My Crafty Business

This month (September) is the beginning of a new Season.  It's nearly Autumn, which comes, not only with new colours and a crispness in the air, but it is also the run up to the Season we call

CHRISTMAS!!

Oh yes, it is here, and for this Season, I have decided, that I need a bit of a fresh start.  I will be designing and creating some new Christmas Makes, recreating some of last years, but also I have set myself a Goal!  Oh yes, it's time for me not just to be the 'Sewing Lady' as I know many call me, but I now need to put on those 'Big Girl Pants' !

This is after all a business and well, I sometimes to be honest forget that, because I love to create so much.  Creating special Keepsakes for you and your loved ones to treasure, makes my work so special.  

I will also be continuing to work through my Waiting List, creating your Keepsake Bunnies, Quilts and Cushions, for you to treasure your memories, as always, but I need to get a little more 'smart' with my numbers - booo!

Anyone who knows me, knows I have a phobia against numbers and maths, but as a 'grown up' and a 'small business' I need to use them - booo again!!

Sooooo...... I signed up to do a little challenge.  

It's a 100 Day Challenge, and for it, I had to set a goal - and Achieve it!!

So I popped on my 'Big Girl Pants' and reviewed my previous years in business.

These were my findings:

•  I really enjoy, designing, sewing and creating
•  I really love my customers and appreciate their custom
•  I really love my family and appreciate the opportunity to work around my childrens needs

But..

• I haven't taken a proper wage for a few years and we can't afford for me to do this anymore
• My Commission Work, does not earn me enough to take a wage
• I have not reviewed my numbers regularly enough to be 'Business Wise'
• I forget all too easily that this is a business and not a hobby.  I may enjoy it, but I also need to feed my children and contribute to our household bills
• I can't continue, just putting all money earned straight back into the business for stock etc, I need to live and provide for my family - Properly!!!!!

Conclusion:  I NEED to feed my children, pay for their hobbies, and pay our household bills.  Unfortunately, money does not grow on trees, and I needed to set out a plan.

Who knows what I will achieve, and whether I will get there, but if I don't get smarter, I will have to rethink my whole business, so I have to achieve it.  I really hope you will continue to support me, as I really appreciate each and everyone of you

Achievements so far: Website, is now up and running and has lots of new Goodies listed.  Ranges include Christmas, Weddings and New Arrivals, with more to come soon too.

www.michellecorbindesign.co.uk

Etsy, is now link to this Blog, has some new additions, and is regularly being updated

www.etsy.com/michellecorbindesign

I also, have some new ideas and products in the planning stage, and with the help of 2 very good friends, I think they will be worth waiting for.

I'll keep you posted on my achievements.

Much Love

Michelle 

xxx

Keepsake Bunnies

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Creating Keepsake Bunnies, is something I enjoy doing very much.  I love the whole process from start to finish.

Sisterly Love
Both hold special memories

 Being ask to create something from some outfits and blankets, that hold special memories in the owners heart, is always an honour, and to be trusted with these special garments was just that.

A Flower Girl Dress worn by big sister to mums wedding
A dress big sister bought for little sister
Little sisters Baby Blanket

See how these Little Bunny Keepakes Began

The Process:

A sketch and a plan for layout and design

Next comes the details.  Carefully unpicking the details from the garments, placing and cutting the pattern, then adding the embroidery and appliqué.

Keepsake Bunnies are then born

Nicole's was predominantly made from her beloved Baby Blanket
Details were picked out and appliquéd to the body and ears
A little part of the dress big sister bought her, was used on the ears
Hand embroidered details were added for those finishing touches

True memories wrapped up in a Button Jointed Bunny xx 

Chloe's was created, using her Flower Girl Dress form the '90s
Picking out the details, so it still looked like the dress.
Lace overlay some of the fabric for more interest.
Parts of the dress she bought for her little sister was added for interest, details and of course memories.
A little part of Nicole's blanket was added for the ears, as a special touch.

True memories wrapped up in on Original Keepsake Bunny xx



See how I create another Original Keepsake Bunny here

From every cut and stitch, each one is carefully tailored to suit the client's needs. 

Michelle Corbin Design - Find me on Facebook
Maker of all things to treasure, from Keepsakes to Soft Furnishings

Thank You for reading
Happy Stitching
Michelle xx

*Little Bunny Keepsakes, are 'sit on the shelf' items and are not suitable as toys, due to the fabric and small parts used.  They should not be left with a child under the age of 14.  They are a Collectable, potential Heirloom, which should bring lots of your love and memories to life*

Creating a Keepsake Bunny

Bespoke Sewing.......................exquisite hand-finished keepsake gifts and home furnishings

Creating a Keepsake Item, takes care and precision to create something to enable you to treasure those special memories.

Here I am going to break down the process a little, to help you get a better understanding of what exactly goes into making such a special item.

Firstly, the outfits, dresses, trousers or baby gro's are sent, and are laid out for inspiration, which is followed by a sketch of the design.

Each item is then carefully unpicked, trimmed and prepared for the next stage.  Legs, arms, head ears body and tail are all carefully cut out, ready for construction.

Once the arms and legs are stitched, they are then stuffed - To stuff one leg, it takes 20mins!!

They are then stitched onto the body, once the head and ears have been attached.  This process, is quite tricky, and can take a while to get everything precise.

The head is then stuffed and the detailed face is embroidered, adding character and life to the Bunny.

Next it's the body's turn to be stuffed and hand stitched to close.  This is then followed by adding the tail and the finishing special touches.

A beautiful Bunny has now been born.  

Altogether, they take anything from 8 - 12 hours to fully complete, depending on the outfit combinations sent and the details and specifications required.

I think you will agree though, that all of the effort is very much worth it.

For this particular Commission, a Keepsake Journal and Tooth Fairy Cushion were also created to match.  Now Grace has a full collection of Keepsakes, that she can treasure for many years to come, and share her memories with her mum and family.

Little Bunny Keepsake

I hope you like her - the perfect Keepsake

See what else I make at mchellecorbindesign.co.uk


Happy Stitching

Michelle x

Happy Birthday Little Keepsake Bunny

Little Keepsake Bunny is 1 Today

After being asked by a customer if I would be able to make a Special Commission, I jumped at the challenge and set to designing.

After making a few prototypes, I began to make he real thing.  

I followed the brief and produced this to my customer, who was very pleased with the result.

Whilst I was creating the above bunny, I realised that I had been inspired and drawn in a different direction than I  had been before.

And so Little Miss Keepsake was launched on the 20th June 2013

The first ever bunny I made - for my daughter

The photo I posted that evening on Facebook, proved so popular, that this bunny has grown from strength to strength.

Since that day this bunny has become one of my best sellers, and for that I have JW, (my original commission)
to thank.

She has evolved from her original design, and has been created from New fabrics, Children's Clothes, or a Mix

And her unique Bunny Tail has proven to be the most popular feature she has

 And introducing
the boys
<<<<>>>>

Little Miss and Little Mr Bunnies are available to order via my contact button on my website, or via the message button on my Facebook page

Now lets celebrate, with balloons and streamers

Happy Birthday Keepsake Bunny

MichelleCorbinDesign maker of all things to treasure, from Keepsakes to Soft Furnishings

Thank you for reading

Happy Stitching

Michelle xx