Spring Fair International 2014

Back to normality now after a busy week at my very first Spring Fair at the NEC. We arrived on Sat afternoon to my 3m x 1m space and my home for the next five days.

We got to work preparing the space which only took around 3hrs in the end

The finished product all ready for Sunday, so glad I had my little mock up!

After a relaxing evening (an anniversary meal out with my husband) we arrived nice and early on Sunday at the NEC to start the show.

I must admit it was a very long day but we met some really nice people and got a lot of interest in the cards including some agents

On Monday I was on my own so was a little nervous but it all went well I took some orders including a big one to Singapore and had some really great comments about the card designs.

Tuesday was another busy day with positive feedback, more orders, interest from agents and maybe a licensing deal too. Plus my friend also turned up today to help me for the rest of the week, it was good to see a friendly face and gave me a little break.

It was a long and tiring week but I really did enjoy it and I have signed up again for next year. Now lots of work to do fulfilling al the orders!

It was good to be home and I had a nice surprise when I got there of a sign made by my daughter two for the price of one as it also celebrated my wedding anniversary!

I would like to thank all my family and friends for helping me last week it was very much appreciated and could not have been done without you all.

Jubilations and Celebrations!

Introducing 'Jubilations' a bright new range from Red Berry Hill.

Celebrating male and female milestone ages from 18 to 70 the big bold numbers are illustrated with quirky patterns and collage. The range comprises of 16 designs, 150mm square, printed on a lightly textured board and cello wrapped with a brown kraft envelope.

They will be launched at Spring Fair International next week. Hall 4 Stand 4K24.

If you are interested in stocking this new range, please email Nicole on info@redberryhill.co.uk for more information.

Spring Fair Preparations

Preparations are going well for Spring Fair and for once I am ahead of schedule, although now worried I have forgotten something important! It is the first time I have done Spring Fair so I am excited to see how it differs from Top Drawer and PG Live that I did last year. It is a longer show (5 days) so hopefully I will meet plenty of new suppliers.

I decided to do a small scaled mock up of the stand so I can see exactly what it will look like and help me when I am there. I did one last year and it was really helpful when I got to the show to follow.

The brochures also arrived today so I feel like it is all finally coming together!

Spring Fair is at the NEC, Birmingham and is Europe's definitive gift trade fair. It starts on Sunday 2nd February until Thursday 6th February. There is still time to register for free ticket here.

Red Berry Hill will be in Hall 4 Stand 4K24 and I will post a full report of the show when I return.

2014 Wish List

A few days ago I was looking back at my posts from January last year when I remembered that I created a list of goals for the year. This was the list.

1. Exhibit at Top Drawer
2. Get my ranges into retailers
3. Get agents
4. Raise my profile (Press etc)
5. Design Occasions/Ages
6. Exhibit at PG Live (May)
7. Submit entries to the Henries
8. Design new Everyday ranges
9. Attend the Ladder Club (Sept)
10. Design Christmas ranges

I was pleased that I have achieved most of the list and I have certainly learned a lot (mainly through a few mistakes) and gained a lot of knowledge about the industry.

The trade fairs were my biggest learning curve. If I am honest when I set out to do Top Drawer I was filled with all sorts of romantic ideas that everything would go right and how things would take off but I have to say it was hard and you have to keep at it and promote your company again and again to get the results.

One of the biggest advantages last year was that I got an agent it certainly took a lot of the stress of out 'selling' my cards. I also gained a lot of knowledge through talking to other publishers who were more than happy to give me the advice I need.

So with all that in mind I have decided do do another wish list for this year

1. Exhibit at Spring Fair and PG Live
2. Increase sales
3. Get more agents
4. Look into export opportunities 
5. More press coverage
6. New Male range
7. New Art range
8. New Occasion range
9. New designs to existing ranges
10. Studio re-vamp

This year I want to concentrate more on designs and maybe look at a different style for an summer art range I am keen to produce.

Better get on then!

2013 Highlights

Well 2013 was certainly a busy year

January - My very first trade show, Top Drawer in London, where I launched new ranges Metro and Marigold

 

February - I had an unusual exhibition in a phone box!

Was featured in the local press

Cards on display in a local bookshop

May -  Another trade show, PG Live,  where I launched the "mad about…" range

June - A local show at the Ely Flower Festival for four days

September - I took on my first agent in the South East 

October - I sent my first export order to Hong Kong

November - I was back in Ely Cathedral for the Christmas Craft Fair

And now for 2014.

I'm Back!

I know, I know its been a while (too long) but since the summer things have been really busy here which is very good but it means I have been neglecting the blog unfortunately!

Things are going well, I now have an agent in the south, and have exported cards to Hong Kong. I am in the middle of designing a brand new range and have just signed up to Spring Fair 2014 too but more on that in the next few weeks

In between I have been doing a few local shows too, one of which was the Christmas Gift and Food Fair in Ely Cathedral the weekend before last for two days.

I had a great spot right under the octagon

This year I decided to add some handmade Christmas cards to the mix just to test out a few designs and they went down really well.

It was a great two days, thank you to all who came to say hello and to my family and friends who helped me too.

Ely Cathedral Flower Festival

Last weekend I was lucky to be a part of the Ely Cathedral Flower Festival.

It was a four day event and I was in the craft marquee. Thankfully the weather was kind to us except for a bit of rain on Saturday.

The Cathedral was transformed with flowers based on the theme "The Creation". One of the highlights being a river of water running through the nave.

There was also a Diamond Jubliee theme too, this coronation throne was amazing.

It all looked wonderful there are some very talented flower arrangers out there.

Over the four days there were 20,000 visitors and I met some really nice people. I really enjoyed it and I could have easily have stayed there another few days. The cards went doen really well and I sold out of a few designs including the cycling and gardening cards which were the best sellers of the show.