Month: August 2024

Autumn will soon be here in all its glory; golden and auburn leaves spreading a rich canopy over every woodland area, berries of scarlet and black bedecking our hedgerows and forgotten wasteland areas, and squirrels ready to fill their hideaways with nuts for the long winter months ahead. There is something so wholesome and warm about autumn that makes us want to hold onto its beauty and abundance as long as we can. However, the nip in the air starts to increase, morning and evening, and as the days themselves start to get cooler, it signals a time to move on. In times gone by, these were industrious weeks where the last of the harvest was brought in, produce was bottled and preserved and houses were filled with the aroma of bubbling chutney or sweet jams. Prior to the advent of electric freezers, meat was hung, smoked and salted to provide for the family throughout the winter. In many a farmhouse kitchen a hunk of bacon was hung from the eves, the more fat the better, as this sustained the labourers through the biting, snowy winds they faced as they tended their animals. Girls and women would forage the last of the nuts and berries and all would be stored away. A careful inventory of clothes would be taken, to ensure there were hats, coats and woollens enough, and that boots were watertight for another winter.  

In our day and age, with supermarkets and twenty-four-hour internet shopping, we fortunately don’t need to prepare for winter in this way. However, might there be something good for our mental well-being in taking some steps to prepare for the colder, wetter and greyer days? This could involve learning one new skill in preserving food…making blackberry jam or perhaps foraging for sloes and turning them into sloe gin for Christmas presents. Or it might entail buying a couple of scented candles to fill your room with a soft glow and comforting fragrance at the beginning and end of each day. We will all need to check our winter wardrobes and most mothers will know the last-minute angst of searching for missing gloves or lost hats before school on that first really cold day of the year.  

For knitters and crotcheters autumn is a season of preparation as you continue to add to your stock of warm winter woollens, blankets and accessories. If this is your first winter of selling your gorgeous products, you will be thinking about how and when you will sell. Do check out previous posts about admin and marketing as ensuring your business foundations are solid will save you time, energy and possibly money in the future. Late autumn/early winter is a good time to consider selling face-to-face as there will be an increase in markets and fairs leading up to Christmas. As well as checking your stock, gathering table decor and enlisting any help you may require, you will also need to look at craft show insurance. Craft show insurance mainly comprises public and product liability insurance and most market and fair organisers will ask that you have the correct insurance in place. If this is your first time dipping your toe into this arena, craft show insurance can sound confusing. However, as a family firm who have worked within crafting insurance for several decades, we really can give you the benefit of our experience and ensure you obtain the insurance you need at a competitive cost. As a small family firm we deal directly with our customers so pick up the phone or drop us a line and either Naomi or Sam will be here to talk you through the craft show insurance you need for your unique business. 

Knitting or crocheting has many advantages for the small craft business owner. Start-up costs are low, you do not require any special workspace (though a rocking chair and set of drawers to keep yarn, needles, hooks and buttons would be good), and it is portable, allowing you to create stock around your daily life. Building up a wonderful array of products may well come fairly naturally, but how and where to sell might be a new experience and outside of your comfort zone. You could begin by taking a look online and seeing how others market their products. If this is your first winter selling, take a look too at what fairs are happening locally in the lead-up to Christmas, decide which would best suit your product range and take the plunge by booking yourself a table!  

For example, if you have a collection of gorgeous baby woollies, you could consider a school Christmas fair or maybe a local antenatal or nursery fundraiser. Baby and children’s jumpers, cardigans and accessories will sell at a lower price bracket than adult products, so they could be a good and encouraging way to start.  

If you sell online, remember to add your environmental credentials to your website. You might want to champion British wool, its durability, warmth and comfort as well as the support each real wool garment provides to British sheep farmers. Make sure your customers know what sheep the wool you use comes from and it’s particular benefits. For example, Aran wool has been used to make jumpers for Scottish fishermen for generations and is known for its durability and warmth. Lambs wool, while more expensive, is super soft. Remind your potential buyers that sheep have been grazing our hills and vales for thousands of years and in the face of a throw-away society, offering garments and blankets made from real wool, while they will be more expensive initially, will be more durable and much warmer than their synthetic counterparts. They are a fantastic investment; maybe your gorgeous garments will be a part of a real wool revival.  

So, as the days become cooler, top up your mug of tea and continue to prepare for winter sales of warm woollens, snuggly blankets and cute hats and mittens. Your creations will not only keep their owners warm during the colder weather but will also bring many a smile on an otherwise grey day.  

