The KitschenSink Journal

FAQS: Getting your price right, and why you need to!

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:30:00 +0000

Getting your prices right is important. Not only could you be ripping yourself off; if you want to develop your business, getting your retail price wrong could be a deal-breaker when it comes to stockist enquiries. And low-pricing could be why you're getting the evil eye at trading events... in this blog post I'll give my perspective on:
♥ the difference between wholesale and retail pricing
♥ ways you can price up your products
♥ how correct pricing will benefit your little enterprise
♥ how ignoring advice might impact it

Tatty Devine Price Ticket Pin

♥ What's a wholesale price and what's a retail price?
The retail price is the price a customer pays - on your website, in a shop, etc. The wholesale price is what the shopkeeper (or 'buyer' if you're dealing with a big business) buys it for. They will want to sell your work on to their customers at the same price you do on your website/stall, but make a profit for themselves too (fair's fair!).

♥ Start with the wholesale price and end with the retail price:
Don't make the mistake of guessing how much someone would pay for your work and go with it. Start by formulating a wholesale price you are comfortable with and use that to calculate your retail price.

♥ How to calculate your wholesale price:
The calculation isn't 'one size fits all', but you need to take into account the following:
♥ What would you like your hourly rate to be?
♥ How many of these pieces can you comfortably make in that time?
♥ How much did you spend on supplies for each item?
♥ Did you use any equipment to make it, such as a sewing machine, that might need to be replaced at some point?
♥ Are you going to spend time photographing the piece? Make sure you charge for that!
♥ Is there any special packaging/printing that comes with the piece?
♥ Overheads including things like stall fees, your website hosting fees etc

The price you end up with should be a price you feel comfortable with selling at without any 'But! I won't make any money if I sell at that price!' feelings.

♥How to calculate a retail price
Different shops and galleries mark up at different rates. If you want to gain some wholesale orders (if you're not sure of the different between wholesale and consignment, please read my previous FAQ), you stockists will love it if they can make a great profit. Begin by tripling your retail price.

Don't stop there.

♥ Increase your "perceived value"
Once you have your retail price, it's time to consider if it reflects you and your brand. Increasing the price more could increase confidence in your product, boost feelings of exclusivity and its owner will cherish it, and not simply wear it once and toss it aside. Think about the difference between your feelings on a bracelet you bought from Primark compared to if you bought a bracelet from, say, Thomas Sabo. If your product is well made, limited edition and pretty unique, don't be afraid of upping the price.

♥ Don't compete with the high street on price
An easy mistake to make is to think that if someone can buy a product off the high street at once price, your alternative should be the same price. It won't work and we don't have the buying power or sweat shops they use. Of course, we are in competition with them, so compete on service and quality of product instead.

♥ So what if my prices are low? More people will buy my work!
♥ Loss-leaders can be a fantastic way to do one-off promotions and get your name known, but that's what it must be, a short term promotion with your name pretty much plastered all over it so your customers remember you and come back to something you can actually make a profit from.
♥ Shop and gallery owners may assume a super low wholesale price until they realise you haven't priced properly and you have to start again from scratch, and they will in turn lose confidence in you.
♥ A good fair/market organiser will recognise inappropriate pricing and decline you from events because they know their good, regular traders will get pissed off if you are effectively competing with them on price.
♥ If you slip through the net and are accepted, you won't be making many friends with other traders at the event (it's my major pet peeve!).

♥ Still think your retail price is too much even with the minimum wholesale price?
Then it might be time to rethink your product. Source your materials from somewhere cheaper, find a quicker way of working or design something new that will make a better return.

Hope this has helped! Remember, if you have a biz-related question that you think I might be able to help with, just ask, and I'll see what I can do...

Anything I missed off? What tips do you have to share for pricing work?

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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That was January...

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Good grief, it's flown by, but looking back to early January it seems such a long time ago. Maybe it's because I achieved a lot and had a lot of fun!

♥ I went to two 30th birthday celebrations. One, a fancy dress party, and the other, a pamper party!

Keith Lemon and I at a 30th birthday bash

♥ I filed my tax return. It was taxing, the man on the adverti lies to me every year.

♥ I was featured on World of Kitsch blog, gaining me a little celeb order (as a gift for someone else...)

