fizzi~jayne makes.... is 3 today!

I can’t believe fizzi~jayne makes.... is 3 years old! Where has the time gone?

I am so grateful for all the support I get, every sale and every lovely comment still makes me want to jump up and give a hi-five, but, so I don't look like a crazy lady I just have a big smile on my face and go "whoop whoop" in my head instead.

I'm coming up to my second year of running my business full time too and what a great second year it has been. I looked back on the post I wrote for Emma's blog (The Vintage Good Life) last year about the benefits and challenges of being self employed as well as what I learnt in my first year of running a creative business. It is still relevant and I still have the same highs and lows as well as the Bon Jovi t-shirt! If you missed it the first time you can read it here. 

This year I have been more focussed by having specific goals and plans to make them happen, which meant I feel I have achieved more and finally launched my own website.

Also this year ....

An exciting opportunity came about only a few weeks ago to have my products stocked in a new shop in Royston - No.3 Royston and I've already had to restock after the first week! 

Find No3 Royston at 3 Melbourn Street, Royston SG8 7BP

My Coasters in the shop.  A selection of my handmade cards and wall hangings are also available at No3.

I'm a regular at Royston and Little Fox craft fairs which is great as I get to meet my customers from the area and I've made friends with other stall holders who are also a great support network.  Plus, I've had returning customers for bespoke orders and my order book is constantly full up!

So I have been a busy bee and I have more exciting things to come. I still feel that fizzi~jayne makes.... is work in progress as I'm learning everyday and there is still stuff on my to do list from 3 years ago, but isn't that life? I'm hopefully taking the right steps, albeit baby ones, in the right direction to running a successful business.

Remember one of my 2015 goals was to relaunch my online shops and grow that side of my business? This started with my website and as part of this I relaunched my Folksy shop back in May. With the success at launch, craft fairs and my first stockist I now need to focus on production. This is now my focus for the next couple of weeks and I hope to have new products available soon.

One of my own development areas needed is to be more efficient with my time.  I still follow these time management principles but I still find myself saying "there is never enough hours in the day" too often and I still have the same as what Albert Einstein had, right?! 

With resources from Business Bakery I am starting to use a time sheet to see where I waste time or don't focus on the right things. Do you follow Business Bakery? I recommend them as a useful resource and inspiration for small businesses.

Source

So what have I got planned for the future....

I'm currently making products for my Folksy shop, the craft fairs I have booked as well as No.3 Royston. I am also working on my Christmas range, it's only 100 more sleeps!! 

I have a list of ideas I want to develop, some of which I hope to be available this year (although that maybe too optimistic) but some I know I'll have to put on hold until 2016.

I'm also looking into starting workshops, watch this space....

Thank you for all your support, each year gets better and I'm so grateful that I'm kept busy and get to do what I love everyday (well almost, the admin is more of a chore but hey I can't complain!).  

I hope the next year will be just as busy and exciting.

fizzi~jayne x

and the results are in.....

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete my survey! I really appreciate your feedback and it will help me shape my blog in the future. 

I thought I would share some of the insights but I guess you want to know who won the £15 Etsy gift voucher first, right?!

Everyone who left their details on the survey were entered into the Random.org list randomiser and the winner is..........

.............ANTHEA!!

Congratulations Anthea! Your gift voucher should be in your inbox. Happy Shopping!

So what did you all say?....

Check out these pie charts, I managed to do these by myself!

Everyone loves reading my craft techniques and want to see more, thanks guys! I have fab, craft techniques planned and I will try and fit more into my schedule in the future.

You want to see more of behind the scenes, I better tidy up the craft den so I can show you!

I won't neglect the other areas you enjoy and want to read more of, but it is so helpful to know what you enjoy and what I need to focus on.

I also learnt that Twitter is your number 1 social platform! The rest were placed....
2nd Instagram
3rd Facebook
Joint 4th place Pinterest and Google+

A huge thank you for the kind and supportive comments you gave me in the survey. They were lovely to read and I feel reassured that I made the right decision to start this blog and you like it! *big smiley face*

If you missed the chance to complete the survey and you want your chance to tell me what you think, you can still give me your feedback, but I'm sorry you won't be entered into a giveaway! The survey has only 10 questions which I would really appreciate it if you could take the time to complete.  It should take no longer than 3 minutes, please enter the survey here.

Thank you again for taking the time to complete my survey!

fizzi~jayne x

Psst.... I have a craft fair on Saturday if you are in the Rickmansworth area it would be lovely to see you.  For more details go to my Events and Craft Fairs page

Another celebration! My Blog is 1 year old....

What a month of celebrations! Last week was fizzi~jayne makes.... 2nd birthday and today is my blog's 1st birthday! I can't believe it is already a year, where has the time gone!

It has been a place to share experiences of running a creative small business with some inspiration and craftiness along the way. You can read my first post here.

I love writing my blog and I have learnt so much in the past year. It takes a lot of work and requires dedication but it has also been about taking me out of my comfort zone and pushing myself. I've also learnt that you really don't know what is possible until you try.

