Another boutique collaboration

I can't tell my self enough: "Wati, Believe in yourself!"

I just signed a new contract with another boutique at the end of March (Friday 30th). So now I have 2 boutiques to supply my couture creations - which I think is awesome. That means I get the chance to continue doing what I love to do (creating) and I could get busier, and closer to what I'd dreamed of.

I have some doubts before, because, well, it's outside Swiss, it's in another country, although it only take approximately an hour's drive (not in rush hours), another term & conditions of contract, etc ... and it made me a bit nervous, I want to go for it, but I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that I could collaborate with them as I knew one of the founder, I've met her when we were doing exhibition together in Unicrea on April/May 2013, her stand was just in front of me, she's a textile jewelry maker.

The fighting inside my head whether I'll do it or I don't got me a bit tense and headache .. but finally I decided to go for it.

I feel good. I guess I must loose the fear of being wrong (it haunted me for so many years, I have to be honest). Anyway, what could possibly be wrong in being creative? there are no right or wrong in creativity. Just stop critisized yourself and put a ridiculously high goals you've set yourself in your head. Don't compare your start with someone else's middle. Comparison is a thief of joy!

Working with boutiques will only opening a new horizon, jump into this creative adventure will only enriching my souls, inventing myself ; becoming a new me makes me happier than I've ever imagined.

Ditched your negative feelings, negative thinking and negative comments, spaced out from negative people. Your life will be much better and lighter. Now you can be focused on what to reach next, making plans, create more - as I have to make sure I have enough ready stocks for whatever events or collaborations I might have in the future ... and I want my creation to be better and neater every time, so I can achieve a higher level of skills.

Re-stock

Hi I'm back from summer break! well, actually 2 weeks ago .. but I had so many things to handle in such a short time.

A couple of days ago I had a rendez-vous again in artraction office in Charmilles, Genève. It was the boutique manager’s request to see me and asked for new creations as a new stocks for ateapic boutique in Vevey, CH. I received her email while we’re still on vacation in Indonesia, and I just be able to meet her last Tuesday Aug 23rd 2016. I asked for a week timeline before I was ready to see her at her office, I plan to use a week-full to recover from jet-lag, tummy probs and to prepare my creations as well .. it wasn’t much time, but I didn’t have a choice as my boss will be going on 6 months sabatical leave starting this weekend! her last work day before leave is tomorrow! Aug 26th 2016. So, one week was all I had.

The meeting was great. My boss was happy for me that selling my creations was actually working as 6 items were sold during my 3 months probation period. So I felt relieved that I passed my probation time and that also means I could continue to supply my creations at their boutique in Vevey. She gave me the address of the boutique before the end of our meeting and before I was leaving her office.

I thank God for everything, the smooth meeting, the selling of my creations, everything ... yes, I worked hard for it and I did all of these alone, but one should always believe that God plays the biggest part in everything you do, without His blessings none of these would possibly happened.

Holiday is over!

Hello again!

We were just returning from summer vacation last Thursday and I guess I have a lot to share here. While still on a vacation I received an email from the boutique manager asking for more summer stocks for her boutique in Vevey. In fact she told me that 6 pieces of my creations had been sold and she was asking if we could meet up. I replied her email saying that we're still on holiday and I won't be able to meet her before 11 August. She said okay, she'll wait.

This new chapter of our collaboration wasn't that easy, The manager gave 3 months probation period for my creations (just like an employee in any other company), if they could sell them to their customers then I'm saved, otherwise my contract ended. That's why I felt so relieved knowing half of my creations that the manager hand picked for the boutique were sold.

☺otherwise my contract ended. And this is in Switzerland .. where the standard of quality is high and I can't predict if their client would appreciate my creations .. That's why I'm so relieved .. half of 12 pieces that the manager hand picked for the boutique were sold.

I received the good news while I'm in the mall with my 2 girls after my sewing class. Oh, I forgot to tell that I took one week made to measure kebaya class while vacationing in Jakarta as I wanted to make the most of my holiday there.

I'm so happy with the news, it means I could continue to put my creations in the boutique.

Maybe I'm just lucky. Many people can sew. Many people have more sewing, designing, pattern-making skills than I do. But what I believe is that each one of us has different journey, different stories.

When I started to learn how to sew a while ago, to me it's some kind of a "healing" process. We all have wounds from past life experiences and turbulences, and me no exception. Sewing soothes my wounds.

Starting Petits Pas - handmade creation only 3 yrs ago from zero (and with minimum experience) has brought my life a lot better and happier personally. It taught me to be patience that success is a slow-ripening fruit of your hard work and struggle. That learning is a lifetime process to be a better you.