Autumn is approaching. Flower borders are changing from the vibrant colours of summer to the more subtle tones of oranges, reds and mauves. Hanging baskets are looking somewhat bedraggled. The nights are closing in and there is a chill in the evening air. The days may begin with a low mist hanging over the land, but this has usually cleared by mid-morning and we often enjoy the generous warmth of a sun lower in the sky. Our hedgerows are heavy with scarlet berries and white, fluffy old man’s beard scrambles wherever it can find a hold. Juicy blackberries are found in country and city alike, and the ground underneath hazel and beech trees is strewn with nuts where squirrels are at the ready to scurry them away to their secret stores.

Warm autumn weekends beckon us outdoors. Wherever you live, why not take some time to immerse yourself in the beauty of the autumnal colours, scents and sounds? Maybe you could head to some woodland; take some containers for blackberrying, a steaming flask of tea and a sweet treat. It’s a great time to hunt for mushrooms and toadstools, although not a good idea to forage unless you are certain of what you are picking. If you do have some knowledge of what you are looking for, the variety of colours, shapes and textures of fungi is huge. Take some photos and maybe explore with a guidebook in hand. It is no wonder that fungi have provided vast inspiration for both artists and crafters alike over the years.

Some of us will be donning our walking boots and taking a ramble across the fields and down some country lanes. If you do, you will likely find dark red hawthorn berries, scarlet rosehips, cloudy black sloes and clusters of shiny black elderberries. Traditional rural remedies use many of these to make syrups and cordials to boost vitamin C levels during the winter. Sloes, together with sugar, added to gin, make a perfect Christmas gift, by which time they have all seeped together to create a deep purple sloe gin to pour into small bottles.

Autumn also holds many delights for children, such as collecting conkers from horse chestnut trees. There is something magical about finding a green, prickly seed case, gently applying pressure, and then prying it open to reveal the shiny tan-coloured conker within. They are fun to collect and although they turn darker brown with age and lose their shine, they work well in conker fights or as a decorative item around the home! Country lore says that spiders do not like the smell of conkers so you may sometimes see them placed on windowsills to deter unwanted eight-legged visitors.

There are many distinctive smells associated with autumn. If you are a chutney maker, the mouthwatering aroma of vinegar, sugar, spices and your homegrown produce will be one you look forward to. If you live in the countryside the scent of a bonfire, wafting across neighbouring gardens is a sure indication that autumn is here. If you live near a park, the sound and smell of freshly fallen leaves as you scuffle through them may bring back childhood memories of glorious leaf fights amidst peals of laughter.

The tastes of autumn are numerous. A delicious apple and blackberry crumble, a casserole simmering on the hob, a crunchy hazelnut eaten straight from its casing, a bowlful of warming pumpkin soup and a mug of spicy mulled cider are all synonymous with the season. For our forebears, autumn was an immensely busy time when they prepared their homes, gardens and store cupboards for the long winter months ahead. While we don’t need to gather and preserve in the same way nowadays, autumn often prompts us to focus on our homes. It can be a time when we look to making them snug and cosy, maybe adding some new cushions, throws, candles or crockery. It is also a time when we reassess our wardrobes, amassing hats, scarves and woolly jumpers to keep out the biting winds to come. With the multitude of colours, textures, tastes and smells to inspire your autumn ranges, and customers on the lookout for some warming extras, you will want to promote your autumn-themed products.

If you mainly sell face-to-face, it could be a good time to try out some markets before you fall headlong into the Christmas rush. This will give you time to work out what you need, how to display your products to their best advantage, and whether you may require some extra help over the next couple of months. Sales may already be starting to increase online as Christmas orders are placed, but with the autumn sunshine still lingering, don’t be shy about promoting your autumnal range. For both online and face-to-face selling, you will need to take a look at craft makers insurance. Craft makers insurance will often comprise product and public liability insurance, both of which are highly recommended if you are selling to the public. Indeed, many craft fair organisers will require that you have insurance in place. As a family firm with several decades of experience selling craft makers insurance, we’ll talk you through the best options for your unique business. We value each of our customers and love the creativity you bring to your businesses. Pick up the phone or drop us a line and either Naomi or Sam will be here to chat with you and answer your queries.

Once you are ready to sell, you might consider packaging some of your products up into an autumn-themed gift box. Or, you could join with another crafter to create a box containing, for example, a couple of autumn decorations, a fragrant candle or wax melt and some autumn-themed bunting. Or, maybe a pamper box with candles, lip balm and a bath bomb.

