Hello everyone.
Firstly ‘Thank you’. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your encouragement and support during my first year in business. Without you guys we wouldn’t be what we are today, so ‘Happy Birthday’!
I cannot believe I have been trading for a year. I cannot believe my dream came true.
I am so pleased and proud of the opportunities I have been given during this year and what Lucy Loves Fabric has achieved.
Would you like to know what we have achieved?
* We have been fortunate to be featured several times in Sew Magazine and have built up a wonderful relationship with the editorial department and long may this continue. We also won ‘Shop of the month’ within the magazine!
* I worked with Kate Baxter of www.fabricofmylife.com when she wanted to use my fabrics for her set at Grand Designs. A real honour and of which bought a lot of business my way. Kate is an amazing Interior Stylist and I feel very fortunate for Lucy Loves Fabric to have been a part of her work.
* We have had many successful days at fairs. I love working the Lucy Loves Fabric stall at a fair as I get to meet such wonderful, creative people and be a part of their creative world. To this day the most amusing thing to watch on these days is when a couple are choosing fabric for their home… I love the boys choice, versus the girls choice and the discussion that unfolds.
* Our commission service is popular, we offer shift dresses too!
* And then there is the Women’s Institute of course. All I can say is – I love these ladies!!! I have learnt so much from them and at every talk I feel SO welcome. My talk to the WI is called ‘Love to be creative’. I chat about creative topics in the media, I take along projects for them to try at home and we discuss experience’s we have all had in the creative world – it’s an interactive talk and I love it.
* Something that has become ‘my baby’ other than the actual business is my knitting club. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful group of girls coming along to my club every week. Beginners have quickly turned into pro’s and the skill of some of the girls is off the hook. We are a range of ages and everyone gets on really really well and I am so proud of them individually and the group as a whole. I thank each of them.
* During my year I have been toying with the thought and dream of owning a high street shop. I have trolled the streets viewing premises, only to remember early advice of ‘don’t grow too soon’ and I faced the frightening reality of rent and rates being through the roof. I couldn’t see me making the money I make now, let alone more. The other sad thing you realise when viewing premises at different high streets is how many there are to see, how many businesses have closed – it’s a scary thought. So for the time being I’m staying online…
* We have as you know, just before our birthday expanded to own our own studio/workshop space. This is where I am writing to you now. It’s fantastic, and once it is fully equipped and decorated I shall be having an opening party. And I hope you will come. The studio will be able to enable me to have visitors to view my fabric, as I know so many people like to see and feel before buying. I will be offering knitting classes and sewing classes. Maybe a creative bookclub and film night too. Sound like fun?
I think it’s fair to say I’ve had a busy year, and that my dream has come true. I loved my ‘city career’ but there came a time when I craved to work creatively, to be my own boss and follow my own dream. The toughest battle has been gaining respect that you are working, and that you have ‘a job’ and getting it appreciated how difficult a task that is. I learnt it’s very easy for people to think anything out of the norm isn’t real or important. That’s rubbish.
All in all I thank people close to me for all of their support. Especially my unbelievable husband, how I found him I don’t know… what I do to deserve him I don’t know. But without him I couldn’t have got through this year.
Now to the exciting bit of my giveaway for you amazingly creative people out there. All you have to do to enter is to tell me what your dream job would be. You will be entered into a draw that will be drawn a week today at 12 midday to win a metre of Anna Maria Horner – Good Folks – Buttoned up in Pomegranate worth £9.50. A very stylish and popular design shown below.
Thank you everyone again, tonight I will be celebrating.
Have a creative weekend,
Lucy xx
Tags: a year old, commission, fabric, giveaway, knitting club, shift dress
Well Done Lucy, you know how envious I am of you. Like you I want nothing more than to give up the day job and work for myself, playing with vintage fabrics and making beautiful things for others to enjoy. passing on my knowledge and skills and enjoying time in my studio.
I cant wait till you open your doors to the public and then hopefully we can have a good chinwag about how you got where you are. Who knows I might bite the bullet in 2011 too.
Claire
x
Congratulations on your business birthday! I’m so happy it is all going well for you
My dream job would be a childrens clotes designer, tricky to do and make any money also requires more skill and talent that I have so I’ll keep plugging away with my kids! I’m sure I could make something interesting for my girls with that fabric!
Wow! What an amazing year!! Having seen the whole transition, from ‘just an idea’ to a fully functioning business, I can honestly say that I am ridiculously proud of what you have achieved. I love hearing about the latest news at Lucy Loves Fabric and I’m always so happy that you are happy here.
I can’t wait to see the new studio!
Happy 1st Birthday LLF! This is only the beginning.
Much love,
Beth x
Happy Birthday Lucy Loves Fabric!
Congratulations for being so successful in your first year, I hope the next year brings you even more success.
I’m very proud of everything you have achieved, you are an inspiration that hard work and dedication really pays off and to always follow your dream.
Lots of love
Natalie xxx
Well done with your first year Lucy – may the future be even more successful. How lovely to be able to live your dream and work with colour and creativity.
I can’t wait to see your new studio.
Eileen x
Congratulations on your achievements!
Well done Lucy! So pleased for you…you are very inspirational person and this is truely reflected through your work. Love your website! Happy 1st Birthday! See you soon. xx
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to You! *sings out of tune!*
I’m part way to doing my dream job – I’m a jewellery and accessories designer and sell online and with stockists. My big dream job would be to have my own actual living breathing shop, with a tearoom at the back. It would be full of UK Handmade designs, including my own – brimming with talent, and be a hive of creativity. The tearoom would serve tea and coffee from vintage teapots, cakes would be served and hig teas. X
Happy first birthday, youist be very rod of your achievement especially in the current economic climate. Best wishes SewBertie
Well done and Happy birthday Lucy!!!!
sounds like you have achieved so much already and in such a short space of time,It was great to meet you the opther week at the craft fair and i only wish i was closer to come and check out your new space. I’ll definately be buying lots more of your lovely fabrics. and good luick with many more years to come!!
my drewam job well im hoping im on ythew way too, ive now just finished my first month of freelance designing, got to chase lots more products and contract but its all good and im also designing and making and starting to sell my products online too
xx
Congrats LLF !
My dream would be to have a summer house in my garden. I would have a big squishy sofa with hand-made cushions and throws, and i would spend time in there knitting, sewing, reading and dreaming up new crafts to try.XX
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
WOW what a year you have had. Congratulations on all of your achievements and may it all continue and grow even further so you can complete your dream and own your shop.
I think you have been very brave and courageous to take the leap, but pure dedication and hard work sure pays off, as well as your positive attitude and passion in what you do.
Well done, keep it up and I look forward to seeing what the next year brings xx
Congratulations! You are definitely an inspiration to us all and I wish you the best of luck for the future!
My dream job would be a buyer for Topshop, Selfridges or Browns – I would be constantly sourcing new, local and quirky designers who have ethics and sustainability at heart rather than relying on the big-name houses. However, I think I may have to just contend with shopping at these stores!
Vicki xx
Congratulations Lucy, on a successful first year in business. I have also recently launched my own textiles business, with an online shop and blog, its been hard work but such a great feeling to know I’m living my dream.
Wishing you all the best for the future