And to know that you have life partner and friends who support you and knowing exactly how it is trying to live out of your passion, is a cherry on the cake, it makes this life sweeter.

new summer creation in progress

Tired but happy.

Ever since I made those two kebayas that my client ordered, I have a non-stop orders. I am grateful for all of these things. That all of my efforts and hard work started to show its outcome. That my Petits Pas is actually working.

I also got a new contract with the boutique too (they put my creations in one of their 4 boutiques in Swiss Romande, mine will be in Vevey) following our meeting on April.

I think with the summer vacation's getting closer, I can't wait any to start planning our trip and start packing! .. I need a vacation soon!! :)

New Contract

Yesterday, April 22nd I got an appointment with the boutique manager in her office. As the boutique in Genève was closed, and they've moved to Lausanne, Vevey and Yverdon, the meeting took place in the company office (Démarche - Artraction) in Charmilles area.

I've never been there before, and I drove all the way from Nyon to Genève in the morning. It only took about 30 minutes through the motorway, exit in Vernier. I parked our car in the mall nearby (Planete Charmilles) and walked to the office (about 5 minutes walk) not far.

Sophie took me to the meeting room and explained how things work now. She gave me a 3 months probation period (for my creations in the boutique) and we'll see how it goes. I came to bring her mostly the spring-summer creations like floral batik dresses, sundress, tshirt, shorts for kids and she took 12 creations. She said she'll put them in a boutique in Vevey. She'll let me know when it's ready. The commission is 70-30 now, before it was 80-20 .. so the company will take 30% from each sold creations. I think it's fair enough.

Doing a collaboration with a boutique is not the only thing that matters to me. Being able to create things and continue learning to upgrade my skills and my creations to be more polished that's what really matter to me. Being able to get paid for what you love and enjoy doing, that's the main reasons. I also take client's orders and looking forward to put my animal themed capes inside the creator's boutique in my area. I think with only two hands that I got, it's enough to fill my days and my pocket :) 

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016!

This year marked a new adventure again for me. The creators boutique that I've been working in collaboration with, has moved from Geneva to Lausanne. The manager said she will contact me again around mid-January. That means, I have to be ready with new creations before mid-January too.

 

So I went to Lausanne Flon area to check the new space, and found it very quickly, we just parked the car underground and when we went up I saw it immediately. Looked like someone guided me ...

 

I'm just excited. I wanted to show my manager, my new creations, I hope to impress her and I'll try my best to bring the best I could and not to disappoint her. This also a chance for me to showcase my works in other Swiss canton another part of the country. I heard Lausanne is more "hype" and modern than Geneva ...

 

Oh, well .. just wish me luck!

Happy New Year.

Let's hope for the best 365 days ahead!

 

 

Happy Ending

As we're finally come to the end of 2015 very soon, I'd like to note some of best moments, accomplishments or whatever you call it ...

 

§ My last "Marché" of this year.

 

It was at Marché des créateurs de l'Usine in Geneva.

 

Only one day (Sunday Dec 13th), one afternoon precisely, we're opened from 1-7 pm, but it was a huge success! for the organizers and for the participants, as the visitors were coming in non-stop and take advantage to purchase their last-minute Christmas shopping for gifts or for themselves. Petits Pas - handmade creations made a good selling day too.

 

When people told me to bring as many creations as possible, they're absolutely right! I sold all my capes (animal themed, for kids) within just 30 minutes after opening hours. I sold other creations too for women and children. I made a break even and profits just in one day. The place I reserved (the bigger) was only 2,5 m linear - which was just a tiny space, the price for that space was 30 CHF (waaaaay much cheaper than other exhibition/market space) and I pocketed more than 500 CHF in an afternoon (minus 5 CHF lunch - a sandwich).

 

This creative market was organized every December in the l'Usine de Genève (a place famously known as an alternative culture in Geneva) where the participants (the artists, designers, etc) got picked by two of the girls who's organized the event from their applications - which was opened in October. The chosen participants got a notification by email in the early November. Meaning, roughly a month to get prepared.

 

Some of the participants were designers (leather, jewellery, clothes, tshirts, graphics, accessories - bags, hats, babies bibs, decorations, toys, etc from local artisans). The ambience is alive and packed, there were 2 bars and coffee shops in their 3 storeys building, music was loud in any genre - mostly "alternative".

 

The downside was only when a headache hit me (maybe because I didn't get the time to eat lunch until around 3 pm) :)

 

§ With Ateapic.

