Wildly Woolly's first guest blog - Happiness.

with thanks to Alka Bahal for allowing us to share these precious thoughts.

Happiness – A journey

Each one has to find his peace from within. And peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances.”

Mahatma Gandhi

In the last few weeks, I find myself become quite intrigued about the life of Mahatma Gandhi and his teachings. Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most revered figures in world history. He was a diminutive man who had the courage to stand up to British Rule in India and fight for Indian Freedom and independence as well as justice for the oppressed. Gandhi went to jail several times during this struggle and yet never harboured any hate or animosity against his oppressors. Instead he said:

“Whenever you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love.” 

Has the world forgotten his teachings? Have we forgotten how to be happy and peaceful, whether things are going our way or not? I find myself doing a lot of philosophical thinking of late and I want to find out what can make us happy? Why are so many of us unhappy when we have so much to be grateful for?

A wise woman once told me “It is more important to be positive when things are not going so well. It is easy to be happy and positive when things are going good, but we forget this when things are not going well and complain instead.”

I am trying to implement these values into my life now. There was a time where I would complain and whine about things – whether it was work or colleagues or life in general. I found that this would make me feel negative and stressed and have effects on my health. I would feel sick, have a headache and feel nauseated and weak. Negativity grasps your thoughts really hard and doesn’t let go so easily. It can make you feel depressed and helpless and useless. It tends to overpower you and you feel stuck in this dark place and don’t seem to find a way out.

Granted, it can be hard to find happiness and peace during our “bad times.” When things do not go well, we try to find scapegoats and blame other factors for our problems by saying “We are in this situation because of so and so” or “It’s that one’s fault or this one’s fault.” We all have done this at some time in our lives – we find it easier to blame other factors or situations for our problems rather than try to find a way out of them. I have been thinking recently, maybe if we started working more on finding solutions to our problems rather than complaining and finding a scapegoat for them, we would save time and perhaps find a way for the situation to become “ideal” again.

This brings me to another question: Why be unhappy in the first place? A lot of people will say things like “I am not happy because I don’t like my job” or “I do not like where I live,” or even things like “I do not have enough money” or “My life sucks.” Then I wonder, if money makes people happy, why are some of the world’s happiest people poor and many celebrities and rich people on drugs and unhappy?? And if your job is causing you grief, try look for other work or find a career change. If you feel your life sucks, well you are responsible for your own life, find things that make you happy and do them.

I was always told when I was younger to “count your blessings.” I find in the world these days people don’t know what this means or have somewhat overlooked this. Many of us seem to be competing in a rat race and are engrossed in trying to buy the latest cars and have the newest gadgets and trying to keep up with the Jones’. We tend to compare ourselves to others who are more affluent and successful than ourselves and go “He has a better car than me,” “He earns more than me,” and such goes on. We feel somewhat cheated especially if we feel we deserve better and someone else got something that we wanted. Envy is a vice; it can breed hate and again leads to negativity and deterioration of one’s health and peace of mind.

As I have been through this journey, I have found that indeed, happiness comes from within. When you are unhappy or insecure in something about yourself, it prevents you from being truly happy and positive. We have to learn how to love and forgive ourselves. Whatever it is that happened in the past, or whatever decisions you made before that have led you to an unhappy state, you have to let it go and find a solution to restore your state of mind to peace again. Let’s count our blessings every day. We have the biggest blessing of all – life, the present. Let’s make the most of each day we live and learn and love. This will ensure positivity and happiness. Give it a go! You will be surprised what happens when you start to condition your mind to take responsibility for your own happiness and to challenge every negative thought with a positive one. I keep telling myself– “Pretend you are Muhammad Ali, in a boxing ring and you are not going to go down without a fight.”

A big thank-you to Alka for allowing us to share these thoughts, because we all strive to find happiness, and too many people look to outside factors, when really we must start by looking in.

www.wildlywoolly.co.uk

Alfie the Kenana Monkey and his best friend Noah.

We wanted to share with you all, the beautiful story of Alfie the Spider monkey and his best friend Noah, since both at Wildly Woolly and Kenana Knitters, we have been so touched by it.