The past 12 months have been a journey whilst I learn about writing content and taking great pics, I've also been nominated for a Liebster award, I now co-host #CraftBlogClub and I have met some wonderful people through the blogging community and made friends - in real life as well as internet friends.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog and I would really love to know what you think. I am truly thankful to anyone who makes the time to read my posts, whether you have been a reader since the beginning or just popped by today, thank you!!

I want to make sure I continue to inspire and that I write articles you enjoy to read so I would really appreciate your feedback because without you, I would be very lonely here!  I have a little survey of 10 questions which I would really appreciate if you could take the time to complete.  It should take no longer than 3 minutes and if you leave your email address you will be in with a chance to win a £15 Etsy* Gift Voucher to spend! (you don't have to spend it in my shop but it would be nice if you took a look!)

To have a chance to win you need to complete the survey by 30th September. A name will be picked out at random thanks to Random.org.  Don't worry, I won't keep your details or contact you unless you win. The winner will be announced here on 2nd October.

Please enter the Survey here 

Thank you and good luck!

fizzi~jayne x

*This is not sponsored or supported by Etsy, the giveaway is a gift from me as a thank you for completing the survey.  
One winner only will receive £15 Etsy Gift Voucher which will be emailed to them.
If you are a family member you can complete the survey but you will not be entered into the giveaway, sorry!

fizzi~jayne makes.... is 2 years old....

Two years ago I launched a Facebook page and Folksy shop to start selling my cards. At first I didn't have any definite plans for fizzi~jayne makes...., it was friends and family who encouraged me to sell my creations and without them I would not have had the confidence to do it.  Who'd have thought 2 years on I would be doing it full time and developing new products in home décor! 

It is nearly a year ago when I took the plunge to become fizzi~jayne full time and I am so glad I did.  It's been hard work and a very steep learning curve!  I hope I have inspired others that it is possible, really it is! I have so many plans for fizzi~jayne makes.... and a lot of work still to do but I can't wait to make them a reality.

I am so grateful for the support I have from my customers and those around me, without you I would not be able to do what I love.

 

To celebrate my birthday I am offering 20% off in my Etsy and Folksy shops when you use code BIRTHDAY2 but it must end Sunday 21st September at 23:59.

 

To redeem:
Etsy  shoppers ~ enter the above code at the checkout and the discount will be deducted. 
Folksy customers ~ please enter the code in the "note to seller" box and I will refund the saving before dispatch. Unfortunately Folksy do not have the option for sellers to offer discounts at the moment so this is the only way I can do it.

I have added a few new products to my shops (including Christmas!) so now is a great time to go shopping.

Thank you
fizzi~jayne x

I do love cake....and Christmas.... and Birthdays.....and of course craft.....

It's been a busy week of birthday celebrations, not only was it my husband's birthday but it was also my Nan's 90th!  So there was cake!  MMmmm lots of cake....

So I wasn't in my Craft Den for 5 days and I started to get the shakes but it is good to take time out, resting the mind allows the creative juices to flow.  I came home with lots of ideas written in my notebook (I carry this everywhere as ideas come when you least expect them) I will have to wait until after the Christmas fairs before I start work on them but I can't wait to get started ~ 2014 will be fizzi~jayne's year!!!!

Christmas craft fairs are keeping me busy right now, and I have another one added to my diary.  Someone saw my stall at Berkhamsted and passed on my details to an organiser of another Christmas Craft Market who asked me if I wanted to be a part of it, how could I say no!?!  It was so lovely to think my stall made an impression, it certainly gave my confidence a boost and just shows whatever my sales the fizzi~jayne word is spreading!  So if you are in the Watford area on 21st December I will be at St Mary's Church, just off the High Street on Church Street in central Watford (WD18 OEG). 

Before that I will be at Berkhamsted Town Hall again this Saturday at the Artisans, Arts & Crafts Christmas market.  I love Christmas and once the family birthdays are over (November is a busy birthday month) I get very excited.  I have my Santa hat at the ready and I am looking forward to having my first mince pie of the year.  It will be my last appearance of 2013 at Berkhamsted so it would be great to see you if you can make it.  If you can't be there I will be posting pics on my blog next week but if you can't wait until then I will be posting on my Facebook page and on twitter during the day....

birthday week....

I had a week of birthday celebrations, my birthday celebrations :-) one day is never enough!! So I allowed myself some time off and spent a day at Hobbycrafts at the NEC. The Art Materials Live and Crafts for Christmas were also there, a 3 for 1 event, it was huge!!  It must be the largest craft event in the UK, I was overwhelmed with excitement. I had such a fun day, I was in my element, stall after stall of craft supply goodies and of course I bought stuff....


 

Lots of new goodies

I could have bought so much more but hubby was with me and kept track of everything I spent, EVERYTHING!  I might leave him at home next year, although I do need to be kept in check at events like this as I am a child in a sweet shop! Budget, what budget??

I got some fab presents for my birthday and felt thoroughly spoilt.  I received couple of books that look really interesting....

"Crafters Guide to Taking Great Photos" and "Blogging for Creatives", has anyone read them?  I can't wait to read them, the trouble is I don't know what to read first.....

O and just before I go I will be at the Berkhamsted Artisans Arts & Crafts Fair this Sunday with lots more new products, will I see you there?