♥ I booked ReetSweet Valentine Shopping Fair

♥ I started to play with resin again!

♥ I organised, with friend Abi of SewYou, a series of social media workshops for small businesses, we have called it 'Social Media Bootcamp', it will run through February, and it is fully booked!

♥ I got accepted to Saltaire Arts Trail (taking place in May). It was judged by an independent panel, so I am really pleased.

♥ I was asked to write a guest blog in the summer for an event that I'm really passionate about!

♥ I went to a baby shower. The baby still hasn't made an appearance!

My waters broke!

♥ I wrote a blog post about tips for things to look for when stocking a shop. It sparked mainly lots of positive feedback but also ruffled some feathers. I also had over ten-times more blog visits to the post than my average!

♥ I was invited to sell at a big International Women's Day event in Leeds (taking placein March) so that should be fun!

♥ I led a simple drop in workshop where we made bracelets from beads and laser-cut shapes at Bradford College. It was loads of fun!

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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T Minus 24h til BOOTCAMP begins!

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:00:00 +0000

That's right, with all places filled it's just a 24 hour countdown until Abi from SewYou and I lead our Twitter course from SewYou Studios in Saltaire. It's going to freakin' rock and will include the following awesome shiz:

♥ Developing an identity on Twitter that works
♥ Tips and tricks for good tweetin'
♥ Demonstrations
♥ Group tasks
♥ Discussion
♥ Case studies
♥ Making the most of Twitter
♥ Developing a strategy that works for you

Best of all, it all centres around the participants' own perspectives.

Tomorrow's session is fully booked but if you are gutted you have missed out, you can register interest for the next session by emailing Abi (hello@sewyouhandmade) or me (hello@kitschensink.com) and we'll sort something out!

Follow the build up, tweets in the session and feedback after using the hashtag #SocMedBootcamp (if you don't know what a hashtag is... time to enrol!)

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Mama's got a brand new bag

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:30:00 +0000

Mother alerted me on Saturday that she had had a terrible biro-related incident whereby a handbag and two purses were ruined - leaving nowhere to keep her notes and coins. How coincidental, I was on my way to SewYou Studios where I picked up this - I think perfect if you are thinking of picking something special for your ma for Mother's Day.

What do you think is the perfect Mother's Day gift? Link me up!

SewYou is a family-run Yorkshire business producing unique gifts and accessories, specialising in made-to-order products that won't break the bank.

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Workshop FUN! Bradford College Re-Fresher Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:30:00 +0000

I've just got home from leading a drop in workshop day at Bradford College Re-Fresher Fair. We made A LOT of adjustable bracelets from laser cut shapes and beads and some origami boxes to put them in!

There was a real mix of students: girls, boys, deaf, visually impaired, special needs, and those who speak English as a second or other language.

It was super lovely - some of the students even remember me from when I worked there five years ago and said they miss me ♥ Really looking forward to the next one!

If you could sit down and learn anything creative, what would it be?

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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FAQs: Top Tips for Stocking Shops

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:42:00 +0000

I still remember the awesome feeling I got when I was first approached by a shop owner that wanted to sell my work. Wow! A real shop that wanted my work in it? Things just got SERIOUS! Now not so much. I love to be asked and it happens a lot, it's still great, but I don't always accept.

Hannah Zakari Edinburgh - super awesome shop to stock

Having your work in a shop is super rewarding. Once I went into Heart Gallery in Hebden Bridge and felt like a celebrity! But putting your work in the wrong hands can leave you out-of-pocket or with your reputation in ruins...

Here's my advice on what to consider when stocking a shop:

♥ Terms: Wholesale Vs Sale-Or-Return (a.k.a "consignment") Vs Rent-A-Shelf

My preference would go in the order above.

Wholesale: Per piece, I get a smaller fee, yet I have a higher minimum order value and get paid upfront. Cash in my pocket, jobs a good 'un. It also says that the retailer is confident they can sell your work and have a turnover that allows them to buy in bulk. Because they have bought the pieces, it's their job to shift em, and they can put them in the sale and even sell at a much higher price than you would do. They may also choose not to use your packaging and use their own, so you may not get credit for your work, but these are things you can iron out when you schmooze with your stockist person.

