New Chalkboards

Check out our very popular chalk boards, we launched them at top drawer and they've been selling like crazy, guess everyone needs something to write reminders on, I know the feeling.

We have finally moved into our new unit, after several very long cold months we have found a wonderful little place in Skipton, it needs a little bit of TLC but with a lick of paint and a refit for the shop area we should be up and running with production and shop all rolled into one.

I'm currently making a sign for outside, i've re vamped the logo which were putting on the new website (when we eventually get it done!)

I've been really busy making furniture recently and I've made some new interesting pieces, although I keep forgetting to get pictures before they go, but here are a few I managed before they got shipped

Fairbourn has gone global this year, we are now selling to trade companies in Germany and recently we've been commissioned to make furniture for a client who lives in Italy, which we were so pleased to make.

Top Drawer 2010

Thanks to everyone who visited my stand this year at Top Drawer, and to Poppy-children for helping out on the stand.

This years Top Drawer seemed so much busier than last year, the days went so quickly and there seemed a constant stream of people on the stand. It was fantastic to meet so many new customers and also meeting customers that I usually only talk to via e-mail.

There were some amazing stands with such talented people I love Top Drawer for the diverse types of business you find there, and the new range of children's clothing from Poppy-children was utterly inspiring, I love all of Poppy's designs but this years winter selection has beautiful colours and fabric, I can't wait to use some in my new furniture range later this year.

And while i'm on the subject of new designs, keep a look out for my new range of furniture to be launched later this spring, I've been busy over winter preparing drawings and designs and with the added recent investment in machinery, there will be no limits to the creativity I can add to my range.

Happy new year.....

I can hardly believe I survived Christmas!

I have never been so busy, and just as the orders were ready to ship down came the snow, I spent the monday before christmas pulling a sledge full of parcels to the post office, I now know what Santa goes through!

The gap between christmas and the new year has given me chance to catch up on the new design work for Fairbourn, i'm really pleased with the new items we have and i've loads of designs drawn up ready to be made. Most of the new items will be launched at Top Drawer at Earls Court London on January 17th-19th, I can hardly believe Top Drawer is only two weeks away, I think i'll be burning the midnight oil this week to get everything ready.

I was recently asked if I would submit some items for an exhibition in Bilston Craft Gallery, they are having an exhibition showcasing children's designers and I was so pleased to be asked, if your in the area pop in for a look, i've attached some shots they sent me which look great, there are some fantastic pieces in the exhibition.

Fairbourn has also been featured on a new website called "From Britain With Love" it's a really lovely well put together website with only uk made products, they are showcasing designers an it's a great place to source unique new design.

I've spotted one of our new sets of drawers on www.piccalilly.co.uk

They have some amazing fair trade children's clothes, the company is run by mum of two Hannah who will be showcased on GMTV soon, well done Hannah.

One year down

What a great end to a great week, I started the week on sunday with a good walk up Wernside with an very good friend of mine, we talked non stop and forgot to look at the scenery!

I also took a sneaky day off on Saturday to spend the day with hubby and son, for a good family day out, I think it could be the last chance before Christmas.

This week i've done my year end and the second year has started with a pace that I wasn't expecting, and it's all the more pleasurable as most of the sales are recommendations from satisfied customers which i'm so pleased about.

My wooden names have been featured in the brochure for "Not on the high street" and sales have been unbelievable, this sudden glut of orders coupled with ever increasing furniture sales has led me to look for my own premises as the mill space i've been kindly loaned has become too small for my needs, and by chance a lovely little place has become available next to my business partners mill, although it's perfect I'm still very scared to fly the nest from my comfy (and free!) space at the mill.

I must also mention the two lovely new shop that are stocking my furniture, Babipur has a fantastic shop in Gwynedd Wales and a great online store.

Precious little treasures in Clitheroe have opened their new department this week featuring the Fairbourn furniture range, Clitheroe is well worth a visit if your in the area, there are some great little shops and bistro's.

At last I have some new shots for the christmas season, I've added a few new pieces and have lots more hiding away waiting to be painted and developed for the new seasons coming, I can't wait to get started on my new range of furniture, i've got all the designs ready and as soon as I have a few spare moments i'll brief my carpenter and well start creating.

Time does seem to be an issue at the moment, i've got to the stage that all new business' must get to where you can't cope with doing it all on your own but you can't quite afford another person, although i do have my trusty saturday boy who comes to help out with the sanding.

Fairbourn has also done it's charitable deed this week, I spoke to a lovely lady from Barnardos in Leeds who do a fantastic job with children in our area, they are holding a Firecracker Ball in Harrogate and Fairbourn are donating a Limited edition piece for the event.

Were also busy getting ready for the christmas season this week, trying to prepare for the shows and events coming up, all of which i'll be listing soon.

Also thank you to Precious Little Treasures in Clitheroe who are featuring some of the Fairbourn range in their new department that's opening next week, the shop is full of beautiful little treasures, I really love it and so pleased they are featuring my things.

In preparation

I've been busy this week getting a photo shoot done for our Christmas items, I'm also developing lots of new things for Spring next year and beyond. I can't wait to have a little free time to get my designing head on but the orders are pilling up so they take priority. With this dilemma in mind I've taken on an apprentice 1 day a week to help with sanding and packing, he's a trainee joiner so I'm hoping he may be with us for years to come.

I've taken a day off today, well it is Sunday! I went to Ilkley moor where I was born and brought up, I took Sam and Brian (hubby and son) I love the moor I find it very inspirational, we collected load of pine cones to make christmas decorations with, that should keep us busy.