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...

Home mixed tea and oil burnt evenings...

Its a night before a market usual.

Saddlewood and chamomile oils burning.  Our own tea mix freshly prepared.
Cat sleeping over the whole workroom couch and anime on the laptop.

We're doing final prep for a small village market at the Henley-on-Klip Apostolic church tomorrow.
Then we go into preparing for a Friday night amd Saturday at The Shed on R59 for their Beerfest weekend.

There HAS been alot to update on the blog about, but I just haven't been able to get to it all.

The night market at The Shed
What a good evening! We really did so well on the sales front, and we got such a varied bunch of people passing and supporting the vendors. After all, we're there to supply you with a fix of awesome goodies ;)

The Medieval Market
It was a blast amd a huge success, we ended the evening watching firedancers amd watching a pretty cool band perform.
It was also great having so many of you coming to say hi and get our details.
You all made the day really worth it.

Since then, we have had the AMAZING John from Nuclear Design revamping our online branding.
We've been working on some new ideas.
Sorting out the workroom (its not 100%, but the difference is already noticeable).
And well, all the freelance jobs are keeping things busy here.

We have lots and lots and LOTS of great items still in stock, as well as adding a few new oddities.
So its generally never boring here.
One thing has slowed things down though is the crazy Post Office strikes. It has basically put a halt on just about everyones online sales, which is disappointing.
We're looking for affordable alternatives to offer.

We have also started looking for brick and mortar shops to stock with our items, one of those shops being a newly opened tattoo parlour, Silver Dream Tattoos in Boksburg.
More stores will hopefully be interested and we'll send the addresses so you can go get your fix, pretty much 90% of the week amd month.

So yeah,  September dragged us into crazy again, but at least the lost feeling doesn't linger ;)

Have a happy Friday and a brilliant weekend! ★★★★★★★

Burnout and soulful wellbeing...

Beginning of this year, I started collecting reading material from marketing gurus and social media entrepreneurs,  with the intention of getting time to self study (still trying)... and I've joined many pages that give daily snapshots of ideas and advice.

Several times, crafty online sellers have repeated the term "burnout" in my social media timelines.
I kept thinking, burnout? Doing something I enjoy this much? Really?

Well...when its part of what you need to do to earn a living (or part of it), yea, burnout is real.
I have been on a downward spiral over the last 3 - 4 months (if I take an honest look at thigs).
Everything feels like its going wrong, the business' budget feels limited (and you keep getting the urge to splurge), running out of basics that seemed like you had just restocked on mere days before. And sleep...erratic,  nearly nonexistent patterns of "rest".

I am sure, very much so, that I am not the only self supporting crafty that feels any of this.
So I reached out on email to one of the social media entrepreneurs whose page I'm on and she waved a virtual finger at the list I sent.
There were no defined work hours (in a crafty business? Yes).
When I had a day job, Wonder Struck Inc had enforced work hours. And off days.

But how do you grow your business when you're defined by hours and days of work?
The answer I got was: How do you run and grow a business successfully when you cannot function to the best of your ability?
As humans we need sleep, we need rest, we need sunlight and air and healthy food and exercise.
No matter how many hours you work, if you're burnt out....nothing is going to go right.
If you're elastic about the systems and bidgets you've put inplace, nothing will go right.
When you pull at the threads of sanity and process, something is bound to give in.

So...with more experienced mentors that social media has made available to me (and others), I go back to the drawing board, go back to what I outlined amd work again from there.
Define my work hours, rest hours, off hours...

And all this in a run up to our first 2 markets of Spring! After a rather renewed soulfilled weekend, yup, I can handle it woth a fair amount of sanity.

How many other crafties don't allow themselves some off time, all in the self inflicted pressure that comes with having your own business? No matter how small, I think we all do.

So the word burnout is now officially in my work vocabulary,  and I felt what it was... and its not what I wanted Wonder Struck Inc to be about.
So, now to get back on track!

Go out and have a fantastic week crafties and handmade enthisiasts!

Crazies...market prep.

With something as big on our market calender as the Medieval Fayre, we want to be prepared.
And we want to have an awesome stall for you guys to visit and buy our awesome wares.

