Indice dei contenuti per February 2021 in Mollie Magazine

Marissa Huber is a painter and surface pattern designer who started taking her art more seriously after her son was born. She carves out room for creating in the space between her career in interior design and the quality time she spends with her two children and husband. Artist Heather Kirtland received a BFA in painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She currently teaches encaustic workshops and is focused on her own studio practice. When Heather’s not painting, she loves to read, run, and encourage other mothers to find a creative outlet through a project she co-founded with Marissa: Carve Out Time for Art. www.themotherhoodofart.com…

Alina Tang, or Lina, as she’s more commonly known, grew up in a sunny, quiet suburb of Perth in Western Australia. She describes it as a beautiful place with lots of trees and beaches, which sounds idyllic, but Lina had always felt a desire to travel further afield. So, in the summer of 2018, she moved to the Netherlands. It turned out to be the start of a new adventure which saw Lina spending two years with her partner Bobo working on residency projects, and freelancing in places like Lapua in Finland, Los Angeles, and Jiali in Taiwan. But, printmaker, ilustrator and ceramicist Lina decided to settle in Amsterdam in 2020 to establish a place she could call her own: pansy. “I received the keys for the space in March…

Started as a part-time side hustle to support founder Francesca Pappacoda’s painting practise, this slick biz didn’t take long to grow. Salt Studios craft jesmonite homewares and jewellery in a range of finishes, from marbled trays to terrazzo plant pots, but it’s those waves-for-days mirrors we can’t resist. Choose from lilac, mint, chunky chip – or just scoop them all up. www.saltstudios.co.uk…

Perhaps the vision is one of light streaming in through huge windows, clambering spider plants on a pastel floor, fresh coffee from your personal pot and a soundtrack of illuminating music and podcasts. A wardrobe of Fair Isle knitwear, dungarees and office socks. As the light fades, you roll down your sleeves and nod; a good day. It’s been nearly a year of working from home for many of us, minds and materials fanned on desks, beds and sofas. For some, it’s always been this way, but with that lingering blissful dream of having a dedicated space to create and be inspired. SEEK AND DISCOVER For North Devon artists Aluna Collective, it was pure chance that led to their own harbourside sanctuary. Faye Allison of the Collective says: “As we…

HOLDING THE HOOK PENCIL METHOD Hold the hook in your dominant hand like a pencil, roughly 3-5cm (1¼-2") from the hooked end. If the hook has a flat area, hold it here between your index finger and your thumb. KNIFE METHOD Hold the hook between your thumb and your index finger, about 3-5cm (1¼-2") from the hooked end, resting the other end against your palm. This will give you plenty of control. HOLDING THE YARN METHOD ONE Pass the ball end of the yarn between the little finger and third fingers of your non-dominant hand, then behind the third and middle fingers, over your index finger. METHOD TWO Loop the ball end of the yarn around the little finger of your non-dominant hand, then take it over the third finger,…

“Passementerie is like bubble bath – it makes life much more joyful.” After my first day working for Wendy Cushing, who trained me in the art of passementerie weaving, I wrote: “This is my job.” That was over 25 years ago and I’m still weaving trims with as much passion and enthusiasm as I felt that day. I love the action of weaving, and that the result is a textile in its entirety, made from just a group of threads. I also love that I’m part of a historical tradition that goes back to the 15th century. If I woke up in Tudor times I could go out and get a job, as the techniques I use haven’t changed much since then. When I set my business up in 2008,…

Once you’ve got a good idea of who you are as a brand and how to put that across, the next step is understanding your target market – who your potential buyers are. While it’s nice to think that anyone could shop your products or services, the reality is that most brands only appeal to certain audiences. But, that’s a good thing! If you can identify your niche and understand who your brand would appeal to you, you’ll have a clearer idea of who you’re marketing to. Use the next few questions to consider who your customer might be, making notes as you go for when you finally launch your biz. HOW MUCH WILL YOU SELL YOUR PRODUCTS FOR? It could be under £20, between £20-£100, over £100, or a…

