Cocktails & Chat | Meet the Maker Sara Jayne Slocombe

Meet the maker! I so enjoyed chatting with the fabulous Teresa Bettelley of Shirley Rainbow! She specialises in fun, cheerful embroidered pieces that bring a smile.

We talked over some strawberry daiquiris about how she got started, the joy of spontaneity, the importance of great photography, the joys of building a network of makers (community over competition), top tips for your first online and in-person craft markets, the brilliant Lucy Worsley, how Teresa likes to spend her free time, what brings her the most joy, and more.

Highlights in this episode include:


Teresa's top tips for your first online and in-person craft markets
The benefits of collaboration over competition
The joy of the spontaneity afforded by running your own business

Teresa's Website

Teresa's Instagram

Things we mentioned in this episode:

The soundtrack for Amélie

Lucy Worsley

Teresa's tutorials

Full show notes are available at

https://www.bookkeepingformakers.co.uk/cc11


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If you know nothing or very little about aromatherapy, this is the episode for you! Caroline and I geeked out about aromatherapy, how it works, some of the science behind it, CBD, the wondrousness of plants, our shared joy of connecting through story, natural skincare, some of her top tips of scents and favourite blends, and so much more. 



Caroline is a Perfumer and Aromatherapist. Seeker and formulator of scents. Grounded in the art and science of natural botanical ingredients, Caroline cleanly and consciously formulates custom personal care products as the founder of Peripherie Botanicals. She is dedicated to empowering others in a shift to conscious, aromatherapeutic beauty that connects the mind, body, and soul. She is also a researcher of olfaction, sensory technologist, writer, and creative design strategist having built a successful career in the fashion industry.



We enjoyed frozen sgroppinos in this episode. To make your own, mix 1 part vodka, 1 part limoncello, 1 part lemon sorbet, and 1 splash of prosecco.



Highlights in this episode include:


What are essential oils and how do they work?
Caroline shares her top tips for scents to help combat overwhelm and stress
A very brief introduction to CBD for the complete beginner
For her doctoral research, Caroline made a robot with a brain-controlled interface to create a live symphony of different smells based on your thoughts!



Connect with Caroline:



The Senusous Peripheries Podcast



Peripherie Botanicals Instagram



Caroline's Instagram



Caroline's free CBD Aromatherapy for Well-being in Perimenopause Guide



All of Caroline's links



This is episode 10 of my Cocktails & Chat series, a community-building project for makers to share the highs and lows of business and making and make it a bit less lonely. 



Full show notes


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Temi and I chatted about diversity, business, vision for the future, sales platforms, languages, the importance of understanding that beauty is intrinsic rather than something acquired or consumed, wholesaling, and much more!



We talked about the importance of bringing diversity to children's toy boxes - including diverse races, skin tones, heights, abilities, and more. Seeing ourselves reflected in the stories around us is vital at every age, because it helps us feel more seen, which helps to build a sense of belonging.



We talked about how vital building a solid foundation of identity in childhood is, so that when we experiment with our looks and our style later on it comes from a place of fun rather than a place of fear. It's too easy to end up changing your identity to fit in if you aren't yet solid on who you are. 



As always, we also chatted about business and ourselves a bit. Temi currently knows 5 languages! She also shared her top 3 tips for outsourcing production, in case you want to make the shift to being a designer rather than a maker-designer. The importance of market testing and market research cropped up a few times in our conversation, too.



We chatted over delicious Shirley Temples, which was the first time either of us had made one. Since we recorded this in April, the drink become a firm favourite in Temi's household! To make your own, mix 4 parts Sprite and/or ginger ale plus 1 part grenadine, garnished with maraschino cherries.



Highlights in this episode include:

* The vital importance of celebrating diversity of many sorts to lay firm foundations for your children's development.

* How learning from past failures means you don't ever really fail. Take sensible precautions in the planning, but don't be afraid of failure.

* Things to consider when choosing sales platforms for your business

* The importance to Temi of trying to understand others - through her language studies, market research, and throughout life.



This is episode 9 of my Cocktails & Chat series, a community-building project for makers and artisans to share the highs and lows of business and making and make it a bit less lonely. 



