Business booming!

Hi Everyone,

It's been a bit of a crazy week since I got back from our trip. Orders have been rushing in from my etsy shop and I had my first sale on Folksy. I had kind of given up on Folksy as I wasn't sure how it's searches worked and didn't think you would ever actually be seen BUT someone happily found my wee man so I shall keep going with it! I got a lovely email to thank me for it so that was good.

I also had to do a whole set of new tshirts and babygros for the Cove as they only had one left. It feels great to know people are choosing my things and they are selling out! I left a few bags there too so hopefully they will get snapped up too...fingers crossed.

It has been hectic though fitting in all my orders, looking after J and also working elsewhere. I run an art group (which I love) with people with serious mental health issues each week. I have been there for about 12 years and really enjoy it and in an ironic way it keeps me sane as it means I have to step out of my bubble each week. It's also really inspiring as I love all the work that is produced and I really try to encourage people to develop their own styles, it's so great seeing people develop their confidence and individuality. One of the people who has been in my group since it began, said a while ago that I should be doing more of my own work and it really stuck with me and I think about that sometimes when I see how much artwork I am producing now. I really hope my business grows as it makes me so happy making things but it also needs to make us happy financialy. It's definitely going the right way so I will just keep on...& on...

It was the Big Bike Breakfast at J's school today, organised by  Sustrans  J was so excited that she woke us up extra early and she just couldn't wait so we were the first ones there! You got a free breakfast if you cycled to school today. I'm afraid I didn't actually cycle as I don't actually have a bike but I did push J most of the way so I think I did earn my snack. It was great seeing all the kids and the parents and lots of yummy croissants!! I also got a good game of Red Red River and Hide and Seek with J and her friends and everyone was quite hyper by 9 o'clock so I am now fit and ready to go for the rest of the day!

My plan is to sort out my business Facebook page and also get my head around Pinterest today. I did find 10 Top Tips for a perfect Pinterest page on a wonderful blog by Natalie Butterworth so I shall be following her tips wisely!

 © Copyright  Sam Miller 2012

All the artwork and text on this blog are original and belong to SamMillerUK. They must not be copied, used or reproduced without the permission of the artist. Thank you.

Home again...home again...

Hi, hope you had a good weekend. We had a great time and it really felt like we were away for ages. The ETSY sale was on Saturday at Seaham. It was a really nice day and there was some gorgeous work there and lots of friendly people but unfortunately it was not the big event I had been expecting. However it did lead to a great relaxing weekend of dragons, broomsticks and fun on the beach so it was all worth it.

I also came home to new orders too so that was great, got them all made and sent off today and I have been making more stuff for the Cove so it feels like I got some good karma from the trip anyway!

Belly Dancers at the event! It was slightly surreal having them dancing around the stands but really nice and a wonderful lady did some singing and I think she could easily have got a place on the Voice! (Must get her name). More details and other pics can be seen at  keepcalmevents.blogspot.com 

J loving a paddle at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. She had a great time...bless!

 © Copyright  Sam Miller 2012

All the artwork and text on this blog are original and belong to SamMillerUK. They must not be copied, used or reproduced without the permission of the artist. Thank you.

See you soon!

I'm almost ready for the big ETSY event this weekend. I've got lots of stuff to sell and I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone and seeing lots of lovely things. It feels like a special holiday, party and work all rolled into one! Sadly though I did break my wonderful new laminator in my excitement about getting things done as one of my tiny pendant designs got jammed inside, so that will not be for sale! I haven't dared tell A yet as I know he will say I was rushing...again! I'll tell him while we are relaxing in our hotel room/motorway services!! I will be back after the big event to tell you all about it and maybe see some of you there!
Have a lovely weekend X

keepcalmevents.blogspot.com 

For details of the event at Seaham, County Durham, May 5th 2012

 © Copyright  Sam Miller 2012

All the artwork and text on this blog are original and belong to SamMillerUK. They must not be copied, used or reproduced without the permission of the artist. Thank you.

Cute canvases!

