Pandora Magazine Issue 1 Winter 2015

Issue 1: Winter 2015

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LOCAL SPOTLIGHTS // WHAT'S ON // DIRECTORY

Welcome

Welcome to the very first edition of Pandora Local Interest Magazine. We’re based in the heart of South Wales covering areas from Cardiff to Carmarthenshire.

Connecting local communities and local businesses, we’re reaching out to thousands of potential customers in a targeted and cost-effective way.

Our magazine is also published online where it can be viewed by many more people from the area and beyond. Available online and in print, we have a large reader count - all doing their bit to support local businesses in the region too!

traders on your doorstep.

If you like the magazine why not take a look at our web page

Buy meat from a pandora-mag.co.uk local butcher, fresh produce from a greengrocer, visit your local market for the things you might search for online. Enjoy the experience of shopping once more, meeting the people behind the businesses who are shaping your community.

Step away from the big faceless corporations occasionally, and support the independent

Let’s commit to making a difference.

We can give boost our local economy just by making a few small swaps in our shopping habits. Commit to a change, and make the difference.

Contents

Pandora Magazine

2 Welcome 4 Spotlight on Craft: How to make money

Published by: Cowell Creative

from crafting by Sharon Bessant

Address:

Fforchwen Farm, Pontycymer, Bridgend CF32 8HS

6

Festive Fiction: ‘The best day of the year’

by Deanne Adams

Telephone:

01656 872540 07779 482875

Email:

sales@pandora-mag.co.uk

Website:

www.pandora-mag.co.uk

PandoraSWMag

@Pandora_SW_Mag

8 Spotlight on local gifts: Bodoli 10 Christmas with a chance of happiness - advice from Dynamind Academy founder, Hayley Wheeler

12 Spotlight on local food producer: Malabar Aaanaa

14 Community section 15 Reader service directory Important: We have made every effort to ensure that all information contained in Pandora Magazine or on www.pandora-mag.co.uk is correct and accurate. We accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions and cannot offer compensation should we get it wrong. Please note that opinions, thoughts, views or ideas expressed in articles contained in Pandora Magazine are strictly those of the authors. © Pandora Magazine 2015. All rights reserved. Nothing in this magazine (including adverts) may be reproduced in any shape or form without the express written permission of the publisher Cowell Creative.

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07779 482875 | 01656 872540 | Pandora Magazine | 3

How to make money from crafting How hard can it really be? You like making crafts, people “tell” you they like what you make and that you should start your own business. So you decide, “What the heck, I’ll make a few bucks and try to sell my creations.” advertise. Promote your website by including the web address on all of your business stationery, business cards, brochures and any other material you might have.

Look at it as a way to expand your business.

Get on now and learn, so you know what’s going on. Maintaining your own site can be very time consuming. Think about hiring someone to maintain your site. Is it more profitable for you to work on your crafts or your website? It’s wonderful to be on the web, but it’s a time hog.

Get into an established site, join an online gallery or other sites that sell your types of products.

But don’t think you won’t have to promote it.

Constant promotion, both on and offline, is key.

Quick Tips Know How! • • Is it really that easy? Can just anyone make money in the crafting business? While people may start their crafting business out as a hobby, it can soon evolve into a money making operation. You need to decide you want to make money, and you need that money. The only people who can make a living in a crafts business are those who decide to get serious about money and profits. If you’ve been tinkering with the idea of selling your crafts, but haven’t put your heart into it, now is the time to decide if you want to continue as a hobby or make it a business.

How much to charge? Most people can’t tell you the cost, overhead, or the time put into a craft.

When making your crafts be sure you include your time and expenses to come up with a price that will, in the end, make you money.

While craft/street fairs are still a great place to sell your wares, don’t discount the power of the internet. There are so many crafters who feel that if they put up a web page, people will automatically visit their site. The only way to sell on the internet is to apply the same marketing you use off the internet. Your site needs to be attractively designed and easy to navigate - it’s like having a good-looking brochure, but never sending it out. It’s the same with the internet, you need to

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• •

•

Resell to current existing buyers. A big mistake crafters make is failing to sell to their existing customers.

Collect names and addresses of those who have bought from you before. That way you can notify them of new products you’re making and what fairs you’ll be attending.

Pay close attention to current trends. Be sure to keep up with what colours are hot because they change every year.

Be sure you aren’t selling what all the other hobbyists are selling. There is a fine line between giving your customers what they want, and yet still using your creative side.

