Fibre East 2013

I'm just begining to recover from a busy weekend at Fibre East. The bags are unpacked and the banking is done, so it's time to review.

Firstly, I like the new venue as I can drive there in just under an hour and so didn't need to stay over and it was easy to find and park etc. I was in one of the marquees, but as they were on hard standing there was no tramping about in mud and there was penty of room for everyone to get round and see the stands. There was heavy rain overnight on the Saturday and some water did run through, but I and the people nearby had the put everything up off the ground or in plastic storage boxes, so no damage. Other weren't so lucky and had stuff in cardboard get damp.

I set up on the Friday afternoon, so I wouldn't be in a rush on Saturday morning and would be all ready for the customers when the show opened.  The only thing that struck me was that there were many different rooms and it did take a while for everyone to filter through and I'm not sure that everyone got round it all. My sales were actually down on last year by about a third, which is of course the bottom line and I was a bit disappointed. I did think that I would be up on last year as the weather was so bad then that people must have been put off attending. Saturday was busier than Sunday by a long way. Many of the other traders I spoke to had the same experience.

It must be difficult to find a venue where you can get so many traders under one roof though as at Wonderwool Wales and I think people will get more used to the school's setup for next year.

However, I don't want to sound as if it was a negative experience - I enjoyed the weekend, met some great people, stallholders as well as customers, and was very impressed with the efficiency and good humour of the stewards, not to mention the bathroom facilities!   

Here's some pictures of my stand and I've added the bolero pattern to my Ravelry store (I'm AnneWillow there):

I've been Culled!

Just a quick post - I normally steer clear of being even the tiniest bit controversial, but I'm just going to vent a little.

I've been removed from the one team on Etsy that I really enjoyed being on for not being active enough! They do have a point, I should have made some treasuries to promote team members' work - which is lovely by the way - and been a bit more active in "liking" and "favouriting" their items. I always thought "favourite" items were those that I was actively considering buying, but apparantly not - I should have used it as a promotional tool and not included former team members, not really comfortable with that.

It would have been nice to have had some warning though - I was just settling down to read through the previous day's chat, and maybe post a few comments, when I got an email saying my inactivity meant I was selfish, ashamed of my team mates and was therefore being removed!

I do feel a bit cut off, but of course I'll get over it. I have real life, with husband, family, friends, a job and a business, so I shouldn't be too cut up about an unpleasant email from someone I've never met and am never likely to. Vent over - I feel better already and can carry on getting ready for Fibre East. Set-up is on Friday, so I've got plenty to do.     

Knitting & Crochet Guild Convention

I've just got back from our convention weekend in Derby - what a great time! There was so much to do and every moment had an activity, workshop or talk.

We stayed in the Hallmark Hotel, which was so convenient as it was just two minutes walk from the station. I decided to go by train this year and I'm glad I did. It was the hottest weekend of the year so far and it would have been quite an ordeal to have driven up and back. I don't do well in heat - I'm more of a winter person and love snow!

Fortunately the conference room we were using was air conditioned and comfortable. It was great to meet people I already knew and to get get chatting with new people too. I did a workshop on hairpin crochet - a new technique for me, which was interesting. I'm glad I tried it, but it's probably not for me although you can make some beautiful fabric with it. As well as workshops there were interesting talks on aspects of the Guild's collections of patterns and garments, plus two outside speakers on (loosely) knitting related topics (ceramic tile designs and the olympics sports clothing). I enjoyed these - I don't think the weekend should be exclusively focused on technical details of knitting & crochet, although those are of course the main interest of the members.

We also had an exhibition of items from the collection called "in the nursery" focusing on children's wear, shawls and toys. some very old and all beautifully worked and inspiring.

Last, but not least, was the "show and tell" session, where members brought an item they had made and told everyone how they had made it and then passed it round for everyone to see and feel.    

I'm all unpacked now and can get back to getting ready for Fibre East. I'll dye the last batch of yarn tomorrow and then start getting my checklist of things I need to take with me up to date. At least, as I'll be commutng this year it won't be a disaster if I forget something initially.

July update

July already and I'm getting ready for a weekend away in Derby for the Knitting and Crochet Guild convention and AGM. It should be most enjoyable - workshops, talks, a show and tell and plenty of knitting and crochet chat, all in a plush hotel. I would have liked a pool too, to get a swim in before breakfast, but that's just me being picky!

