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!

Day to Day

In the world of Ochre And Ocre this week its been the normal day to day stuff - eg. you never know what each day will bring!
I spent a pleasant day stuffing the new stock of Lavender Bags, that arrived this week. My desk slowly disappeared under a mound of the sweet smelling bags. Tying neat bows is quite a time consuming process - but at least you can sit there with a glass of wine in the evening, and some music.
Having builders around again feels more normal - with my day punctuated with tea making - how they aren't all toothless I'll never know, they all have at least 2 or 3 sugars in their tea! It's been nice to see the garage go up at long last, it finally feels like the house is almost finished. They are doing a really tidy job as well - as its timber its going up a lot quicker than masonry.
I went to my local WIRE meeting yesterday, it's good to get out and network, and correspond on a one to one basis as opposed to email and Skype. It was a nice chance to catch up with Kim from Lavender Ladies, (who supplies the Lavender I used to stuff the bags), and Emma from The Naked Soap Co.
I was trying to talk to our agent over in Portugal the other evening over Skype, when the bulldog decided she would start barking, and rolling around on her back growling, then my husband came home and I had locked him out, so I had to pause the conversation to let him in the door! Other times I am trying to have conversations on the phone, and the bulldog starts snoring, loudly. To give you an idea of the volume she can reach, you can hear her several rooms away, on a different floor. I'm sure the person on the other end of the phone must wonder what on earth is happening in the office.
Prep is well underway for the Spring Fair at the NEC, pulling together customer enquiry forms, price lists, backdrop quotes etc. I know February will be here really quickly, and there is so much work to do before then.
I'm back training again this week, after injuring my hamstring at Free Fighting the previous week. My running is a bit lopsided, but its good to get those natural endorphins going again.
So as you can see a week of normality at Ochre And Ocre HQ!

Christmas Prep

This week has been mostly in preparation for the forthcoming Christmas shows. It feels like the lull before the storm, starting with an intimate shopping evening that Jo Verity and Elaine, from Glass On Glass are organising. Ochre And Ocre were thrilled to be asked to join them, and it's for a really good cause, the Breast Cancer Haven. The WIRE team have been supportive as always, and have managed to squeeze an ad in for us in the next issue of the WIRE magazine.
There are another two fairs that week, over 5 days, so getting organised now is crucial.
Knowing how much stock is needed is a tricky one, and we've already had some sales on the new Venetien Red, its proving to be a really popular colour. I was overly cautious with the organic cotton table cloth stocks so I think I might get caught out on that one.
It was also accounts this week, which is always painful, the only nice thing is I get to catch up with my friend Amy, and her cute pup Darcey, (as seen with the new red pictures), as Amy is book keeper extraordinaire!
Believe it or not, preparation is already underway for the NEC Spring Fair, with several new ranges being planned. I will keep you posted on their progress.

POETS DAY

Even though I now work from home, I still get that same old Friday feeling. Which is quite bizarre, as more often than not I work over the weekend as well. I suppose the difference is that on a Saturday or Sunday it is highly unlikely that you will get pestered by the phone, and I don't feel I have to be at the gym by 7am.
Since going self employed I've been very conscious about sticking to a set routine, if nothing else to stop myself from that slippery slope of watching daytime tv. So ok, I might go and put a load of washing in during the day, and take a break to hang it up, but what I don't get now is that hour lunch break, or a 10 min gossip about what everyone watched on tv last night. So even though I worked long hours at my old job, I probably have a more concentrated working time now, as I have fewer distractions.
Worryingly I now seem to know the delivery guys quite well - and the staff in the local post office, but it is nice to see more local people, than when you disappear at 6.30 in the morning, and get back at 7pm you don't really feel part of a community.
This week we have been finalising the last few Christmas shows - I will add prompts as we get closer. It becomes a real juggling act to work out logistically where you need to be and what to take, as every venue is different. Now we are a year older though, the Christmas Fairs certainly seem less daunting this time around, and we will hopefully be more organised when we turn up!
I spent a day, labelling and gift boxing our latest candle delivery yesterday. The new soy wax in the oval glass holder looks lovely - at £8 it makes a great gift that won't break the bank.
Our link up with APC has also been finalised this week, so the impending Royal Mail deliveries seem less daunting. Plus the postage rates are a lot better. So even though they were paid by the customer, it feel better that they are more cost effective.
So back to that Friday feeling - I still need to take pictures of our new candles, set up the new items on the system, and update the shipping information, so I won't be shutting down early. But I will probably be pouring myself a glass of vino at 5pm, and catching up with my friend Mary, as she does her Friday night commute, just like I used to in the old days when I had a proper job! That certainly feels better than my old hour and a half drive home!

Customer Service - the goodies and baddies!

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Why is it some people do exactly what they say they are going to do, whilst other companies are absolutely useless. I've experienced at first hand this week both good and bad customer service.
Lets start with the baddies - as the owner of an online shop I like to support other online businesses, so with my other half's birthday approaching, a quick google and I came across Fur, Feather And Fin - www.furfeatherandfin.com - an outlet for sporting goods. I placed my order, easy to use site and waited, and waited, after a week I thought I had better chase it, as there was only 5 days to go before the birthday. I was told what I'd ordered was out of stock, (why they never thought to tell me??), offered me a replacement, and told it would be with me in 3 days time.
So again I waited - no news and unfortunately the birthday has come and gone - and still no present. I have had to resort to contacting them again, to be told it's being despatched tomorrow(heard that one before!), so we shall see.
(Note I am not actually saying what the item is, as it was / is supposed to be a surprise!)
On the goodies side, with the addition of our new hamper range, plus impending postal strike, I thought it prudent to get an alternative delivery service organised. The guy from APC came out to see me, went through the range, and with one simple form the account was set up - simples!!
I still intend to use Royal Mail for the smaller packages, but at least with a fall back of a courier, I can avoid disappointing customers if a strike happens.
The star baddy award though has to go to a building company - no surprise there I hear many of you cry! Roundwood Construction have got appalling customer service.
We booked a garage back in July, and were advised that it was 6 - 8 weeks delivery, so end of September for delivery. Yes, you've guessed it, the end of September has come and gone, the delivery date was revised to this week, and yesterday we were told that suddenly the wood is only just being cut, and it will be another two weeks before they come to erect the frame.
Once again, poor communication has really let a company down, and instead of telling us last week that there was not a cats chance that the garage would be here this week, they decided the head in the sand route was the better option! Will they redeem themselves?? I will keep you posted, but at the moment it looks like end of September delivery is really end of October....