sophiec1979

lol, as a graphic artist id hope you would on both counts! for me, as a person who sews...the computer side of things is the bain of my life which takes me away from the fun and experimental making side of things. x

so true, but then you have to consider what is the part that you enjoy most...running the business or actually making your goodies yourself? i try to farm out as much technical stuff (artwork/photos/online...and accounts/tax return!) as possible...i dont have the time to learn the skills necessary to do these things properly (ie. effectively and efficiently!) let alone to manage them in the long run! x

it is great...but even better is http://www.folksy.com all UK sellers, and folksy hq is sheffield based....so you can support local business, shop handmade and support independant businesses x

how do you plan to flyer? do you mean leaving flyers in premises ro handing them to people on the street? im fairly certain that to flyer in the street you need a permit/licence from the council which is why im asking. x

im sure my customers would love to hear how you have just referred to them for me, personally, i find facebook well suited to a my business as it is driven by visual appeal...photos always get the most engagement from my fans. however, i think twitter should be an integral part of my plan...i just need to make the room in my day to be able to manage an account on top of the rest of my online presence. x

most taxi companies will give you a quote over the phone x

lol...nor me, vertiline said it all so well! lol i think it depends on your personality and what your personal goal is. i know i thrive with a little pressure, not enough and i just stop! but i wouldnt like to make my living solely from my craft either...my work can be very seasonal and as i work alone it could be very lonely too. i like my safety net in terms of finances (and sanity!) in carrying on 'proper' work x

great advice from vertiline, i just have to just emphasis the time aspect of her response. it will take time to build a following, it will take time to hone your products (not only through the market research, but also the sourcing of materials and making samples), it will take time to establish what your 'thing' is all about...and as for associated admin of photos, descriptions, SEO, shop management, online promotion...that all takes time too. after 5 years of slogging my guts out, im now in a position financially to go part time and it is the lack of time is the biggest hindrance to expanding my business any further- i currently work 14hr days, 6-7 days a week- i just need to get my bosses to agree to me reducing my full time hours! dont forget, when youre the boss, if you dont work, nothing happens and theres nobody else to blame best of luck with your venture, x

the colonel may know...although i fear johnty del monte has left sheffield...or at least he was on his way last time i saw him wall of balls...awesome night and much missed x

very much looking forward to this! ill be there with a stall full of Imogen's Imagination goodies too...perfect for a spot of early gift shopping x

in addition to these, speak to the university housing office immediately too. you may have a bit of a battle on your hands to resolve this so you need to make sure to you have as much support and clout behind you as possible. i wish you the best of luck x

i confess i dont know the answers to your questions...but i just wanted to say good on you for being pro-active i got my first job at 16 so i don't know what the laws are for emplying under 16's with regards to the hours you are allowed to work, minimum wage or the like. unfortunately the minimum wage didn't exist when i started working so i was paid very little for a very long time! but, the one bit of advice i have is to really push for a good placement if you get the opportunity to do any work experience organised by your school. there is a bit of a catch 22 when it comes to applying for jobs in terms of having experience...dont have it, we wont give you a job, but unless we give you a job, you wont get it! i kept working at my previous work experience place as a paid employee right the way through 6th form and uni. the lessons i learnt there have been really valuable to me for getting other retail work as i got older and eventually running my own business. id also have a think about where your interests lie...enthusiasm is a big seller and great way to stay motivated in any job. best of luck x

im afraid i dont have anything as i only buy small lengths of fabirc, but you could try giving fine fabrics on hillsborough road a call? failing that...black sheets? x

bex, i did a fashion show and ladies evening at the grosvenor a couple of years ago...for an idea of how the space looked, have a nosy at the fashion show album on my FB page. needless to say, on the showing/promotion/donation front, im more than happy to help...but we've already had that conversation! x

i wish i would get the chance! im doing a wedding fair so it will be a 7.30 start...and probably wont be home until about the same in the evening the only food ill get is my pack up of cheese butties! lol x

lol! thanks for the invite EK...but i definitely wont be able to make it as im taking Imogen's Imagination to harrogate that day ill think of you all in the evening though when im slaving over a hot to-do-list! have a super time x

i dont know the going rates, but i have met richard at many events in sheffield and can recommend his services http://www.richsmithillustration.com/Caricatures.htm x

there are lots of places on the high street worth tapping up during the sales, coast and monsoon would be my first dashes simply for their quality (and wearability after their big debut!) what sort of style dresses are you thinking of, a classic cocktail style, 50's prom, longer more eveningy? or something completely different? id consider keeping an eye on the online shops and if you see anything you like, organise a trip to that particular shop with your bridesmaids to go and try the dresses on all together....then wait for that style to come up in the sales and order it online. youll already know they fit and what they look like and you wont have to worry about getting the right sizes when its the last few in the shop....plus, its loads less stressful than hitting the sales on the same day as everybody else! best of luck and happy shopping! x

is it only open to businesses? i think its a great idea but i wonder how many people who arent already in the trade may be interested too...and it may fill a few spots to make sure you keep your funding! x

we've had a great response over the last few days...but would still love to hear from anybody who is able to offer a few hours on the day if you are interested, please do drop me an email to info@imogensimagination.co.uk many thanks, sophie x

not too worry, it was a bit of a long shot. thanks for taking the time to do a bit of research im very much looking forward to my meal there...just gutted ive got to wait until next month as that the next time both my dinner friend and i are free! x

yet youd be amazed at the number of people who are burgled every year because they dont take this simple precaution. im sure if people didnt need telling, they wouldnt keep having to say it x

if you dont want the landlord coming in, what about offering to show prospective tenants round yourself? in many of the rented places i have lived, i was shown round by the current occupiers. it was quite handy, i could get the tenants perspective of the landlord and ask them about things that mattered to me i.e. neighbours, strength of shower, speed of repairs etc if youre off in two weeks im assuming you have somewhere to live...all the landlord wants to do is make sure he has his property seamlessly tenanted, is there a reason for making that difficult for him? x

it may be worth checking out some of the silent tagging pages on FB and joining in some of the marches to help raise awareness. i cant get onto fb at the mo, but if any of this doesnt make sense, let me know and ill send you some links oh, and obviously give you a push on my page too! x

oooh, that sounds interesting. i dont suppose you remember the name or roughly where it was? my family is from stafford, not far from stoke, and as the folks were really impressed with their meal at lokanta they would probably travel there for a good meal. stokes not exactly renowned for its good food so that would be a gem of a find! lol x