2017 Goals....

It's that time of year to plan and think about what you want to achieve in the year ahead. I'm taking my experiences and lessons from 2016 to make 2017 a great year for me and my business, so this is what I have planned....

This blog

• I'll go back to posting weekly with more tutorials in 2017.
• Write everyday. This will help keep on top of all the posts I want to write but also improve my writing, practice makes perfect! I worry this may not be realistic but I'm planning to fit in 15 minutes every day whilst having my morning coffee.
• Start my #100fizzijaynepatterns challenge inspired by #100dayofpatternsCBC. I will be designing and creating my own patterns.  It's not a 100 day challenge, I don't want to put myself under that sort of pressure but through the course of 2017 I will create 100 patterns using various techniques. I'm really excited about starting this and seeing how I develop creatively.

My business 

• Start teaching craft workshops. I want to share my passion and knowledge to help others have a creative lifestyle. I'm in the early stages of planning and sourcing locations in my local area at the moment but hope to start these in Spring.
• Regularly list products into my Folksy shop, at least 10 per month.
• Launch new products and designs. 
• Following the success of selling through No3 Royston I want to find another stockist in 2017.

To help me plan and to actually achieve these goals I am following the 100 Day Goal and using the Your Best Year 2017: Productivity Workbook and Creative Business Planner

Personal

I need to have a better work/life balance, so I will take time off when I need it, I just need to work on not feeling guilty and be able to switch fizzi~jayne off once in a while! 

I want to....

• Read more. I have a pile of fiction as well as business development books I want to read.
• I started to practice calligraphy last year and this year I want to try out brush lettering.
• Sketch more. I want to make time to just doodle and improve my drawing skills.
• Learn German. I did a year of German at school and was actually quite good at it but due to timetable clashes I chose to continue in French and Art. I always wanted to go back to it and I've been recommended the App Duolingo which I'm finding really easy to fit into my day. I feel a trip to Germany needs to be planned for this year!
• If nothing else, I need to start believing in myself more and not put any limits on what I can achieve.

Overall I want a healthy, happy and creative 2017. 

Disclaimer: The Amazon links in this post are affiliated.

well hello 2016, have I got plans for you!....

2015 was a great year that flew by! Last year was another busy learning curve and I feel really positive about the goals I have for this year. I plan to take steps for it to be a great year for my business as well as myself....

My business

• I am taking part in The 100 Day Goal by the Business Bakery to grow my business online. Last year I started work to grow my business online, which saw the launch of my website. Towards the end of the year other areas of my business went crazy, I was busy with craft fairs and the success of my first stockist took me by surprise.  So I am using the 100 Day Goal to get back on track.  It's not too late if you want to join in, all the details are here.
• I plan to develop new products.
• I want to start teaching workshops later this year (this will be my second 100 day goal of the year).
• I want to improve my product photography. I got a new lens for Christmas which I'm excited about experimenting with.  I want to understand and learn more about the technical side of photography to be able to take beautiful photos of my products.

This blog

• I made a start on fizzi~fun friday.... last year but I want to reinstate it to grow my creativity so I don't get stuck in a rut. So the plan is every other week on a Friday, I will take the day to experiment with new techniques and crafts, as well as revisiting old favourites that I always complain I never have the time to do.
• I want to share more craft tutorials but I will also continue to share book reviews, my business top tips as well as any behind the scenes and fun days out you might enjoy.

Personal

• I need to save money and when I do spend money I want to spend it on fun days out rather than buying stuff I don't need. I believe experiences make you happier than things and also make you an interesting person with stories to tell. Getting out and about will also fuel my creativity.
• I want to learn the art of calligraphy.  I have dabbled with it before but as it has become more popular recently, I've seen the beautiful pieces of art created from it and I want to be able to do it too, hopefully! My lovely friend Sarah bought me a starter kit for my birthday so I have the gear and a book to get me started.
• I still need to lose weight but I'm not going to stress about what I haven't lost and instead focus on my running and eating healthier.  I'll be running another 10km later this month and I plan to apply for the Great North Run when the ballot opens although with a lot of trepidation!
• I want to achieve a better work life balance. It's not easy to achieve this when your hobby becomes your business and you work from home. I never switch off which isn't necessarily a problem as I love what I do.  I am grateful that I get to do what I love everyday but I need to make sure I don't burn out and I get to spend some quality time with friends and family. So I'll make sure I have one day off at the weekend as a complete work free zone (ideally two days, work load permitting) and make sure I have 21 days off a year (which is the minimum legal holiday entitlement in the UK when you work full time).

So they are my plans for a creative, healthy and happy 2016!

