Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The Big Secret Project





My Big Secret Project has been going on for months...so let me fill you in on the last few months...Just before Christmas last year I received an email from a buyer asking to see samples of my kits. The kits were sent and I was asked to attend a meeting in London in January. John and I travelled up on the train and went to a meeting (I was slightly terrified)....it wasn't what I expected, but in a good way...things were discussed and I went to work on some new kits and another meeting was attended in March. (I went on my own this time and managed to spill coffee all down my black & white stripey t-shirt and didn't notice till I got home...I'm so professional!)


Between March and last week I've been doing lots of paperwork, lots of designing, lots of sewing and writing of patterns, lots of ordering in and lots of borrowing money because

da..da...dah....

John Lewis will be stocking 6 brand new paper-and-string sewing kits!!

It's a crazy dream-come-true thing to happen and I still don't quite believe it....but how exciting!!


I've a lot of work to do, but I have a plan, and i can fit it all in around my normal paper-and-string things so nothing will change around here (eagle eyed readers will already have seen I have shut my wholesale webshops, so that's a small change, but only a temporary one)

The first shipment of kits will be delivered to John Lewis on 1st August and will hit the shops shortly after that...and between now and then I'll be sure to share the process with you here, it's been torture keeping this a secret!

70 comments:

SJ said...

That's wonderful news! I can't wait until I see your kits when I go shopping :-)

It shows that if you work hard at what you do then it will be recognised by people who can help you onto the next step.

Oh, and I'm a first time commenter, long time reader here. :-)

ChocolateMintCrafts - BubbleBakes said...

wow!! Congratulations!
you must be sooo happy!

Pretty Petal Handmade said...

Well done you! Well deserved recognition of your fab work. There's a John Lewis local to me so I'll be keeping an eye out in the summer.

Congratulations!

Rhi x

p.s. the coffee thing sounds just like something I'd do :)

Anna Walker said...

Fantastic news - well done!!! And we 'knew' you before you were famous!!!!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous news. As soon as you said you had a big meeting in London, I knew it was John Lewis. Brilliant.

You have worked so hard, you deserve it.

Kimberley said...

That's amazing! Very well done. It's good to hear such lovely news x

Fiona said...

fantastic news! well done and congratulations. very very happy for you!

C said...

Congratulations! That's fabulous news. Well done you! :)

Maria - A Playful Stitch said...

Congratulations - that is such fantastic news! What an achievement - I don't know how you managed not to burst with the news!!

I'm very happy for you! :o) x

Anonymous said...

Wow! Congratulations! :)

Elizabeth said...

That's fantastic news! Well done....just proves that hard work and dedication really do pay off. Can't wait to purchase a kit in my Newcastle-upon-Tyne John Lewis! xx

Felted fancies said...

Oh you clever dickie !!! Congratulations, today John Lewis , tomorrow the world !!!!! Lots of love katie

Anonymous said...

ooh that must be a weight off your shoulders but such a great secret to have!!! really is the bestest of news!!!what are the new kits or do we have to wait for that too?!!!
cheers to you!
Juliexoxo

Stephanie said...

That is a big dream come true!
I look forward to reading more about your experience in it all and what you are doing, I think it will be so interesting!

Congrats!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!!!It really is a dream come true!!! I'm really happy for you, you deserve it!!!! Big hug

Andrea said...

That is indeedy fantastic news!! I hope they have them in my Newcastle John Lewis

Losh said...

Wow... go girl.... that is fantastic news... congratulations. I will be hunting them out next shopping trip..
Losh

Sarah said...

Wow wow wow that's fantastic news, Sarah - I am so very pleased for you and also slightly envious. How fabulous!

somewhere on the avenue said...

Very happy for you xxx well done!

Stephie said...

I hope it all goes well for you

Stephie :-)

oneoff said...

That's so exciting! Congratulations, both on the orders and on keeping it a secret. Yay you!

Bx

Unknown said...

What amazingly fantabulously brilliant news...next stop THH WORLD!!!! Congratulations Sarah
L xx

LITTLE KITTEN homemade said...

Super Duper, well done you !!

ClaireP said...

Oh WOOOOOOWWEEEEE! Fantastic news Sarah! I just told Hubby too and he thinks its great! Conversation started 'You know felt lady...'

I shall be looking out for the new kits over the summer (I'm always in John Lewis!)
xxx

Maxine said...

Congratulations! That's fantastic news. What a great reward for all your hard work.X

Pene said...

Oh you clever girl, John Lewis that is amazing!! Big congratulations!!
Hugs Pene x

dottycookie said...

That's wonderful news - and very well deserved! Congratulations!

Lou said...

congratulation, fantastic news...

jennyflowerblue said...

