Off to the UK

As you may have noticed, there has been very little crafting going on at Orangebloom. Well, I can now explain why…

My husband has received his settlement visa (I have a British Passport) and we have decided to immigrate to the UK.

The British High Commision has a long list of all the requirements and answers to common questions. Link to British High Commission…

I would like to offer my knowledge to other who may be getting the documents ready for the process of applying for a UK Settlement Visa.

So, here is a list that I have compiled, but everyones circumstances are different, so be sure to check with an agency before applying.

• Unabridged Marriage Certificate (you will need the BI-30 form when you apply, this is the paper that you signed on your wedding day, your minister or magistrate will have a copy).
• Unabridged Birth Certificates (both Husband and Wife)
• Tax Clearance (IRP5 or IT34 from SARS) – both Husband and Wife
• Police Clearance (this will help a lot once in the UK, but is not necessary for the Visa Application (but it won’t hurt) Both Husband and Wife
• 3 Months bank Statements (originals stamped by the bank) both Husband and Wife, not older than 7 days from date of application
• Letter to indicate Savings, I recommend that each person should have £3 000, but it is up to you and your circumstances (consult your agency)
• Letter stating what will be done with your debit orders, for instance we will be keeping our house and renting it out, our cell phones will be cancelled, I will sell my car, etc.
• You will need a letter from an Estate Agent to say that your house will be rented or sold, the same for any other assets
• Proof of current employment (both Husband and Wife), this is a sensitive one, so if you don’t want to upset your current employer, you had better keep this one quiet. You should have a copy of your employment contract. Provide a letterhead with registration numbers and tax numbers of the company on, add a business card for good measure.
• CV’s and certified copy of all qualifications (both Husband and Wife) this is to prove that you are employable, make sure that your CV is in the UK format.
• Employment in the UK (both Husband and Wife), this is a tricky one, agencies will only look at your CV once you have your visa and have booked your tickets. We have enlisted our visa assist agency to help us with letters from contacts. It does not mean we have a job, it is just for visa purposes. I have heard about people that have gone over for a holiday and attended interviews at agencies and got letters in that way. Everyone’s situation is different. Ask your agency for guidance.
• Invitation letter from where you will be staying when you get there. We will be staying with friends, they own their home. You need a copy of the mortgage agreement, a utility bill and proof that they are permitted to live and work in the UK.
• Passports (I have a British passport) my husband will be getting a settlement visa. Be sure that there is enough space in the passport for a 2 page visa and that it is valid for at least 2 more years.
• Passport photos – professionally done to the requirements stated on the application form.
• Money to pay for the Visa – Settlement Visa costs +-R8540
• Money for tickets
• Letters from family and friends confirming your relationship.
• Photos of you and your spouse over the years.

It was a very diffucult decision, but it is for the best…

A box of Goodness

On my mission to eat healthier, I have started to purchase boxes of organic vegetables from Wensleydale Organic Farm. It is 45km from Johannesburg. They deliver at various drop-off points and then we collect. The closest one for me is in Kensington.

I am still learning about organic food, but definitely understand the benefits.

“The word Organic means ‘living’, and in practical terms, this means natural food that is grown and processed without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. Nothing unnatural is allowed so there are no growth hormones, antibiotics, preservatives, dyes, chemical coatings or irradiation allowed. There is no genetic engineering allowed in organic foods.

Organic food is nothing more than pure nutritional food – the way it used to be.”

The box is full of green goodness (and some colour too).

The box included: eggplant, butter lettuce, spring onion, beetroot, corn salad…

Naartjies, Broccoli, baby spinach…

Radishes – how good do these look?

After reading a post (eating our way to death, literally) on Think Simple Now, I have decided to gradually undergo a slow transition into becoming a vegetarian. I already only seldom eat red meat, so I don’t think it will be that difficult. I think the hardest will be to give up cheese, as I really do love cheese, but I now understand that it is just as dangerous as meat and the cruelty that the cows go through is enough to put me off.

What are your thoughts on vegetarianism? Do you know any great recipes?

Effective Goal Setting

I am busy working on a project that I mentioned that I would like to start in a previous post. I would just like to test out my writing style, relevance of content and interest. So, let me know what you think…

“A goal properly set is halfway reached.” – Zig Ziglar

What are your business goals? Have you written them down? Do you focus on these goals? Have you broken down your bigger goals into smaller shorter goals? Do you review them every day?
These are just some of the questions every small business owner should be asking themselves.

