Happy New Year!

Sorry - I know my blog is belated, and neglected after the chaos of Christmas and all the build up to it!
The good news is our photoshoot for our new Ochre And Ocre British Collection went really well. Timing wise it was quite hairy, with the samples arriving on the Friday, and the shoot on Monday, Christmas week. Leaving me a weekend to iron everything, make Lavender bags, cushions, and sort out suitable props.
The shoot day arrived and it was very icy and snowy - but with a car laden with boxes of samples, food for propping and eating, plus a wide selection of plates, bowls, glasses, and cutlery. (I knew there was a reason I keep buying gorgeous ceramics!).
I was really thrilled to have found a gem of a photographer in Rachel Spivey - a talented soul, she has a real passion for her role, and was really easy to work with.Do take the time to check out her website, as she covers a really wide range of topics, from corporate to weddings and even burlesque!
We took over the top floor of the Fired Earth studios in Adderbury, with our boxes, lights, and equipment. Luckily as it was Christmas week, and their sale had not yet started it was really quiet. A few customers who did wander up the stairs, were not at all worried that the lights were off, and we had some really positive feedback on the new ranges.
The Fired Earth colours complimented the new range perfectly, (or is it vice versa?), either way it was a match made in heaven.
We were done and dusted in a day, and we are thrilled with the results. Rachel was a real star and worked on the images over Christmas, enabling us to get them our first week back.
(We might of snuck away for a small break over Christmas, but I don't think anyone noticed!)
It's now full steam ahead with preparations for the Spring Fair at the NEC in February. Stand planning, price lists, invites, the list seems fairly endless, and as its the first time there is bound to be something we have forgotten. Plus I'm hoping to shoe horn in a days trip to Portugal to go through the sampling, and cover all the points required for the new production. So a busy start to 2010, but an exciting one too!

Delaying tactics

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I don't know if anyone else has this problem or maybe its just me - but when it comes to doing something I don't really enjoy, I manage to find 101 things to do instead.
I dread getting the Bank statement through the post, as it means I need to update the accounts, and tackle SAGE. I don't mind analysing sales, best sellers etc, but somehow just entering numbers doesn't do it for me, so I seem to find lots of other things to do - hence writing the blog now. Well I did need to update it!
We are not so much winding down for Christmas at the moment, as gearing ourselves up for a 2 day photoshoot next week. I went and met our new photographer on site yesterday just to check the layout and lighting levels, and to go through the shot options and styling. Then a quick trip round Sainsbury's to get some food props - if anyone had looked in my trolley they would think  I had a strange diet of red onions, cherry tomatoes and garlic.
Luckily when it comes to the ceramics I have lots of prop options - from my time as Kitchenware buyer at Allders to  Gift Buyer at Wedgwood - I've always had a penchant for nice ceramics. Add in a few cookbooks, pestle & mortar, and pepper grinder and we are good to go. Apart from the one vital ingredient; the new samples themselves.
It has been a frustrating week, rearranging dates, chasing Portugal for information, and now waiting on TNT to deliver the goods. A true Virgo, I like to be organised, and had started work on the new range months ago, but my attempts have been thwarted at every turn. The danger with no time between the samples arriving and the shoot itself means if they are not quite right there is nothing we can do.
Fortunately Rachel Spivey our photographer seems very organised, and judging by the shots on her online portfolio a great eye as well.
So another delaying tactic from the accounts at the moment is to keep checking the TNT site for delivery updates...........
Ok - I'll get on with the accounts, but I might just check the weather forecast first!