Source 

Have you any new year goals? I'd love to hear about them and we can encourage each another. If you have blogged about them leave me a link in the comments, I'd love to read them.

fizzi~jayne x

2015 Update...

We're one third of the way through 2015 and I thought it was a good time to check-in and see how I am doing with my goals that I set at the beginning of the year.....

Organise my admin
I now have a system and some pretty stationary, of course! I just need to keep on top of it which is easier said than done, but I have time planned in to do it, so I just need to do it! Which leads perfectly on to my second goal....

Less procrastination
I am getting better at this but it's still work in progress.  I think it helps that I am excited about my plans for this year but I'm also using some easy yet helpful tactics....

• I'm getting up earlier, I'm not a morning person so this is a personal achievement. 
• Regular breaks help. By stepping away from a piece of work to make a cuppa I can go back to it with a fresh outlook.
• I've turned off the notifications for any social media alerts on my phone and I only check these and my emails at set times during the day.

Relaunch my Folksy shop and launch a website
I had a lot of custom orders during February and March which were a pleasant surprise and they have kept me busy but my schedule has been pushed back. I have now limited the number of slots available for custom orders whilst I focus on the online side of my business and I get ready for the craft fairs I have booked.

I am in the process of adding my products on to my Folksy shop. My website is near completion and once I have tested it, launch should be next month. It has been a labour of love and I can't wait to share it with you.

Read more
This is one thing I'm not doing very well. I am behind in my Good Reads challenge and I have a pile of books I want to read. I may need to put my crochet hooks down to make the time!

Crafting 
I'm not learning any new crafts this year but instead immersing myself more in the ones I already enjoy to learn more techniques. So far I've been getting to grips with my new Silhouette Machine (Camilla). I introduced Camilla as part of the #CraftBlogClub challenge reveal where I share a couple of the projects I made.

Lose weight  
I've lost 14lbs so far, woo hoo! I'm not losing it quick enough so I may not fit in the dress I want to wear for my friend's wedding but it just means I'll have to go shopping, what a shame!!

As well as eating healthier and watching the calories I have been running with a club and signed up for a 10km run which is keeping me motivated.  Running is my me time outside of the craft den and I'm really enjoying it, even in the wetter and colder months I still went out, one time it was -4 degrees!

How are you getting on with your 2015 goals? Or have they been long forgotten?

fizzi~jayne x

Lets do this 2015!....

So the past week has been time to catch up on the dull but necessary admin but I distracted myself by deciding what my goals will be for fizzi~jayne in 2015.  

I use the word goal instead of resolution, as goals need a plan of attack to make them happen and I need a plan otherwise I will have the same list in 2016!

I won't bore you with the details of my plans but I find having a list of tasks/steps needed to achieve a goal helps you break down a big task into smaller chunks that you can cross off, so you feel you are achieving as you work towards it. Well, that's the theory.

Anyway, here are my 2015 goals....

Organise my admin ~ Having spent a week under a pile of paper to sort out my tax return I now have a process in place that I need to stick to and keep on top of so by next January it's not so stressful.

Less procrastination ~ I want to be more efficient with my time and be able to do everything I need to as well as have time to develop creatively and as a business. I should read my own post from last year about time management! I found a great article on procrastination and I need to practice what it suggests!

Online ~ 2014 was a huge and exciting learning curve and I had great success with craft fairs and bespoke orders. My focus this year is to relaunch my online shops and grow that side of my business.

Blog ~ The survey I ran last year has really helped my plan for this blog.  I have planned more tutorials and techniques and I hope to show you more of behind the scenes as well as continuing with the types of posts you enjoy.

I have some personal goals too....

Read more ~ I love getting comfy with a cuppa and a good book to get lost in or learn from but I don't make enough time to read.  So I plan to read for at least 30 minutes every day and I have signed up for the Good Reads reading challenge.

Crafting ~ I am not planning to learn any more new crafts, I don't think I have the time, money or space for them!  Instead I want to learn more techniques and develop creatively in the crafts I already love. 

Lose weight ~  I've gained a lot of pounds since working from home! Weight loss is a common goal for January but I don't fit most of my clothes which is a problem so I have to do it! I have a friend's wedding as a target date and a dress in my wardrobe to wear when I am a healthier weight.

I haven't got a crazy long list as that would just look scary and unachievable, instead I'm focused on the important things which will help with my time management!

What are your goals/plans/resolutions for 2015? I'd love to hear about them and we can encourage each another. If you have blogged about them leave me a link in the comments, I'd love to read them.

fizzi~jayne x

I'm a member of running club to help with my weight loss goal and weather is not an excuse! This was on New Year's Eve.

January isn't so blue....