Here is a simple guide on how to write achievable goals and increase your potential to achieve them and increase the success of your business.

1.    How much, by when?

State your goal in a way that only you could measure; this will make sure that it is powerful. For example, I will increase sales is not as powerful as I will sell 1000 books by 31 March 2009. You will either sell 1000 books by end date or not.

You could group your goals into categories such as, financial goals, brand awareness goals, educational goals, sales goals, product development goals, customer service goals, product ‘manufacturing’ goals, innovation goals, etc.

Be very specific about what you want for your business. Remember vague goals produce vague results.

2.    Goal vs. Good Idea

A goal or objective has to be measurable otherwise it is just soothing that you want, a wish or a good idea.

Good Idea

• I would like to own a lovely studio with a view.
• I want to increase sales.
• I need to network more.

Goal or Objective

• I will own a 40m² studio in London looking over the Thames River, by noon, 30 June 2009.
• I will sell 1000 books by 5pm 30 December 2008.
• I will make a minimum of 5 meaningful contacts by 5pm this Friday.

3.    Write it out in detail

One of the best ways to set specific goals is to write them out in detail, as if you were filling out a job card. Include every possible detail. This will help you to hone in on opportunities that will help you to achieve your goals.

4.    You need goals that drive you

When setting your goals, be sure to include some big ones. Ones that stretch you and make you grow to achieve them.

It’s good to have some goals that make you a little uncomfortable. This will force you to learn new skills, expand your idea of what’s possible, establish new relationships and learn to overcome hurdles, fears and concerns.

5.    Create a quantum leap goal

While setting your quarterly, weekly and daily business goals, set a quantum leap goal. A goal that once achieved would totally change everything and would take your business to a whole new level. This could be; writing a book, publishing an article, appearing on tv, creating an exquisite website, teaching a class, franchising your business, etc.

What would your quantum leap goal be?

6.    Keep your goals top of mind

Place your goals in a place that you will see and read a number of times a day. You could have them on your desktop of your computer or as a bookmark in your notebook. By constantly repeating and visualising your business goals you will be motivated to achieve them and your creativity will be stimulated. Your awareness to resources that will help you to accomplish your goals will therefore be heightened.

7.    Hurdles

It is only human to start thinking about all the reasons why we won’t be able to achieve the goals that we have set for our business. I don’t have the cash flow, I don’t have the time, I don’t have the skills, I’ll have to work too hard, I’ll have less family time, I fear rejection, nobody will want to buy my products, etc, etc…

Once you are aware of these subconscious thoughts, feelings and obstacles you can face them, process them and deal with them. Once done, you will become better prepared for the next project you wish to undertake.

8.    DO IT NOW!

Yes, take the time now to make a list of goals that you want your business to achieve. Make sure that they are measurable, i.e. how much, by when. Then decide on your quantum leap goal. Write it on the back of your business card and put it in your wallet. Each day do something that moves you towards your goals.

My Quantum Leap Goal for In the Bag is:

• Write an e-book by 30 December 2008.

Leave a comment with yours or email me kerry[at]inthebag.com

Craft room decor ideas

I have still not finished with my craft room and am struggling a little to get it in order, so that I will want to work in there every day.

I need some inspiration, so I have decided to share what I found with you.

It is important to have sufficient work space, this will allow you to leave projects that you are working on out for you to continue to work on the next day or when you are up to it.

Sunlight plays a very important role in how you view your craft room. If you are lucky enough to have a room that receives ample light, you are one of the lucky ones, as usually the room that gets allocated as the craft room is the dark and dreary room on the other side of the house. My craft room is one of these, it doesn’t get much light and is rather cold.

Make the most of your walls by installing shelves along the wall. You will be grateful for the storage space.

Everyone loves a little vintage. Use those old storage containers to hold your odds and ends. It will look good and serve as a practical storage solution.

Tuck away all electronics. Lets be honest, all electrical stuff looks ghastly. So, when not in use stow them away and out of sight.

Tools of the trade, your most prized possessions. Keep them organised and easy to access. The top drawer of your desk would be ideal.

Organised, organised, organised. The key to a successful craft room design is most definitely an organised room.

‘A place for everything and everything in its place’ has never rung more true. The main reason for me not spending more time in my craft room is the fact that I don’t have enough storage and the storage that I do have is not used properly.