Feeling nervous about how high your prices seem? That’s ok – just cast your eye back over your cost prices. Perhaps what you do is pretty time-intensive, or you’re using high-value luxe or sustainable materials? Remember that handmade is always going to be more costly than mass-production, and you can’t compare the two. Don’t let fast fashion or high street prices sway you from charging what your work and time is really worth. Think back to page 5 and your USP. What’s the thing that sets your work apart? You’ll need to make sure you communicate this to your audience in all your business messaging, as if your worth is clear, your customers will understand what they’re paying for. CONFIDENCE IS KEY Don’t forget that as an experienced craftsperson you…

There’s never been a broader variety of ways to get your makes out there, so the real challenge is deciding which are right for you. First and foremost, think back to your audience – those customers you considered on page 8 who’ll love what you do. Where do they hang out, both online and offline? How do they like to shop? And how can you make your products easy for them to purchase? You’ll also want to weigh up the products themselves and your profit margins, taking into account what makes the most practical and financial sense for where you’re at right now. Keeping all that in mind, check out our rundown of the top mainstream selling spots. ONLINE MARKETPLACES Etsy www.etsy.com What is it? An online…

How can being part of a marketplace or platform like Jamii boost a small business? It’s a relatively low-cost way to reach a wider audience and build sales. But, it’s important to choose ones that align with your values and brand, as they can easily amplify your business to new customers, assist in brand positioning and provide you with credibility. Most operate on a commission basis or with small fees, and they win when you do, making them more invested in your success and much more willing to lend useful support, resources and insights to help you scale. What kind of opportunities can arise from joining forces in this way? Jamii’s website is often used by journalists and content creators to source great products and brands, and some of our…

It’s hard to think of a world without social media, and even harder to imagine how small creative businesses could ever have built such huge communities without it. Love it or loathe it, social media is the best free marketing tool out there. These little apps have created big connections for makers, writers, photographers and bloggers across the world, meaning we can form friendships, share inspiration and build an incredible creative community. From a business perspective, the digital landscape is changing at a rapid pace. It’s difficult to know what the next few years are going to look like, but one thing’s for certain: good content matters. Whether it’s beautiful photography, engaging captions or behind-the-scenes videos revealing your practices and processes, they’re all helping to piece together a story for…

Pinterest is often overlooked in the marketing world, despite 250 million people using the platform every month. Don’t make that mistake – put some love into it, especially if you consider yourself a creative. Fashion, interior, DIY, recipes – Pinterest has an ever-growing audience of creative customers scrolling for their next source of inspiration. And that could be you and your product! Paid-for or organic, Pinterest pins have the ability to bring international customers, increased sales and big blog stats. TIME IS MONEY One of the main things that puts brands off using Pinterest is time. There’s no getting away from it: Pinterest does require dedication. You really need to be uploading at least one of your own images every day and repinning for at least half an hour every…

If you want your business to support you in the long term, it’s not just about producing and promoting an amazing product – you’ll need to keep track of the pennies to have a clear idea of profit and loss. Even if you hire an accountant, it’s important to take control of the basics, so let’s begin a beautiful relationship between you and your finances. After all, knowledge is power, and we’re all for empowering you in every area of your indie brand. Plus, getting in trouble with the HMRC is not a good look, so it’s best to get organised from the off. BANK LIKE A BOSS Step 1? Set up a business bank account. Even the smallest side hustle should separate personal finances from biz income and expenditure,…

Phoebe Burt Phoebe’s got a background in marketing but specialises in social media and strategy. She originally joined the Mollie team in 2018 and now works on Gathered, helping it become the best craft site ever. Phoebe champions the power of Pinterest on page 31. www.gathered.how/molliemakes Aime Cox-Tennant Bristol-based Aime owns Studio Cotton, a marketing agency that’s passionate about small creative brands. She started her own biz after feeling unfulfilled in other marketing jobs, and hasn’t looked back since. Aime chats photography on page 7. www.studiocotton.co.uk Natalie Manima Natalie is the designer-maker behind Bespoke Binny, creating clothing and homewares from West African cloth. She loves sewing, and the mood-boosting power of vibrant colours and prints. Natalie talks pricing advice on page 18. www.bespokebinny.com Khalia Ismain Social entrepreneur Khalia is the…

