tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57576949223339089792024-03-05T04:18:11.665-05:00Adopt My Fabrics! (Please)I'm looking for good homes for the thousands of beautiful fabric samples in my studio and basement.
Will you help me?Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.comBlogger143125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-2798100966116254002016-03-16T17:04:00.000-04:002016-03-16T17:12:27.075-04:00My experience in an entrepreneur incubator<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In 2015 my sewing business was languishing, put on a far
back burner by our flourishing bed & breakfast business. But in early summer, I read that a pop-up
marketplace called SEED Ventures, part of The Oberlin Project, was going to open as an entrepreneur incubator
and was currently looking for applicants.
They were especially interested in local entrepreneurs who were
launching relatively new businesses specifically with an environmental
sustainability development bent. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Well, my business wasn’t that new but I was kind of
re-launching it, especially as I was in the process of changing my product line
from the old laptop bags and so on to products more aligned with the B&B,
like placemats, coasters, trivets, etc. And clearly I was into the “triple bottom
line” of profits, environment, and people practices. What the heck, I thought, I’ll apply; what
have I got to lose? Although, to be
honest, I didn’t think I’d be chosen (to be really honest, I thought I was too
old, that they would want young, energetic entrepreneurs).</div>
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<br /></div>
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So, it was quite a bit to my surprise – particularly since a
couple months had passed and I’d kind of forgotten about it – that I learned
that I had, in fact, been chosen to participate in the incubator. My fellow entrepreneurs consisted of:</div>
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Sue Wilson
of SudzyPup, a maker of dog soap and eventually people soap</div>
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Corey
Butler of Doki Doki Chocolate and his chocolate-covered pretzels</div>
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Ann Mickel
of Love Delivered, who handcrafts cards from found materials</div>
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Bryon Skvor
of Humble Grounds, a coffee roaster</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD42KVqXpB3W-pO8hNshLOJUlHndJDDHh4Vmg4nNyppTuNL2s7xdxrtYVnms9Ber0NTwKVuvqvSJFiJ7z11UMifiJaf7pC0N8yWNnNKsFxQTh331SxO9AvjEVv1Xc363Y7pYB3aXQcek4/s1600/elephant+trivets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD42KVqXpB3W-pO8hNshLOJUlHndJDDHh4Vmg4nNyppTuNL2s7xdxrtYVnms9Ber0NTwKVuvqvSJFiJ7z11UMifiJaf7pC0N8yWNnNKsFxQTh331SxO9AvjEVv1Xc363Y7pYB3aXQcek4/s200/elephant+trivets.jpg" width="200" /></a>We set up shop in a real store in downtown Oberlin using
leftover furniture from the owner and things brought from home. None of us knew much if anything about
merchandising so our store layout and window display wasn’t the best, but we
were learning as we went along and it looked pretty nice on opening day,
October 1, and the evening reception was a big success.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Sales were a little slow but it was only October and Oberlin
is not the busiest shopping spot in the world.
Toward the end of the month we had a couple of local store owners in who
basically told us our layout and window sucked (they didn’t put it anywhere
near that bluntly or crudely) and we didn’t have enough inventory. So, big revamping of our displays, and by
November things were starting to look really good.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Parents’ Weekend at the college was a big day for us and we
all enjoyed a nice uptick in sales.
Thanksgiving was pretty good, too.
Needless to say, we were most excited about the upcoming Christmas
season. We planned an “advent calendar”
of daily sales and promotions, and put on various events to bring more people
into the store. Some of these were quite
successful, like the joint tasting event of Humble Grounds and The Runcible
Spoon (jam). Others, like mine, were
total flops. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The lack of success was entirely my fault, as I really
didn’t want to do any events and so did not do a whole lot to advertise
them. The first was a DIY workshop where
I was going to teach people to weave fabrics together to create candle
mats. I think setting the fee at $15 was
a mistake – especially when the public library was offering workshops for free
– and no one signed up for it. (I was
relieved.) The second event was an offer
to personalize items that people purchased; I brought my embroidering machine
in and spent the day in the store, but not a single person came in. I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised,
though; I had put up exactly 2 flyers and not in the best of locations.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLVwC8PZIearbR13bPmL50LIUOxjnc4NL0DFjptl6g546x4H7xMwhdEnEaC9_wcgKDA0FYKSPhU_ifEApf4mze4NphItLCJQ7wkCViKyPGV2SY12tbYCe10AjufJe3Kiw7_gUyiTb9X4/s1600/Oberlin+direct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLVwC8PZIearbR13bPmL50LIUOxjnc4NL0DFjptl6g546x4H7xMwhdEnEaC9_wcgKDA0FYKSPhU_ifEApf4mze4NphItLCJQ7wkCViKyPGV2SY12tbYCe10AjufJe3Kiw7_gUyiTb9X4/s200/Oberlin+direct.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The holiday season was good for everyone, great for some
(but not for me). We were advised not to
create too many products geared to Christmas and indeed, the few that I did
make and put out didn’t do especially well.
