I'm ashamed to say it's been quite a while since my last update, I hope you will forgive me.
We're well into 2016 now and I finally feel almost settled into the year. I had quite a rocky start and was very unsure what direction my business should take going forward. I've suffered quite a bit from exhaustion and insecurity surrounding my business but I finally feel I have a path to follow now, it's been quite a journey!
I have spent the last few months building up stock and getting back out there to a whole host of new events and exciting venues including a pop up artists showcase in a city centre railway station, a music and exhibition venue in Barnard Castle (Co. Durham) and a well renound, historic green space in the centre of Newcastle. These have all been quite an adventure but are proving to be great spaces to sell my soap...who knew! (see my events page for the where's and when's for the next few months).
Along with trialling higher profile events and venues, I've been working on raising the barre on social media too, I've noticed there seems to be a shift towards revealing a bit more behind the scenes in a small business enabling the customer to make an emotional bond with the maker and their products because they can see the time, dedication and skills involved in creating a product, so ...despite crippling cameraphobic shyness, I've been making some little 'behind the scenes 'videos. These show little snippets from my studio, my processes, and snapshots of my events and fellow makers who attend these too. I hope I'll be brave enough soon to do a 'straight to camera' one soon...not making any promises though ;).
You can find these on my new You Tube channel, my most recent one is below.
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I'd love it if you watched them subscribed to my channel and shared them, I promise I won't overload you x.
In other news....I have a NEW STUDIO!!! Sorry to shout but I'm so excited as I've needed more room for the best part of two years. I've only moved next door but I now have much more space to make, store and even have room for a little shop area too. It's still a bit of a work in progress but this is how it looks.
Looking in from the door.
My little shop and display area.
And finally, I'd like to let you know about two fabulous new stockists who are selling my wares, first up 'Peacock Blues' in Haltwhistle, a lovely little rural town almost at the border of Northumberland and Cumbria. They are based at the 'Whistle Art Stop' just off the high street. The lovely Sarah who runs the shop and exhibition space also hosts furniture restoration workshops, every time I visit I want to 'rehome' her lovely custom pieces.
My other new stockist is the beautiful 'Corbridge Larder'. They stock oodles of locally produced foods and goods, and also have a super little cafe upstairs, the cake is to die for!
Don't forget to sign up to my newsletter for regular updates, exclusive special offers and flash sales throughout the year.
http://www.oakwoodsoaperie.co.uk/page_3203540.html
Also, take a peek at the UK Handmade Summer Showcase...two of my soaps were selected from a whole host ok UK maker's products...I'm made up :)
I'll try not to leave it so long next time,
TTFN,
Ceri x