Viktorija Mineikyte Vicky created her brand vickyknits to keep her sane during the 2020 lockdown, and uses her Instagram to share her work and inspire others. When Vicky’s not designing or knitting, you’ll find her exploring London’s top coffee spots or taking pics of her newest makes. Learn to knit Vicky’s cosy jumper on page 20. www.vickyknits.com Gee Fan Eng Illustrator Gee Fan, AKA Minifanfan, is only 152cm tall. She may be little, but she’s definitely fierce! ‘Happy drawings for happy people’ is her motto, and a mantra she practices everyday in her life and work. Gee Fan’s a girl who loves to eat kimchi in every meal, and enjoys crafting, too. Find Gee Fan’s colourful pull-out prints on page 57. www.minifanfan.com Alina Tang Fine Arts and Design graduate Lina…

HOW TO MAKE A PATCHWORK QUILT MATERIALS ■ 50cm (20") Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids in Ice Peach (Fabric 1) and Petunia (Fabric 6) ■ One fat quarter of Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids each in Peach (Fabric 2) and Creamsicle (Fabric 3) ■ One fat eighth of Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids in Mango (Fabric 5) ■ 75cm ( /8 yrd) Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids in Cantaloupe (Fabric 4) ■ 1.25m (1½ yrds) light-weight fusible webbing ■ 1.1 x 1.3m (42 x 50") wadding ■ 1.2 x 1.4m (46 x 54") cotton fabric (Fabric 7) ■ Spray starch ■ Rotary cutter ■ Long quilting ruler ■ Walking foot ■ Matching sewing thread ■ Masking tape We’re sharing the love with you this Valentines – our love of quilting,…

HOW TO MAKE A KNITTED HAT MATERIALS ■ Lang Yarns Merino 120 DK, 100% superwash Merino wool, 50g/120m per ball, one ball each in Grape (446) (Yarn A), Dark Teal (272) (Yarn B), Sunflower (149) (Yarn C), Pumpkin (159) (Yarn D) and Grey Teal (123) (Yarn E) ■ 3.75mm (UK 9, US 5) knitting needles ■ 4mm (UK 8, US 6) knitting needles ■ Cardboard ■ Yarn needle TENSION Approx. 22 sts and 26 rows to 10cm (4") square over main body of hat on 4mm needles. Tension must be kept uniform so the hat stretches evenly when worn ABBREVIATIONS (UK)  st(s) stitch(es) k knit p purl sl slip k2tog knit 2 together p2tog purl 2 together RS right side WS wrong side yo yarn over SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS B bobble…

HOW TO MAKE FOUR FELT FLOWER PROJECTS MATERIALS ■ Wool felt in dark pink, pale pink, yellow, purple, coral and green ■ Green floral wire ■ Glue gun ■ Yellow felt balls, 1cm (3/8") diameter ■ Wooden hoop, 15cm (6") diameter ■ Brooch clasp ■ Alligator hair clip Give floristry a whole new meaning with these sweet felt flowers. Once you’ve learnt how to craft your own blooms, it’s simple enough to arrange them into these four different makes, plus there’s no need to obsess over a watering schedule. Pick and choose which projects you fancy, or make all four to start summoning those spring vibes immediately. They make for top gifts too, and with Mother’s Day right around the corner, you might want to start crafting for those special…

SLIP STITCH (SS) THIS STITCH HAS NO HEIGHT, AND IS OFTEN USED TO JOIN ROUNDS 01 Slip stitch is used to join a length of chain into the round. Insert the hook from front to back into the first chain worked. Wrap the yarn around the hook, anti-clockwise. 02 Pull the yarn through the chain stitch, then the loop already on the hook, to make a slip stitch. You can also work this into each stitch along a row to form a neat edging. WORKING IN ROWS FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE RULES TO CONSTRUCT CROCHET FABRIC 01 The first row is made by working across the foundation chain from right to left. At the end of the chain or row, turn the work so the yarn coming from the ball is…