Sale Or Return: Per piece you get a better fee (they will take 30-50%), but you only get paid if it sells. That's cool by me, my work sells, it seems win/win for the stockist and the designer, and it also means that the stockist has to put in some welly if they want to make ends meet. The only problem is keeping track of who has what stock if you have a lot of stockists on this basis! Time to exercise your spreasheet skillz.

Rent a shelf: Just say no! I can see how a rent-a-shelf basis might appeal to a new maker as their first stockist experience. It might be just the kudos you need to get yourself another stockist on better terms (a bit like your Saturday fast-food job experience helping getting a full-time job, but you wouldn't want to work there longer than three months!). On these terms the proprietor doesn't really need to put in the legwork to sell stock because they make ends meet with the rent you pay. Because established makers wouldn't usually entertain these terms it also means the standard of work in the shop might not be up to scratch, and priced badly (which will affect the perception of your own work).

♥ Word of mouth recommendation
If you have a network of maker friends or are a member of a forum, why not ask if anyone else knows of the stockist? Do they pay on time?

♥ Pop in t'shop - be private investigator!
Is it clean and tidy? Does the assistant say hello? Is there a clear price point, theme and standard of work being sold? Would you be proud to see your work in there? Are people looking around? Are they genuine buyers buying things? It might be worth popping in at different times of day to get a good idea.

♥ Do they have a website?
Is it well designed? Is the photography any good? Again, would you be proud to see your work on there?

♥ The Spiel: Go with your gut
You might get given a sales pitch. Should you really need it?!

My decisions are based on different values and opinions to what other designer's might be. For a start, I don't rely on the money from my designs to live, which allows me to be a little... snobby! It's not all about the money! I'm always a great believer in quality, not quantity, and I won't get walked over. If a stockist doesn't pay up, I get out. If I have had a bad experience with a stockist I might also tip off my networks - share the wealth (absolutely not the correct phrase to use here).

Hope this has helped! Remember, if you have a biz-related question that you think I might be able to help with, just ask, and I'll see what I can do...

Anything I missed off? What tips do you have to share for stocking shops?

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Custom Made Supplies #2 - SewYou Vendor's Apron

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:42:00 +0000

This winter I was faced with a dilemma. Used to selling indoors, there had been one occasion where I had possessions stolen. This year I did my first ever outdoor market (well, three) and was stressing about the logistics of keeping my cash, phone and general costly posessions safe whilst being distracted by lovely customers wanting to buy things, or pieces of eight blowing down a busy street!

Having exchanged a few tweets with Abi of SewYou, she encouraged me to meet her for gin in Saltaire after work to 'talk business' (that old chestnut).

Off we toddled, and guzzled, in Fanny's Ale House. Amongst anecdotes of what Abi used to do when driving home from nightclubs ten years ago, I gave her my criteria:

♥ Something like a market trader's belt but looks better
♥ Holds money and phone... and maybe more
♥ Ideally feature my logo
♥ Be colourful, kitschy, funky and fun!

Abi, being the expert on sewing, asked lots of questions to do with what I do at the fairs and what I tend to have on my person, how I wanted it to sit on my body and so forth. She sketched a plan:

I sourced the fabric... Fast Food by Alexander Henry, fits my pop-art style perfectly...

...and Abi sewed like a mo fo...

Abi posted it into my work. When it arrived I wore it all day, my colleagues thought I'd gone a bit crackers!

However, here I am, with the vendor's apron, in situ

So, whaddaya think? I love it, it keeps everything safe, it's tied to me at all times, I can even take it to the toilet with me! What's more, I can also keep my sales book in it, my coin purse (for my own spends) and loads more.

Why not read Abi's account of designing my apron here on the SewYou blog?

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Inspiring motivation...

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:37:00 +0000

This video found its way to me today (that's what happens, stuff finds me)...

It's an old advert for Apple. Whether you agree with the subject matter for their products or not, it's pretty inspiring!

Which got me to remembering this, do you remember it? Or am I the oldest one here..:

...It's a really great message from old to young about being content with what you have (something I learnt from Sunday school)...

...and then that made me remember this, this one is for all the people who moan blissfully in their warm home and whinge whilst driving their car to work...

