Why I can't take in any more commissions for Christmas, and why I can't encourage people to copy my work...

 

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"You see the handprint cushions? They were inspired by MY children, whose hands I held on a late winter walk as we stepped across stones in the stream. I shed a tear at the speed my six-year-old's hand had transformed from other, pudgy, almost-two-year-old hand I was holding..."

I have turned down many, many requests for custom items this month, and it makes me sad. Not just sad that I can't grow my business at the speed that my customers can support me with, but also sad because in all honesty I could do with the extra boost to Christmas funds! Like everyone else who celebrates Christmas, it's pretty expensive for us, too. It's also my son's birthday in December, and extra money would be really useful. But I just can't take on any more work at the moment. Bear wih me...

I'd love to be able to help people out when they come to me a few weeks before Christmas, but I have already been working really hard for months to maximise best use of my time in the run-up to the festivities. I've been taking Christmas orders since July, offering an early reservation scheme to those who follow me on Facebook, because those are the people who are with me all year, and I think it's only right they get first dibs! Then there are people who have only just heard about my work, and who are really keen, so I save November for them. But still there isn't enough time.

Here's why I can't keep squeezing in "just one more cushion" or that Doodlebroidery commission that "would mean the absolute world" to your mum. You see, if I take on three more orders, that's another day's work. Like everyone else, there are weeks when I'd love to be able to tag a day onto the end so I get time to do everything on my job list, but - like everyone else - I'm stuck with the seven days! I'm also stuck with postal cut offs, and you are too: you need to receive your orders in time to admire them, wrap them and send them on to your Granny or your sister.

Bigger than all of that is that if I take on too much work, I risk jeopardising every commission I have in my order book. Nobody wants to think that the special embroidery they've worked hard to save for gets rushed off late on Saturday night after I've entertained a hall of five-year-old boys and I'm too tired to give 100% of my attention to the positioning Granny's glasses! When you commission a piece of work - something handmade, unique and extra-special - there's an unspoken agreement that there will be extra attention to detail and a piece of the maker in the finished item. If we makers take on too much, that is lost. 

And here's why I can't recommend someone else who might be able to rush you off a copy of my work. I have put almost five years of my life into Hop Stitch Jump. I have worked late at night - sometimes through the night - to build a business that helps to make ends meet while allowing me to take care of my children, too. It's hard, it's not that glamourous, and it doesn't pay that brilliantly, but I love the flexibility it offers us as a family and I have enjoyed every minute I've spent learning new skills and pushing myself. You know what else? It's MY work. Those are my ideas, my skills and my expertise in that near-perfect embroidery of your child's beautiful family portrait. Before those entirely handmade cushions that are designed and washed and cut and embroidered and piped and zipped and ironed and filled and packaged, there were mistakes: there were zips I couldn't attach properly, embroideries that were too big for the cushion fronts, handwriting I wasn't happy with. You see the handprint cushions? They were inspired by MY children, whose hands I held on a late winter walk as we stepped across stones in the stream. I shed a tear at the speed my six-year-old's hand had transformed from other pudgy almost-two-year-old hand I was holding. I went home and drew around three little hands, each one an echo of the one smaller, and I made myself a cushion. My own children and our memories of that lovely day are in every handprint cushion I make for you and your beautiful families, in the very fabric of the gifts you give. I didn't do all of that to hand it over to someone else at the last minute.

I'm genuinely sorry that I can't guarantee any more commissions in time for Christmas. I am very grateful to those of you who have already booked in to keep me busy in January, and to those who have ordered cushions for Mother's Day instead of Christmas. I am delighted that so many people are happy to give gift vouchers instead. Your dedication to supporting handmade is amazing! Thank you all.

Catherine xxx

Christmas Shopping Event in aid of SJPA.

 

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Christmas Shopping Evening
Friday 22nd November 2013, 6pm - 9pm
St. John The Baptist Catholic Primary School, Normanton

 It's here: the very first Christmas Shopping Event  for SJPA! This is not your typical school Christmas fair! You won't find a bottle stall or a white elephant table; it's definitely a time for the grown-ups! Prepare yourself for Normanton's shopping event of the year and be part of the first of many successful shopping nights in aid of the school's PA. With something for everyone and every budget, save yourself the hassle of the shopping centre and tick off your whole gift list under one roof.

