I Like It!

just realised I'm nearing my first 100 'likes' on Facebook so must be time for a giveaway - a sheep me thinks for the 100th person to like My Baboo - spread the word!

Video Killed the Radio Star...

Last week I attended a workshop by Step to discuss how to use the Internet

You might have noticed the video for my prise draw - using You Tube to get a wider audience was one of Colin and Jane's suggestions to promote and grow more business.



So I decided to give it a go - I've been thinking of making some 'How to Knit' videos for a while now to go hand in hand with my knitting kits. The videos I have done so far are most definitely practice runs, but good fun - even if it's just to make myself cringe when I hear my voice! I think you can see my production values are pretty low, but it's quite nice to think of different ways to show off my work. I can see how with a bit more effort I could put together some decent 'adverts'.

My new video is showing my ever increasing flock of sheep, this lot are trotting off (do sheep trot?) to the Soap Co on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh next week. I've also had a go at making some key rings - these are very tactile and good worry balls too!

I went to the Step workshop with Claudia of 4D Organising - she has just started her blog (again as a result of the workshop) so pop over and have a read - guaranteed to get you organised.

Have a good weekend.

Happy Valentines Day!

OK, this post isn't about Valentines day, but why ignore it?

This week saw the first of my orders being delivered to Hammerton Store in Aberdeen. I met Susan at the Trade Fair and she is lovely, so enthusiastic. Hammertons is a deli on Great Western Road, if you are in the area please pop in and say hello. They are stocking my knitting kits; egg cosies and baby bootees. Susan has bought some vintage Vogue knitting books for the display so I assume you can pop in and be inspired - what a nice idea - my perfect deli - food and knitting!

I'm also exhibiting at an arts and craft evening at Dobbies Garden Centre in Stirling on Thursday 19th, 6-8pm. Please call the store for further information - 01786 458860

I have been busy putting together two new knitting kits. Baboo Sheep and Baboo Bunting.

I've been asked a lot if my sheep come in kit form so I thought why not give it a go. The pattern is pretty simple, I've made the legs etc for you, so its just a bit of basic garter stitch ans stocking stitch.

The Bunting kit gives you enough wool to knit 9 flags, with a 2m length of cord for hanging, the perfect pattern for using up all those oddments of wool you have lying around, the more colours the merrier.

Hope the postman brings you a surprise!

Two sheep walk into a baaaaar....

The barman says "What would ewe like"

Here's the Baboo Sheep tea and coffee cosy. The best word I can find to describe them is 'glaikit' - a good Scottish word meaning 'silly' and 'vacant'. One on-line dictionary also lists 'glazed expression' as a meaning. I defy anyone who gets up on the wrong side of the bed not to smile when they see these faces in the morning.

Here's a good tip for those of you who worry about copyright and how to prove a design is yours. Once you have completed your design, take a photograph of it and write a brief description, including what materials you have used, date and sign it etc. Pop it in an envelope and send it to yourself. When you get the letter, don't open it - keep it on file. If you ever have a dispute you will have a franked sealed envelope which can prove the date you designed that particular item. A simple, cheap method that can help to prove a design is yours!

I'm just about sorted with all my samples, only a few bits and bobs to finish off. Next week I will be focusing on price lists and paper work for the trade show. What I really need to get my head round is how much I can physically make. What if I have to turn orders down?

One range I have developed has made me focus on how I am making things, how I can make products that are affordable to the buyer and profitable to the seller. It will be interesting to see how well it does. (don't worry, pictures soon!)

I've taken the view that if I don't get orders for things because of cost, at least I can sell them myself at a more affordable price as you aren't having to pay for the 'middle man'. It will be interesting to see what the trading public will consider to be my best sellers.

Crikey, its amazing how you change your attitude to business when you have to make a living from it!

I'm off to do a bit of hand knitting from the comfort of my sofa.

Have a good weekend!

Quality not Quantity

The hours are ticking away and I'm feeling quietly confident that I'll be sorted for Country Living next Thursday. I have a Christmas Fair at the BBC in Glasgow on Tuesday (sorry not open to the public) so I need to be organised for that, then its set up day at the SECC on Wednesday.

Vans are booked and I have enlisted the help of my mum, dad and sister to help me set up and man the stall. For those of you that stop by my stand I'm sure you will notice the family resemblance. My mum is already stressing over what to wear and how much shopping time she will have. You just cant get the staff these days.

I've made all that I can and have finished most things bar some bunnies and sheep, I've also lots of empty boxes waiting to be transformed into knitting kits.

I spent yesterday dashing about Central Scotland purchasing receipt books and more card for labels, and managed to fit in a quick coffee with my sis at Perth Theatre (always worth a visit).

