Charisse Sayers - Copywriter & Proofreader

Saturday 1 February 2020

DIY shoes

When I started spending more time sewing and crafting I didn’t think I’d spend so much time making, or personalising, shoes! My first foray was supergluing individual flat-backed gems onto a tiny pair of toddler Adidas trainers. This yielded fairly speedy results and received no end of compliments, not least from the tiny fashionista who would be wearing the finished shoes.

Aren't they sweet!

My next attempt was a little more adventurous: hand painting a pair of white satin shoes. I spotted brand new, end of season stock, plain white satin wedding shoes in a local charity shop and took a pair home to customise for a friend. She’s a big fan of The Wizard of Oz and Wicked, so a yellow brick road design with hints of the ruby slippers and the emerald city were my inspiration. I was really happy with the results, although I’ve yet to find another pair of bargain priced white satin shoes for sale so I can make myself a pair!

Most recently my cobbler skills have been embracing making custom espadrilles. The are ready-made soles on the market with easy instructions to make your own pair of summer shoes, which meant it was perfect to unleash my creativity. I really like patches on shoes and also was sure to select strong fabrics that are likely to survive walking. The fabric parts have to be hand sewn onto the premade soles so if you fancy making your own pair I recommend a thimble as it can be a bit stiff at times. In future, I might attempt some needle felted designs on shoes, make them even more special.

I love this happy little corgi patch

All blog content and photos are Copyright of Charisse Sayers Proofreader & Copywriter www.charisse-sayers.com I welcome all feedback and would love to know your thoughts so please get in touch, comment, share, like and generally get involved – you can also find me on Etsy at ‘Inside Out Oatcakes’, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

Sunday 1 December 2019

Wearable artwork

I have a penchant for art history, and many of those influences can be found in my bags. The most striking example is probably my needle felted version of Edvard Munch’s The Scream, which took me many, many hours and ended up looking stunning on a bright red canvas bag, custom-made to the proud new owner’s requests.

The finished piece took at least 12 hours

I love how the red canvas frames the design

It's a big bag! There are pockets inside too

I loved the finished result and I’m sure I’ll make similar needle felted scenes in the future, maybe a Monet Water Lily Pond or a Van Gogh Starry Night style picture. The only drawback is that too much needle felting hurts my shoulder so I have to ration the amount of time I spend per week on a project.

A far easier to make artist inspired bag was my own Frida Kahlo bag. A friend bought me a Frida themed cushion for my birthday with the express intention that I made myself a bag with it, so I did! The image itself wasn’t a gaudy modern interpretation (and I’ve seen some really shitty ‘Frida homages’ in recent years…), but instead a photograph taken of Kahlo and used on a Vogue cover in the 1930s. Simple but effective.

A bit smaller than the Scream bag, this is my go-to library bag

A less obviously inspired bag incorporated tiny needle felted lilies, in an art nouveau style. Inspired by the lilies of Georgia O’Keeffe, and the swirling style of Alphonse Mucha, the central design is less overtly influenced than the Scream bag, but the impact of art history is still there.

The tiny flowers took a few hours to complete

Tuesday 1 October 2019

Twinning is winning

What’s better than a custom-made outfit? Matching custom-made outfits! I made two little adorable Nutcracker themed outfits last winter for two very excited little girls who were watching their first ever ballet at the theatre. It took me ages to decide between dresses or skirts and tops, but in the end I went for the latter, since I thought they might get more wear out of the clothes by making them mix and match separates.

Nutcrackers and dancing mice!

There’s a very small timeframe where children will merrily dress in matching clothes before they rebel and refuse to dress alike. I have no doubt that as the children I know grow I’ll get fewer requests for matching clothes, instead it’ll be a case of making clothes to suit to very specific tastes as each child’s personality blossoms.

Matching needle felt hair grips

In the meantime, I’ll keep making matching bibs, bags, skirts, dresses and anything else that I can, because twinning is winning and super cute!

Thursday 1 August 2019

Easy outfit updates – stick a patch on it

The current trend for patches, badges and brooches doesn’t seem to be on the verge of disappearing anytime soon, and why would it. Badges and brooches are an instant way to change the look of an outfit, whereas patches offer a long-term method of updating an item.

Last year, I changed a well-worn smart, slim-fit dress into a loose and comfy casual dress by adding sweatshirt fabric side panels and a large tiger patch across the back. By switching the style and look of the dress I’ve ensured it’ll have a place in my wardrobe for many more years.

