Book Review ~ Girl With a Sewing Machine By Jenniffer Taylor

I was so excited when I received Jenniffer's debut book, Girl With A Sewing Machine.  If you do not recognise the name let me tell you a little bit about Jenniffer....  Her sewing journey started with her wedding dress, yep she began with a small project?!?! This created a love affair with sewing and thanks to her hubby secretly applying she was a contestant on the Great British Sewing Bee. Now you can find her on the Sewing Quarter channel, teaching workshops and creating a #sewingrevolution! #CraftBlogClub has also had the privilege of her being a guest host and taking part in the upcycling challenge.

The cover says it's a no-fuss guide and that's what I love about this book the most, the get stuck in and sew!  Being a self taught seamstress there is no jargon with a no nonsense approach.

The book is great for beginners, it takes you through what essential kit you need and it goes through fabric terms and seam finishes, so lots of information to get you started.

Jenniffer is known for her upcyling, so there are lots of upcycling projects, craft projects and embellishment ideas to customise clothing.  These are fun projects for anyone looking for inspiration but if you don't feel confident in sewing these projects are a great way to dip your toe in and build up your skills before making garments.

When it comes to making clothes there are no patterns with the book instead Jenniffer shows you how to make clothes from scratch using the garments you already own and using your basic body measurements.  There are photos to show you exactly where to measure, which is helpful as not everyone knows where there true waist is. 

There are some great projects that are different to what you'd see in most dressmaking books, so if you like Jenniffer's style you'll love these projects.  The whole book has easy step by step instructions with great photos and top tips throughout.

You will learn lots of different skills including construction techniques, drafting a pattern direct to fabric, machine and sewing techniques as well as changing necklines, sewing pockets, using garments to draft a pattern, altering patterns, basic fitting techniques and draping techniques. I think I've captured everything! 

I think it's a great book for beginners and anyone who is looking to improve their skills. By the end of this book you will have a greater understanding of garment construction which will unleash your creativity and the ability to create your own unique wardrobe.

Girl with a Sewing Machine is an Amazon #1 Best Seller check it out along with all the reviews over here 

I can't decide what to make first, maybe this top?....

You can follow Jenniffer and her #Sewingrevolution....

on her website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

Disclaimer: This book was kindly given to me by the publishers, Search Press, in exchange for a review.  I have not been paid for this review and all the views and opinions are my own.
The Amazon links in this post are affiliated.

Book Review ~ 2016, Your Best Year by Lisa Jacobs....

We're only a few weeks into January and if you're one of the 1 in 3 who have ditched their New Year resolutions, its not too late to plan and make 2016 your best year.

I've recently read Lisa Jacob's book. Well, it is more of a workbook and really gets you thinking about your business as well as yourself, taking a holistic approach to setting and achieving your goals. I've had some a-ha moments that have made me think about my approach to not just my business but all areas of my life.

I like how the book is laid out and Lisa is practical and comes across as being very enthusiastic. She runs a successful jewellery business alongside her consultancy for marketing entrepreneurs and she practices what she preaches.

It is a book that should be used throughout the year as it encourages regular appraisals. I like the 3 month and mid year review and the looking forward and back each month as it keeps you focussed on your goals throughout the year.  I will have to ensure I do this and not put the book back on the shelf to be forgotten about until I plan 2017!  

The only disappointment is the lack of explanation for using some of the worksheets in the "Do" section,  I referred to her blog as a reference for some of it but I would have found it useful to have some guidance to help me complete it.

Lisa's blog is worth checking out, at the end of last year she went through some of the exercises which helped me and there are a lot of helpful marketing tips for a creative business.

It is a useful approach and a template I shall use again in 2017. Overall it is a valuable resource and if you run a creative business I would recommend it.

Have you used this or another resource to plan your goals in 2016? I'd love to hear about your plans and how you are making them happen.

fizzi~jayne x

Disclaimer: The Amazon links in this post are affiliated.

book review ~ Online Marketing for your Craft Business by Hilary Pullen....

One of my 2015 goals is to grow my business online and to help me do this I have read Hilary Pullen's Online Marketing for Your Craft Business.

I made lots of notes and used my new owl sticky notes, they look so cute!