Then in two weeks' time, there's Fibre East. With the change of venue, I can now commute from home in under an hour, so no need to stay over anywhere. Both hotels in the nearest town had terrible reviews on tripadvisor, and I mean terrible - you'd be better off sleeping in the car than staying there -  so I think I've dodged a bullet! I've been dyeing plenty and have just got one more colour to go. As ever I would like to have done more, but I think you just have to stop and make do with what you have. No-one will know what I haven't brought anyway.

I'm taking a new colour, Storm, that went well at Wonderwool, picured here. One skein is in the Etsy shop and I've got four more of a new dyelot to take with me to Fibre East.

There's been a lot of talk on Ravelry about theft at shows, both of stock (yarn and kits) and even a display shawl. I know people will steal anything, but it's very hard on small businesses where losses have a high impact on profit and it seems very personal. I know I'll be keeping an eagle eye on my yarn. From doing the markets, you do get a "nose" for people who don't seem "right". I always make sure I engage with them as soon as they come to the stand and never leave them unattended. They usually get the message and clear off. I had a scarf stolen at St. Alban's a few years ago, when I did let myself get distracted by another customer - never again! I started my working life in Selfridges department store and the training I got there has always stood me in good stead.    

And, yes, even as late as the seventies, it was pretty much like the TV show!

June Update

As usual, lack of blogging here means that I've been very busy!

June at St Alban's was, like May, reasonably busy after a quiet start. I didn't sell any of my cushions, new or older, which is a shame as they're fun to make, but I can't spend time making something that doesn't sell well. I did sell three of my cotton scarves though, so I'll have to get going on replacing them for September. I've put the remainder in my etsy shop until then, but so far not many people have even looked at them. I often find this - things that sell well at the markets just sit on etsy and vice versa!

I've started dyeing for Fibre East now and have done a couple of solid colours so far -cranberry red and duck egg (a pale turquoise). I'm dyeing the variegated ones next week to replace those that have sold out. I rather over-estimated how much I would sell at Wonderwool, so I've got a reasonable range already put by. The mini skeins went well ,so I'll try and build up a stock of them.

I went to the Kaffe Fasset exhibition "A life in Colour" last week as a birthday treat for my mum. It was truly inspiring. I hadn't realised that he also quilted and his use of colour is what really sets him apart. I would like to quilt, but I just need more hours in the day to do everything! I have seen his books on knitting and tapestry, but to see the items "in the flesh" and close up was wonderful. I will have to get my tapestry out again! How lovely for him to spend his life doing something that he finds such a pleasure - something to reflect on for us all.

I also went to Hampton Court for a day out with my husband, I loved how the tudor and later parts of the building meshed together. it was so big, it must have been like a self-contained village when it was operating as a palace. Sadly it was too windy and cold to look round the gardens too, but they alone would take a full day - we will have to go again to see them.

Back to winding and skeining silk now!  

Fibre East is coming

Still cold and almost wintery here, but my next parcel of silk has arrived from India and I'm getting ready to start dyeing for Fibre East at the end of July.

Mainly I'll be doing some old favourites, that I sold out of at Wonderwool, but I've got a couple of new colour combinations running around my head, that I'll be trying out, plus some other colours that customers asked for.

I've also got St. Alban's Farmers' market in June (9th) to make some stock for - I've got a couple of new cushions to take, plus I'm trying to get some more colours in my cotton scarves finished. As usual the "summer" is upon me before I'm really ready!

I'll be away from the market in July and August, so I should really think about getting stock ready for Christmas!

In the meantime, I'm going to the Kaffe Fasset exhibition in June with my mum as her birthday treat - we're both looking forward to that, it should be so inspiring.

Busy again - into May

Well, I still feel tired after Wonderwool, but am now getting back to normal. The next focus is Fibre East in July. I didn't apply for Woolfest (june), but might consider it next for year.

The yarn I had left is mainly in my Etsy shop now, with a smaller amount kept to take to Farmers' markets. I've got to order some more yarn and have a list of colours that I want to dye. It's funny how the colors that sell well online or in other areas didn't go at wonderwool, but others that I thought may stick went straight away. I was pleased that the new lace-weight yarn seemed popular and I'll be ordering some more in time for Fibre East.