Hi, I had a great meeting this morning with my very good friend Julie Read. We have started having monthly business meetings to support each other in our new quests. It's a really good way to judge what we've done each month as it's almost like handing in homework! Julie's really supportive and very good at helping me plan my next move and has come up with lots of suggestions about other places to try and sell my work. Got lots to do in the next month!

Julie's business portfolio-oomph.com is an online advisory service for people hoping to get in to art college and has lots of useful ebooks and stuff. Do take a look, it's a great idea, I would have loved it when I was applying for art college...oh so long ago.See Julie and her site below!

I also found some very cute tiny little canvases while I was out, only 7cm X 7cm. I think they are adorable and have spent the evening painting them, as they are so small it feels really relaxed and I think I might be addicted, I managed to get 7 done between moments of making tea, bathtime and bedtime and plan to buy more! This is one below and this is actually slightly bigger than the actual size. They are my new favourite things.

© Copyright  Sam Miller 2012

All the artwork and text on this blog are original and belong to SamMillerUK. They must not be copied, used or reproduced without the permission of the artist. Thank you.

New web design

Hi, hope you all had a great weekend. We had a weird day yesterday. My daughter had a trip to the seaside with Rainbows so me and A were left alone. I got a whole pile of ironing done and then I even let myself sit and relax. I actually fell asleep watching a film in the afternoon which I don't think I have done for the last 6 years! I must admit though I enjoyed it but I did miss the constant noise and questions and was glad to get my baby home again!

I have been inspired to make a new website for my business as I realise my Flash site is now out-of-date for people with these new-fangled phones so have begun working on a new HTML one. It is a bit of a cheat as I have used a template but I'm really pleased with how it is looking. My very useful geeky husband is also going to help me complete some of the trickier bits but I'm quite pleased with how much more professional it's looking. I'm hoping to have it completed this week so do look out for specail offers on launch day!

© Copyright  Sam Miller 2012

All the artwork and text on this blog are original and belong to SamMillerUK. They must not be copied, used or reproduced without the permission of the artist. Thank you.

Keep Calm and Craft On

 

Keep Calm and Craft On

I am doing a very exciting event next Saturday 5th May 2012, it's the first British ETSY event ever and I have a stand there. I'm really looking forward to meeting lots of other ETSY folks to see what they are doing. There is also going to be a table with lots of other sellers cards on and computers with ETSY shops. It's going to be an ETSY-FEST!

It all sounds great and seems so well organised by Paula Newman who I am really looking forward to meeting.
My daughter has even turned down the opportunity to go to a party so she can come and help and is planning to make me some special things to sell! The only slight downside is it is almost a three hour drive and starts at 10am so I think it will probably be a sleepless night and a very early start but I think the adrenaline will kick in and hopefully the buzz of many happy customers will keep me awake!

The event is at Seaham in County Durham, for more info please do visit keepcalmevents.blogspot.com  and if anyone is going to be there do please come and say hi, it would be lovely to meet you!

© Copyright  Sam Miller and KCCO 2012

All the artwork and text on this blog belong to SamMiller and Paula Newman KCCO. They must not be copied, used or reproduced without the permission of the artists. Thank you.

Lovely event

Hi, I just wanted to say I had such a lovely day yesterday at a Conference at Murrayfield. It was the annual Conference and Awards for Executive Secretaries and PA's which doesn't sound like the most fun event but I have not been treated so nicely at any event I have had a stand at before. The staff at the venue and the organisors were all welcoming, friendly and generous, I was given food and drink (including champagne) all day long and had a great response to my work. If you are planning a conference I would definitely recommend Mackay Hannah Ltd. http://www.mackayhannah.com/

I was also given a lovely goodie bag from the organisors as well as lots of little gifts for myself and J from Susan at the PA Exchange generously gave prizes and treats to anyone she could find! A big thank you to everyone there, what a lovely bunch! http://www.thepaexchange.co.uk/

© Copyright  Sam Miller 2012

All the artwork and text on this blog are original and belong to SamMillerUK. They must not be copied, used or reproduced without the permission of the artist. Thank you.