A Day in the Life - 4th of January 2017

It's January, which means it is cold and wet and horrible and very very very windy! It also means I'm busy as anything with trying to get everything done in such a short space of time! WHY IS MY TODO LIST SO LONG?!?!? WHY IS THERE SO LITTLE TIME?!??!

So I thought I would share a typical, early in the year, completely manic, not enough hours in the day, day in the life post.

7am - Alarm goes off. I promptly hit snooze.

7.10 - Alarm goes off for a second time and I remind myself that I really really really should get out of bed and go to my hospital appointment.

7.35am - Dressed (sort of) and with the animals all fed I head off for my first stop of the day, the JR hospital. I drop Brandy off at my parents and with a quick kiss goodbye I go on to sample the joys of Oxford rush hour in the rain.

8.30am - I eventually arrive at hospital and get a space, my appointment isn't till 9 but I have carefully worked out that if you get there before 8.45 you get a space, any later and you don't. So I shall hang around for a bit.

8.40-9.40 - I'm seen early which is great! Appointment lasts an hour, next appointment booked and I'm ready to head off to Abingdon to see my boss.

10.20 - I arrive in Abingdon, all I need to do is sort some stuff off at work and I can go to the Coop next door and get a nice yummy hot chocolate. I still haven't had any coffee though...

11.20ish - I'm out of work and head over to the next door Coop. I get a very healthy breakfast of some chicken, juice, hot chocolate, crisps and a pretzel. Yea so this diet isn't going well so far!

12.00 - I arrive home ready to spend the next three hours on Chestnut Ridge based items! But first I put the kettle on for that much needed coffee. Half my day is already gone and I feel like I haven't done much at all....

12.09-12.33 - PARCELS! It's everyone's favourite time of the day! I get all the orders placed yesterday and this morning packed up ready to head off to the post office. I engage in some suitable ranting with a friend over Facebook (because we all need some therapy and she clearly needs to vent) #multitasking

12.33 - 12.54 - Post Office time. Not many parcels today but a ridiculously long queue and people with complicated angry issues to deal with. Only takes a couple of minutes to actually do my parcels.

12.55 - 13.03 - Admin. With another coffee in hand I start getting some boring admin done. Mark all the order as dispatched, answer a few emails and organise a meeting for BETA. All in less than 10 minutes. GO SUPER ME!

13.09 - 13.16 - Now it's time to get some marketing and other stuff done. I start off with a bit of social media work, do a couple of posts on Facebook and Instagram and schedule one more for later.

13.23 - 13.32 - I start writing this Blog! I need to do yesterday's as well because it hasn't been done yet but I'll do that later.

13.32 - 13.34 - A quick bit of answering messages and organising dinner (that's relevant to work because today is National Spaghetti day), btw my weird idea of taking model horse photographs for every 'day' of the year is getting a little out of hand.

13.38 - 14.06 - One of the major things on my ToDo list is writing up results. I blitz out a good half an hour and get all of the ones from Dartmoor Live written up. Just Halloweenies and Lah Di Dah to go and I'll be up to date!

14.09 - 14.37 - After a quick coffee break I start work on January's email newsletter. This does take a bit of time to do but it is an important thing to do at the beginning of every month. It allows me to touch base with our customers and for many it might be the only information they get about new products and competitions, that they of course will want to know about!

14.37-14.55 - I have a bit of time before I need to leave for work (the school I'm teaching at on Thursdays is only 5 minutes down the road which is GREAT) so I quickly write up Halloweenies results, these are the bottom thing on my ToDo list (newest things are at the top) so glad to get those done!

14.55-15.00 - I do a quick check of stuff for work, make sure I've got everything I need (DBS check etc) and then head off to go and do some teaching!

15.00-16.55 - Gosh it's so nice not having a massive drive to and from work! I'm home in plenty of time to get lots of other stuff done which is wonderful :)

17.00 - 17.16 - I spend 15 minutes setting up a paid Facebook promotion for January. This is quite an important part of our advertising budget at the beginning of the year and does generate clicks and revenue, so worth doing. Apologies to those who get our adverts all the time and find them a bit annoying....

