Revamped Website

[Blooming Felt]

Hi. Not sure what happened to my previous post on this - one minute it was there, the next it had gone !!

Anyway, I've been busy revamping my website, hopefully making it more crafty and welcoming. Whilst I was happy with my previous site, I felt it always looked rather "utility" looking (if you know what I mean), so I'm hoping the revamp has made it look better.

I would love to hear any comments you might have.

Thanks:)

[icecreamgirl]

I like the front page...:)
I wanted to look at the felted accessories but couldnt see where i click on to view them??

[Blooming Felt]

Thanks - to view the accessories, you need to click on the needle felting link on the left of the page and then click on the felt accessories link. Let me know what you think?

[icecreamgirl]

The needle felting link works but then the two links within it don't work??

[Apple Tree Crafts]

I do love your pictures, they are sweet and evocative.

Your kits look great, I love them and the packaging. Great packaging says a lot for the contents.

The onlt thing I'd changed is your page category text, make it bolder. The fine text is lost against the very lovely linen background. The linen look is great. It so appeals to me as a needlewoman.

Can we still say needlewoman, or am I a needleperson now? That sounds like an addict of some kind...ack..

Jules

[Blooming Felt]

Thank you Apple Tree - I shall change the category text down the left hand side (?) to make it bolder.

Don't suppose you organise any craft fairs in Essex/Suffolk? I'm doing the Jimmy's Farm craft fair in Suffolk on 28th May, but am looking for additional events

[Apple Tree Crafts]

I've heard that you need to be invited to do Jimmy's Farm....that's very impressive. I know someone that did Jimmy's last year, and halfway through the day she was frantically phoning her husband to bring more stock as she was selling out fast. I so hope that happens for you too.

We've been asked to do something in Surrey too, but it's just too far right now. Maybe one day....but Jimmy's will be a hard act to follow methinks!

Jules

[Blooming Felt]

I know - I couldn't believe it when I received the email inviting me !! They had a fair yesterday and a friend went - she said it was heaving with people - they were arriving in busloads !! Fingers crossed I will do well - it will be my first fair, so I'm really excited (but VERY nervous too). I'm going to be demonstrating needle-felting as well, so hopefully that will encourage people to buy some supplies and give it a go ;)

[icecreamgirl]

AHA!! It worked this time, the text was different, did you change it?
They are really nice.
Hope you do wel at Jimmys Farm, i've been there for a look around a couple of times, but never when there's a market on. It's very close to me and there's been known to be chaos on the roads surrounding as it's sooooo popular.
I think your stuff will go down well, my advice would be to take lots with you i think you will need it!!

[Blooming Felt]

I'm glad it's working properly now. I changed the text colour of the links down the left hand side and also added links to the body text, so hopefully it's easier to use now.

Thanks for your kind comments too ! Fingers crossed I will do well - I'm just really nervous about it all. The last thing I need is to see everyone else being busy and me having no-one at my stand. Hopefully the needle felting demonstration will reel them in. Also, the fact that I will have a whole range of items priced from £2.50 to £20 - covers all pocket sizes me thinks !!

If you fancy a visit on the 28th May, it would be lovely to meet you :-)

[icecreamgirl]

It's good to have a range of prices, also the 'pocket Money' type things like your hair bobbles as there will be families there.
I would have come for a nosy but we are away that weekend at Strumpshaw Steam Fair exhibiting our vehicles.
Maybe next time... :)

[Andamento]

Hi there, your website looks really good - very professional. I notice you use notonthehighstreet.com, what do you make of them, have you many orders through them? I've applied to them for more information.

[incywincy]

Hi. Not sure what happened to my previous post on this - one minute it was there, the next it had gone !!

Anyway, I've been busy revamping my website, hopefully making it more crafty and welcoming. Whilst I was happy with my previous site, I felt it always looked rather "utility" looking (if you know what I mean), so I'm hoping the revamp has made it look better.

I would love to hear any comments you might have.

Thanks:)
Did see your previous thread and wondered whether you were still having problems getting on here properly?
Website looks great! ;)

Could you maybe add links from your main page images? so that the craft kit image takes you to that area/ felting to that area etc
?
Sam x

[Katianne]

I notice you use notonthehighstreet.com, what do you make of them, have you many orders through them? I've applied to them for more information.

Yes, I have just asked for more info so would appreciate any info / feedback you can give too?

