Preparation for Marché des Créateurs

It will be my first time joining Marché des Créateurs at l'Usine de Genève on December 13th. It looks fun. Crowded but fun.

 

Every craft fairs or Christmas market have their own unique ambience. I tried bigger scale of exhibitions before like in Palexpo and UniCréa both twice, and many smaller scale of exhibition and one day bazar. Bigger fairs were less fun, because in our head we were worried if we didn't make enough to pay back the fees - which often quite expensive for a small scale of homemade businesses.

 

I took notes too that I gained more in smaller scale fairs, because firstly the rent was cheaper for a stand (or a table) even sometimes it's free. People who came to these fairs were fairly easy to open their wallet as my stuffs were also affordable. The worst fair was the one I participated across the border last time (as I need to pay "service" in custom, I lost 160 CHF last time for an expedition bureau who's work was only fill-in a tax form and handed it to the custom office upstairs - which actually I can do it myself, plus 40 Euros for tax I had to pay for France custom). So, one experience was enough.

 

Okay, so right now I'm in the middle of preparation. This time I will make more fun clothing for kids. I'll remake animal capes and thinking to make animal themed shift dresses for girls in fleece fabrics. I had sketched some of the items before going fabric purchase this week end.

fun fleece dresses sketches.

 

What do you think? :D

 

A moment of pure joy ..

"To me, true success is happiness. From that has come two key things: passion and persistence. When I have done things only because it was what others highly valued, I did a few good things. When I have pursued the things that make my heart sing, I have done something great. And not because it was easy or I got it right from the start, but simply because I loved it enough and believed in it enough to keep at it."

—Jessica Herrin, CEO/founder of Stella & Dot jewelry and accessories company.

I am blessed, I should not forget to feel blessed and grateful whenever possible. God has given me so many good things : my health, my bright daughters, my hard-working and caring, loving husband, my talents, my skills, my published books, my clothing creations that people bought with delights, my good friends that truly care for me ... those things are really priceless ...

 

During 1 month after the exhibition I managed to sell enough through online orders just to keep me going. I have enough time to create what people had ordered from me and that I haven't got the time to do it while busy preparing exhibitions.

 

Next month, in July we'll take a summer vacation to our home country, Indonesia. In July (9th) we'll also going to vote for Indonesian next president. It's been a very HOT campaign going on right now, we just hope for the best outcome, none of the 2 candidates are perfect, but we still have to hope for a better leader and a better future for Indonesian people. Our country is a rich country (rich in natural resource and in human resource) but unlucky to have a rotten corruption government. I think our people must change their mental attitude. The system, the justice, must work and clean from bribes, so people could really believe and have faith in their government again. 

 

During our vacation, I had planned to visit some places (also to look for a small garment factory-workshop) to help me assemble my designs. Planned to make a small sewing & craft selling event (and also books signing) with a bunch of friends in one small coffee shop near my best friend's place, just to invite friends and relatives who also like to buy my creations but can't get them due to the long distance shipping. So yes, I'm going to take some of my stock and of course my new creations as well. It's so exciting just to imagine it all right now ...

Meanwhile, I love - I live .. and in between, I create.

Start with simplest start ..

On the 2nd day of New Year (which was yesterday), I returned a call from the organizer of an exhibition that will be held in Morges 1-4 May 2014. She called me while I was on vacation. She asked me if I still want to participate and congratulated me on my first collection in a boutique.

 

I'm so grateful to meet lovely personalities so far when doing exhibition or collaboration with a boutique. I thank God for His generosity so I could meet special people like them. They're all kind, helpful, professional, humble and generous ... if doing business with them, I don't feel some kind of "intimidation" like when we work in other business (office, big corporate, etc ..) well, you know ... I used to work for Vuitton (LV) branch in Indonesia and I know how it felt like.

 

Well, I don't want to talk about that anymore, anyway it's over 15 years ago. Now I'm happy with what I do and what I have achieved in a year. 2013 was my special year. I hope 2014 will also bring me special outcome. I know that to get to this point I've done hard works day in, day out. But because I love what I'm doing, it didn't feel so hard, I enjoyed it and I'm still very exciting to create more for this year! that's why I plan to participate again in an exhibition on May this year. It will be the only exhibition for this year, why? because I don't think I will go back to do an exhibition in Palexpo in autumn.

