04 December 2010

i'm grateful for . . . small business opportunities for work from home mummies

Greetings all,
I'd like to join in Maxabella's 'i'm grateful for . . .' Saturday with a big shout out to one hell of a great business that supports small businesses/ cottage industries, in particular - those of us who work from home.  Handmade is now this mega power with a Market attracting 160 stalls & 10 000 strong crowds; a Shop which is a traditional Designer's Collective where 170 designers lease space in a beautiful retail outlet & get 100% of their sales; & now Handmade Living - the book which launched today to much excitement with over 50 designers!!  I'm involved in all 3, yippee!!  That's a lot of support for a lot of small businesses, many of whom are work from home mummies & for the love of Handmade!!
I had been in my own small business around my growing children for 7 trial & error years when Handmade started 2 years ago & pow, the income it's generated, exposure i've had & opportunities are endless.  So thank you to Julie Nichols for being a super savvy businesswoman, creating a niche which Canberra & Australia didn't even know they needed & maintaining my dream of being a full time mummy & housewife with a bit of sewing on the side!! 
 My first two customers of the day bought 27 brooches!!
 I sold out of Handmade Living books!!
 My broken lantern worked a treat as a brooch container!!
 My 6 pack Christmas fabric bundles were a hit.
 As always, sold more knitting needles in Summer than Winter??
 My small stall rain plan also included water proof bunting (it's simply laminated Kikki-K wrapping paper & it worked so well i'll try making triangle flags next time rain is forecast.)
 So i asked my 9 year old to take some shots of the official & fancy Handmade Living Marquee where they were launching the book.  She quite literally took shots of the marquee . . . I couldn't stop laughing when i uploaded these shots!!
 check out the sky
 Yep, that's a marquee alright!!
This was more like it, look at author Tania in action, it was incredible in there, so much talent!!
Today was extra fun as i got to meet so many people who follow my blog.  I'm not sure how many bloggers out there who don't blog for their business . . . get to meet as many of their followers as we market stall folk do!!??  Special hello to Dzintra, Kerry, Catherine & all the lovely smiles from people saying hello today!!  EDIT: Sorry, just remembered i finally got to meet the lovely Hilary of Quilary blog, sorry darling, great to meet you!!Ok, exhausted, let me know if you want a copy of the book, i'm picking up more on Monday!!  Remember mine come with a gift & only $6 postage!!  Love Posie

30 comments:

Kate said...

Your stall looked gorgeous, well done on a great day!

Chantal said...

Congratulations on a successful market. It's lovely to see you getting great results for all of your hard work.

Corrie said...

yay! was wondering how you went today! I miss doing handmade!

corrie:)

Thea said...

I wish I could have been there. I had to smile at your 9 year old... at least she listens to you. x

NessaKnits said...

So glad you had such a good market and all those marvellous knitters lining up for needles!

Maxabella said...

Brilliant! I am so glad it went so well. You must have been over the moon when that first customer walked away with all those goodies. Well done to you, sweet Posie. x

Christy said...

Congratulations - love the photos taken by the kiddo

Cate said...

I agree with Thea - at least she was listening to you!! Classic - it's funny the things we don't remember to explain :-) Glad it was such a successful day. xxxCate

Felicity said...

Fantastic to read of your success.
I love your enthusiasm and innovation and it's wonderful to read of others who are sharing their gifts to lift you and others higher.

Enjoy the 'rest' of your weekend,

Felicity x

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Oh Jennie I had a ball today...I'm so glad we came up...and so looking forward to Friday's party!!! I keep looking at the things I bought today and am loving the book...so much beautiful stuff in there...You gals are all sooo talented!!! Thank you for the special hello, I am so pleased to have met you...Love Dzintra♥x

Heidi said...

I'm so happy for you. thats wonderful ,just wonderful! It just makes your heart sing when something you have put your heart and soul into and someone else finds the same joy!!!!in your creation.

Kerry said...

Jennie, your stall looked so fabulous and you are gorgeous. So full of energy and loveliness...it was so great to meet you :)

Brenda @ 13 Acres said...

Wow what a post!!! i am green with envy when i see such a lovey market that i can't get to!! and wow-ee what a fabulous first customer you had!!! i pre-ordered my copy of HAndmade living months ago and can't wait for it to arrive. i feel like it will have extra special meaning as I've come to know so many of the contributors through blogging!!! Have a great Sunday xx

Just Martha said...

Congratulations Posie that all your hardwork has paid off! A-n-d I l-o-v-e that marquee!!!!

Jennie said...

What a wonderful post!
Well deserved success for all your hard work and beautiful products!xx

Beck said...

Great post Jennie! Loved seeing your stall, it looks fantastic. Funny about the marquee shots, ha! Well done on another great market, with all the hard work you put in you must be so thrilled xo

Sheila said...

Well done, everything looked totally fab!
x

Anonymous said...

I hope the rain held off for the whole market - was hoping the storm only hit the southside in the middle of the afternoon.

I would have loved to have made it to the markets, but a trip to the store on Friday had to do me instead (and another trip there this week to pick up my preordered book).

So pleased it went well for you :)

Kelli

Mimi said...

Congratulations on a successful day! Hard works pays off! Mimi x

Kelly Casanova said...

Sounds very exciting, glad you had a great day.

Bec said...

Oh what an amazing market!! Your stall looks Fabulous! Maybe ill have to do a drive down to Canberra! Any chance of a Sydney one?? Are you going to Sew it together?? xx

Wynona said...

Jen, your stall was gorgeous! So good to hear about your success, it's inspiring and so well deserved. Thank you fir all your help and advice, forever grateful xxx

Christie - Childhood 101 said...

Wow, your stall looked amazing. I am so glad that you had a great day, I would have loved to have been there :)

Irene MissyMinzy said...

Congratulations on the big successful day, Jen. You have always been an inspiring woman. Reading your blog has always so motivating to keep the ball rolling for me. Well done once again! xo

quilary said...

Oh the pleasure was all mine to meet you!!! You stayed so bubbly and enthusiastic all day! (How did you go when the rain came bucketing down later in the evening?)
I had a fantastic day - I loved the markets and the terrific stalls and the lovely people and the wonderful variety of beautiful crafts and handmade goodies. So much Christmas present shopping done and so much fun had doing it!
I'm still sore from walking all day Saturday and Sunday at the old bus depot markets, so I feel your pain a bit too! Love quilary :)

Market Girl said...

Lovely Posie where would Handmade be without gorgeous people like YOU? it is our pleasure to have you be part of it all.
Love Julie x

Cathie said...

wow, everything looks amazing!
what a great day for all the mummies out there.
you are just simply amazing Miss Posie, well done.

Sally said...

Great marquee shots! Love 'em... oh yeah... and loving all things handmade too!

♥.Trish.♥ Drumboys said...

Well done on your successful market day.
A gorgeous grateful post.

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