 

The boutique moved to Flon, a hype area in Lausanne starting next year. They found a place there and the manager will get in touch again with me around mid-January. It sounds promising to me, new place, new adventures, hopefully a good one, although the manager sounds a little bit worried. Well, who could predict what's going to happen? no one. But, as I learned, life is like that, we could only try and hope for the best. Try the best we could and see what happens.

 

We did a stock taking in the old boutique in Geneva before holiday, and found out one of my dress was missing. Looks like it's stolen. The manager decided to make a payment for that missing dress in the end. I got mixed feelings though, well, I received a payment but to know that there's a thief in the boutique which mostly carry indie creators/designers/artisan who's working mostly for their passions and to help the unemployed to be active during their unemployed times ... it's just sad. Anyway .. life still continues and the creations too.

 

§ With customers.

 

I received a last minute order to deliver before Christmas. It was a dress for a girl size 140 cm (I guess 10-11 yrs) but actually the client said she bought it for her 8 yo niece. The client happens to live not too far from my place, still in Nyon area. I handed her order in person at Nyon train station before Christmas school holiday started.

 

So I guess, I'm done with this year. I guess, 2015 was a good year :)

Closing the year ..

Good news from the boutique assistant came through my email yesterday, it's the sales report for November and 4 items sold.

 

So people actually bought my stuffs, that's cool. I feel relieved, because I could continue to make more creations, that's my goal .. to continue .. I'm still new in this domain, sewing wasn't my thing before -- but as I love colors, fabrics and put them into a nice piece of clothing or accessories or whatever my mind came up with -- I began to sew (and never stop ever since) ..

 

Okay, now it's almost near the end of 2014. I already had some plans for 2015 actually, but as they say .. "DON'T TELL YOUR DREAMS, SHOW IT!" .. well, I just gonna keep on showing it .. ehehe ..

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

 

 

3rd contract

I just signed the 3rd contract with the same boutique, which means it's my 3rd collection. I didn't put so many creations this time, as I'm a bit struggling right now with other projects and orders, but still want to continue this collaboration as a place to showcase my new creations.

 

Another thing is that autumn-winter collection is a bit tricky, I didn't shop specially for winter fabrics, but I do have some materials to mixed with fabrics that I have at home, like a padded satin fabrics, fleeces and blankets. Yes, I made some blanket capes using literally just that and then put a hoodie and button :)

 

I also made those capes for kids, and added a fun ears on the hoodie, kids love them :)

 

I also tried to mix batik with padded lining, but well .. I really don't have many materials to make winter clothing, but I tried and I'll come up with more ideas later ... winter starts to set in, it begins to feel colder at this end of November ...

 

If God's willing to lend you a hand ..

I'm a believer. I believe in God. I believe that everything that happened to me whether it's bad or good it's His arrangements. If He's willing to help you, you won't know where it's from and how He would help you. That's when we (if we believe in His existence) could feel and figure it out. Our heart knows, our head think, and our body moves. That's what happened to me these couple of months. I let you know ....

A couple of post below, I already talked about it a little bit. Now I want to share why I shouldn't stop believing in miracles. I shouldn't stop asking Him for a guidance and help. "You win some, you lose some", I guess that's what He'd taught me. 

I lose some of my savings to prepare for my last two exhibitions. I used my savings to prepare for my own stands, pay rental space, buying fabrics and all of stand equipment, decoration, etc ... well, I think I need to start somewhere and it's just a step for a start up (I mean, a beginner .. hehe). But from there I gained experience, I gained confidence, I gained contacts and I gained contracts! .. that's important.

I didn't make fortune by selling my own handmade creation, but I try to built trust from the boutique, the clients and my customers. Slowly, people trust me to make them things. Slowly, I'm more confident to try new techniques, to make (and modify) patterns. The last couple of weeks I made a challenging orders, one is for an ice skating costume, and other is an extra large dress for XXL size woman. 

And when I was sitting in my usual lunch cafeteria I got a good news from the boutique. They secure a place (an arcade in MParc Carouge -- where I was having my lunch, actually) to have a common exhibition from the boutique together with the art shop for THREE MONTHS!!! .. they will showcasing their artists and designers, and change the stocks periodically. Petits Pas is one of them, as I put some of my creations in their boutique too. Let's hope for the better. One thing I should consider seriously is hiring someone to help me with assembling (sewing) if their request is getting more than I could handle by my self.

I see all these like a miracle, I believe so. While I was sitting in a cafeteria in MParc, suddenly I got this news that they will have their exhibition in the same place! .. I think God's helping me out .. in shaa Allah ..

