Materials: Purple linen, Gold Faux Leather piping, Cotton and lurex embroidery in gold/yellow
Made after an example picture my client provided
The embroidery was the most work. Those are 20 celtic knots (+/- 14cm long each), all warped to fit an oval shape on a round cape. There is a bit of lurex in there to make it sparkle.
Thank you if you’re sharing, don’t forget to credit the maker.
You can tag @samallacostumes on Facebook and Instagram.
We are well into 2021 and it is time for an update.
TL;DR : I am tired. I lost my car. My workshop cabin needs repairs. I’m selling stock materials soon. Finishing bespoke orders, not taking any new ones right now.
After a week of snow and frost, Spring seems to be taking over. This is nice. I’m not a winter loving person and the warmer days are welcome. And I’m so very tired.
Most of my followers know I have Fibromialgia. It’s the reason I started this company in the first place (make my own hours when I can, divide my own pressure etc.). I can manage the pain, the fatigue and the vague moments I have. I did quite alright when the pandemic started (it helps if you’re already working mostly online) until the end of the year. Usually I work on bespoke orders in the Spring/Summer and make stock in Autumn/Winter. Bespoke orders came late because of Corona, and I thought ‘what the hell, if I take my time, it will be alright’. I forgot how much energy winter-times takes from me. And then 2021 came. I’m ticking off my bespoke orders one by one and I’m not taking any new ones until I see I really have time for them. Right now it helps a lot if you’d buy stock items from the shop (I need space!).
My beloved car (Starlet 1996) had to go. Repairs were too much. We are looking at a new car, but this could take a while to be final. I haven’t used her a lot the last year, but after driving her for 15 years, I feel like I lost an old friend and some freedom of movement. Bright side is that I can look for a car with airco.
The freezing weather broke the water pipes in my workshop. We had a little river on the floor. No mentionable other damage, luckily, but I’ll need to fix it to have water in the workshop again (and pee, can’t pee there right now). Things are in motion, but all the energy that goes into this, is not going into creating.
Another thing is that my workshop is so full, I can’t properly play plumber right now. I have decided to go through my materials again and sell all the things I won’t use for any of my projects soon. I will keep you posted on this one.
The cabin (workshop) needs some work too. The roof needs to be patched in some places and it needs a sanding and painting. There are some other repairs. I wanted to focus on that this year, since there won’t be many festivals or events. We are going to need help with this and selling the material stock should help a bit with that. Every improvement makes my work there a lot easier.
That’s it for now. Taking it easy the next few days.
Love,
Liza
This post will be updated when there are changes.
The Netherlands is in lockdown till at least February 9th.
In short: This means all non essential stores are closed. Public and non public places indoors and outdoors where a lot of people gather are closed. They called for as little movement as possible.
What happens over here?
Stay safe and healthy. Keep an eye on your loved ones and neighbours. We’ll get through this.
Shipping to the UK is back. Mind that rates are up and you’ll be charged import, VAT and other extra charges.
There are rules in place, but they can change. There are snippets of info, but no one knows how to handle things yet . Result is that I see that almost every courier charges something over every parcel. Especially now in the beginning.
Gov.uk is still messed up (some links are not in right order).
I’m also sad to say that importing from the UK gives me a headache too. I don’t think I’ll be doing that with the current rules. First parcel I received was charged an extra 20 euro and it was an order from November 2020.
Etsy has set up tax collecting for orders till a certain amount.
I’ll be adjusting this post as the info comes. Last adjustment: 24/01/2021
There was a little issue on the fact that I resell replica jewellery. Which isn’t as handmade by a artisan as I want it to be. There was someone spitting on it (digitally), because he is an artisan. I can completely understand that. I don’t feel love and butterflies on factory made Viking dresses, but spitting on them (or making a public remark and killing someone’s sales) is not my game. I just don’t buy it and leave it be.
I stand by my own products and understand why there is batch made items that is cheaper. I don’t change my pricing for that. I keep doing what I do. This is my strength. I also like to make complete outfits and since I can’t forge iron or sculpt bronze, I look elsewhere for fibula’s (like leather work is something I outsource to Barbwire and Roses).
So why did I settle for a little less than absolutely handmade and non batchy fibula’s?
I have asked around in the Dutch, German and British Re-enactment community who would like to supply me (for almost 3 years now). The reactions on making for resell are not that enthusiastic. Most do it for fun and don’t want the pressure of a deadline (which are very stretchable in my case) or they don’t deliver at all (this happened). Then there is the scepticism on holding on to your stuff for it might get copied (funny if it’s a replica). These people never really took the time to see what I do.
Pera Peris delivers. They are German and make pretty good quality items. Their pricing is clear and their delivery time is fast. My mark up is the same as them (and almost any other store selling it). At least it isn’t cheap Ali stuff. If you were going for absolutely cheap and destroying the market, go Ali.
I welcome artisans that make fibula’s. Please, contact me. Tell me what you make and what’s your price. Don’t let the pricing of Pera scare you away, ask what you need to ask. Tell me what you can deliver in what time frame. It is hard enough to get by on your own in this period, but I might have the clients that you were looking for.
Love,
Liza