As the front cover describes, Hilary's book tells you "How to get your handmade products discovered, shared and sold on the internet" and I think it does a good job of that.  The book delves into each key area and social media platform, including:

• Blogging
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• Twitter
• Google+
• YouTube
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Newsletters

Hilary explains how to get the best out of each platform and gets you started if you haven't got a profile.

I was thankful for a chapter explaining Google Analytics and how to use the reports.  I set up Google Analytics as soon as I set up my Folksy shop and started selling.  Having previously worked in retail I was used to analysing stats but I haven't really got the best out of Google yet and it proves that I need to make time for analysing metrics such as unique vs returning visitors, page views and bounce rate to be able to know what is working and what I need to focus my time on. 

There is a LOT to think about and I'm wondering where I will find the time to do everything and do it well, in a lot of companies there is a team of people whose job is social marketing! Hilary does acknowledge that it looks like a lot of work but by being realistic with your time and planning in advance can mean you make the most of social marketing and in turn grow your business online.

I already have a plan for this blog with my ideas and when I'd like to post them but I don't have a social media plan.  I tend to post as I go which is still important but there are bound to be posts I can plan and schedule so I don't spend lots of 15 minute (or longer) periods during a week.  This book is helping me put my plan together.

This is a fizzi~jayne recommended read if you want to grow your blog/business online and want to get the most out of your social media posts.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

fizzi~jayne x

Please note: the Amazon links in this post are affiliate links

If you happen to click on an affiliate link and purchase something, I may make a small commission (pennies!) on that purchase which goes towards my work on this blog.

Book Review ~ Craft A Creative Business by Fiona Pullen....

I have to share with you a must read if you are thinking of starting a creative business or want to grow your business.  

 
The author, Fiona Pullen, is the genius behind the Sewing Directory and in the book she shares her vast experience and knowledge of running a Creative Business.

The book is split into six easy to read sections covering a wide range of aspects of a business in great depth. It is in a logical order helping you every step of the way from concept and launch, through to reviewing your progress once established.  It includes all the important subjects you expect including the legal and tax aspects of running a business as well as covering branding, photography, social media and selling. Each chapter is colour coded and it is easy to dip in and out without having to read it cover to cover, although I am sure you will want to.

Writing a business book to appeal to a creative person can't be easy, having read a few business and marketing books in my time they aren't always easy going, we'd rather be making things right?! However, Fiona has managed to present a lot of detail in a digestible manner.  It is clearly laid out in bite sized chunks so you don’t feel overwhelmed and it is jargon free!

There are a number of check lists and activities to help you apply what you have read to your business.  There are areas for making notes and each chapter includes further reading and useful websites to check out. I would also recommend having sticky notes and a notebook on hand because I am sure you will be making lots of notes like me!

It's not just for start ups, this book has helped me reassess and focus my goals for 2015 as well as help me design and build a new website for my business (fizzijaynemakes.com).

I know I will refer to this book again and again and yes, I know I have said this before about business books but that was before I read this one and I will definitely turn to this book first. 

I rate this book so highly I have given it 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon

This is an absolute must for any creative business owner and a great book if you want to start a craft business.

Want to find out more about Fiona?...

Visit her website craftacreativebusiness.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter and Pinterest

Disclaimer: The Amazon links in this post are affiliated.

Crochet Book Review....

Are you thinking of trying a new craft this year? Do you fancy having a go at Crochet?

If you have been reading this blog for a while you will know 2014 was the year I taught myself to Crochet and I love it! So I thought I would share with you some tips to get you started that I picked up as a beginner. I will have more practical tips in my next post but first I want to share with you my favourite Crochet Book ~ Crochet: The Complete Step-By-Step Guide~ and this is great for beginners....

I got this for my birthday which was 11 months after I started to teach myself and I wish I had this sooner. It has clear instructions taking you through the techniques and stitches.  It's in easy to follow step by step guides with clear photography with projects along the way so you can practise the stitches you have just learnt.  It covers the basics through to more adventurous techniques so even if you know the basics this book can help you improve your skills.

If you have been crocheting for a while this book has lovely projects in them. There are a lot of great patterns, including bags, toys, stuff to wear, accessories, home and gifts, blankets and cushions.  I don't think there is one I won't make at some point.  There are some great gift ideas in this book but my first project I made was for myself and I made this lap blanket....

