New business strategy

Finally! I've had a good think about my business strategy and have now changed several areas of my blog to reflect it. That strategy is to focus more on designing and let others do the selling. In other words, simplify!

Craft fairs and markets are fun and give me plenty of opportunity to talk with people but the sales simply aren't offsetting my expenses. It isn't good business sense for me to continue that way so I'm pushing to find stockists and other creative opportunities for selling my patterns instead.

I will be placing a few new designs on my blackwork page (see the tab above) over the next few days. If anything interests you before I find stockists, by all means contact me (see the More about me tab above). Although I'm not planning to continue the mail order service that I was doing before, I am willing to make the odd exception.

As before, I will continue to update you through this blog so you can access the information at your own convenience.

Seaton Delaval Hall blackwork pattern is now available

The debut for my Seaton Delaval Hall blackwork pattern has now passed so I've been working a bit on this blog today. I have added a Blackwork Patterns tab so it is easier to distinguish between the two types of designs. I have also updated my photos of the various patterns with their stitched models.

I will be applying a facelift to the How To tab over the next few weeks as I work on my next design. At the moment, this tab acts mainly as an example of what to expect in the way of instructions inside my patterns. I would like to expand this area into a better teaching aid. Cross stitch and blackwork lend themselves well to demonstration so I hope to add some videos. I think that will be much easier to follow than the written word in most cases.

I have also been experimenting a bit with some Google business features. I have to admit, despite a computing background, I have actually struggled with this. Although I have finally worked out how to use Google Places and Google Maps, I don't think they are going to be as useful as the theory first suggested. The updating process is so slow that new information falls out of date before it can appear in the maps listing, if it appears at all. Whether or not it attracts more custom is something I will be monitoring over the weeks to come. Meanwhile, I certainly won't be giving up my blog!

Other features I want to look further into include the free website that Google advertises, and Google Talk. I was asked by a stitcher, on the weekend, if she could call me if she got stuck with anything in my pattern. This prompted me into thinking how useful it would be to show the person rather than try to talk them through it over the phone. Skype allows free video calls providing both parties have an account with them and web cams with their computers. The account is also free to set up. I already have Skype and am hoping that Google Talk works in a similar fashion. It's a step on from both the telephone and videos because you can ask a real time question and get an answer that is tailored specifically to your situation.

So, there are lots of plans afoot. I'll do my best to regularly update this space but I do have a mini-exhibition coming up early in December (Saltwell Park) so I'm going to be a bit busy for the next couple of weeks. After that I should have more time to work my plans out in a sensible fashion.

Bye for now!

Debut of Seaton Delaval Hall blackwork design

The day has finally arrived... the Seaton Delaval Hall pattern is ready! So, it is having its debut today at the craft market being held at St. Paul's Church in Seaton Sluice. There may be a small entry charge to the venue. Hope to see some of you there!

Seaton Delaval Hall in black work

Here is the proof that I really have finished stitching my Seaton Delaval Hall design.

Seaton Delaval Hall, in black work
Copyright © Linda Morris, 2010

It will have its debut at the craft market at St. Paul's Church in Seaton Sluice on 13 Nov. 2010. That's less than a week away so I must get back to writing the instructions so there will be some patterns on hand as well! Bye for now...

Black work designing progress

Good news for those patient people waiting in the wings... I have finished stitching and charting the black work design of Seaton Delaval Hall. I just need to write up the instructions and transfer the pattern to printed form now. However, I think it is safe to say that it should be ready in time for the craft market in Seaton Sluice on Nov. 13th, 2010.

I am not as optimistic, though, about completing the black work design of the Hoopoe by then. I think that one will have to wait a bit longer. But, I do intend to have it done before Christmas, especially since I'd like to show it along with the others at Saltwell Towers in December.

Must get back to work now, but I hope to see some of you at Seaton Sluice. Thank you for your patience!

Seaton Delaval Hall design edging ever closer

I do apologise for the length of time that has passed since I last posted news of my black work design of Seaton Delaval Hall. Home life has been making some demands on my time but I am now edging back on track with my designs.

The Seaton Delaval Hall design should be finished in time for the craft market on Nov. 13th in Seaton Sluice. Famous last words... I've probably jinxed it now! However, that is my intention. I also hope to finish the Bewick Hoopoe blackwork pattern that was set to one side while I've been cracking on with the Seaton Delaval Hall design. No pressure!!

Needless to say, I have some work to do so I shall end this post now and get on with it!

Preparations

It's that time of the week again... preparation time for tomorrow's centre stage spot at Seaton Delaval Hall.

centre stage spot for Linda Morris, Seaton Delaval Hall

This is what I'm aiming for when I prepare for my day at the hall. Don't be fooled by the lack of people in this picture. Believe me, I talk to a lot of people throughout the day! I just thought I'd catch the scene before the view was blocked.

