item *NOTE*

Then...with that.
To all the readers of our blog...thanks for the awesome view stats recently. We have stats from Russia, the US, Japan and Australia coming through.
You guys cheer me up knowing someones reading my randomness. ;)

Have a great Monday people's.

In the making...

These four years have defenitely been an...adventure. To put it mildly.
Personal things aside, Wonder Struck Inc has become a part of everyday life.
I'm sure those who have started their own little craft businesses will know what I'm talking about.
Manoeuvring everyday life around production, making, sticking, cutting, gluing, casting, swearing, praying, driving, setting up, unpacking, packing, displaying, paying.... Well and sometimes eating and sleeping.

It's hard sometimes to persevere... But maybe it's slightly easier for me because I'm born with a stubborn streak. But when you DO persevere...these small flecks of "it's worth it" come flickering through the darkness.

To Facebook likers, regular customers/supporters... Thank you guys for yet another month!

Now to begin October.
Yup, already October (shocking).
We almost 2 and a half months from silly season... So please take notes of these dates from us.

25 October - Night Market @ The Shed on R59 from 6-10pm
26 October - Wyetti Market from 9:30am - 3pm
29 November 2013 - last international shipping day for Christmas orders.
29 November - Night Market @ The Shed on R59 from 6-9pm
30 November - The last Wyetti Market from 9:30am - 3pm
7 December - last shipping date for international and local orders for 2013.
16 December 2013 to 6 January 2014 - complete store shutdown (online and markets)
8 January 2014 - All shipping will commence.

We might be squeezing in some last minute markets in December (it ALWAYS happens) which we'll update as we get them.

Because of how crazy it gets we HAVE to have these dates decided and planned out. We will not be shipping or taking orders outside of these dates, so please take note if you order regularly from us (especially supplies and components or stock items).
All payments will also need to be done before shutdown.

And with this update done, have a great 1st of October people. Onward into Halloween month!

~CJ~

The dreaded I word...

Working in an industry (day job) where the words "price increase" strikes loathing into every customer.... I never thought Wonder Struck Inc, at its size right now, would have to even consider this a problem.

Unfortunately, after walking in to buy resin at my supplier and being slapped with just over 10% increase on my resin, silicone and catalysts.... I am going to have to use the dreaded phrase "price increase".

But don't fear. Current stock items, orders already placed and anything ordered, requested up until 14 September, will not see the increase.
This will only be on my resin items, as I'm still able to cover for my increases on all my other components.
There's also no postal/shipping increase.
Just on resin, as from 15 September.
I do wish I could wait till October for this, but it just cannot be helped :(

And on a brighter note...
Spring seems to have officially arrived in Gauteng!
I'll be posting a market calender for the rest of the year as soon as I've confirmed all my bookings.

Also...there's something in the works that I'm tightly holding thumbs for. More will be revealed if/when it starts happening.

Please remember that we also have a "money raising campaign" on Starme to raise dosh to buy loads of new molds. Spread the word and support please!

Sometimes...we can only move forward

Well, yesterday I felt really productive and the positivity I saturated myself in has seemingly seeped through to today.

How great is that feeling?

First of all... I have been itching, planning, enquiring about getting a whole stack of new molds in. But with this step comes a huge cost... Unfortunately.
So we'll need help on this step and have created a crowd funding campaign on Startme for this.
Please go join the site / spread the word for support of our campaign.
Our goal is to get AT LEAST 30 new molds in (in multiples) so that we can give you guys more to choose from.
But getting in as many as possible at once will be rather more practical that doing this in pieces and stretching over months and months.
So guys, readers, likers... Help us reach our target in the next 29 days! Please.

Then. To support this aswell. I'm planning flash sales. A chance to get non-online listed stock for VERY low prices. This will be going to our "mold fund" as well. Yay!

But instead of doing a whole wack of stuff over one 24 hour stretch. I'm doing 5 hour stretches of limited stock.
This will be the LAST sale for 2013.
Get your Christmas pressies early while we're at it ;)

Keep your eyes on the Facebook to claim.
When you spot what you want. Comment with the number of the picture and YOUR email. First comment on that item will get an email with payment details.
Proof must be received by the end of the day or the item goes back into stock.
I'll be doing something similar on Instagram for the PayPal peeps.

Have fun with it and for today....have an awesome one!

CJ

Hello Spring...

Oh yea the whole "Spring" thing can get old, but I don't care.
It's Spring! Unfortunately the end of Winter means packing away my warmer scarves and all my gloves :( .....but it's the season of rain and flowers and gardening and night markets! Etc etc.

But on to shop updates ;)

Geek Fest was good. Very good! The number of people that came was awesome!
To everyone who dressed up, you guys rocked!
To other stall holders (Plushie Heaven, Reigning Red, amongst others) it was GREAT meeting you guys and I hope you all did really well.
We did.... To my assistants for the day Maruchka and Wes, love you both so hard. And I wouldn't have survived the day without either of you.

We're back at HQ now, carrying on with the cleanup/out and making a few pieces for stock and finishing some carry over orders.

I really do need to update what's still in stock so I can open the Etsy store again. I'll be updating the MyStall as well. Patience please!

I am considering ....to maybe have a *flash* sale 24 hours for whatever stock ISN'T loaded on the online stores as yet.
Once off prices that I will not repeat again.
But guys please, I will not hold this stock. Payments will need to be done and proofs sent on the day. If you're with FNB I'll even accept ewallet payments.
If everyone is game on getting stuff for as much as 50% off, we'll need to see what day would suit everyone that's interested.
So... DETAILS TO FOLLOW.

I'm hoping to get another market in before the end of this month, probably at Walkerville. This market happens EVERY Saturday and is quite cool. There's home brewed beers, fresh bread, homemade goats cheeses.... And, it's out in the farms.
I'll post their details once I've confirmed a stall.
Heatherlynn from the Journeyman and I will most probably be sharing a stall under the name Wander Land. Yup...dead serious.

Otherwise..... Our next Market to date will be:

28 September, Saturday ~ Wyetti Craft Market. 11 Wargrave rd, Henley-on-Klip.

Any submissions for this blog about your store, you as a model/photographer, must please be emailed by the 28th September so I can do the blog post on 29 September.

If you need stats of my blog, email me before then so I can send them to you.

Email: wonderstruckincza@gmail.com

And.... Have a great Wednesday peeps.

~CJ~

Post Easter buzz....

Well I hope everyone had a delightful and blessed Easter weekend.

We have now moved stalls at Wyetti Market, which was as busy as can be expected over the long weekend/Easter/Rand Show ...so sales were dismal. But the company was great...even under all the drizzle. At least we never got rained out.

Wonder Struck and KopyKat (Heatherlynn) are hoping to get stall space for the R59 Shed this weekend, and again for the R59 Shed's night market on 26 April.

If you want some low priced deals on some of our makery, follow us on Instagram: zoocatty

Also don't forget to visit our stores. All of them are linked here onto of the blog ;)