2017 What to do first?

As well you know, to say last year was incredibly difficult is an understatement. January has passed by in a haze and already it's February and I haven't done a thing! So what's new for 2017?

First off I decided that I don't want to make lavender bags at the moment, I can only make them at the studio and it's been difficult getting down there in between the practicalities of dealing with losing my parents. So there is a big big sale happening at the Etsy shop, half price on lavender bags, many prints and discontinued items. (I'm sorry no birds, I have no stock!)

I'm thinking big thunks about the business and about where I want it to go and what I want it to be in the future. I'm in a difficult place to make decisions now, both in an emotional sense and from a business point of view, so my approach has been cautious and advice from my friend has been that I should just aim to get by this year. However, you know me, I want more than just getting by.

I've been feeling like my business has been coasting these past few years, I got comfortable and then uncomfortable with being comfortable. Shaking things up last year doing bird a day was amazing... I want to do that again soon when my head is in a better place. Kickstarter in 2015 was another high point so finger crossed I will be doing another this year, albeit on a smaller scale. (and involving penguins!)

Feltmeupdesigns.com needs some serious TLC and prehaps a move to another platform since my current webhost isn't really doing it for me. I need to decide if having my own webshop is something I should do again and am investigating new avenues including setting up on tictail to see how that one works, it has a nice clean feel which I like alot, so far just a few products are available on there but more will be coming soon.

As usual I want to do everything all at once! But I am listening to advice and applying the brakes a little so I don't go off half cocked!

So as you can see, 2017 has started in a cloud of uncertainty but I think I can see through the fog a little and hopefully things will start to brighten up again soon.

As ever, thank you for your support

xx
mel

Bird a Day - Final Thoughts

So the Bird a Day Challenge is over... here are a few questions I've been asked over the last week.

How do you feel now?

It's finally over... it's a strange feeling to be at the end of something, I do feel a sense of achievement at having done what I set out to do and I am tempted to make it a regular thing in my crafting as it forces me to be creative.

Doing something creative everyday has had a positive impact upon my well being and peace of mind too. I feel a lot better than I did at the beginning of the year, when I felt burnt out. People find it strange when I talk about not feeling creative considering the job I do but sometimes even a creative job starts to feel like a bit of a slog. I do feel more invigorated... things are starting to feel normal again.

What were your favourite birds to make?
My favourites surprised me! They were the ones that were most challenging initially but turned out the best. I'm very fond of the Spoonbill, Pelican, Dodo and the seagull... but my favourite is the Tree Creeper, because I saw one in the park and he caught the feeling of him perfectly!

Was it hard to make a bird in an hour?
The felting part is the easy bit! Making them tiny and starting with the bead cuts the time down... It's the photographing and blogging that really takes up time! I didn't take that into account when I set out to do this so it ended up taking up 2 hours of my day rather than just 1... next time I think I will find a better way to just snap a quick picture. 

Did you miss any days?
I didn't miss out a day of making but sometimes there just wasn't time to photograph things or I was too tired. That just meant a couple of days when there were double posts. 

Are you sick of looking at tiny bird feet?
Never!

Wait next time? You're going to do this again?
Yes... but maybe not for a while... or on a weekly basis rather than daily.

When will the birds be up for sale?
I'm hoping to get them up for sale by monday... I will keep you posted.

What Advice would you give to anyone taking on a challenge like this?
Go for it! Even if you think you might fail... you should go for it. Find something that works for you and make sure you find a way to share it as being held accountable by others is great motivation. II have to admit... I tried something like this once before and didn't share it and I failed, sharing was the best thing, it's hard to work in a vacuum. You'll be amazed how supportive people can be! 

Also... make the time to do it, it could be anything, make a bird a day, a drawing a day, write something, bake something... it's worth it, you'll feel like a different person at the end an you will want to keep being creative!

xx
mel

Bird a Day: Day 30 - Pelican

A Wonderful thing is a Pelican... It's beak can hold more than it's belly can!

(This may not be a true fact... my grandad told me it and he's been know to lie to small children)

Bird a Day: Day 24: Spectacled Owlet

Bird a Day: Day 24: Spectacled Owlet

I get glasses today! Celebrating my new eyes with a Spectacled Owl... well an Owlet... I used some curly wool to make him all fuzzy!

Bird a Day: Day 23: Tree Creeper

 Bird a Day: Day 23: Tree Creeper

I was walking through the Museum Gardens with mum last week and I saw one of these chaps on a tree... he was amazing, he crept right up the trunk and then upside down on a branch! I attached this one to his own little bit of tree! I went back to look for him but all I found was a tourist taking selfies with a selfie stick!

 and I had an audience taking these pictures... he wasn't impressed that I had no nuts for him!

Bird a Day: Day 8: Black Swan

Bird a Day: Day 8: Black Swan

Day 8 and things are feeling a little surreal.. mostly because Mr Felt has a habit of snoring like a hibernating bear thus earning him the name "The Snorenado" and me a sleepless night! But we do have a little black swan... aw cute!