So, today is being spent getting all the loose ends sorted out. I'm ironing the table cloths, printing out some more promotional material, and packing everything into a suitcase. Everything, that is, except for my design of Seaton Delaval Hall. I'll continue to work on that once everything else is ready.

Meanwhile, here's a picture of what I've done so far...

blackwork design of Seaton Delaval Hall
© Linda Morris, 2010

I am actually using brown thread on a natural colour linen but it is still loosely considered to be blackwork. I chose brown because the black clashed with this particular fabric. I am stitching across two threads of the fabric so it works out the same as had I stitched on 14 count Aida. I chose linen over Aida because I thought it better suited the historic nature of this property. It is also easier to make straighter lines where necessary. I'll try to finish off the details that require a lot of concentration so I can get on with the seed stitch I have in mind for highlighting the rest of the stonework tomorrow.

Lots to do so I shall leave this for now with more to come at a later date.

The world of marketing

Friday has finally arrived and I am really looking forward to my day at Seaton Delaval Hall. I always enjoy talking to those of you who visit this property. Today is going to be my chance to redress my equilibrium as it follows on from one of the most irritating days I have ever suffered at the hands of companies who insist on forcing their marketing strategies upon me.

Yes, I know that businesses need to make a presence if they are to compete successfully. After all, I'm one of them. So do charities. However, the current strategy of ramming it down my throat is not endearing me to any of them. Ringing my doorbell and then thumping incessantly on the door in a futile attempt to drag me away from my work only serves to irritate me. This happened not once or even twice. I can't remember for sure but I think there were 4 different occasions whereby the battering strategy was applied to the door. When I didn't bite, each one of them blocked up the letter slot with a bag demanding clothes for charity - a different one in each case, and not all of them from actual charities. I just threw the bags onto the pile that has accumulated over the past two years so I can re-use them for other things. Had I not remained vigilant with removing these bags, our mail would never have been delivered. And, had I filled the 100 or so bags that have arrived during the last two years, Hubby and I would now be greeting the world stark naked! Just how much clothing do you think we have to donate to charity? Truth be told, we wear our clothes until they are beyond repair and then they go to the local recycling depot to be used as stuffing in furniture or car seats.


Between batterings on the door came the phone calls. I have to answer them in case they are related to my business. Each claimed to be for market research but turned out to be companies wishing to draw my business away from current suppliers. Two of them were definitely from companies that I have told several times now to remove our phone number from their lists. We registered our number with the TPS 11 years ago so they really haven't any excuse for flouting the law. I've also registered our address so we will receive considerably less junk mail through the door. To say the least, both approaches are failing miserably.


So, what is the upshot of all of this with regards to my business? I definitely do not want to be remembered for badgering potential customers. I absolutely will not spam you if you e-mail me. I will not add your address to any mailing lists as a result of you doing business with me. I will not sell your personal details to third parties. I am happy to release my phone number to people who are genuinely interested in my work but I am not displaying it in this blog because I know it will be abused if I do so. I do give out some advertising materials while I'm exhibiting or selling my work but only to those of you who seem keen to have it. Hopefully you will pass it along when you are finished with it. I know it is going to take longer to get my name known out there as a designer this way, but I'd far rather end up with happy customers who pass my name along to others for the right reasons. I enjoy cross stitching and blackwork... and I want to keep it that way.

As my blackwork design grows...

I've had yet another interesting day centre stage talking with lots of you during your visit to Seaton Delaval Hall. I did manage a bit more stitching this time though. I've worked out a plan now that allows me to do the trickier bits through the week and leave the easier bits for my actual visit. And it is looking as though I've passed the halfway point now. I have several ideas for stitches that will add even more depth to the scene but, at the same time, I don't want to make it too busy.

These centre stage spots are proving to be quite an interesting way for me to experience a National Trust site. As I study each detail of the architecture, I find myself becoming more attuned to the building and pondering what life might have been like for the people who ventured into it during its heyday. I can't help wondering what they might have thought of my attempt to capture this view of the hall through needle and thread. Paintings and drawings were more the norm back then, and blackwork techniques would have been applied as decorations on clothing. At that time, the North East of England was already busy acquiring a long list of very talented people who were unafraid to try new things. So, I like to think that they might have approved of what they probably would have perceived as my slightly offbeat application of blackwork, for the times.

As many of you who have already talked to me know, the North East of England is not where my origins lie. I was born and raised in Canada but now call the North East my home. A very special Geordie lad is responsible for my decision to up sticks and move... but that is another story! My needlework enables me to explore the history of this area as well as is influenced by it. I am not short of admiration for the many talented characters that are associated with this region. It's downright impossible not to be inspired! I feel so lucky to be living here.

