Ladybugs and Lollipops, Inc.

I meet my customers in the strangest places!

2011-03-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

So, if you don't already know this, my kitchen island is going through a re-build. Oh Joy! This isn't by choice. In fact, this couldn't come at a more inappropriate time! You see, my daughter, Delaney, will be going through her 1st Communion and Confirmation (yes, in AZ they do it all at the same time, don't ask ME why???) AND my daughter Sydney will be graduating from ASU on the same weekend in May so we have a HUGE party planned so I need to have my kitchen ready...but I digress.

Ok...back to why my kitchen island is all torn apart. This is all because a hot water hose was initially installed improperly and over the years has slowly been leaking and over time mold has grown. So right now, my island has been demo'd to the studs, I have a temporary sink built and I've been dealing with the insurance company and all of the workers that go along with this wonderful project. (Eye roll here, thank you)

I know, you're wondering "Debbie, what does this have to do with your cute little sewing business?" Well, I'll tell you. Believe it or not, the last man that came in to write up the estimate to rebuild my island, Brian, happened to notice an apron I had on a dress form that stands in my entrance way. Brian commented on this apron (I know, this took me by surprise too, that a man would even notice an apron? on a dress form? Wow...). But then he did something that suprised me even more! He went over to the dress form and asked about the apron! I told him that I make aprons as part of my business. Well, guess what he told me? Brian then told me that he is almost positive that his wife has one of my aprons! He asked if I sell at boutiques and home shows around the area, which I do! I happened to have my 'brag book' and placed it on what's left of my kitchen island and he started looking through it while at the same time telling me that his mother-in-law bought aprons for all three of her daughters that all matched their personalities and he was looking for them AND thinks he found them, in my book! Now how crazy is that, I ask you?!

When I do shows and boutiques I love it when I see past customers and repeat customers, that's part of the joy of being a vendor! It's such a great feeling when people come up and ask to see what's new? When I set up my booth, it's very unique, so it's not unusual to have people stop by and say "Hi! I saw you at such-and-such and bought this-and-that and I LOVE it!" I'm terrible with names but I can pretty much place which person purchased what apron or capelet and at what show or boutique. In fact, I'm pretty sure I even remember what aprons Brian's mother-in-law bought for her three daughters! I know, amazing!

So, let's just hope and pray that my kitchen island is done in time for our big family weekend in May! And let's see if any other past, present or future customers walk through my front door!

Have a great day everyone! And as always, thanks for your support!

Debbie

The best gift I ever gave an 11-year old boy!

2011-02-27T16:20:00.000-08:00

Buying birthday gifts these days for the pre-teen generation is practically a joke. Everybody, and I've been guilty of this too, trades either gift cards or cash. Think about it, when was the last time you actually wrapped a gift? Now really, putting a present in a gift bag with tissue is nice but let's be real, it's not the same thing when it comes to the opening experience, where's the fun in that? Let's compare:

Scenario A: You are handed a box with a with a bright shiny bow and colorful wrapping paper. You tear off the bow and either playfully stick it on your forehead or throw it back over your shoulders. Next you rip with all your might as quickly as you can and tear that paper to shreds. Your excitement builds as you start to get an idea of what's inside the box because you have made a hole in the paper and you can see a letter. What does it say? What did you get? You contiue to rip away at the paper but the tape, oh all that scotch tape is keeping you from your mysterious gift? Rip, rip but the paper just comes off in small pieces and then FINALLY you hit the mother load and you get that large piece of paper off and you are faced with the back of the box of...what is it? You turn the box over and...YES! You can't believe you finally got IT!!!!

OR

Scenario 2:

You are handed a pretty bag with lovely pieces of tissue paper in it. You pull out the tissue paper and pull out the gift. Smile and say thank you. Next...

But I digress...you want to know what the best present ever for an 11-year old boy is, don't you? Well, it's something I make, really! I know, I can't stand just how amazing I am sometimes! ;)

My son Jack has two best friends, Justice and Michael. This summer Justice and Jack spent a LOT of time together even though we don't live very close to each other. Sometimes it'd be days before Justice would go home or Jack would come home (not a bad deal!). Anyway, I make blankets - those fleece blankets that you tie. I custom make them to fit peoples interests and personalities, school colors, sports teams, princesses, you get the idea? Anyway, when Justice would be here he and Jack would share Jack's Chicago Bears blanket or he'd use Lollipops' monkey blanket or Delaneys' ladybug blanket. He loved, loved, loved those blankets. Hmmm...

Justice is one of those boys that has all of those big boy toys and all of the electronic gadgets, pretty much everything a boy wants/needs. Don't get me wrong, he's a great kid, super polite, doesn't act spoiled at all, I love this boy! He's wonderful! When Jack was invited to Justices' 11th birthday party I panicked for all of 2 seconds. What do you get the kid who needs nothing? What do you get a kid who's one of your sons best friends and is really special to you too? I certainly wasn't going to give him a gift card! He needed a BLANKET of his own!

