Behind the Scenes: Photoshoot!

A sneak preview of some new items soon to be available at The Navigatrix 

Little did my local circle of friends and acquaintances know that they were secretly being considered to be the first Navigatrix model. I have to admit being a little nervous asking, but having left my days as a shy little mouse well and truly behind me, I approached my first choice and briefly explained what I needed. Luckily, she happily agreed and so I am very pleased to introduce Kim:

 I walked into Matt's house on a Saturday morning to find that there was suddenly a professional looking studio setup in his dining room! After having been supplied with an essential cuppa, I set about ironing the backsheet as best I could (I'm an easycare, only iron on special occassions kind of mum).


I brought a mix of old and new items with me, to refresh some existing listings and to create new listings of items that have so far only been seen at the Morton Steam and Vintage Weekend. 

Absinthe's Plume

Dark Amber and Brown Velvet Choker

Copper Topper

Crystal Tube Necklace

It will take me a while to put up all the new items as I have to take additional photographs of some items on their own. Each photograph is run through photoshop to crop and rotate it where necessary. I rarely tweak the brightness and contrast as I like each photo to be as true to the item as possible. I did make myself laugh though on one image, where I found myself removing a few stray hairs with the airbrush tool... that's about the extent of my photoshop skill anyway!

Getting a lot done with very little

I'd like to encourage anyone out there who is dreaming of running a successful Etsy shop (or any other similar venture) by being up front about what I have so far achieved. Yes, I'm going to blow my own trumpet here a bit, out of a desire to help others. It's easy to say 'I can't, because..' and if I'd let that little thought dominate me, I wouldn't be writing this now. Let's visit a couple points of resistance and I'll show you how I dealt (or am dealing) with them :

• "I haven't got enough money to start a business."

~ I was in my overdraft when I started (and still am, but definitely looking up). This was one motivation to make things out of bits I already had, or could be given. I didn't have to spend anything initially to get things done. I am lucky enough to have internet access, a good camera on my phone and a strong creative impulse. I started by doing what I could with what I've got. Now, you've probably heard the saying that it takes a new business three years to turn a profit...well, I wasn't about to let that put me off, nor do I agree that that has to be my truth. Handling money is a skill I do admit I need to work on and this seems like an ideal opportunity to learn.

• "I haven't got time!"

~ Right now, my little one is at pre-school. I made the decision to treat this as a business and to allocate at least 14 hours to it. This does mean steeling myself against doing housework (not hard;) for the four mornings I have to myself at home (I do Tai Chi on a Friday). So, 8 hours, plus another 6 or so scattered throughout the week, whenever I can get time on the computer in the evening, or sitting making whilst my little one plays in the afternoon. Enough housework gets done. Usually. I'm still perfecting the art of balancing all the different aspects of living, but that is the endeavour of a lifetime.

What are your points of resistance? Leave a comment and I'll reply.

Anyway, back to the photoshoot for my most important insight: I have achieved this so far: 71 shop favourites, 127 Facebook likes, over 30 Twitter followers and a grand total of £270 in sales since I began in February this year. Plus having accepted an invitation to be be a joint leader for the In Here Life Is Beautiful Etsy Team. Not bad going for a very part time, specialised business, if I do say so myself. It's a promising start. And I couldn't have done any of it without help from other people.

Who is that dashing Skywayman? Nice earring.

'Tis Matt of Arcane Armoury, of course,
sporting another earring...

My brother does so much to support my work...in fact I credit him with the reason that The Navigatrix was created in the first place (read about my shop here. )


He helps with some photography, occassionally provides me with materials, tea and enthusiasm. In return for his help, I mention his shop wherever I can, give him feedback and support. I love our design consultations. More than once he has come to my door with a prop weapon wrapped in a jacket, laid it on the kitchen worktop and asked what else the design needs.  


Having just one person to talk to about your work, in depth, who supports you and encourages you, is essential! It can be very lonely making things by yourself and sitting alone for hours in front of a computer screen.


The support from friends and family also spurs me on, raises my self-esteem and helps me to maintain the attitude of gratitude for my creative work. 


I belong to several Etsy Teams and there are a few individuals who are fast becoming my 'Etsy friends', even though we've never met. Their generously shared experience, support and encouragement means a great deal to me.

 These are some of the new items that will be available soon. 
Enquiries are welcome, if there is demand it will encourage me to list the items more quickly! 

Tea With Elsie

I would like to thank Kim for being a great model and Matt for the wonderful photos. I'm looking forward to the next photoshoot, though that is not likely to happen until the autumn. 


Comments and enquiries are always welcome. If you're an Etsy shopper or shop owner, come and find me at In Here Life Is Beautiful , where we have a fantastic competition with a bouquet of prizes waiting for the one lucky winner!


If you like what you see and read, do share it, thankyou.


