Busy Bug!

June is supposed to be a quiet month traditionally............but not this year.  I'm still trying to launch new products and new fabrics for the mini bunting boards but am also receiving lots of enquiries through the website for bespoke work.  Variety is great and often new ideas spring out of customer enquiries. 

I'm in the process of designing "Pirate Loot" bags for a Party Planner, aprons for some very special Teachers and Teaching Staff.  The Mini Bunting Board range is due to expand with some pretty florals, great for girls of all ages, some Elephant themed fabric, and for the boys dinosaurs and diggers!

The new Covered Button Hair accessories were a real hit at Arnold Carnival too.  I hope to get them on the website too but they do require a huge photography session!  If you can't wait then take a sneaky peak on Facebook, just follow the link and please like my page.

Teacher Gifts, flannels, cute apple magnets and apple bags have been well received too. 

Looking forward to finishing designs off and getting them onto the website (nudge, nudge hubby!!).

Joanne

It's Flying again!

That's time again. The reason I've not posted for sometime is the usual 'life' together with some technical problems. Since my last post I've been away with the Family for a much needed break. We had a week in Malta, a beautiful place and the perfect tonic! My husband who manages my website and all things technical has been very busy with his business launching a new office in Newcastle (www.solutionsforaccounting.co.uk). And here in the Bug Headquarters I've enjoyed creating some new products using fabric covered buttons. Hair bobbles, hair slides and magnets all made with fabric covered buttons will debut at Arnold Carnival this weekend. As will teacher gifts. Teacher gifts will hopefully make there way onto the website this weekend, pictures are already on Facebook. The range includes cute apple bags, apple magnets and "Top Teacher" Flannels - practical gifts and priced between £2.50 and £3.00 they make a perfect token gift for teachers and TA's. So Arnold Carnival looms this weekend, I really look forward to this event each year and this year I'm joined by Kirsty of Kirsty's Contemporary cards and Emma from Beyond Benefits. The Carnival has great free entertainment all weekend. Lets hope the sun shines!

It's late! Well this post is not late, provided I finish it in the next 45 minutes, it's just very late in the day!! I'm aiming to post a blog every Wednesday at least. I've kept up with it so far, but this week has been exhausting! The Fabric Bug workroom has been a bit neglected. We went away for the extended weekend, had a fab weekend with lovely friends, some we haven't seen for years...had plenty of sun and a great catch up! So there hasn't been much activity with the Fabric Bug, nor any movement on the 'to do' or 'to create' list. However I have enjoyed some lovely feedback this week from customers. One customer called me "Super Woman!", not sure of that but it is always great to receive feedback. I've now have a couple of days to replenish stock and carry on with the new designs. I'm at Bawtry on Sunday, at the New Hall, for those that don't know Bawtry it is a lovely town, with some great shops and eateries, well worth a visit and it really springs into life over the weekend. Fab 'individual' shops and always a warm welcome. Next week I'll be gearing up for Etwall Well Dressing which is always a busy weekend, if you've not seen Well Dressing before, it's a Derbyshire tradition and well worth seeing. So if you're near to any of my events do pop by and say hello. Hopefully my new lines, toy storage bags and new goody bags will be available soon, so watch this space. Joanne

Busy Bug........... Well, this time of year is supposed to be less busy with events giving me chance to keep on top of everything.........yet I'm busy both with The Fabric Bug and family life. Last weekend I went to a Craft Fair at Mapplewell in Barnsley, it was a great event and I met lots of new people, I also got signed up to do more events in that area later in the year. It's always good to try new areas and there were some lovely crafters there (yes I spent...occupational hazard!). In my workroom (called the 'Bug Room' in our house) this week I've been completing some bespoke orders......it's often customers that give me inspiration for new ideas. I've completed father and son aprons (XL and tiny!). I've also been doing quite a few of the bunting boards, more aprons...and yes more aprons! The new designs for the Personalised Toy Storage Bags are still work in progress! And the new party bags haven't even begun! It's a hectic weekend with the Family this weekend and catching up with some old friends so having the weekend off from events. But have a full 'to do list' ready for next week. Thanks for stopping by. (Hooray....proud I've managed to keep to my promise of weekly updates) Joanne

A new beginning...........

Well, it may be a bit late for new year resolutions but it's amazing what a few days away can do to inspire you! 

At Easter I had a few days in Valencia with the family and did quite a bit of 'business' thinking!  Top of the list when I got back was to update the blog and make a commitment to it!

Having caught up on the orders ..........I'm finally on it!

So, another event to look forward this weekend, off to Barnsley for the first time.  The lovely Helen Johnson invited me to attend the Mapplewell Village Spring Craft Fair this Saturday 27th April. The last time I met with someone from Barnsley it was a WWII Veteran who had successfully escaped from Colditz!!  Looking forward to meeting some new people at Mapplewell it sounds like Helen and her friends have a great selection of craft stalls at the event so hopefully it will be a good day.

In the "Bug Room", this week I've caught up on orders, finally got the Miniature Bunting Boards on the website (Thank you Iain). Also, in the 'creating' stages are some new toy storage bags with new applique designs...so watch this space.

Thanks for reading and I promise it won't be so long next time!

Joanne

Southwell Minster Event & Update

Southwell Minster was a great day, despite the weather! It was well attended and the reception for some of my new products was great. It was great to see some familiar faces and some of the stalls were just equisite. It is so tempting to spend at these sort of events!

I am still hopeful that the new range will be on the website sometime in the next fortnight (Iain!) and I still have some ideas to develop.

Cromford Mill is a new venue for me, I will be there this Sunday and just hope that the weather is good so that people venture out.

If you fancy a trip into the wonderful derbyshire countryside then come and see me there!