1:28 Introducing Amaris & Chaya

3:24 The genesis Amaris & Chaya

8:26 The importance of celebrating that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes

11:38 Why it's important to bring racial diversity into children's toy boxes

16:12 Temi's vision for Amaris & Chaya

18:47 Temi's history of entrepreneurship

20:06 What do you wish you knew before you started your business?

21:59 A discussion about wholesale and research

25:10 The importance of surrounding yourself as an entrepreneur with a strong supportive networking

27:28 Temi's top 3 tips for outsourcing production

30:43 New clothes and dolls in the works - and the value of listening to your customers

32:20 What popular products have surprised Temi

36:28 Choosing sales platforms for your business

41:08 What Temi loves to read to unwind

42:10 Temi, the up and coming polyglot!

48:45 The importance of family to Temi

49:45 How do you know when a piece is finished?

51:04 Future plans for Amaris & Chaya



Amaris & Chaya Website



Amaris & Chaya Instagram



Complete show notes


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It was such a joy to meet and interview Monique Misha Wiles of Amazing Hats UK, who makes cute little dragons, rats, and hats! She crochets them as small as 1" high often using hand-dyed thread by Sophie Abell of The Stitchy Ferret, who I must thank for connecting Monique and me.



Monique has been crocheting for 20 years and started her business in 2010 making hats. She then branched into dolls, and now mainly makes dragons. It's a niche market, but she loves that what she makes brings joy to people. Her enthusiastic fans/friends inspire her and motivate her to keep doing what she does.



We chatted over a mocktail Tequila Sunrise about business, making, and ourselves. Grab your own drink and listen now!



Highlights in this episode include:


Misha's journey through hats, dolls, and dragons
Using sale dates instead of making to order
Building a community for fans
Getting inspiration from looking at artists working in different media
Meeting Misha's pet rats



Connect with Misha:


Website
Instagram
Facebook Sale Group
Facebook Page



Full show notes




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It was such a joy to meet and interview Jacqueline, master graphic designer and stationer of Paper Willow. I just adore her work - I love stationery, and I love her style for my personal correspondence. I could easily bankrupt myself in her shop!



We chatted over a raspberry mojito and a blood orange mimosa about business, making, and ourselves. Listen now!



Highlights in this episode include:

💌 The never-ending journey of developing your artistic style

💌 The importance of questioning received wisdom - and how you can be so much better off if you do

💌 Jacqueline's experience of someone infringing on her copyright

💌 The psychological boost of winning awards - which are surprisingly long-lasting!

💌 How an idea becomes a card



This is episode 7 of my Cocktails & Chat series, a community-building project for makers and artisans to share the highs and lows of business and making and make it a bit less lonely. For more community, do join my Facebook group Handmade Business Club UK.



Find Jacqueline online:



Paper Willow Website



Paper Willow on Instagram



Paper Willow on Etsy



Paper Willow on Not on the High Street



Full show notes are available at:

https://amethystraccoon.co.uk/cc7


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Join Sophie Abell, The Dye Wizard of The Stitchy Ferret, and me. We chatted about cocktails, business, dyeing fabrics and more, balancing the demands of family and business, and her exciting new projects and plans!



It was such a delight to chat with Sophie. I learned a lot about her craft and journey, and I just loved getting to know her. I hope you do, too!



Highlights in this episode include:

🧙 Tips for making time for your business with an active toddler on hand

🧙 The importance of running a values-led business

🧙 The importance of building a community to have a good sounding board

🧙 Some thoughts on the practicalities of transitioning your following from buying on Etsy to buying from your own website



This is episode 6 of my Cocktails & Chat series, a community-building project for makers and artisans to share the highs and lows of business and making and make it a bit less lonely. For more community, do join my Facebook group Handmade Business Club UK.



The Stitchy Ferret on Instagram



The Stitchy Ferret's Website



The Stitchy Ferret on Facebook



The Stitchy Ferret's Crafty Corner Facebook group



Ferret Dyeworks on Instagram



Ferret Dyeworks Website



Sophie's Patreon



Full show notes


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