Spring forward

The warm weather has made a huge difference at the Echo shop. We have been able to create a mini market in the front porch and generated plenty of sales as a result. Last week we were visited by Sheila who used to run Chattels in Hay on Wye. She passed some great advice on how to style the shop and I've spent the last few days rearranging and 'zone-ing' as she suggested. Seem to be fixated with changing the layout but hopefully this will be it for a while. At least until Wednesday when Jan, my job share, comes in and suggests an even better way!

Lovely day shopping in Cardiff on Saturday, it was as good as everyone said. Found Paperchase and bought gorgeous paper and then discovered the most fantastic bead shop. We bought beads, of course, but also some coloured hemp cord and lots of sculpey.

Last week I tried out a Clover product which was meant to 'simply' make a daisy shape in needle felt, Broke 5 felting needles and didn't turn out as expected. Rachel asked why I'd made an octopus.

Still on the cheap

Haven't quite managed the quantity of freebies that I did previously but the website is coming on thanks to some assistance from the web design team at BT. Yes, I did get a free website but for £149 I can have a logo designed, 2 pages on the website and an hours training. Which seemed like good value to me. But I'm reaping the benefits of free motivation in the form of a wonderful site and blog from Judith Morgan, inspirational stuff. I'd also recommend Danielle La Porte, I wish I had one ounce of her sass.

Make and Take Away HQ is coming on, one more days painting and the flooring can go down.Yay!

Business relaunch Make and Take Away style

i.e On the cheap!

I don't believe in paying over the odds for anything and with so many freebies you can make giant leaps costing no more than some of your time. Here's what happened this week:

Freebie No. 1 - A free lunch

On Monday, Jodie (from Felt so Nice) and I trundled up to Shrewsbury for the Passion into Profit event run by Enterprise Uk and supported by WiRE. So many lovely people offering help and THE most delicious lunch. Held at the Monkhouse Granary, top venue - thanks for hosting the event.

Freebie No. 2 - a website

In the pack from the event we received a leaflet introducing FREE websites for small businesses. You get a .co.uk domain for 2 years plus it's supported by BT and Google. I've been wondering what to do about a website for a while so ta-dah!! today I set up Make and Take Away.co.uk. It doesn't look to stunning yet but does give another platform to link the facebook and blog. And I can stop mumbling an excuse when people ask 'have you got a website?'

Freebie No.3 - accounts package

Another leaflet introduced Kashflow with a FREE 60 day trial on their accounting package. Just what I need as I'd much rather be making things than doing the sums. To be honest I'd rather be doing anything than the sums but that won't get me far. Although I did save a massive 200 quid on the building and contents insurance this week by using Money Saving Expert tips and the cashback site Quidco.

Freebie No. 4 - email marketing package

A 60 day free trial is available from Constant Contact. I have received emails from Do Your Own PR and Coaching Mums, both of whom use CC to great effect. Brilliant site and I'm looking forward to chatting with Joe who keeps calling from America to see if he can help. They did a fantastic webinar crammed full of really useful guidance and tips. The sort of thing that you'd pay a hefty training fee for over here.

Freebie No. 5: Start Your Business Magazine

A free copy of this excellent magazine was included in our event pack as well. It is full of advice, more freebies and contacts galore. Plus a subscription offer to get 12 issues for £12.

To round off the week I took a trip up to Scrappies in Church Stretton always a top destination for a bargain and picked up some wonderful scrap to upcycle for the Echo shop.

Not so WIld Women

Well it was a friend's birthday this week and that seemed a perfect excuse to do a bit of stitching so I could send a made with love gift. Last year I bought Sarah Lawrence's book "Wild Women" and had been wanting to make one of the lovely brooches for ages.

Here's the result - not very wild I'll grant you but quite pleased with her all the same. And not a brooch either as I thought my mate would prefer a clip. Just hope she liked it.

Wonderwool 2010

just want to give this show a quick mention. I took Rachel last year and it is a brilliant show, we found all sorts of lovely things. Lots of stalls for all things woolly, plenty of ideas, help and inspiration plus a 'sheep walk' fashion show.

Follow the link for the dates and go if you can- it promises to be even better than last year judging by the publicity. Click here to view their website.

Things have been a tad busy of late what with the new job, graduating and planning some new activities.

Very excited to have sent out the first newsletter for Make and Take Away. This will be a great way to share information and ideas, craft tutorials and giveaways. I've signed up for a 60 day trial with Constant Contact as a way to manage these mailings. Very easy to use, lets hope for some results. Email me if you'd like to join the mailing list. This month there's a free prize draw to win these earrings. Next month, Green man craft tutorial.

With studying for the MA last year I feel a bit out of the networking loop so I'll be attending 'Passion into Profit' in March. Click here for a link PASSION.

And the Facebook page is up and running. Search 'Make and Take Away' and become a fan!

Funky chunky knitting needles

Really keen to get the kids, indeed anyone, knitting. Mulling over the idea of some drop in sessions at the shop but my own skills are limited so need to find a willing volunteer. Have devised these knitting needles which we may be able to make in-house which would be good. These only have a very simple coloured top but little characters could be made.

Will do some market research. If I get an "oh, cool" I 'll know they're ok!

Felt jewellery

Had fun making felt beads and creating this jewellery. So soft and light to wear.