As my mate S was whizzing me around in her car in the mountains for some "fresh air" and a "walk" later on (she's determined to be part of my wellness journey) , we started talking about what we'd like to do . She's an artist so she had some ideas of her own and I had some "production" ideas of my own. We then started to talk about doing something together, but she came to a stop at the side of a road across a lovely old Queenslander house.
We got out of the car and she said "I've got this great OP shop for you to discover!" pointing to the house. Now mind you, if you scroll back, wwaayyyy back before the whole Cancer and moving episodes, I had started getting more involved with zero waste and recycling. We didn't really have OP shops in Malaysia then, Usually we had "bazaars" or "garage sales", so all this was a new experience for me.
We mooched into the shop, and the ladies manning the counter smiled and said "hi!", of course I went directly to the crockery and glass area, I'm a nut when it comes to all of that! I found some gorgeous red wine glasses and S said she'd split the glasses with me so we'd have a couple each and could "drink to each other" at our respective houses when we had a drop.. or two.... or.. no no .. that's enough, after Chemo I'm a cheap date, two drinks and I'm two sheets to the wind!
CHEERS BUDDETTE!
Aaannneeway.. *hic* I also picked up a really cute coffee set, "hey S, check this out, it's just so cute!" I shout out. She calls back " how much is it?", I lift up 4 fingers . "buy it lovely, it's a bargain!" And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.. (cheesy but apt no?) I think ,well when my daughter is done with her degree at Uni and wants a place of her own.. (cue huge sniffff.) .. this would do her as well to start off with!
So taking our purchases and thanking the sales ladies, well I told them off for being so nice and for tempting me with all those gorgeous glasses , and the cheeky one said, "come back soon, we always have new stock coming in specially glasses "... Be still my beating heart. For someone who is not that keen on shopping this was going to be my downfall!!!
We resumed our conversation as we got in the car about doing something and it evolved around selling homemade things at the markets. After grilling S about how much the stalls or space cost at various markets, I asked her how people could afford it on a weekly basis? Did they really sell that much ? So I told her about my Happily Homemade project. See most people post their products on FB or Instagram and wait for a few hits, then they will also participate in a market or two hoping you get a good spot. It's hard work if you don't know how to market or advertise your products via photos or videos. And it takes a while before you get a following or stable clients.
My idea was simple, create a youtube channel, call it Happily Homemade, have everything catagorised ie. crafts, art, jams/condiments etc so it would be easier for buyers to navigate, shoot the products properly in a standard video format, so buyers could see the product instead of flat 1 dimensional pics, and do it all for FREE... The only thing was I had to get a crowdfunding platform to kickstart all of this in order to buy the equipment , market it, etc. Hence the GoGetFunding page.
First of all it's my way of giving back to the community using my skills, secondly it gives me something to do that's worthwhile while I am on my journey to getting healthier, and eventually to get back to work, and lastly to get out of my children's hair as I'm so in their face nowadays from lack of company!!! (I am NOT a saddo.. it's payback time, before they wouldn't leave me alone now the tables are turned ha ha ha ha.. I'm just awful I know!)
So with that said could you help with the funding? Do you or your friends need an easier way to sell homemade products? Could a video link on your page with your product help boost your sales? And would you be happy paying.... nothing for it? If its a yes, then Please head over to the GoFundMe page and make my day!
Lots of love and light my lovelies.
Dx