What did do well were my white coasters embroidered with squirrels
(albino squirrels are an Oberlin institution) and my trivets made from an
elephant-printed fabric. I literally
could not keep these 2 items in stock which was an unusual and fun problem to
have.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The pop-up closed on December 31, as planned; as far as I
know, it will not open again, at least not in that location nor with the
current group of entrepreneurs. On
January 21, each of us entrepreneurs gave a final presentation to SEED Ventures
stakeholders (including the Oberlin Project and the Oberlin City Council) about
our results, experiences, and next steps.</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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I had some very interesting insights and “aha” moments
throughout the 3 months that have led me to completely rethink my approach to
my business. More about that in a future
post.<br />
<br />
By the way, B&F Handmade Housewares are still and ever available at www.etsy.com/shop/buckeyeandfrog!</div>
</div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-58942093226132392212016-03-03T10:04:00.001-05:002016-03-03T10:04:13.914-05:00Opening the mystery boxes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I’m so excited: I’m
finally going to peek inside the boxes that I picked up from Jim Thompson just
before moving from <st1:city w:st="on">Atlanta</st1:city>
to Oberlin in 2012. </div>
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<br /></div>
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First I had to haul them up from the basement where they've been stored for the past 4 years. Hmm, some are a bit damp and slightly moldy. Hope the fabric inside is ok. There are fine little roots growing on the basement walls - I'll need to get Dominique to take a look at that.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrcR2oY1Mb-_mQ2JsfeKwSkSclOmg5YQmbSkovVn7c5yQ61cYkp4loyvXfu9K7Xcse2MluxlHQ-d5x3r2gAaGpbYPE0qC0cgFeTUoCORRM7lbV0-6GXICYLtYlLbP6y0rpS7utfkn0n0/s1600/boxes+in+the+basement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrcR2oY1Mb-_mQ2JsfeKwSkSclOmg5YQmbSkovVn7c5yQ61cYkp4loyvXfu9K7Xcse2MluxlHQ-d5x3r2gAaGpbYPE0qC0cgFeTUoCORRM7lbV0-6GXICYLtYlLbP6y0rpS7utfkn0n0/s200/boxes+in+the+basement.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boxes in the basement</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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Next step, get them into the my studio. I have no idea what’s in
them. Let’s see…</div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCCWx09c-YH5Pf-z1mpgZuzfI4Tb90_mYyY0okbemZw4otPpkU4Sd5KTXHtPD8eyRnmtLsKUldSkhHCHM8XL-LoeASNMhkBDXHWkLLrweGmfH2tJArxdYQnZ8SGWXjpS0ZSxjNTXG7xE/s1600/boxes+in+the+studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCCWx09c-YH5Pf-z1mpgZuzfI4Tb90_mYyY0okbemZw4otPpkU4Sd5KTXHtPD8eyRnmtLsKUldSkhHCHM8XL-LoeASNMhkBDXHWkLLrweGmfH2tJArxdYQnZ8SGWXjpS0ZSxjNTXG7xE/s200/boxes+in+the+studio.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boxes in studio with Sunny</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Well, interestingly, many of the samples are additional
colors of ones I already have, but there are several new ones, as well. Plus a couple of boxes of silk scraps and 2
really big bags of more samples. What a
treasure trove.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRtUu8Of0C_jP28kB9tHsnUCe8TQ5zFmPOVq2d_nYf79Re3FxjIcb7lfPlFEPXeNFj4Y2VxCZiTJe4p47GOvSQinpqhEEyeznTaGEC1d5a80Pt0tRoo6hfMzqwk4Gv3MwdbbT6xeh4W4/s1600/opened+boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRtUu8Of0C_jP28kB9tHsnUCe8TQ5zFmPOVq2d_nYf79Re3FxjIcb7lfPlFEPXeNFj4Y2VxCZiTJe4p47GOvSQinpqhEEyeznTaGEC1d5a80Pt0tRoo6hfMzqwk4Gv3MwdbbT6xeh4W4/s200/opened+boxes.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unveiling!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Counting them all took me about 10 hours; that doesn’t
include the time to stock them. What I
do is keep one sample of each color of each fabric on my shelves upstairs; the
rest go on my shelves in the basement. </div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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My mystery boxes added about 3,000 pieces to my stash –
time to get busy!</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlqA7_9NhcXbLHmTJ4lijROgzFa81KIMIFHnqiyxJo8ZUxnDFOceem1YnPK4_C3nIis6T4vN0KH6R7Lcz9PhtXKkBxu2IMjIOkcCAm8iSp1iKofW3X-4EM6rpq-W_76SeHdSJoksd1Ls/s1600/new+samples+counted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlqA7_9NhcXbLHmTJ4lijROgzFa81KIMIFHnqiyxJo8ZUxnDFOceem1YnPK4_C3nIis6T4vN0KH6R7Lcz9PhtXKkBxu2IMjIOkcCAm8iSp1iKofW3X-4EM6rpq-W_76SeHdSJoksd1Ls/s320/new+samples+counted.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New fabrics, sort and counted - all 3,000 pieces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-15097563662522089942016-02-23T11:07:00.000-05:002016-02-23T11:19:27.683-05:00My back story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been making products from upcycled – or recycled, or reclaimed and
repurposed, if you prefer – fabrics since 2009.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Quit my day job to do it, in fact. Here’s how it happened.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I invited
my mother to come down from Ohio to Atlanta for a visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We needed her to bring her laptop, for reasons
I no longer remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She took it out of
her suitcase; it was in a blue felt bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I touched it, it made a crinkly noise.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where’d
you get this laptop case, Mom?” I asked her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I made
it,” she replied.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What’s
inside?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Bubblewrap.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Gee, Mom, this
is pretty great. I think you could sell these.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Oh, pooh,”
she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who would want to buy this?”</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJljrNF53QMOoTOwQLVSKOvLpB7-7sPdk89GM-qVaGMtdS5UTo8nPS_-LwJrVq044TO5uBwAFUlLC632UOi2TVVrNlI6cK4fotygsOBMyQJEn_kSOz6FRH6MVyJw6ppLSBhhyphenhyphenF15ho-n0/s1600/Original.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJljrNF53QMOoTOwQLVSKOvLpB7-7sPdk89GM-qVaGMtdS5UTo8nPS_-LwJrVq044TO5uBwAFUlLC632UOi2TVVrNlI6cK4fotygsOBMyQJEn_kSOz6FRH6MVyJw6ppLSBhhyphenhyphenF15ho-n0/s200/Original.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original LapTopWrap by Mom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, I thought a lot of people would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> And at the same time, I was less than thrilled with my current job. So m</span>y ever-supportive husband, Dominique, got to work on a design,
and then I got to work on making a 2-dimensional drawing into a 3-dimensional prototype
that could be sewn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We gave one to each
of our children to beta test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Results
came back positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We called it a
LapTopWrap because it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wrap</i>ped around
the laptop and was padded with bubble<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wrap</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty clever, huh?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I opened an etsy store and started contacting university and