Hello makers! I can’t wait for you to get stuck into our first ever small business guide, in association with Cricut. Here at Mollie , we’re all about chasing dreams and making that creative lifestyle a reality. So, hopefully this handy workbook will be a big help if you’ve always wanted to sell your makes, or you’ve recently started your own biz and want some insider advice. We’ve been in the handmade game for a while now – 10 years this May! And while we’ve learnt a lot along the way, we’ve also met some super knowledgeable people. Inside, you’ll find advice from us, from top creative experts and entrepreneurs, and from fellow brand owners too. Starting your own business is both scary and exciting, but we’re here for the…

Hopefully you’re feeling confident about what you want your brand to look like now, and the audience you’ll pitch it to – a great place to start. Having a strong sense of who you are as a business makes it easier to stay focused, and it means you’ll be able to communicate that clearly to potential customers too. But, the ultimate test of brand clarity is being able to get the essence of your company across in a few words or sentences. Or, in biz speak, having a strong tagline and elevator pitch. MAKE IT SNAPPY A tagline is a short phrase that captures a brand’s personality, values and ethos – you’re looking for 10 words at the absolute max. So for instance, Mollie Makes’ tagline is “Easy ways to…

Handmade is magic, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It’s fuelled by passion and slow, skilled processes – techniques that only you and your fellow makers are in on. Maybe even a few secret tricks that are yours alone. So, when self-doubt creeps in and those “it’s too expensive” fears or comments come a-knocking, say no to Imposter Syndrome. You belong here. Focus on where the value of your output lies. Think about the journey that’s got you to where you are right now – a small business owner earning money from your creative prowess. What do you do best in your business, that thing that only you can do? That’s the special sauce that sets you apart from the big corporations – you’re a skilled human making things by…

When you’re brand new to selling or want to test the waters with a new product, you might want to try something that needs a little less investment and a little more interaction. Luckily, there are loads of low-key ways to sell, including ones that crossover with marketing, and even some that could be better suited to your brand. As before though, make sure to consider they’re the best fit for your audience, your products and how you work before taking the plunge. SOCIAL MEDIA Why not use your brand’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts to arrange sales through direct messaging, paid for via PayPal? Facebook Marketplace is also a great way to sell your wares locally. Online clothing marketplace sites Vinted, Preloved, and their US counterparts Poshmark and ThredUp,…

Making a steady, comfortable income solely from selling handmade products can be challenging. In fact, it’s likely the bulk of your time could be tied up in the actual making and business admin (see page 36 for more on this). Day to day, this leaves little capacity for the things that could really grow your business, like developing new products, collaborations and creative marketing. So, how can you make it work? Well, the sooner you make passive income and alternative revenue streams your new best friends, the better. Any instance where you generate an asset, then earn from it continuously with minimal active maintenance can be defined as passive income – think digital downloads like patterns or prints. With regards to alternative revenue, we’re talking a ‘portfolio career’, creating multiple…

Before we get stuck into the different platforms, their benefits, and best practice tips, have a think about the way you use social media first. Taking a step back to analyse what you enjoy about it and why will really help when it comes to creating your own engaging content. And, it’ll give you a steer in which direction to focus your energies – it’s often best to start out with the app you’re most familiar with, and have fun using. WHAT’S YOUR FAVE PLATFORM? Most people dip in and out of different social media apps, but is there one you’re most drawn too? Maybe you’ve lost way too many hours scrolling on Instagram, or creating moodboards galore on Pinterest. Perhaps you love chatting with pals on Facebook? Or, was…

Although every social media platform has its own best practice, there are definitely a few basics that apply across the board. First off, keeping your social channels updated isn’t about getting content out there at every opportunity. Just like every other aspect of your business, it needs to be well thought out, engaging, and on brand. That doesn’t mean you can’t be spontaneous, and functions like Instagram Stories are great for jumping on and saying hi. But, follow this advice and you’ll find it easier to stay on top of posting, and have a clear idea of the content you want to share. PREP AND PLAN For businesses big and small, content planning is key. Most creatives and makers tend to be juggling a second job, or managing social media…

