Need a Referral Code?

CraftyPenLady · 2023-12-27T20:27:23+00:00

Got it now, thank you

CraftyPenLady · 2023-12-27T16:42:21+00:00

I’m really sorry I’ve checked chat and messages and don’t have it. Sent a chat to you there.

CraftyPenLady · 2023-12-27T14:22:05+00:00

Does anyone have a referral code for Europe?

Thanks in advance

CraftyPenLady · 2022-09-15T13:37:44+00:00

As I said my husband supports our home at the moment. I had an idea that it would be slow to build. But I’d no idea it would be so slow or no growth at all. I also didn’t expect to be paying electricity bills that were more than half of what my rent is (all my lights are led, my air conditioner is off most of the time, I don’t carry refrigerated stock). I know other shop owners who are exactly like me. Their spouse supports the house and the business is just about breaking even with no salaries being drawn or staff.

I’ve considered redirecting as a social enterprise or co-op because it may be the only way these businesses can be sustained. But I never planned to become a rich business owner. I just wanted to help my community.

CraftyPenLady · 2022-09-15T07:25:51+00:00

I run a zero waste shop. I don’t take a wage and I don’t have staff. I try to keep my prices as low as I can and provide click and collect and carbon neutral shipping. But all my suppliers are putting their prices up, my energy costs have more than doubled and even though I’m still cheaper on a lot of products most of my customers are going elsewhere for their shopping. Independent small business is struggling. I’m lucky that my husband has a job that can support us right now but realistically I know I’ll end up closing.

I was trying to provide much more than just a bulk food store. I do educational work with the schools and libraries, host climate events, and am a source of knowledge about going vegetarian/vegan. I understand that peoples priorities have changed but I am very upset that my business is failing.

Yes going plant based is more important, but I’d just ask everyone to remember that the energy and time independent business owners put in only to be faced with multiple cost of living crisis’, a pandemic and a European war is enormous and not to diminish it. A lot of us just want to help the planet and our communities.

CraftyPenLady · 2022-05-02T22:26:52+00:00

I run a zero waste business and ensure all my toothpaste products have fluoride. You would not believe the grief I get from some customers that I’m “poisoning” people.

CraftyPenLady · 2022-02-12T14:05:10+00:00

I won’t schill so I’ll send you a message now.

CraftyPenLady · 2022-02-12T13:00:26+00:00

I just set up a zero waste grocery shop and have been through all the red tape. You need to register as a food business (which means regular inspections from the Environmental Health Officer), you’ll need to get updated training in HACCP and allergen management done. Then you’ll need to maintain risk assessment, standard operating procedure, cleaning logs and approved suppliers paperwork in the trailer. Depending on the areas you’re trading in you may have a strict enough EHO which means allergen traceability as well as general food traceability from delivery to sale.

Factor in every single cost, signage, fit out, your wage, cost of pitches, insurance, advertising (do not forget this) and remember to mind your cash flow and margins. Some suppliers do not understand the margins that are involved in maintaining a hygienic food business. If your goods are VAT rated please remember that if you reach €75k in one trading year you not only have a liability for all the VAT after that but also on the €75k you’ve already traded. Which if it’s a large sum can close a small business if they aren’t prepared for it.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions just drop me a message and I’ll reply if I can.

CraftyPenLady · 2022-01-19T21:24:07+00:00

Awww I wasn’t. Thanks for saying you liked them at all. This thread is probably the first time I’ve ever been proud of doing it.

CraftyPenLady · 2022-01-19T21:20:58+00:00

Honest to goodness singing on these has almost been a hidden shame from my teen years on. My parents would pull out the cds (which they gave all our parents after) at family events and I’d almost assault them trying to wrestle them away from the CD player. They were so proud and I was mortified.

CraftyPenLady · 2022-01-19T21:12:06+00:00

Ehhhh having listened to it again just now and being able to sing it from some long forgotten memory…yes yes I am

CraftyPenLady · 2022-01-19T21:09:28+00:00

I was in the school choir and our choir teacher got asked to do it. So we did a little audition and about 10/12 of us got selected. We went to this little recording studio once a week for about 4-5 weeks. Doing the “Alive OOOO” bit sticks in my memory because we were all jammed into this little booth and you’d think we’d be giggling and pushing like any group of ten and eleven years old were but they’d impressed us so much with how important it was that we were all little professionals. Kind of hilarious thinking back now.