Each pattern has a level of difficulty, so you can pick a project based on your ability.

The only down side is it's a hardback and it is so jam packed with projects, techniques and beautiful photography that it is a heavy book so it's not easy to throw in your bag and carry around.  This is a minor thing and doesn't stop me from loving it and recommending it.

Do you crochet, have you got a crochet book you would recommend?

fizzi~jayne x

Disclaimer: The Amazon links in this post are affiliated.

Book Review ~ The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapman....

I was given Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin as a gift when I left my 9-5. Yes, it has taken me over a year to read it and tell you about it! In my defence I was given a few craft/business books when I became fizzi~jayne full time so it took me a while to get to this in my reading pile. Here is what I thought....

This book is aimed at the USA market so for technical information on areas like tax, it isn't relevant if you are based in the UK like me, you don't want to pay your taxes to the IRS if you don't live in America! The rest of the book is an informative, well written book and relevant regardless of where you sell your crafts.

The book is broken down into easy to read sections with no business jargon. Within each section, each topic has their own chapter giving you lots of information to think about, make sure you have sticky notes and a pencil to hand!

Part 1 starts with setting goals, branding, pricing and basic business practices.  The latter section covers some areas which you can relate to any business in the world not just the USA, for example it offers advice on things like having a separate bank account for your business. The areas such as record keeping will still highlight the information you need to find out for your country.  

If you have already started your business you should still find it interesting. I found it useful to read, it made me think and re-evaluate my goals. There is even a section on finding inspiration, so if you ever have a creative block this may help.

Part 2 is all about spreading the word and covers marketing basics, blogging, advertising, attracting media attention and tips on social media. There are also helpful tips on photography which is important to make your products look beautiful if you sell online, but it is equally important for marketing materials and your blog. If you haven't got a blog and are interested in starting one as part of your business, it has a good introduction to blogging and newsletters too.

Want to know about podcasts? this book covers the basics

Part 3 is all about selling, not just online but at craft fairs, in shops and other creative selling opportunities.  Kari even offers advice if you want to start your own craft fair, perfect if there isn't one in your area. If this isn't for you she'll take you step by step through finding the right craft fair, the best way to apply (if required) and be prepared. 

Photography is touched on again within online selling, including useful tips on effective product descriptions and tagging your products which is common on sites such as Etsy. Kari also gives guidelines on shop policies and customer service.

It's full of information for a creative business!

I really enjoyed reading this book, I think because it is aimed at creative folk and not a business text book. It has case studies from what Kari describes as her "Creative Collective" throughout the book who share their experiences and advice. 

Overall it was inspiring and thought provoking.  It's a book I will definitely refer to again, I have lots of notes throughout.  I recommend this if you are already selling your crafts or if you are just thinking about starting or developing a creative business. However, if you are about to start the exciting journey of being an entrepreneur and based in the UK, then I would advise getting information on tax and registering with the HRMC etc. The HRMC website is a good place to start.

Since I started reading a Second Edition of Handmade Marketplace has been released. With the ever changing world of the online markeplace and social media, I would recommend reading this version.  If you do, let me know what you think.

Next on the reading list is Craft a Creative Business: Making & Marketing a Successful Creative Businessby Fiona Pullen.  I have read lots of good things about this book.  I hope to have lots of reading time over Christmas and report back on my thoughts as soon as possible!

fizzi~jayne x

Disclaimer: The Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. By clicking on the image you go to the first edition of the Handmade Marketplace, for the Second Edition click on the text link.

You may also be interested in these book reviews....

Book Review ~
Turn you Talent into a Business

Book Review ~
The Crafter's Guide to Taking Great Photos

Book Review ~
Blogging for creatives

Last in the Photography Season ~ Bookazine Review, Mollie Makes....

I came across Mollie Makes bookazine on Photography only a few weeks ago so knowing what I had planned for my blog, I had to get it!

What I like....

• Inspiring images throughout
• Useful "How To...." topics throughout the magazine.
• Introduction to photography basics, such as lighting, exposure and depth of field.
• It isn't about product photography but capturing life. I particularly enjoyed the article about "travels with my camera".  If you have kids there is an article to style a baby shoot.
• I loved the challenges and tips to try and practice.
• If you take pics with your phone, there is a "How to" on taking better phone photos.
• As it is Mollie Makes it has tutorials such as this cute crochet camera cover....

