Hi everyone - anyone who is still watching and waiting.
I have been missing for quite a while. But life happens and sometimes you have to take a break and regroup and decide what is important and what you need in your life.
I have always tried to keep to subject and always add a photo with my posts. This time I will just do a "talkie". Without getting all personal, I will just say that there have been a lot of changes in my life, sort of the rug pulled out from under me stuff. It was not an illness or an accident, it was just unavoidable change of circumstances which I was unprepared for.
The last 15 years I have happily played around with doll making and working with my husband and having lots of free time to do as I pleased. Last year our business had to shut down, we sold our house and moved to the country. Malcolm and I had to find jobs to earn a living and I was miserable.
Well I was miserable but in the midst of all that, I decided I could sell my dolls and teddies at the local market to make some money.
It was my saviour. Admittedly, I sold my stuff really, really cheap.............really cheap, just to get a sale. But you have no idea, how wonderful it is for you to make something, put it out for the public to see, and people tell you how clever you are and how beautiful your work is. Then they give you money for it!!
All the other stall holders are so kind and friendly. If you are reading this and have ever wondered if you could sell at a market, you must try it. And it is one of those situations where we can all help each other. My first day it became very windy, and the wind was nearly blowing my tent down. Wal across from me saw my problem and offered me his side panel to attach to the tent. He saved the day! One of the other stall holders fell in love with one of my dolls, and she was the first to buy from me. That was such a kind gesture for a newbie.
I have to say, I was so lucky, I just put all my dolls on a display table, put up a few banners and it took me about 10 minutes. Some of the other stall holders had to arrive and hour earlier to set up because they have so much stuff. I think because I had a unique item to sell I was accepted very quickly, I was able to work 2 markets if I wanted to, but I kept selling out of stock. I couldn't make things quick enough, especially the types of dolls I make. And the teddies I sold were all jointed so it was a lot of work and I really struggled to keep up. But despite that I loved it. I would be sewing up teddies or little cardigans while I waited for someone to stop and look. I never had a day where I did not sell anything, and believe me, it was nerve wracking because I didn't even have the money for the stall site ($20 per day) - so I had to sell something, and I always did.
I really want to thank each and every person who bought from me, because at that time those purchases literally put bread on the table. I am truly thankful.
But the reality was that I was not earning enough. I applied for work locally, but at my age I am starting to be overlooked for the younger ones. It is not supposed to be like that and many would deny it, but I know my age was a factor. I did not even get to the interview stage. So I tried a long shot and found work 2 days a week back in the city. We were living one and a half hours drive from the city, but I could do that just 2 days a week. Long story short, I got more days work and I could not do the markets and the travel back and forth became a nightmare - Malcolm also had work in the city. So we made the decision to come back to Adelaide and start all over again. I am still working 4 days a week, and no time for dolls or bears or markets ............but I have to nuture the creative side of me, and I am going to start making again. I have my etsy shop and I will be setting up sales very soon. My ultimate plan is to get back to making and selling (on line) and then if I am on the right track, give up my day job. I don't know how long it will take me, but I am going to try.
Wish me luck
This little doll is a vinyl OOAK by doll maker Margaret Leonard here in South Australia. I purchased this dear little elf at the Hahndorf doll show, but despite how cute he is................I don't want him. Not at all. So I will have to sell him too. I may have to put him on Ebay because I did nto make him and he is not anything like I make, so he is not for my Etsy shop.
This mermaid I made in a class with Pam Grose from Western Australia. She is about 60cm long with a wire armature and collon lycra skin painted in acrylics. She is also not my knid of doll. Learning the techniques was a great experience and Pam Grose had to be the most relaxed and friendly dollmaker I had ever met. She is amazing and talented and so willing to share what she knows.