EXCITING NEWS - It's BIG, it's HUGE, it's MASSIVE!!!

Well hello,

I think I've probably said it on every blog post in the last few months that each time I write a new one I feel like a stranger here!  It has just become so incredibly manic and time just passes so quickly.  It's right what they say you know, the older you get the quicker the time goes...

I wanted to give you an update on my business re-brand, tell you what I've been up to lately and to share my exciting news.

Since my last blog post I have been busy running various sewing workshops.  I absolutely adore doing them.

As some of you know I will be launching a luxury range of products soon.  I have realised that there are simply so many crafty businesses out there and that I need to do something to stand out and be different.  I don't want to be the same as everyone else, I want to be me and have a product and a brand that is unique to me.  I therefore decided some time ago that in order to do this I need to invest in my business.  I don't want to be known as simply a crafty type earning pocket money from a hobby.  As part of this re-brand I have had a new logo designed which you have all seen and which I absolutely adore.  I will have a new gorgeous website which will go live soon and which will showcase my new range of products and the biggest thing I have invested in so far is to employ a fantastic photographer to really make the most of my products.

Want to see a sneak peek of some gorgeous photographs my photographer has taken???  Which will also give you a sneak peek of some of my new luxury products???

Here you go...

These are large fragrant lavender bags.  And when I say large they really are large!!  They are made from gorgeous 100% cotton and the back of the bag matches the fabric of the heart on the front.  There will be lots of fabric choice to choose from.  Each heart on the front has been stitched by hand and finished off with locally sourced vintage buttons.  I have blended lavender grown in Yorkshire's award winning lavender farm and each bag has been beautifully hand embroidered and tied with jute string.

You may have seen these heart decorations before.  I have blended gorgeous 100% cotton fabric with Liberty fabric which is absolutely stunning.  Completely hand stitched (very time consuming).  Each one features locally sourced vintage buttons plus a hand made ceramic button which is simply stunning.  Finished with an elegant lace trim, filled with a generous helping of hollow fibre and an ivory satin hanger.

I really cannot wait to show you my full range of new cushions because I am so proud of them.  Just wait until you see the close ups and the detail of these.  This cushion shown here is one of my square 18" x 18" ones which is really large and squishy and really has a luxury feel to it.  I have blended 100% cotton fabric with a sumptuous duck feather pad, which is of a 5* hotel quality and which has a anti dust mite down proof fabric.  I have added locally sourced vintage buttons, elegant lace trim and beautifully crafted crochet flowers.  Each cushion front has been completely hand sewn which is incredibly time consuming given their size.  The cushion has an envelope back and has been quadruple (yes I did say quadruple) sewn to make this an investment purchase which if looked after will last a lifetime.  The fabric for the writing is the same fabric on the reverse side of the cushion which means you can use it either way for a different look.

All of these products and many more will be able to be purchased from my new website when it is up and running soon.  I cannot wait to show you my full range and the rest of the product photographs.

The last photograph I am going to show you before I reveal my BIG NEWS is this one...

This is me.  Surrounded by all of my creations, fabric, buttons and 1923 vintage Singer sewing machine.  I am completely in love with my job, it makes me so happy and because of this it does not feel like work at all...

Because of this I am so excited to share my BIG EXCITING NEWS WITH YOU ALL...

Are you ready for it?

As from the 1st November I will have left my day job as a Legal Assistant and will be FULL TIME SELF EMPLOYED.  This is such a huge thing for me.  It has come to the point where if I don't try it now I will never try it.  I have to be brave and give it a go.

I AM SO EXCITED!!!  After less than two years hard work I finally feel that this could actually work for me.  Even though I will be standing on my own two feet from the 1st, me and my husband are hoping to do something that weekend to celebrate, possibly by going on a mini break so I will start my full time self employed working week from Monday 4th November 2013.  EEEEEEEKKKKKK!!!!  

I am very pleased that some items from my new range of products are now able to be found in a lovely new shop in Taibach, Port Talbot (Bows, Flowers & Gifts which was formerly Allan's Flowers) from today which means you will be able to not only see but also purchase products from my new range before their official launch!!  YAY :-)

SO, Sweet Williams will soon have 3 elements which are: -

1.  Workshops, sewing kits and haberdashery.

The small sewing workshops will continue in libraries.  I will be organising further larger sewing workshops soon and will also be introducing group sewing machine workshops where you can come to learn how to use a machine and take away something you have made.  These will be simple workshops such as how to make a cushion cover and pegs bags and bunting etc.  I am also excited to be able to offer soon one to one sessions in your own home.  Watch this space for more information.  I already have some sewing kits available but I will be designing some new ones and which will be beautifully packaged and will make lovely gifts.  I will be stocking a lovely range of haberdashery items which will be perfect for those wanting to make their own things.

2.  Luxury Living

Luxury living is something I am so incredibly passionate about and which will make up the biggest part of my business.  Everyone can buy a cushion but a Sweet Williams luxury cushion is a real treat.  You will know you have purchased a genuine Sweet Williams luxury item if you see the gorgeous branded wooden button which is sewn onto each item.  I will be launching lots of gorgeous seasonal items soon too.  Alongside my new range of luxury handmade products I will have a small range of non handmade gifts for the home which I know you will love.

3.  Consultancy Service

Lastly, I am so passionate about business and helping others that by the New Year I should have Sweet Williams Consultancy Services up and running.  I use websites, blogs and social media sites a lot and I have learnt how important they are in business.  I see so many other businesses using them and not to their full potential or even worse, not using them at all.  I will be offering a service where I can look at how a business is using these things and how that business can improve on using them or can help in setting them up from scratch and how to maintain them.  I will look forward to helping other businesses grow and to help them make more money.

I am incredibly excited knowing that in a matter of weeks I will be full time self employed but I am incredibly nervous, stressed, worried and anxious all at the same time.  I know that the next six months in particular will be very tough and will involve hard work and plenty of sleepless nights but I am keeping everything crossed that things will work out just fine and that I shall be proud that I will be my own boss, not having to answer to anyone, providing for my family on my own, and not relying on a day job to pay my bills and put food on the table!

I would love to hear your thoughts on my new venture...

WISH ME LUCK... I think I may need it...

Much love
Emma xxx