17.16 - 17.23 - I realise I never did a Daily Deal today (what's new there....) so I do one. The wisdom of Random.org has chosen August's magazine to reduce by 20% today.

17.23-17.51 - Right next on my ToDo list is a little Stablemate Cleveland Bay. He is nearly done just needs his points and details doing. He's currently drying ready for his final seal upstairs. Feels good to have him nearly done as he's been sat there for waaaay too long!

17.51-17.58 - Book keeping. It's really boring but if you don't do your admin everyday you are going to get yourself in a bit of a pickle!

17.58-18.04 - One of the other things I do every month is order a new promotional item to go in the parcels. This month we are going to try chocolates! Five minutes later and 100 personalised chocolates have been ordered and personalised. I went for plain milk instead of mint milk.

18.04-18.07 - I seal the little Cleveland Bay custom. I then make sure to shut the study door, TIGHT, so that Caesar doesn't go in and knock him over. He's asleep right now but I can't trust him. Also he can open the door which doesn't help.

18.07-19.02 - Dinner time! Celebrating National Spaghetti Day with some spag bol. Whilst it's cooking I use the opportunity to get some housework done and also put clear gloss onto the Cleveland Bay to finish him off.

19.05-20.05 - Now it's time to sort out Popular Votes Photoshows. As well as setting up the new show and announcing the champion from the last one I also enter it. I try to enter as soon as I do the show because that is the best way I have of monitoring if anyone is breaking the rules and liking photos before judging opens.

20.05-20.27 - I now spend some time updating the website, mainly product descriptions and images. Such as this in the box image of Zena



20.27-20.39 - I'm still catching up on random things but I don't want to leave my comfy warm spot on the sofa so it's all online based for now! First up is the model of the day. As well as doing the Facebook and Blog post I also answer a customer query and deal with that half way through.

20.39-20.50 - I didn't do a Blog post yesterday (or maybe I did I don't remember) so I get an extra one done today. I'm supposed to do one a day, but I'm not very good at keeping on top of these things when I've done a 10 hour shift at the yard. In the rain. And the wind.

20.50-21.08 - Time for some hot chocolate and to do a bit more Instagram and Facebook stuffs. Including the 30 Day Photo Challenge, one of the ones I did for today was the beautiful Leandro



I also do a bit of website admin...

21.08-21.37 - I need something I can do whilst watching Death in Paradise so I update all the Schleich listings on the website and do a Blog post with the new Schleich web specials

21.37-21.42 - I do a bit of admin including responding to eBay offers (yea I know I shouldn't be working so late but my hospital appointment this morning means that I haven't go enough work done today)!

21.42-22.00 - I finish up my work day with a bit more admin, answer a few emails and catch up on some of the accounts and spreadsheets. Pretty boring stuff really.

Now it's time for bed. Brendon is staying up to watch Hunted so I shall give Beor his medication and go to sleep, I'll leave the rest of the animals for him to do!

Special Schleich

Schleich have added a selection of web specials to their website

First up is the Trakehner Stallion



Then the Pinto Mare



The Tinker Mare



The Hanoverian Mare



The Arab Stallion



The Cowboy with Bull



Lipizzaner care set



Three Raptors on the Hunt



Haflinger Family in the Meadow



Home for Elephants

5 Common Mistakes when Selling Model Horses on Facebook

As some of you know I'm admin on UK Model Horse Sales, this is a very popular model horse sales group on Facebook.

So here are five common mistakes I've noticed when people post ads.

1. No Price

If you want to sell something then people need to know how much you are asking. Asking for offers etc. is OK but the best way to sell is to make sure you have clear prices on your advert.

Think about it as a buyer, do you like asking for prices? Are you worried that you won't be able to afford an item if it doesn't have a price and you'll have to say no?



2. No Picture

Seriously why? 'PM me for pictures' is ridiculous, if you are selling an item add the images to the listing. You are trying to sell something afterall!



3. Very Poor Picture

Try to provide more than one picture where appropriate, particularly for high value items. Make sure they are clear and show several different angles.

This image may be pretty but it doesn't really show off the item, buyers need to see the whole item clearly and preferably several sides.



4. Not Checking Facebook Settings

If you want someone to message you then you need to make sure that they can do so! It may also be a good idea to be the one to message buyers when you can instead of making them chase you.



