Month: October 2022

Lately, there seems to be a lot of negativity around as winter approaches,  and uncertainty about the future. We can help artists and crafters to prepare for many eventualities with craft business insurance but unfortunately it won’t stop winter in its tracks.

So what can be done…?

Perhaps rising prices will force everyone to return to a simpler life and there will be a higher demand for quality, hand made items which last longer, mean more to us and keep us really warm… Living a simpler life doesn’t have to mean living a dreary, joyless existence. Having one beautiful, quality, handmade jumper that lasts us for ages can be a lot more meaningful and special than buying new clothes every week that won’t.

Some ideas for winter wellness

On the subject of facing the winter, the other day I found an independent document called the ‘World Happiness Report’ which has been published annually for the past ten years. It ranks the inhabitants of the world’s countries based on well-being indicators. As I read it I was struck by the very high levels of well-being of one country in particular. This country has ranked in the top three in the world for happy inhabitants every year since the report was first published, ten years ago.  

Can you guess which one…?

Denmark. According to this report, the Danes are a very happy bunch. Strange, as the Danish winters are known to be long and dark, you’d think that there would be a high incidence of SAD in the population. Not so. The Danes fight the darkness with their best weapon: hygge (pronounced ‘hoo-gah’). There’s no direct translation for the word hygge in English, in fact it takes several English words to capture everything that hygge brings.

‘Hygge’ comprises a mood of coziness and “comfortable conviviality” with feelings of wellness and contentment. In essence, it describes a warm atmosphere: enjoying the good things in life with good people. The warm glow of candlelight is hygge, for example, and there’s nothing more hygge than sitting around with friends and family by the fire, drinking mulled wine, wrapped in knitted blankets, discussing life.

You don’t even need an open fire, as a hygge approach to life can be applied anywhere, and to simple, everyday things. It cannot be experienced alone though because one of its necessary components is a feeling or atmosphere of warmth and friendliness.

This ‘hygge’ aspect of Danish culture means that daily activities are considered to be meaningful and special, for example, enjoying a relaxing dinner together after a stressful day at work. Furthermore, taking a step back from technology and choosing to value the little things in life by making efforts to create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.

It seems to me that the Danish have cracked their approach to winter and made it something to be enjoyed together rather than something to be endured. Taking out craft business insurance will take a lot of uncertainty out off the approaching winter, and in fact, handicrafts are a great way to bring the best out of the season.

Handicrafts such as quilting, knitting, crochet and candle-making offer a perfect way to face the darker winter months, making something really special out of the season and promoting family and social bonding. Having a box of home made throws and blankets by your sofa to put around your loved ones’ shoulders while you snuggle up together on a winter evening is downright hygge! 

Knitters in Scotland know all about this. Since the 15th Century they have been spending long dark winters making cosy woollen wear. Nowadays, the beautiful array of patterns and styles of hand knitted products originating from Scotland brings us timeless, warm, durable, comfortable items that are really special. There is such a variety of Scottish wool on offer that knitters have a huge variety of textures and possibilities and the resulting hand knitted items make really desirable gifts out of everyday items. Who wouldn’t want a thick, cable knitted Arran scarf or a genuine Fair Isle sweater for Christmas?

Although buying a special sweater might be a one time purchase, crafting together doesn’t have to cost much. Quilts can be made of material from old clothes that are no longer needed and wool can be purchased cheaply from many charity shops. Children too can get involved and learn a new skill that they can take into adulthood and in this way, skills are passed down from one generation to the next. For the older generation, time goes faster when you are enjoying yourself and children will sit still for long periods doing handicrafts.

Starting a community knitting or quilt making group is a great way to get people involved together, doing something worthwhile. And, apart from giving people the feeling of satisfaction that comes from finishing a piece, doing crafts together helps isolated people find the warmth of friendship and a sense of family and community. Doing a community craft activity is also a great way to have an excuse to check in an elderly neighbour without making it too obvious that you are doing so.

More good news is that the very act of knitting, quilting or crocheting chases away the winter blues, as it’s calming and therapeutic and a great accompaniment to a good chat. Anyone can get involved and you’re never too old to learn either. Older people actually benefit physically from knitting and crochet as it helps with digital mobility for arthritis. Added to that, the resulting cosy garments bring joy and they make the everyday that much more special. It’s a win-win!