This evening I did a final layer of resin on 16 pieces, sanded a customer order and cleaned my bathroom... think it might be time for bed and a glance through Dazed and Confused... ZZzzzz

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Winning Top Tips: Literally

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Lately I am subject to many questions about how to run a business. Some are quite broad, and some are very, very specific.

How To Fold A Paper Airplane Postcard by Little Alexander on Etsy

If you didn't already know, I work full time and do this as a sideline (I know, I'm a powerhouse). I also do pretty much everything myself, design, make, accounts, copy write, sell and the rest (except graphic design which I leave in the superhands of kidd81.com). But this does mean that I don't really have time to respond individually to each person. So... from now on, questions will be answered publicly, making an audience generated FAQ if you will. So go ahead, ask, and I will give you my personal circumstances and perspective. Awesome!

Anyway, as I was deciding to do this, Moo (those crazy printing people) ran a little competition - to tweet business tips with the hashtag #MooTip. What I found more astonishing than winning was that my tweet was re-tweeted six times by mainly people who weren't previously following me, and it was favourited by two twitterers.Kapow!

If you're an artist or maker, don't under price your work. High prices makes for higher perceived value #mootip
— Rowan | KitschenSink (@KitschenSink) January 7, 2012

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Social Media BOOTCAMP!

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:23:00 +0000

If you're a small business owner local to Saltaire and want to learn how to put some POWER behind your social media... come along to...

♥ Twitter:
Thursday 2nd Feb, 7-9.30pm

♥ Facebook:
Thursday 16th Feb, 7-9.30pm

♥ Advanced (other platforms, strategic integration, boosting sales)
Thursday 1st Mar, 7-9.30pm

To book just email me! hello@kitschensink.com

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Music to make your insides POP! #1

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:30:00 +0000

Aw in't January whacko?! The weather here in Britain has been the absolute pits - it doesn't inspire me to get out of bed on a Monday morning!

A good selection of feel good muzik on your portable music device is an instant way to lift the spirits on the journey into work/school.

This one never fails to put me in a great mood. It reminds me of the time when I was in Austin and I was refused entry to a bar to eat. I sat in a cafe around the corner until the food was ready and we ate in the park instead, but I had a great chat with the barista about the time I saw this performed at Magna 'it blew my mind'.

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Trendspotting? Hot or not?

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Just less than a year ago, my friend Samantha sent me this video:

Even a year later I still watch it and laugh and show craft friends. If you're not a crafter or you don't have an keen interest in the handmade world you probably won't get it (It's and Etsy thing).

And it just got me thinking about trends... do we like trends? As a friend Rachel pointed out, we've endured a lengthy time of moustaches already - they've been on the Etsy circuit forever and recently went more crazy mainstream (get your own ideas, High Street!). Same for owls and definitely pugs. Yawn.

I've always been inspired more by things from the past, rather than what's hot now. I guess that's why people always use the term 'retro' for my work (which surprises me, because it's never been my intention!). I know my style - in design and the everyday - block colours, no texture, no fuss. Colourful, kitschy, funky and fun! That's how I roll. If it's got a little 50s or 60s influence, all the better.

♥ What's been your favourite trend - ever?
♥ Do you follow trends?
♥ What do you see being hot for 2012?

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Save the Date! ReetSweet Valentine Shopping Fair!

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 22:51:00 +0000

You are cordially invited to Reetsweet's Valentine's Fair on Saturday February 11th at Leeds Corn Exchange.

Reetsweet is the North's leading art, design and neo craft fair - it's a distinctly modern and quirky handmade shopping fair aimed at getting people away from the big high street names and instead buying local, independent and cool handmade.

Rebecca handpicks the best local print makers, knitters, jewellery designers, upcylclers, makers of homewares, ceramic artists, and surface pattern designers to bring you a unique and free entry shopping experience within the surroundings of an acclaimed landmark of Leeds set amongst independent shops and cafes.

Save the date in your diary now! Saturday February 11th at Leeds Corn Exchange.

http://reetsweet.blogspot.com/
www.reetsweet.com

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Would you like to pay by cash, card, or smart phone?