Thanks to these centre stage spots, I have now added Seaton Delaval Hall to my list of favourite places and am busy capturing it in blackwork. I have more ideas for further designs of it... I just wish there were more hours in the day so I could explore all of my ideas for all of my favourite places here! Needless to say, I can't wait for Friday to roll around so I can park myself centre stage once again. I hope to see you there!

Back to Seaton Delaval Hall I go...

I'm going to be back at Seaton Delaval Hall this coming Sunday, the 8th of Aug., 2010, and again on both the 13th and 20th of Aug. I am making steady progress on my blackwork design of Seaton Delaval Hall so these dates should hopefully push me into finishing it by the end of August. Famous last words!! At least that is my aim. With any luck, I'll not be too long after that producing the charts for sale although I'm not actually able to sell them from my table at the hall.

The support and interest in my work has been fantastic - thank you one and all for that. And I am really enjoying chatting with everyone so please continue to stop by for a 'hello' at the very least. Hope to see you there on Sunday!

Centrestage... again... preparations

As promised, I've made great strides with my Seaton Delaval Hall design, in blackwork, this week. Progress will be very apparent tomorrow when I'm centrestage again. Hope to see you there!

Post centrestage at Seaton Delaval Hall

Well, yesterday certainly went by quickly! My thanks go out to all of you who stopped to have a chat and admire my work. I had a most enjoyable day as a result. Unfortunately, I didn't make much progress on the blackwork design I am creating of Seaton Delaval Hall for you to see it grow. I will be back there again on Sunday though, and I am working on it throughout the week so progress will be apparent on the day. I promise!

I will be converting this into a chart for those of you who might be interested in purchasing it to stitch for yourselves. I need to finish stitching it first so there will be a bit of a delay while I work on the chart contents. They take some time too although I now have a template to speed things up a bit. I'm really going to press myself to get it ready before the end of August.

Although I am stitching it on 28 count linen, I am doing so over 2 threads so it could easily be adapted to 14 count Aida. If all goes according to plan, the finished design should even fit within an 8 x 10 inch frame. Ha! Ha! Does anything ever go to plan? Well, I will try my very best.

So, there we have it. A most successful event and more to look forward to besides!

Centrestage day has arrived

The day has dawned sunny and bright. I made a list... and checked it twice... So, I'm pretty sure that I'm ready for my centrestage day at Seaton Delaval Hall. They do charge an entrance fee to the property but there is no extra charge to have a look at my work. I am also willing to troubleshoot cross stitch and blackwork problems so bring along the piece that is causing you grief. I'm looking forward to meeting you there!

Centre Stage at Seaton Delaval Hall

I am about to go centre stage at Seaton Delaval Hall on July 25th. There is a charge to visit the property. You are most welcome to stop by for a chat, or for help with a cross stitch or blackwork problem, while I stitch my latest design. Finished and nearly finished designs will be on display. Samples of printed charts will also be available for viewing but sales are not possible on the day. Hope to see you there!

Work in progress

At last, I have advanced enough with my new design to be able to post some progress pictures here for you. I started this while participating in a stitch-a-long hosted by the Cross Stitch SAL group on Facebook. I am interpreting Thomas Bewick's "Hoopoe" print in cross stitch and blackwork.

I began with the cross stitch although the normal practise in blackwork is to start with an outline. Since I am doing this on 14 count Aida, it was easier to stitch it this way around.

I finished the cross stitching on the crest a little later in the day...

I then applied the backstitched outline of the bird and long stitched the beak.

The next stitch-a-long happened towards the end of June. I was concentrating on other aspects of my business during the intervening time so not a lot of progress was made. It also coincided with a rather busy craft market but I did manage to finish the feet and legs. I also started outlining the wing in the foreground.

Meanwhile, I managed to make a lot of progress during yesterday's craft fair. I haven't quite finished the blackwork on the bird but that should take only 10 minutes or so.

I want to use a French knot for the eye. Also, I'm debating on some modern style blackwork for the background. Thomas Bewick featured each animal with an environmental background so I would like to include a representation of this as long as it doesn't overpower the bird. So, there is at least one more progress picture to follow...

Stall at Morpeth Gathering

Well, I've pretty much sorted out the page tabs at the top now. There will be the odd bit of information and a photo or two added here and there, but they are basically complete. These page tabs contain the information that is most likely to be revisited over time. It saves you scrolling through all the posts trying to gather the information each time.

Now... if I could just figure out what goes wrong with the formatting each time, I'll have it made! I find I have to keep dumping information into a text editor before transferring it into these posts and the pages. Otherwise, I end up with huge gaps between paragraphs and a different size font with each post. It's maddening!

But enough of the trials set to try me. I will be attending the Morpeth Gathering from 9-11 April, 2010 inclusive. I'll have a table set up inside the room housing the craft exhibition at the Morpeth Town Hall. The organisers charge a small fee to enter the exhibition area and you can find this information in the program section of their site.

