Autumn in Australia

Hello hello peeps :: guess i haven't been here for a while! 

Well life has been 'all systems go' over the past few months...in early April, we were partaking in the Make It show in Edmonton, which was the first big time show for Sparky Jones..triple ekkkkks. Everything went well - i was a lil nervous but ending up meeting lots of amazing crafty folk with the best part being...I learned so so so much (might get into that another day!) about the tradeshow side of things. 

Then due to perfect timing + the Mr working in Alberta - he was able to met up with us toward the end of our stay, so we decided to a few extra days and actually have the Easter season with family.

Late April was all about Businessing Tax time, which i am very happy to report that this year.... is the first time i have actually done my taxes on time - YIpPY! A huge thanks to my Mr who is a lover of spreadsheets and my new accountant who is a complete number crunching rockstar in a suit..i do love her ever so muchly! 

In between all this madness, there were a couple of special babies about to be born, so it was the perfect time to tweak a couple of design features on our Mama Jones diaper bag to make her even bigger + better - zip closure included ::  mission accomplished! (i'll be showing her off very soon, so keep popping to catch a sneak peek of whats new to the Sparky Jones range)

Then the 'big one' - early May brought our 2nd huge adventure....solo parenting to Australia (the Edmonton trip was just a test drive) - the 15 hour flight with a 18 month old went really well, luckily we left in the middle of the night, so lil Bea slept most of the way - phewwwwwww! I had so many plans for my trip, i was going to do this + that, visit different places, catch up with old + dear friends....and well none of that really happened. Sometimes in life you just need to disconnect + do absolutely nothing. I didn't really go near the computer as i wanted to take advantage of the present moment, i went for walks in the autumn air, spent time with my family, ate lots of chocolate and watched awesome Australian TV (we don't have a TV so this was a complete luxury). Our 2 1/2 weeks flew by + just like that, we seemed to be back on the plane headed for home. Was sad to say goodbye to my family, but the lil person + i were very excited to see one handsome Mr waiting for us at the Vancouver Airport.  Home again home again hippity hop, we are getting used to different time zones yet loving all the Springtime goodness.  I'm slowly picking up the pace + will be showing off new goodies as soon as possible...see you soon!

The new Sparky Jones website is up!

The new Sparky Jones website is up + this my friends is supa duper - ultra - completely out of this world exciting....because i built it myself!!!
Yes thats right the girl who is totally computer illiterate (funny how i always have to spellcheck that word...as wouldn't that be the most embarrassing thing to spell incorrectly! yikes!) managed to build a classy lil website!. Now i've tried a few different website building sites out there, Wordpress got me frazzled in under 3 mins(not a good start), Weebly i tried for a while, but it just wasn't totally what i was going for...and then luckily through my blog hopping, i read that Yvonne over at Yvestown had mentioned SquareSpace! As soon as i checked them out...i knew it was the right place for moi!

They have so many beautiful templates to choose from, but Montauk was the one for me! I loved that most of their designs are picture based (perfect for scrumptious snapshots),  divine simple + effective layouts and what i really appreciate about SquareSpace is they have peeps to assist you 24/7! They were so so so helpful + i would totally recommend these guys to anyone building a website! NB:: i did have to get a lil computer geekery help with the domain name transfer...that stuff is way over my head! Anyways i still have a touch of tinkering to do here + there, as you do...but if you have any feedback about the new website...i'd love to hear it!

Made it to MAKE IT!

Make It Show in Edmonton, Alberta

Well the last 24 hours i think has been the craziest of my life (minus that whole childbirth thingy!) I'm pretty sure it all started... with my first official wholesale order, then moved on to being a nominee  at the 1st Annual Penticton & District Arts Awards which all went down last night (fun night, lots of deserving creative peeps + cute community oomph)...and finished with the bestest email, which started a lil something like this ::

This is just a friendly 'lil email with some exciting news for ya. Would you like to hear it? Good.

Sooooo about that Make It shows you applied for...you still want to come right? Great.

