Meet the Maker.......Ali from "Cheeky Pickle"

Name:  Ali Benyon
Business Name:  Cheeky Pickle

Websites:  www.cheekypickle.net
                 cheekypickle.blogspot.com
Online storefront/s:  www.madeit.com.au/cheekypickle
                               www.etsy.com/shop/cheekypickleshop
                               cheekypickle73@gmail.com
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/cheekypickle

Questions:

1. So, tell us about yourself.....

I'm originally from Manchester in the U.K.  I arrived in Melbourne six years ago, having never been to Australia before (I know, we must have been mad!) with my hubby and ten month old baby girl.  We have now grown to become a family of four and are lucky enough to live in Mt Eliza on the Mornington Peninsula and love it!

2.  Why handmade?

For me, handmade equates to quality and love with a splash of personality thrown in.  I'm a firm believer that if you have a real passion for what you do, then it will always show in your finished product.  If I'm not totally happy with my completed handmade item then it does not go up for sale.  I think that most handmade craftspeople have this work ethic, making handmade very unique and special in today's throw away and buy new society.

3.  What influenced you to start your business?

My degree is in Textile Design and you could say that designing is who I am and just what I do.  I have always wanted to own my own business, but either the timing or situation has never been quite right.  However, after having my second daughter four years ago, everything seemed to fall into place, a light bulb popped on and Cheeky Pickle was born.

4.  What type of products do you sell?

Stitched paper designs for children's bedrooms, home decor, greeting cards and tags, paper bunting and prints of my own original art pieces.

5.  What are your inspirations for making your products?

My inspirations for doing what I do are not only my family, but also other thriving small handmade businesses that I aspire to.  I also get a really positive feeling when reading my customer feedback on my FB page.  The reviews, posts and comments I receive always motivate me to aim higher, design better quality products and encourage me to continually develop new ideas.

6.  Where do you sell your products?

Most of my sales are generated through my FB page, but I also have a couple of online stores....Madeit and Etsy.  The markets I do are the very grand Red Hill market on the Peninsula, with Craft Markets Australia and a few other carefully chosen ones around Christmas time.  I also have my products dotted around Australia in a few boutique stores.

7.  How much time do you spend making your products each week?

I honestly don't think there are many minutes in the day when I'm not either making or thinking up new ideas, new blog posts, emailing customers and thinking of new ways to promote.  I do struggle with switching off from Cheeky Pickle.  Something I am slowly working on.

8.  Do you have a dedicated craft area or studio in your home?

Yes.  I originally set myself up in the spare bedroom, but with Facebook being an increasingly important tool for my business, I have now moved into the home office to be close to the computer.  This has actually been a real turning point for my business and I am much more productive.  Now I can design, make, photograph, email customers, post on FB, invoice and package all from the one room.  However, sometimes it can be a distraction!!

9.  Are you self taught or have you have a good teacher?

I have always made, designed, created.  It's in my blood and comes as second nature to me.  After finishing school, I went on to study art for seven years.  But when you go to art school (a good one) you can't/aren't exactly taught how to be a good designer.  Instead you are encouraged to push your creative ideas to their limit.  A good teacher helps you to think outside the box and fuels you with new ideas.  I think this is what you take with you into the "real" world when you have studied art.

10.  What have you struggled with in starting your business?

I think the thing that has surprised me the most is how little time I spend actually making now that my business is busy.  If I split my time up, then I would say that I spend 60% or even more of my time on the computer.  That is uploading pictures, invoicing, emailing, posting on FB, chasing payment and updating blogs and the website.  This is also the other main thing that I have found most difficult.  I am not that good on the computer and have had to self teach myself everything, which has been a slow and very frustrating process.