The evening will be opened at 6pm by the beautiful sound of the school choir singing your favourite carols. Alongside a fantastic array of high quality items, many of them handmade by local businesses, you will be able treat yourself to some Christmas baking and a glass or two of festive tipple to kick start your season in style with a child-free night to remember.

Here's a taste of the businesses and items that you can expect to find on the night. And if you see anything that takes your fancy, why not make it easy for yourself and write a list of things you want to watch out for? With the added bonus of helping to raise funds towards the school's outdoor classroom, it's sure to be a wonderful evening.

ChaseTheCloudsAway
We are delighted that Zoe will be joining us with her handmade homewares from Vintage and Retro fabrics, such as sausage dog draught excluders, wheat bags, oven gloves, hot water bottle covers, peg bags, pin cushions, door stops, baby snugglers, crochet baby booties and dribble bibs. She also has a fabulous range of oven gloves, all British Safety standards approved. Pop over to say 'hi!' on Facebook.

Booby and The Beads
Sharon offers a host of wonderful breastfeeding jewellery, dummy and toy clips, personalised key rings,small crochet items and ornate jewellery display stands. If you're looking for emergency contact/"If I Get Lost"/Medical ID bracelets and key rings, then here's your chance to buy peace of mind! In addition, Sharon will also be offering mini manicures and nail painting on the night, perfect for the weekend! PayPal payments are accepted for bespoke orders. Say hello on Facebook and on Twitter @BoobyandtheBead.

Little Shop of Lathers
Claire makes fabulous natural, handmade bath, body and shower products, including bath bombs, shower tablets, soaps, hand and feet treatments, body scrubs, facial treatments, lip balms and bespoke gifts, all with no chemicals or preservatives. Little Shop of Lathers is able to accept debit/credit cards on the night. Find out more at www.littleshopoflathers.co.uk, on Facebook or on Twitter at @shopoflathers.

The Stationer
We are really pleased to be able to welcome Susan and Robert from The Stationer on Normanton High Street into school for this event. They will be bringing along a selection of beautifully handcrafted wooden toys, along with a range of the ever-popular Melissa & Doug wooden fun! You'll also find some fantastic educational games and puzzles from Orchard Toys on their stall. The Stationer will also accept personal cheques at this event. 

 
Delgled Crafts
With a range of lovely crafts, Dela will have something for everyone and every budget on display at her stall! Items include fused glass pieces to add light to your home, decoupage items and small sewing projects. Dela is happy to accept personal cheques for purchases made at the event.

Sandy Fryer
Sandy is a fabulous local artist and poet, and unsurprisingly her product range is based around her wonderful work. On the night you will find small paintings (some of local scenes), paperweights, bookmarks, Christmas cards and poetry booklets. Sandy's range for children includes colour and rhyme books, and art to colour. Some of her colouring books include images based on Bible texts, making them the perfect quiet activity to take along to Mass! You can see some examples at www.sandyfryer.co.uk.

Pampered Chef
We are very grateful to Gaynor for standing at the event as a fundraiser stall, with a percentage of sales on the night going to SJPA funds. Pampered Chef specialises in high-quality kitchen tools that make cooking quick, easy and fun, and that make getting together as a family even more enjoyable! As well as ordering from the extensive catalogue (including cheque and card payments), you will also be able to watch a demonstration at Gaynor's stall. For a sneak preview, visit Gaynor on Facebook.

Hop Stitch Jump 
Make memories last a lifetime with Doodlebroidery, an embroidered version of your littles one's amazing artwork! Catherine will be bringing along some examples of commissions to give you a feel for the work she does, and you'll be able to place orders on the night. There will also be a range of ready-to-buy wall art and fabulous dinosaur hoodies! Personal cheques will be accepted on the night and PayPal for commissions. Pop over to Facebook to see more and say 'hi'!

Sisters MC Photography
Award-winning photographer Sarah will be joining us to showcase some of the amazing portrait work she undertakes at the Wakefield studio. Sisters offers an amazing package range that includes special photo shoot parties for your little princess, pregnancy and baby portraits and makeover shoots, and has some great value Christmas offers to share. You can see more at www.sistersmc.co.uk or on Facebook.
Felt Like Art
Lesley makes her own felt by hand and uses her creations in the most beautiful wall art and cushions. Her range depicts nature and landscapes and is very striking. From poppies and peacocks to fairies and flowers, you'll be amazed to see what can be made from felt. If you'd like a better idea of the items you can expect to see in school on the 22nd, please visit Lesley at Facebook.