Amidst all the busyness, we hope you have time to head out yourself to enjoy and be inspired by the beautiful colours, textures, scents and tastes of autumn.

Harvest is the season of mellow fruitfulness, of warm sunny days and evenings spent in storytelling around the fire. A season of rich colours, laden hedgerows and golden, stubbled fields. It’s a season of heartfelt gratitude, where rural communities traditionally flocked together to give thanks for a harvest safely gathered in, to raise church rafters with well-loved hymns and feast their eyes on the abundance of fruit, vegetables and harvest loaves which bedecked the pews and walkways.

Here in the U.K., we don’t have a set day to celebrate harvest. Depending on what crops are grown, the gathering usually begins in August and is finished by late September or early October. It is very weather-dependent and even in these days of much technology, can be held back due to inclement conditions. The harvesting season is hard work for any farmer today, but in decades past the whole community was involved. So much so, that our first universities, Oxford and Cambridge, set a long summer break in their studies to allow students to go home and help with the harvest. Once the crops, fruit, vegetables and foraged foods were gathered safely in, it was time to celebrate. This usually coincided with the Harvest Moon, the full moon nearest to the autumn equinox, around 21-23 September. Many stories and paintings have been inspired by the harvest moon, and it is fun to look out for it each September. It looks bigger than normal and has an orange tinge. This is because it is nearer to the horizon than in other months, not because it is larger. When you see a beautiful harvest moon and the stars alongside it in our night sky, it feels good to be reminded that, in our seemingly increasingly unstable world, there are still some comfortingly constant things.

Most harvest celebrations take place towards the end of September or into October. In previous centuries these were often raucous affairs with an abundance of food, freely flowing ale or cider (depending on the region), folk music, dancing and a lot of celebrating. Surviving the cold, barren winter was dependent on a good harvest and the work of sowing, growing and harvesting was arduous, so celebrations were truly earned. Churches held special harvest festival services; the school children were often involved in decorating the buildings, making corn dollies to hang at the end of each pew, and the womenfolk used their creative flair to arrange flowers and produce on every windowsill, nook and cranny. A harvest loaf was often made, in the shape of a wheat sheaf. This hearkens back to the days when most of the grain harvest was done using scythes and the wheat was bound together in sheaves.

Today, many rural communities host an annual Harvest Home supper. Traditional folk music is being revived in many areas and these are great times of celebration for the whole community. Children and young people from the local school, guiding and scouting groups are often involved and again this is a steady anchor in the rural year.

The timings and customs of celebrations vary across the country, depending on the crops grown. In Kent, for example, the hop harvest provided an opportunity for families to leave London for a few weeks to “go hopping”. It was hard work and living conditions were basic, but it may have been the only time when the children were able to run freely in green space, breathe unpolluted air and enjoy the variety of farm animals. In the South West, apples were, and still are, harvested and the local cider made from the orchards added to the celebrations (and still does).

The colours, textures, smells and sheer abundance of harvest have inspired many artists, poets and crafters over the years. Monet’s “Haystacks” and VanGough’s “The Harvest” both offer us a glimpse of harvest in previous times. More recently, quilters have told the story of local harvests with their needles and textile and ceramic crafters have produced a glorious array of harvest-themed, unique and gorgeous products.

Apples and pumpkins, as well as wheat sheaves, vegetables and the bounty of the hedgerows all make for wonderful motifs on throws, cushions and blankets, cute hats for children, deliciously scented candles and stunning wood-turned decorations. If you are creating your harvest of products, you will be looking for craft insurance cover. Wherever you are selling, whether online or at markets and fairs, you will need to consider both product and public liability craft insurance cover. Most craft fair organisers will ask that you have public liability craft insurance cover, and it is well worth considering both of these for online selling too. As a family business ourselves, we know the relationship we have with our customers is foundational. We communicate with you, so if you are new to the world of selling your crafts, pick up the phone or drop us a line and either Naomi or Sam will talk you through the most appropriate craft insurance cover for your unique business.

These days we are not dependent on bringing in a good harvest, and for those living within our large towns or cities, the concept of harvest may seem far away. However, there are always themes those of us living in an urban environment can glean from this ancient tradition which is still celebrated in rural areas. Maybe you could look for your nearest Harvest Home supper or Harvest festival service and make it a source of inspiration every year. Or, maybe you could take a walk in the beautiful autumn countryside and gather some berries, nuts, and leaves with which to decorate your own home and even boil up some blackberry jam to enjoy in those long winter months. Whatever you decide, we hope you will be able to celebrate the goodness and abundance of our bountiful earth in some way this autumn.

