A quick round up and A Happy Christmas!

The run up to Christmas (only 1 day left before the children break up) is an opportunity to reflect on the highlights of this year whilst trying to ignore the lists of things still to do! 

HatStock in March was a good focus for Springtime and a particular joy was having many family member and friends that came along to support me. Having begun my Millinery training at Hat Works, it was exciting to return to show my work there and even better to sell a piece to Georgina Abbot of London Hat week.

Dad and me with the "Arc" headpiece that I sold.

In June I did a 2 day intensive boot camp business course at MMU which resulted in me acquiring a mentor called Naomi Timperley. She is a specialist in brand development network building and is a valuable source of encouragement and advice when I’m finding things difficult.  

Catching up with an old Millinery friend in July was a highlight especially when it turned out that her son was due to get married and she needed a hat! I felt very privileged to make this for Sue who spent many years selling and helping design hats when she managed Susy Krakowski Millinery in Wilmslow where I did some work experience during my degree. 

Sue on the right, with her daughter Kerry.

Organising my first professional photo shoot was a goal for this year and I used a company that specialises in photographing headwear. I used the images on my stand at GNNCF as well on my website and in other marketing; everyone says good photos make a big difference and I think these prove it!

Photo by Hatshooter

Looking forward to next year now and I’ve just found out that my work has been selected to be shown at the London Hat Week exhibition in March-great news!

In actual fact now that I look back over this year there's many things that I've accomplished. Despite the challenges that arise in doing things for the first time and putting yourself out of your comfort zone; the end result is worth it and I appreciate the opportunities that having my own studio and business bring. 

I’m lucky to have made many new acquaintances this year and would like to wish everyone who has helped and supported me and my business over the last 12 months a very happy Christmas and 2018 ..and a big thank you!  

Pressure and productivity

Life has been a whirlwind since the return to school and studio life in September. On top of moving into a new studio all to myself, I've been working towards showing my work at Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair which took place last week at its new venue of Upper Campfield Market on Deansgate, Manchester.

Having an impending deadline I think benefits most of us in terms of productivity; I have always worked better under pressure and although the night before might be cutting it fine these days, you can't beat the flurry of activity and energy that arises when a big event draws near.

Working part time around school hours means I often just get into my creative flow and then have to dash off to do the school run.  Having time to "play" in the studio is underrated but its the time when I accidentally do something as a result of another task perhaps, that often leads to a design or solution that is successful.

The thought of exhibiting at a fair fires my mind into action: the ideas I want to make, how I want to display my work, the experience I want to give visitors, the messages I want to put across and how I'm going to make it all happen. As weeks fly by and the event draws near I quickly scribble down the ideas that arise whilst making so I can revisit them when I have time; I often wish I could bottle them like the BFG bottles the dreams that he collects- I would love to have a studio wall lined with bottled ideas!

This year GNCCF teamed up with Patricia Van den Akker from The Design Trust who ran two webinars for GNCCF exhibitors prior to the event with a focus on planning and marketing. I am a keen devotee of Patricia and last year took her Creative Business Planning course after seeing her talk at various places. She really understands creative businesses and how they are different; offering practical, down-to-earth advice and guidance on everything from how to price your work to tips on social media and blogging. Her in depth questions and tasks are thought provoking and challenging but her genuine passion and interest in helping your business succeed really comes across and makes you feel less alone in driving your dream forward.

Highlights of my stand at Great Northern

The fair gives me the opportunity to talk to so many interested and interesting people and now I feel motivated to get back into the studio and focus on my next goal.

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What's next?

OPEN STUDIO

SUNDAY 12TH NOVEMBER

COME AND TRY ON HATS IN MY STUDIO  

12-3PM

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Floral fascination

A highlight in the North West Summer calendar is the RHS Tatton Flower Show. This year I saw it from a slightly different angle as I helped on the Manchester School of Art stand. Two frameless greenhouses supplied by pure greenhouse were decorated with illustrations by different artists and designers over the course of the show. 

Thanks to the British Summer, soggy damp visitors looked on intrigued as we were fortunate enough to be cocooned in the greenhouse;  the warmest driest visitors in the show!

It just so happened that Friday was Ladies Day and Cheshire Life's fashion editor Janet Reeder was the judge of the Best Dressed Woman, with BBC's Louise Minchin presenting the awards. 

It was great to see so many women getting into the spirit of the occasion-another excuse to dress up and don a hat!  

Back on home turf; I'm excited to hear of plans for my neighbouring building, the grade II listed Produce Hall.  The team behind Stockport's infamous Foodie Friday are proposing to animate the Produce Hall with food, drink and entertainment, bringing people to the area to enjoy their offer in the evening and at the weekend. They also want to attract visitors to the Market Place who will stay to explore the surrounding businesses, including all the local pubs, cafes and traders at Stockport Market and not forgetting my very own Market Place Studios!

 What's next....?!

Look out for my Summer holiday inspiration feed @emmafozardmillinery on instagram

Save the dates: I'll be exhibiting at Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair October 12-15th at Upper Campfield Market, Manchester