Taming the tiger

I use patches quite often when sewing, and it’s very handy when there’s a particular theme for an item. Last Christmas, a customer wanted a pug-themed bag for their niece, so I sourced some vibrant pug fabric but kept the other side of the bag very plain with denim so the pug and letter patches really stood out. The resulting bag was a huge hit, and the patches added that extra touch I couldn’t have achieved with the patterned fabric alone.

Cute personalised patches

I’ve used patches on clothes, bags and even shoes, and it always surprises me who well they last. My dress has been chucked in the washing machine and tumble drier several times and always comes out looking fabulous (disclaimer: you’re probably not supposed to machine wash and tumble dry patches but never mind!).

Pre-washing machine but it's still looking just as fierce

My next patch project will be with sequin angel wings. I’ve already got a few ideas of how to use them but keep an eye on my Instagram to see the finished results!

Saturday 1 June 2019

Reversible benefits – going ‘Inside Out’

I’m often asked what ‘Inside Out Oatcakes’ means, especially by those poor souls not fortunate enough to have ever tried a North Staffordshire oatcake. Around Stoke-on-Trent an oatcake is like a fluffy oat-based pancake, and they are heavenly for breakfast! Anyway, as I’m not originally from Stoke my local friends mocked me when they realised I ate mine with the dark side on the outside – a Stokie sin. Sorry guys, I just prefer my oatcakes inside out!

However, the name means a bit more than that. I don’t like leaving raw or unfinished edges on my sewing projects and try to keep everything I make super neat both on the outside and inside. This attention to detail has meant many of my designs are easily reversible. A well lined bag will not only be strong but also neat enough to flip inside out, perfect for occasions when you might prefer the pockets on the inside or the outside.

Reversible Christmas skirt

Children’s clothes often lend themselves to being reversible too, especially since children have a handy habit of growing very fast! Getting two looks from a reversible skirt means you get a bit more for your money, especially on seasonable purchases, like Christmas themed skirts.

Flip it and reverse it

Going forward, I’m aiming to try and make a wider variety of items that look just as good on the inside as the outside, and wherever possible can be flipped inside out to get even more use from an item.

Monday 1 April 2019

Why my custom orders are on the rise

When I started Inside Out Oatcakes I expected that the majority of what I made would go in the Etsy shop and be sold there. Naïvely, I assumed people would prefer to see the finished item before buying it. Instead, my shop sales have been minimal and custom direct orders have been steaming ahead! Looking back, it should have been obvious that would happen.

Custom made toddler skirts

Buying ready-made, off-the-peg items will pretty much always be cheaper and more convenient from a high street shop, whereas small makers and sellers like myself offer something unique. My lovely customers don’t mind waiting a bit longer for delivery if I make something to measure or spend time sourcing the perfect fabric and patches for them. Presents for children are the number one request I receive, with bibs, bags, and skirts all proving popular. Again, this shouldn’t be surprising: personalised gifts to children become treasured keepsakes that are passed down through generations, and when engaging a small maker, you know they have been made with love right from the start.

Drawing design ideas from scratch

I still keep the Etsy shop open, but more as an online shop window these days. Customers like to see what I’ve made and then use that as inspiration to request their own custom orders. Most importantly, I really love the whole process from getting a customer brief, helping to source materials, finalising patterns and designs, and then making and delivering the items. Nothing beats the feeling of good customer feedback – you can’t mass produce that.

Friday 1 February 2019

Supporting small businesses

As a small business owner, I love supporting other small or local businesses. Most of the people I know who work for themselves are women, which means I’m lucky enough to have a team of smart, caring and compassionate women to turn to when I need some business (or general life) advice.

My view most days

With Valentine’s Day approaching I’m going to make the effort to find some small designers to buy my cards from. There’s something much nicer about a card that’s been crafted with care rather than compiled to hit a bunch of key market messages a team of pompous market researchers has decided people want to see. There’s also the massive benefit that stark gender divides don’t seem as prevalent in the craft market, thankfully.

The personal touches can make all the difference

I quite enjoy making sentimental pieces as I imagine the person who will eventually go on to own the item really cherishing the meaning behind the product. Crafting has never really gone away as a hobby, but it does seem to have exploded into the mainstream in recent years, spawning a whole host of small and micro businesses. The internet has helped give people a platform and a shopfront in a way that would never have been possible before: and long may this creative diversity continue.

