As a mature weaver of some years experience my handmade business has largely been about making it up as I go along. You could perhaps view it kindly as organically grown!
I have been lucky in that my fascination with handmade textiles means I am always reading about trends and colour forecasts on social media, trend spotter articles in the press and listening to relevant podcasts. I’m always immersed in the textile world and aware of fashion even though I may not apply it in my own personal arena. This means my work remains relevant even though weaving is perhaps the oldest craft of humankind!
I socialise in Artisan circles mopping up inspiration all around me from many different disciplines. It means my handwoven work has its own artistic voice although I view myself in terms of a technician. I’m about making available high quality handwoven textiles for our homes and accessories for our everyday lives. My work is about filling that niche of well made homewares that seem so hard to find in the commercial environs. Making textiles choices that support longevity and lifestyle is my passion.
What I’m less able at is running a business that fulfils my exacting standards and keeps my creativity buzzing while still being able to cover my bills. While the interest in quality handmade is increasing dramatically from even just a decade ago, there is still a lasting impression that handmade means homemade and therefore has less value than generic, low quality and poorly finished commercially made textiles.
I can’t change that perception overnight but what I can do is take control of my own pricing. I’ve begun working with the ever kind, generous and supremely talented Sarah Curley of Cornwall Shop Small fame.
https://www.cornwallshopsmall.co.uk/small-biz-hub
Our first task was to examine under a microscope every single cost associated with each type of cloth I make. Factors like the weight of thread and the width I most frequently use was recorded on spreadsheets. In tandem we looked at what products made sense to sell at Artisan Fairs and also in my own online webshop. Sarah worked out warp plans to avoid any waste and provide a cohesive product offering. It meant culling some old favourites and refashioning how some items are sold. It was novel to actually understand I could pay myself an hourly rate and not spin plates to live until the next Fair date. I measured time spent against each activity in both weaving and sewing. We began to allocate these costings against each product.
After consultation I decided to pay myself a living wage for my time but add a much smaller margin than than is standard to cover some of the overheads involved in running my business. By doing this I’m hoping to balance my need to make a living while trying to keep my creations as accessible to as many people as possible. I made a huge list of all the things that Godrevy Textiles needs to fund over and beyond raw materials. If you have ever done this you will know what an eye opening exercise this is and yes it’s going to be a challenge! From web site management, SEO expertise, photography, Fair fees, travel to business cards and sew in labels. Having digested what my minimum prices need to be the fun part began.
Working with Sarah on my Stand design was exhilarating. After considering who my customers generally are and how they like to shop I sold my existing set up and decided on a new look. For me the lightbulb moment was separating homewares from accessories. Displaying them with equal presence on the stand but in entirely different ways.
There will need to be a part two to this blog as I work through under my mentors guidance to review marketing, advertising, which Fairs to apply to and how to reflect my new approach through my website.
There are certainly times when I thought can I really manage all this on top of my weaving and home life schedule but Sarah kept me ever encouraged and focused on the immediate goal ahead.
I feel better equipped than ever to continue working in the world of handmade however hard AI knocks at the door! In my view the value of human made is set to soar. At last I know my own worth and won’t be afraid to ask for it.