Always keep trying new ideas. You can’t build a business on patterns of others.

Logo Design Business Cards Stationery

D E S I G N & M A R K E T I N G C O N S U LTA N T

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Is the thought of soaring design fees putting you off tweaking your logo just the way you like?

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Working with start-ups, and small businesses on their marketing means I understand the budget restrictions and constant demands on the bottom line. That’s why I came up with a manageable, affordable payment plan which can adapt for any design requirements of your business.

Problem solved.

So - what’s first? A new website, an updated price list, perhaps a logo refresh? Get in touch!

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Design with Small Business in mind Telephone: 07779 482875 Email: info@pixel-and-print.com Website: www.pixel-and-print.com

Festive Fiction: ‘The best day of the year’ by “What do you mean, it’s not there?”

Helen sighed. “What do you think I mean? It. Isn’t.

There.”

Nick’s comedy reindeer-slippered feet scuffed into the kitchen. “I put it ready for you, on the worktop.

Did you move it?”

“No. I wouldn’t be asking you where it was if I’d moved it. How can six rashers of streaky just vanish?”

The cat stalked past, licking her lips with satisfaction. The dog appeared too, wagging his tail and sniffing for something.

“Left it on the worktop, did you?

That solves that mystery.” Helen glared at the animals, then at Nick, as she stalked to the fridge for the butter, from which she then began slicing chunks to arrange on top of the raw turkey.

“Never mind. It’ll have to be basted a few extra times instead.”

Nick looked as if he was about to slope off back to the lounge when Helen said, “Get the turkey foil out, will you? It’s in the big drawer with the pans.”

Middle child Thomas ran into the kitchen, colander on head, metal spatula in hand and at least six feet of extra-wide foil rustling around his shoulders.

“Look, Mam! I’m a spaceman! Wheeeee!” And out he galloped.

Helen pinched the skin between her eyebrows and closed her eyes. Nick took his chance and escaped the kitchen.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Nick answered it, and Helen nipped back around the corner into the kitchen when she heard her mother’s voice.

“Look, Mam! I’m a spaceman!

Wheeeee!”

There was some rummaging noise for a while.

Then a while longer. Then quiet. “It’s not there,” Nick said.

Helen closed her eyes. “What do you mean, it’s not there?”

“What do you think I mean? It. Isn’t. There.” Nick’s voice had a certain edge.

Helen turned round. Nick gestured to the foil-less deep pan drawer.

“Hello! Happy Christmas! I know we said we’d be here just before lunch, but we couldn’t wait to see the children! Hope you don’t mind.” Her coat was already off, and she was heading into the lounge, calling the children’s names. Pete, Helen’s dad, said nothing… just gave Nick a wearied glance.

Helen was in the kitchen, quickly tearing off pieces of regular foil to arrange over the turkey.

Nearly there.

Too late. Her mother had finished hugging the children and had come through to help.

“Right. Now, what can I do in here?... Oh. Haven’t got very far, have you, darling?

Not even got him in the oven yet!”

“How do you know it’s a him, Mum?” “Don’t be facetious, darling, it doesn’t become you… Ordinary foil? Gosh, I always buy the extrawide stuff, sweetheart, it’s so much easier…

Copywriting - Proofreading - Blog Articles - Book Critique 07761 531052

www.needwords.org www.fb.com/neededwords

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twitter.com/needawordsmith

Deanne Adams Now, what’s gone on the bird?...

Just butter? Why didn’t you get some streaky bacon to put on him? It keeps it nice and moist.

You’ll have to do lots of basting this way, you know, sweetheart. And why didn’t you – ” “Cup of tea, Gwen?” asked Nick from the doorway. “The children are dying to open your gifts, you know. Why don’t you go through, and I’ll bring you in a cuppa?”

“Oh, thank you, Nick. You’re such a thoughtful man.”

Gwen gave her daughter a meaningful look and left, calling the children’s names again.

Nick gave Helen a hug. “Don’t worry. It’ll soon be over.”

g n i tt o p S Santa

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info@leaveittoSian.com www.leaveittoSian.com Phone/fax:02920 850812 Mobile:07891 704786 07779 482875 | 01656 872540 | Pandora Magazine | 7

Spotlight on local gifts: Bodoli BODOLI is a Welsh company based in Newcastle Emlyn offering bespoke unique gifts made in Wales. BODOLI means exist in English. The name is very important to the brand as all the gifts have a story to tell.

