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25/04/2024

I've had a bit of a longer break than I intended.

JJ’s antibiotic treatment was a little more complicated than we had hoped. Although we had amazing community nurses coming in to do his 9am meds most days, we still have inevitable trips to the hospital some mornings (on top of his daily 9pm trip).

We’ve had no end of cannula trouble and some nights we have been at the hospital for up to 3 hours. Naturally this has meant we have had one extremely tired household.

He had the cannula taken out on Monday, and now we are praying that the antibiotics have worked and the infection has gone. If not, there is every possibility he be re-admitted for a much longer period. It's also very likely he will have to have another operation too.

Thankfully JJ is now back at school full time. This week I am trying to catch up on the data input work I had not managed to complete whilst he was receiving treatment. Oh and somehow catch up on lost sleep, let alone R & R.

Any work on SSHUK and SBH has taken a back seat, and i’m not sure when i’ll get back to it. At the moment I feel like I need a 6 week sabbatical!

So for now, i’m focusing on the important stuff and as energy allows i’ll get to the other stuff.

Thanks for reading, catch up soon. Helen ❤️ xx

15/04/2024

This Easter I had every intention of filling my metaphoric cup☕

But life had different plans for me! The Easter holidays didn’t quite turn out as I expected. I had all these plans to catch up on work, maybe create new products, and spend some quality time with family. But life had a different plan. ✂️

Instead of working on my business, I spent time visiting my parents, taking the dog on long walks, trying to eat healthily, exercising, oh, and dealing with my son being in hospital! Unfortunately, Squiddly has a major ear infection that can only be dealt with by intravenous antibiotics. So we had to cut short our time in Manchester and come home to get him admitted to our local hospital. Thankfully, he’s out now, but he still needs two doses a day, so we still have 9 pm visits to the hospital for the next week or so!

So this is your reminder that even the best-laid plans can go awry. Adaption and moving forward is crucial. In business, as in life, flexibility is key. Sometimes, we must put our businesses on the back burner and focus on what matters - family.

How did your Easter holiday go? Were you able to stick to your plans or did life throw you a curveball?

31/03/2024

Happy Easter!! 🐰 🐣

Hope the easter bunny came to visit?!? Thankfully not too many in our house this year (as it won’t help my diet🤣).

anyway, i’m planning on taking a bit of a break over the next week. Time for some quality family time; starting with a trip to the cinema to see the new Ghostbuster movie!

Much love, Helen ❤️xx

💕

23/03/2024

I was saddened to hear yesterday’s announcement. No one should be forced to have to explain their personal life to stop unnecessary speculation. No one should be forced into a situation like this. But what I am more horrified about is the trolling and unkind words I have seen on social media leading up to her being forced to make this announcement. Honestly, I have been disgusted by what I have read, particularly from other women.

I feel compelled to remind us of this:

“A strong woman stands up for herself. A stronger woman stands up for everyone else.” - Unknown

Social media has a fantastic ability to connect us, but it can also be a breeding ground for negativity. I’ve witnessed this recently with horrific trolling and bullying, some of which has come from women (I once respected). This negativity, especially when directed at other women, is not the path we should be on. Something I have always said to my boys; if you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all.

We as women know how it feels to be torn down, to be made to feel small, and to have our feelings dismissed. It is an awful feeling and yet some of us seem to inflict that pain on others without a second thought. In a world that constantly tries to pit us against each other, our unity is our strength. We rise by lifting others, please let us never forget that.

18/03/2024

🤫YOUR COMPETITORS MIGHT BE USING THIS…🤫

Hey how is it Monday already!

I might have been a little absent posting here on insta, but I’ve still been hovering around. It seems I’ve been seeing a lot of the same concerns doing the rounds at the moment. So many of you are seeing tumbleweed in your shops. It’s so disheartening isn’t it?

If you can relate and you’re also feeling a bit lost in the handmade hustle, I totally get it. Running a creative small business is amazing, but it’s a LOT of work. Between designing, making, and trying to reach customers, there are endless things to do. And when it’s tumbleweed, you lack the drive and passion. That’s why I made this checklist my priority when I was doing my audit. It seemed the logical choice to work on to try and get you back on track.

This checklist isn’t about overwhelming you with more tasks. Instead, it’s packed with easy, focused prompts to keep your business moving. Think of it as your mini-guide to building momentum.

✨ You’ll get ideas to: • Boost your social media presence • Get fresh eyes on your products • Dive deeper into understanding your dream customers

✨The benefits: • Feel a sense of accomplishment • Gain motivation • Prove to yourself that you’re building something amazing.

And at just £1.25 for your instant pdf download, it won’t break the bank. So are you ready to get unstuck and back into a creative flow? Grab your checklist today (link in bio!) and let’s get this handmade hustle going!

