It’s been a while since I wrote an entry for this blog, I had intention of writing a post about my Christmas Markets but long story short – they were very busy! Lessons learnt on target audience also – which I’ll expand in the “Struggles” section of this post. It’s now been just over a year since Wild Minder began so I thought it would be the perfect time to reflect on the year, highlighting my wins, but also some of my struggles.
I wanted to start a handmade business for so long. I tried many ideas over the last seven years, but none of them came into being. They were missing the spark that Wild Minder has for me, and that’s the art side of it. That’s why this year I need to remember to position myself as an artist, not just a maker of things. I could be running a much more successful business making just bags or other items, but it’s the painting and free-motion embroidery that I love: creating wearable art.
My day job is web developer and designer, so this step came a little easier to me than it would for the average person. A lot of experts say you don’t need a website straight away, but it was something I could do with little effort, and I enjoyed doing it, so it felt essential for me. Since launch, it’s had a little refresh to get it to what it is now, but it’s definitely something I’m proud of!
Before Wild Minder, I’d had two+ years completely off social media. I loved not being on social media at all; there was a freedom to it. I was anxious about returning, but that was unnecessary, because I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it a little. Sometimes it overwhelms me, especially with the frequency you need to post to stay present on Instagram, but I do enjoy creating content and seeing Wild Minder grow. Wild Minder is also on Threads, Facebook, and Pinterest!
When I launched my social media, the support I received from friends and family was very heartwarming. Along the way, I’ve also had support from other small business owners I’ve met through Instagram, and these little connections mean the world to me too.
I received some supportive purchases from friends and family on my Etsy, but the moment I received my first purchase from someone I didn’t know was exhilarating! I was so happy. At first, I thought it was a joke. I couldn’t believe it. It happened as I was arriving at the gym, so I took it as a sign to remember to take breaks! Read more about it from this linked blog post.
I’m thankful to my unofficial sister-in-law for my first market. They had a little business, “Just Funky Charms” (sadly on pause at the moment), and suggested we attend Elmsfest together. This was a family day and market in the village I live in: Elmswell. At first I was like, “Aaahh nooo,” I’m not ready, but then I took the plunge and thought it would be a good thing to aim for.
I attended Elmsfest and once again had lovely support from family and friends. It was a fantastic day. I even discovered some of my neighbours have handmade businesses too! I also made some sales. My first sale was to a young boy, and I was over the moon! He was probably around 15 and wanted one of my prints. His mum was like, “Are you sure?” And he was! I was so pleased and moved. It was a great day, and I’ll definitely be attending again this year. Read all about my first market in this blog post.
Since starting Wild Minder, I’ve met many wonderful people, online and offline. One of the reasons I see markets as valuable is the connections I make with other stall owners and customers. Wild Minder gives me a topic of conversation I’m passionate about, and people often see that passion and feel inspired by it themselves.
One moment that stuck out to me was Brewvan offering to sell my coffee-lined bags from their van when they were at a market in Norwich. Unfortunately, none of them sold, but the gesture meant loads, and I was proper chuffed they offered to do it. Read more about it in this linked blog post.
Brewvan tagged me in a charity event at Fornham All Saints, in aid of St Nicolas Hospice. I wasn’t 100% sure at the time, as it was an outdoor event in November, but I took the plunge, and it was well worth it. It was a fantastic day, the weather was wonderful, and it was the first market I felt proper chuffed with. I took home well over £200 for the day, which may not be a lot to some, but to me, in these early days, I was completely over the moon!
At the Little Makers Market Sunday Christmas Market last year, it was towards the end of the day, and it had been a little quiet for me. I was talking to another maker while a friend was minding my stall, then they ushered me over. It turned out a lovely lady, Karen, from Suffolk Sound wanted to interview me! I couldn’t believe it. Karen saw the potential for Wild Minder and what it stood for. This meant the world to me, and completely outweighed the quiet market. Listen to the full interview here.
Towards the end of my first year in business, I reached 200+ followers. I was completely chuffed when I got over 100 earlier in the year, so reaching 200 was amazing. I’m now well on my way to 300!
I completed my first commission during the Christmas period. It wasn’t actually a Christmas present; it was a gift for a milestone birthday. The lady picked up my details from my first ever market, Elmsfest. I was a little nervous as I hadn’t embroidered many dogs before, but I was very pleased with how it turned out, as was both the lady and the recipient of the gift! She cried! Hopefully it’ll be proudly worn for many years to come.
This may look like a long list of wins, but I assure you there have been many struggles along the way, mainly self-doubt. I often don’t believe in myself and think, “What’s the point? Does anyone actually want what Wild Minder offers?” But after a little wobble, I power through, and the passion always comes out on top. I do truly believe in Wild Minder, and I will get there slowly. I just know it.
I’ve learned how to deal with a quiet market, and even a busy market with no sales (the wrong audience completely!). It’s hard to convince your brain of that, even though deep down you know it’s true.
Having your own handmade business is definitely a roller coaster of ups and downs, and a lot of work. I still work full time as a web developer and work on Wild Minder in pretty much all of my free time. Sometimes I work on Wild Minder one or two hours before work, then four or five hours after work. It normally consumes my weekends too, but I love it, I believe in it, and I hope to reach a point where it won’t be like this forever, and maybe one day I’ll find time for some hobbies again.
That’s why I enjoy getting away in my camper, because it’s time I can’t be behind my sewing machine. Of course, I’m still working on Wild Minder by getting inspiration, reading books, and creating content, but it does give me a little respite!
