Today we have the pleasure of getting to know Melinda from Creative Wishes a little bit better, so Melinda¦.

Tell us about your business:

My business is called Creative Wishes. At Creative Wishes I sell handmade toys made for creative fun.

My toys include cloth books, magnetic fishing games, crowns, wands, dress up hats, fold up dolls houses, pirate sets and play mats.

When designing toys my focus is on children playing, being adventurous, creative and using their imaginations.

I use bright colours and soft, safe materials.

I am very conscious of safety and every new design is road tested before being available for sale.

 

What inspired you to start your business?

I started Creative Wishes in 2010 when my youngest child began full time school.

I wanted to be a stay at home mum, to be there for them before and after school, to help at school canteen, classroom reading and to attend their school assemblies or sports days.

I also needed to contribute to our income in some way and what better way than doing something I am passionate about – craft and sewing.

I have enjoyed over the years making toys and games for my own kids, nieces and nephews so I began making Childrens cloth books, felt play food sets and Magnetic Fishing Games.

Children’s toys and games are so much fun to make.  I also strongly believe that kids need toys and games that encourage them to be creative and use their imaginations while still taking into account safety and durability.

 

Is there an interesting anecdote behind your business name?

The creative part is fairly obvious, it is what I love doing and one of the things that make me happy.

The Wishes part of my business name comes from the humble dandelion.

When my sons were younger they would get so excited when they saw a dandelion flower in seed and run to pick it so they could make a wish.

They would present the dandelion to me as if it was pure gold and their little faces would shine with happiness as we blew the seeds and made our wishes.

To them the dandelions weren’t annoying weeds but something magical and fun and that is what my toys and games are made for.

Whenever I see a dandelion it takes me back to those early childhood days with my munchkins.

So I combined the two and ended up with Creative Wishes.

 

What is the most satisfying part of what you do?

Definitely the feedback from happy customers. It makes my day when parents and children ohh and ahh over my cute felt play food.

Or when I receive feedback or photos of kids wearing my princess crowns, dress up hats or playing with the games I make.

I love hearing back from my customers or when they contact me wanting custom orders.  Making custom orders is something I love doing.

 

Have you tried something in business that didn’t work as planned, or on the flip side – worked out better than expected?

Yes, just recently I set out to make a set of little stuffed houses. I made the front and added two sides and then realized they would stand up unsupported and looked super cute.

So instead of being stuffed houses they ended up as a great portable travel toy that folds out to reveal two little cottages with dolls.

They came about by accident but are proving to be good sellers.

 

What would be your best tip for someone thinking about selling their handcrafted goods?

Do your research.  Investigate what is out there similar, work out your pricing taking into account materials, time etc.

 

What is your favourite item you make?

Usually my favourite item is my latest item.

At the moment I am loving making Princess Crowns and wands (for the girls) and Kings Crowns and Staffs (for the boys).

I love the range of pretty colours in the felt and and finding just the right embellishments to adorn the crowns and wands with.

Any personal or business highlights in the last year:

Being much more organised! I used to cut out and sew one toy at a time and then begin the next.

Now I cut out in bulk and sew in bulk and it has saved me so much time.

Also at the beginning of this year I opened up a store at Etsy which while its early days it is going well.

 

3 things about you (not business related) that people might not know:

• I grew up in a family of all girls ( 3 sisters)  and now I am in a family of boys ( 3 sons).
• I am a midwife and registered nurse.
• I love to garden and my suburban sized yard has over 17 fruit trees, lots of herbs, vegetables and flowers.  I just keep planting.

Thank you Melinda, it has been a pleasure meeting you, the maker!