I realise it may seem slightly peculiar to be talking about Christmas while many of us are still hoping for a decent stretch of summer weather.
Trust me, I know.
The last thing I want to do is rush anyone towards mince pies and fairy lights before they've had a chance to enjoy a sunny afternoon and an ice cream.
But one of the curious realities of running a handmade business is that Christmas often begins long before Christmas appears on anyone else's radar.
In fact, if I'm being completely honest, Christmas preparations sometimes begin while I'm still trying to remember where I put last year's Christmas preparations.
The handmade world works a little differently.
Unlike large retailers who can order thousands of items at the click of a button, handmade makers need time. Time to design. Time to source materials. Time to experiment. Time to make mistakes. Time to start again when an idea that looked brilliant on paper turns out to be less brilliant in reality.
And so, while Christmas may still feel comfortably distant, the wheels are already turning here at Parade Handmade.
At the moment, much of that activity exists in the form of sketches, notes, half-finished samples and ideas scattered across various notebooks.
Some of those ideas are brand new.
Others have been patiently waiting their turn.
In fact, a few of the collections I hope to finish this year actually began life last year.
As is often the case, I had rather more ideas than available hours.
I know. Shocking.
I have a long and distinguished history of becoming excited about creative projects and enthusiastically planning enough work for approximately three people.
It's a character flaw I'm learning to embrace.
Or at least manage.
Mostly.
One thing I am determined to do this year, however, is follow through on some of those unfinished ideas and finally bring them into the world.
Among the collections currently taking shape are new leather goods, Christmas card packs and a colourful selection of blank greeting cards suitable for birthdays, thank-you notes and all sorts of everyday occasions.
Some designs are festive.
Some are not.
But all of them are being created with the same goal in mind: bringing a little colour, creativity and personality into the everyday.
The card collections are particularly exciting because they allow so much room for experimentation.
Different themes.
Different colour palettes.
Different styles.
Some may be cheerful and playful. Others may lean towards a more traditional feel. At this stage, they're still evolving, which is one of the most enjoyable parts of the process.
The leather collection is another project I've been looking forward to revisiting.
Leather has such wonderful qualities as a material. The leather I have used is recycled from old furniture. It begged to be repurposed. I have always loved leather goods. They're practical, durable and develops character over time. The pieces I'm working on are intended to be useful, giftable and easy to enjoy for years to come. The only thing that stops me is the banging when the sewing holes are made. Normally I prefer quiet work and I hate startling animals whike I'm working. That's also why I avoid the sewing machine and as my husband would quip, the hoover too!
So that at least is the plan.
As every maker knows, plans occasionally develop minds of their own.
Still, that's part of the adventure.
One of the reasons I enjoy sharing these little studio updates is because they offer a glimpse into a stage of the creative process that customers don't always get to see.
Most products arrive on a website looking polished and complete.
You see the finished photographs, the descriptions and the neatly organised collections.
What you don't always see are the months of planning, testing, redesigning, procrastinating, rethinking, tea drinking and occasional head scratching that happened beforehand.
There is quite a lot of tea involved, as it turns out.
I think that's why I enjoy writing these posts.
They allow me to open the craft room door just a little and share what's happening behind the scenes before everything is finished and polished.
Not because I expect anyone to start shopping for Christmas in July.
Far from it.
But because it's nice to know what's coming.
I'm exactly the same myself.
If I spot a gift idea early in the year, I make a mental note of it. Sometimes I buy it and tuck it away. Not because I'm exceptionally organised—although I'd love people to believe that—but because spreading things out a little makes Christmas feel far more enjoyable later on.
A little planning now can take a surprising amount of pressure off later.
So consider this your early peek through the craft room window.
There are new leather pieces being planned.
Christmas cards waiting to be finished.
Colourful greeting cards taking shape.
And no doubt a few entirely new ideas that haven't yet announced themselves.
With a bit of luck, many of these collections will be ready to appear on the website by the end of September.
Fingers crossed.
In the meantime, I'll keep making, sketching, stitching, planning and drinking tea.
And when there's more to share, you'll be among the first to hear about it.
Meanwhile check out these collections if you fancy a wee brouse for yourself1
- Christmas Card Collection (previous years)
- Handmade Greeting Cards
- Wrist Warmers Collection
- Handmade Funky Bags Collection
- Leather Accessories Collection
- Shoreline Select Knits Collection
Remember, it's all to play for, as they say, take care, from Amanda
