Knobs and Whistles

Image by waferboard via Flickr

Our first big wholesale show is fast approaching - and despite having attended it for over 15 years as a Buyer, being on the other side fills me with nervous anticipation!
We were very excited when our giant backdrops arrived this week, which will form part of our stand. Using images of the Fired Earth kitchens taken by Rachel Spivey, the full size kitchens look really impressive.
One of my important jobs this week was knob buying, (no jokes please!), as we want to make the 2D image 3D. Now I can't take any of the credit for this cunning plan, but our thanks do go to Jo Verity, who before she became jewelery and homewares designer she was a visual merchandiser, and so has a brilliant eye for all things display. (Her stands at shows are always works of art).
With the knobs duly purchased and matchpot paint to paint the knobs we tried to mock up the layout for the show.
Our hall temporarily became exhibition space, with tape and rulers marking out the space. I filled up the hall with mannequins, small tables, and all our other props, and I am relieved to say it seems to be coming together. Unfortunately / and fortunately a phonecall from the estate agents requesting a viewing of our house cut short the pre run, and I had to lug all the props back into the store. There followed a period of Monica like madness where I hoovered, dusted and polished and titivated the house in readiness for the viewing.
But I think we are nearly there; the invitations have gone out, the samples are nearly ready, so I just need to get busy with the velcro and knobs!

Ladies Who Lunch!

I knew there had to be a perk to owning your own company- and there is! I can waltz out of the office to go and meet a friend for lunch, and not have to explain it to anybody!
I popped over to Broadway yesterday, to meet Jo Verity. She had just finished another batch of those gorgeous beaded napkin rings for Ochre & Ocre.
Jo started her business the same year as Ochre & Ocre, and we met through a networking group called WIRE. (Women In Rural Enterprise)
Her jewellery has had a great response, (piccies attached), I think mainly because it is so different. So many "hand made" jewellery companies buy in all their beads and just thread them onto a ready made chain, what makes Jo's so different is that she rolls her own paper beads, and then combines these with glass, stones and bone, to give a really unique look.
What is even more exciting is that Jo is expanding into new areas - excited up by the response to her napkin rings, she is developing some other "interior" products, made with her paper beads.
From curtain tie backs, to light pulls, to lamp shades, she has so many great new ideas.
Jo and I had a great lunch, discussing our new plans, and bouncing ideas off one another. It is really great to share ideas and work with other small businesses to try to help each other.
Just to prove it wasn't all play and no work, pic also attached of Jo with her trusty notebook which she takes everywhere with her!
Why not check out her site if you like jewellery that is a bit more unique, and each piece a one off. go to: www.Joveritydesigns.com

A quiet week

Things seem very quiet this week, I'm not sure if it's because everyone has been waiting to see what the budget brings. The one bonus has been that I've caught up on all those odd jobs that I've been putting off for ages, and getting things ready for the forthcoming shows.
Ochre & Ocre are going to be at Tewkesbury Food & Drink festival next weekend, I'm hoping it is going to be busy. Having taken part in so many shows in the run up to Christmas, the thought of standing there bored all day is not worth bearing. The good thing about food shows is that there is usually something to watch, (Tewkesbury has a cookery theatre) and food and drink to sample! It should at least keep my long suffering husband entertained, as the problem with shows is its hard to do it all yourself, with carrying the stock, to grabbing a break.If nothing else we're guaranteed to come home with a local cheese!
Paul & I will be wearing our finest Ochre & Ocre organic aprons, and if we get bored may even end up putting on a puppet show with the finest Ochre & Ocre organic gauntlets!!
It will be the first time that our new range of napkin rings will be on sale, I hope they will get a good reaction. Jo sent me the first finished pics yesterday and they look stunning. Are new wooden napkin rings went on the site last week, but no sales yet.
Still looking for exciting new additions to the range, as ever waiting for responses from suppliers!
Just sussed out how to add pics to blog as well -so hope they will be more interesting!

Self Employed for One Year!