Hoozah! WELL DONE YOU!!

Anonymous said...

COOOOONGRATULATION !!!! YOU DESERVE IT! IT'S A LOVELY AND AMAZING NEWS. ALL THE BEST ;)
Erica

Ciara said...

OMG, what amazing news! Well done you! I'm so pleased for you :-)

Rachelle said...

Fantastic news! Congratulations.

Laura said...

Wow Sarah - that is fantastic and I agree that it is well deserved too. Wishing your new venture every success!

Jessie May said...

I am jumping for joy for you Sarah!! Amazing news. Enjoy!!

Ali said...

How fantastic! What a dream come true! Will look out for your distinctive style on the shelves!
Well done! Ali ;-)

Pottering Pixie said...

Congratulations, wishing you all the best for the coming months.
Sue

Anonymous said...

WOW!! That is a real dream come true!! Congratulations!! Hard work pays off! Well done x

MummyCat said...

Oh my Lord, that is amazing news! I will definately grab those when I see them x

Jenny said...

That is amazing!!! Well done, you must be over the moon, to have such a well known and established store stocking your work that is absolutely brilliant! Congratulations :)

frou-frou said...

Big big congratulations! You deserve it!!! Fi x

Manu said...

Wow Sarah!
I am so happy that this "your crazy dream" is coming true!
You're a special person, very professional and talented!
And I love your special way to pack your items!!! .. Today your "Box of wonders" is arrived! I feel a big joy seeing all those fantastic colors together!
Thanks again.. for ALL!
Hugs
Manu

Jacqui said...

Congratulations! Well done you! You will share what the kits are eventually, won't you?

Cheryl D said...

well.....congrats to you....i love your stuff and now so will all the peeps who shop at John lewis!!!....seriously thought, big congrats, you must be well chuffed...x.

jojoebi-designs said...

super news! well done you xxx

Unknown said...

That's amazing news. So well deserved, you work so hard at your business. Well done!

PeggyCrafts said...

WOW that's amazing! Congratulations! I will go to John Lewis on 2nd August and buy one!!!

What brilliant news!

xx

French Knots said...

Congratulations what a wonderful development for you! It is inspiring to read about how you have grown your business and worked so hard, I'm sure more success is coming your way.

Unknown said...

Wow! Well done. Such a fabulous and scary thing xxx

Jak said...

Well done, such wonderful news and well deserved too!
Jak x

Emily said...

Wow Wow Wow! Well done, that is such fabulous news :o) Rather inspiring too ;)

Jennifer said...

How very exciting! Much deserved rewards for such hard work! You are living my dream!

Diane said...

Congratulations Sarah, that's fantastic news! I'll look out for your kits when I'm in the UK this summer :-)

fanny said...

WAOUUUUUUUUUUU what a wonderful thing for you !!
Congratulations !!!

Julia said...

I'm soooo pleased for you Sarah! What fab news. My husband works for John Lewis, so I will be going in my local store (2 mins away) to stock up on your kits! xx

bears footprints said...

wee hee im so thrilled for you, how fantastic. i just know that they will sell like hot cakes. well done you, you so deserve it. x x

Zethan said...

Thats so Awesome gratz!!!

Anonymous said...

So happy for you!!! Also, so good to see a talented, hard-working artist get the positive results you have gotten. Yaaayyy!!

Rustyhammer said...

Amazing! Wonderful news. Congratulations. I'll keep an eye out for them next time I'm in John Lewis

Silvia LGD (Little Green Doll) said...

Wow! Congratulations for this great project!!! It will be great success! :)

Almudena Antelo said...

Congratulations!!!! XD

LottieD said...

Big congratulations! I've been watching 'Britain's next big thing' on BBC 2 and you have just reminded me of that. Very exciting for you and a further step up the road...

Deanne said...

thats fantastic news for you :) i wish you all the best in an even bigger adventure :) x

Amanda said...

Well done! that's fab news :-)

Treaclezoo said...

Fabulous news, congratulations! I look forward to seeing your distinctive brand at the Bluewater branch :)

Swirlyarts said...

Wow - fantastic news :)

Mandy said...

Absolutely fantastic...well done!! Such amazing news.

liniecat said...

Very best of luck and onto even bigger things lol

hoyoyi said...

This is unbelievable! I must congratulate you for all the effort that you have paid, and you are so consistent and have great passion with what you love!

Pickled Polkadot said...

OMG congratulations! It's been a while since I've had time to catch up on your blog since Henry was born. I'm so excited for you :-) Hailing (soap pop lady!) xx

monda-loves said...

Sarah that is brilliant news! All you hard work has definitely paid off.
I bet you are over the moon. I'll keep an eye out for your kits in John Lewis from August.

monda
x