New Workshop, New Blog

So, my initial attempts at blogging were a complete washout. I started with good intention but never quite delivered.

One of my concerns is 'will people want to read it?' I guess I'll never know if I never try!

And having been inspired by some amazing blogs recently, I decided to get back on that wordhorse and try again.

This year so far has seen Hootchie Mama move from our spare room (plus all the other rooms in the house I'd taken over) and move into a workshop in Redruth. Luckily for me, this workshop is roadside with an amazing window which has enabled me to buy in rolls of oilcloth and fabrics to sell from there to try to make the workshop pay for itself.

I get some lovely people popping in to chat, browse and buy and lots of people looking in through the window. And suffice to say, it has increased my productivity no end by being away from the distractions of kids, dogs, husbands, telly, internet........ And it's a great feeling going off to work - to a space that is my own and not shared or interrupted.

I am scared also by the financial commitments I've made getting the workshop/stock and especially when the country seems to be in such dire straits financially. But I've always been a risk taker and I have a gut instinct that tells me 2012 is going to be a good year.

So, as they say, watch this space!

Hootchie Mama goes live!

Been a long time since the first (and last!) blog. There is so much to be done re-branding something. Have had little sleep and little time with my family. But, I think the results are worth it.

Had 4 different events this month and had amazing feedback from everyone who's spoken to me. Had lots of suggestions and requests and also interest from retailers. Plus, lots of sales which has made my husband happy. He's still labouring under the illusion that Hootchie Money = Hooch Money. Have been secretly buying more fabric in the dead of night to stop any disappointment.

Have made myself a promise that I am going to get my head round this blogging malarky and do it weekly. Try and get a few followers; get myself promoted; take over the world.......

I would like to thank everyone though for all their help in making Hootchie Mama possible. It's been a long, hard few weeks getting everything together and we still have a long way to go to get the website to where I really want it to be, but I feel like I've turned a corner.

Am now going to shut the laptop and spend a whole day - yes, you heard right - a whole day with my family tomorrow and not go into the workroom once, not fiddle with the website or lovingly browse fabrics online. It's going to be hard and I'm sure I'll have the odd wobble, but I can do one day. And my family deserve it. They will think otherwise I'm sure after 24 hours but here goes.........

Countdown has commenced

Only 6 weeks to go until I unveil Hootchie Mama to an unsuspecting public in West Cornwall!

Having been given tons of fabulous advice from newbie friend and creator extraordinaire Anne-Marie, have decided to ditch the non-descript look of Handmade by Sarah Howarth and go for an new, glossy, upmarket (obviously!) re-brand.

Enter Hootchie Mama (had some fun getting that domain secured without entering the not so classy world of naked ladies!) Have got the labels ordered and the design is currently being finalised and photoshopped ready to get the brand packaging organised.

This is possibly the most exciting venture of my life (apart from having kids) and am so fired up about it. My poor husband is living and breathing my Hootchie dream but without the Hootchie benefits yet...... say no more.

Looking forward to revealing more soonest x