Wishing you Happiness, Health and all kinds of Wealth, whatever you do,


Sally-Ann ♡

The Navigatrix at the Morton Steam and Vintage Fair

Sophia Cardea, the Navigatrix

  
The Morton Steam and Vintage Weekend, Lincolnshire, has been running for over 7 years. It is an event that is authorised by the National Traction Engine Trust www.ntet.co.uk and is one of many rallies held around the UK. This was the first time that I had run a stall as The Navigatrix, so I turned to the Etsy community, mainly to the group I help lead In Here Life Is Beautiful. I was delighted to get some thorough advice, drawn from experience (thanks all!) which helped me to be very well prepared. 

The only thing I wasn't prepared for was that the organiser had been very thoughtful and, because of the weather, made a space for me in one of the main marquees. So, home went my gazebo with hubby, daughter and -oops- my banner.  Luckily, since we live nearby my banner was restored to me at lunchtime on Saturday.

At this point, it only feels right to acknowledge all the help I had in getting there. A 'mummy friend', who had heard of my crafty inclination, approached me one day and told me that she used to make jewellery and had some boxes left over and would I like them? 'Yes please,' I replied, thinking she meant about ten or so. Just over sixty boxes came my way later that week. These were an absolute gift, helping me to transport my work and display most of the pieces in a very professional looking way. My uncle had access to a large folding table and brought the beautiful cloth and two strips of 'pleather' to cover it with. I used a glass sugar bowl I'd inherited for my business cards and my beautiful personal jewellery tree and matching candlestick for displaying earrings.

The plastic boxes for storing and transporting had come from home, emptied of other things and borrowed for this event. Two blue glass bottles my hubby had saved made good hat stands (I'm glad he hadn't listened to my pleas to recycle them after all!).

 

The orange boards used to display the felt novelty brooches were originally slat shelves from cheap clothes storage system shelves languishing in the garage, covered by stapled-on curtains given to us by my in-laws. I hope by now I'm giving a few people hope that amazing things can be achieved on a very tight budget, as long as you are willing to accept help from others and be unafraid to ask in the first place! Even my costume, the most expensive bit, was bought in instalments, long before the event, thus spreading the cost. 

The fantastic custom-built goggles are by my brother Matt at www.etsy.com/shop/ArcaneArmoury . I had commissioned them but he surprised me by giving them as a birthday gift. {Hug} He also re-finished the mirror which used to belong to our Granny. Little personal touches meant a lot to me.

The little balloon necklace is again from Etsy, Elaina Louise Studios. The clip-on olive swarovski crystal earrings are by my Tai-Chi teacher's partner, Tracy at Because of Annie. 

The Edwardian style Tea Hat fascinator I'm wearing, I made myself and will soon be available to buy at The Navigatrix, for a limited time only. Because it goes so well with my outfit....

The hairclip was the first item I made and the one that inspired my whole shop. You can now read about the origins of The Navigatrix on my new About page. Etsy continue to impress me with their innovative developments and abundant support. I'm glad to be a part of it!

My three and a half year old daughter was quite
happy to tell passers by to 'buy Mummy's pretty
jewellery'.Bless her ♡

"When asked if one is a Time Traveller, the only proper reply is an enigmatic 'May be'"
~Sophia Cardea

Overall, I had a very good experience, made quite a few sales and gave out a lot of business cards. The comments I received from people there were very encouraging. One of the most often heard was that my items were different and people loved my costume. This hat had quite a few admirers itself! I would encourage any local-ish traders whose items complement steam powered vehicles and vintage cars to get in touch with Morton Steam and Vintage on Facebook or their official website.

Many thanks to all who made the weekend so enjoyable!

Photos by Matt of Arcane Armoury, Instagram images by dollydaydreams

Edwardian Tea Hat made and photographed by Sally-Ann Livingston of The Navigatrix 

The Navigatrix, Interviewed

This interview was written in response to a thread in one of the teams I'm involved in. With any luck, it will soon also appear in   a fellow team mates blog but I thought I might as well post it here for you:

1. How did your shop get its name and what was the main inspiration behind opening your shop?

I was putting together my first Steampunk outfit and made a couple of things to go with it, including a little feathery hairclip. I looked at it and had the sudden thought that people might like these enough to buy them.  At the time, my brother Matt was just putting together the first items for his Etsy shop, Arcane Armoury. I hadn't really heard of Etsy before he and a mutual friend started talking enthusiastically about it. I asked Matt if I could put my items in his shop (not really understanding how Etsy works) and he said the immortal line 'Why not make your own shop?'

The name came from a couple of sources. Firstly, having researched a huge selection of Steampunk outfits, the name of one from Clockwork Couture contained a name that stuck...'Navigatrix'. I looked it up on the Urban Dictionary
and loved the description, especially the bit about navigating her way spiritually and personally. I'm a practicing Reiki teacher (Japanese holistic therapy) who loves personal development books, so it seemed to fit me to a tee! I love the femininity of the name and have also been told that it's sexy...