It's a year to the day that I chucked in my well paid job, with company car, health care, substantial shopping discount and world travel opportunities to work from home, trying to start up a new business in probably the toughest trading conditions for a long while.
In my defence when I had handed my notice in 6 months prior to that the recession was hinted at, but it seemed a bit of press hype.
So was it worth it? Like most anniversaries you do tend to mull over your past year, what you've achieved, and what you've missed, and I have to say yes. I have met so many lovely people who I would never have met if I had stayed in my comfort zone. Firstly Fiona for setting up a business with me, she must be mad! The lovely Kim from Lavender Ladies, who I meet up with every now and again for a chat and sanity. Phillippe from Blue Earth Solutions, who is my Sage - always willing to help and listen. Jo Verity the very cool jeweller, who like me is just setting up. It's also brought me closer to my friends who have supported me by helping at shows, (thank you mary!), putting up with my appalling book keeping, (Amy you are a very patient person!), and Lindsey who has helped to create the look of Ochre & Ocre, and who is a real rock.
I go to the gym most mornings, so despite the stress of self employment I am fitter and healthier!
I get to spend more time with Gert, the coolest bulldog in the world.
And I believe I have a product range that has good credentials, looks nice and is well made - there is just some work still to do in making other people aware of it!
So in the true tradition of anniversaries I will be opening a bottle of wine with Paul to toast to the future - and new opportunities. Yes it's scary, but like my favourite proverb: We must risk going too far, to discover just how far we can go".

Sunshine In Wales

Can you believe it, it wasn't raining in Wales! We went home to visit my parents this weekend, they farm on the Welsh borders near Hay On Wye. The weather was lovely - hot and sunny, and I managed to catch a few rays whilst sat in my mums garden.
Paul & I went to Pembridge Terracotta on the Saturday - or at least that was what we were hoping to do -only to find out that they closed down a few years ago!
Paul was not so upset, as we stopped for a drink at The New Inn in Pembridge, and sat outside and had a bottle of the local cider, Black Fox.
Spookily in The Sunday Times, Whichford Terracotta were advertising their seconds sale this weekend, which is right on my doorstep, so we went there yesterday and have made enquiries about doing a small pot for Ochre & Ocre. I have a few ideas of possible table decorations that would be perfect for weddings - ably assisted by my friend Kim from Lavender Ladies.
I also went to visit Charlie at The Cut Flower Garden - and suffered severe view envy, as her house has amazing views of Hay Bluff on one side and the Wye valley on the other. She showed me around her lovely gardens, and we talked about working together - I'm really excited that we can start this June. It will be a squeeze trying to get the photos done before the Good Food Show -but it will be a perfect opportunity to promote the new category.
We also popped over to see Peter, the woodturner yesterday and picked up the first few sets of napkin rings. They look really good, very different to the mass produced lines in the high street. I spent today photographing them, and loading them on the site. It will be interesting to see how they sell. Jo has been sending me pics of the beads she is varnishing, for the other napkin rings that are being made. These are going to be really special - and she has managed to find the perfect colour papers to match our Ochre shades.
It's really nice to be adding new things to the site - even though it's only been 6 months, you soon want to see newness. Just waiting for the Linen prices now.......

Exciting new things!

Don't you love it when you have a productive day? You have ticked off lots of things on your to do list, and you feel like you've actually accomplished something.
I'm very excited about our new link up with The Cut Flower company. They are going to do two bouquets for Ochre & Ocre, a kitchen one and a set of two posies for the dinner table. It completely ties in with our natural, organic ethos, and working with small companies. Sorting out how it works on the website will be interesting - but I know Phillippe will be able to solve it!
I've spoken to Charlie the owner on the phone, and she sounded lovely, so I'm looking forward to meeting her this weekend.
Talking of which can't wait to see the napkin rings that Jo has done for us, I'm hoping through linking with us,she should also get more sales on her jewellery.
Just spoke to Adriano, our man in Portugal. His english is so good, it makes me ashamed at my lack of foreign languages, (but only for a while - I can't fit much more in at the moment!).
Pushing ahead with the organic linen range, looking forward to getting it on line and seeing what the customer reaction will be.
I'm collecting the wooden napkin rings on Monday - they looked great in the pictures, I just hope they live up to expectations.
I really love adding all this newness to the site - but the proof will be in the sales!