This week it is Justacard Indie Week run by the fabulous folk at Just a Card. A week to share and talk about independent businesses, artists, makers and designers. A week to support all the small businesses we know, those who sell on the internet, those who trade on social media and those who have little indy shops in your town.
Day 1 of JustaCard Indie Week
Today’s prompt is “You” which means I am going to tell you a little bit about me and my independent small business… it is really a micro business – I am a self taught metalsmith and I make Copper things.
I hand-craft decorative copper items, metal and wire jewellery and wire sculptures. My work is mostly inspired by nature and things I see around me. And of course by my customers who give me the encouragement to learn more, craft more and create new designs.
All my designs are created individually in my home studio in Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK. You can see a decorative and functional range of copper creations in my online shop, at stockists in Stamford, Spalding and Lincoln, and at shows & exhibitions I attend at Stamford Arts Centre and other venues.
I am from India, moved to UK in 2000 after I married my husband Dave. We met in Madrid, were married in New Delhi and now live in Stamford with our two dogs Taj and Manali. I have been self employed since 1996.
Before I started working in my current business full time I have done a few different things – event management, art and craft exports, handloom silk exports, managing several handicraft shops selling exclusive hand embroidered clothes, adventure travel, motorhome and car rental… a bit of this and a bit of that.
Day 2: 26 November 2019
Today’s Justacard Indie week challenge is to spread the JUST A CARD campaign message FAR & WIDE. I thought the best way I could do that is by sharing a blog post I wrote when I first came across @justacard in 2015.
Day 3: 27 November
Today’s JustaCard Indie Week prompt is YOUR HOME & COMMUNITY. I live and work in a lovely little town Stamford in Lincolnshire. We have a nice creative community in this area and the fantastic StamfordArtsCentre where I organise the ESCAPE THE ORDINARY exhibition in collaboration with my friend Eve Marshall. Together we are Escartists. We invite upto 12 artists, artisans and crafters to exhibit with us every year. This is a picture of me at our 5th ESCARTISTS exhibition in October-November. Thanks for taking the photo @heartwork.co.uk ?
There is an active Shop Stamford campaign in Stamford to encourage everyone to shop locally and shop from independent businesses as much as they can. I fully support this initiative by Stamford shops and do my best to shop local where possible. It is wonderful to live in a town where the community spirit is strong and people support each other. Please do follow @shopstamford to see what a vibrant community of indy businesses we have here.
Day 4: 28 November
Justacard Indie week challenge 4 is EVENTS
Due to health reasons I decided not to do many events in the run up to Christmas. But that does not mean you cannot still see and buy my work. I have stockists in Stamford Spalding and Lincoln. Depending on the area you are in why not visit one of these Independent shops @abantiques @pearlnruby or @withlovefromlincolnshire and see my work and other amazing goodies.
Each shop will give you the opportunity to shop local and buy lots of beautiful Christmas presents.
Day 5: 29 November
All that is left for me to say now is please do support and buy from Independent businesses. Do shop from the little shops in your town, visit online shops of artists and makers and please do tell your friends about all the amazing small and micro businesses you know of. Word of mouth helps a lot!
Do visit my website and online shop: www.shaliniaustin.com
Thank you 🙂