• Inspiring "Tea and Chat" articles with photographers and bloggers.
• I liked the articles on scrapbooking, I like to keep memories in a creative way and have scrapbooked when I can fit it in.  Admittedly I still want to do one for my wedding which was 5 years ago! If you have never tried it you should!

I will have to add this photo mini book to my project list!

This is great if you are new to photography, need inspiration or you are a lover of Mollie Makes.  I will certainly refer to it to inspire my photography and scrapbooking.

So that is the end of the photography season, *sad face*, I hope you have enjoyed it. 

Before I go I wanted to share some last thoughts....

• Whatever level you are at, challenge yourself to get to the next one. 
• I don't think you have to be a professional to enjoy photography and take a great snap.  Utilise the equipment you have and practice.
• Follow blogs with photography that inspires you.
• Read the free resources available, I have a collection on my Pinterest board.

I am passionate about my photography and I love the challenge of learning a skill so I have enjoyed sharing my experiences in these posts, reading the books, learning from the guest professional and the tips shared on #CraftBlogClub.

I would love to hear from you to know what you have thought of these posts and to know if you are doing anything differently?

Pssst... have you missed any of the previous posts from the Photography Season?  You can catch up by clicking on the below....

• My Love of Photography
• A professional's hints and tips
• Book Review ~ The Crafter's Guide to Taking Great Photos.
• #CraftBlogClub chat summary of sharing photography tips.

Book Review ~ The Crafter's Guide to Taking Great Photos....

This is the third blog post in my "Photography Season" you can catch the first one here and the second here.

I've recently finished reading Crafter's Guide to Taking Great Photosby Heidi Adnum.  This is a great book for anyone who wants to sell their crafts online or have a craft blog.

The book begins with a section on choosing and using a digital camera. The pros and cons of digital types of cameras are clearly set out so this is very useful for the complete beginner. 

If you are taking photos on Auto, this book will help you take steps to switch to manual by taking you through the basics. It will help you to tell your story through composition, choosing backgrounds and using props.  It even has a section of tutorials for DIY accessories, including a light tent, (I have made this tent and you can see the results over on Frugally Peachy!)

The rest of the book is divided up into chapters for different types of craft.  Even though not all the products on these sections were relevant I still read them as there was more information on compostion and the uses of props and backgrounds.  There are FAQs and common problems after each section which I found particularly useful and interesting.

 What I liked about this book:

• It's informative but not dry
• It explains photography terms and because of this book I found out about white balance which has made such a difference, it was an eureka moment!
• There are inspirational images throughout
• There is a section on troubleshooting showing examples of common mistakes which is a handy reference.
• There are interviews with professional crafters sharing their experiences and advice.
• I find the glossary explaining the jargon a useful reference.
• The book explains different types of image files and which format to choose.
• It doesn't stop after taking the pic, it takes you through post production and offers business advice when using your images.

One thing to note before you rush out to buy this book is, there is not enough advice if you have a compact camera, the book presumes you would use a Digital SLR.

The final chapter touched on editing but it only refers to Photoshop Elements 9 which I don't use but there are so many types of software out there that one book could not cover them all.  However, a lot of editing programs work in a similar way so there were some pieces of info I could relate to. If you take the advice of the book, with practice you can take a photograph you are proud of at the time of shoot and you shouldn't need to do more than tweak the brightness and maybe crop the image.

Have you read this book?  I'd love to know what you think of it or if you have read any other photography books that you recommend please let me know.
 

Disclaimer: The Amazon link is an affiliate link

Book Review ~ Turn Your Talent Into A Business by Emma Jones....

I was given this book -Turn Your Talent into a Business, as a gift a couple of years ago just after I decided to start fizzi~jayne makes.... and it gave me the confidence and advice I needed to go for it!  When I took on the venture full time I thought I should read it again and brush up on my knowledge.

I like this book as it covers all aspects of starting a business and takes you step by step through the process. It also takes into account that you may be starting a business whilst working in a full time job and working from home, so it is realistic.

In this book you will discover how to:

• Make sales beyond your friends and family
• Promote your brand
• Register your company and manage your finances
• Embrace technology to save you time and money
• Create a support network and work with partners
• Above all, it shows you how to make money from doing what you love!

