I think I may have packed up the last few Christmas orders. Feels like time to step back and breath (once I've built up stock of one or two items again...)
I'm sorry the blog has been so sporadic the last few weeks, it's been really busy (which is good)!
I'm so thankful that people choose to buy from me and support me, either on my blog here, on social media, on YouTube, comments, shares, likes, it all helps. I feel very lucky that people are still willing to put up with me.
Building this little business up so it works around the children has been great and it's especially hit home this year with our eldest and her diagnosis of Type One Diabetes. Being able to drop everything and go get her from school should I need to, or stay up all night with her when levels have gone wrong, has been so essential to everything running smoothly. Making and selling my products in a super flexible way has been great.
Thanks everyone!
I have been assumed you were swamped. I hope you are able to enjoy the fresh air for awhile!
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to build up stock again so that I can cope with any orders, but it feels good now the rush is over! Next year I might have to try and make a bit more for Christmas, my trouble is always storage, although I have an area I need to properly clean out and that might solve my issues.
DeleteIt's fantastic you've gotten all those orders. It is slow to build a business, but you've been diligent and worked hard. May the upcoming year be even better!
ReplyDeleteI hope so. I'm wondering what is next with it all. I want to keep building things, and enjoy the process of small batch production. It's taken me away from building sites and for that I'm very grateful, but I do feel I have to keep pushing all the time. I wonder if I should maybe look to stock a few local shops next.
DeleteAll the best to you and your business in the coming year, Kev. Blessings to all!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteHow much time out of production is it to package and post all the items that get sold?
ReplyDeletePacking is always a pain, I've got a lot faster with it and it's much better planned than when I started.
DeleteNow if I have a new product I design in the fact I'll have to ship it and plan to have a certain sized box to do just that. The medium basket I sell so many of is designed to be under 2kg and fit in a parcel that is classed as a royal mail Small parcel for example.
The use of packing paper this year has been a game changer as well.
The downside is the quantity I sometimes have to buy boxes in. The ones for the potting trays I have to buy a full pallet full, which I can't store (it's at dads barn at the moment), That is a cost of £500 in one hit to get them at a reasonable price.
i joked with my wife this week that although I don't feel my carpentry skills have improved much lately, my packing skills really have! I'm a demon when I get going. My containers are a bit spread out, one day if I have a big workshop I'll have a storage and packing area and that will make it easier!
i am not surprised at all that you are selling so many things. i sure wish you could ship to the states but it would be dreadfully expensive. have a wonderful xmas kev! ps, we are never getting tired of you.
ReplyDeleteThis is great Kev (as we always say, being busy with business beats the alternative)! It has been a real joy on my part to find your blog and follow you and your family's journey.
ReplyDelete