January can be a lot quieter and feel flat after the busy period in the run up to Christmas.  Although I have a sale in my shops I am not under the illusion I can compete with the high street sales.  I am enjoying the quieter month and taking the opportunity to work on new ideas (when I haven't been ill, those winter bugs need to do one now!)

work in progress from my Craft Den

 

Thank you to my hubby for
this book for Christmas....

As well as getting messy in my Craft Den, I now have a 2014 plan, in the form of a colourful spreadsheet.  It has all the key seasonal dates, product launch dates as well as plotting my blog ideas.  Whilst in organising mode I have started to get my head around accounts and tax!! 

What is very exciting and new for 2014 is I will be one of the hosts of #craftblogclub on Twitter and my first hosting session is on 28th January!!

#craftblogclub was started by the Lovely Emma and due to the popularity she now has me and 2 others helping her host.  It is on Twitter every Tuesday, 7-8.30pm.  Join like minded craft bloggers, lovers of craft blogs and crafters.  It is a fun, non-competitive arena to chat about anything craft and blogging related, as well as monthly crafty challenges. 

My discussion topics this week are "What, or who, inspired you to start a blog? Is there a blog you admire?" And if there is time, "Who inspired and taught you to craft?"  I am so excited to be involved, I hope you can join us for a chat tomorrow.

If you are on Twitter you can follow me @fizzijayne

fizzi~jayne x

P.S you may have noticed I have tinkered with my blog layout, what do you think?

Savvy crafting, a new me for 2014.....

In my post about my plan for 2014, one of my challenges for this year is to use up the craft supplies I have before buying any new ones.  This was inspired from reading Mary Emmens' blog about how she is not going to buy fabric for 6 months. 

As a general rule I will not be buying any new....

• Card (I have loads of various colours and scraps to use up)
• Stamps (I have 4 drawers full! So I should have enough for any occasion)
• Ribbon (Love ribbon!)
• Buttons (I have a button addiction!)

Love my ribbon box, although it doesn't hold all of my ribbon!

I have tended to buy any of the above because “I have to have it!”.  But things need to change as money is tighter this year plus I am running fizzi~jayne as a proper business now.

Firstly I need to have a stock take so I know what I actually have and then use what I have before I buy anything else. I will probably find things I have forgotten about.

However I still have a business to run, so there are exceptions:

• If I need something for a specific order
• If I run out of the basics, i.e. white card, glue etc. The essentials I can’t craft without.
• I am also working on a project for one of my favourite craft suppliers, Handy Hippo, (watch this space!) so I will need supplies for this. 

Not only will there be financial benefits but it should challenge my creativity.

After 6 months I will see how I have got on and see how much therapy I will need!!  Wish me luck!

Did you make any New Year resolutions?  How are they going?

Bring it on 2014!....

I don't really do New Year resolutions, instead I have a to do list or promises to myself that I didn't manage to fit in the previous year.  Although the one year I did make a resolution I surprised myself by keeping it, I quit smoking 7 years ago, high five me!!

So what is on my list for 2014:

Personal

• Learn to crochet.  I have never tried it before so I asked Santa for a kit to get me started and Santa delivered....

My first attempt

• Go to the gym! I have membership I just forgot how to use it!
• Finally put together a scrapbook from our wedding (we’ve been married 4 ½ years!)

fizzi~jayne business....

• Use up the paper, card and other supplies I have hoarded (even those I don't like) before buying any new ones.  I read on Mary Emmens' blog about how she is not going to buy fabric for 6 months.  I am taking inspiration from this and not buying anything new, unless I need something specific for an order or run out of essentials like glue etc.  It will be tough, seriously I will need therapy at the end of 6 months!!
• Develop this blog. As always I value your feedback and would love to hear from you if there is something you want to read about or if you have liked a particular post

As part of the "plan" to grow fizzi~jayne makes.... into a successful business, I will be....

• Developing new ranges and ideas
• Attending different craft fairs, to find the right ones for me but also to spread the fizzi~jayne word.

Most of all have fun with it all!



Image from Cream PR Pinterest board

What do you have planned for 2014?  Do you have any New Year resolutions?

P.S. Have you checked out my sale? Visit my SALE section of either my Etsy or Folksy shop ;-)

Berkhamsted Artisans, Arts & Crafts Market ~ Part Deux....

I had another stall at the Berkhamsted Artisans, Arts & Crafts Market last Sunday, this was the 2nd out of 3 I have booked in the run up to Christmas.  This one was definitely busier than the last one! 