college bookstores in Georgia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally got an order – and it just about
killed me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of my LapTopWraps was
unique, and this order was for 5 of this style, and 3 of that…trying to fill
that order took every waking second and drove me crazy trying to make multiple
copies of Wraps with limited amounts of fabric.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, I delivered the order, and the bags just sat
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think they sold a few but I
basically had to buy the order back from them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Problem was, they told me, the students
discovered they had bubblewrap inside and so stood around popping the
bubbles!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found out the hard way that
bubblewrap was not the best padding to use.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XQzaSH-sRf53E9k8w2GDtK6Nno347QMXxFmg_8CLqRZsNm0TtO_CeIqSmWePCglq8s5x9gjv5BAQ4ofVEsQCw7VSgJyR9Vf_qHoweo8dDAY7MwwSOMyVuhv1AbNahyS2ZFQclunAOw4/s1600/Etsy+8+Dottie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XQzaSH-sRf53E9k8w2GDtK6Nno347QMXxFmg_8CLqRZsNm0TtO_CeIqSmWePCglq8s5x9gjv5BAQ4ofVEsQCw7VSgJyR9Vf_qHoweo8dDAY7MwwSOMyVuhv1AbNahyS2ZFQclunAOw4/s200/Etsy+8+Dottie.JPG" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redesigned LapTopWrap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was disappointing because there was so much discarded bubblewrap
out there – I thought I’d found the perfect way to use it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I found other recycled materials I could
use, such as soft Styrofoam, which worked as well and couldn’t be destroyed by bored
students.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were other setbacks along the way. Like the time the Orange County Christmas Market lost $1,000 worth of my products in the mail with no insurance. Like the Women's Conference in California I flew out to and paid my daughter to work with me, only to sell almost nothing. Like the too-many-to-count sales leads that led nowhere. The life of an entrepreneur is not easy! (Have I mentioned my supportive husband?!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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As time went on, I was able to sell my Wraps to a number of college
bookstores in Georgia and Alabama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My etsy store was doing all right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I expanded my product line to include
passport covers, business card cases, bags…all made from my upcycled fabrics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I purchased an embroidery machine so that I
could personalize my products.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started
making wine bottle bags and reusable sandwich bags and sold those to Whole
Foods Market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was quite a process
in and of itself but I felt I was finally in the big time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hit the jackpot with fabric sourcing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through a series of connections (see My Best Networking Story post dated 2/5/16), I took delivery of boxes and
boxes of fabric samples, more fabric than I literally knew what to do
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I just kept sewing and selling
and selling and sewing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OOpTNc2aFAt_OB9KTDorpFR-gTHZNuYIDYq1vzC1QlDzTsurvx50gXRbb96wJFyKMtqMpdjNFtKxxL0zybKf3LtaBt1syYOvxnsKDASc7j5EHnux4cymAHGaopLRGkwjvOO6LjyLb4g/s1600/May+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OOpTNc2aFAt_OB9KTDorpFR-gTHZNuYIDYq1vzC1QlDzTsurvx50gXRbb96wJFyKMtqMpdjNFtKxxL0zybKf3LtaBt1syYOvxnsKDASc7j5EHnux4cymAHGaopLRGkwjvOO6LjyLb4g/s200/May+2012.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Buckeye and the Frog B&B</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then my husband and I moved to Oberlin, Ohio,
and opened a B&B called The Buckeye and the Frog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sewing business got put on the back
burner as we renovated our 1880 Victorian brick home to be suitable for
guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We opened for business in 2012
and were immediately swamped with reservations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It feels like we didn’t take a breath for 3 years!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 2015, I applied to be a vendor at SEED Ventures, a pop-up
marketplace entrepreneur incubator in downtown Oberlin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That experience directly led to my decision
to bring a new direction and a new energy to my etsy store and my
products.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More about that in a future
post.</div>
</div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-25772170951687766902016-02-12T12:59:00.000-05:002016-02-12T15:12:51.237-05:00Trouble with Trivets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The trekkie in me couldn't resist, but really, trivets are no trouble at all.<br />
<br />
Trivets make great host/hostess gifts: everyone needs them, they're easy to make, and if homemade, they're unique and personal. They're a wonderful way to use leftover scraps and remnants of fabric, too.<br />
<br />
PLEASE NOTE: The step-by-step process below assumes that you already know fundamental sewing techniques such as anchoring your stitching and pinning fabrics perpendicular to the stitching. If you don't, you might want to read up a bit. You can also leave me questions - happy to respond!<br />
<br />
Here's how I do it:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-e9jNheMMJTmt7gZzSFGnpexViYfdAqqh0VpzUBpGo31JoCsnwz8g-iQyGc2lyS9U0whaFM6sskYNfXryk7lgLucGeJ9zxTqn6ZJeHbA6vwAS-KUV572m3QaC1Ykx7udEz1V4FqH4xfE/s1600/silk+scrap+for+trivet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-e9jNheMMJTmt7gZzSFGnpexViYfdAqqh0VpzUBpGo31JoCsnwz8g-iQyGc2lyS9U0whaFM6sskYNfXryk7lgLucGeJ9zxTqn6ZJeHbA6vwAS-KUV572m3QaC1Ykx7udEz1V4FqH4xfE/s200/silk+scrap+for+trivet.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top fabric piece</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Choose
your fabric and cut it to a good size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re going to put these under hot serving dishes so a variety of sizes
will work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too big is better than too
small, of course. What I'm using here is an upholstery fabric remnant made of Thai silk (not the easiest fabric in the world to work with because it unravels, but so beautiful).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Choose
the backing and cut it to the same size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Felt is a good choice, since it’s soft and won’t scratch wood, but
pretty much any material will do. I'm using pink fleece.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaq5iGnVWe9KbqcH51IdYhcz34haxvOTk2LEXDUZT7xR-UFoqhuEiXGJ5L6fHYp3-P1p75nYrnDnC2olHXs1aKCSN9YC1g7DVzaYjDpI85dhHp92V_mvdJx5tY54hadg5QGQ_IYZD9Ss/s1600/backing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaq5iGnVWe9KbqcH51IdYhcz34haxvOTk2LEXDUZT7xR-UFoqhuEiXGJ5L6fHYp3-P1p75nYrnDnC2olHXs1aKCSN9YC1g7DVzaYjDpI85dhHp92V_mvdJx5tY54hadg5QGQ_IYZD9Ss/s200/backing.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom or backing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Cut
a piece of insulation the same size, if you deem that insulation is necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(If the materials are thick enough you may not need it.) You can also use batting, padding, or just