Working together and making everyday life and everyday items purposeful, attractive and special is part of what being a crafter is all about. Our wonderful hand crafters at Ian Wallace Craft Insurance are helping to make life special for the rest of us and we’ll continue to provide them with the very best craft business insurance so that they can face the future with confidence, even when conditions are adverse!

When running a handmade goods business, it makes sense to have a close watch on the seasons. Structuring goods, in regard to their release and production that is centred around the four seasons including the events they bring, is something that owners can capitalise on. With these changing seasons come new challenges as well. In all circumstances you should always consider insurance for selling at craft fairs, to be covered for any of the eventualities that can occur.

You will probably have already planned out the year in terms of what products you are going to launch. For example, your main Christmas range ideas should ideally be completed by September time and then Spring lines, incorporating Valentines and Easter, can then be completed over the late Autumn/Winter months. Amongst all of this there is the need to attend the various craft fairs to sell your handmade items.

As we head into winter, here are some of the challenges you might face with the changing season that we can help you to avoid…

The weather

Living in the UK means getting used to weather that is notoriously unpredictable. As we live on an island our climate is regulated by the sea, with the Atlantic Ocean and North Sea determining rainfall and the Gulf Stream warming us in the summer months. Even though our temperate climate means moderate rainfall, spread over the year, and generally mild conditions, we are always susceptible to sudden and extreme changes. Many people remember particularly harsh winters and scorching summers with news and weather reporters using the word ‘unprecedented’ an unprecedented number of times! This lack of predictability means that you need to have some form of protection in place. If a show is cancelled at the last minute or you are unable to get to a planned event you may face a charge for a “no show”. You might also need to consider where equipment that you take with you to events such as gazebos, could become dangerous in high winds. Therefore, insurance for selling at craft fairs should be something that you can look into to cover yourself.

Floods

While it is unlikely that you’ll have to miss a show due to snow it is more likely that floods will cause an issue. Despite the recent drought we have experienced, we are told that milder, wetter winters are going to be a more common occurrence. It is a good idea to consider how you will replace lost stock and equipment in the event of a flooding. This also applies to how you store your stock and the materials that you use. Think about whether the structure is sound and regularly check for signs of damp or weaknesses in the roof and walls.

Accidents on the road

Ice is still an issue on our roads. Gritting salt has a shelf life and with the milder winters we are experiencing, its no wonder that local councils are loath to spend too much on buying huge amounts. This means that we can get caught out when the temperature really drops. Ice can be fatal to cars and their ability to grip roads’ surfaces. The same is true when it comes to vans. Therefore, you should make sure that you have insurance cover in place which means that if what you’re taking to sell has been damaged the finance can be provided to cover it. Also, be sure to plan extra time to get to your venues during the colder months and keep a blanket in the back of the car just in case!

Equipment seizing up

Depending on where you work, your equipment is vital to your success. You need to have decent materials and equipment to create the sellable masterpieces that your business produces. However, if you suddenly find that one seizes up in the colder months, what can you do to get back on track? It might be that you should look to getting some insurance for selling at craft fairs to cover yourself in case of sudden breakdown. It will work as a good contingency plan to provide you with the means to rebuild and repair the equipment and tide you over during the period of inactivity. Regularly checking your equipment for wear and tear is also a good idea so you can identify any issues quickly and resolve them. If your equipment or the items you produce require the use of water, make sure that the pipes are insulated to prevent them from freezing.

Becoming more sustainable

The changing seasons do bring challenges and worries but with them come opportunities as well. One such opportunity could be to look at how we can make our businesses become greener and more sustainable. For many businesses this has meant looking at the items that they use in their businesses and finding ways in which they can be more sustainable. Creative arts and crafts has always been ahead of the curve with this and there are many ways that homemade crafts are created from sustainable products or even from old disused items. With more and more people becoming eco-conscious they are looking for alternatives to their everyday items. This is where you can have an impact and, in doing so, even increase your sales. Think about whether there are any items that you make that could be made from more sustainable options. You should also consider your own packaging and whether this can be recycled easily. In some cases there aren’t any obvious changes that can be made and in these instances it’s nice to look at ways you can offset the carbon that is used. There are many organisations that will allow you to plant a tree for every sale you make or every profit milestone that you reach. This information can then be used in your marketing and help to show people that you care and that spending their money on your products is making the right kind of impact.