5. Too Much Info

Keep it short and sweet with only relevant information.

Here are some things you should include:

• What is the item?
• Cost
• Postage Costs/Info
• Condition
• Any other relevant information such as live show placings

A long essay isn't too helpful, think about pressing the enter button occasionally!

Model of the Day - Rocky

Our model of the day today is Rocky, one of the Breyer Foals range



Name: Rocky
Show Name: CRS Song of the South
Breed: Appaloosa
Colour: Bay Blanket Spotted
Gender: Colt
Scale: Traditional
Brand: Breyer
Model Number: 1751
Model Name: Rocky
Mould: Stock Horse Foal
Year Produced: 2016-2017
Face Markings: White Stripe
Leg Markings: 3x White Socks
Finish: Matte
Year Purchased: 2016
Sire: None
Dam: None
Unique ID Code: 950
Best Live Show Placing: None

January 2018's Photoshow

The theme for Popular Votes Photoshows this month is Artist Resins. This includes Animal Artistry resins so plenty of opportunities to show off your horses.

If you would like to take part please visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1493893527541574/

Also a massive well done to Kay Buckle who was the champion of December's show:

BreyerFest 2018 Horses

Two more were announced today as BreyerFest tickets went on sale!

First of all better pictures of Brass Hat



Next up we have the Early Bird Raffle model, Riddle



HE SO SHINY

And finally the one everyone is excited about one of the store specials, Icabad Crane

Letter to My Younger Collecting Self

14 years ago I started collecting model horses. Here is a letter to that younger me:

Dear Me,

     First off let me tell you, what you are about to embark on will change your life dramatically. The next few years are going to be hellish, you are going to suffer trauma that will damage you for life and that really sucks. But one thing will stay consistent and that is the plastic ponies.

     Don't be afraid that you aren't doing things right. There are no right or wrong things or ways to do it. No models are better or worse than others and having big fancy horses really isn't that bigger deal. Enjoy the bits of the hobby you love, make those stables, create those set ups and save up for those Julips, they will bring you so much joy and happiness for years to come. You know Minstrel your first Julip original? Well she will still be sitting in her stable when you are married and in your own home.

     Although on a more serious note. Don't paint those childhood Britains and other models. Seriously why did you do that? I know you are into customising and don't have enough things to paint but you really shouldn't do that. Please don't do that (I know you will but still). Also don't paint the names of the horses on the stables, print out your own name plates and stick them on the doors. It looks a lot better and you'll struggle to get that paint off!

     Join all the model horse clubs, read all the magazines and get involved. I know that your parents iMac doesn't load the UH forum properly and the internet is useless, but you can still get involved on paper. Also watch out for that camera, it won't properly save those photos onto that film and those hours you spent setting them up at your grandfathers house would have been pointless.

     And when you get that first photoshow placing keep going through the envelope there are more :) Although you really should have given that Schleich Lipizzaner a better name than Ordinary Cats! But still, a momentous occasion in your model horse collecting. Don't let a certain someone name one of your horses, you won't be able to look at it ever again. And treasure that first set Brendon buys you, you will still be treasuring it 11 years later.

     That first live show won't be as scary as you think. Yes your father will randomly abandon you in a hall in Birmingham but you'll have an amazing day and make some lifelong friends. You won't have any friends at school, but these people will understand you!

     Save up your money and buy the things, you will still have them 10+ years down the line. Enjoy them, buy the ones you love! And don't sell them, there's no need. You will one day have a husband who understands the need for a VERY LARGE PONY ROOM and so won't need to worry too much about space. O and don't slam that door and break Arapaho, that was stupid, take your anger out on something less fragile!

     And most of all enjoy it. This hobby will be your lifeline through some of the darkest years of your life. It will keep you going and introduce you to people who will change your life forever. You have no idea how amazing your future can be if you just stick with it. It's not childish, it's not immature and the best thing you ever did was stick with the model horses and not 'grow out of it'.

Catriona x (aged 27 and a few weeks :p )

 Not entirely sure when this was taken apart from the fact I know it was prior to 2009. I was clearly enjoying a bit of a photoshoot with my Breyers!