layers of other material if you don’t have commercial insulation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(These first 3 steps can be combined into
one.) Fun fact: I just purchased 100 yards of insulation - enough to make approximately 800 trivets!</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZF5XDGe3xW1Kr2HP_x9gJczr6KMx951c_wKaxncKbjDQngeTbjZIbSipsRql5TZAzlS-dn4awhTgbRoCsFTU78DnbPmAqxvbJmjRhd7hMPV_tsU4w3FkaXYgTYWL3NaqgYa0Lnej5b8/s1600/insulation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZF5XDGe3xW1Kr2HP_x9gJczr6KMx951c_wKaxncKbjDQngeTbjZIbSipsRql5TZAzlS-dn4awhTgbRoCsFTU78DnbPmAqxvbJmjRhd7hMPV_tsU4w3FkaXYgTYWL3NaqgYa0Lnej5b8/s200/insulation.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insulation (if needed)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UV1avqz4dbz0sDVnN-IWpUHRti_xyxBPvUHqVndl7koE-tk_0ZLWBRNPzLQuoLqC5txF4tHMj0PCL4T4rRQXKNRpdqP849ui1F2IrZkfiib63IskkFaafSvhal-fsIlgYUt-KjJzA_4/s200/pinned+together.jpg" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same order but with RIGHT sides together</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Put
the 3 pieces together such that the front and back are together, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">right sides</b> facing each other, with the
piece of insulation pinned to either the front or back piece, but <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not</b> in between them.</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rYDPkaWuNVZHlzW5-F54wctImN5lUYgsdtW4elbLYrMwV7ZW4niaoFcK0CR0ABDtJkbJBkm-py-uCb0cTMIfybgR78p5z6UzoiZAi-_rQvG7AY7CSwlCIhWI2V1uWIHAZWRZv_K_hFg/s1600/all+3+layers.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rYDPkaWuNVZHlzW5-F54wctImN5lUYgsdtW4elbLYrMwV7ZW4niaoFcK0CR0ABDtJkbJBkm-py-uCb0cTMIfybgR78p5z6UzoiZAi-_rQvG7AY7CSwlCIhWI2V1uWIHAZWRZv_K_hFg/s200/all+3+layers.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All 3 pieces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Sew
all 4 sides but leave a gap on the first side of about 3” so that you can turn
the whole thing inside out. The pen is pointing to the gap that I intend to leave between the pins.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Before
you turn it inside out, cut the corners – taking care not to cut the stitching,
very easy to do! – to eliminate the extra bulk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can iron it at this point, if you want; depending on the fabric you
use that might make it lie down a little flatter when you turn it inside out.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5Wqp4uq4fV-yqwDl0zyL0N3m8StjbHjKwYDdTNVFvduQ1lxrtXhhM4BkGUWNVz6LYSZkMn3ZoHfZfHi139QKgOVkl6HWCicEpc30WDLXeIjn4zoFWejMp-Xd_wrt-OySy60dqwzrhfw/s1600/sewn+corners+cut.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5Wqp4uq4fV-yqwDl0zyL0N3m8StjbHjKwYDdTNVFvduQ1lxrtXhhM4BkGUWNVz6LYSZkMn3ZoHfZfHi139QKgOVkl6HWCicEpc30WDLXeIjn4zoFWejMp-Xd_wrt-OySy60dqwzrhfw/s200/sewn+corners+cut.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut extra material from all 4 corners</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Now
turn it inside out so that the insulation is on the inside and poke out the
corners with something pointed but not too pointed, taking care not to poke
through the stitching.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJHYQEw_xAm9jn4STVln5okk9-H7lEyCBGDa5we9d_CX6lckxI1Yd485lTjHBAuPBgNgBWwaxpOZQ2M8s7GST12IhsbNDIs67di8t_VwpWs9YoDme4IcWcy4eWD_52oHCjEuKUmqFT8o/s1600/gap+pinned.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Fold
the sides in where the gap is and pin together.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJHYQEw_xAm9jn4STVln5okk9-H7lEyCBGDa5we9d_CX6lckxI1Yd485lTjHBAuPBgNgBWwaxpOZQ2M8s7GST12IhsbNDIs67di8t_VwpWs9YoDme4IcWcy4eWD_52oHCjEuKUmqFT8o/s200/gap+pinned.jpg" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gap pinned</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Top-stitch
around all 4 sides, i.e., sew approximately 1/8" from all 4 edges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will close the
gap and make the trivet look finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can use a matching or contrasting color thread. You might want to top-stitch it elsewhere to make it lie down
flatter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Diagonal lines from corner to
corner through the center always work or you can stitch along any lines in your
fabric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re a good sewer, you can
do decorative top-stitching as in quilting. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 24.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 24.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Cut hanging threads, remove pins, and...Voila!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A new trivet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Makes a great hostess or housewarming gift, and a thoughtful offering to
anyone who would appreciate a useful and charming handmade gift from you. No
trouble at all!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/267933383/eco-insulated-silk-trivet-potholder-hot" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MX1OmgoWMnQ7zbOqx6ay5Qgc3JjLwVytuqF7K1UhFnMMWLACGxACl43g5h9N3_jGAHp0Kv6D0JgREqjqL28aPxuNTFJrRPE3G5RwjwqfhCMz7TYYf6K9Kr3OAslUWrKbE-smi7mXHCE/s320/done.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completed trivet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, if you decide that you just don’t have time, you
can always buy <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/267933383/eco-insulated-silk-trivet-potholder-hot">handmade trivets</a> at my etsy shop!</div>
</div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-59577381402692074402016-02-05T15:39:00.000-05:002016-02-05T15:42:12.311-05:00My best networking story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not good at networking but I do believe it can work
miracles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my best networking
experience, one that led directly to getting more fabrics than I can shake a
stick at (should I care to do so).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I was living in Atlanta
at the time, making laptop bags from repurposed fabrics that I was getting
primarily from thrift stores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I joined a
small networking group called Coffee Connection consisting of local
businesswomen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After introducing myself
and my business, one of the women asked if I were familiar with a blogger in
the area named <a href="http://www.sustainablepattie.com/">Sustainable Patty</a> (aka Pattie Baker).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had never heard of her but when I went home I looked her
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough, Sustainable Patty had a
well-written and colorful blog that covered all sorts of environmental
topics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I emailed her about my business
and asked if she would have any interest in writing about it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, bloggers are always looking for topics and since
mine was right up her alley, she responded right away. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turned out we lived only a few streets away
from each other, so we set a date for her to come over and have a look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We really hit it off, and she ended up
writing a very nice story about me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sales