13/03/2024

How I’m going to move forward with my business📈

When was the last time you took stock of your product offerings? Truth be told, I can’t remember the last time I did. I probably have a shop full of outdated business ebooks. An overhaul is probably overdue. But now as i’m slowly building my business back up I think now is the time to conduct that audit and to see what newness I can bring.

Over the years, I’ve developed a range of products that I’m proud of, but I know that the market and customer needs are constantly evolving. I want to make sure that my products are still relevant, useful, and meeting the needs of my customers.

Conducting an audit of my products will help me to:
🔍 Take a step back and assess my products with a fresh perspective 💡 Identify areas where I can innovate and improve my offerings
📈 Ensure that my products are aligned with my brand values and aesthetic
💰 Streamline my production process and reduce waste
👍 Deliver high-quality products that exceed customer expectations

As a small business owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of running the business and neglect to take a step back and assess what’s working and what’s not. But I know that taking the time to conduct this audit will be worth it in the long run. By regularly evaluating my products and processes, I can ensure that my business is always moving forward and staying competitive. And, most importantly, I can continue to deliver products that my customers will love.

Stay tuned for updates on my new products..

👉 Share with me in the comments below: Have you ever conducted a product audit? What did you learn from the process?

08/03/2024

Women, we’re stronger together 💪🏽💕

Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible achievements of women around the world. But let’s not forget that gender equality is a daily fight, not just a once-a-year celebration. 💁‍♀️

Many women across the world suffer
• Gender-based violence
• Lack of education
• Discrimination
• Reproductive rights
• Maternal health
• Poverty
• Lack of political representation
• Lack of economic opportunities
• Gender stereotypes
• Trafficking and exploitation

I could go on. Truth is, we should be speaking about this EVERY day, not just on International Women’s Day.

Women still face significant barriers to success, from gender bias to unequal pay. That’s why we must continue to lift each other up, every single day. 🌟

So, let’s make gender equality a habit, not just a hashtag. Let’s celebrate our strengths, our resilience, and our potential. Let’s support each other’s dreams, goals, and ambitions. And let’s remember that when we empower women, we empower entire communities. 🌎

Join us in this daily fight for gender equality. Share your stories, your struggles, and your successes. Together, we can create a world where every woman has the opportunity to shine. ✨

”

04/03/2024

❤️WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY TIME AWAY❤️

Stepping away from my business gave me a fresh perspective. I realized that I had been so focused on the day-to-day grind that I had neglected my own needs and what mattered most.

Being there for JJ was so important but I can’t neglect that aside from a mum, wife, daughter that I am also still Helen. Now that he is on the mend I can put more time into me.

The last few months I learned the importance of setting boundaries, of asking for help, and of taking time for myself. I also learned that it’s okay to take a break, to step back and reassess. In fact, it’s essential

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from taking a break?

29/02/2024

Hey, guys,
How are you all doing? I’ve missed you all a lot!

To be honest, some days I feel relieved that I no longer have to struggle to run my business. I’m glad that I ended it when I did. However, there are days when I miss it badly. I wonder where I would be today if I hadn’t given up. I also question whether I still have something valuable to offer.

But what I really miss is the community. I miss seeing your posts, comments, and business journeys. I just wonder...

There’s a small idea brewing in my head, and I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth pursuing. Should I go for it?

Anyway, while I’m pondering over my thoughts, here’s a quick update on my life...

I’m still working from home as a data inputter for an AI company. It’s not the most glamorous job, but it gives me the flexibility I need to look after my boys. I can work as little or as much as I want. This was especially helpful when my son, Diddly, had a major ear surgery almost six weeks ago. He was off school for almost a month, and it was challenging to take care of him and work at the same time.

I had to close my business, SBH, in January. It was heartbreaking to do it, but sometimes you have to let go of a lost cause. I still make gifts and sell them at in-person markets, but I don’t have an online shop at the moment. However, that doesn’t mean I won’t get back to it someday.

Although it’s been great not having the pressure of running a business, I feel like I’ve lost a part of myself. Can you help me figure out what I should do?

27/11/2023

It's goodbye from me.

You can still keep in touch with me over at

Thank you all. You’ve been amazing!

26/11/2023

🎄Last day today🎄

Just a few hours left to shop our virtual market.

Head on over to my bio and you’ll find the link to shop!

Browse our collection of makers and support small today!

owner

25/11/2023

📣Our handmade for the holidays virtual Christmas market continues today!

You can shop through the link in my bio.

So take a peek and find that perfect special something!

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http://www.shopsmallhandmadeuk.co.uk/, http://www.shopsmallhandmadeuk.co.uk/

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