It begins on a normal day, the 22nd of January, not noted for anything special in particular, but it soon became special to the extended family of Kenana Knitters. We received an email, full of hope:

Alfie 1

 'I'm desperately searching for Kenana Knitters spider monkey in green. My son who is 3 years old adores his Alfie. We are afraid that once we will not find Alfie. Till now we have had a lot of luck, finding him every time that Noah has lost him..... but our luck may not last forever! Is there a store in the UK or online shop that still has a green spider monkey? We have already bought a red and yellow one but that is of course not his Alfie! Noah has autism spectrum and is very attached to his best friend so we really hope that we will find him Alfie twin ;-)
Thanks in advance!'

The email was from a wonderful lady called Selma (who has okay-ed us to share this with you), and we were so touched to hear about how much one of our toys was loved! Unfortunately we didn't have a green Monkey in stock, but where there's a will there's a way?! We liaised with Kenana, and once colour and size had been confirmed, the Knitters managed to get one made up in Kenya, and Alfie 2 was born.








By February the 10th Alfie 2 was on his way to Wildly Woolly in the UK, and his new family to be were very excited about his arrival. We managed to get him into the mail as quickly as possible from our side and he arrived at his new home on the 12th of February!

Alfie 2 ready to be sent to his new home!

Selma wrote to let us know...
'Just to let you know that Alfie 2 is finally home. He is so beautiful just as Alfie 1 used to look like in his younger days ;-) ! I pretended that Alfie 1 came clean and new from the washing machine. It was easy for Noah to believe because he is really the same. Noah was sad about Alfie 1's thumbs which he did not have anymore! He'd asked me so many times to make them but I'm not that good at knitting. Noah is happy and Alfie 1 is now safe in a box to keep him as a memory of his first best friend.

Thank you so much! 

Warmest wishes'

 

It's stories like these that make what we do a real pleasure. From the loving hands that created them, to the loving new family that receives them, it is truly a story of love! We'd like to thank Selma for supporting the women of Kenana Knitters and also Noah for the love he gave to Alfie 1 and now to Alfie 2. You are a wonderful family, thank-you!

 

Wildly Woolly 

Happy 2015 from Wildly Woolly and the women of Kenana Knitters

What a year 2014 was, it will be hard for 2015 to match it. But as a way of looking to the future, we thought we'd remind ourselves and you, of what Wildly Woolly stands for and looks to achieve by it's existence.

So early 2014, Wildly Woolly Ltd started up, and things were off to a flying start... within a few months we were also the wholesalers for Kenana Knitters toys in the UK. Which unfortunately was due to the closing down of Kenana UK. However we were honoured to be asked to take on the role and are looking forward to building new relationships with great businesses.  

Wildly Woolly's desire was to become a business that supports and upholds the ethos of Kenana Knitters, and by that we needed to be:

• Ethical & Socially responsible
• Natural
• Environmentally friendly
• Offer great customer service
• Approachable
• Honest
• Unique

We've done our best, and I hope you feel we have too. We will continue to strive on all of these points but some in particular we'd love to remind you of, our packaging is all recyclable as well as FSC sourced materials ('In order to be given FSC certification a forest must be managed in an environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable manner'). Our social medias like Pinterest and Facebook feature exciting ideas and ways of the three R's - Reduce Reuse Recycle, as well as links and tips for Ethical shopping and cleaner ways of life. Don't forget to follow us or like our page if this is something that is also close to your heart.

We wanted to share the wonderful story of Kenana Knitters with as many of you out there as possible, and we're still working on it, but we'd like to thank you too for helping to share the love as without you all, life would be a lot more difficult for these women in rural Kenya. Can I remind you here, especially those that don't receive our newsletters that Kenana Knitters now supports around 600 women in the local area. Woohoo and thank-you!