did not improve.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But a couple of weeks later, I was contacted by Lisa, the
CFO for the Jim Thompson Company, a manufacturer of high-end fabrics with
factories in Thailand and Italy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also lived in the neighborhood, saw
Sustainable Pattie’s blog, and wondered if I would be interested in receiving
fabric samples from them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seems that they send small samples or “memos” to
potential customers – typically hotels, condos, office buildings, and so on – who
then choose fabrics for wall coverings, upholstery, draperies, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have to send the samples back, and the
samples are stored in boxes, never to be used again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jim Thompson folks store them for awhile,
but eventually they have to be discarded if no one takes them off their hands.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I visited their offices, I was shocked to find that
they had boxes and boxes of samples, some quite large, most about 8”x10”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were absolutely gorgeous:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thai and Italian silk; fine linen; cottons;
wool; high-end synthetics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beautiful
prints; glowing colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was stunning,
and all free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thus began a beautiful symbiotic relationship, and all
because of a networking breakfast that I attended in Dunwoody, Georgia.</div>
</div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-32258267114184299292016-01-28T16:53:00.002-05:002016-01-28T17:08:20.722-05:00Please help me find good homes for my fabrics!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
My best networking story (I’ll tell you in a future post)
led me to take ownership of more fabrics than you can shake a stick at (why
would you want to do that…?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
addition to the fabrics I got from other sources – thrift stores, the Sandy
Springs recycling center, donations – I have, at last count, nearly 13,000
pieces of high-end fabric samples from the Jim Thompson Company in Atlanta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are pretty big, but most are around
8”x10”:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>silk, linen, wool, cotton, and
high-end synthetics like Trevira.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lwgEp9StnteH1m8tJawxDkBN5KKGsr_XEUqLe6ZrbgKllqeHLSIsWtXwazmQKqh9u6CnJPou5xXo2efhyphenhyphennn8EEGuiTKN059R0s2I960ue5SFG4IAI3UhH_c6w0iZ0PAlQtqFKqtuFXc/s1600/it%2527s+5+o+clock+coaster5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lwgEp9StnteH1m8tJawxDkBN5KKGsr_XEUqLe6ZrbgKllqeHLSIsWtXwazmQKqh9u6CnJPou5xXo2efhyphenhyphennn8EEGuiTKN059R0s2I960ue5SFG4IAI3UhH_c6w0iZ0PAlQtqFKqtuFXc/s200/it%2527s+5+o+clock+coaster5.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"It's always 5:00 somewhere!" Right?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPrMfMb_5GELlYTFgBhzsV6RT4nWg988eEDrP-pc2S93Rd4EdF7AFYpuNL2k2iJ26-ZZ335LusNleUA-3peU-VxYaSOZ-wINVo7RSCTwXUz5jO2Hfl0bFvLXwy825JKjfKHTAPcXB4YY/s1600/abstract+pocket+placemat.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />This count doesn’t even include the 11 boxes I have still
unopened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got these as I was leaving Atlanta to move to
Oberlin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way out of town, I
stopped by for one more batch, but with so many fabrics already in stock, I
didn’t really need more to count and store, so they’re in a corner in the
basement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorting and counting the
samples inside will be a project for another day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My working goal in life, as I realized in an “aha” moment
during my SEED Ventures experience (more about that in a future post), is to
turn these wonderful samples into useful and beautiful products that people
will enjoy having.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think of them as
adorable puppies – tens of thousands of them! – who need a good home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPrMfMb_5GELlYTFgBhzsV6RT4nWg988eEDrP-pc2S93Rd4EdF7AFYpuNL2k2iJ26-ZZ335LusNleUA-3peU-VxYaSOZ-wINVo7RSCTwXUz5jO2Hfl0bFvLXwy825JKjfKHTAPcXB4YY/s1600/abstract+pocket+placemat.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPrMfMb_5GELlYTFgBhzsV6RT4nWg988eEDrP-pc2S93Rd4EdF7AFYpuNL2k2iJ26-ZZ335LusNleUA-3peU-VxYaSOZ-wINVo7RSCTwXUz5jO2Hfl0bFvLXwy825JKjfKHTAPcXB4YY/s200/abstract+pocket+placemat.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southwestern-themed placemat with pockets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Can you help?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of
course you can!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each trivet, placemat,
coaster, and wine bag purchased saves another discarded fabric from the
landfill, where no beautiful thing should ever go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each month I will be doing a countdown, and
when I get to zero, I’ll shut my etsy store, take down my Facebook page, close
my blog, and retire for real.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlVkmeb_i-OHbvlRPoo7DIimuXKe93AtnYsBmniLj5gcp4tprr0y3cm-zjGgLx_aba9rR7vNiLA2oyb0tMkRd4IJupb17JelwRk5Qtx_x5EUnmojW3IhOs6PXlQ1tAVGxpTnJ-fAR0D8/s1600/knotted+silk+trivets.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlVkmeb_i-OHbvlRPoo7DIimuXKe93AtnYsBmniLj5gcp4tprr0y3cm-zjGgLx_aba9rR7vNiLA2oyb0tMkRd4IJupb17JelwRk5Qtx_x5EUnmojW3IhOs6PXlQ1tAVGxpTnJ-fAR0D8/s200/knotted+silk+trivets.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insulated silk trivets/potholders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-53757933204216923382012-08-01T19:04:00.000-04:002012-08-01T19:05:01.172-04:00WFM order!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Someone from WFM actually called <i>me</i> to inquire about reusable sandwich bags. Oddly, it was not one of the people that my Mail Chimp campaign went to! Apparently the manager, I mean team leader, saw my bags at another store and, since his customers had been asking for them, called me to find out more. Says he's going to order 3 cases! Of course, it hasn't happened yet - I know how busy these people get so I'm resigned to having to follow up. But it's exciting to know that I haven't entirely missed the back-to-school season.</div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-46237024881179601552012-07-27T15:54:00.004-04:002012-07-27T15:54:31.563-04:00Mail Chimp campaign for sandwich bags<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ4aAmXHx1Wd6c4F2npNm_XBMYTVf7Trw3MA2iysKAhIEDXHVl3bvIpC0jTE_2bbOkETA60H-92W2bykDeCbgXue0l-v8T8JRt9Mz9vAdAcCwYJzoMtw69jWk7tb0VWsl8FOd1FOk8U4/s1600/mailchimp+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ4aAmXHx1Wd6c4F2npNm_XBMYTVf7Trw3MA2iysKAhIEDXHVl3bvIpC0jTE_2bbOkETA60H-92W2bykDeCbgXue0l-v8T8JRt9Mz9vAdAcCwYJzoMtw69jWk7tb0VWsl8FOd1FOk8U4/s320/mailchimp+picture.jpg" width="320" /></a>Launched a Mail Chimp campaign today targeted at the southern region WFM vendors, hoping to get at least a couple of orders for back-to-school and not miss the season entirely. Although how I'll actually fill the orders is another matter, with Natapoc coming up and very busy B&B schedule in August. Maybe I'll finally get to hire that employee; wouldn't that be great. <br />
<br />
