I love being a hertitage craft worker, keeping the traditional skill of waldorf dollmaking alive. Being a self employed creative my job can look very different to traditional office jobs or shift workers.

I hope that you enjoy the insight into what working as a creative means for me, and the fact that being creative doesn’t actually mean that you are unorganised!

Before I share my typical day I think it is helpful to look at what the year looks like. Seasonality plays a massive part in the year of my business, and like nature around me, I have had to learn to embrace this.

I talk to new creative business owners panicking in January as their sales have jumped off a cliff, and I was there once. Be prepared as it can really affect your mental health: it is like riding a rollercoaster!

I now know that January to March will be quiet. This is my time to dream, plan, get my finances in order, set out my stall for the forthcoming year. By the end of January I have:

• Started with an annual review – looking back before treading onwards.
• Worked with The Design Trust using their planner to set my goals for the year.
• Sorted the chaos out from Christmas – finances back in order, stock takes, good old fashioned tidy.
• Looked at what I actually sold in my busy period, assessed my product range, and planned in what I need to make for the next year. I break it down into week by week to-dos.
• Planned my marketing for the year, from the events, to when I am going to launch new products, to my social media theme, blog posts and email ideas. This is of course flexible but its important to have a map to tell you where you want to go.

Suddenly that quiet period has disappeared!

February and March it’s about keeping up my morale. For me the majority of my sales come in September to December. I know that to maximise this I need to have my stock made for the fairs, and my components ready for custom-made dolls prepared by August. If I don’t do this I can’t maximise my sales and make the money I need to to get me through the next year – like a farmer preparing the ground and planting his seeds for the harvest. This is reason that the Royal Mail strikes this year had such a devasting impact on us small creatives.

During the cold winter I also plan my new collections – after checking they are what people want! It is my time to really get creative and get the juices flowing.

That all sounds good, logical advice, but what no one tells you is how hard it is! Motivation disappears when no sales are there, Christmas is so far off, and the uncertainity really gets you.

My inner monalogue whispers, “Will anyone want to buy my dolls? Can anyone afford me?”

Easter is the first chance for a few pennies to come in, and sales tend to lift after that with a few events including my Open Studios in the summer. This is also the ideal time for workshops apparently, so this year I am running a workshop in July.

Once September hits it gets busy.

Apart from trips to the post office I am working long hours, with busy weekends selling my ready made dolls (made earlier in the year) at carefully chosen events and busy weeks making dolls to order.

I absolutely love it, and my early preparations are like a present to myself – self care at its most important.

And like that another year rolls in, January is a welcome month after three months of harvesting, and loses its grey gloom.

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Now what about a typical day? As you can see it is affected by what point I am in the year, but this is what I aim for.

Unfortunately, during the last three months, the exercise takes a back burner. I am hoping that this year I can keep it in!

1. My typical day starts early, with a 6 am alarm. We live in rural Kent so my daughters have to catch an early bus to school. 
2. As dollmaking is so static I’ll get my body moving by heading out for a run, or doing a workout. Then I take my mini Schnuazer, Syd, out for a country walk, often catching up with fellow creatives in my village and enjoying being in nature.
3. Returning back, my husband will get the coffee brewed and I’ll sit down with my Design Trust planner to work out the day. Orders always take priority so I’ll tackle them first. In the quiet times I’ll design new collections, work on my marketing and make ahead for Christmas.
4. My day always comes to an abrupt end with after school clubs and dinner to cook. Homemaking and motherhood is my priority in the evening. 
5. I’ll return to my workshop after their bedtime – often to sketch ideas and dream – before getting an early night!

I don’t work weekends as I rule, apart from events and fairs. Dollmaking is a passion but, like any creative pursuit, it is important to nuture it and yourself.