More Business Branding

Although I'm not getting much done in the making and selling of my jewellery, it is still in the forefront of my mind.

I have a plan for a new item of jewellery and am just waiting for beads to arrive from overseas.

While I am waiting I have been looking for business cards. I had some made but seem to have filed them right out of sight! I've looked everywhere and still can't find them so I went to the site I have previously got them from - www.vistaprint.co.uk - and designed them from scratch using the original artwork my friend did for me and the website. I found a lovely design that I think has suited the style really well and here it is. I've also got some free address labels to match - bargain!

Troubles at Rainbow Cottage

I know I don't have many readers of my blog but I will continue writing as though I do in the hopes that numbers will increase eventually.

You may be wondering why you haven't heard from me for a while. This, I am afraid, is because I have ME/CFS and everything I do is based on how tired I am feeling each day. As much as I really want to get on with my business and sell lots of jewellery so I can buy some beads to make more I am struggling to find the energy to do the necessary photographs and descriptions for my listings on Folksy.

It is hard to have plans that are held up by the lack of physical and mental energy I have, not just for one day here or there, but for lots of days together. It is taking me several days (going on weeks) just to hand sew an edging on the hem and sleeves of a top that needs a new lease of life. I have several items of clothing that for one reason or another need some work. Some just need a little personalisation. Over the next few weeks when I have a bit of energy and want to do something I will be working on these items and maybe on a few more pieces of jewellery.

I am not too depressed. I am learning that I have to manage my energy carefully so that I may be able to get stronger and do more. I am losing weight and that is making me very happy. As much as I want to dive in and have a full time business I know this is not possible and I must treat it as a long term plan that may mean doing a little at a time and gradually increasing it over many months. I really want be careful with this business as my last one I rushed into headlong and it couldn't survive. This time I want to let it pay for itself and take it slowly.

So I am going to write this blog as often as I am able that I may let you know what I'm working on and how I am doing. Until then I wish fun and creativity in what ever projects you are working on.

Taking good photographs of jewellery

I'm sure my fellow jewellers will back me up when I tell you that taking good photo's of jewellery is really rather hard!

You need a good space where you display the jewellery well. Then a place that has good natural light to show the colours of the jewellery as accurately as possible. Then obviously the next thing is a good digital camera in this day of internet shops and websites.

The only thing in that little list that I have is the camera! Admittedly it's not a great camera but it has the ability to take good photo's and with a macro function for close ups!

So now, how in our tiny terraced house do I find the right space for taking photo's. I have tried using a windowsill in bright sunlight, in front of the tv (with white velvet cvering the screen) and spot lights, which made everything look a bit yellow! Maybe I should try up in the loft conversion with the velux window overhead or out in the garden! Oh for a perfectly placed, marvellously kitted out studio in which to work and take fabulous photo's.

I will let you know when I find the perfect spot in this house. In the mean time I have got some half decent photo's that have enabled me to list a few more items on folksy so please go and check out my latest bracelet - Summer Daze at http://www.folksy.com/items/56375-Summer-Daze-Bracelet

thank you.

Until next time Happy Crafting ;-)

Our Website is UP!

Hi,

Well it has been a busy 24 hours with ideas flowing back and forth but for the first time in 4 years of owning the domain name I now have a website to use it! www.rainbowcottage.me.uk is in use!! I do hope you will go and have a look. Please be aware that it is still a work in progress but more of our handmade items will be gracing it's pages in the following days and weeks.

Many thanks go to our special friend who having designed all the logos I could possibly need for every aspect of our business has merrily turned her hand to our website and she has done a great job!

So now all I have to do is get on with all the photo's of the jewellery so we can get them up on the website and onto our folksy shop, oh and of course making new items which is the fun bit!

I am mortified to have not got my friends birthday card and present in the post for her birthday tomorrow but at least I can make it up to her by making a unique piece of crocheted jewellery in her favourite colour!!!

Well the next few days are going to be busy ones still but it is very exciting to see the business coming together! Now all I need is for someone to buy something! Anyone?

That's all for now and until next time happy crafting one and all xxx

Why Rainbow?

hello all

I thought you would like to know how we chose our name. What is special about Rainbows? I have had a business before and it's logo was a rainbow and I wanted to carry it into this business venture too.

When I was 4 years old I lost my sight to cataracts. I couldn't see anything at all! My father had had it as a child and now I had got it. It is hereditary. Anyway I had 4 operations on my eyes over the following year and then more treatment and gradually I regained most of my sight.

When I was 6 we were at a camp holiday with friends and after a torrential down pour suddenly everyone was looking at a full arc rainbow over the entire campground and suddenly I could see it! I hadn't seen one since I had lost my sight! It was a precious moment with everyone rejoicing! Since then Rainbows have always given me encouragement and hope. I always thrill at the sight of a Rainbow and the beauty of it!

There is a poem that I have treasured since I was young that really does sum up Rainbows for me. I don't know who it is by but here it is...

Rainbows appear after mighty storms
When things look their very worst
Just when the sky is darkest grey
Look for the Rainbow first

A Rainbow is a sign of God's promise
That he will guide us through any storm
That he will take care for all our troubles
No matter what their form

When you feel battered by lifes storms
And you are filled with doubt and dismay
Just remember a Rainbow is coming
It is only a prayer away.

As for the cottage this business is a cottage industry so I put the two together to create Rainbow Cottage. Also my long term plan for my website is that it will incorporate all parts of family life as well as the business and the cottage encompasses that too.

Well that's all for today. Until next time, Happy crafting xxxx

Jewellery On Sale At Folksy.com

Hi all

It has been a very exciting day for us at Rainbow Cottage. A very talented friend has designed my logo for me and has also created the banner for my shop on Folksy. So having uploaded my banner I had to list one item of jewellery so my shop wasn't empty! I would love for you to go and see it at

http://www.folksy.com/items/50244-Perdita-Necklace

If you are following me on Twitter I have a new logo and background on there so go and have a look. If you aren't following me and would like to my Twitter name is Rainbowflute. I hope to see you on there!

Well that's all for today but keep watching as more will be going up in the next few days.

Until then Happy Crafting!

About Rainbow Cottage

HI

Welcome to Rainbow Cottage!

We are a very new business just in the process of setting up. We will have our own website and will be selling on Folksy.com and other similar sites. You can follow what we are doing on here and also on Twitter, Facebook and Myspace. Details of those as we get them up and running.

Rainbow Cottage is run by myself, Teri and my mum, Jan. We love all kinds of crafts but have some things that are our own specialties. For me that is Jewellery Making and Crochet and for Mum it is Knitting and Embroidery. We both are handy with a sewing machine and are always looking for ways to personalise our clothes and other items and love anything pretty.

Recently I have started making crocheted wire jewellery and have found the results very impressive and feedback from friends has been very positive. Now having made more items than I can wear I need to start selling and so the new business has stepped up a gear. It is very exciting for us.

We have just come back from our holidays in Wales and have found a wealth of lovely English and American magazines everywhere we went. We bought loads of different ones on sewing, quilting and patchwork, knitting and crochet and they have inspired loads of new ideas. As we bring these ideas to reality we will be telling you all about it. I hope you will enjoy hearing about them and maybe even find some inspiration for yourself. If you do, please let us know. We would love to hear about the things that inspire you and the things you are making.

Well that about sums it up for now. We will be back when we have more news to share.

Until then, happy crafting!