Last night I took a few of my things along to a wee soiree at Doyles for the Balfron Nursery mums, a lovely evening, a bit of self promotion and I also managed to get a few orders too.

Which brings me to the real topic of this post. Yesterday I read Janes blog as always with interest. She is also exhibiting at Country Living albeit on a much grander scale, and has raised the issue of imported goods being sold at big 'craft' events. Have a read of her blog and the comments.

Last night I was asked if My Baboo was a franchise. Those of you who know me will know its not, it's all my own doing. I often get asked where I buy my products from and people can be quite shocked to learn I design and make everything myself.

After reading Janes blog I started to wonder why this is. Do people just assume that work of any quality has to be a massed produced product? Or are we as makers not getting the message across that there is a wealth of top quality designers on your door step, where you are guaranteed originality, attention to detail and importantly when you are handing over your hard earned cash, you are buying an item that has been made with a great deal of thought and care, and let's face it- love.

I love making everything I design, and even after having a few intensive months of knitting and sewing I haven't reached my boredom threshold for making lots of the same item. I always get a thrill and surprise when people buy things I have made and are so complimentary about them, it makes it all worth while.

So above is a picture of most of the bags I have made (minus flowers so they don't get squashed). Laying them out doesn't look like much, but I don't physically have the time to make any more, so that is my 'quality over quantity'. If I sell what I have made I will be a happy Baboo bunny.

I'm looking forward to meeting some of you next week, and feel free to ask me if I have made everything myself even if you know the answer.

Lynne
x

Nananananananananana -

Batman!
This is what I was up to yesterday in preparation for Halloween. Needless to say the boy has all but slept in it - still I think it will hold out for another few days.

I'm also delighted to say I will be exhibiting at the Green Gallery Christmas fair in December, so the pressure is still on. More wool is being delivered next week so I have plenty for new stock.

I must admit it was nice to do a bit of sewing for a change, only a few sheep and robins left to finish then all my hard work will be felted ready for the next stage.

The Wee Green Market in Killearn now has a web site listing the exhibitors. Have a look to see what great products are on offer (including my own).

I can see night falling already and its only four o'clock - when do children understand the clocks changing? I was woken at 5.30am this morning - oh the joys

Measure twice, cut once.

This week I've been putting together a promotional postcard. I decided not to go down the business card route as I like the idea of being able to do some mail shots also. They are good for displaying a selection of images, rather than just a name and address - what do you think?

I'm onto my sheep now, lots to sew and stuff. Once they are finished I will be lining all my bags and doing all the finishing touches.

I also got the screens from Luci for the CL fair, which means I can now finalise my design. I happily chalked out my display stand size on the garage floor some time ago to give me a better idea of the size of the space I have. Rule number 1 - make sure the garage ceiling is higher than the screens - it's not, only 1.9m high and the screens are 2m - so they are a new fixture in my living room. And to think I used to be an architect!

I have also just found out that the Balfron Primary School Christmas Fair has been cancelled. It has been decided that there should be only one school fair a year - so they have opted for summer. This is a real pity as it has been a great event each year with visits to Santa for the children, lots of activities and a good selection of stalls for the parents to do a bit of shopping. I think it will be missed by the community.

Better go and do some work as my flock is calling!

Here comes the sun...

We managed to have a barbeque today - yipee! The sun shone long enough for us to expose our legs and put on our shades. There's nothing more relaxing than sitting with friends with a glass of wine (or Mojito cocktail or three) , with the kids entertaining each other and the sausages sizzling. It also gave me the opportunity to get a bit of feedback from The Girls on a couple of new designs I have been working on - all good so watch this space.

Above is a pic of a Baboo bunny, sheep and egg cosy that I posted to my friend Fi yesterday. We haven't seen each other for years and have recently been reunited through a friend getting married. Fi and I went to uni together over 15 years ago. Sitting in our architecture studio at the Edinburgh College of Art, 5 am watching the sun rise over the castle as we frantically tried to finish off models or drawings - did we ever think I would end up knitting sheep? If I was honest with myself at the time then probably the answer would have been 'yes'.

I also posted an order to my new stockist in Edinburgh - the Laurel Gallery on St Stephens Street in Stockbridge. Eleanor has recently opened the gallery having traded in Scottish Art on the Internet for a number of years. I met her at a small fair I attended which wasn't particularly great for any of the exhibitors due to the lack of customers, but it just goes to show you never know who will be looking at your work and what it may lead to. So good luck to Eleanor with her new venture.

I am now drastically low on stock, which is a great opportunity for me to try out some new designs - and make a few more sheep!