Cause…


…YOU ARE IN!

(i'm not joking, i just did a copy + paste...how fantabulous is that for an acceptance letter!)

There has been a lot of screaming + happy dancing going on in this place + not much sleep. I feel like a (tired) kid in a candy shop.  Honestly ever since i put my 2014 Sparky List out there for the world to see, good things have been happening, evolving + growing organically....which i think is how this businessing life is supposed to go.

Check back on Monday too...i've been busily working on some Top Secret shenanigans behind the scenes here, can't wait to tell you about it!

Its nearly that time...

Its nearly time for businessing folk to get there taxes in, so we are trying to get caught up here...thanks goodness to the Mr + his geekery :: he loves a good spreadsheet, pie charts + numbers, all of which are not my forte. I'm trying to change my ways, so on top of being more organized, this year i have hired a kickass accountant who weirdly invigorates moi + gets me excited to work with numbers! We are nearly finished all the prep work, so hopefully we have all our ducks in a row + all goes smoothly. Fingers x'd + cheers to making much needed changes for this adventurous year ahead!

Around here.

Hello hello, happy mondaying!
Well i have started to add a some delicious Sparky Jones nogginware to the shoppe!  I wanted to revise the pattern for a while now,  as some things were starting to annoy me greatly ~ so after a bit of tinkering... i'm totally smitten!

Now the prices of Sparky Jones hats have increased, yes that is correct! Each hat style will be increasing by $25 due the fact that i have crunched a lot of numbers over the past while and taking into account the pricing dilemma + well to be honest...things hadn't been  adding up very well!

But with that being said, Sparky Jones hats are 150% unique accessories that have been lovingly designed by moi + handcrafted(pre washed, deconstructed + thoughtfully reconstructed) from vintage and preloved goodness....+ with the added bonus of being built to be your longtime best friend  (fast fashion need not apply ::giggle!).
And because you guys are pretty fantabulous, there is free shipping on hats for the last few days of February, so head on over to the shoppe

Anyways one of my goals for 2014 was to create a  newsletter, not one of those spamming things that you wished you'd never signed up for, as your mailbox is currently full.  But for all you special peeps out there that have been supporting Sparky Jones over the years.  I'll be letting you know bi-monthly of the newly designed, hot of the press goods that will be coming soon, perhaps a bit of gossip + of course..a top notch discount or two.  So if you are interested, feel free sign up over here ::

http://eepurl.com/MRTEj

Exciting businessing adventures are on the way!  

New Sparky Studio.

Hello hello! well its been a few days since i've been here...but its all for good reason! The stars have really been aligning for moi of late, and one of those many reasons is ...i now have a Sparky Studio! I can't even explain to you how exciting this is! A space to leave things as they are, a creative getaway, and so i can once again have my fantabulous fabric collection out so i can see it daily :: yum yum!

And the perfect thing about this lil nook is....its a one minute walk away from my house. Out the back door, down the alley and one block away! Funny story is i had put my name on the list probably 2 years ago, and had completely forgotten about it...so it surely was a pleasant surprise phone call. I took the chartreuse shag carpet out, i did actually want to keep it, but trying to find a lost pin could become a bit of an issue.  It might be somewhat temporary, so i'll do her up the best i can...the most important thing is though...i have a space :: ahhhhhhhhhh.

 snapshots ::
1. hello sunshine + piano (pity that will be going soon)
2. the shag goodness
3. lucky number 14
4. i even love the art deco styled door handle
5. hardware supplied :: 2 hooks + a pencil sharpener....in the cupboard!

righto..more news to come soon, trying to keep up with it all + a babe who has decided not to nap or nap at odd weird moments.

Sampler Monday :: Moo cards

My first week back at work were busy ordering sampler packs of this + this was the first to arrive.   Its always exciting to get a package in the mail, and better when the contents are a complete surprise! I managed to bust through most of my business cards over the christmas craft show season ~ and thought well i did love the ones i had, but what other styles/options does Moo Cards offer, so instead of choosing blindly, i ordered a free sampler pack! So i think i might change it up a bit + go for a more fancy finished look! Can't wait to receive my next package from Moo!

winding down...