Next step is to contact my laptop sleeve customers and see about new orders. And I need to get more samples to my sales rep. First thing Monday, I promise!</div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-45591306207964020802012-06-03T11:19:00.002-04:002012-06-03T11:19:49.812-04:00Catching Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Wow, haven't posted anything since March! I've been waaaay too busy with The Buckeye and the Frog and indeed have barely worked on WrapCycle at all except to fill etsy orders.<br />
<br />
Happily, many of the things I was concerned about back then have been resolved. Not only did I get into the Whole Foods system at long last, I had order from six, count 'em six, stores in the South region, both sandwich bags and wine bottle bags. Now I need to work on getting approved in some of the other regions, especially since I've moved to Ohio.<br />
<br />
And the studio is starting to look decent. Got most of the fabric boxes unpacked or moved to the basement, did a big sweeping the other day, and although anyone walking in might not think it looked organized, to me it is (by comparison) a thing of beauty and order.<br />
<br />
Now I need to get my photography area set up as I have several new items that aren't even listed yet. Plus I need to get some photos for my poor sales rep for her web site - sorry, Sherryla! (Yikes, just remembered I owe her a commission check, too.) And I want to get to work on some new designs as well as start contacting my college bookstores - back-to-school is right around the corner, ordering-wise. Lots to do!</div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-10591209526608673502012-03-08T19:14:00.000-05:002012-03-08T19:14:59.063-05:00Getting moved in<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This is my new studio in Oberlin, located in the addition over the garage. It's a beautiful big room with a wonderful view of our backyard. The furnace is surprisingly strong and efficient and keeps the room very comfortable.<br />
<br />
This is the "before" picture; unfortunately, there's no "after" picture yet. Hopefully there will be one soon, because it's making me crazy to work in this disorganized environment. All I can say is, it's better than it was a couple of weeks ago. But it still needs plenty more work.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCx2XyCdRiLeRFoeNjI9ofhlA89iAh3EHnlXjOd81VDz-XLBL1KcwVWpZFKaYwyT8L6Nix5fGzKIB3QSxyC4YqWsM5NcmCA1lO3fRaBPJApfuIlnSeoYifQjA5eatMm3uktoyovHv1q0/s1600/Oberlini+studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCx2XyCdRiLeRFoeNjI9ofhlA89iAh3EHnlXjOd81VDz-XLBL1KcwVWpZFKaYwyT8L6Nix5fGzKIB3QSxyC4YqWsM5NcmCA1lO3fRaBPJApfuIlnSeoYifQjA5eatMm3uktoyovHv1q0/s320/Oberlini+studio.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-68265076582905870782012-03-03T11:01:00.002-05:002012-03-03T11:05:07.338-05:00More Whole Foods Woes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Why oh why is Whole Foods so hard to work with???<br />
<br />
Just when I thought I'd licked the systems issue, it now turns out that I'm not "set up electronically" so buyers <i>still</i> can't order through IRMA even though all my information is there. Once again, I have contacted Julie to resolve the issue and I hope she can do it soon.<br />
<br />
I'm frustrated and discouraged, but persistent. I've invested way too much time and energy to give up now. Plus I'm getting very positive responses from the stores!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32sZrgu7p8DgnGJXzJ6v1v9SIOoTFGi3oJlgQnZsv_Hd52Lm0WRr6MQizusrVJSJ4XwpcCLA9lvy7rqtGBvCChS_UHWR1q1st6wLUYsszY7qdy0GD-KfMIlWI_OdaNq2g6ZO8xYIoccg/s1600/P1020257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32sZrgu7p8DgnGJXzJ6v1v9SIOoTFGi3oJlgQnZsv_Hd52Lm0WRr6MQizusrVJSJ4XwpcCLA9lvy7rqtGBvCChS_UHWR1q1st6wLUYsszY7qdy0GD-KfMIlWI_OdaNq2g6ZO8xYIoccg/s320/P1020257.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first WFM order - thank you, Chapel Hill!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I think I should have sent my UPC labels and I forgot to do that (no wonder, since it's been over a year-and-a-half since I got the information about that). I'll need to call Rebekka on Monday to see what to do about that.</div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-14161666970480998552012-02-21T22:30:00.001-05:002012-02-21T22:31:03.789-05:00Whole Foods<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Followed up today with ALL the WFMs in the southeast region. As usual, had a pretty hard time getting hold of people, especially in Atlanta. Many of the ones I did get a hold of hadn't received (read: seen/read) my email of last week. But most were receptive to the idea so I resent a bunch of emails and catalogs. Two of them said they wanted to place an order although I've received nothing so far.<br />
<br />
Almost done embroidering the 30 custom patches; tomorrow I should be able to cut, trim, and ship them, right on schedule.<br />
<br />
Didn't do anything on the work room organization today.</div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-62734144441722582522012-02-20T23:59:00.000-05:002012-02-20T23:59:21.641-05:00A day in the life...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Today started with a trip to Cleveland to buy 3 spools of embroidery thread and 2 light bulbs for my photography lights. Got all the embroidery threaded and launched the 30 patches I need to do - they look great! Threads are breaking from time to time but overall things are going pretty smoothly.<br />
<br />
While babysitting the embroidery machine I am finally able to start focusing on the set-up of my work room. Dom helped me put up one of my Elfa shelves and I think I know how I want to organize my fabrics: I'm going to dedicate a shelf to each product, with cut pieces - bodies, flaps, straps - and finished products. That will help me to see how much raw material I have for each product and when I need to start processing more. Plus I'll be more prepared when I get a wholesale order.<br />
<br />
Need to finish the process of matching bodies to flaps to straps for products other than sandwich bags. Then I need to store the material I don't need for the time being so it's not taking up a lot of space in the workroom. Plus I have to get my photography area set up; I have quite a few products to shoot and list.<br />
<br />
And I haven't even started on the administrative/marketing/financial tasks I should be taking care of...But it's nearly midnight, so I'll save that for another day.</div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-65482514918592417492012-02-19T18:07:00.001-05:002012-02-19T18:08:32.336-05:00New patch project<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Got an interesting order today from someone who works at Etsy: 30 custom patches. I'm curious to know what MITS is and why/how it moves mountains. The patches are going to be put on lab jackets so it doesn't seem like something that would be associated with etsy, although the mailing address is etsy. Hmmm.<br />
<br />
QDigitizing came back so quickly with a file! And although they didn't follow directions, I can fix the issue myself. (Their stitch count wasn't so hot either; actual count is 25% higher, after the fix; 50% higher before.) Unfortunately, he asked for 3 colors that I don't have so I'll have to locate an embroidery thread store tomorrow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRsSlCgrhnnluyL8X5RTk8NKLbJn1-VZ9u1aK-AdzjpQY6tLX1Sq1t0qPhAJkX4RMcIKp1B-kAjfl6BH1TZOwpppv9KCiKtutE0UIw5J4nGIGkixv1TzfaUZFYHrlkfIipyNKdQmnFf8/s1600/MITS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRsSlCgrhnnluyL8X5RTk8NKLbJn1-VZ9u1aK-AdzjpQY6tLX1Sq1t0qPhAJkX4RMcIKp1B-kAjfl6BH1TZOwpppv9KCiKtutE0UIw5J4nGIGkixv1TzfaUZFYHrlkfIipyNKdQmnFf8/s1600/MITS.jpg" /></a></div><br />