Since getting back I've had several online orders and a busy morning at St. Alban's Farmers market yesterday - my bank manager will be pleased!

Fibre East is at a new (indoor!) venue this year and will be near enough for me to commute from home, which will be great. Nice as it is to stay in a hotel etc. nothing beats your own bed for a good night's sleep.      

February update

Well, January was a lot busier than I thought it would be! I was looking forward to hibernating a bit and getting on with some personal knitting - mainly a fair-isle pattern hat for my husband in his rugby club colours-  but business got in the way - which is good!

I went to St Alban's Farmers' Market in January and was expecting it to be fairly quiet so soon after Christmas, but it was really busy. Strangely, Harpenden market, at the end of the month and after payday, was quiet - so it's difficult to plan! I was fairly busy online as well, selling quite well in my new year sale and making my first lace-weight sale. I've now got a couple more lace-weight skeins in the shop and will be dyeing more as I work through my plans for Wonderwool. 

It's just hit me that I have only about 10 weeks to get all the yarn ready for Wonderwool, so I've done a stocktake, made a list and started dyeing. I did the first colorway yesterday - bottle green, a surprise hit at Fibre East last year - and will start stockpiling.

I'm off to St. Alban's on Sunday (10th) - the weather forecast is for rain and sleet, so I can't say I'm looking foreard to being outdoors all morning! I'd feel warmer of course if it was busy - last year was, so thermals on and fingers crossed!    

August - Holidays and looking forward

Just a quick post to catch up before we go away for a couple of weeks on Thursday.

I've got everything sorted out and put away after Fibre East now and have updated the shop - I'm not putting everything on at once, just keeping a nice balance of colours. I've had some sales, which is pleasing for what is usually a quiet time of year, and have set up my yarn club entries. I had to throw away my shoes and I've just cleaned all the mud off my walking boots - let's hope this year was a fluke and next year's weather will be great! Entries for Wonderwool open at the end of September, which will be my next focus.

My yarn is being featured in "Knit Now" magazine shortly - out 23rd August, which is exiting. I can't wait it see it in print. The shade they're using is "rose graphite" and of course I've just sold out of it - cue some quick dyeing to make sure I've got some in stock ready!
  
We're away on holiday later this week to the west of Ireland. You never know what the weather will be like, but it's always good to pack plenty of wet weather gear, though you can be surprised and need to buy sun cream and a bathing costume!  

I'll miss the end of the Olympics, which I have been enjoying much more than I thought I would. We don't live far from the park, so will go and have a look round when it's all over. I wonder if they will open the pool for public swimming? I would love to try a length or two!

Fibre East - 2

Here's a snap of our stall all ready to go on the Saturday morning. Fortunately, we didn't suffer from the damp, although some of the paper on brochures etc. had absorbed some moisture. We were a bit concerned that the whole thing would be cancelled, but as people were queuing to get in and all the stallholders had travelled to get there, not to mention boooking accommodation etc. we were glad it went ahead.

The pathways got gradually deeper and deeper in mud as the day wote on, but there were plenty of determined customers and the farm staff and the organisers did their very best with bark and wood shavings to make the marquees habitable! Most people had come well equipped with wellies or boots and we were lucky that none of our stock was dropped or splashed. It was good to see and chat with everyone and generally people were remarkably cheerful. In quiet moments you could hear squelching though as people walked about!

We were pleased to finish in at the end of the afternoon and it had even stopped raining! We went for a quick pub supper on the way home - I must mention the warm welcome and good food at the Chequers in Keysoe here - and it was a hot shower and an early night to get ready for the Sunday.    

Sunday had much better weather and the field had drained, although the mud in the marquees was still there and I did think that this put people off browsing amongst the stalls as much as they might have done. In any case, we still had plenty of customers and I'm pleased to say that my bolero pattern proved popular. It felt more relaxed once the weather improved and Mum spent some time looking around and watching the sheep shearing. It was her first show - I hope it hasn't put her off as I'd like to do Wonderwool next year. 

At the end of the day, we got packed up fairly quickly and I even managed to drive across the muddy field without getting stuck! The drive home was through hot sunshine and the pleasant Hertfordshire countryside and when we arrived, my husband had cooked a meal for us and my father was waiting to accompany Mum home.

I've now got everything unpacked and sorted out and yes, I would do it next year - we surely can't get the same conditions two years running can we?  