Business finances aren’t as exciting as selling out a craft fair or landing your first wholesale client, but tending to your money early on will set you up for financial ease later. Here are three tips to get started. DEVELOP A BOOKKEEPING ROUTINE It’s easy to say you’ll do your bookkeeping – keeping on top of recording your financial transactions – but the truth it’s the first thing that gets skipped after a long week. That’s why you need a bookkeeping routine, which keeps the financial work from piling up, builds your bookkeeping muscle, and ensures your finances are up to date. The first step in developing a routine is to decide how often you’ll do your bookkeeping. I recommend a minimum of once a month, and ideally, doing your…

WE’VE GOT A CRUSH, AND WE DON’T CARE WHO KNOWS IT. Our unadulterated love for Hello DODO’s cute and comfy Flower Power jumper is real, because pink and red are for life, not just for February. Although in all fairness, we’re obsessed with pretty much everything this South Coast-based husband and wife slow fashion duo create. They’re passionate about screen printing, and spreading joy through their colourful designs. www.hello-dodo.com LATEST DROP PJ DAY GOALS, or the best WFH set up ever? Either way, we’re big fans of Chiara Celini’s work and can’t wait to live out our pink, plant-filled interior dreams through this beautiful print. Also available as an original gouache painting if you’re feeling fancy. www.chiaracelini.com THE EARRING TO RULE THEM ALL. Handmade jewellery brand The Journee of J’rissa…

HOW TO MAKE A KNITTED JUMPER MATERIALS ■ Wool and the Gang Crazy Sexy Wool, 100% wool, 200g/80m per ball, seven (seven, eight, eight) balls in Forest Green (037) ■ 12mm (US 17) knitting needles ■ 10mm (US 15) circular knitting needles, 80cm (31½") long ■ Knitters’ safety pins ■ Large-eyed yarn needle ABBREVIATIONS  st(s) stitch(es) k knit p purl k2tog knit 2 stitches together p2tog purl 2 stitches together RS right side WS wrong side SIZE NOTES The pattern is written with an oversized fit approx. 25cm (10") larger than bust TENSION Approx 8 sts and 10½ rows to 10cm (4") over stocking stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row repeated) using 12mm needles If all you want to do right now is pile on the layers, this jumper…

HOW TO MAKE A NEEDLE PUNCHED SHELL CUSHION MATERIALS ■ Monk’s cloth, 60 x 70cm (23¾ x 27½") ■ Large wooden frame, 50 x 60cm (19¾ x 23¾") ■ Rico Fashion Linen Swell Aran, 80% cotton/20% linen, 50g/110m, in Salmon (004) (Yarn A) ■ Glitter 4 ply Metallic Yarn, 80% viscose/20% Lurex, 50g/200m per cone, in Coral (8F1) (Yarn B) ■ Wendy Purity yarn, 70% cotton/30% Merino wool, 50g/ 100m per ball, in Breeze (5165) (Yarn C) ■ Peach cotton fabric, 40 x 44cm (15¾ x 17½") ■ Adjustable punch needle ■ Erasable fabric marker ■ Sewing needle ■ Matching sewing thread ■ Drawing pins ■ Soft toy stuffing Missing summer days? Bring the seaside into your home with this peachy dream of a pillow, complete with pearlescent detail –…

01 Better days are on the horizon, so remind yourself of that with this window into a peachy dream world. Helina Bassey’s Boho Desert Landscape feels warm and peaceful – the only kind of art we need in our lives right now. www.helina illustration.etsy.com 02 This beautifully crafted Oude Lamp is described as ’quietly opulent’, which also feels like a life goal. Part of AAKS’ Weaving for Change collection, creating employment for refugee artisans in Burkina Faso, buying it is an all-round win. www.aaksonline.com 03 Sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference, like not eating dinner on your lap. Shop these handwoven raffia placemats and start a new weekend ritual, setting the table with care. Even takeaway’ll feel fancy. www. ourlovelygoods.com 04 The Plump Vase is not only…