Tuesday 1 January 2019

New year, new plans needed for days out

I really love exploring the UK and going for days out. Last year I had National Trust membership and enjoyed many happy afternoons discovering old buildings before retiring to the obligatory café for a coffee and cake. Membership was quite reasonable when I consider just how many days out I managed to cram in.

Little Moreton Hall

Another seminal day out was Legoland. I’d wanted to go for years, having heard so many lovely reviews, but I must admit I was not very impressed when I went. It was a Christmas special so there was a slightly reduced entry cost as many attractions were shut, but everything seemed a bit…tired I suppose. The Santa we visited was amazing but there wasn’t a cohesive level of attention to detail across the park. Some places seemed exceptionally well kept, while others looked positively ropey. I won’t be heading back there anytime soon, unfortunately.

At least the Star Wars stuff was cool!

One day out I definitely did enjoy was the Eden Project, which inspired me to undertake some microbe themed crafting! The relaxing café bar in the Mediterranean terrace might have been as contrived as Legoland’s mini cities but it felt more authentic, and the nearby olive groves really set the scene. If I squinted I was in Italy, or at least Portmeirion on a sunny day.

Closer to home, I have only just started to uncover Manchester’s many charms. The Manchester Arena is a fantastic venue. We saw Gorillaz and found the venue extremely well managed, clean and tidy without silly sized queues. The one drawback was that it was slightly too loud for me, but that might say more about my delicate ears than the venue, and luckily I’d been tipped off about a magical invention called musician’s earplugs, so I didn’t suffer for long.

Noodle!

I’m not sure where my next day of adventure will take me. In my experience, sometimes the best places are right in your doorstep, waiting to be discovered.

Monday 3 December 2018

In the Chic Midwiter

OK, so winter is not my favourite time of year. Although there are lots of lovely things to be found in winter (a frosty white morning, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, board games, mulled wine etc) sometimes it can be hard to appreciate them while you’re de-icing your car in sub-zero temperatures or nursing a bruised hip from a tumble on the ice.

One thing that definitely seems a better idea in the snow is a cosy steam train journey. We went on a Christmas ‘Santa and Steam’ last year and it did seem magical. The major drawback was that the carriages misted up and as it got dark early outside we couldn’t really see the rolling, snowy hillsides. Still, we did get a glass of sherry and a mince pie so that was nice. A perfect example of reality thumping down the dream.

Just as there are different types of ‘love it or hate it’ people when it comes to snow, there are different types of pets. I know some dogs who refuse to step foot in the white stuff. Luckily, with the help of a festive sweater, my dog did not have to be persuaded to enjoy the blizzards last year, he ran straight into the snowstorm for a frolic.

Another big benefit of Christmas specifically is that it becomes a time when it’s OK to be a bit soppy and tell your loved ones how much you really care about them. The clay decorations I make often become tree decorations in December, before going back to their Command hooks on display on a wall the rest of the year. So although I may be dreaming of a sunny summer, I will be enjoying a frosty white Christmas, and the insane pleasure of a new pair of mittens.

And let's not forgot Hot Chocolate - especially

when stirred with a chocolate spoon

Thursday 1 November 2018

Product development: it’s in the bag

I went from having the bright idea for my Etsy shop Inside Out Oatcakes, to opening the shop in about nine months. This seemed both simultaneously quick and slow. On the one hand I wanted to get going straight away, on the other, tedious, hand I wanted to be sure I had everything in order before launching the shop. As the one-year launch anniversary approaches it’s nice to reflect on how my designs have gone from a germ of an idea to fully blown product lines.

The most important item, and one that – ironically – did not feature much in my shop after initial launch, was the large, strong shoulder bags I’d made for friends. Reversible with double stitched seams and tie tops, the bags were designed to hold all the junk I know real life entails, while being comfortable, easy to wash, and with internal and external pockets so little things, like sunglasses or mittens, didn’t get lost. It took a few attempts before I hit on my winning formula, and now I get requests from friends for specific colours as their birthdays approach (cheeky!).

My little marbled clay decorations come from a very basic love of marbling, primed in childhood when we seemingly marbled everything at primary school. The fact I add hand stamped words is basically because words have had such a formative effect on my life. I pay my bills reading and writing words, and I have never underestimated the importance of finding the right words at the right time. Like the bags, there were a few incarnations of clay decorations before I found the style I was happy to launch in my shop.

