Fibre East is coming

Still cold and almost wintery here, but my next parcel of silk has arrived from India and I'm getting ready to start dyeing for Fibre East at the end of July.

Mainly I'll be doing some old favourites, that I sold out of at Wonderwool, but I've got a couple of new colour combinations running around my head, that I'll be trying out, plus some other colours that customers asked for.

I've also got St. Alban's Farmers' market in June (9th) to make some stock for - I've got a couple of new cushions to take, plus I'm trying to get some more colours in my cotton scarves finished. As usual the "summer" is upon me before I'm really ready!

I'll be away from the market in July and August, so I should really think about getting stock ready for Christmas!

In the meantime, I'm going to the Kaffe Fasset exhibition in June with my mum as her birthday treat - we're both looking forward to that, it should be so inspiring.

Busy again - into May

Well, I still feel tired after Wonderwool, but am now getting back to normal. The next focus is Fibre East in July. I didn't apply for Woolfest (june), but might consider it next for year.

The yarn I had left is mainly in my Etsy shop now, with a smaller amount kept to take to Farmers' markets. I've got to order some more yarn and have a list of colours that I want to dye. It's funny how the colors that sell well online or in other areas didn't go at wonderwool, but others that I thought may stick went straight away. I was pleased that the new lace-weight yarn seemed popular and I'll be ordering some more in time for Fibre East.

Since getting back I've had several online orders and a busy morning at St. Alban's Farmers market yesterday - my bank manager will be pleased!

Fibre East is at a new (indoor!) venue this year and will be near enough for me to commute from home, which will be great. Nice as it is to stay in a hotel etc. nothing beats your own bed for a good night's sleep.      

My First Wonderwool

I set off last Friday and had a really interesting journey across the country to Wales. By the time I got to Oxford, the sun had come out and it was a pleasant drive on A-roads to Builth Wells. I had never been to the Cotswolds and Herefordshire before, but was impressed by how scenic they were, especially Herefordshire. As I got up into the higher ground near Hay on Wye, it was almost alpine with rushing rivers, steep wooded slopes and spring flowers in bloom at the side of the road.

I got to the showground in about six hours, including breaks, and got checked in and unloaded very quickly - the organisation was so good and everyone very friendly, which took a bit of getting used to after living in London for most of my life! Down here, if someone you don't know engages you in conversation they're either a lunatic or it's a prelude to stealing your bag!

The hall was huge - a bit like an aircraft hanger - but the shelling was up and I soon found my space and got going on setting up. It didn't take as long as I thought it might, but I had planned the stall layout beforehand and everything was packed in the order it would be needed. (Obsessive? - I like to think of myself as precise and organised!)

I had one moment of surprise when I unwrapped a new dummy that I bought and found it was male and not female. Luckily it was only a torso and was to exhibit a scarf, so I don't think anyone noticed the difference.

Here's pictures of my stall all ready to start trading.

 

After setting up I found my B&B, The Cedars, and checked in. I was made very welcome and soon met the other guests, who were all Wonderwoollers too! Some were customers and some stallholders and it was nice to chat over dinner. I was travelling alone and thought I might have ended up spending my spare time watching tv in my room, but it turned into a very jolly weekend.

After a hearty and tasty breakfast on the Saturday morning, I set off for the showground. After a bracing walk in the wind and drizzle, I got there with time to visit the bathroom and get a coffee before the show opened to the public. ("easy walk", my aunt Fanny!)

I had one customer virtually straight away - a lady I had passed the time of day with on my way throught the car parks and then had a small moment of drama, as my credit card terminal decided to stop printing. I followed the toubleshooting instructions to re-set the battery, but it then shut itself down and told me to re-charge it, so I was without it for the rest of the day. Doh! as Homer Simpson would say.   

However, the customers followed and seemed happy enough to use cash or cheques. People were friendly and chatty and it was nice to spend the day talking about yarn and knitting. The people on the next stall were kind enough to hold the fort for me while I took a break when necessary and all-in-all the day went well. I understand that last year there was pilfering from some of the stalls, but I didn't see any of that or hear of it this year.

I managed to re-boot my card machine overnight and got to the showground earlier. It was nice to have walk round before it opened and take look at the other stalls, as well as seeing the animals. I drove this time so I could load up after the show - much more comfortable. Sunday was busier - contrary to the traditional view that it is usually the quieter of the two days and I was very pleased with the sales. I gave out loads of leaflets and people seemed to like the yarn too. I also met a lady, Cat Thomas, from one of the etsy teams that I'm on, which was very pleasant. She's writing a crochet book, which sounds like a lot of hard work, especially on the illustration and proofreading side, but will be a great accomplishment once it's finished.

Back at the Cedars, the other guests had mostly left, so I ate my dinner in splendid isolation, which was quite relaxing. I couldn't face a long drive on top of a full day at the show, so I stayed an extra night and came home on Monday, after doing my banking in Builth before I set off.

I'm unpacked now, but still feeling tired - the next focus will be Fibre East in July.