HOW TO MAKE EMBROIDERED WALL ART MATERIALS ■ Embroidery hoop, 20cm (8") ■ Cotton fabric ■ DMC Stranded Cotton in 890 (deep forest green), 90 (variegated yellow), 51 (variegated burnt orange), 3348 (light yellow green), 26 (pale lavender), 318 (light steel grey), 552 (medium violet), 310 (black), 900 (saffron orange) and 904 (avocado green) ■ Embroidery needle Whisk yourself away to South-East France via this painterly project with a difference. Using sketch-style and textured embroidery, Charles and Elin’s lifelike snapshot of an idyllic terrace is both crafting and holiday goals. Filled with tactile flowers and greenery, we’re thinking of it as a visualisation of things to come – a pre-postcard to ourselves, ready for future travels. New to embroidery? Turn to page 82 for a handy guide to each of…

EMBROIDERY HOOP BY CHARLES HENRY AND ELIN PETRONELLA PAGE 73 SHELL CUSHION BY LUCY DAVIDSON PAGE 41 PHOTOCOPY AT 200% PATCHWORK QUILT BY XANTHE GRUNDY PAGE 50 KNITTED HAT BY MIL SMITH PAGE 66 PATCHWORK QUILT BY XANTHE GRUNDY PAGE 50 PHOTOCOPY AT 200% FELT FLOWERS BY BEE GIBBONS PAGE 79 Mollie Makes (ISSN 20460228) (USPS 20517) February 21 is published 13 times a year (monthly, with a Christmas issue in October) by Immediate Media Company Bristol Ltd., Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST United Kingdom. Distributed in the U.S. by NPS Media Group, 2 Corporate Dr., Suite 945, Shelton, CT 06484. Periodical Postage paid at Shelton, CT and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to Mollie Makes, Immediate Media, 2900 Veterans Highway, Bristol, PA 19007, USA Thank…

BACKSTITCH This stitch is ideal for outlines, and it’s the one you’ll find you use the most. Come up from the back at point 1, then go down at point 2. Come up at point 3, then go back to point 1 and bring the needle through to the back. LAZY DAISY Usually used for flower petals, this stitch is also ideal for embroidering tiny seeds. Come up at point 1, then go back down at point 1, leaving a small loop. Come up through the loop at point 2, then go down at point 3 (next to point 2, but not the same hole). SATIN STITCH When you want to fill an area with a smooth finish, this stitch is the ideal choice. It’s best worked in small areas,…

So, you’ve decided to start selling your makes – yay you! Before you get stuck in though, let’s take some time to get you properly set up. Establishing a brand doesn’t have to mean spending lots of money or doing anything fancy, it’s more about separating your business from yourself, and building a solid foundation to help it grow. A key part of that is having a clear understanding of your intentions for the brand – who you want to be, what you’re offering and where you want to go. Not only do these fundamental pillars help when you’re selling to customers, they’re also useful when it comes to making business decisions. Think of the next few questions as a starting point to figuring these out, using the space provided…

If I were starting a lovely new business tomorrow, brand photography is the very first thing I’d be investing in. Creative, quality photography improves the effectiveness of all marketing activity, and opens up opportunities like getting featured in your favourite magazine, Mollie Makes . I can’t guarantee one great photoshoot will create instant success, but I can say with a big ol’ degree of certainty that growing a brand is hard without a sturdy photography foundation. Let’s start by differentiating between the main types of product photography. There’s not really any universal language for these types, but I like to break down brand pictures into two main categories: packshot and lifestyle. Packshot photography is functional; think cut-outs on white backgrounds, packaging pics, and detail shots that highlight specific product features.…

Hi Natalie! Tell us a bit about your business and how it’s developed. Bespoke Binny is a homeware and lifestyle brand that makes products made from, and celebrates, African textiles. In all honesty it became a business accidentally! I learnt to sew and make bits and pieces for my own home purely as a hobby, and was encouraged to open an Etsy shop by friends and family. It’s grown steadily over the years to become what it is today. Why is it so important for handmade sellers to get their pricing right? When you really love what you’re doing and want to share it with others, it can be tempting to price your products without profit in mind – I know I did that when I first started. It’s important…

