Name: Maria Made It
Based: London
Website: www.mariamadeit.co.uk
I make fine silver keepsakes and as my business became more popular I was getting snowed under with admin and sending invoices, so my husband created a website for me with all of the different options and prices for pieces.
This makes things easier for customers and I receive an email with the details of their piece, which I can print out and work from. It also handles payments for me and automatically deposits these into my bank account, without the need for me to send separate invoices; this has been my biggest time saver.
At busy times such as Christmas, my husband takes on some of the admin tasks, like scanning prints and handling postage and packaging, so that I can focus solely on the making.
I have also had to become much more organised. I use a wall planner to keep track of the progress of pieces and ensure that I am on track for deadlines. Working with fine silver cannot be rushed, but by saving time on other aspects of my business, I have the maximum time to perfect the keepsakes.
Maria Bateson is the owner/maker of Maria Made It