The use of see-through cabinets is ideal. You can see where everything is stored and therefore you will save ample time looking for supplies.

Task lighting for activities such as sewing is of paramount importance in your craft room design. If you are like me and do most of your crafts in the evening, lighting should be one of your main concerns, especially in a very dark room.

‘I can’t find that green button! You know the one with the thing on it!’ Sound familiar. I am certainly guilty. Store similar supplies together. It may sound simple, but when you regularly by new things, you may get into the habit of not storing them correctly.

AH! One of my most favourite things in the whole wide world… inspirational boards. I love at seeing pictures of inspirational boards that belong to creative people, they are always so interesting and full of visual surprises. A definite must for all craft rooms.

Why not use your supplies as decor. That will mean that your decor in your craft room will be ever evolving as you use up and replace your supplies.

Having a space for every task you peform in your craft room is ideal. For example, an area to do your digital work, a desk for completing your handmade projects, an ironing area, a storage area, etc.

Using glass storage containers is a wonderful idea. You will always know where everything is and it looks pretty too…

Share your craft room storage ideas with us. Either leave a comment or post a link to your ideas in the comments section.

Success

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier

Success

“You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.” – Vernon Howard

How to create a personal signature – for free

I love this little personal touch, so I thought I would share it with you…

Here is the link to creating your own signature: mylivesignature.

The wizzard is easy to follow and it only takes a couple of minutes.

I heart your blog

Wow, I can’t believe it!

Ginny from Ginny’s Small Studio has nominated me for a blog award and she enjoys reading my blog. I had no idea.

Thanks you so much, I am honoured (and flabbergasted).

In turn I have to nominate 5 blogs that I enjoy reading.

I heart:

The Wren

Being Brazen

Paper Kitty

Zenabu

Two Kitties

and Ginny’s Small Studio

Please nominate 5 blogs that you enjoy reading and send me the link. I love to read about the blogs that you heart.

My email address is: kerry.henning[at]hotmail.com

Happy Monday!

Foldschool Cardboard Furniture

While researching an article I found this amazing and innovative product Foldschool.

Foldschool is a collection of FREE cardboard furniture for kids, handmade by you. The downloadable patterns can be printed out with any printer. Follow the instructions and assemble a stable piece of furniture.

The mindset of foldschool is to restore design to one of its original missions: to provide a product at an affordable price through a smart manufacturing process.

You can also send in your creations to foldschool here…

I don’t have kiddies, but this is well worth a go. I heart foldschool!

Go with what you know…

I was totally inspired, recently, by an article called the magical ingredients on The Wren Design blog.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the direction in my life and what I should be doing and how I should be contributing to the world. I have been struggling for quite a while with this…

But after reading the article and reading the links (What Startups Can Learn From Haruki Murakami), I had a classic “AHA!” moment…

These were my findings for each point discussed in the article:

1. Find your passion and commit to it

• I love all things crafty, I read so many blogs a day on all things handmade. It is what I love, and it definitely inspires me.

2. Stick with what you know

• I know marketing. Yip, I even have a degree in Marketing Communication and have won an award for my work. I am not bragging, but realising what I am good at has been a long road. Only now, almost a year and a half after the award have I realised that I am relatively good at what I do. Its all got to do with self esteem and confidence.

3. Start even and finish first

• ‘Murakami’s life is a routine. He rises early around 5am and goes to bed by 10pm. He declines late-night dinners and outings. He runs and works on his books daily. He achieves his magic by pushing equally every day.” This extract from the article really made me look at my life and make some changes. “Push equally everyday” has become a mantra that I strive for in my life. It is a huge paradigm shift for me, but I am getting better at it everyday.

4. Never settle and always seek creativity

• I have become a little settled in my comfort zone and I desperately want to break free, seeking creativity and learning new things will definitely crumble my comfort zone…

Therefore, after a few days of deliberation I have decided that I need to help small businesses, especially handmade and craft businesses to market their business/passion. I am working on a website that will be packed with free marketing tips and advice for your small business. I plan to grow and develop a monthly newsletter and eventually expand into consulting and offering unique marketing plans tailor-made to suit specific business needs. I have a wealth of information from communication strategies to financial aspects that are not being tapped into at the moment and I desperately want to share this with everyone that would appreciate it.

My dream is still to write a book, so maybe I should start working on an e-book while I am at it!

Your thoughts?