So a little bit about me. I actually only really picked up the passion of the needle and sewing in 2009. I spent the past couple of years before Patchwork Paradise, working as a Community Care working and a Support worker for Young People with Severe Learning Disabilities. I use to work nights like many people do these days and had to find a way to keep my mind alert during the quiet periods at night. So I picked up Cross Stitcher magazine and began my journey learning to sew. I was immediately sewn into the world of threads and fabric, I found a lot of pleasure making items for everyone. One moment I was cross stitching the next I was making little fabric houses and even Fimo jewellery. Of which I had one entered into Crafts Beautiful magazine (even if it was only a little peek) it still inspired me to try more crafts. Finally after dabbling in a bit of everything I found my I adored fabric which meant sewing home products was what I fell in love with. I will give you a peek at some of my very first and early makes, most of these where made during my long and arduous night shifts.
After several years in care, my life came to a halt as my hubby lost a job. I was already working 60 hour weeks to help pay the bills and panic struck, how on earth where we going to manage with only me working. I had very little money! Just £20.00 in fact! The only thing I thought to do at the time, was like everyone when pennies are short you ebay your possessions. So on went my lovely collection of fabric, magazines and other sewing lovelies. Sacrifices had to be made. The thing that surprised me was the fabric I chose where ever so popular and I was making a more than what I paid for them at RRP. So with my £20.00 I scrawled the net to find fabric bargains and managed to double my money at ebay auctions! Yippee. Sometimes I won and sometimes I lost! Still this was not enough to pay the bills. A break through came when I was at my favorite fabric shops! perusing and I found an entire bolt of Cath Kidston!! Cotton Duck Floral Spray White at just £10.00 a metre. I had to buy the entire roll, it was do it and hope for the best. I suppose some may think of it as a gamble with their money, however, I thoroughly understood the market demands at the time and knew I would make enough to cover the extras for that month.
I went home that night and got it right on to auction starting with just small pieces. I couldn't believe it when a Fat Quarter was selling for between £5.00 and £10.00! Over the moon I had to reinvest! and that is what I have been doing ever since. Amazingly me & hubby scraped by until he got a job, thanks to Patchwork Paradise. However, for me it was just the beginning!! So that's how Patchwork Paradise got started. There are so many more things in between but their isn't enough time to tell! :)
Ultimately, it is my firm belief anyone can make a living from home if they are truly passionate about a product, understand the market needs and willing to at times take small risks to advance their business. If you are a Crafter, don't think about what if I can do, just do it! Try it and work out what works and what doesn't. The full purpose of Patchwork Paradise, is not only to sell amazing value for money fabrics, but to teach people to have the skills they need to start there own businesses and to help them iron out any problems they find on the way. I have a small advantage as I went to The University of Plymouth to study Administration Management & a Business Management Degree, which helps me stay organised and on top of tax/financial information, however, you do not need any higher education to succeed. Just the willingness to learn. I will pass on whatever knowledge I can to help you.
Enough chit chat from me! :) I'm Jennifer, the pictures below is me last year in Tenerife, Hubby and our gorgeous mischievious munchkin Timmy (Yes he's A Cat) :)
Jennifer xx
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