christmas challenge pt 2 // for him

Now, I'm not one for gender dividing but just to make this is all organised and concise, I'll be continuing on the christmas challenge for guys, gals, little ones etc. Let's start with the tricky one, eh?

I'm awful at buying presents for guys, and it doesn't help that there isn't a great deal of choice on the high street. Independents, however, have tonnes. If you also struggle to get the guys in your life something other than a grooming set/socks, have a look at this first list for the christmas challenge.

1. Small Talk Print // House Envy  

2. Pump Street Bakery Chocolate // The Future Kept 

3. Big, Medium or Small Monthly Planner // Naked Lunge  

4. Indoor Desk Allotment // The Little House Shop

I've also just found this brilliant site, thanks to Unique Boutique and their post about this challenge, called Hive. Rather than heading to a certain global online retailer for your other half's books and DVDS, head to Hive and you'll be able to collect your items from a local independent shop or bookshop. Every order you make, that business will receive a percentage of your purchase (even if it's directly sent to your home), and postage is free on all UK orders. 

A brilliant alternative. Now there's no excuse!

 (Apart from Frozen merchandise, I know. That's a tricky one)

first look at autumn/winter collection 2014!

Finally, it's 1st September and I can launch our new A/W collection! 

I'm really excited about this one as it's the first time I've felt like I've done a proper good job (and because it involves Christmas!). Our first collection was just that, our first, and looking back I wasn't 100% happy with the results, which has probably been reflected. But now, I can hand on heart say I'm proud of this lot, and I hope you love them too. 

Whilst adding the listings for the new prints on Etsy, I realised I've focussed quite heavily on motivational expressions and quotes, more so than before. From the very beginning, I wanted to provide the hard workers, the creatives, the lovers of design with prints that inspire them to keep going at it, but not in a threatening, pinterest-y JUST DO IT kind of way (I don't want to do IT, awrite?), and I hope they're still along these lines. There's nothing worse than a piece of paper telling you you suck unless you're doing something in a certain way.

I also wanted to use a wider range of colours this time, steering away from pastels and heading towards the richer pallets to compliment Autumn/Winter. For the images, I headed back to my family home in Buckinghamshire, as my flat is notoriously dark and mouldy. My mum is a bit obsessed with Farrow and Ball's 'Elephants Breath', so I thought that could be a nice change to the usual white background, as well as the mix of wood panelling and slated floor. It was also a bit sentimental, as my parents are moving down here to Brighton in October, so it was actually the last time I would be in that house. A nice way to memorialise it, I think.

I am really happy with these, and I hope you can instantly see one of them on your wall by your workspace, or as a gift for a special person. 

As always, I'd love to hear what you think, if you have a favourite, if you bloody hate it (or maybe don't tell me that, you know?). Our Christmas bits and bobs will be released later on after our September craft fairs, as I'm using them as a little trial to see how people like them, so sign up to our newsletter (on the right) to get a first look!

See the rest of the collection here.

P.S. We're looking for new stockists around the UK. Head any suggestions our way, or say hi at lolahoaddesign[at]gmail.com

the power of blogging

I've had the weirdest week, if I'm honest. It started with me not being able to do much. No work, no housework (if you're as OCD as me, this is a BIG problem), couldn't even go for a walk. I was having an awful few moments. But then, I read this blog post on Oh My! Handmade Goodness, and after that, things quite magically turned around, mentally and business-y. That's not a word, but we'll go with it. 

In the article, writer Lisa Jacobs explains the three stages of creative business growth. I whole-heartedly related to the first stage, the Novice Business Owner. Not only because this little business is only less than two months old, but because I've secretly been feeling all Field of Dreams, as in 'If I build it, they will come' (and it was weird that she would use that in the blog too!). I also thought like the Amateur. If certain things happened and if I did them a certain way, then maybe I'll get more sales and more awareness out there. 

But then, I was getting down because this wasn't happening. I also felt like I was annoying people if I shared too much of my work about. 

 But now, I understand. I realise things like getting featured on the Etsy home page, or getting re-tweeted by a successful crafter can bring a little bit of satisfaction and maybe some sales too, but they aren't going to magically happen, nor is it really the be-all and end-all. I need to stop seeking permission and approval, and start taking full responsibility for the fact that this is now my job. I bloody love it and I want to keep at it, so I must continue to work as hard as I am working, and remember that I'm not really doing this for the sales (but they sure can help!). As soon as I accepted this, it got weird.