In other news, got the Whole Foods order off ahead of schedule!</div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-74165170654491304722012-02-18T10:10:00.001-05:002012-02-18T10:10:06.028-05:00Eco Pisces/Fish Tote Bag with Fish Print and Embroidered Pisces - $20.00<a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrapcycle' title='My Etsy SHop'><img src='http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_170x135.125832209.jpg' style='margin: 0px 20px 20px 20px; float: left; ' /></a>Hey Pisces, this bag's for you!<br>
<br /><br>
<br />This tote/grocery/shopping bag was inspired by the mid-March birthday of my sister and features brightly-colored tropical fish swimming in a blue ocean. The effect was created by sewing fish-print cotton onto a soft blue denim. On the back, a machine-embroidered "Pisces" in gold thread proclaims the fish sign proudly.<br>
<br /><br>
<br />The single strap is attached diagonally across the bag.<br>
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<br />Bag dim...<br/><br/><a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrapcycle' title='My Etsy SHop'>Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!</a>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-22303276467055508572012-02-16T09:57:00.001-05:002012-02-16T09:57:06.774-05:00Eco 14 inch Laptop Sleeve Padded Zebra Print and Black - $20.00<a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrapcycle' title='My Etsy SHop'><img src='http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_170x135.300890855.jpg' style='margin: 0px 20px 20px 20px; float: left; ' /></a>This padded laptop sleeve is made from a black-and-white zebra print cotton asymetrically sewn to a black jacquard fabric. The envelope-style flap closes with a bit of velcro. Very striking.<br>
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<br />The sleeve is lined in white cotton and padded with reused packing material - sturdy, light, and water-resistant. The flag label states that it is designed and (lovingly) made in the USA. All 3 fabrics are 100%...<br/><br/><a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrapcycle' title='My Etsy SHop'>Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!</a>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-79100191916048562822012-02-16T09:34:00.000-05:002012-02-16T09:34:48.158-05:00Persistence pays!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">One and a half years after getting the green light from Whole Foods' southern region, I'm finally fully in their systems and made my first sale yesterday! Thank you, Rebekka from Chapel Hill!<br />
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Got the contact list from Vince so was able to contact everyone by email; I think that's their preferred means of communication, they're all so busy and even buyers and team leaders are on the floor with customers. I didn't expect any sales at this point; I was going for meetings with the Atlanta stores and samples to the rest. What a great surprise it was to receive a sales order the very same day!<br />
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Needless to say, these are going to be the best sandwich bags I've ever made.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuol7h7Cr-hsjXJfFekLTf3eK0mTW-8j99uNe9G-gV8mSxm67WRPgR29vLPL04SiEuFjm18AI3FeGN6ngahmO7RI48ruWOqWL9KUaDd8_0j8TQmp1iaj0ySoVMKrQAr4V1OBEz9S0LH8/s1600/etsy+162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuol7h7Cr-hsjXJfFekLTf3eK0mTW-8j99uNe9G-gV8mSxm67WRPgR29vLPL04SiEuFjm18AI3FeGN6ngahmO7RI48ruWOqWL9KUaDd8_0j8TQmp1iaj0ySoVMKrQAr4V1OBEz9S0LH8/s320/etsy+162.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Just goes to show, persistence really does pay off. So many times I just wanted to let it go; I couldn't stand the thought of contacting the systems people one more time; attempting to contact the stores one more time only to be told, again, that I wasn't in the system...This is validation and motivation to keep pushing.</div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-1743051185875433572012-02-07T16:01:00.001-05:002012-02-07T16:01:10.552-05:00Eco Reusable Cloth Gift Bag with Embroidered Hearts - $4.50<a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrapcycle' title='My Etsy SHop'><img src='http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_170x135.300896049.jpg' style='margin: 0px 20px 20px 20px; float: left; ' /></a>How cute is this little bag? Would make a great gift bag for someone you love and also be useful for holding all kinds of small items. Plus it's made from repurposed fabric, so it's ecological, too.<br>
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<br />I don't flatter myself that this is the important part of the present, but it's that little something extra - and keeping in mind that it can be personalized! - that makes a gift really special.<br>
<br /><br/><br/><a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrapcycle' title='My Etsy SHop'>Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!</a>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-91463992035694917802012-02-06T16:03:00.001-05:002012-02-06T16:03:09.110-05:00Custom Embroidered Wine/Champagne/Spirits Bottle Gift Bag from Upcycled Fabric - $13.50<a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrapcycle' title='My Etsy SHop'><img src='http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_170x135.251404537.jpg' style='margin: 0px 20px 20px 20px; float: left; ' /></a>Can't think of a better gift than a custom embroidered wine bottle gift bag - with a great bottle of wine inside, of course!<br>
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<br />I imagine how I would feel, receiving a bottle of wine (or whatever) and kind of thinking, ok, this is nice, then noticing a wonderful romantic something - poem, sentiment, saying - on the bag, personalized for me. That would be a really special gift.<br/><br/><a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrapcycle' title='My Etsy SHop'>Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!</a>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-74099946141119711802012-02-05T11:00:00.001-05:002012-02-05T11:00:06.870-05:00Embroidered Eco Pink Card Wallets Very Fine Is My Valentine Poem - $7.00<a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrapcycle' title='My Etsy SHop'><img src='http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_170x135.206277181.jpg' style='margin: 0px 20px 20px 20px; float: left; ' /></a>I just love these Valentine card cases, embroidered with my favorite Valentine poem, by Gertrude Stein: Very fine is my Valentine, very fine and very mine. This would make a gift card for Valentine's acceptably romantic! Embroidered with a name or initial, you've got a very special Valentine gift - original and unique.
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<br />Most of my products don't lend themselves particularly well to Valentine's Day, but I think these cards are absolutely the exception.<br/><br/><a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrapcycle' title='My Etsy SHop'>Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!</a>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-70813808860817089962012-01-31T13:08:00.001-05:002012-01-31T13:08:05.535-05:00Last day of 50% off sale<a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrapcycle' title='My Etsy SHop'><img src='http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_170x135.198056932.jpg' style='margin: 0px 20px 20px 20px; float: left; ' /></a>It's been a good month for reducing inventory and today marks the last day. I've made some space for my new designs and reduced the number of shoulder bags left in stock.