BODOLI offers customers the opportunity to personalise any of the gifts for sale. Gifts on offer include vintage spoons, recycled silver jewellery and bespoke pebble art frames. There is also an organic beauty range on offer and just for xmas, Santa’s Magic vintage Keys.

Why not take a look at the website and order your personalised gift now www.bodoli.co.uk

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s

Print

Christmas Dresses From ÂŁ25

ttle Tiny Li Pr

i n ts

Quality silver keepsake jewellery

07480 235984

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www.littletinyprints.co.uk

Call Lisa on 07780 368592 Find me on Facebook:

LisasSewingAlterations

Happy Christmas

to all of our Customers

www.nappygolucky.co.uk

Karen Cowell Creative

Print and web design // Print consultant // Email marketing

01656 872540 // 07568 593850 www.karencowell.co.uk

07779 482875 | 01656 872540 | Pandora Magazine | 9

Christmas with a chance of happiness Are you one of the thousands for whom Christmas means squabbling, ungrateful children, a day with family you’ve spent the best part of the year avoiding and a stress level that requires a bottle or two of wine to lower? Christmas is supposed to be a fantastically magical time of year or so films, cards and media tell us. Beautiful glistening snow creates a quiet ambience, smiling children happily play with their gifts and all is well with the world.

Unless you live in the real world where Christmas is filled with stress and the 26th December can’t come soon enough. You’re not alone. Just the Beginning and The Dynamind Academy believe in reducing stress before the festivities begin. De-stressing means taking control and can greatly reduce your alcohol consumption, screaming, tears and tantrums. It has also been known to improve relationships, greatly increase the chance of happiness as well as contented children. Wipe your tears away, put the wine and chocolates down and get S.S.A.S.S.Y not stressed this Christmas.

Selfdom

Believe in your ability to make your children happy without overspending. Quality time spent with loved ones will be remembered long after the toys or games are on the scrap heap. Special events often trigger a glitch in our rational thinking process and we want to keep up with the Jones’ and Christmas is no different.

Just remember the sky is only the limit if you have time on your hands and an evergreen money tree in the garden. Your time, money and emotional strength have limits, be realistic, be confident. You can only do what you can do with the resources you have.

Awareness

Christmas is as expensive as you make it, choose wisely, it could be the difference between a good or a bad 2016. Agree a budget for gifts with your children, family and friends.

STICK TO IT. Yes your children are nagging for the latest gadgets, games and phones but wanting doesn’t have to transform into having.

Be honest with the children about what you can afford, they’ll understand. Knowing what you want Christmas to be about makes it easier to achieve. You choose to overspend, have the in laws over or over indulge in sweet treats, you do not have the right to complain.

Self compassion

Smart Christmas

Be accountable, avoid getting sucked into he media hype and create the Christmas YOU want. We all feel the pressure from the media to create ‘the perfect Christmas’, perfection, however, is in the eye of the beholder. Creating YOUR perfect Christmas is about, being unique, individual and yours.

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This is the all important one. Christmas isn’t all about indulging the children, you and your health are important too. Do some things you enjoy, while the kids are in school, at grandmas or with the hubby take some time to play.

Pamper yourself, ok, I admit wine, chocolates, food & drink all acceptable here, join in local festivities or watch Christmas movies to get you in the spirit of things. Make yourself happy, take the pressure off.

Synergistic Christmas

It is perfectly acceptable to set boundaries and say no to expensive gifts, to running around for others, to family coming for Christmas. Saying no to anything you can’t do promotes your health and wellbeing. Christmas is one day in the year, a day you are entitled to enjoy as much as everyone else.

• REFLEXOLOGY • HOLISTIC MASSAGE • PREGNANCY MASSAGE • INFANT MASSAGE • WOMENS HEALTH • HEALING

Your commitment to your kind of Christmas

Christmas doesn’t creep up on us no matter what we want to believe, it’s 25th December every year so we still have time to plan and prepare.

•

Be clear about the type of Christmas you want, make a love list of necessities to create your perfect Christmas.

•

Spread the expense and stress, by picking things up as you go.

•

Set the scene and enjoy Christmas..

You can have Christmas with a chance of happiness!