Calli-Fleur
We are delighted to welcome Maxine along to school for our shopping evening, and look forward to being able to give you more details very soon about the beautiful floral items on offer and the exciting demonstration you can see on the night!

Gail Draper Knitting
All her own designs, Gail will have a wide range of hand knitted items for children and ladies. With beautiful baby cardigans, fantastically fashionable handwarmers and the most amazing children's character hats, you are sure to find every you need to beat the cold this winter!

Created In Yorkshire
Lynne will be joining us with a fabulous selection of handmade goods stocked in the award-winning shop in Wakefield. Items include tile coasters, Christmas decorations, stunning wooden signs, pocket mirrors, badges and fridge magnets. Add to that a delicious range of sweet trees that make a wonderful gift and then the ultimate Christmas table centerpiece, and you'll agree there's something for everyone! If you'd like to see more before the 22nd, please pop over to Facebook.

Avon
Following the tradition of Avon making your shopping easy, Tracy will be joining us with Avon! If you are looking for  gifts or just something to treat yourself, you're sure to find something worth ordering!

Jewelbox
You'll find Karen among her varied range of fabulous wooden, crystal and glass jewellery,perfect for the ladies in your life. She'll also be bringing along some special Christmas items, including children's door hangers, wooden and beaded decorations and wooden plaques. Visit Jewelbox on Facebook to get ideas for your Christmas list! Personal cheques will be accepted on the night.

Cupcake Central
You'll be amazed by the range of sweet treats Lisa has to offer! She'll be bringing along beautiful cupcakes, boxed shortbread, gift wrapped traybakes, chocolate toolboxes and makeup kits, wow! Added to that are gingerbread houses complete with gingerbread men, and Christmas baubles filled with chocolates, yum! Lisa will accept personal cheques on the night.

EDITED 08/11/2013 to add two further businesses. Wow, what a night it's going to be!

Baht 'at Designs by Ruby Shoesday
Vicky will be joining us with a lovely selection, including beautiful ladies' bags. Whether you need a large messenger bag for every day use, or a beautiful clutch to finish your Christmas outfit in style, the range of unusual fabrics is bound to have something to suit you! Take a look at her website or visit her on Facebook.

Liah Made It!
We will also be joined by Liah and her hand-painted glasses, wish stones and cute cat doorstops! These all make wonderful gifts for someone who is usually difficulty to buy for!

The confessions of a cobbler

 

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My name is Catherine and I'm a cobbler...

The mojo went. I don't know where to, but it definitely left the building. My best bet is that the baby stole it. Wherever it went, I can see it on the horizon and I'm trying to persuade to come back and stay a while. 

I thought that a special project for my own children might entice it back, so I'm experimenting; I've ordered the materials, and I almost have a pattern I can use. It's an idea I've been contemplating for a while and one I know that Beatrix and Jasper will love if I can get it all to come together, so why didn't I make it sooner? The truth is, makes for my poor babies have been repeatedly put on the back burner since I started Hop Stitch Jump, and even more so since I've been juggling the baby in the equation. I rarely seem to be able to coincide the time and the inclination to make for pleasure.

The irony is that I started making children's gifts as thrift measure, but now I spend my time at the sewing machine making for paying customers because they put food on my table, and I end up buying presents for my own little guys!

A beautiful castle on a sunny day - not embroidered by Mummy.

It seems I'm not on my own. I'm part of a couple of small business networks, one of which is Yorkshire-based and bursting at the seems with crafters of all disciplines, from metal workers to ceramicists, and fine artists to cake decorators. The members all say the same thing: once your hobby becomes your work, it's no longer your hobby! There's a wonderful landscaper and garden designer in the group who's embarrassed by the state of her own lawn and flower beds. There's a lady who makes the most beautiful cushions for children and who, thanks to an order book that's full until next summer, hasn't had time to make one for her own son. How about the fashion designer who spent the day before her holiday frantically sewing to make clothes for her own suitcase? And here I am, with a boy without a superhero cape, a girl who needs a new hairclip holder and a giant pile of their drawings that I keep putting to one side ready to create my own gallery of Doodlebroidery.

Little notes everywhere!

It really is true: the cobbler's children go barefoot!