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<br />Starting tomorrow, I'm offering free shipping to try to reduce the old designs a little more. Can't wait to get started on the new. I have some great ideas and plan to make better use of my embroidery machine. Time to get creative!<br/><br/><a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrapcycle' title='My Etsy SHop'>Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!</a>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-5297348170527632872012-01-31T13:03:00.001-05:002012-01-31T13:03:06.287-05:00Last day of 50% off sale<a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrapcycle' title='My Etsy SHop'><img src='http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_170x135.198056932.jpg' style='margin: 0px 20px 20px 20px; float: left; ' /></a>I ran a promotion this month on all my old designs: shoulder bags, accessory cases, and totes, in particular. I still have more left than I would like, but it was pretty successful. I'm going to try "free shipping" in February to see if I can reduce inventory a little more.
<br /><br/><br/><a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrapcycle' title='My Etsy SHop'>Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!</a>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-59837730626066898842012-01-17T17:41:00.000-05:002012-01-17T17:41:48.036-05:00Moving is hard<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Breaking news: moving is hard and very disruptive.<br />
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More news: the longer you stay away from your job, business, whatever, the harder it is to get back into it. Especially when it involves putting machines back together, finding room for way too many fabrics, dealing with a remote printer that doesn't want to be in touch. To name just a few obstacles.<br />
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On the plus side, I continue to sell my on-sale items, and I have a nice custom order (let's hope those machines still work...). The machines are in place and we wrestled my new cutting/work table (formerly known as our kitchen table) into the studio today. There's a serious lack of lighting but I think the space is going to work well.<br />
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Now to find the motivation...</div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-39267361484150170522012-01-06T10:59:00.001-05:002012-01-06T11:01:19.289-05:00Launching 2012 - but it's not easy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I finally took my etsy shop off vacation mode and put most of my remaining items on 50% off sale. Have sold 5 items so far, not bad for January. Would like to unload more of the bags, especially the shoulder bags that I'm no longer going to produce.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We are in full relocation mode so have not been able to prepare much of anything for February and specifically for Valentine's Day. Well, there's always next year...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUABNEHJ1IWwR1l2kjNQZeK-ICworYSTI8B2c5tN5QBiO2NwOksymvTbELCVCNr29PwMiZx-PXs5YuavysZfnDWxWoyd7sV8HI8BtqCfC7l5JjmJuIhhyphenhypheno9aANoN0fG-XpxAm0xrDx9w/s1600/etsy+151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUABNEHJ1IWwR1l2kjNQZeK-ICworYSTI8B2c5tN5QBiO2NwOksymvTbELCVCNr29PwMiZx-PXs5YuavysZfnDWxWoyd7sV8HI8BtqCfC7l5JjmJuIhhyphenhypheno9aANoN0fG-XpxAm0xrDx9w/s200/etsy+151.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTw4Ba66h42MIJSZa_twx48UoTg6ZnYHdFr5h15eNKpyw_BFprxC_iZMhJymf6A-9ZQku5lrZHJqQHM5ojpSmyZ4NSgEjK94MK2dMfHFql03OvNnOg1ZQ91cNMp6xYNLbnUiBGHn3VDE/s1600/etsy+152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTw4Ba66h42MIJSZa_twx48UoTg6ZnYHdFr5h15eNKpyw_BFprxC_iZMhJymf6A-9ZQku5lrZHJqQHM5ojpSmyZ4NSgEjK94MK2dMfHFql03OvNnOg1ZQ91cNMp6xYNLbnUiBGHn3VDE/s200/etsy+152.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85BUPoGtxHjPSVsBH2GVfmYyP8_OQHOH6Bq0gimVU5KvS6u46sOB9uVb9L4NOej0F7XiGOAxrguxYgJsvVb7YAWArYF6hB2vAUUf831p9Gz7LeXlsEPYUYFswwsb-eBWG6HUX331bYb8/s1600/etsy+153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85BUPoGtxHjPSVsBH2GVfmYyP8_OQHOH6Bq0gimVU5KvS6u46sOB9uVb9L4NOej0F7XiGOAxrguxYgJsvVb7YAWArYF6hB2vAUUf831p9Gz7LeXlsEPYUYFswwsb-eBWG6HUX331bYb8/s200/etsy+153.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoGwBO6T7vXR5-uJrr-ZeXKgRsSoFqXeP1sBzQZrnmh7RxWjRgEKC_1c72qRYIycp4idCB4KFC4R92tsIBdTLeAIVJPcoZisgkGuCJ4rALLu1PD32FLmsade7ijA84lq8lSqduAyee-Y/s1600/etsy+155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoGwBO6T7vXR5-uJrr-ZeXKgRsSoFqXeP1sBzQZrnmh7RxWjRgEKC_1c72qRYIycp4idCB4KFC4R92tsIBdTLeAIVJPcoZisgkGuCJ4rALLu1PD32FLmsade7ijA84lq8lSqduAyee-Y/s200/etsy+155.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbVezBZHkD4O3DcCzZH0PtzihJbRYePbnA9yj0HDtdhi6TtGQ1ITY_2XgRXLhjtnTxMyeCWty00EDLeNeuek13GAKndqux3wRGk5vAj2V9j7fY3jCzocZYp1CTB3FPKwxog2ykxQ9AeQ/s1600/etsy+154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbVezBZHkD4O3DcCzZH0PtzihJbRYePbnA9yj0HDtdhi6TtGQ1ITY_2XgRXLhjtnTxMyeCWty00EDLeNeuek13GAKndqux3wRGk5vAj2V9j7fY3jCzocZYp1CTB3FPKwxog2ykxQ9AeQ/s200/etsy+154.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
The machines will go to Ohio on Monday so I'll be able to set up the workshop there, hopefully in a more organized and efficient manner. Then I can start planning my work and working my plan.</div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757694922333908979.post-1501286239836965992011-12-11T12:22:00.000-05:002011-12-11T12:22:51.341-05:00Great Holiday Season<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I'm having a terrific holiday season on etsy this year. I'll do a year-to-year comparison once it's over, but clearly the level of activity is way up. Question is, why? Is my stuff better? Are my photos better (yes)? Is the economy finally coming back? Are people more into handmade than mass-produced? Lots of questions; so far, no answers, but I'll be looking for them.<br />
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Wholesale-wise, on the other hand, I totally missed the boat. Should have been touting my wine bags back in October; not sure why I wasn't other than the distraction of Oberlin. I admit that I found it virtually impossible to conduct any business while I was there - mainly because we were working on the house from early morning to evening. Have made myself a marketing/sales/production/administrative calendar so I don't get caught again. At least I learned that Valentine's Day is the next viable opportunity for wine bag sales, so that'll be the push in January. If I can find the time away from the house.</div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972578391873131noreply@blogger.com0