The full moon on 19th August, the eighth full moon of 2024, will also be a blue moon, (more about that in a bit) and will be visible from 20:48 BST. For anyone needing to dust off their astronomy, the moon will be full as it will be exactly on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun. It will also appear slightly larger than normal as it will be close to the closest point in its orbit to the Earth when it becomes a “Super Moon”.

There are two types of blue moons, monthly and seasonal, but neither of them is blue, just standard grey! A monthly blue moon is when there are two full moons in a calendar month. A seasonal blue moon occurs when there are four full moons in one astronomical season, instead of the usual three. When this happens, the third full moon of the four is called a seasonal blue moon and this is what we will be seeing on August 19th.

In North America, this approaching full moon is also known as “The Sturgeon Moon” as it is easier to catch Sturgeon in the Great Lakes in the summer months. So, if you happen to be near the Great Lakes on holiday, it’s the best season to see one of these monsters!

The expression “once in a blue moon” comes from the fact that blue moons are relatively rare, occurring about every two or three years, and running your own business, you may recognise the feeling of waiting for a blue moon to “catch your big fish”. Lovingly crafting your products, serving clients faithfully, posting to social media, paying taxes, taking the time to compare the market for craft insurance and, all the while, hoping for that special opportunity to arise that will see your business grow exponentially.

Although not many of us will know what waiting for a sturgeon to bite under a blue moon feels like, most will know how it feels to wait for your big break. Most of us also know that we have to learn to do whatever it takes to make our big break come sooner and bring those opportunities within our reach.

One of the best ways to create opportunities for your craft business is to present your products online in an optimal way. They have to be easy to find and presented in their best light. The good news is that, even if you are not a professional photographer, you don’t have to wait ages for the right conditions or purchase expensive equipment to get some great shots of your products! A mobile phone and a few useful tips will help you create professional-looking photos of your craft work, making your creations stand out and attract attention. Taking great photos of your craftwork using a mobile phone can significantly enhance the way your creations are perceived by potential buyers.

Here are ten handy hints to help you capture your craftwork beautifully:

1. Good Lighting:
   Use natural light whenever possible by shooting near a window or outside during the day. Avoid direct sunlight as it can create harsh shadows, whereas overcast days provide even lighting. If natural light is not available, use soft, diffused artificial lighting.
   
   
2. Clean Background:
   Use a simple, clean background with solid colours or plain textures that won’t distract attention away from your crafted items. Using a lightbox for smaller items controls the background and lighting.
   
   
3. Steady Your Shot:
   Keep your phone steady to avoid blurry photos. The best way to do this is by using a tripod or placing your phone on a stable surface. It’s also a good idea to use the timer function to reduce camera shake when you are taking a photo.
   
   
4. Focus and Exposure:
   Tap on your crafted item on your phone screen to set the focus and adjust the exposure. Also, always ensure that your main subject is sharp and well-lit.
   
   
5. Use Grid Lines:
   Enable “grid lines” in your camera settings as it will help with composition, then follow the rule of thirds to create some balanced and visually pleasing shots.
   
   
6. Avoid Zooming:
   Using digital zoom will reduce the photo quality so it’s a better idea to move closer to the subject if you need a closer shot. If you need a detailed close-up, you could use the “macro mode” if your phone has one.
   
   
7. Try Different Angles:
   Experiment with various angles to find the most flattering perspective for your crafted items. Try shooting from eye level, from the top down, and at a variety of different side angles to see which highlights your work best.
   
   
8. Edit Your Photos:
   Use photo editing apps to enhance your images. You can adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation to make your photos pop and crop out any unnecessary elements to focus attention on your crafted items.
   
   
9. Use Props Wisely:
   Props can enhance your craftwork and add context but it’s a good idea to use them sparingly. Ensure they complement rather than overshadow your main subject. Always choose props that are relevant and scale-appropriate.
   
   
10. Show Details:
    Capture close-up shots to highlight the intricate details and textures of your craft.
    Take multiple photos from different distances to showcase both the overall piece and its finer points.

Rather than waiting for opportunities, why not give your online presence an overhaul with updated images of your wonderful craft?

You could also take some time out to look at your insurance and compare the market. Craft insurance has been our speciality for decades and we’ll ensure that you have the right insurance package in place for your unique needs.