Special request from a client in the boutique

I started sewing not so long time ago, it was in 2010 if I remember well. You may also see the beginning of this blog, that was also the beginning of my sewing adventures. A good friend posted a comment in one of my FB picture about sewing (I remember I made a blouse for my daughter without pattern, I used a round plate to draw a neckline) and it turned out quite nice and wearable for my daughter, that's when my friend said "why don't you blog about your sewing experiments?" .. and I'm glad I did.

Fast forward to 2014, I've done many things with sewing. I can say I sew almost everyday. Specially during preps for an exhibitions, craft fairs or a bazaar (which I've done quite many in the last couple of years), and an opportunity to do a fashion show last year, and a contract with a boutique here in Geneva, Switzerland. I have the right to feel happy and proud of my own achievements, yes? .. but couple of weeks ago someone shook my happiness and I almost let my self down and doubted my capabilities. 

It was one fine Saturday morning and we're planned to go to Lyon to visit weekend textiles market, then hubby decided he need a haircut first. He went to a local hair salon which just 5 minutes away from our place and owned by Indonesian woman that we happened to know briefly. 

To make this story short (I really don't feel like telling the whole story because my heart still aches and I'm still angry when I remember what she did to ruin my reputation by talking about how awful my work is), this woman asked to lend money from my husband without having a word with me first. If her life is so bitter, why should she have to bother anyone too. I felt that I personally didn't agree husband lend her any money, I didn't trust her, but he already came home with a land certificate as a guarantee of the money he lend to her. That day, I didn't know if I could forgive what she did to me. I felt like she trapped us and took advantage of my husband's generosity.

Slowly, I get up and doing what I always did, sewing and writing a new book project as requested from my editor in Jakarta, but I couldn't 100% concentrate in what I was doing. I fell sick eventually. Flu bugs. I guess when I'm psychologically unhealthy, I get sick easily. 

client's request

Until one day I received an email from the boutique assistant that they have a client who's interested in one dress I've made using denim and lace collar but asked if I could make 2 sizes bigger. Then I thought, this must be God's way to lift me up from my recent fall and frustration. So I won't let God disappointed. He gave me this abilities as a gift and it somehow made me realize that I should continue to appreciate His given skills, I should meet His call, I should NOT give up and feeling low too long.

So I replied the email and said that I could make bigger size but with a different fabric, I also proposed to bring fabrics sample for the client approval. And today I finished the dress and brought it to the boutique. The client will try and hopefully happy with the dress. She'll go there next Friday as the boutique manager said to me. I also told the manager that if there's anything that the client unhappy with the dress, she could return it to me to have it fixed or if she decided that she won't take it, she could as well return it with no charge, no problem. 

I'm trying my best but I also know I have limits. I seriously plan to find a workshop, a dressmaker, a sewing professionals if I want to go further. I can't force my self to do everything by my self anymore. I have many other things I need to take care of, my sanity and my family are my first priority. 

Porte Ouverte @ Ateapic Boutique.

The boutique where I put some of my creations for sale was having an open house (journée porte ouverte) last Saturday April 05th 2014.

They were also organizing an aperitif from 11.30am to 14.00pm for all visitors came to our boutique. It was a lovely and delicious moments, I may say .. they prepared high quality teas (that's where the A"TEA"pic name came from), as they're also selling teas from Tea forte there too. They made a yummy snacks (like freshly made guacamole, for which I adored) ..

 

I got customer who bought 2 of my creations in Batik fabric (one blouse and another a tunic/blouse) .. I was quite surprised with how Swiss people appreciate batik .. I actually got an encouragement from the manager to choose slightly better quality of batik, as people liked them but sometimes they saw some dirt or spots on the fabric. I took note of this. I should pick my own fabric first hand, not ask people to pick them for me from now on ... and I won't buy from traditional markets anymore. I knew some good suppliers online and I will stick with them for now.

 

The day ended at 17.00 pm. I was a bit tired but happy. Tired because I worked hard to complete the new collections that is, and not because of the event. After closing time, we still have time to enjoy the sun with hubby and the kids we went to France for grocery shop and had dinner in McDo! .. haha .. :)

Simpel Blouses.

I've made blouses (with collar) as per request from the boutique manager. She said she'd love to have batik blouses for women in her shop (also for herself) .. hehe .. so I made some blouses to show her and to let her pick one for herself.

 

Next week I hope I could finish all the clothing for the boutique, so I can start to concentrate on my preparation and creation for May's exhibition in Morges.