Dynamind Living – Thinking the Right way For more information on de-stressing all year round contact Hayley on 07966189084 or hayley@justthebeginning.co.uk

Deirdre Davies

MAR, MARR, MFHT NURTURING THERAPIES

Complementary Practitioner NURTURING THERAPIES

The Mindfulness & Wellbeing Centre

Clinic: 02920 860 054 Mobile: 07580 328 268 Caerphilly and Cardiff

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Spotlight on local food producer: Malabar Aaanaa

Independent caterers Malabar Aaanaa have teamed up with Noah’s Yard in Uplands, Swansea and Sketty Bistro and Cafe, Swansea to deliver two Pop-Up Kitchens, the Keralan Kitchen serving thalis and the Pomegranate Kitchen serving mezze.

The Keralan kitchen serves food from South India with its main concentration being the cuisine of Kerala. The main difference between food found in and outside of this region is the use of coconut oil instead of mustard oil predominately used in the north Indian dishes, the coconut oil provides much lighter dishes and aromatic. Dishes have an emphasis on vegetarian and vegan food including dal, istoo, stuffed aubergines in a tamarind and coconut gravy; meat dishes include beef fry/curry, Malabar biryani, coriander and coconut chicken or duck curry along with seafood and fresh fish.

Find the Keralan Kitchen at Noah’s Yard on the 2nd 4th and sometimes 5th Wednesday of the month and at Sketty Bistro and Cafe on the 3rd Friday of the Month.

The Pomegranate Kitchen is inspired by the Middle East and Persia, this type of cuisine has had a major influence in the development of Indian food. The pomegranate kitchen can be found at Noah’s Yard on the 1st Wednesday of the month; and Sketty Bistro and Cafe on the 1st Friday of the month.

When not doing Pop ups Malabar Aaanaa can be found at following local produce markets: Mumbles, Marina and Uplands selling a variety of spiced goods and serving hot Keralan street food.

Further information about the services and activities of Malabar Aaanaa can be found at www.malabaraaanaa.com

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Advertising directory Business Support

SJ Accountancy Ltd Need Words JVB Connect

7 6 3

Craft & Gifts

Bodoli Gifts Lisa Sewing Little Tiny Prints Nappy Go Lucky

8 9 9 9

Community Events

Bambino Bazaar Kay & Mandeeps Fayres

14 15

Advertising with us ADVERT SIZES

Full page 148 x 210 Portrait ½ page 132 x 94mm - Landscape ½ page 192 x 63mm - Portrait ¼ page 63 x 94mm - Portrait 1 /8 page 45 x 63 mm - Landscape

Earlybird Rates

(If booked more than four weeks in advance of the issue closing date) Full page adverts £112.50 Half page adverts £76.50 Quarter-page adverts £49.50 Eighth-page adverts £31.50

Standard Rates

Full page adverts £125 Half page adverts £85 Quarter-page adverts £55 Eighth-page adverts £35

Multi-issue Discounts

2 issues discount - 5% 3 issues discount - 10% 4 issues discount - 15% 5 issues discount - 20%

Closing dates for adverts for 2016 issues Friday 19 February Friday 19 August

Friday 20 May Friday 18 November

Design

Karen Cowell Creative Pixel & Print Design

9 5

Food & Drink

Malabar Aaanaa

13

Health & Wellbeing

Be Forever Fabulous Dynamind Living Herbalife Nutrition Nefoedd Beauty & Holistic Nurturing Therapies Pontypridd Osteopath

Supporting communities and working with small businesses, Pandora Magazine:

11 10 11 3 11 11

Why not subscribe at www.pandora-mag.co.uk and receive the digital version straight to your inbox

•

A5 in size so great for handbags and coffee tables

•

Delivered to local community and tourist information points

•

Every advertiser receives their own copies to distribute

•

Has a print run of 5000+

If you’re a school or a charity holding an event, we want to hear from you! If you can tell us what’s happening in 140 characters or less, your event will be posted free of charge into our community section in both the print and digital versions of the following issue.

Our spring issue will be available from Tuesday 1 March 2016. Don’t forget if you’re thinking of advertising, we have special ‘Earlybird’ rates starting from just £31.50. Call our sales team: Karen on 01656 872540 or Kat on 07779 482875 for more details.

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Health & Wellbeing Fayre

Enter a World of WellBeing

Wisdom & Wonder 19th & 20th March 2016 2 day event - 10am till 5pm

Exhibitors from across the UK showcasing a variety of holistic therapies & contemporary stalls; including reiki, indian head massage, crystals, card and rune readings.

Pontardawe Leisure Centre, Swansea in aid of the South Wales Multiple Sclerosis Centre

Website: www.kayandmandeepsfayres.co.uk

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