Joanne

Life!

Well, my prediction that I perhaps wouldn't be able to keep my blog up to date regularly was correct!! To say that the last quarter of 2010 was busy is an understatement. It was great to be busy and to receive some great feedback at events but it was also exhausting! My Mum was enlisted to help and there were many late nights and early mornings! However post christmas I have caught up on sleep, housework, yet somehow we have arrived in Feburary (nearly in March), and my 'to do' list is still long...
So what's happening? I am designing some new products which should be on the website soon, some funky personalised cushions, some bird and bunny cute bags and in development are some easter and mothers day gifts. So keep checking the website. The idea's are flowing but time is ticking away all too quickly.
Events are being scheduled, the next one is at Southwell Minster on the 5th March, this event is wonderful, the organisers insist on all exhibitors selling hand crafted items only and it it a lovely setting (though cold!). Keep an eye on the Events tab on the website and do come and say hello if you are local to an event. Web orders are great but I really enjoy the events where I have met some great people, exhibitors and customers alike.

New year, new prodcuts and hopefully a few more entries on the blog!!
Joanne

Arnold Carnival with Sunshine!!

Hi

Had a great weekend at Arnold Carnival, a little cold on the Saturday, but having remembered to pack socks and a coat on Sunday it was glorious! Arnold Carnival is a great family day out and a 'fun' if busy event to do. There was plenty of entertainment, the stilt walker was fantastic. From a 'bug' point of view it was great, though I was on my own on Sunday, the busiest of the days. It was great to see customers that bought things last year returning and it's great to receive orders for Christmas gifts early (though a little unnerving as I can't help thinking I should be starting too). I also met up with someone I haven't seen since school (too many years ago to admit), someone I used to go to work with and a friend who we probably saw more of when he lived in Singapore than now when he lives in Arnold (that's what having kids with social lives does for you!).

Now I have to focus on getting ready for the the school fayres before a breather in August just before the start of the Christmas season.....

Joanne

Sunshine, Rain & the Start of Summer

Are we in Summer? I have done several events since my last blog. Southwell Minister was great, such a beautiful back drop, I have never set my stall out on a grave before! A very enjoyable event with some very talented people, the Minster insists on everyone handcrafting their wares which results in a truly wonderful variety of unique products. If I am invited for their Christmas event I can imagine it would be magical with the Minster decorated for the fesitve season - fingers crossed as it is a most popular venue.

White Post Farm was less eventful, not quite what I thought it would be and a little disappointing, again great people though.

Getting ready now for Arnold Carnival and then I have seem to have a lot of School Summer Fayres. The new gardening sets continue to be popular despite the weather! The hooded baby blankets are now on the website, each is personalised with either a duck or butterly design, and soon to be added is a moon and stars design.

I have various new prodcuts in the pipeline and I am already beginning to think about the Christmas launch!

So keep and eye on the website as hopefully new items will be appearing soon!

Joanne

Time!

Where did it go to? Yes time has gone quickly, I started my blog in September, sceptical that with the business, work and family life I wouldn't update it often enough....and yes unfortunately I was right. Since September I have had my busiest time ever, November particularly was busy beyond expectation and whilst it was tiring it was great to see some of the hard work pay off. I have had some great feedback on some of new and seasonal prodcuts. Post Christmas the plan was to concentrate on the website and look at optimizing it on the search engines, this has taken a 'back seat' partly because my poor husband (and website manager!) has been busy with his own business and partly because The Fabric Bugs has moved!!! Well, that is moved from the box room, to a much larger room downstairs! This has included redecoration, new flooring and lots and lots and lots of boxes from Ikea! All of which now means I have a purpose built workroom that looks fantastic and not only that everything is organised and I have space!

The 'Events' season is approaching, I suspended things for Easter whilst we got straight but May is extremely busy, I am really looking forward to Southwell Minster on the 16th May, a new venue for me but a most beautiful setting. So take a look at the events tab and come and see me and the new range. Especially for spring are the Gardening Sets, these have proved to be very popular already now that Spring has finally arrived. Also, coming soon, hooded towels for babies...Keep checking the website and hopefully I will be blogging more regularly! Joanne

I thought I would be brave and add to the Blog which Iain (my techy other half) has setup for me. I mentioned to him via email that 'we' should perhaps consider starting one. Two days later he had done it! - I am not used to him getting around to things so quick! I am completely new to this but will try and keep it updated.

I am currently getting ready for the Gedling Borough Show this weekend (aswell as counting down the hours until the kids are back at school tomorrow!). Arnold Carnival also run by Gedling Borough Council was a huge sucess so I have everything crossed for this weekend. I am hoping the weather will improve!

I have also been working on some new product lines, which hopefully will be on my website soon (Iain!). These include a new range of Children's Party/Gift Bags, some themed (Farm vehicles, Fairies, Gymkhana) and personalised ones with felt tags.

I am also starting on the Christmas stock! Reindeer food was a firm favourite last year, and this year I am launching a new style...in addition not only will there be the embroidered bottle and gift bags as last year but there will also be a new range of gift bags for Children. Again all the bags are made of fabric, re-usable and more environmentally friendly.

I will update you again after the Gedling Show....fingers crossed for some sunshine!

Joanne

Welcome to my blog!

Well, here it is, my new blog!

People have been saying to me for a while that I really should have a blog, so, here it is!

I setup my business, "The Fabric Bug" in April 2008 making personalised fabric gifts. Since then my husband's been developing my website, http://www.thefabricbug.co.uk/, in his spare time but can't keep up with all the new products I keep developing!

I'll try to keep this blog up to date on a regular (!) basis with new products and news about venues I'll be exhibiting at.

Please feel free to leave me your comments - I look forward to hearing from you.

Joanne