Consideration for the environment and protecting the future of our planet for future generations is a bit like preparing for seasonal change to protect our businesses and everything we work hard for. Both make a whole lot of sense.

The concept of a wreath is generally credited right back to the Greco Roman era, where wreaths were made out of leaves, twigs, flowers and even small fruit. They adorned the heads of those who wore them and their make up signified rank, status, occupation etc. Probably the best known is the laurel wreath which was worn by victorious contestants of the Olympic Games.

Many centuries later the wreath was recast in northern parts of Europe and became integrated into Christian folk lore. The story goes that when evergreen trees were first hauled from the outdoors into homes to deck them up at Christmas time, they would have been trimmed to ensure a good shape; maybe triangular as this represented the Trinity. The left over sprigs were then woven together and made into something similar to the wreaths we know today. Other symbolism was added to this tradition as time passed; evergreens were said to represent strength of life, as they could survive the harsh conditions of a long winter and the circle was said to illustrate eternity.

Onwards a few centuries again, and Advent wreaths were developed. Decorated with five candles, one for each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas and one for Christmas Day itself, these evergreen wreaths sat within churches and were lit one candle per week during Advent. Now they are found in many Christian homes too, as a good way of introducing the themes of hope, joy, peace and love as each candle is lit during the Advent season.

Maypole wreaths are another twist on the theme. While closely linked in with Greek traditions, they are also enjoyed here in the UK on May Day, where they bedeck the maypoles and the heads of the May Day celebrants. In this instance they are made from spring flowers or herbs and add a colourful accent after a long grey winter.

In our times, the humble wreath has been given a multitude of makeovers and can be a wonderfully creative invention using buttons, yarn, pottery, felt, and many other mediums. The one essential tool for wreath making is a hot glue gun!

So how could you adapt the wreath around your own particular craft business? Here are a few suggestions.

One of the joys of living in a temperate climate is the changing seasons. As human beings we generally thrive best on stability and reliably, but also need a certain amount change to pep up our lives. The gentle rhythms of the seasons provides just this; we know that winter will gradually give way to the warmer, greener days of spring, and this will in turn lead to the longer days of summer until the solstice when the days shorten and we head towards the mellow abundance of autumn before entering the darker winter days again. This cycle provides just the right amount of change within a predictable pattern. So, why not create a wreath which picks up on this and reflects all four seasons in turn? This would be ideal to sell at craft fairs and could be sold at any time of year. Just remember to get your craft market insurance in place before you head out.

Firstly you will need a base. A quick scroll through Pinterest will reveal there are a number of materials you can use for this. Your choice will depend slightly on the medium you will be using to decorate it. For example, if you are crocheting flowers, why not try a willow one?

Secondly, how can your unique craft skill be adapted to adorn a wreath, and how can your basic idea be modified to reflect the four different seasons? You may choose to make four unique seasonal wreaths yourself and sell them as spring, summer, autumn and winter wreaths individually or with a discount for all four. Or, you could put together a package: four sets of decorations and one wreath base for the customer to festoon as the seasons change. Either can be sold at any time of year at craft fairs and are sure to be show stoppers as they will be both unique and eye catching. You will almost always need craft market insurance in place, so remember to give us a call alongside booking your market stall.

Each set of decorations will need to capture all the good things of that season with a splash of nostalgia intertwined. You will give your customers a sense of excitement and hope each time they decorate or hang up a new wreath. Whatever has happened in the previous season, a new one is beginning with all the beauty of the natural world and the fun of the celebrations we observe within it.

Spring will probably involve bright colours, yellows, blues and fresh greens to reflect the new leaves and spring bulbs. Summer could involve a warmer version of these colours, or could have a specific summery theme; beach huts, camping, boats etc. Autumn, as a season of abundance and harvest, oozes rich oranges, yellows, golds and reds with autumn leaves, an array of hedgerow foraging finds, pumpkins, harvest or a lavish mix of them all. Winter, as a more barren season offers less to visually process, so would be better represented by a plainer, predominantly white themed wreath. Or, it could be a colourful and celebratory Christmas themed wreath with loads going on!

If you’re working in yarn, your decorations could be a profusion of actual flowers, knitted or crocheted. Flowers or birds could also be crafted out of felt or ceramics, as could beach huts, shells, autumn leaves etc.   Or, you could use the colours associated with each season and create an ‘off piste’ freestyle work of art.