So here I declare, publicly, that I will make my children a mail centre in time for Christmas. I will, honest! It will have a beautiful post bag, a plethora of letters and more than one place to deliver to. I will do it because they adore playing postie and I adore them. I'll do it because they love writing notes and drawing pictures for us and finding places to leave them. I will do it because it's the game that they play most nicely together and it will make them so happy. I'll make it because I owe it to my children. You know why I'll really be making the cobbler's children some shoes though, don't you? Yup, because I've told you I will, and I know you'll crack the whip!

If Daddy were a dinosaur. Again, not transformed
into Doodlebroidery by the cobbler!

Out with the old and in with the new - the one with loads of bits and bobs to talk about!

 

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Out with the old and in with the new - the one with loads of bits and bobs to talk about!

Well, it came and went - I trust you all had a peaceful Christmas and have had a happy start to the new year! 

Ours was lovely. We started on Christmas Eve with our (now traditional) trip to the panto with friends and a yummy lunch that I didn't cook; it was fabulous! The pantomime was a brilliantly entertaining version of Cinderella, performed by Far Out Theatre at Holmfirth Picturedrome. The stars of the show were without doubt Munter and Minger, Cinderella's ugly sisters, whose crazy flamboyance kept the kids giggling while their cheeky innuendo kept the adults entertained, too. There is something really special about a Christmas Eve performance that gets everyone ready for the festivities, and the offering from Far Out Theatre was so good that we will do our very best to get tickets for next year's show. Oh crikey, I mean this year's show don't I? Wowsers, 2012 already!  

An ugly sister, my best big girl, Prince Charming and Buttons.
Oh, yes they are!  :)

After the panto, we went next door to The Old Bridge for lunch. The party atmosphere in the theatre made for an extended show and we arrived for lunch much later than our reservation. Thankfully, the dining room was almost empty so the children were able to play and burn off some of the energy they'd be storing during Cinderella!  The last time we ate at The Old Bridge was the day after our wedding party and it was hard not to reflect on the differences between the two days: I seem to remember there being a great deal of sunshine, alcohol and grown-up conversations that moved smoothly and completely in the Summer of 2006, whereas the Winter of 2011 found me as sober as a judge, heavily pregnant with Number Three and scrabbling around on my hands and knees to play cars with kids while snatching snippets of conversation wherever I could!

My rascals with the bounty from their stockings <3

Christmas Day itself was the usual whirl of visitors and excited children, followed by dinner on our own for the first time since 2006. It was very strange to only be feeding four, but it was surprisingly peaceful and really lovely to have time to enjoy the day with our small people and the explosion of plastic that happened when we weren't looking! I didn't work at all in the week between Christmas and New Year, and so I brought in 2012 feeling quite refreshed and rejuvenated.We had a Noon Year's Eve party for the Small People and some close friends, followed by a lazy evening with a little sofa snooze while I waited for Jools Holland to do his stuff!

And here it is - 2012 in full throttle. Trimmings down, done! Back to school, done! Tying up the odds and ends for work, nearly done! Which just leaves the baby to get ready for. In four weeks, or thereabouts, we should be meeting Baby Number Three. It's so exciting for us all and although we have loads of stuff to get ready physically, we're definitely all looking forward to welcoming a new member of the family and ready to meet him/her.   I just have one little niggle...work.

Dinosaur hoody for a little man
who'sdelighted with it!

2011 was a great one for Hop Stitch Jump and Sock Monsters, and I even managed to do a little better than stay afloat. I learned some really cool stuff, launched some (I think) ace products, worked some ridiculous hours, and still got to spend loads of time with my Small People. I made at least 220 Sock Monsters (with some emergency last-minute help from some amazing people!), 40 superhero capes, about 80 pairs of hair clips, 21 hairclip holders, 15 dinosaur hoodies, 6 name plaques and 12 pieces of Doodlebroidery. Or close to that, anyway! All-in-all, it was harder than I expected but also more successful, so the balance was in my favour. Now my maternity leave is just around the corner though, I'm finding it tricky to stop all together.

An apron made for a Grandma
affectionately known as "Poppet!"

