where have you been up to? ...

Hi, it's been a while since my last posting here, yeah? ...

Well, blame it on the summer holiday, to the kids back to school's changing routines (one kid goes to junior high now) so, all activities have also changed schedules ... and mostly blame it on the flu bugs! I caught a cold couple of days ago, sneezing, runny nose, coughing, eye itching ... you name it! ... I had it all ... still having it right now (the bad cough, won't go away so soon, I hate it) ...

So, that's about all for the updates. But I made some lovely things too in between those crazy times. I managed to host one day bazar and book signing with my good friends in Jakarta during our summer holiday (yes, I write children books and they get published, so I kind of make an effort to help the publisher in promoting and selling the books series).

I managed to make some new creations (which some of them already booked online) and still in a creation phase to complete my new supplies for Ateapic boutique. 

Okay, I better get going now, gotta fetch my little one ...

See you next post :)

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.

The Clients

Some of my customers send me pictures of them wearing clothes made by me. It made me feel very happy and appreciated. I guess that's how we all feel when we see our work on display. And the most important thing for me is when the customers are happy, it makes me feel happier (and accomplished) ... I guess it's true what YSL said: 

-- Yves Saint Laurent

17th edition UNIcréa - Ended.

For this edition, it's my second participation. Last year I got a chance to be inside a warmer room than this year. I don't have any idea why the weather was so bad this year, it rained for the 2 days of the exhibition and a strong wind almost blew away all stands under the tents outside the castle.

 

I don't know, but I think I better stop doing exhibition for some times and concentrate to collaborate with more boutique créateurs, and people's order. And maybe small exhibitions by invitation like bazaar or open houses will be more advantageous ...

 

During the exhibition I sold some of my creations, but still far from break even with the amount of money that I've invested on a place for my stand. But I had many new contacts and hopefully will become future customers. That's why we're doing this in a first place. To showcase my work and to get feedback from public. I received many admirations from visitors during this exhibition and they're giving me the courage to continue. Positive feedback always good for your soul and well-being ... :)
 

D - 3

Today I received email from the founder (she usually sent this to everyone who'll be participating in the exhibition): "Trust yourself, you'll be ready in time. In any case, knowing that we have trust in you .." together with reminder of what time we have to start our stand installations.

 

So far I think I've done enough.
With all of my restrictions, the resource, the time, the fabrics, the budget, the energy that I guess every moms could understand how challenging it is to work from home. I have absolutely no help during each preparations whether I work to complete a collection for the boutique or for the exhibitions .. I usually asked for a help at the last preparation, usually a day before D day, and during the event.

 

This is my 2nd time joining UNICréa and I have a wonderful memory of the last edition I participated. The famous creative exhibition of 100% creations without sponsor. The hustle and bustle and hope that all of us bring to this event after months of hard work. How to be focus to finish all items in relatively short period? will our hard work pay off? will we gain fortune? ... we don't know, we don’t focus on all of the stuff we had to go through to get to the end, we focus on the outcome. If things don’t end well though, I guess we feel free to whine a little and then we usually get back up again. That's how we go on, how we survive, how we are. We just have to keep our hope up high and have faith in what we do.

ONE MORE WEEK to go!

UNICréa exhibition will start next week (May 1st, 2014) and I still making some clothing here. I couldn't fully concentrate in creating and finishing all items that I'd like to make, especially when it's an Easter break, school holiday, hubby and kids at home, and all of them need my attentions too, from preparing their meals, going out, etc ... it's not that I didn't enjoy their company, it's just that I couldn't fully focus working on my projects. But I got to do it anyway, I wanted to add more items and I hope the 4 days exhibition could be at least as successful as the one I had last year, better if I could.

 

I might be put a stress on myself by setting a target, but well .. I know I'm hard on myself sometimes. I guess just because I already worked hard - with all restrictions that I have right now, limited time, limited energy, limited money. I hope I could have the best from what I did. But I also reminded my self to not forget to have fun. It's true that, if we have nothing to loose then we get more relaxed, less stressful whether it will be successful or not. So I might just let it be ...

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be ... whisper words of wisdom, let it be :D

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 .. :)