Your website looks great by the way!!! :)

[Blooming Felt]

Well, I've been selling through NOTHS since the middle of February and so far have only had one sale, which was one of my textile pictures. Last week I loaded on a few of the miniature stitchery kits and some of my felt accessories, but no sales as yet (I think the Easter holidays have something to do with it). The trouble with NOTHS is:

You have to actually be invited by them to join. So even if you request a pack (which they will probably send you), there is no guarantee that you'll get an invite. If there are other sellers who sell the same stuff as you, the chances of you getting an invite are quite slim. I know of 2 people who were turned down.
It's VERY expensive !!! I paid nearly £600 for a year's membership/subscription. That broke down as £400 odd to become a selling partner (this is a one-off fee) and £200 odd for my year's subscription. So next year (if I decide to do it) it will only be the £200 odd annual renewal fee.Unfortunately, I got sucked in by their sales blurb and convinced myself (and hubby) that it would definitely be worth doing. All the editorial stuff they send you is brilliant, loads of articles from all the glossy mags and lots of Sunday supplement articles and newspapers, all featuring their sellers. Sadly, it hasn't been as good as I had hoped and I'm pretty sure I won't recoup my costs. Having said that, I have spoken with other NOTHS sellers who have managed to break even and some who have made a profit. :(

I tried to ask NOTHS what average sales were like in my particular field and they wouldn't answer the question - so I don't know whether that's good or bad ! There is a lady on there who sells personalised pictures and I notice that she also sells through the Angelic Hen and one other site (can't remember it now), so I don't know whether that's because she's doing well, or just trying to get as much exposure as possible. I was thinking of emailing her, but would she tell me the truth I wonder?

[Blooming Felt]

Thanks for your comments on my new look site by the way. I will definitely add links from the images on my front page - good thinking batman !!

[Katianne]

...don't think I can afford that, it would take 100s of sales for me to even get the money back. Thanks so much for the info though, good to get feebback from someone who has used it :)

[Andamento]

Hi Sarah,
Thanks for the detailed reply. Prior to logging on to the forum I'd just checked my email and NOTHS have said that my business was "not in line with their proposition" (whatever that means!) but after reading your reply I'm glad they don't want me! I have seen them pop up quite a few times in Sunday supplements & homes magazines etc, so they do seem to be getting quite good press coverage, but for me it's not worth the costs involved. Your craft items do look lovely so best of luck! I'm off to have another wee look at your site
Anne.

[Blooming Felt]

:confused: I wonder what they mean then?? Your mirrors are lovely and very unusual. I've never seen anything like your personalised mirrors before.

I wish I had thought more before signing up with them, but I was so taken in by it all and I really thought it would be a fantastic selling channel. I'd bought quite a few bits from NOTHS before siging up with them and the quality is fantastic, but I've paid out a massive amount with very little return so far. I need to sell 3 pictures a month to break even and thought it was completely do-able through NOTHS, but sadly it hasn't happened so far. Once I come back from my hols I shall be going all out to load the site up with lots of new designs and I might ask them if they would be kind enough to put me on their front page as one of their featured sellers - that might give it a bit of a boost !

How are sales through your own site? Where do you advertise?

If there is anything you are interested in on my site, I would happily do you a discount ;) !! I also take commissions, so if you see something you like but would prefer other colours - just shout !

[Peter]

I've just had a look at their 'beaded' jewellery..................nothing woven at all. Maybe they're going for an image thing. ;)

[candles by lisa]

Hi Sarah,

Your site is lovely, I really like the idea of original art!!

Well done.

Lisa

[colourart]

Thank you Apple Tree - I shall change the category text down the left hand side (?) to make it bolder.

Don't suppose you organise any craft fairs in Essex/Suffolk? I'm doing the Jimmy's Farm craft fair in Suffolk on 28th May, but am looking for additional events

I have put a thread in about a craft tent (i think its listed under craft fairs) at an event in Bury St Edmunds called America 400. I don't know what it will be like, its on 6th May and is organised by the borough council. Phone number is 01284 757093. We had a stall in the craft tent at the country fair in Bury last year, plenty of people turned out but I think my paintings where too expensive for the type of event. People were spending on 'pocket money' items which you say you have.

[Art Forus]

The website is very accessible, The photos come up nicely. I agree with someone else, the left hand menu could be bolder type. I'd love to put you on my site as a supplier - would you be interested in this?

[Buttonberry]

Thank you Apple Tree - I shall change the category text down the left hand side (?) to make it bolder.

Don't suppose you organise any craft fairs in Essex/Suffolk? I'm doing the Jimmy's Farm craft fair in Suffolk on 28th May, but am looking for additional events


Oh that is quite literally down the road from me, i may well have to pop along :D

[Blooming Felt]

It would be great to see you if you can make it :D

[incywincy]

(welcome) home Sarah ! Hope you had a lovely time
x

[Sommerwood]

Hi Sarah
(I'm the friend who introduced her to Jimmy's Farm!;) ). Haven't been in here for a little while and just having a scout through and saw your name. Website is looking lovely and love the new name for the felt side of it, although I did love the previous colour scheme you had, was so eyecatching! See you on 28th!! :jippie:
Jo xx