It includes top tips with case studies along the way from people who have successfully made the leap. It is a good introduction to all aspects of starting a business.

It highlights the amount of resources available to small, start up businesses which you may not be aware of, I know I wasn't.  Various useful websites are cited throughout the book to check out.

I found it really useful and I am sure I will refer to it again for advice along my journey. 

This book is perfect for anyone who has a hobby, passion or skill whether it is baking, sewing, painting or a writer and wants to make money from it.  So if you are starting out or thinking about it I would recommend picking up this book.

About the author....

This is a book from a business perspective not a crafter. Emma Jones is a successful business owner, she started her first business at the age of 27 and sold it 2 years later.  She successfully runs Enterprise Nation which "help people turn their passions into great businesses".  I saw her talk at the Folksy School 2013 and I attended a free event she organised about Social Media last week (more about this in another post soon).  I admire her passion and she really knows what she is talking about.

My Inspiring book mark for my business books.  It helps me keep focused whenever I doubt myself and my ability.

I am now reading Handmade Marketplace which was one of my leaving pressies from my 9-5.  This book is by a crafter and it will be interesting to compare it to this book (there will be a book review but I'm not the fastest reader so be patient with me!).  You can see what is on my reading list on the right of my blog and any business/craft books will have its review here.

fizzi~jayne x

Disclaimer: Amazon links are affiliate links

Book Review ~ Blogging for creatives....

For my birthday I was given a great book Blogging for Creatives by Robin Houghton.

I had started my blog when I read the book but it was still relevant and really useful to a newbie like myself. So I decided I would let you know what I thought of it….

I will say straight off, for those who are new to blogging or are thinking of starting one this is ideal, so read it! It will help you decide your niche, explain widgets, pages and posts and the general blogosphere

One of the things I was agonising over when I decided to start a blog was which platform to use to host my blog. After lots of googling and research on the web I decided to use Blogger and I am happy with it.  So I didn't read the chapter about the pros and cons of different platforms as I didn't want to question my decision! However, if you haven't made a decision this is a good chapter to find out more about Blogger, Wordpress and Tumblr plus how to set up your blog. 

What I found very helpful was how to create great content, this has given me ideas for different posts (watch this space) and if you have a blog and sometimes lose your mojo this is a great reference.

The book includes useful marketing and search tips to get your blog seen amongst the 169 million that were out there when the book was published and new blogs are being created all the time, at a crazy rate of 5,000 a day, really! I am so intimidated now, is anyone out there reading my wee blog?!

You may not feel the need for metrics and analysis if you are blogging for fun or have no intention of making money from it, (if you want to earn money from your blog there is a chapter that discusses the options). However I still want to know if what I am doing is successful.  

This book has made me think about the reason for my blog and how I will measure its success.  I started this blog to build a community (there is also a chapter on growing a community) whilst documenting my journey of turning hobby into business.   Through this I hope to encourage other creatives to be able make money from what they love.  It also lets my readers see who fizzi~jayne really is. 

So how will I know if my blog is successful?  I have set goals, I hope to have increased my followers to a number with 4 digits and be on Bloglovin's popular list for DIY/ Crafts over the next 3 years. These are the measurable results but most importantly I want to have fun with it.  

On every page there are also lots of examples of established blogs to check out, there are so many I haven’t had a chance to have a look at them all! I have had a peak at a couple of the resources for aspiring bloggers and have signed up for newsletters from Chris Brogan, he seems to have down to earth blogging advice.  I also signed up to newsletters from Lemon and Raspberry, I can’t remember how I came across this site but they email advice on building a blog which is a good read with a cuppa.

In summary this book covers a lot and there are resources for further reading and a great starting point for a newbie.  If you are a pro blogger there are probably better books or resources out there for you.

The layout isn’t to my liking in places, it can be too busy but at the same time it is visual which us creatives like!

These are just my opinions and I hope you have found it useful. If I stuck to the advice of the book I would have kept to 250 words or less but it was impossible to do the book justice.  So if you are still reading this post, thanks and *high five*!

What creative/ blogging/ small business books have you read and would recommend?

fizzi~jayne x

Disclaimer: The Amazon links are affiliate links