Before the Sequel

After finishing doll number one, I took pictures and sent them to its soon-to-be owner (Charles Hyatt). He loved it.

He collected his doll and took it home.  I heard my phone ringing, saw his number, and thought he was just calling to inform me he got home safe, (no that wasn't his reason for calling).  He called because his wife Judy wanted to speak with me.

Why you ask?....................

Well, it's because "I can't stop looking at the doll". She stated she was even thinking she might need one for herself. OMG... She commended my neatness and applaud my craftsmanship.

It felt good when a customer is satisfied with their order.  I'm bracing myself for what's to come and it is gonna be good.  I can just feel it.

Sneak preview.....

Sequel Preview 

#Khenzuri #Jamaicanmade #customersatisfaction

#GoodNews

Hey guys,

     When you get a personal call from Charles Hyatt of #GoodNewsJamaica requesting that you make a doll or two, you do it.  Even if it's going to push and test your creativity.

      He requested two "manly dolls" just to support me (girl glad bag buss).  Now, I've made male dolls before (see pic below), just none that's "buff".

Oh well, this is my chance to prove I am the best at what I do.  Here goes!

Doll #1

So sorry guys, I was so excited to get it done I totally forgot to take pics of the arms and legs before I started the body.  I'll do it with doll #2, scouts honour.

As promised, arms and legs, before the body is attached.

Here is finished doll #1.

See those muscles?

Bye for now as Doll number 2 and 3 (yes he ordered a third) will be in the sequel.

#Khenzuri #Handmade #creativityatitsbest

Drops of Summer.

Hi y'all,


I am part of this lovely group called Yarnitude on Facebook. It comprises knitters, crocheters, and just all things yarn.

I tried via Youtube to learn knitting a few years back but never really got the hang of it.  The amazing members of this group along with their diverse artistry have ignited the fire to wanna learn knitting and learn it quick.

One day while commenting on a post the administrator of the group Jen Giuntoli read my comment and gifted me a choice of one of her lovely designs. Can you believe that? Yes, she did.

I thought it would have been hard being that I have never read a knit pattern and understood it before as I don't know the different stitches with the exception of Knits and Purls (and I actually recently learned the difference between the two). I took a deep breath and read my "drops of Summer" pattern and realise this was a rather easy pattern.

Guess what?...... What, you say?..... It can be worn in 3 ways. (Grinning like a  Cheshire Cat)

I was so anxious to try this pattern out, that I didn't confirm I had enough of the same yarn to complete it.  It turned out, I so didn't as I had only one skein which couldn't make it. Secondly, when casting on, I didn't leave a long enough tail to get the number of stitches for an adult size (How can one turn such a simple well-written pattern into something hard? Ask me, I can tell you).  I decided to complete the child size instead since that's the number of stitches I got from the tail I left out.

The first step before repeats.

I decided to use another colour.

I got the thumbs up to match the two colours (see pic above), but I kept making mistakes after mistakes, so guess what I did?  You got it, I pull it all out.  I was however not discouraged, so I started the pattern over with another yarn and in, you guessed it my size.

Making steady strides.

Let the repeats begin.

Two more rounds of repeats and then...... Decreases.

I was so motivated to complete this shawl that I burned the midnight oil. 

My shawl/cowl is completed.  I've blocked it and waiting for the perfect outfit to pair it with.  I said I was waiting for the perfect outfit right?, well I couldn't seem to find it and couldn't wait so.......

Me trying to be a model.

#thankfulformygift #handmade #yarnitude #khenzuri

Gifting handmade

Hi Loves, 

It's my bestie's baby shower. Oh no, what am I going to get her when I'm on a constricted diet budget?

Think, think, think Melissa, think...... Yes (and I got my eureka moment), I got the ideal gift.  So I set out to find just the perfect style for this little bundle of joy.

Here's what I came up with (of course I had to tag them).

Bitty Bow sandal by Bethany Dearden

(https://youtu.be/dtVnVjhZQgQ). I designed the headband.

This is the button (less the buttons) gladiator sandals by  Bethany Dearden (https://youtu.be/W6DX9bWH-ZA)

The headband was designed using the Kanzashi flower by Donna Wolfe (https://youtu.be/J2MNYprY1c4)

So you see, I had the perfect gift made by yours truly and she absolutely loved it.  

Fast forward a few weeks later I was asked to make a baby sandal and headband set for a gift and you know me... Variety is the spice of life, so there's no way I was going to do the same ones I did before ( where's the fun in that?).

https://youtu.be/Z-OK-A3FRuI

#handmade #khenzuri #proudJamaica

Twining

Order up,

   Today I start my very first ordered doll,  yes I've made and sold dolls before but this is the very first time someone has (seriously) ordered one.

It all started when I sent a picture my bookmarkers to a friend asking her for support.