My Spring at Cragside and Saltwell Park charts will be on sale there. I will also be demonstrating cross stitch and possibly even some blackwork so feel free to stop by and have a chat with me. Maybe you are struggling with a particular stitch that you are using in one of your cross stitch or blackwork projects? I bet French knots will feature heavily... (smile). I am happy to help guide you, and will also bring along some of my favourite reference books for browsing purposes.

Hope to see you there!

New Year Inspiration

Happy New Year everyone!


I am off to a good start for the New Year so I am hoping that the momentum will continue. My Spring at Cragside and Saltwell Park designs are now on display in the cafe at Saltwell Towers. They will stay there until January 29th. Saltwell Park looks gorgeous under its blanket of snow so I can highly recommend a visit even at this time of year. By the way, I've had some inspiration for two more designs featuring Saltwell Park thanks to the weather and the Enchanted Parks event that was held there in December. Those will become available later in the year when I display more of my work at Saltwell Towers in December of 2010.


I have also spent some time at Gibside National Trust in order to capture the atmosphere created by the recent snowfall. A new design featuring the Chapel is definitely on the horizon, and there may even be a second of the Banqueting Hall to follow hot on its heels. I have been talking with Lynn Huggins-Cooper who runs the Gibside Arts Organisation in the Stables at Gibside. Before too much longer, I hope to have my charts on sale there and will probably be demonstrating some cross stitch and blackwork techniques from time to time. I will list the dates as I firm them up.


So, it is all go at the moment. I hope that the New Year is bringing you as much excitement as it is me, and that I'll see some of you at Gibside during the year.

Jumping into the deep end...

After many months of debating the best way to start up as a counted stitch designer, I've finally decided just to jump into the deep end and see where it leads me. This is a dream that I've had for several years now, and I don't intend to let it pass me by. And, I have to admit, it's all rather exciting! A little scary too, but definitely exciting.


Going into business for yourself isn't everyone's cup of tea. However, I particularly appreciate the freedom and flexibility that it gives me. I think the internet will enhance that even further thanks to all the technological developments of recent times. But most of all, I am really enjoying the opportunity it is giving me to explore my creative side.


Although it does feel as though I'm leaping off a diving board, in actual fact, I haven't left it all to chance. I've spent a great deal of time consulting with Business Link advisors and attending numerous workshops that are available to people like myself who are starting up in business. (They were all free of charge too.) So, there are plenty of people around me to keep my feet on the ground.


I've also spent some time testing my ability to design cross stitch scenes in an amateur capacity. You may have seen my Spring at Cragside and Saltwell Park designs at the Gateshead Summer Flower Show in 2007 and 2009 respectively. They both managed to win first prize, and the former also took a first in the 'Own Design Needlework' class at the Morpeth Gathering in 2008. This, coupled with lots of encouragement from friends and family, has finally pushed me into making the leap.

Decision made, the next step was to figure out what form my charted designs should take. Should I have them printed on paper? What kind of packaging should I use? Should I sell them solely on the internet? Should I skip direct sales and go through a wholesale distributor? Should I combine them all? And so I wrestled with myself for a very long time. I have to admit, that decision has been quite a challenge because there are pros and cons associated with each.

To cut a long story short, I've decided to start with printed charts, in the form of booklets, instead of launching onto the internet. Those of you who know how 'techie' I am are probably surprised by this. No fear though. This doesn't necessarily mean that I'll never try the latter. I just thought it best to start on a smaller scale and expand into the wider opportunities once I have my feet under me.


The last few months have kept me busy beyond belief, getting my first two designs ready for the Christmas rush. I'm therefore only just getting around to setting up my blog. And it has to go live now because the charts are appearing at the Christmas Craft Market at Gibside National Trust property on Saturday (5 Dec., 2009).


I had the Spring at Cragside booklet printed first. When it came back, I noticed that I'd missed a few minor, purely cosmetic details in the booklet layout, despite rigorous editing. And I was so hoping that I'd be immune from human error! However, I hasten to add that none of them affect the chart that you follow while stitching. I corrected them in my template, and the Saltwell Park design came out as I had intended. Hopefully I won't introduce others as I produce new designs... At any rate, should human error strive to humble me again, please contact me so I can immediately fix the mistake(s) and resolve any problems that may result.


I'm also interested in finding out where people in the North East of England prefer to shop for their cross stitch and blackwork supplies. This information would help me network much faster. I promise not to keep your e-mail details so you can rest assured that supplying me with such information will not result in any spam.


Over the winter, I intend to work on some blackwork designs so there should be more to come by spring time. I'll use this blog to expand upon the inspiration behind my designs, as well as the process I follow, whenever I take a break from actual designing. And I'll be looking for stockists and more markets to attend which I will list here as the news breaks. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy stitching my designs.