Thinking About Christmas in June

It has been the best summer so far! My Etsy has been very busy all year, but now that summer is here, it has slowed down a little, so I have been mostly sitting in the garden reading my book. Although Lincolnshire has only had 4 small rain showers in 3 months, the garden is remarkably healthy and the countryside looks fabulous. Now, as hot as today is, the hottest day of the year so far and totally glorious, it's the time I have to start thinking about Christmas. Yes, I said it...Christmas!

As with most artisans, I am always thinking months ahead and it may only

be June, but I have already started stocking up on robins and other festive wares. All year I have been making festive pom poms that are destined for stage costumes and winter wonderlands, with some huge orders taking up to eight days to make. For big orders such as these, I needed 21 balls of wool, meaning I am reliant on a reliable postal service. I therefore offered these costumiers the option to warn me in advance of large

orders so I could get the wool in advance and although risky, I can also start making the poms ahead of time. These folks spend an absolute fortune on poms and with our

excellent 4-year relationship, I never worry that they might change their minds. It's really beneficial to me, as I can make the poms ahead of time without any urgency, all at my leisure. The costume makers get a fabulous service as they get their poms the day after they order. On the left is a photo showing just a few of the 160 x 65 mm (6.5 cm) poms made for just one festive costume!

Below is the Etsy listing used for this order, which was rusty pink in the full colour option.

My handmade scented cards, especially the handfasting hares, have been doing really well, but this year's surprise is my Summer Solstice sunflower card—last summer it barely sold, but this year it has been very successful and I have been a little busy making batches of them. I have always been cautious about entering the realm of mass-producing my cards, as this would defeat the whole point that all of my wares are unique and clearly 'made with love!'. I don't think I would have much love for my cards if I were constantly making them! Each card from start to finish takes an hour, but by concentrating on one task at a time in bulk batches, I'm able to get it down to 45 minutes per card. Here are some of the things that go into making my cards:

Watercolour drawing 1 day

Photoshop the drawing into a transfer design 4 hours

8 metres of natural linen torn into 700 x 12 cm squares 48 hours

700 fabric squares with frayed edges and straightened if distorted during the tear 96 hours

700 ironed squares 96 hours

Embroider stitched edges of squares 40 a day

Iron on the transfers 30 an hour

Sew on the charm and bow 4 minutes

Many of these tasks can be done whilst sat in front of a pile of DVD's and so there is no rush, just plenty of time to make with love. Once all of the 700 squares have been sewn, they are stored in organza bags in a box full of dried lavender. I make batches of 5-10 cards, ensuring I always have a few of each and at festive times like Ostara and Saturnalia, I make sure I have plenty of each fully made, with spare finished squares stored in the lavender box for commission cards. Knowing how long the process is for making these cards, you can understand why I wouldn't want to be selling hundreds a month; it just wouldn't be possible all year round. This is why I make a batch of festive cards way ahead of time , as at peak it could get to the point where I cannot make enough to keep up with demand! As it is nearly the 25th of June, we are almost halfway to Christmas and with it being quite warm, it's cooling to think of winter snows and jingle bells. Anyone who's not keen on Christmas, don't worry, it's months away!

Whilst bespoke made-to-order poms and cards sell consistently well, it would be really great to make some more large pieces and I have fancied making one or two pom pom rugs. It is a complimentary choice to my pom pom Drafties and floating pom pom wall hangings, especially as I have learnt that making things of a similar genre, such as pom poms, is more successful than dabbling in different things. My rug would be based on colour, as with all of my wool things and with the endless possibilities of pom poms and tassels, it would be real creative fun to plan and make.

As with everything I do, the very first port of call is to check out Pinterest and Etsy. Pinterest is the greatest thing ever on the internet. If they ever pull the internet switch, I would genuinely miss Pinterest! I search for the thing I want to make, but if I find the market is flooded with my idea, I then either develop the idea into

something unique, or I'll dump it. I don't want to be making something that has already been done. As an example, the wreath pictured below looks like any other pom pom wreath found on Etsy. The difference with mine is that they are the same on the back and front, so they are great for glass front doors or windows. I struggled to find double sided wreaths, so I made some!

I noticed with pom pom rugs that set sizes were offered and yet how often do you find a rug the size you want? I might make a 2 ft x 1 ft panel as a sample of the finished rug for the photographs, but they will be made to any size. The panel will take two days to make, then a day to put a backing on and finish off, so you can imagine how long a rug-sized rug would take! They won't be cheap, but what fun! My pom pom rugs would be all about graduated colours, but a hook rug can be created from cross-stitch patterns or even pixelated photographs.

Having such a great supply of wool, I think I may be able to create some really amazing rugs using advanced colour theory and keeping within a rustic mindset. The design possibilities are endless, so I have lots more 'Pinteresting' to do to ensure I am making something original, unique and made with love!