She replied not today but went unto advertising them for me (thank you). She got me a sale, then another.  Then asked me about this doll.

For those who know me, knows I hardly every replicate what I've done before. As I love to say dare to be different.  So naturally, I needed to know what about the doll they liked so I could reproduce it.  The person said the hair... OK, that's doable.

They liked the dress but wants a different colour (but of course).  She then gave the order as follows:

*black, green and gold hair #proudJamaican #patriarch 

*Red dress......... #ladyinred

You know what this means? To the drawing board.

Work in progress (WIP)

Heading to the finish line

Almost there.

Completed

Now time to package and deliver.

 What do you all think? Are they twinning or what?

Neighbour, Neighbour

Guys,

I'm like over the moon right now.  Do you remember or have you checked my post about great men? Well, in this case, a great woman - ME (smiles).

So after making and modelling my top the very next day, ( THE VERY NEXT DAY) I receive a call for an order.  Yes, an order.

My day started like most, with me lying in bed trying to plan my day and then heading for the showers to revitalize and start working.  Here I am in the bathroom and I decided to listen to some gospel then I heard Taylor Swift's "End Game" starting, I checked the caller ID but the number was unknown.

"Hello"
"Melissa, come over and take your first order". I was like "Hello, who is this?"
"Ms Janet."

Guys, I was beaming from ear to ear.

I finish my bath, and while getting dressed she called back. "Wear the blouse as it was in the night I looked at it".

I gathered my tape measure, my book, pencil, the pattern and headed over.  She laughed and said I met business. "Like yeah".

That's not all, in addition to ordering the top,

she gave me the threads to do it (how cool is that?).

I measured and made my notes, I ran over my house grinning like a kid on Christmas Day.

Here I go...... Let the work begin.

Back (3 of the yellow did the back)

Front (3 did the front)

I worked as fast as I could because I so wanted to complete this top and see the look on my customer's face. 

🤞perfect.

#khenzuristreasures #eyesontheprize #talented #handmade

Oceanside Dolman Sleeve Top

The heights of great men reached and kept were not obtained by sudden flight, but they while their companions slept were upward toiling through the night.

2:04 am and I'm up completing a crochet top (Oceanside Dolman-Sleeve Top by FlexibleFashions.net), as part of my plan to advertise my talent and gain recognition for my business.

Three quarter way through and the thread I'm using finish, " omg, really".  Oh well I have two other rolls, but "oh no!", though it's the same colour the brand is different which caused a slight variation.

Do you see it?

"What am I going to do now?"

Press on, forward March..... Luckily I still have to join the back and front together, make collar, cuffs and hem so it should be fine. Right?

I sure hope so............

Here's the finish product.

The top is finally finish and the difference is hardly visible.  What do you all think?

#khenzuristreasures #proudjamaican #multitalented 

Bookmarkers

In my pursuit of finding that thing, or two that will allow me to stand out and stay relevant, here I am up from the crack of dawn searching the world wide web for ideas while making different bookmakers.

Modifications made (always) to add my own touch.

Trying the Unfamiliar

Trying the unfamiliar,

     I am a sucker for routine, afraid of the unknown, so even when I dreamt many years ago about having my own business, it never materialised.  The name was decided over a year ago and still, I procrastinated about starting.  It actually took the loss of my job, to which I was gainfully employed to for almost nine years to get me started.

I reached out to a government company for guidance and even though I still haven't found my niche I am confident that I will have a viable business in a country that my trade is not appreciated by most.

There are a lot of blockage and speed bumps but it's early days yet.  I will make Thomas A. Edison's "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" my mantra and press on.

Come along with me on my journey to becoming an entrepreneur, a successful businesswoman, a better mom and who knows a wife someday.

#beautyandbrain #Khenzuristreasures #proudJamaican 

Finding your niche

Hi  Loves 

I have been trying to find my niche to make my newly started business viable, and I came across a quote that resonated with me. It advised me to find my customers - those who appreciate my offerings and are willing to pay for them. While family and friends are supportive, they cannot sustain a business. So, I stepped out of my comfort zone and actively pursued my dream.

My first step was seeking help, and I visited the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) with a variety of offerings. Next, I got registered and started working on the project we decided to start with. This got me quite excited as it allowed my creative juices to start flowing, and I made over a dozen dolls in no time. I then got labels, tags, and packaging done.

I was thrilled to have my dolls showcased at a well-established store at the airport (the Norman Manley International). While waiting for the dolls to be sale-tested, I designed keychains that I sold successfully. However, I felt that something was missing. 

After almost six months of being in business, I was still not blooming. Back to the drawing board, I remembered JBDC and attended one of their seminars. It was there that I realized my major issue with growth was marketing. 

Damn...

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/aa/d8/0d/aad80d0e9b55bdd10710028d26bc7e50.jpg

#findingyourniche #handmade #crochet #knitting #smallbusiness #blogger