Well things are starting to wind down here for 2013. I wrapped up my last couple of orders that are heading for their exciting new homes.
I brought out a new lil wallet called 'Hello'….they just make me giggle, i wanted to make an accessory to go with a Sparky carrier or just to be held alone for those quick trips to the shops ~ yep a bit late for the Christmas shoppers, but i just couldn't wait until the new year!
Its started to get very wintery around these parts…so leggings, denim dresses + nooks booties are high on the agenda for lil Miss Bea.
Today it snowed like crazy, right when we were going to look at house #241(i feel like thats how many houses we have looked at to date!), however i did manage to stop along the way to take this quick snapshot. I'm not that fond of the snow…but there is a beauty in its serenity for sure!  And its always nice to have a white christmas, just like in the movies :: giggle.

only when.

Only when you have too much to do, do you find the time to got through your cotton spool bin ~ wink!

The Businessing card.

The businessing card ~ love em, + what a splendiferous way to show off your new branding, wink wink!

I usually use GreenPrinterOnline, although i was wondering about Jukebox Print, but i have always deep down wanted to try out Moo, so as learning new things is on the list for 2013.... Moo won! Big smile!

Now i received my businessing cards in the mail a week or 2 back, got to say i love with whole experience of printing with Moo. Their website is fun,fun,fun...easy to use and they have way too many inspirational things on there :: as in...i wanted to order 100 different things! Its a great site to look around if you are stuck for ideas + to see what other cool peeps in the design world are up to aswell. Anyhoo i was very impressed as my shipment arrived before the due date, and all packaged up real cute like!

So have a look around + if you enter this wonderful code::

http://www.moo.com/share/79tn9t

you'll get a nice + fancy 10% off your first order!

 

I'm going to try + design some postcards for Christmas, and then there is the 'Baby Thank You' cards i never got around too::giggle. At times i wonder who ever started that silly tradition(i'm thinking it must have been someone sans babe!)

hello branding!

 

Branding your biz, is I have to say....one of the funnest parts of the job! Its like putting all the things that you absolutely love into basket + getting to create something that is truely special and unique (hopefully!) This is where your mood box can come in handy too!!

 

Sparky red, a 'touch of femininity' pink + vintage fashion inspiration, is what I put into my Sparky Jones basket...oh la la!  So so exciting, the only thing is...sometimes its hard to stick with what you have chosen, when there are so many possibilities +  wonderful ideas :: giggle!!

Anyways the key thing is to keep it consistent ~ that way peeps will recognize you from near + far...and hopefully get that comfy feeling....... just like when you see your Muma:: you always know what too expect! ahhhhhhh!.

 

Some businessing folks that inspire me in the branding department are ::

Miss Sue Eggen of the glittery goodness ::  Giant Dwarf

Miss Bre of the boho chic :: Scout + Catalogue

and my new time big crush :: Fleur + Dot

 

So throughout the month, we'll have to keep that basket close, as we'll be splendiferously branding everything~ YiPpY!

 

October Overview

Autumn colours, woolen cardigans + Thanks Giving are all things to look forward to this month!

 

But on the businessing front...well its starting to get a lil crazy over here! YiPpY. I think i must be a big fan of 'crunch time' ~ getting busy, being busy, having less time + doing more.....

So what does October bring...well there is going to be some branding, we are going to get Social, touch on a bit of Photography, get a lil creative with the marketing...the 3rd Indie-preneur interview (and yes, the 2nd is on its way!).  Finishing up with a simple yet effective Project by Papa W(my Papa).

The Show

Getting so so excited for the Fabulous Finds Show :: Thought i would hand out some flyers cyberly!

Sourcing.

Well Happy Monday!!

