Shop Update!

Got a few new little bits been added to the shop today! My 'office' today is my bed. Gorgeous sunny day here in Hull so I've got the blinds up and I'm in my giant princess bed under the quilt with my laptop having a lazy -but still productive - lazy day! I love my job! Haha!

There's an exciting change on the way for The Polkadotte, once everything is finalised I'll be super excited to share it with you all! Just don't want to jinx it by divulging too much just yet! So in the mean time I'll be super busy planning it all and being all official and businessy!

Today's job in the mean time however is getting some new bits listed in the shop!
Did you know I photograph all the stock myself? I don't use stock photos - mainly because I don't like them but also because some of the items I make myself! - so they're are no stock photos! I like to try and keep the branding all the same so the photos flow and look consistant so I like to stick with a simple polkadot background and switch the colours up every now and then. What do you use for the backgrounds I hear you ask?!... I just print out some patterned paper! Nothing wrong with simplicity I say!

I like to try and capture 5 pictures of each of the items, different angles and close ups just to get a fuller idea of the piece that you're wanting to buy! It's surprisingly tricky to convey aspects of jewellery just simply through pictures - I'm one of those that love to pick everything up and feel it with my hands!

I can't just photograph my stock at any time of day or in any weather though! Dull days are terrible for photography - dim light means I'd have to edit the photo and turn it brighter which often ruins the white balance and can make photos look super blue or orangey yellow - which isn't nice and crisp like I like them to look! So on a lovely sunny day like this - photographing takes priority! Which can often mean having to cancel social plans just to jump on the opportunity!

Happiness

It's been a little while since I last checked in. As always.

I'm still at Muse, & working on The Polkadotte in every spare hour I have. Christmas went excellently, I've joined back at the gym & I've made some fabulous new friends. I'm in an unbelievably good place and I love to spread a little cheer around everywhere I go and try my best to stick a smile on someones face. I've learnt not to let things get me down - and if I do, I give them a day. Thats it. That's all the attention it gets, then I wake up the next day, fresh and happy again.

I'm such an advocate in encouraging people to do what makes them happy. Hate your job? Quit. People bringing you down? Leave them. Life if way to short to be unhappy. Find what you love and DO NOT STOP.

Markets & Fairs!

So with the decision to go into Part-Time work it's given me the opportunity to invest more time into The Polkadotte - which is perfect for me! Over the last few months I've been attending various markets & fairs to show the public what I have to offer and I've had the best time!

My first was a fair up in my Screenprinting Friends neck of the woods at Sewerby Summer Gala and it was a gorgeous day! As most market/fair traders will know the initial set up is pretty pricey! It's easy to forget that as a customer the amount of time and effort the person whos stall you're looking at has put in to attending that event! It literally took me weeks to prepare! Making stock, pricing up, marketing ideas, creating packaging, business cards etc, then after all that I had to decide on a layout!

It's been a lot of trial and error and with each stall I learn a little something different. It's also been super helpful to chat to some of the regular traders at the events because you get a better idea of what an average day at an event is. Nothing more disheartening than turning up on a bad week and not selling much, but it's a little reassuring to know everyone else is in the same boat :)

A few things I've learnt so far is obviously preparation is key and so is enthusiasm! Go into each event open minded and stick it out. You've paid for the full day - so stay! Don't overwhelm your customers with too much choice, be selective and keep things neat, makes its much easier for your customers to browse and see what really takes their interest. I'm still picking up little ideas and tips each time I attend and I'm also realising what really doesn't work, it'll be different for each person so just trial and error is best!