The Last Show of 2010

Image by michaelallroy via Flickr

We have our last Christmas show this Friday - which is a big relief as they are such hard work. You have the day before sorting out the stock, signs etc, and then the show itself, followed by another day putting the stock away, adjusting the stock, and doing the banking. Also the day job still needs tackling - so after a month with no time off, the thought of a show free weekend seems very luxurious.
I do feel that we have had a more successful show season this year than last year. Obviously we were only just setting up last year, but monetary wise we have done better this year, although emerging from the recession may be a large part in this.  I am pleased to say that we did learn from the mistakes we made a year ago. Finding the right environment to sell your product in is critical - a big clue last year was the number of times customers said, "we are surprised to see you here?". Often it was a very local craft fair and our not so crafty luxury items stood out a mile.
Snobby as it sounds, when selling table linen for fine dining,if the visitors to the fair are donning tracksuits, and want free samples, you know you are onto a loser before you start.
The other big difference is our mix has evolved - whereas a year ago we sold just the textiles, this time our wider range of pick up gifts have been the solution to a lot of customers present buying dilemma's.
Hearing customers say - this is the nicest stand here - (that was at the NEC!), was also a huge boost, as you feel you must be getting something right.
So we now are looking forward to 2010 - and revisiting our marketing plan. What worked, didn't work, which shows shall we do again, and which were frankly a waste of time. It is at times like this, I wish I had a crystal ball - knowing which ads will work, and which are a con, which shows will have a good footfall of the RIGHT type of customers. But as I said at the beginning, I am pleased that we have learnt from our mistakes, we are evolving, and feel that we are in an even stronger position to tackle 2010. Bring it on!

The Christmas Build Up

You know Christmas is near when you start to hear those festive songs on the radio - I have to admit I am a sucker for the old Phil Spector tunes - I have a special Christmas mix on my ipod, that gets played over and over in the weeks pre Crimbo.
In my old days in retail, we used to get a new "tape" once a month, (I did say old days - for those younger readers it was like a CD, but sometimes it snapped and we were back to the previous months offering!). We used to look forward to our new tunes every month - but by the end of the month hearing the same 12 tunes every hour would cause the sanest person to grit their teeth.
Having just spent a week at The Good Food show I thought I would feel more Christmassy - but I think because it is such a large space you lose the intimacy and Christmas Spirit that you get at smaller markets - hence I'm actually looking forward to the Moreton On the Marsh Christmas Fair this Saturday. They are switching on their lights, and there will be mulled wine and Christmas gifts aplenty!
It has been great to get an instant reaction from all our leafleting at the Good Food Show last week - and we have already had a few follow up orders.
Alongside the Christmas build up we are also busy working on our new print range - which we are very excited about. Personally I love prints - they are a great way to inject life into any space. One of the designs has a real 50's / Lucienne Day feel, which I think makes a refreshing change from a market currently swamped with Cath Kidston florals.
As always though, getting the samples in time is causing a few sleepless nights - as it appears all retailers are placing repeat orders, and a smaller company like Ochre And Ocre can get bumped to the back of the queue. Not knowing if / when the samples are arriving also makes booking locations / photographers difficult... but as my friends keep telling me, "if it was easy, everyone would be doing it!".
I'll leave you with a few pics of our stand at the NEC - we had so many favourable comments about our display from customers, it was lovely to hear.

The big one!

After weeks of build up - D Day finally arrived. Paul and I travelled up in two cars - pulled into the lorry park in amongst the white vans and lorries, and the feeling of being an imposter started to niggle...
We unloaded our collection of boxes(smart see through plastic), shelving, (Ikea ok not so posh), and carrier and bin bags, (ok maybe this is where I was really letting the side down).
All around us professional display companies were erecting purpose built stands for their customers. Meanwhile I was balancing on the stool to hang some pictures and branding, whilst Paul nipped to B & Q to get some chipboard, as we had miscalculated the dimensions!
Chipboard in place - table cloths draped, and table laid, we certainly had colour. We could have done with more space - but with the stand cost already giving me nightmares, we had to make do with what we had.
Opposite us the Jamie at Home team were sitting around chatting, as someone else had built their stand, but more promising was the forklift truck making its way to the Moet stand opposite.
From a distance we look like a real company - the proof as always will be in the sales!

