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...

When there's a wish

When you work for yourself, there is no such thing as sick leave.
As the sickies start over powering me, I'm trying to finish this list of orders that doesnt seem like its getting any shorter.

I also dont think that standing out in the cold on Saturday was my best life choice, but still so worth watching amazing bands and supporting a great cause.
To those who came past our table, thanks! Much appreciated.

The workroom, however, is flooded with stock and all attempts to sort out... have failed miserably.
We will fight on, especially after a bit of a Facebook sale for you peeps.
Ridiculous prices going, and we'll load pics for you to choose from.

The current big project happening on the table right now while I fight for my health, is a light box. Have this GREAT idea for one, and tthe concept is ready for execution, I'll reveal once done. ;)

Then, it seems I completely missed doing a HOW TO for you guys, because boring adult stuff needed to be done on Friday.... like renewing my drivers license. So apologies for that. With all the crazy public holidays this week I'll do a HOW TO entry so you guys can keep yourselves out of mischief.

May the force be with you!

Wintery fingertips...

While Autumn brings about cosmos on road sides and in fields, colour changes to the leaves and migrating birds,  it's also a great time of year for markets, people wearing colourful scarves till mid day.  Beanies and gloves in different colours. Leaves changing and falling like a colourful carpet on market grounds.
Even though this is a setup to Winter, I cant help my fondness for this season.

Its also when people wear less necklaces and bracelets. Rings and earrings become the most desired accessory choices.
I too tend towards rings in this season and winter, along with my rather extensive scarf and fingerless glove collection ;)
Because, everyone has their obsessions.

So, I'll be featuring loads more rings and earrings, but also I'd like to spot crafties who make wintery luxuries like scarves and gloves... give me a shout so we can load links to your stores and pictures and contact details.

Really hope you guys enjoyed the last HOW TO post, and that you've enjoyed all of them so far, if there's something in particular you want us to look for, let us know.
Right now though we're still fascinated by the polymer clay stuffs and have been scouring another video for you guys on polymer clay for this week's HOW TO.
Yay!

Alrighty, then markets for Wonder Struck inc.
Our next table setup will be at Sundowners on 26 April at Sundowners for the all day music fest "The War to end all Wars" which is being used to raise some monies for an all girls rehab centre for drug dependence.
So, all for a good cause and great music.
Its going to be great!
Hope to see you guys there.
We'll be sharing the event details on our Facebook (which you can connect to via the tab on top of the blog, or on the right hand side panel of the blog)

We haven't got anything else confirmed as yet for May, except on the first Friday for The Shed's Night Market.
But keep checking in to see where you can come buy from our tables around Gauteng South.

And...with that, have a fantastic Tuesday humans ;)

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.

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~

These are part of the whole...

No matter how small the business....it's always a learning curve.
I've been in corporate, manufacturing, retail (not in that order).... Done sales (internal and external), been a bookkeeper, PA and operations co-coordinator.
But an entrepreneur? Ha!

And that is where I am the lucky one to have a father with a logic second to none. As a production consultant and a man of processes, he's always there with advice, process, lists, costing and sensibility.
He doesn't avoid asking "why?" For the sake of my feelings.

As things run smoother and become better, from heeding the advice of my old man, I think Wonder Struck Inc won't just be more and more of a pleasure to deal with...but also a helluva lot easier to run ;)

And on the running side?

To our bunch of Facebook likers... Not JUST the ones ordering, but those that have hit the Like button. You guys make my day. You really do. As I see more people joining the page, the more I want to fight on for what I want Wonder Struck Inc to become.

To the Twitter followers. You guys too! Absent or not as I may be from Twitter updates....thank you for letting us on your timeline!

And after horrible market days and horrible sales days, knowing you guys are there peeking in, keeps Wonder Struck Inc on the positive side.

I know that businesses just starting out take perseverance, take fight...and that it's NOT easy being an entrepreneur.... If I didn't know it before this started.... I know it now.
I've been fighting for 4 years. Developing and changing and learning for this specifically....for 4 years.
And I'm not about to jump ship!

And on that note ... We'll be having our 3rd last Wyetti Market on 28 September.
Jenny, who has worked tirelessly and at great self expense (physically and financially) to create a GREAT venue for us...is calling it quits.
We have been with Jenny at Wyetti since 2010 and a lot of our market experience has come from our time and our stall space there. The last Wyetti market will be at the end of November.

My heart is sad to have that news, but we understand why Jenny has come to that.
We will be looking for another fixed market stall space for 2014.
I would love to say "we'll be looking for store space" ...but that may still be a ways off ;)

If you find yourself in Henley-on-Klip over the next three months. Come say hi while you still have the opportunity to visit a great market space with the most amazing atmosphere.

And... Until the next update.
~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!

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~

Change...of Season

Driving out of the Vaal this morning towards Johannesburg... I was just overcome by roadsides and fields of burnt oranges dotted with whites and pinks of cosmos...fresh after last night's storm.
The Suikerbosrand Reserve hung under a blanket of low lying clouds and the chill in the air hung about the silhouettes of tall evergreens reaching up to dark grey skies.
Just...wow.

And again I'm reminded why I moved back to the Vaal...why no where else in Gauteng feels like home and why I want Wonder Struck Inc based here.
A seriously misunderstood paradise...

Sigh

But...with the cosmos reminding us that Autumn is soon here...also comes our last Summer market at Wyetti.
We'll be stocking gloves from next month, and scarves and we'll be lighting the little fires around the market too.....
How great does that sound?!

Also....the last day for 10% off everything in our Etsy store...is the day of the market.
I might have to put the store into vacation mode for Saturday incase Etsy stuff sells at the market.
We're taking EVERYTHING with to the market...including new hairclips made with skully ribbons!

And hopefully this cold that I've recently acquired won't down me this weekend with so much planned.
Ergh.

Onward to a positive Thursday...

~Zoo~