2. What do you create and do you have a signature product? If so how did it come to be?

I create Steampunk and neo-Victorian inspired jewellery and accessories such as fascinators, gloves, bags..there are one or two other ideas brewing, too.

My signature product, I suppose, is the Governess Choker
as that was one of my first pieces. It's on my banner and my avatar, too.

3. Where do you find your inspiration and what makes you different from the other people that make what you make?

The guidelines for me are to create things inspired by Steampunk and neo-Victorian fashion; I never make the same thing twice (though I've made an exception for certain felt brooches). The reason for this is that, being a stay at home mum, beginning with limited resources, my materials have come from local charity shops and the bottom of family members' sewing kits. I occassionally buy new findings (earring wires, brooch pins) out of necessity but aim to support local shops as much as possible. However, I am 'upcycling' most materials and those are limited. This is why I'm not currently offering custom items - I've no idea from one week to the next what I'll have to work with!

So the materials themselves are often an inspiration. I'll have beads and wires, ribbons, fabric and bits & bobs laid out in front of me and suddenly I'll begin to see how certain things look good next to each other and how they can come together in a new way.

Apart from that, other inspirations have come from my background as an ex-professional modelmaker. I'm no history buff but I've always enjoyed science fiction and fantasy, so films have played a large part in informing my visual sense of cohesion (that feeling of 'does it look right? Ping! Yes!'). My brother Matt is a huge inspiration as we get to have Etsy meetings and design discussions now and again. Over cups of tea, of course. I wouldn't have a shop without him, so thanks, 'buv'!

4. What do you enjoy most about your craft?

Having the motivation to be creative again after a long respite. Allowing myself to follow my creative urge and be inspired by my materials and others' work. The fact that it fits fluidly into what little spare time I have is a huge bonus, too.

5. What is your best advice to newbie Etsians just opening their shops?

Do something every day; read as much as you can of the resources available on Etsy, in response to whatever aspect of your shop you are focussing on. Get involved in Teams. Keep doing what you do and list items as often as possible. Be courageous and open to learn. Listen to your intuition - does it feel good? Then go for it. If not, try a different route.

6. What are your top 3 favorite shops on Etsy and what do you like about them?

Number one is easy - my brother's shop Arcane Armoury http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArcaneArmoury
because I am often in awe of what he can make!
...this isn't easy!... I'd have to include The Engineer and the Gypsy. http://www.etsy.com/shop/engineerandthegypsy
I love the name, for one. The fabrics they use are wonderful (more women's clothes, though, please!) and I'd like to taste their teas. It's got a good feeling about it.

Another is Brute Force Studios http://www.etsy.com/shop/BruteForceStudios
The LRPer in me is in kit heaven! Perhaps one day I'll earn enough for one of their amazing creations (hubby is probably hoping I get the cog bra...hmm...)

7. Where else (other than Etsy) can you be found online?

(Here, at my Blog!)

And here:  pinterest.com/thenavigatrix/

Facebook:Facebook

and find me on Twitter as @Reikiblossom

I'm also on Google+ and LinkedIn.

8. Do you have any coupon codes / special sales / upcoming or current promotional events going on in your shop?

I've just finished one round of promotional coupon codes..but..every customer gets a special coupon towards their next purchase. I'm one of the Leaders of the  'In Here Life Is Beautiful' team and we're nearly at 100 members. When we reach that goal, there will be a special event to win donated items from other team members and I'm contributing to this. Apart from that, The Navigatrix is trading at a local Steam and Vintage weekend on the 16th and 17th of June. There may well be something to look forward to after that ;)

The Gallery

At time of publishing, all items can be found on The Navigatrix

Last chance to grab a bargain....for a while

As of June 15th 2012, a couple of coupon codes are expiring. The Facebook one and this, which I offer readers of my blog to use:


STEAMPUNKERS for 11% off.


I'll admit, I'm quite new to internet marketing. I love making my items and really appreciate it when they sell. Being a stay at home mum, my income is from my Etsy shop and my Reiki practice. They are growing, gradually, but I'm still at the beginning stages.


I cannot stress how much each customer and client means to me. Each exchange, however small, makes a tangible difference. We're lucky enough to have all the basics covered (house, food, water, clothing, energy) and some luxuries beside (TV, car, internet, phone). For all these I am truly grateful. 


We're in the same position as many families. I catch myself thinking 'if only'... however, as I recently read Tossing aside the if onlys , it reminded me once again to focus on the small, immediate, positive steps I can take. Like following the urge to write a blog entry.