Here's some of the blouses that I've made last Friday:

It starts to get more interesting and promising :)

Today I've received sales report for the last two months from the boutique where I put some of my creations in. It's not bad at all .. I thank God for all of these ..

I will continue this path, will be making more creations and exploring more opportunities ... maybe to find a small workshop where I could ask people to assembly my creations .. that way I could make and produce more of my creations .. little by little .. petit-à-petit .. à petits pas :D

What a month! ..

2014 seems to start with a very good start. My manager in the boutique said that people appreciated my creations. With a price that is reasonable (for me) and affordable (to the clientele of the boutique) they were really happy.

 

They said with that kind of price range, they couldn't believe they can afford a creations from a createur/trice (designers) .. so they're happy, it's a bliss.

 

In December and January selling report for <<Petits Pas - handmade creations>> - my brand, were very positive. A good start, a positive turnout for the boutique as well - like the manager said: it's unusual for winter (Dec/Jan) people shop in this boutique specially for local designers (start-up designers) and it's a lovely surprise to her (and to me too, actually).

So we scheduled a meeting last Tuesday Jan 28th 2014 in the boutique on the afternoon. She wanted to discuss the next step and I wanted to show them my newest creations as well. The meeting was a successful one, I'm very happy to know that the boutique is ready to take more of my creations and renew the contract on March this year. Oh! and the manager also pre-ordered some stuffs for herself! .. hehe .. I should start making things again, and also for the UNICréa exhibition in May! .. I'm very exciting :D

Fabric Hunting

I got a chance to meet an old friend in Brussels, Belgium, who agreed to take me to some interesting fabric shops in Brussels. I need to prepare for May exhibition and to make the spring-summer 2014 collections for the boutique, so fabric hunt had started again :)

 

My friend took me to 2 places: BERGER Textile and GO TEX. Both had a very reasonable price and fairly good collections. The first one look like a warehouse and the place was a bit smaller and older than the second, but with the price slightly cheaper (started from 2 euros/m for knits fabrics) I spend more time and chose more fabrics here than in the other shop. I'm happy with both shops though ..

 

Now holiday's almost over, we arrived home last night at around 21.30 pm after long hours drive, just enough time before the fireworks started marked the end of 2013 and the new year 2014 arrives. We had so many things to thank for in 2013 and we hope 2014 will bring us more things to be thankful :)

 

 

Happy New Year 2014!

Season's greetings

I'm very happy to know that some of my creations in the Boutique Ateapic were already sold .. and the boutique manager said that she's enthusiastic for spring (it means she's looking forward to receive my creations for spring/summer 2014) which is a good sign.

 

I stopped by in the boutique yesterday to buy some teas for xmas gift to special friends and the shop assistant told me the good news .. oh you can't describe how I felt, happy, relieved, exciting all rolled into one. I feel optimistic and can't wait to start creating again!! :D

 

Meanwhile, I'd like to wish everyone happy holidays and all the best for 2014!

xoxo.

Incubateur des talents

The boutique I collaborate with is a place for creative people, designers, makers, creators. Their slogan is "Incubateur des talents" or incubator of talents. A place, especially with support staff and equipment, made available to new small businesses. For a "startup" like me, it's one step to progress, so I can say to my customers, my clients, people, family and friends that my creations are now available in this boutique, in this address. This is my "showroom" together with other creations from people in the business.

 

I'm glad they took some of my creations, so I have more space at home to prepare for the next local designer exhibition in Morges on May, that I hopefully could participate again :)

I noted what the founder of Ikea - Ingvar Kamprad, said:

The most dangerous poison is the feeling of achievement. The antidote is to every evening think what can be done better tomorrow.

yes, what can be done better tomorrow? keep exploring ...

 

My first contract with a Boutique!

I thank God for all His blessings and guidance that I've made another step for my sewing adventure. I got a collaboration contract with a boutique here in Geneva, Switzerland. After a fashion show, and now a collaboration with a boutique I feel so lucky and blessed and I can't believe I could go this far ..

 

It's true that I did all the hard work, but I also feel very grateful for the support I got from my family (my husband and our daughters) and friends. They know this is something I love to do, it's my dream to be able to run my own small business from home, and still be able to be close to our daughters and show them a positive activity hopefully they could learn from it as well. I always keep in mind that actions speak louder than your words. You are your child’s role model. How you speak to and treat others is usually replicated.

 

And one thing I'll show them: courage, positive attitudes and self-esteem. The three most important ingredients in life, especially if you are being a foreigner in a foreign country. Being a minority. Stay true to yourself. Respect yourself. Others will do the same to you.