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:30:00 +0000

I read recently that during 2012, payments by smart phone will go mainstream. No further need for wallets!

iphone wallet from annebaby on Etsy

The technology will work by using a QR code on your phone that you will scan at the till, eliminating the need for cash or cards.

I'm starting to consider what that means for small businesses with low cash takings. Currently options for taking card payments are just renting a terminal, but this incurs a monthly fee on top of paying fees for a merchant bank account. It's just not worth it.

In the US they have been using the 'Square' for some time now. A free little device that plugs into your iPhone and swipes credit cards. No monthly fees. Just 2.75% of each sale. It's not currently available in the UL, however, they have announced the Sir Richard Branson has become an investor in the company after noticing its novel technology, so hopefully he'll bring it home for us.

♥ Question: would you feel comfortable paying a market trader/trader at an event by card or electronic payment via their mobile phone?

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Recent feature: The World of Kitsch

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:30:00 +0000

I was super proud to notice we'd been featured in the multi-award winning blog 'The World of Kitsch' recently.

'The World of Kitsch' is a blog of retro wonders & curiosities. It has been mentioned by Lauren Laverne on her BBC Six Music Show, is a Cosmopolitan Blog Award Winner and was shortlisted for the Northern Ireland Social Media Awards. Claire is guest blogger at Cosmopolitan too!

The writer behind the blog, Claire Smythe, spotted Kitschen Sink pieces being tweeted and loved them, and posted them to the blog within what seemed like seconds!

Impressively, within minutes of being featured a piece had been snapped up by a celebrity! The power of social media!

Thanks to Claire for taking the time to feature me :)

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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The Good Thing about Tax Returns...

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:10:00 +0000

I try to look for a positive in everything!

Card by Able and Game (they are ALL awesome!)

I'm very capable at organisation. That's what I do in my day job, I have responsibility for keeping things ship-shape for a busy project. Outside of the day job... not so much. All my letters, bank statements and bills are just put on top my bookshelf, and all business related papers mostly get thrown into a box in a room I only go into when I have to!

So I leave all my accounting until early January. I do it all in one day. It's not fun. I read, I type, I add and subtract for hours.

This year though, I started to learn a valuable lesson from it. As I go over all the payments I have made I'd start to flashback to ~18 months ago. The sales I got. The wholesale clients I had and shops I stocked, and how much I have learnt since then. The financial risks taken and if they were worthwhile. The new techniques and suppliers I tried out and if they made a profit.

In the end, it's a very clear, black-and-white evaluation exercise of your business performance away from column inches, awards and good reputation you have (which are all great, but the proof is really in the ~~pudding~~ ledger book). All in all I am really pleased with how things have progressed since last year. I tried a few things out and developed collections that were a bit riskier financially but still came out on top... the new year may have been and gone but I'm still celebratin'!

Another lesson is that I will actually do this on a month by month basis. Better organised and may learn stuff monthly rather than annually!

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Hello, 2012! What can you do for me?

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 10:30:00 +0000

I don't really do resolutions, no one ever sticks to them and come the entry to the next year, you remember you didn't achieve what you'd hoped because we can't just change our lifestyles overnight - it's hard enough doing that for one thing, but I know people who set themselves about ten!

To-do list pad - boygirlparty on Etsy

Instead I like to set a few loose goals that are achievable and most importantly lead ultimately to fun!!

♥ I want to see more of the world #2
Bugger it! I'm going to say this every year! I have a trip lined up, it's a bit of a secret at the moment as flights aren't booked and I still have a bit of research to do, but it's going to be amazing, one way or another!

♥ I'd like to eat better
Standard. I always gain weight over December because I am so busy and because I am mainly drinking cider, wine and spirits every night! Also want to look good on my trips innit! But this is about more than just weight loss. I want to try prioritise food shopping and cooking over less important things to ensure I don't end up on a toast diet!

♥ I want to take more (decent) photographs
I did a digital SLR photography course last year and bought a second hand DSLR camera. I need to stop being scared of taking whacko photos and actually start taking some, and some might even be good enough to share with you (that's the plan)!