Fibre East -1

This was my first ever show and I think it went pretty well, in spite of the weather, which has been well documented elsewhere.

Mum and I arrived on Friday afternoon and got the stand up in about an hour. I'm glad I already do Farmers' Markets, so I didn't have to think too hard about the display. I meant to have a practice run-through at home before I set off, but of course ran out of time. At that time the field was a little damp underfoot, but the sun was out and we had even had the air conditioning on in the car on the way up!

I'm so glad we didn't even think about camping! Our nearby B&B was delightful and we had such a warm welcome from the owners, complete with tea and cake, when we arrived. It was just us and we had a comfortable suite - ideal for relaxing after a long day on the stall.

Then overnight on Friday it rained! We weren't allowed to drive onto the field in the morning, but luckily, I had put in waterproofs and walking boots before I set off - not really expecting to need them - and we managed to get to our stall reasonably dry-shod. Inside the marquee, we could see that the pathways between the stands were going to get worn and muddy pretty quickly and felt sorry for people who had a stand in a bit of a dip, where water was collecting. Ours was on a very small rise and so had remained dry. Leaflets and labels had absorbed some moisture from the air, but apart from that we were OK. All we needed were customers! 

Getting There!

Saturday at the Knitting & Crochet Guild AGM was a good day - it meant an early start to catch the train to Birmingham, but it was so nice to see people I had not seen since last year and the day was full of interesting stuff. I enjoyed seeing other people's work at the show and tell, although it was a little daunting to be first up in making my presentation. There was also a talk on the Guild's vintage pattern collection and I have been inspired to have a look at one from my own, very small, collection to see if it could be updated to fit me. I'm a good bit bigger than their model!

Well, St Alban's farmers market was as wet as I'd feared it would be, but I did sell a few bits and managed to get home in time to watch the tennis, so not a bad day. Managed to get the wet stock dried out overnight!   

I've just got to add pictures to my bolero pattern and it will be ready to print. Here's the front view:

And finally - I was contacted by Knit Now magazine recently and they're featuring my yarn in their issue out on August 23rd. How exciting!
  

July update

I'm still working hard and getting ready for Fibre East. I've finished dyeing now and am very pleased with the final batch of "mixed blues" that is now dry and ready to be re-skeined and labelled. I've decided to call it "cornflowers".

All the labelling and re-skeining is taking a long time, but I've still got about 10 days to go and I can sort of watch the tennis while I'm doing it!

I've got a day off on Saturday to go to Birmingham for the Knitting & Crochet Guild AGM - it's an early start, but I enjoy the train journey and of course, I'll be taking some knitting with me to be getting on with. The day starts at 11.30 with a "show and tell" session, where members can show off their projects. I'm taking a scarf worked on the diagonal with self-striping yarn. It's an interesting technique and the yarn makes for an effective pattern.

On Sunday I'm at St Alban's farmers market - hoping for a rain-free day, which may be a tall order this summer, a busy morning and an early finish so I can get home and watch the tennis final!

Working Hard!

Just a quick update - St Alban's market was good, sales were up on last year and the weather held up until I was on my way home. We had quite a run on tea cosies and are making sure we are re-stocked for next time, which will be July 8th.

In the meantime, I've nearly finished my dyeing for Fibre East - just on more colorway to dye, which I'll get done tomorrow. I had a look at the range of colors that I'd done and thought "I need more blues", so mixed blues it is. I've just got to do the sewing up and finishing for my bolero and I'm about two thirds of the way through the first draft of the pattern, so I'm sure it'll be all ready for the show. I've dyed a selection of five semi-solid colors to make it with, so people can buy the yarn to go with the pattern.

I went to a training session at our local business centre yesterday on social media and marketing run by a very professional lady called Jo Sealy. She packed a lot into half a day and I came away with plenty of ideas about how I could promote my business. Starting after Fibre East, I think an email newsletter would be a good way to go. I'll get started on that in my spare moments!

           

June update

June already! It has, temporarily, stopped raining and I'm getting ready for another visit to St Alban's Farmers' Market. Last month was pretty busy and I'm hoping that this month will be good too, although rain and cold are forecast.

We've been having a run on our cushions over the past few weeks, which is great - I really enjoy making them and I've got two new ones ready for tomorrow.