Now, I had to explain this gift to his mom, because it's not like you would just naturally think of giving a blanket to a boy for a birthday gift, right? But that's where everyone goes wrong! Boys LOVE these blankets, especially when it's about their favorite sport or team or whatever their interest is. They wrap themselves in them and watch tv or movies or read or sleep.

Justice loves his blanket! And so did his brothers! His brothers kept trying to take it, they liked it so much his mother ordered ones for her two other sons, her daughter and even wanted one for herself! Since I know the family it was really easy for me to pick out the patterns and designs for the blankets to fit each persons personality.

So now when the Jack, Justice and Michael have sleepovers, they all bring their blankets (Michael already had one) and call themselves the Blanket Brothers! I'm telling ya, it's the best, most unexpected but favorite gift you can give a kid!! You really need to consider this in the future when you want to do something more unique than just another gift card.

And just to make the whole thing a really memorable experience, WRAP the blanket and put a bow on it! Now that's a present that ANYONE will be excited about opening!!! Trust me! ;)

Have a good one!

Debbie (Thanks Gail!)

Paperwork vs. Creating

2011-02-22T08:11:00.000-08:00

Oh I HATE doing the paperwork that goes with the responsibility of owning a business!

It used to be that I didn't mind the paperwork side of business. I loved the idea of organizing all of my papers in color coded folders and labels. Making sure that everything added up correctly and taking pride in the fact that it did. I guess that was my way of creative expression at the time. Well, times have changed and I just don't get that same thrill any more from making my files so neat and my columns add up. It's like I'm back in math class and I'm not that happy about it!

I shouldn't complain, I'm just doing the stuff I need to do and somebody else gets to do the torturous, tedious work of the actual taxes - but he seems to actually enjoy that! And yes, I'm writing this because I'm procrastinating again. I've pretty much banned myself from facebook, except for a tiny peek every once in a while...that's part of my motivation to finish.

By the looks of the paperwork that is surrounding me I think I am about half way done so if I stop writing this I just might finish today and get back up to my loft and get back to sewing and get this paperwork monkey off my back!!

Have a good day everyone!!

Debbie

Learning Curve

2011-02-15T10:40:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I have to admit that this whole blog this is a bit intimidating for me. I really thought I was going to be a 'natural'. I mean, c'mon. I can write inspirational letters, motivational e-mails, hilarious notes and thoughtful cards to those I love and care about. But what do I say to those that I don't even know who I'm writing to?

Not only that, but I've been stunted with the direction of how personal was I going to get with this blog? Is this going to be only professional or from my personal point of what it's like to be a mom trying to get my little business going? I'm still wondering about this...

I also have to admit, that once I wrote my first blog it took me about three days to figure out which e-mail and password I used so that I could get back into it! I used to be so tech savvy and now I'm feeling like such a newbie. Well, I guess I've figured out the tone of my blog...Welcome to me!

I've haven't been up in my loft sewing the last few days because it's been the weekend and I use that time for my family. But when I'm done with this I'll go back up and work more on the stylist aprons that I'm doing. They are coming along nicely and I'm itching to get back to them!

When I walk up into my loft and turn on the light and see my work table and the aprons waiting for me to start working on them, I just sigh. It's like a calm comes over me and yet an excitement at the same time. I just almost can't decide which thing I want to do first! Am I in a sewing mode? Do I feel like cutting fabric? Do I feel like mixing and matching trims? Do I feel like starting something new? Yes! I always want to start something new!! But, alas, I better finish one of the 25 half-finished items looking at me as if to say ' pick me! pick me! I want to be hangin' with those awesome finished aprons and be sold to somebody cool!' What's a girl to do?

And yes...I'm procrastinating, I SO don't want to work on the paperwork to get my taxes done! I mean REALLY, who would rather do paperwork than sew??? Not me!!

So, I'm off to sew some aprons. I guess paperwork can wait until tomorrow when the kids are home for another one of those lovely (gag) mid-week half-days.

Have a good one!
Debbie
LadybugsandLollipopsOnline.com

Ok, so let's begin!!

2011-02-03T14:10:00.001-08:00

Hi there!

I'm finally doing it! I've been meaning to start this blog for the longest time and 'things' have always taken priority but NOT anymore! I figured now that I've gone INTERNATIONAL BABY by sending my first item out of the country - this lovely apron that I call 'Pretty Women' has been bought by a super smart person in Queensland, Australia, thank you VERY much!

So now I am also focusing on my vinyl covered aprons. They have been purchased by stylists, artists and self-proclaimed 'sloppy cooks'! I'm hoping to get into tattoo shops as well - know of anyone that might be interested? I have one special order for a stylist that I am hoping to finish this week and then I need to finish a few more so that I can use them for examples for special orders. I'm really hoping to get that part of my business growing!! Wish me luck!!

Well, the kids are just about to get home from school so my 'work' day is about done! At least I've done my first POST! Let's see how this things goes. You can find me on Facebook and my web site: LadybugsandLollipopsoline.com

Thank you and have a GREAT day!!!