♥ I want to stay focussed
After dabbling in a few things in 2011 (ahem, a shop?!), come December I realised how much this took my eye off the ball. I missed a lot of opportunities whilst I shifted my focus. Don't get me wrong, I am glad I did it. I learnt a lot about people, business, people in business, and lots of other things. Most importantly I learnt that design and independence is where my heart is and where it will stay!

♥ Excitement will be a priority
There used to be a time when people said to me on a regular basis things along the lines of 'You attract such weirdness into your life' (and not in a bad way!). When I say a regular basis, I'm talking 2-3 times a week. This hasn't happened so much recently and that's not cool! I spent a good part of 2011 trying to make the right decisions - I'm just going to do what feels good in 2012.

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Bye bye 2011 - it's been AWESOME!

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:15:00 +0000

A post to pay tribute to 2011, cos it's been a right blast! Here we go...

♥ January

I lost a bloody lot of weight! No complaints here - shame it was down to the heartbreak diet. Onwards and upwards...

...I booked my flights for Austin, Texas!

♥ February

We ran our first co-hosted giveaway with Sick For Cute! to launch the 'Meet The Stockist' interview posts.

I did my first video blog!

I bought a pair of roller skates and started regular roller dance classes. I also gave roller derby a shot! (Turns out I don't like getting knocked about).

I went to London and had a really lovely weekend with Samantha where she got papped by Elle Magazine and we had gorgeous cupcakes from Selfridges.

Our Electric Storm necklace was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine! Wowow!

I led a jewellery workshop with about 50 students there!

I watched a season and a half of Mad Men and lost another 8lbs.

♥ March

I learnt how to tie my hair in a big top knot, a la Breakfast At Tiffany's

I went to Lincoln to visit a friend that I hadn't seen in years. It was fun!

I haphazardly opened a shop in Leeds city centre

♥ April

I went on a girl's holiday to Barcelona which was very cool. A real whistle stop tour but saw everything I wanted to see and had a right larf.

I had my hair styled at GHD head office and they made me look red-carpet ready! All dressed up and nowhere to go...

♥ May

I had the wonderful privilege of being befriended by the Hebe Media team who were off to Barcelona to big-up the Leeds scene. Sadly it was too late to physically join them on the adventure but they took my jewels over and interviewed me as part of their featured creatives.

Team Hebe Meets: Rowan Grant from HebeMedia on Vimeo.

I launched The Kapow Collection - one of my favourite collections to date! The pieces got photographed by friend photographer Carla De Azevedo and modelled by Victoria Stansfield. Cute eh?

♥ June

I went to Austin for a fortnight which was freakin awesome. I made new friends, spent lots of time with Kate and had a good relax! I'll definitely be back there just as soon as I can!

I turned another year older!

♥ July

With Carla and Victoria, we did the first ever Kitschen Sink studio photography shoot. It was loads of fun!

I decided to close the shop I had opened in March. It was a really interesting learning experience. I trust my gut feeling and instincts completely and on this occasion it just didn't suit my tight-ship, independent style of working. I'd maybe try retailing again in the distant now I know what to look for in a premises, but I love the flexibility of design right now.

♥ August

I went to the Trafford Centre for the first time!

I left my day job in staff development for a promotion to a centre of innovation in medical technologies. Ooh lala! It meant I'd get to give more ideas, dabble in marketing and there's lots of talk of Intellectual Property, a subject I love!

I got accepted to sell at Saltaire Festival.

Kitschen Sink was featured on Le Look - a Barcelona based fashion blog, thanks to Hebe.

LeLook.eu

I won a unicorn onesie!

♥ September

I sold at Saltaire Festival and Reet Sweet!

I was shortlisted for TWO Leeds retail awards!

♥ October

I had a gander at the first ever Renegade craft fair in the UK. It was OK!

I launched mini-pins as part of the Kapow Collection that are suitable guys and dolls... they really took off!

I took part in ReetSweet and we went for drinks after with some of the stall holders who are a great bunch!

Business Link ran a special event with two big names in the fashion business - Eric Musgrave and David Seabourne. It was inspiring!

I did my first ever outdoor market and found out I was accepted to BUST Christmas Craftacular in London!

♥ November

I took part in Super Duper Fair in Blackpool and BUST Christmas Craftacular in London... and another outdoor market!

My best friend got married and I was bridesmaid! It was on Bonfire Night. A really special day.