 

My priorities now is this exhibition in May, special orders from clients and creations for the boutique (which I need to hand them in March for Spring-Summer collections). So with those priorities in mind, today I start with a simple start: sewing jersey. It could be a tshirt, a dress, anything .. I'd like to try out more techniques that I've never tried before like: making a rolled hem with a serger, and double stitch hem for the tshirt using a double needle. Those technical skills in sewing that I think I must posses to make my creations look more like "professionals" (industrial) ... like those outfits that we see in the store :)

 

I note this for my self:

"Don't be afraid to make mistake. Because by making a mistake you learned something, you are making new things, trying new things, changing yourself, pushing yourself, you're doing things you've never done before"  

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.

 

 

Stand No. A28

Got my stand number today, and here's the map of the event on 15,16,17 November 2013:

Petits Pas on Place aux artistes et créateurs 2013, Palexpo, Genève.

Each piece has its story ..

One of the good thing about doing your own creations from scratch is, even though we are no longer have it, we keep the memory of it, forever. This whole thing has given me fond memories of people and places, of panic and relieve, of fears and courage, of laughs and tears .. of friends and customers .. all people I’ve met during my journey as a dressmaker, designer, créatrice, whatever people may call it.

And maybe because I’m a bit of a story teller my-self, I tend to my put the journey into words. For one day if I’m not around anymore, I still got something to tell, hopefully to encourage my daughters or maybe other people so they could go further and higher than their dreams …

Now about the story of this piece (the sleeveless dress):

it's SOLD to a woman name Sophie. It was a competition piece for last edition of UniCréa exhibition in Château de Morges that I participated last April 2013. I wasn’t meant to sell it at first, because the fabric I got was the only piece that I had, it was one of a gift from my good friend. I wanted to keep it for my-self.

But Sophie insisted, I told her it was a competition dress and I should keep it until the last day of the exhibition that lasted 4 days. She still insisted, I said, “well try it on first, see how it looks on you and then we'll see ..” … She did. She tried it on, and she loved it. She was taller than me, and I'm a bit worried that the length wasn't long enough for her, she said the length was okay. So as promised, I sold the dress to her BUT in one condition: she got to wait, she could have it on the last day of the exhibition. She agreed, and she paid the dress on spot, booked. I was as happy as her, actually .. or you could say, I was happy to see her happy ...

Now when I remember this, it always bring smile to my face … it was a simple design, but I’m sure that the lovely fabrics that attract the public.

In memory of “123 soleil” dress J

 

Colors of Autumn

The Autumn Exhibition is in about a month now. My days are filled with cutting and sewing. I'm making many things from bonnets, winter capes, tunics, dresses, tops, etc ... and yes, only with my two hands and feet :)

 

I remember a friend once asked: "where are you making all these stuffs?" ... where?, here, at home in my bedroom and our sitting room .. in this apartment. But well, if I ever going to make this exhibitions a routines, then I think I should have a workshop. But how? ... *sigh* .. I'll figure it out somehow, someday ... 

 

Okay, for now .. I only do what I gotta do, I'll do what I could with what I have .. I'm still learning and I wanted to continue to upgrade my skills ...

Exhibition in November!

I received all the official documents for next month exhibition in Palexpo. Still need to pay for the stand though .. heheh :)

Sooooo yeap, busy days ahead. Making more clothes, as this year there will be a fashion show with Miss and Mister Suisse Romande as models. They will be wearing creations from the participants in the exhibition (Les Automnales and Place aux artistes et des créateurs). Exciting ...

15th Edition of UNICrea

Yup, it's done!

From 26-29 April I was going back and forth from Geneva to Morges. Thank you for my supporting family, husband and our daughters, friends and neighbors who were all so kind to help us looking after the kids after school. I've done better this time, I sold 14 items in 4 days exhibition, which is not bad for a second time participation in a creative events.

Thank you to the organizer who has given me a chance to participate, who selected me to join in the UNICrea (Univers Creative), the creative universe :)

Today I'm taking a rest before starting to make things again for AIJ's Bazaar in Grand Saconnex on May 25th. AIJ is the Indonesian Association in Geneva and it's their first public event and first bazaar. Oh, and yes .. today I got a business proposal from an owner of a crepes resto in Rolle to make employee's tshirts, he invited me to come to Rolle this coming Saturday to talk about the design, wish me luck ... even this only for 4 employees in the beginning, but it shows me how people seriously appreciate the things that I do. Thank you God ... you're very kind to me ... you gave me a little bit of sunshine after the storms ;)

setting up the stand on Friday morning

Last exhibition day on Monday

My 2nd Exhibition!