I'd actually written a post on sourcing, but in my wakeless hours last night, due to another crazy thunder + lightening storm (tis the season i suppose)....i wanted to tell you about something a little bit different!

 

Sourcing the good stuff!

 

For the last while, i have been thinking of how to make Sparky Jones bigger + better - which is why this whole adventure started right,  so i've been trying to find materials that will make a real impression, so i've been searching high + low,emailing, calling, back + forth we go.  Its quite the process let me tell you, especially when you want your business to be of an ethical nature.

 

I think i've finally found some materials that will fit, just waiting for some more swatches - i'm so ecstatic to be using something that is a bit foreign to me...one must always be learning, otherwise life becomes boring!

 

I've found a few places on Etsy to get my hardware; such as earring supplies, magnetic snaps etc, and from me to you....'always have a back up plan + a helmet' as my friend always says.  As just when you are out of something, the business you usually shop with, doesn't stock it anymore, and you need them for a Show you are doing...that actually happened :: hello stress!!

 

Locals are pretty fantabulous too.  Most of the businessing locals i use are great people, happy to help, give advice, offer a deal -  which is the nice thing about supporting your own town

 

I've been trying to think a bit more outside the box too, i think we all get a lil stuck at times, so to make things more fun + to be creativity inventive for me is key.  I'll be doing a DIY next month, which is something i'll be using in my businessing, but something you could use for gifts too.

 

And lastly....my secret weapon :: just ask.  There has been a couple of times, when i just had no idea where to look. Luckily over that last few years,  i have met quite a few crafty folk, who all seem to know something a bit different for moi ~ so they can head you in the right direction + are usually happy to help a friend in need! (Actually i'm thinking i might set up a focus group soon, for those who are in need of a businessing information, help + encouragement :: let me know if you'd be interested!)

Well this is just really dusting on sourcing the goods, BUT i have decided to change October's topic from Photography to Marketing ( as marketing is a BIG one + does kinda include photography!), so i'll be covering a lot of splendiferous tidbits there!

The Pricing Dilemma.

And what a dilemma it is! How to price your goods is such a hard task ~ i mean you love what you do, you want other peeps to love what you do, you want to be nice....but you need feed yourself, pay your bills + keep your sanity.... all, whilst looking gorgeous ::giggle! 

So i'll share a lil something with you that i found very very interesting!

About a year ago, i stumbled upon the wonderful world of Etsy Online Labs ~ and they are an absolute wealth of information + inspirations for any peeps in business, especially the crafty types.
Anyways, the one  Etsy Lab that really stuck out for moi was ....

.Pricing for Profit by Tara Gentile + Megan Auman. 

 

I had a lot of 'light bulb' moments, a lot of 'oh...now i get it, that totally makes sense!'... and made me laugh about a situation that happened when i first opened up my etsy shop ::

 

A lovely young lady in romantic Paris, contacted me and wanted to know if i would like to wholesale to her exciting new boutique.  It sounded so dreamy, so informed her what my wholesale price would be - which kinda seemed really low...but hey who cared, my stuff would be in Paris right! Anyways it never eventuated thanks goodness, as that number i gave her ~ did not include:

- labour costs

- money to put into growing my business

- or any profit ~ which means i would be eating rice + water for the next month! Yikes!

 

 'work out a number so that you are profitable at the wholesale point!' is just one of the valuable quotes from Ms Auman  ~ infact there is so much good stuff, you really need to watch it!

 

So if you are a bit short on time (like myself), just put it on + have a listen whilst you are cooking supper, sewing, creating etc.  Hope you find it as helpful as I did!! oh and there is also a downloadable worksheet provided...might fill mine out this week!

Creatin' the good stuff

I LOVE, love love CREATING!! Give me a coffee, a bit of quiet time + some scrumptious supplies...and i'm the happiest girl around. This month is all about the products, so i wanted to spend time really fine tuning, as over the last... well year, i've been mentally working on my products. Now that I have done most of the things that I used to dread(yippy) like organization + numbers...its 'treat yourself time'...yep, some well earned creative time!!