So, I choose to be honest and open with you by saying I'm no charity case but every bit of money energy flowing my way is extremely welcome right now. And if you have enough to pass a little my way in return for a lovingly created one-off Navigatrix special (or indeed, some health-encouraging Reiki), then I thank you and thank you and thank you again. In advance. Because I'm getting the message that that's how things work best.


Wishing you all Happiness, Health and all kinds of Wealth,


In gratitude,


Sally-Ann 

The Magic of Gratitude

I'm a student of the Law of Attraction. I love uplifting, positive articles, get the Cygnus Review every month and love books and DVDs by Louise Hay and Rhonda Byrne, to name a couple. 

Currently, I'm reading Rhonda's book The Magic which focusses on gratitude.

 I thought I was a grateful person, I really did. I'm polite, I remember my please's and thankyou's. I occassionally feel that swell of appreciation on a sunny morning or during a delicious meal. This particular book is really opening my eyes to how much more grateful I could be. Having done quite a few exercises now, I notice how easy it is to begin to feel good after just a little sincere gratitude. What is even better is that I am getting into the habit of beginning my day in gratitude.

So how does this reflect on The Navigatrix? Well, to begin with it fosters a positive attitude and nurtures a success and prosperity mindset, essential for running a shop. I truly believe that The Navigatrix will grow and be shared by hundreds and thousands of people, some of whom will do me the great honour of buying things. What they don't necessarily realise (until I tell them) is that their payments increase my self-esteem and support my positive attitude. You might not realise just what a big deal that is unless you've suffered ill health or depression as I have in the past. They don't necessarily realise that they are helping a mum fulfill her daughter's dream of having a Big Buzz for her 4th birthday (one of my major goals and incentives) and contributing to a family's essential income. They are also helping the shop owner to buy gifts for family and friends and to treat herself to something special once in a while.

What an impact we can make with such small gestures! 

It is with gratitude in mind that I have been inspired to create this treasury:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTk3ODgwMDB8MjcyMjc4NTU0Mg/the-magic-of-gratitude

I do thank you for taking the time to look and leaving a comment, here or there, should you feel inspired to do so!

If you would like to practice more gratitude, try this simple idea*: in the morning, before you get into your day - I make myself a cuppa first :) - write down 10 things you feel grateful for.They could be events, people, things ... just write what comes to mind. When you have your 10 things,read through your list, out loud or to yourself, saying 'Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou' after each one. Don't just say it, really feeeel it. The the magic happens.

I would be interested to hear about your experiences with gratitude; what effects does it have upon your creativity, your inspiration, your sales, your feedback, your customers? What related books or dvd's do you love? Who inspires you to feel more grateful?

I thank you in advance for your comments and support!

Wishing you Happiness, Health and all kinds of Wealth,

Sally-Ann

*Idea from Rhonda Byrne's 'The Magic'

My Steampunk Outfit

 

Jacket from Clockwork Couture *

This gorgeous jacket was sold out in green (as this picture) so I bought a 'sand' coloured one and used Dylon dye, which has turned out to be a close shade.

 I love this frilled shirt. The one minor drawback is that the tacking stitches holding the front ruffles up were not very secure so I need to re-sew it more securely.

An eBay find!

Corset from Timeless Trends.
 This is featured in The Navigatrix
(links below)

  

 Yes, the clip that started it all (and taught me which glue *not* to use...)

My very first Navigatrix hairclip! This piece started my shop :)

Charity shop wins again.And they were a gift so cost = £0. The ribbon was recycled from some fancy chocs I once received. I knew that would come in handy one day! (badaboom!)

Customised, weathered and stained leather gloves. 

 I was very lucky with this. It was advertised for public sale but is in fact a wholesale model (not her, the corset). The mistake was pointed out but I was allowed to purchase it. I'm so grateful because I'd scoured the web looking for the one I'd fall in love with and this is it!

Living Dead Souls (I think..)

This skirt is getting a copper taffeta lining - all cut and ready to sew when I get a moment.It looks great with the front lifted and clipped up. The wrong side of the material is

not pretty.

...and the boots, of, the boots! Metropolis Vintage.eBay.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/94583829/steampunk-inspired-handbag-shabby

http://www.etsy.com/listing/93282124/steampunk-six-barrel-rifle-gun

Still getting the hang of Blogger's layout system...

So, what do you think? I'm still needing bloomers and have ordered a custom pair of goggles from my brother Matt at Arcane Armoury. I am intending to be able to dress up when I attend my first Steampunk fayre or convention. When I have the final touches, I will get myself photographed in full kit.

(The LRPer in me is still straining to see the Character Creation Guidelines in a Rulebook...seems that Steampunk doesn't quite work that way.)

Looking forward as always to your comments,

Sally-Ann

* Edited 19/06/2012 as it was pointed out to me that I had erroneously credited the jacket to Steampunk Couture. In fact, it came from Clockwork Couture and the label inside reads 'by deep, Los Angeles'. Apologies.