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.

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!

Amid the madness...

Well hello humans and beasties...(ie. The felines laying across keyboards).

Happy April Fools Day! ....or to everyone else, happy 1st of April.

What have we been up to:

We have now started lino printing our tee ranges for you peeps. Cannot wait to see you all wearing our handprinted and handpressed designs.

If you've been on our Instagram, by now you've seen what the first choice of shirts are. And we are so happy how they're coming out!

We have also (finally) started with the tees for Squareheads. We are putting out a series of linocut pressed tees for this collaboration as well.

Inbetween all of this theres orders in the molds, stock taking in the workroom, several post office visits....and getting ready for markets.

And speaking about markets...
WANDERLAND will be at The Shed this Friday night, and The Bowler on Saturday.
Come past and say hi.

Now... Back to work.

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!

All the pretty things...

Busy fine tuning the online stores at some ridiculous hour again... tell me something that's new. It is amazing, however, that it's not even midnight yet. It feels like it is...but it isn't.

So just what AM I busy with? ... hmmmm ;)

Agate and black glass leaf necklace

Black on UV magenta dragon brooch/pin

Mini razor blade resin pins

Monochrome owl head necklace

As you can see, new photos, new products... it's getting busy up in here!

And for those that want to grab some pieces for themselves we have some GREAT discount codes running on the site (for limited times)

Buy for $20 or more and you can use this code on checkout for ANYTHING in the store

Or... alternatively, if you buy for $35 or more, you can get FREE shipping with code: SHIPME

So go on over to the Etsy store and grab some awesome goodies or as gifts for during the year.

Also been doing stocktake during today, inbetween trying to take new photos of all the products in stock. How did I end up making so much stock?! ....my eyes are even twitching from all of it.

But feeling rather productive these last few days, considering all that's been happening and what I'm managing to get done.

We have LOADS of newness planned for here on the blog too, with some peeps asking for HOW TO's and such to be added. So keep spying in to see what we're going to make with you!

Busy asking around for some fellow crafties to put together bios and abouts so I can feature them on here too.

How rad will this blog be? I can't wait.

But for now... let me get back to work. Stock take and updates aren't over just yet. And there's coffee that needs to be made, which the dogs and cat haven't learnt how to make FOR me. 

Have a great weekend humans!

Autumn burns....

Well... What a way to start March.

As we've mentioned, Wonder Struck Inc and The Journeyman are now a market collective under the name Wanderland.

And our first REAL market as Wanderland was the great pumpkin weigh in at The Shed on the first day of March.

We were plonked between some snack stalls, and we didn't have such a great sales day, but it was great seeing old market friends, trying out home brewed beer, "tasting" wines, and well, just enjoying the day anyway.

Our next market is at The Shed again this Friday night for their monthly Night Market.
We'll have a full table again with some really awesome handmade work.

We'll be posting some pics and profiles of some of our handmade artist additions to our table, so you can see what else you can grab from us.

Loads of new stock will also be featured here on the blog with matching links to where you can grab them online for yourself ;)

Good things are happening this year, join us for the ride *yay*

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!

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 ;)