My Stall

Check out the bunting! I made this from thick card and I'm so pleased with how it turned out

The general feel amongst the stall holders was there were more browsers than those intending to buy and I got the feeling that people were getting ideas for Christmas.  I had a flyer advertising I will be back on 7th December so hopefully those who were interested will be back otherwise the flyer included my details and a discount code to use in my Etsy shop.

The discount I offered was the same as before ~ an exclusive 10% off promo code ~ this is so I can track how many customers have bought from me online since seeing my stall, it is another way to track the success of the craft market.

My new range of Christmas decorations had their debut outing....

 The beaded snowflakes received a lot of attention

 

Felt Christmas Heart

 

 

 



I displayed the decorations on a 3ft Christmas tree with lights....


I do enjoy craft fairs, I get to meet other crafty people and meet potential customers.  I like talking and this time I was more confident in talking about myself and my products.  I had quality conversations and saw what customers liked which I believe is invaluable market research for the price of a stall. 

Sales = 3, 1 more than last time!

Business cards/ promo leaflet taken = loads and from the conversations I had, I am reassured that they were interested in my products and with the promo code I can track how true this is.

Obviously I would love more sales (a girl has got to earn a living!) but as part of my plan the first year is to use these fairs as a way of spreading the fizzi~jayne joy, raise awareness and to use them as a form of market research to inform the direction of my brand. 

I have been told that it helps to attend the same craft fair on a regular basis, as customers do like to come back again and they will get to know you.  I may need to test different pricing and products but mainly I need to have perseverance and patience.

My next craft fair is the Christmas Market with mince pies and entertainers, it should be a fun day, I have my Santa hat ready!

I love Christmas so I am very excited to be a part of this ~ only 35 sleeps until Christmas Day!

 

 Who else has had a craft fair recently? was it a success?

 

If you attend craft fairs as a customer what attracts you to a stall and what makes you want to purchase?  any advice is gratefully received!

 

I'd love to hear from you and your experiences....

 

Why do I need a plan....

So why a 5 year plan? Why not a 1 year or 10 year plan?  The company I work for has a 5 year plan and having worked in retail/marketing for the past 11 years this concept is not new to me.  When one of the case studies at the Folksy Summer School mentioned she had one, it was the first thing on my to do list.  Whatever business you have you need a plan and having small, achievable goals is a good way to check in and make sure you are on target to reaching the ultimate goal. 

The goal is personal to you and ultimately is what success means to you.  Success to me is:

• Being able to make enough money from my passion that I no longer need to supplement my income by working for someone else. 
• Have regular customers
• Being an expert in my field

On the internet you can find many a template for a business plan,  I've come up with my own headings to consider:

Income ~ Am I able to earn enough from fizzi~jayne straight away? The reality of course is sadly no, but can I afford to go part time, or how long do I need to stay full time for?  These are all things I need to consider and plan. First thing I need to work out is how much income I need to pay the bills.  Thankfully I have a supportive husband so I can afford to earn a lower income than what I am used to. 

Sales Forecasts  ~ By knowing how much I can sell will help me know what income I will have from fizzi~jayne and how much I need to earn from another job.  Any forecasting I have done at work is days spent looking at trends and past sales, unfortunately I don't have a lot to go on as I have only been "trading" for a year and that is when I can fit it around work. What is the possibility if I were doing it full~time?  Ok, so a different approach required, how much revenue and profit would I like to earn in 5 years time?   Is it achievable (a bit of tweaking), reduce further, there we go, something more realistic. This feels a little finger in the air for my liking but its the best I can do right now. 

Product ~ What am I going to sell to hit those sales numbers? What is my niche?  I am known for my cards but I have so many ideas and projects I want to try out.

Workshops ~ One thing I have been thinking about is other ways to earn crafty cash and to share my passion and knowledge.  Hosting workshops is something I would like to do, but when is the right time to do this?

Customer ~ Who am I going to target?  At the moment I sell to anyone who will buy but by knowing your customer, marketing costs are low and customer loyalty is high.  By knowing my customer I will know how much to sell my products for, where to sell them and how to advertise.

Marketing ~ Once I know who my customer is, how am I going to target them?

Place ~ Where am I going to sell? Currently,  I have 2 online shops on Folksy and Etsy and I have craft fairs booked.  Long term do I want to sell to retailers, have my own website?

Where will I work? ~ currently I work from my spare room (aka my craft den) but it would be nice to have a place of work to go to with other like~minded people in a studio.

So I haven't got much of a plan just lots of thoughts and questions to answer. Ahh! too much to think about and how am I going to achieve it whilst I work full time and without burning out??!  The positive me says "Where there is a will there is a way" and "short term pain for long term gain".  Coincidentally at the end of the 5 years it will be my 40th Birthday, eek!!  Time for a G&T....