I learnt how to network properly - I know, right?!

I saw Friendly Fires live and had a really good night out afterwards involving a cocktail of shots. Wowza!

We encountered the worst train journey of my life - I was meant to leave London at 8pm, and I got home at 3.30am the next day!

♥ December

I somehow managed to sell at three events over two days. Crazy sales!

The biggest and best news of the year - Russell Kane wearing a POW mini-pin on Twitter and then ON TV! Read the story here!

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Six 2011 ideals - did I achieve them?

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:30:00 +0000

Last year I set myself six guidelines or goals (here) - not really resolutions, I don't go in for that. I think if you want to make a positive change you can do it at any time of year.

So did I meet them?

♥ I want to save my money
I need to stop myself from ordering a take-away or buying a dress when that money could go towards a trip!
I didn't do too badly! I still got take aways, but I did watch the pennies!

♥ I want to see more of the world
I'm tempted to see if anyone in NYC wants to do an apartment swap... probably not but worth a try...?

Well, I got to Barcelona and Austin, Texas! That'll ding dang do!

♥ I want to develop my creativity
I've enquired about an Adobe Illustrator course, let's hope there's spaces left! I've also ordered an 'Illustrator for Dummies book'. I also want to develop my own drawing and illustration skills and journal more.

I enrolled on the illustrator course, I can't believe it was this year?! I know pretty much as much as I need to know now. I'd still like to develop my own illustration style. I think this is going to roll over to 2012!

♥ I hope to continue to think positively
It's not always easy, but I've dumped a lot of negative influences and wear blinkers when I'm with those that I have no choice about being around. If I'm unhappy about something, I make a change. Sometimes it can't happen over night, but if you don't make an attempt, you have no right to moan!

Smashed this! It was difficult in the early part of the year but sometimes now I feel like a star that's burning so bright with energy I might combust (hope I don't burnt out though?!)

♥ I'd like to lose a few pounds
Yawnz. The problem is, there's nothing wrong with my self esteem. I'm happy with the way I look. But carrying around extra flabber isn't just about looks, it's about health too. I'm an 'average' dress size - 'average' in an ever expanding obese population, so 'average' isn't really OK. I'm going to do some fun exercise classes wearing harem trousers. Yeah, baby!

It's the same every January, because I gain a good few pounds over winter!

♥ I want KitschenSink to be my bigger picture
I'm going to work hard on my business this year. Maximum exposure, big sales, fun times.
I took my eye off the ball a bit when I opened the shop in March. But I have had chance to re-focus and think I got my buzz back (finally!). 2012 is going to blow up!

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Our TV Debut courtesy of Russell Kane and the Graham Norton Christmas Special

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 13:30:00 +0000

The POW mini-pin gave Kitschen Sink its TV debut last night courtesy of Russell Kane on the Graham Norton Christmas Special. The show was aired at 10.35pm last night on BBC1.

I had been led to understand that Russell would be wearing it after seeing his tweet last week... but after reading through his Twitter updates yesterday morning and seeing some photos he shot during filming (stalker alert!) I noticed he was wearing a Christmas jumper and I couldn't see the pin. I was a bit gutted... Off I went to do the last minute bits of Christmas shopping...

In the evening:

Julia had spotted Russell wearing the pin on the ad before the news. I was completely frozen to the seat! I had to ring her to make sure and she rewound it twice. Fo' shiz, it was the POW pin!

He was joined on the couch by the guy who plays Doctor Who and Gillian Anderson (fellow hot ginge of X Files fame).

Check out Gillian eyeballing the pin badge!! I wonder if she wants one too (call me if you do, Scully),

What a marvelous early Christmas gift for me!

The show is available to watch for the next seven days on BBC iPlayer here.

Sigh ♥ No, I won't be watching over and over again and drooling. I won't. Yeah, I will.

Find the POW mini-pin here, and the POW necklace here.

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Russell Kane ♥z Kitschen Sink... POW!

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:05:00 +0000

Look what Russell Kane was wearing when he tweeted today:

That's right, his very own Kitschen Sink POW Mini-Pin! And he loves it!

Men have been asking for some Kitschen Sink-for-boys for a while but it's so difficult to get a good masculine:kitsch ratio.