Apart from that I've been dyeing, dyeing and more dyeing! Plus I found that the new yarn base I'm using is slightly different to the old one, so the bolero pattern that I'd designed will have to be re-sized and the sample re-knitted! Doh! Shouldn't take too long though and I'll post a picture here when it's ready.  

May already!

Just a quick update - I'll be at St Alban's  Farmers market tomorrow and am looking forward to it. It's finally stopped raining here and the forecast is for a sunny day tomorrow.

I've started dyeing in earnest for Fibre East now, so for the next few months my etsy shop will not have so much new yarn, unless I get all the fibre east dyeing done early! I've made a list of all the colors I want to take with me and in what yarn weights  - it looks a heck of a lot. I just hope I can sell most of it! 

Pictures etc. to follow.   

March update 3

Firstly, here's a picture of my latest yarn shade - cantaloupe, like the inside of the melon!

As I said before, I was aiming for peach, but came up with this, which I really like, so if it sells well I'll keep it in the repertoire.

I've been doing some more dyeing today and this time have gone for a rich purple-plum colour. I'd also like to do some jade green, a colour I hit on by accident when I was mixing up another blend, but I will have to get down to making sure I have all the colours in stock that I want to take to Fibre East first.

Harpenden was a lovely market last Sunday. the weather was great, it was well attended and my sales were up on last year - ideal! I'm not at another market until Wheathampstead on 15th April, so I've got a few weekends free to catch up.

Knitting wise, I'm trying to concentrate on my summer stock now - cotton scarves and an alpaca & silk lace-weight stole. Pictures to follow.

Quick update

Here's a picture of the yarns I've got on sale at the moment - I arranged them in a basket for my Fibre East application and thought they looked good enought to share! I've just dyed some rose-pink too, which will be going on Etsy as soon as I can photograph it.

I went to a local school Christmas Fair last night, really to support a friend of mine who works there, but it turned out to be quite busy - just goes to show that things don't always go the way you expected!

Wheathampstead Farmers' Market last Sunday was rather quiet - disappointing for pre-Christmas and I think I'll have to review that one at the end of the season. So far this year I've lost money by going there and you don't need to be on Dragons Den to work that out!

I'm at Harpenden Christmas Carnival on Sunday - looking forward to it as it's usually fun event and sales should be good too. I've been making up some nice colorful hats as the weather's getting colder - they should be all ready by then.

I'm on Twitter now too - see the button on this blog to follow us!

A Busy Weekend

A busy weekend is coming up!

I'm at a garden centre christams fair near Royston, Herts. all day tomorrow (Saturday) and then at the ususal Farmers' market at Wheathampstead on Sunday morning.

It's the first time I've been able to go to the Garden Centre fair, although they have asked me in previous years - let's hope it's succcessful as it's a long way to go and I'm having to take my own table! Wheathampstead could be OK or people could all be waiting for the Harpenden Christmas carnival, which is the week after and is usually very busy.

I'm getting ready for the next Fibreholics round too - out 1st December - and have been busy dyeing this week - check out my mini etsy feature for a couple of new shades of yarn.

And finally, I've applied to Fibre East for a stall at next year's event - if I'm accepted it will be my first show.

More October

After a busy week last week, it's been quieter, but I've still got loads to do!

I was at Wheathampstead last Sunday and sales were actually good! I think people are starting to think of their gifts in good time this year - it's always better for me if sales are steady over the whole of the autumn rather than a big rush at the last minute as it gives me time to replenish things that have sold well.

I had a good day in Birmingham last Saturday and was able to get plenty of knitting done on the journey, plus the meeting was successful and I met some nice people there.

I'm off to Harpenden this Sunday and am hoping for good sales. The weather is forecast good and dry, even if it will be a bit windy and Harpenden is always a nice place to visit. Some of the shop owners there don't seem to like the Farmers' market and resent that there are stalls near their shops on one day a month - these are usually the shops that aren't open, so I don't see what they are complaining about, especially as the market does draw people into the town.

The yarn is begining to sell online now, which is very pleasing - I was thinking I would end up using it all myself! I'm debating whether or not to take a stall at Fibre East next year and really launch the yarn. My mum can come and help me man the stall and it would be a fun weekend, so I'm moving towards "yes". I think the bookings open in November, so a couple of weeks yet to finally make up my mind.