 

So one of the things on my 'get creating' list was to catch up with Darlene of 'Button Crazy', to get some top notch notions for my secret new products.   I had met her through the Fabulous Finds Shows (which I just received news that the Sparky Jones application as a stall holder...was accepted! ~ happily freaking out now!), anyways I knew that she was pretty stocked up with important things I needed..... so I packed up the whole family (Mumma, Pappa, the Mr and the babe) and we took a mini road trip to Vernon to get some much needed gorgeous supplies!  Luckily I have my new businessing lil traveller report card to jot down how much road we travelled :: wink wink!

 

I was definitely not disappointed, she had walls of vintage goodness(in the most fantabulous lil boxes that I really wanted to keep), cabinents of all sorts of wonderfully colourful notions, Mumma and I were definitely drooling with excitment and wanting.....everything! 

I'm really hoping to post some snippets of what I have been working on soon !

 

September Overview

September is all about the good stuff :: the Products! This is the topic that makes me the happiest, so hopefully I will cover some exciting stuff for others too.  Creating, pricing, sourcing, Sparky's 2nd Indie-Preneur interview + some other inspirational goodies..

Encouragement Monday

Well my folks arrived from the Southern Hemisphere last week...and boy have we been busy! Lots of talking, endless coffee + eating eating eating ~ so yes, I have been taking a wee break from the ol' blogging.  Anyways amongst these last few days - I realized how hard it is to keep yourself motivated at times (no matter how fun your task is!)...so this is a lil note of encouragment for you + me.

Think I might have to leave some of these around the house as the next couple o months are going to get a touch nutso, things are starting to heat up around here...just received some splendiferous news.... which i'll be able to share in the next week!!

Free Printable for the lil Traveller.

Well, this is something I was in need of for ages (i'm a big fan of writing everything down on scraps of paper or backs of envelopes + happily yet accidently putting it in the paper recycling...oppsie doopsie) ~  So i thought well i'd better make a cute Sparky-fied vehicle log book/worksheet, that would look absolutely fantabulous in a clipboard, and would therefore require me to be gorgeously organized!! (And keep the car a touch more tidy!).  So I set my mind to creating a free printable that others can use too ~ what a perfect-a-mondo idea!!

I just signed up with Dropbox - a secure online file sharing + storage cloud. Hopefully I did everything correctly(fingers x'd) so that you can  download the lil traveller report card and use it for your lovely self.  enjoy!

Good Day - Big Grin

Okay my weekend project is still in production mode! ~ all cut out, pintucks sewn + ironed...looking pretty darned good so far! Can't wait to get really stuck into it tomorrow!!(got a couple of other things burning in my mind that I want to get started, like NOW:: giggle)

Anyways, life is always happy when the Mr brings home a pizza sized Apple, Raspberry + Rhubarb Galette from Joy Road Catering plus vanilla icecream (i'm still working on that one too, although I have made better progress on the galette than the project ~ whoops!) but I have to say today things got even better ~ I found something I've been looking for + wanted for a long time!!!

Over the last week I have been visiting some bookeepers + accountants for my businessing needs..and today I have found the number nerd for moi, and this makes me so so so happy. She's a bigtime professional .....but supa funny, really down to earth + what I love about her most, she is 200% passionate about her job - she loves numbers so much I think she could even gobble them up. Most numbering peeps lose me at 'hello', after that i'm daydreaming about fabrics, hat ideas + delectable notions ~ but this one, we talked numbers, spreadsheets, accounting software, business goals, taxes and on + on...and by the end of it, I was pumped with a big grin ready to take on the world with my new love of numbers.

So was I glad that I put in the time to secretly interview numbering folks for a future relationship ~ like only a crazy woman would...yep, you bet ya.  I don't feel completely overwhelmed, I feel excited + I will now have someone in my backpocket to help me when I need it and is as passionate about my business as I am.  Onward + upwards my friends...