Finally, candles are a beautiful centre piece for any table, so if you own a candle making business, could you craft four different types of candle to adorn a seasonal table wreath? Maybe you could team up with a potter and design a seasonal wreath into which your candles could be placed.

I hope this blog has left you inspired! The months before Christmas are a perfect time for creative wreath making; so ensure your craft market insurance is in place, book some craft fairs and amaze your customers with your beautiful, seasonal wreaths.

Autumn is a time of beautiful sights, sounds and smells. With leaves turning every colour from golden brown through to crimson reds. There is an abundance of stunning colours that can be used to inspire any number of craft items for the autumn and harvest season. Crocheted and knitted items are particularly popular at this time of year as they help to create a feeling of cosiness and homeliness that we all crave as the darker nights start to draw in.

If you run a handcrafting business, there are a number of items that you might want to consider creating for this time of year. It is important that you also think about your insurance cover and Ian Wallace Craft insurance can help you to get the right cover for your business type. In the darker months there are many other things that you may need to consider and ensuring that you have adequate cover is the best place to start.

If you are looking for some harvest time inspiration, take a look at some of these crafting delights.

Scarves

Nothing says autumn cosiness like a nice scarf. These can be knitted or crocheted, and you can bring some of the colours of harvest time through in your design. Rich, earthy and warm colours such as oranges, browns, and deep reds are reminiscent of everything that is best about autumn. If you are feeling particularly adventurous you could even create a pattern inspired by the season. Sales of items such as this increase dramatically from September onwards and it is a good time to increase your sales towards the winter time.

High street fashion can often reduce the ways in which people individualise their look and as a result of this more and more people are looking for ways to add some of their own personality to their outfits. Handcrafters such as those that create knitted and crocheted items can provide a more personalised look for people.

Pumpkins

Pumpkins are synonymous with autumn and harvest time and although it might feel that Halloween has highjacked the vegetable somewhat, there are lots of ways that they can be used in creative products.

Not only can you create a harvest time display in your home with pumpkins and other squashes, but you can also create these from wool. These woolly pumpkins can be popular items to sell at craft fairs this time of year as people look for ways to bring some autumn colour into their homes. Crocheted and knitted pumpkins can be created as stand alone items or they could be incorporated into other designs such as the wreaths mentioned below.

Wreaths

We often think of wreaths as a Christmas decoration but they can look beautiful at any time of year and are a great way to change up the feel of a room with the seasons. These wreaths can be made of real or artificial flowers, or even from wool and other yarns. The creation of crocheted and knitted wreaths has increased dramatically over the last few years and the love for the trend doesn’t seem to be decreasing.

The beauty of a knitted wreath is that there is an almost endless supply of colours that can be used in the creation of the final design and the huge variety of stitched both in knitting and crocheting, mean that the design can be unique. Using these methods to create a wreath also allow you to use a number of different products to create the circular shape. These could be foam rings or even toy makers stuffing. In some cases you may also like to use off cuts of material that would other wise be thrown away. It is important that you adhere to any safety regulations linked to your products and also look at and Ian Wallace Craft insurance to ensure you are covered should an issue occur as a result of your product.

When it comes to adding some decoration to your wreath for harvest time you can create everything from leaves in all shade of red, brown and orange and you could even use amigurumi to create small woodland creations that can adorn your wreath.

Bunting

Once seen as the decoration of the wedding or birthday party, bunting has started to become a staple in home décor. Whilst this may traditionally be made from cotton and other materials, it is possible to also make bunting from wool. This is particular popular in the autumn as wool gives a texture to the bunting that gives a feeling of warmth. When it comes to thinking of designs for autumn and harvest time bunting it is best to take colour inspiration from nature. This will mean using colours such as brown, red, orange and yellow. These can be used individually or in a combination in your design.

Other design options also allow you to include patterns and autumn inspired décor such as pumpkins and leaves to make your bunting come to life.

Autumn and harvest are important times in the crafting calendar as it marks the start of a business season running up to Christmas. If you have only just started to think about what products you are going to make and promote, choose items that will be quick and easy for you to make and that you know will sell well. Don’t forget that if you are heading out to craft and Christmas fairs that you need to ensure you have adequate insurance to protect both yourself and members of the public. Take a look at Ian Wallace Craft insurance to find out what cover options are best for you and your business.