When Si first started Captain Cumberpatch’s Curious Creations back in 2013, he told me that the pricing of his medals and badges was one of the worst parts of it. He always wanted to keep his prices as low as possible (he never said cheap but affordable) so that his products could be bought by anyone on any budget. He never underpriced what he made and had enough of a profit margin for it to be worth his while.

His prices stayed pretty much the same over the years with a few very small price changes on some products. The only noticeable increases were when I used to recalculate what we needed to charge for shipping when Royal Mail put their prices up. Obviously we needed to ensure we weren’t left short on what we charged for postage after deducting packing costs and fees.

When Covid first hit and the lockdowns started, his sales plummeted by 70%. I couldn’t run Leeds Steampunk Market with the restrictions that were in place and besides, all the museums were closed. To say life was a struggle was an understatement as his income was back on a par with what it had been 5 years earlier. All of our work and efforts to grow our businesses looked like it had been a waste of time.

Over 2020, Si spent a lot of time in hospital with a mystery illness which he kept hidden from everyone. I did my best to keep on top of his business whilst regularly catching two buses across town to visit him in hospital. Due to Covid restrictions, I wasn’t allowed inside so we used to have to sit outside in the grounds.

I lost Si to pancreatic cancer on 1st October 2020, right in the middle of Covid and the lockdowns. He’d already taught me how to make his stock over the years we’d been together so I kept everything going and was working harder than ever to keep his brand afloat. I initially had financial support as the government was paying extra money to help self employed people plus I was getting bereavement payments. When they all came to an end, I knew I was screwed as couldn’t afford to stay in the three bedroomed house I’d shared with Si. The realisation of this at the time resulted in a nervous breakdown but with the aid of new meds, I had to downsize, get rid of all sorts of possessions (both mine and his) and moved to a smaller property exactly four months ago. To be honest, from a mental health point of view, this has been the best thing for me.

As you're all aware, it's just me doing everything - the ideas, making the stock, packing orders, getting to the post office, ordering components from the wholesalers, doing monthly accounts, photographing new designs, getting things listed and networked in multiple places online and constantly sourcing new outlets to sell in.

I sell online via the website (www.captaincumberpatch.com

), eBay and Etsy. Limited edition medals with silver central cogs are available exclusively through the gorgeous handmade shop in Todmorden (“Wonderfully Made”).

There are three other wonderful friends that trade and are kind of subcontracted to sell some Cumberpatch designs. A selection of insect designs can be found with one friend at entomology fairs around the West Midlands; best selling larger badges are sold at places like the Skipton Artisan Market with someone else and other exclusive limited edition medals with black cogs can be found at selected steampunk and fantasy markets with another person.

I’m back to making things in smaller quantities because – well, it’s only me, I can’t do everything at once!

Now all my suppliers have increased their prices and delivery charges, plus taxes are being added on top from overseas.

The price on my large cogs that are used on my medals went up by 30% earlier this year and most of the ribbons have gone up by 30 - 50% so I raised the price of medals from £8 to £9.

All the other stock – badges, earrings, pendants, cufflinks, fridge magnets and keyrings – has changed very little in price over the years. So it's time I had a rethink on my own pricing and price accordingly to reflect the work that goes into every item.

You're not just paying for “just a badge / medal / whatever”, you're paying for the individuality of it, the unique designs that are mine (or originally Si’s) and the personal production of it.

Now I’m finally getting caught up with everything – house move stuff, the garden, making stock – I finally have a chance to re-evaluate my brand and its worth.

So, the bottom line is, I have no choice but to implement a price increase on everything I make to counteract the increase from my suppliers. Over the years, Si absorbed all the small increases himself but now – well, he always said to me “no point being a busy fool” and how right he was.

I hope you will still continue to support my brand and appreciate all the work that goes on behind the scenes to produce what I do.

These price changes aren’t going to happen overnight – most likely filter through a bit at a time over the next month or so. So I recommend that you take advantage of the existing prices on the website sooner rather than later before the increases take effect.

I daresay there will be some suspicious minds out there thinking that I’m announcing this increase over the August bank holiday weekend on purpose. After all, most of the steampunks will be away at Lincoln Asylum.

I have saved this announcement for today, 28th August, for a reason. It was two years ago today when Si was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Thank you all for your support with the Cumberpatch brand so far, it is appreciated far more than you could ever know.

Jo