It's not that I've changed completely and want to work more than I want to be home with our new family, it's just that taking maternity leave from my own business feels really different from taking leave from another job. I've never lost track of the reason that I work nights or of the benefits of juggling fledgling humans and a fledgling business. When you are "employed," you know that your job will be held open while you're on maternity leave and that you are entitled to a proper break from work, but when you're "self-employed," and especially when you're a sole trader who has no employees to keep things ticking over in your absence, it's frightening to let go for a few months for fear of there being nothing to return to! Is it feasible that a business can be put on hold after a successful first year without there being serious detriment? For my tiny business that relies on social networking to communicate with customers and potential customers, how hard will it be to rebuild relationships with my followers and fans?

The Doodlebroidery created for the winner of my
December competition. Please see my FB page
for the original drawing and more examples.

The feedback I've received since Christmas from my customers and the people they gave gifts to has been phenomenal. It's so lovely to know that people like and enjoy my work.  Like most people I find it hard to sing my own praises and I pick over the tiniest imperfections in my work - the influx of positivity has come at a great time for me and Hop Stitch Jump. It's also given me a real boost and the confidence to think that maybe, just maybe, there might be a "proper" long-term future in this or something that evolves from this. I guess for that I'll have to wait and see! What I do know is that I'll be making the most of the days that I can work while on maternity leave (10 "Keeping In Touch" days as allowed by Government regulations) and hoping that when I return in the late Summer/Autumn I won't have to pick up from the very beginning all over again. Fingers crossed!

I've also had to do some serious rationalising and soul searching, and I know I'm going to have to consider the future of Sock Monsters.  It seems that since I first started making my favourite inanimate critters, their popularity has exploded exponentially.  Without eating too much into a topic broad enough for a blog entry of its own, there are so many "hobbyists" now who can make and sell sock creatures for prices much lower than I can charge. I am 100% confident that I source and use the very best materials. I am meticulous in my development and making and I pay for quality, from the socks to the super-safe stuffing, from the time I take to double-stitch by hand to colour-coordinated gift wrapping for every order. I run a legitimate business through proper channels and I incur expenses in line with that. Unfortunately, potential customers don't always see that and with times being as they are right now, price is often the only comparison that's made. Hmmm...food for thought for sure.

And there we have it - the end of one year and the start of a new one! Thanks to the great reception I've had so far, there is much promise for Hop Stitch Jump, but this year will bring its own, new challenges. Ooh-er missus, how will it all pan out? xx

It's Competition Time!

 

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It's here - your chance to win a unique piece of Doodlebroidery! 

Doodlebroidery is my name for the process of turning your child's amazing work of art into something you can keep forever. Essentially, I use free motion embroidery to apply the drawing to pretty much any textile item you want; onto canvas to frame, onto an apron, shopping bag or even a hoodie, and they make the perfect keepsake gift.  Stuck for a special present to give your husband or wife this year? I can even embroider drawings that have been sat in the loft for twenty five years!  If you want to read a little more about Doodlebroidery, read the last edition of the Hop Stitch Jump blog here.

Right, on to the fun bit!  The idea of the competition is that you submit a child's drawing that you would like to have embroidered and sent to you ready for framing in time for Christmas. Seemples!  (Guidelines for the drawing are below.) Once all of the entries are collated, they will be posted to a new entry on this blog and my very own little doodler will choose the drawing that she likes best. Then I'll embroider the winning entry onto cotton ready for you to frame, and it will be sent out in the post! Your very own, one-of-a-kind, entirely original piece of fabric art - what a prize! :)


And there we have it - a competition, a prize and the chance to spend an afternoon with a quiet, crayon-wielding child!  Happy doodling, and please share with your friends

Guidelines for Entrants:

• All entries must be received by email to catherine@hopstitchjump.co.uk no later than 8pm on Friday 25th November 2011.
• Entries should be no bigger than A4 in their original format (210mm x 297mm).
• Please include the following with your email:
• your child's drawing as an attachment in .jpg format. Your image can be either scanned or photographed at high resolution and then attached to the email.
  
• a description of the image - sometimes a little bit of interpretation can go a long way!
• the first name and age of the child who drew the picture.
• your name and postal address.
• By submitting an entry, you give me permission to use your child's drawing, including the finished piece of Doodlebroidery, in my own promotional materials.
• The competition is open to entrants worldwide. However, by submitting an entry, entrants from outside the UK agree to pay a small charge towards international postage.
• Winners will be notified by email by Monday 28th November 2011.
• The winner's prize will be dispatched using the Royal Mail Recorded service no later than their published last date (the Royal Mail website has been down for a few days, so I'll update this bit when it's live again!).