Community and collaborations are what support a business and help it grow. Being part of something, whether that’s an established selling platform, indie online shop, partnership, co-working space or directory might be just what you need to take your small biz to the next level. Working with others expands the reach of your brand and can bring fresh opportunities. Plus, you’ll have the benefit of shared knowledge, promo, and like-minded creatives at your side. Working with peers will also keep you on your toes, perhaps raising the standard of your work, and bringing possibilities of mutually beneficial collabs. The positives are huge, but you’ll want to make sure you’re a real team player too, supporting your fellow makers and lifting others up along the way.…

Being a creative company of one, it’s difficult to sustain a livelihood relying solely on the things you make with your own hands. This is especially true if those things are time consuming, like pottery. Scaling up your business can be difficult without employing people – I work from a small garden studio at home in Somerset and love my location, but there isn’t enough room for me to hire more people with the space I have. By 2019, I was spending hours on social media answering pottery-related questions, alongside fulfilling orders, running my business and having a personal life. Despite wanting to help everyone, there weren’t enough hours in the day. So, I knew I needed a solution which would allow me to better serve my audience without working…

Only you can discover which platform will really fly for your brand, but we can tell you the pros and cons of the main players, and that we wouldn’t recommend picking just one. It’s great to build up a community within a particular space, but business-wise, it also makes sense not to put all your eggs in one basket. Each platform will attract a different audience, so by tailoring your content towards a selected few, you’re getting the best audience reach possible. SNAPCHAT & TIKTOK While there are businesses with big followings on these platforms, they’re not seen as contenders for most handmade brands. That doesn’t mean they should be ignored though, especially if they’re your go-to social media app. TikTok is a fun space to share short videos –…

“WE’RE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND OUR ACCOUNTS!”CARLY STALKER, CO-FOUNDER OF ROO-TID, SHARES HER SOCIAL MEDIA JOURNEY Having an active social media presence can feel so rewarding, both for yourself and your business. When friends and strangers share positive comments, a post gets an amazing response, or you’re tagged into a customer’s pic of your product, it’s straight up cloud nine times. But, it’s hard not to take it personally when images seem to fall flat. It doesn’t take long before self-doubt creeps in, wondering why you’re not getting the same results as other accounts. Cards on the table? Running a creative business can be tough. Pouring yourself into it sets you apart from faceless companies, but it also leaves you vulnerable when things don’t go to plan. Social media can feel…

Just like Legally Blonde icon Elle Woods, we want you to feel comfortable using legal jargon in everyday life. On page 40 we’ll be chatting to Ingrid Fernandez, lawyer and founder of Dec + Dash Legal Consulting, about website wording, copyright and the delights of data protection, but first let’s get into some of the more general legalities you’ll need to consider when starting your own biz. MAKING IT OFFICIAL We talked about deciding on a brand name back on page 4, but do you actually need to register it? The short answer is no. As long as it’s registered with HMRC you’re all good, unless you decide to become a limited company at any stage – a company that’s a separate legal entity in its own right, as opposed…

GOV.UK  www.gov.uk Your official go-to for all things legal and anything taxes or business related, with tools and guidance for self-employed peeps. ENTERPRISE NATION www.enterprisenation.com A supportive community sharing all you need to grow your brand, from EU shipping regulations to mental health support. THE DESIGN TRUST www.thedesigntrust.co.uk Teaching practical business skills, The Design Trust have lots of must-read articles and one-day workshops and online courses. ACID (ANTI COPYING IN DESIGN) www.acid.uk.com ACID are the UK’s leading design and intellectual property organisation – ideal if you’re concerned about copyright. FOLKSY’S BLOG blog.folksy.com This UK-based selling platform shares essential info for creatives, including SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) tips. ETSY SELLER HANDBOOK www.etsy.com/uk/seller-handbook Etsy’s how-to handbook is…

Hi Ingrid! Tell us a bit about yourself and your biz. Starting my legal consulting business wasn’t something I always saw myself doing. I’d been working in the court system, then in privacy practice. I then worked for an NHS trust before having my two children, and thought I’d continue down that path. Instead, I started working with small business owners who had brilliant products, but didn’t know how to ensure they were legally compliant. I’d draft terms and conditions and privacy policies, or help them put together contracts. That’s how my business came to life. Having a legally compliant brand is so important – what are the main areas to consider for business owners? It’s important to think about how best to protect it. If your brand has a…