So looking forward into 2015 we'll be bringing you new products, we've already got some one on the website - this new spider snow leopard who is just crying out for a child to love:

We will also keep you updated on the women in Kenya and any news or exciting venture of Kenana Knitters (psssst they are getting a new website soon, we can't wait! We'll let you know when it's up and of course we'd love to know which products you'd like us to start selling as there's so many to choose from that we can't stock them all - but we'd like to built it up!).

And finally, don't forget to share with us the cuddles that our lovely Knitter Critters are getting from their new best friends. Post it on our Facebook page, or Instagram. Or otherwise feel free to email it to us and we'll pass the message back to the Knitters themselves.

Thank-you and all the best for 2015, we look forward to the coming year together!

Wildly Woolly Ltd

Craft Fair Season is here!

Craft Fair Season, top stall tips and some great craft fairs of the North.

It's Craft Fair Season, got to love it! All those beautiful handmade pieces, jewellery, socks and wacky house clutter! I love this season, not just because of the mulled wine often on sale too. But this post is not for the average shopper, instead I have decided to give you my top tips for running a stall, a Seller's guide.

In Kenya when I worked at Kenana Knitters, I used to turn up with heaps of stock and stationery and just wing it. Everyone knows everyone in Kenya and people stop and chat. But when I started my own business in the UK, Wildly Woolly (the sister company selling Kenana products to the UK market), I thought I better get serious as I wanted to share the story as best I could, and a messy stall does nothing for attracting customers. People don't often hang around at stalls long enough to see everything, so things need to pop out at them and catch their eye to make them stop and really look and listen! So below, as well as a list of the stall essentials, I have some tips on Do's and Don'ts for a stall holder which I have found work. 

So the essentials, I know some are obvious but it covers the lot, so don't forget to pack:

• CHANGE! The most important, as people won't be bringing you the exact amount! I usually take around £50. To decide what to make this up of, look at your products and see what prices you have, Eg. if you are charging 3.95 then you will definitely need 5ps. But if someone is paying with a £20 then you will need £10, £5, £1 and the 5p. NB, you will need more of the smaller denominations.
• You will need something to carry all that change in, and yes I know the bumbag (fannypack, waiste pack, belt bag - however you label it) is not the height of fashion, but trust me it's less stress than a money box, it's safer on you that sat on your table or under it. It's sad yes but theft does happen. I found a great plain black one in my local charity shop for £1, front zip for my money and back zip for everything else, business cards, pens etc)
• Carry bags are essential as not many people will have somewhere to put it even if you have decided to wrap it up (jewellery etc). You can go as posh or simple as you like with this, I always think it's nice to have a slightly branded bag so people are reminded of you. I also like the thought that the bag will be recycled, so instead of plastic bags (the world is already filling up with them but I wont go on a rant) I go for paper bags which can be recycled. I like to put a personal touch on it so I bought a gorgeous stamp to brand my bags

 

• You will need some sort of business cards or fliers, as a lot of people will ask you, and you may find you get lots of sales after the day from people getting in touch. So imperative to get something official. It's always a bit of putting when someone writes their email down on a piece of paper for me. I have to admit I don't think I've ever contacted anyone who did that - the paper gets lost or I forget what they did anyway. This leads on to the imperative facebook page, website etc as a way for people to see what you do.
• A Table cloth, a must as you never know what the table you're given will be like, or the colour. Choose something plain, I think white is the best as it creates a nice clean background for your products to pop out from. If you have a busy background your products will just get swallowed up in the patterns.
• Sign - Print out a picture of your Logo or name (just call yourself something - Emma's Homemade Jams?) and have it stuck on the front of the table or behind you on the wall. This helps you look professional and also adds to the attractiveness I think. I also like to have a framed A4 paper with a list of what makes my items special and different from the rest.
   