Insider Secrets

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One of the best things about doing so many Christmas shows is that you get to do your Christmas shopping in work time - and you can get something unique, often handmade, and not available on the high street.
So I thought I ought to share a few more of the lovely stalls I have come across recently.
A surprise one I came across whilst at Upper Rissington last week was Herb Farmacy. I say surprise, as they are actually from my home area, and I never knew they were there when I was growing up in Herefordshire.
They had a really lovely range of Organic skin care, made using herbs they've grown on their farm in Eardisley. They all smell lovely  - I may have purchased a few stocking fillers!
Again on an Organic theme, I met Plush chocolates at Ettington last week - they make delicious Fairtrade chocolates in Warwickshire.
Their website is not yet up and running - but one to keep an eye out for is Pandora Rose - beautiful flowing dresses - as my friends know I love a pretty dress!
Another site for pretty, and unique clothing is Linen Lawn. They had a stand at the Country Living show last week - Liberty esque prints in a soft cotton - and cute little blouses. 
I met quite a few local businesses at Northleach over the weekend - I know I've mentioned Naked Soap before, but its well worth trying to catch up with them at a show, as they have some great Crimbo pressie ideas - the Epsom Bath salts smell divine.
The Cotswold Ice Cream Company may not be top of your shopping list - but ice cream does go beautifully with Christmas pud!
If you are looking for inspiration for the smaller people in your family - check out Keke Interiors.
With more shows still to do, I'm sure I'll come across a few more gems over the next few weeks - I'll keep you posted.

A Select Gathering

It was a select gathering of stalls at last nights Christmas Shopping Evening, at The Red Lion, Stiffords Bridge, near Malvern.
It was the first time I had been in The Red Lion, and I was struck by what a welcoming feel the pub had; recently refurbished following the awful floods, it still had the character of a country pub.
Judging by the spread put on by Sally, the landlady, it is definately a pub worth trying out for their food. Sally has a loyal following amongst her regulars, many of whom turned up last night.
Ochre And Ocre were there with Elaine from Glass On Glass, and Jo Verity, of Jo Verity Designs. We were there for a fundraising shopping evening in aid of Breast Cancer Haven. There were some fabulous prizes in the prize draw, as well as a gift wrapping service, with all proceeds going to the charity.
Our Honey Hand Lotion and Beeswax Terracotta pots were the most popular buys - both really good value, and unique gift ideas.

Shows are hard work - aside from lugging boxes of textiles and shelving around, its hard on your feet standing for several hours, and trying to get that balance with customer service.
Despite having training years at Fosters Menswear years ago, for my very first job, straight out of uni and wet behind the ears; when it comes to selling your own product it is quite hard. Selling a man and outfit is relatively simple - you can be fairly certain if he's in the shop he is intending to buy, unlike women who will surf the high street for that elusive item, and are still likely to go home empty handed.
The other advantage selling to men is that they are usually grateful for any help or advice, so you just need to establish the budget, the event, and putting together an outfit was relatively simple.
I find fairs and shows with Ochre And Ocre a completely different matter - spare a thought for the stall holder next time they ask if you want any help...I've had some sneering, curt rebukes, and more often or not been completely ignored. Often you feel invisible stood behind your stall. Yes, the customer is always right, but we can make the shopping experience more interesting if we can explain the provenance of the item. I hate hard sell myself, so would never do it to anybody else, but I do like to hear about the maker of the product, or what it is made from.
So I am currently steeling myself for our next Christmas Fair - and how to sell our products in the best way possible. After every fair thinking how can I improve my display? Get the message across about the provenance of the product without bombarding with signage. And gritting my teeth for the sneerers!
Personally I love shopping at small gift fairs, because you can pick up really unique gifts, often direct from the designer / maker, and support other small businesses.
So next time you are wandering around a show, why not smile at the stall holders? You might even get a discount!