These mini-pins have hit the spot perfectly - and Russell is just the sort of guy I wanted to see rocking them.

Russell Kane is my favourite comedian and TV personality and the only reason I watch ITV2.

Hot damn.

Sigh.

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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That was November...

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:39:00 +0000

Another busy month!

♥ It was Andrew's birthday. Andrew is a best friend, we met by freak coincidence. We went to a restaurant for dinner but it wasn't very good, but we all had fun anyway!

We tried smiling, we didn't like it...

♥ I attended an Advanced Networking course which was very funny! Will Kintish is a comedian.

♥ Another best friend's wedding! I was a bridesmaid. It was Bonfire Night and it was awesome!

Bonfire night parkin at the wedding

♥ ReetSweet at the University of Leeds Student Union. A great day and met a few new crafters!

♥ My second Artsmix in on Albion Place, Leeds City Centre. Amazing takings, nice and busy, lots of coffee, and didn't get too cold at all!

♥ Super Duper Fair! Carla from Maus Haus and I took a trip to Blackpool to take part in the Super Duper Fair. We had fish and chips from Harry Ramsden's of course!

♥ I scooted home as fast as I could and caught the second half of the Friendly Fires gig (oops!). We had a fantastic night nonetheless... After too many vodka, sambuca and tequila shots, cocktails and rums!

Friends and me out on t'town

♥ A friend from Lincoln was stayed for the weekend and we spent the day in Saltaire, mooching around the mill. A perfect Sunday afternoon :)

♥ I visited SamARTha and Marco for the weekend in London. Marco was working hard a lot but he did make some some delicious spaghetti. Samantha and I went to Winter Wonderland which was wonderful but busy to the point I got a bit panicky! Hehe!

Winter Wonderland in London - like a city of grotto fun

♥ DaWanda, the online selling platform in Europe took me out for dinner in exchange for my advice! Very business-like, la-dee-da!

♥ The craft highlight of the year, BUST Craftacular!!

Craftacular delight!

♥ An horrendous train journey home - not getting in until 3.30am :( but a really good time to catch up with my illustrating friend Helen Entwisle 'Memo' for a good few hours!

And it's another busy one in December including a mega weekend of three events in a two day period! Yowza!

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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This Sunday: Leeds Double Whammy! ReetSwee + Varietease

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:17:00 +0000

God only knows if I can pull this off but...

Sunday 4th December starts with ReetSweet! Find me at the Corn Exchange selling all your fun gift needs for cool gurls from 11-4.30.

And Sunday finishes with... The Sunday Night Varietease! A burlesque cabaret, wowowow!!

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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This Saturday! Designer's Marketplace, Middlesborough

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:05:00 +0000

This Saturday Kitschen Sink will be selling at the awesome bi-annual Designer's Marketplace at Middlesbrough Town Hall.

This designer's event is the biggest in the North East and we are super excited to be spreading the kitsch love there!

See you soon Middlesbrough!

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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Spectacular Christmas Craftacular!

noreply@blogger.com (Rowan Grant) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:35:00 +0000

This Sunday was the highlight of my crafting year, BUST Craftacular!

This year I offered some lucky dips for those who didn't want to spend much money but also didn;t want to miss out on Kitschen Sink goodness!

I had a half stall, which is more than fine! Selling small things means I can put out pretty much my whole range if I squish it together a bit!

My highlights were:

♥ Meeting Rachel from Hannah Zakari - one of my supah cool stockists

♥ Seeing several friends from home (that'd be Bradford) there!

♥ Kandi from Knit and Destroy in her Christmas gear - red sparkly lady Gaga style knickers and a green jumper!

♥ Quickly catching Leona from Thrift-ola who came to enjoy the day rather than take part for a change!

♥ Beeza, who is the sister of Nick in Kate's band, all the way from Austin. Wish I could caught up with her for longer

Plus! Kitschen Sink has been featured in this awesome gallery on the Crafty Crafty website.

Awful journey home. All trains out of London Kings Cross were cancelled from 6pm and the option of taking a train the next day wasn't offered. I didn't get home until 3.30am! The only good thing about this was hanging out with Helen from Memo for the journey.

xoxo

♥ Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun...

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