• There are lots of little bits and bobs that make the day easier, and the most important is Stationary. I take 2 pens (in case one runs out), a notebook for anything that I may need to note down or spare paper in case I need to scribble, scissors, bluetack, pins, string, receipt book, newsletter sign up book, price stickers/signs. The list could be endless but those I find are the main ones.
• Some people like to set out a mock up of their stall in their living room the week before and have a play with lay out. That's one option, but I like to imagine it and draw it, so I spend time scribbling a few pictures of the table.The most important thing to bare in mind is to have some different levels, some higher and some lower. So for this you need:
• Props, these don't have to be expensive, they can be anything you have in the house, although you may need more specific things like jewellery hangers (have a look on ebay). I like to use the basket drawers I salvaged from someone's skip, I asked permission before taking them! But they make a great prop as I have some of the drawers slightly open with things hanging out and also place things on top to add some height to the stall. At Christmas if you are selling decorations I think it's important to have a tree, as this shows off you products in situ! Have a brainstorm of what you have in your house, things you may not have thought of - wander round and imagine them on the table, you will be surprised what you already have.

• And finally, STOCK, don't go over board. Think about the size of your stall, and the sort of customers that will be coming. If it's a small one in a local village hall then your cheaper items are going to sell better as most people won't be carrying around loads of cash. Take a good range but keep a box of back ups under the table in case you find something sells really well. I usually take one or two of each of Wildly Woolly's bigger toys, and a few of each of the small ones like glove puppets.

Attracting Customers

There are a million ways you can attract customers, getting them to stop at your stall is half the battle, be creative in your ideas and make up your own. But here are some ideas to get the creative juices flowing. Have a bowl of sweets and get people to guess how many are in the bowl to win an item. Choose a number between 1-100. Drop your business card or email address in the bowl to win. If you just want subscribers to your newsletter then just ask for a sign up to win something. Whatever you decide remember that most people won't be there until the end so get them to pop down their emails or telephone so you can contact the winner, and remember you will probably have to post the item to don't choose something too large or you will be out of pocket!

Do's & Don'ts as a Craft Holder.

Lots of people set up their stall and then just sit and hope the customers will come and buy. But there's more psychology in it than that if you really want to do a great day of selling. There are a few things I have found that are Do's and Don't of Craft fair Selling:

• DON'T just sit behind the table busily knitting or making and ignore people coming by. 
• DON'T just continue the conversation with your assistant and ignore the customer, my sister says she hates it when people just carry on their conversation behind the table as she browses. Maybe it makes her feel like she's listening in and intruding?
• DO stand up, preferably next to the stall and not behind, although sometimes that's the only option.
• DO smile (even if your cheeks ache at the end of the day, you will have done more sales than if you don't), and say hello, make eye contact.
• DO hand out business cards/fliers to those who show interest in your items.
• Most importantly DO ENJOY YOURSELF. Chat, meet people, it's a great networking opportunity too so make the most of it.

Craft fairs in the North of England

Finally here are some of the great Craft Fairs in the North. Worth checking out and making a day or weekend of, or even signing up as a stall holder!

•  Harrogate Country Living fair
• Liverpool Winter Art Market
• NorthWest Craft Fairs
• Yorkshire Magincal Winterland
• Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 
• One for next year's diary as it's past - Living north Christmas Fair 
• Made and Sold in Hull  

Don't forget to follow Wildly Woolly on Twitter and Like us on Facebook for Toys with a Tale, changing lives stitch by stitch!

Autumn is here

A Wildly Woolly Autumn.

Well its been  a pretty mild transition into Autumn for most of us, and although the weather has been mild, Wildly Woolly has been going Wild - we've added our Christmas range to the website:

They've already been a hit and people have definately been starting early on the Christmas buying! The picture was from our stall at the Craft fair we did last weekend. Such fun and some great support, thanks!

We've been in the spotlight on an Ethical/Eco Blog we love called Moral Fibres, who told their fans about us and we had a special giveaway to thank them for their support for us! We gave away a small spider lion :

So Happy Halloween to you all, if you are a last minute person, like so many of us, here's a great website with receipes for Halloween treats www.totalbristol.com/eating-and-drinking/halloween-baking/

 Have a magical night trick or treating!

Next week, Don't Forget on Bonfire night to check your fire for Hedgehogs before lighting it.

Bring on a Wildly Woolly Winter with mince pies, sherry, warm fires and fabulous snow, and of course Christmas!