Like many creative people, I hit upon a nice idea nearly every day, however it’s refining that idea to ensure it’s possible, plausible and profitable that can be tricky. Some products are worth spending the extra time on, the cost of which I can pass onto my lovely customers who I know value my skill, time and effort. Other products would be simply unsalable if I invested more time than the product seemed to require.

It’s often said that necessity is the mother of invention, but I don’t entirely agree, I think instinct is the mother of invention. Taking a chance on a new idea and seeing how it pans out can produce the most beautiful results. Some of my best ideas have come to me on a whim, and Inside Out Oatcakes is most definitely the best of these.

Monday 1 October 2018

The benefits of trying something new (and not being good at it)

I‘m lucky enough to be friends with some extremely talented – and patient – people, several of which are a crochet superstars. A few months ago, we had a meet up where my friends and I all brought goodies for a buffet, wine, tea and more wine, and sat about learning to crochet over a tipple one grey afternoon.

My first ever granny square

The aforementioned patient friends helped me tie a slipknot, do some kind of mysterious casting on thingy, and after many hours produce my own little wonky granny square. A serious crochet fan would probably be able to make a solitary granny square in about half an hour, but I was so proud of my little square, and all its faults. I love trying new skills without pressuring myself to have any expectation to be ‘good’ at it.

Getting to grips with the hook

It made me think of the constant testing that seems to be creeping into primary schools across the country, which must undoubtedly demoralise children. It’s turning them away from subjects they enjoy as they believe they should only spend their time on things they are ‘good’ at. Children, and big kids like me, will always benefit from trying new skills, engaging bits of their brains they don’t usually use, applying all they know to solve new problems and then, potentially, with practise, learning to master these skills and develop further. And even if they don’t turn into a professional, there’s much to said for a hobby that makes you happy.

When I got home I attempted to make one more, all on my own!

I haven’t done any more crocheting since that lovely afternoon, but the hook and the yarn sit in my cupboard ready for me to have another go soon. I’m happy knowing that I don’t have to be brilliant at everything I do, because wouldn’t it be boring if there was nothing left to learn?

Monday 3 September 2018

Let's talk packaging

I know, with a catchy title like that how could you not read this exciting blog about product packaging?! Seriously though, when I set up my Etsy shop one of my biggest concerns was getting the packaging right. I’m a big fan of buying through Etsy myself and love the extra care and attention sellers put into packaging up their creations.

I've started with peach packaging, but it may change

Etsy has such a wonderful community of makers, and I’m lucky enough to call many of these sellers my friends, and I know they all desperately want their customers to love the things they are buying. Part of this is making sure they arrive promptly and safely, but it’s also in the joy of opening a nicely presented package.

I love these gold polka dot bags

While I was in the process of setting up my shop many people questioned why it was taking me so long to go live. I explained that without the proper packaging there was no point starting to sell products. It honestly took me months to locate the bags, boxes, paper and ribbon I was happy with before going live with the shop, and even now I’m continually on the lookout for improved packaging options.

Many customers tell me they reuse the packaging

I think Julie Andrews had the right idea when she sang “brown paper packages wrapped up in string”, creating or opening beautiful packages is one of my favourite things.

Wednesday 1 August 2018

Behind the scenes of being self-employed

I’ve been self-employed for years now, often while holding down a day job as well, and it’s surprising how many people can’t quite grasp how it works when the only person you have to answer to is, well, yourself! I think some people imagine it’s impossibly difficult, while others picture me slung in a hammock all day drinking Pina Coladas. I really wish the latter were true, although at present that only accounts for about 10% of my working week.

A coffee and cocktail break with a friend

The big question: how do I stay motivated? That’s easy really, I enjoy my job and I take pride in what I do. I’m a driven person and can’t rest until a job is finished and finished well. That may make me sound a little eccentric, but I imagine most people who work for themselves would say they have similar qualities – the road to self-employment is not built on laziness.

Making things is a messy process!

That said, I doubt many home workers would be quite as productive without their faithful kettle or coffee machine. I for one run on a combination of coffee and green tea at staggered intervals throughout the day. And, although I may end up working through the night when there’s a tight deadline, or over Christmas to help a client in a bind, there are also days when I can skive off to have fun when everyone else I know is stuck in an office!

Beautiful caffeine

I guess it all balances out one way or another. What my employed friends envy in my freedom, I envy in their regular wage. Personally, I love being my own boss and since the launch of my Etsy shop Inside Out Oatcakes I’ve been even quicker to jump to my desk (dining room table) in the morning and get straight to work.