Please mark your agenda, and don't forget to bring everyone to UNICrea at Chateau de Morges, Vaud, Switzerland on 26-29 April 2013 as I will be there to participate in this 15th Edition Creative Fiesta! :)

I've done it !!!! :D

The First Edition of Place Aux Artistes et Createurs (15-18 Nov 2012) is now over. We're packed up and go. Leaving Palexpo for (hopefully) returning again next year :)

what I've learned from this experience is priceless! .. what I've learned from other participants is worth more than the money that I've spend for my first exhibition .. no pain, no gain .. all we have to do is to make the next event even better.

I've learned to handle the month-long stress, afraid that I couldn't make it. I've learned to be focus on priority task in daily basis, to set a target in each steps. I've learned to handle my feelings too, after all we're just a human, we have all the ups and down, high and low .. and what I've learned from other participants is their helpful and supportive attitude, their professionalism and kindness ... I feel blessed, thank you God.

Petits Pas - Fait Maison booth no A29 @ Geneva Palexpo.

Place Aux Artistes et Créateurs, Palexpo, Geneva.

This month BIG event and BIG step for me and "Petits Pas" :

http://www.placeauxartistes.ch/

This is my first time participating in such event. I'm doing it all by my self, with a very restricted time .. it's just so normal if I'm a bit nervous, but I'm also very excited! :) 

One more week to go ... *huff, inhale, exhale*

Flowery bag

Yes more bags please ..

This one is using the same pattern as the blue bag I've made last time. The fabric is a "coupon" only some 70 cm long from a textile shop, and just nice to make a bag. I've finished it with brown lace trimming (the lace I got from a friend, most probably bought in Daiso, SG). So, beige n brown flower bag or blue n white bag? hhmm ... both?! :)

always pretty and practical :)

Cosmetic Pouch/Trousse à maquillage!

I've told ya I'm going to make a matching pouch from the vintage flower fabric I've found in the flea market, so here it is:

organized your bits and pieces in this lovely pouch! :)

next, maybe a laptop or tablet pouch? .. why not!

the making ..

a bag a la CK :)

I've found this lovely flowery fabric in a flea market, only enough to make one bag and (perhaps later, cosmetic pouch) .. the fabric is classic, reminds me of Cath Kidston's bags .. I negotiated the price with the seller and got it for 3 chf .. what a bliss!.

With a very restricted length of fabric, I imagined to make a simple rectangular bag with a strap and a couple of cosmetic pouches. The blue strap I've got long time ago in Daiso, SG for sgd 2 a packet. This is how the bag looks like, like it? ... :)

I also put a snap button inside the bag

to a library or simply go shopping with it ..

pretty and practical :)

Blue Bag with lace trimming

Pattern from magazine "Coudre est facile" hors série summer 2011.

The blue fabric I got from leftover fabric in Acacias Textile shop around 70-90 cm (I don't remember the exact length), the lining I made from Batik Bali with sea creatures motif and make the trimming with lace from Daiso, SG. Voilà le resultat! :

blue bag with lace trimming

more and more bags!

I've been sewing any kind of bags (yup, to fill in the store! ;-D) ... I practiced using different kind of fabrics, models and techniques .. I used cotton, coated cotton, cotton-polyester, linen and almost always .. batik prints to accentuate the bag and finished it with magnetic buttons (or zipper, later) .. and here's the bags that I've created so far: 

http://petits-pas.fait-maison.com/

Online Boutique

I've found this site http://www.fait-maison.com/ while clicking one site from bibliothèques municipales Genève and thought of giving it a try ..

I've been looking for a similar site like Etsy but closer to where we live .. and this one is the closest I could get at the moment .. I haven't search a similar site inside Switzerland yet, maybe they have one too. Fait Maison in fact more interesting for me as it offers FREE selling handmade products (pas d'abonnement ni de commissions sur les ventes) or no need to pay a commission to the site like Etsy did. Well, why not giving it a go and see how it goes ...

So, if you happen to live in Switzerland or France, feel free to see my collections and if you like it, now you can buy it :) Just go to http://petits-pas.fait-maison.com/

My First Online Shop (still on trial)