Having prepared your online presence, as you spend quality time this summer at craft fairs selling your unique products, you’ll feel secure in the knowledge that you are pointing customers to an online store which looks its best and you’ve also taken the time to compare the market for craft insurance to be prepared for whatever comes your way! Basically, rather than waiting for those “once in a blue moon” opportunities, you’ve taken steps to set yourself up for success this summer!

As a craft insurance company, we try to share ideas that will help craft businesses to grow. So here’s an idea…

Why not use the same narrative formula that Hollywood uses to make blockbusting films to put together some great testimonials on your website? You can use it to showcase your lovely handmade products and tell the story of the people who are happy with them…

A great way to describe the value of your handmade products is to create a story around them that people want to read. Everyone loves to hear a story about overcoming difficulty and the reward of finding a good solution.

We have been trained by cinematographers over the years to follow the line of a story in a film, and we expect that the story will unfold familiarly. When we hear a story or a case study told in this way it meets our expectations and we feel satisfied that a problem has been solved and an objective achieved – it all feels right somehow!

The Hollywood Story Arc

The most familiar pattern for storytelling used in films is the Hollywood story arc and it looks something like this:

1. The characters are introduced
2. They have a goal they want to reach
3. The adversary is the problem or obstacle they face
4. The plan is how they are trying to get around the obstacle
5. They experience various attempts and failures
6. They regroup
7. They make a new plan with the same goal in mind
8. They fulfil their goal and experience victory!

This method can also be used to frame case studies on your website. Use each step to create a questionnaire to give your customers as a feedback form then use the answers to craft a couple of great testimonials/case studies. Each testimonial will then follow the Hollywood story arc by including the right elements. Your feedback form could look something like this.

1. Name
2. Product purchased? (We’ll call it ‘x’.)
3. What are you looking for when you buy ‘x’?
4. Where do you normally go to find ‘x’?
5. Have you had any difficulties finding ‘x’ in the past?
6. How did you hear about us?
7. What do you like most about our ‘x’?
8. What mark out of ten would you give to our ‘x’? Why?

Testimonials/case studies written in this way can deal with objections before they even come up. Each story will show potential buyers how your products can help them to achieve their goals and allay any fears they might have about purchasing. You can even use these case studies as the script for video clips. Some happy customers may even enjoy being filmed to leave a video testimonial on your home page.

Here’s an example of a case study written according to the Hollywood story arc- it’s a bit longer than your average case study just to get the point across, but you get the general idea!

Sue, a busy, working Mum, struggles every year to make time to find Christmas presents that are meaningful, lasting, unique and memorable. She doesn’t want to get into debt every year, but her experience has often been that finding a special gift at the eleventh hour has meant paying over the odds. Christmas has started to feel a bit of a chore and one that needs to be tackled earlier each year (even in the summer sales) in order to find acceptable gifts that don’t cost the earth. Sue’s dream would be to find a shop or online outlet (different to the one that everyone else is using) where she could find an original gift for each family member and friend. An even better scenario would be a discount for buying all of her presents with them.

This year, during in a conversation with a friend about the forthcoming festive season Sue opened up about how she was dreading the whole thing. Sue’s friend told her about ‘x’ website and online store.

Sue wasn’t expecting much, but after an initial perusal of the website she realised that she was onto something as she started to find beautiful handmade gifts straight away that suited the tastes and interests of her different family members and friends.

This year, Christmas has been a very different experience for Sue. The gifts were easy to find all in one place and easy to purchase with a discount for the number of items she bought together. Sue was then free to spend more time enjoying the season with her loved ones without the worry of presents yet to be bought lurking in the back of her mind. What’s more, when Christmas arrived, the quality and beautiful craftsmanship of the items received universal and rapturous approval from the family. Sue was inspired by the way that one conversation can completely change an entire season and she started to share her experience with her friends. Now, Sue cannot recommend a handmade Christmas enough.

Another great thing about a well-written case study is that you can use excerpts from it for social media. Sharing valuable content makes consumers want to follow you on social media. You could turn morsels from these case studies into social media graphics for Instagram or LinkedIn.

Sharing success stories helps you to build trust and relationships. People can learn more about your company and a case study of this nature will serve to answer frequently asked questions too. There’s nothing better than an impactful case study to show people that they can trust you to provide a quality product or service.

Our craft insurance company has seen several decades of experience of working with crafters to ensure they have the correct cover. We have had lots of happy customers over the years and we want to continue to give the best service that we can to all. If you have an enquiry or you are looking for a craft insurance company, the easiest way to find out more is simply to drop us a message or pick up the phone and either Naomi or Sam will be here to help answer your questions.