So preperations started about a month ago when we got our stall confirmation.
But it never feels like you'll be ready in time!

Heatherlyn (The Journeyman) and myself (Wonder Struck Inc), also started planning out our Spring market calender with "fixed" markets that have a monthly schedule going.
So we're not *just* preparing for the Medieval Fayre...

On 5 September (Friday), those around the Walkerville area will be able to find us at the monthly Night Market, which happens at a great indoor venue, The Shed.
We try go out of Winter to this market, which has a fantastic atmosphere and has amazing handmade stalls and food vendors.
They're also open every Saturday, though, because of other scheduled events we don't really make it out there as vendors on Saturdays.

6 September (Saturday) we'll be heading out to The Neigh-bour's Magical Medieval Fayre. This is taking place at Ball & All Driving range, right across from the Lion Park.
Alot of people haven't taken note, but it starts at 3pm.
Some on the events page have complained about it starting so late, but please be understanding to vendors coming from far and wide. (We ourselves live just over an hour away from this venue).
Some vendors go to great lengths with their setups and presentation, and have to often arrive about 2 hours before opening time of an event.
This all helps create the atmosphere for the event... so come join us from 3pm until late and enjoy it anyway (which we bet you will).

27 September (Saturday) we are aiming to be at Walkerville Farmer's Market.
Also, such a great atmosphere to this venue.
We will be aiming to make it our market at the end of every month (unless there's big events we can book into).
Even if handmade isn't your thing, this venue (like The Shed) has craft beer on tap, fresh food vendors and even farm fresh cheeses and organic fruits and veggies.
(Hence it being a farmers market).

.... but right now, still in August, we're busy with getting stock made/marked/packed.
I'll also be doing some MINOR custom modifications at our tables.
Specific length extension chains, longer chains, shorter chains.
You can also bring costume jewellery for MINOR repairs to us (replacing jump rings, resetting certain pieces, re gluing) which WILL carry a small fee if its not one of our items.

Then, some people I want to feature on the blog have already agreed to be "interviewed". So once I have the layout and questions ready to send to them, we'll be featuring some really really great handmade ladies.
Please bear with until then.

In the past few weeks I have also started sorting out the Wonder Struck Inc workroom/office.
Well... I didn't think it would look as bad as it does. I know I'm not even halfway with it and putting everything the way I want, but when I'm in neat freak mode it can be nerve wracking during the process.
Also finding alot of older pieces that I packed in a box as there was absolutely no interest in the past for them, and now that I've started uncovering them.... there's a flush of want for them. Go figure.
So reworking on those has commenced too.

Order books for supplies and customs is still closed.
Also, I'm waiting in anticipation for items to arrive from the States that I've ordered, in very limited quantities, with about 80% already booked/paid for.
Now its just the wait for their arrivals.
I'll be looking to re-open the order books probably just before our Spring markets. I'll only be taking 2 supply/custom orders at a time, until I can afford a trainee to come in and help me part time.

Shew, ok, didn't think I'd fit a blog post in this week, but here you are.
Now, back to sorting out and doing admin so I can start Monday off a bit more organised ;)
Have an absolutely fantastic Sunday, and week ahead.
Until the next blog post ;)

Sunday work and relax...

Another Sunday spent working...
Its crazy working for yourself sometimes, because work hours, become all hours.

Almost 2/3rds through with packing for the next market.
Though, not sure if I'm helping by adding a constant stream of new items while packing. But hey, the ideas just won't stop coming.
Necklaces, bracelets, rings, brooches, earrings and some other bits are going to be filling the Wanderland tables:

5 September - we'll be at the Night Market at The Shed. 18h00 - 22h00
6 September - The Magical Medieval Fayre. 15h00 - late

Heatherlyn and I almost can't wait to be back out at markets, and we're even more excited because it'll be Spring!

For those waiting for the order books to open for resin supplies and customs, please be patient a bit longer.
As soon as these last 2 orders are done, there's alot on the blog TO-DO list that I want to get done before re-opening the order books.
So hold on a bit longer!

There's some new items coming in, in limited quantities. Go over to our Facebook to see some of what we're doing, even though our blog updates may be quiet.

See you in the next entry ;)