Within the space of 10 minutes, I had an email saying I had been accepted for a craft fair, and then another email from a buyer asking for wholesale info! Plus, at the end of the day, I had over 50 views on the Etsy shop. The most we've ever had! I couldn't believe the coincidence of it all. I've made it sound like a miracle from the heavens occurred, haven't I? But really, it was so odd how I had been so full of self-doubt, but then one little read of a blog flipped it around, and good things happened!

So now, I'm out of bed, I'm dressed and showered, and I'm preparing for my first craft fair. Plus, producing my first order for wholesale.

The power of writing, eh?

Thank you Lisa and Oh My! Handmade Goodness!

oh to be motivated 24/7 part one

I'm not sure about any of you lot, but I've been lacking in motivation the past few days. It may be because of the sticky heat, or just a case of being burnt out. Either way, I'm finding that I am having to resort to little tips and tricks to get me into my studio (or lets be honest, little corner in the bedroom) and back to the paper and ink. I thought it might be a good idea to share some with you in a new series.

1. Music

Forever the number one resort for me. As most creatives I know, music is my second love, and it has always been my little getaway when things get a bit icky, as well as a major part in my daily routine. I'll explain all that in a different post, but for now, here are a few songs that I've been recently been listening to in the mornings to get me in the business mood. 

I mostly listen to BBC 6 Music (surprise, surprise!) whilst I'm working as it gives me a chance to hear new things, and ensures I don't waste hours sifting through my records in a bid to find something to work to.

 I could go on and on, so I need to stop there for now!

Look out for next week's Oh To Be Motivated 24/7 Part 2.

Newsletter Sign up

Happy Wednesday!

The past few days have been very busy as I made a last minute decision to buy a domain name and get a fancy website! I already had my 4ormat site for my photography work, but as I'm doing that less and less these days, I swapped everything over and made it the 'hub' of LH Design. I started on Monday at 6pm and didn't finish until 2am. Had five hours sleep and then spent all day sorting out my buyer's pack for wholesale. Knackered, but happy with the result!

Anyway, to launch this next step of the business, I'm inviting you to sign up to my newsletter and be one of the first to see the new site. You'll also get a 10% off discount code for the Etsy shop as a little thank you for taking the time to sign up.

I promise I won't annoy you or your inbox. I'll only be sending newsletters monthly (or even less) as a little trial to see if they help or not.

Just enter your email address into the box on the right hand side of this page (or click on the link just up there ^), and I'll be sending this particular newsletter out Thursday lunchtime. So be quick!

If you don't fancy signing up, the website will be launching Friday evening. 

9 to 5

Source not known

Whilst watching the football last night with the other half (not really watching if I'm honest, just mirroring any grunts or sighs he did whilst updating cover photos!) I had a revelation. Well, not really a revelation, because I've had this overwhelming feeling every day for the past few weeks. A feeling of relief. Fear. Nervousness. Excitement. Restlessness.

 I am one of those people who continually worries and obsesses over what I'm going to do with my life. How I am going to get the money for rent, food, the car, petrol. I sometimes forget about the important things; having shelter, food, my lovely boyfriend, and I just stress over the fact that I could end up in a job that I absolutely despise. And I could start to become that person who only looked forward to the weekend. 

I have had many jobs in retail in my post-school, living-away-from-home years. Ones that I would have to drag my sorry butt out of bed for. Ones that I would cry in the toilets on my lunch break because I was being subjected to horrible things, yet still wasn't making the money I needed to pay rent.

I recently lost my favourite job yet, being a graphic designer for a teaching resources company, and although I had hard days, I loved being the head designer and living in photoshop six hours a day. I won't dwell on my redundancy, it wasn't my fault and I can't change it (I'm even thinking it was a blessing in disguise), but there is one thing, I ain't going back to retail! I'm not going to be wasting five days a week.

This is where that feeling of relief, fear, excitement comes in. I absolutely love my current job. Creating these paper goods, running this little business. I probably can't even call it my job because I'm making zero at the moment but it's what I fill my days (and nights) with. I've never had so much enthusiasm or motivation for one project.  And when I get this feeling, I realise that this is what I want to do. This is how I want to make money to live.

 But of course, I realise how hard it is going to be, how I'm probably going to have to get a part time something (which I don't mind!), how people aren't going to be so happy that only my other half is actively earning money (he, the measure of the man himself, is 100% supportive of me, and he's dealing with my sheets of paper lying everywhere brilliantly!), but I am so ready for the challenge. I'm going to work hard to ensure this is my full time job.

Doing something I love has always been a priority for me, and I think I've finally found it. 

Anyone else out there hoping to do the same? Leaving the day job behind? Leave me a comment with your story and we can support one another! I'd love to hear what you think.

P.S: I realised after posting this that it's our month birthday today! Have a treat on me and use ONEMONTH to get 10% off your order on Etsy.