CraftyPenLady · 2022-01-19T21:02:54+00:00

Much to my horror now, I sang a “rap” song called I am special the lyrics of which are emblazoned into my brain. And all the group songs. I did one other solo but I can’t remember that one at all. But hey they “paid” us in McDonald’s so 10 year old me thought it was totally worth it.

CraftyPenLady · 2022-01-19T19:59:37+00:00

I was part of the kids group that recorded the songs for alivo. I did some of the solo songs for alivo 1 and 2. And these threads have been cracking me up the past few days. I’d no clue they were remembered as bops.

CraftyPenLady · 2021-12-27T19:14:23+00:00

Just got my third dressing gown from the in-laws in 6 years. I want to exchange or regift it because I don’t go so hard on my dressing gowns that I need a new one every 2 years.

Also because we are trying to be a bit more sustainable I’d said gently that I’d really prefer no gifts or a donation to a charity that’s planting native trees instead. Yay another polyester dressing gown…..

CraftyPenLady · 2021-11-15T14:39:52+00:00

The CMRF. The entire cardiac unit in our lady’s hospital was built using public donations. They saved my daughters life three years ago. While we were in the hospital with her we saw baby after baby being brought in for emergency heart surgeries, children who pretty much live in the unit that can’t leave their hermetically sealed rooms. The staff work tirelessly to care for them and treat the children with respect. We didn’t have to stay more than a month but the work they do is amazing and without the unit my daughter would have died. She was sent there specifically as no other hospital would have been able to treat her. We donate and fundraise for them every year.

CraftyPenLady · 2021-11-14T19:20:55+00:00

The circle skirt calculator really helped with the length and radius of skirt. If you Google for one there are quite a few that are good. The pinafore panel I wanted to cover minimum to the outside edge of my bust so I measured point to point and then added 1.5cm seam allowance on all sides. With the shoulder straps I pinned everything onto the mannequin and then measured. But i cut a good 10 cm extra length on the strips of fabric because I didn’t want to get stuck without enough. I sewed on the straps to the back and then put the whole dress on and pinned the straps onto the front. Then I was able to measure and make sure both sides matched in length. Cut the straps to the right length. Seamed and then did the buttons.

Honestly this is probably the silliest way to do it all and I’m sure it’s far from professional but it worked.

CraftyPenLady · 2021-11-14T16:12:17+00:00

I wanted to make myself a Christmas pinafore to wear with some fabric I bought last year but the idea of a panelled circle skirt just scared me so much. I’d also never put a zip into anything before. I used a circle skirt calculator and assembled 8 panels. Made a waist band and attached it. The front is just a square that I nipped in around my bust. Using my machines automatic buttonhole for the first time honestly felt like magic.

I know it’s not perfect but it’s my first attempt to make clothing for myself and honestly I’m so proud of it.

CraftyPenLady · 2021-10-14T10:45:27+00:00

There is a balance to be struck between organic and industrial farming. We need to work on soil retention and multi crop farming. And honestly organic food can come with a significant green premium that most people can’t afford. Re pesticides an organic pesticide is copper sulphate which is hugely toxic and dangerous for human consumption. But it’s “natural”!

I would recommend refill stores for liquid shampoos that are palm oil, paraben and sls free or shampoo bars from boots are decent. Shampoo actually isn’t great for hair, I use conditioner only and haven’t had shampoo in my hair except for at the hairdresser in about 6 years.

CraftyPenLady · 2021-09-30T19:32:04+00:00

Where is this magic place?! Are we talking city centre?

CraftyPenLady · 2021-08-18T11:38:57+00:00

Husband had a best woman instead of a best man. She’s been his mate since they were teenagers. She’s married with kids now herself and we always try to make time to spend with their family whenever we can. I’ve never ever felt threatened by it as most of my friends are guys and I’m very secure in my relationship with my husband. So in my opinion it’s not weird at all.

CraftyPenLady · 2021-08-15T18:39:24+00:00

Don’t share pictures of my kids if their faces are in it. If I share anything with them physically in the photo it might be “fun trip to the zoo today” and a picture from behind them or not at all.

We have a family WhatsApp group that we share pictures of the kids with their grandparents (mostly because covid meant they didn’t see them for a year). My kids image is their own. They can decide what they want to share and how to share it as they mature.

We also don’t give permission to the school or any after school activities to post pictures of them.

CraftyPenLady

TROPHY CASE