Such is life.......

Meet Daisy, our new family addition (and my new grand dog). She's a spunky, animated Boston Terrier and the perfect match for her "brother" Scooter, in temperment and energy. I finally have a model for the Tigger sweater, though Daisy is growing so fast it will be outgrown in about a day. Lollypups Petwear is still struggling at this point in time with both finances and finding the right vendor to make the sweaters. I contacted the people at Fairtrade Knitters, and was advised to contact them again in January since the holidays are obviously their busiest time. The garments are made in Equador and they may be a good resource both for the highland wool and baby alpaca qualities that are available. I also contacted a rep from Textiles of Peru and they will make a sample from one of the prototypes and advise the cost so I'll be sending them a sweater after the new year as well. Lead time for both vendors is long but would be doable since I probably won't launch the garments until the next Holiday shows in September. Lastly, I contacted someone from ProArtesana, another fair trade venue working with the women of Bolivia. After a couple of tries, I still haven't gotten a response so they may not want my business. I will try again only instead of directly e/mailing the contact name that was given me, I'll send a message to the actual association and go from there. Lastly, I'll meet with someone from Aid to Artisans at the Javits Center NY Gift Show , the end of January. They seemed to be the most helpful and I really feel more comfortable with a face to face meeting where I can show the prototypes and explain what I need.

I'll be making up some new samples and am adding a "people" head warmer and scarf to be made using appliques and vintage fabric which, since it will be made in small quantities, I can embellish myself. Found out that The Limited is making dog sweaters to match their women's sweaters. Nice. I'll keep track of them and see how they're selling. Not ready to do the same, so small accessories will have to do for now. Here's hoping 2010 will be a banner year for Lollypups Designer Petwear!!

Seasonal splendor.......

Out walking with Lacy this morning and the trees are aglow in bright sunlit golds and reds-- the smell.....intoxicating. As sad as I become at summer's end, autumn provides a crisp pick-me-up on days like today. The unseasonal chill that permiated the air last week, made way for one more day of 70 degree luciousness, driving me outside to rake and garden one last time, just because...........

Discouragement is the word for the day

............so here we are again, stuck in the quagmire of business blah blah blah......It is most unfortunate that an artist's sensibility is stifled by REALITY. The reality of a situation is what one must focus on in these "so called" uncertain times. I know things are uncertain. big whoops............ What makes me crazy is that .......I've done EVERYTHING right!

(hmmm.........well, almost)

Enter.........this thing called "recession" . Yep, that's what it is. It's a RECESSION. No money to be spent on..............well, anything. People are holding onto their dough. Very careful about where it's going and for what. We're all trying to keep our heads above water but who in their right mind will spend $80.00 on a beautiful sweater for their beloved pet. What am I trying to do here??

OK.......enough self pity. Updates in brief are:

Another sweater style, called "Candy", is completed; still terrified to approach a bank for capital (see above ); sketches and ideas are pouring out of my brain; the ongoing pursuit of quality manufacturers has segued to Peru, the mish-mash wool and intarsia sweater capital of the world (all those alpaca make for some very beautiful yarns). So on I plod.

PS. Lacy went under the knife today and had 7 cysts removed, poor girl. She's doing fine but has to wear one of those cone collars until the stitches come out. She won't be posing for ten days so I'm glad she let me take her picture yesterday in the new sweater.

I LOVE THIS BUSINESS

Had a great trip to SuperZoo Pet Product trade fair in Las Vegas. Being my first big trade show, I felt like a kid in a toy store viewing a vast assortment of products available and seeing their quality first hand. Some of the apparel was very high quality and well made, and there was also lots of clothing that was cheap looking and poorly made. But, regardless, there is a market for high as well as low end.

I found most of the exhibiting, were enormously friendly and helpful even when I explained that I wasn't a buyer but simply attending as an observer and hoping to launch my own business. They were willing to give advice regarding manufacturing resources, importing issues, best sellers, the economy, the future of the petwear business. One vendor, Bob Siemon from Rockin' Doggie even showed me a video of how his beautiful collars and leads are made by hand in California. Classy. I showed him the Misty Heart sweater and how it worked so beautifully with his color choices on display. And got his feedback on my sweaters (loved them) as well as what his experiences were working with China
www.rockindoggie.com

Another terrific booth was newbie Zoe & Co. Karen Tsai, owner and a real sweetheart, has a beautiful product. Coats with "real"couture details and high end fabrics. The picture on the far right is her little dog Zoe, modeling one of them on the runway. I immediately went to her booth to offer my congrats. She also admired two of the sweaters I showed her and with her high taste level, I was doubly honored.

www.ZoeandCo.com

There was a rep I spoke to who I will keep in contact with, and Shari Smith from Green Field Paper Company with whom I discussed the possibility of having greeting cards made to send to my customers' pets or to package and sell as gift cards. They're made with seeds embedded in them and the whole thing can be stuck in soil to produce a garden (of what variety I'm not sure)

I had actually gotten something similar from a friend some 12 years ago but the card was so pretty, I never planted it. Shari gave me a sample and I'm going to give it a try.

www.greenfieldpaper.com

I also attended a couple of workshops on internet commerce, marketing and SEOs and how to make the most of your website. Lots to learn and all good to know (and helped my cottage cheese brain to grasp) once I'm ready with a REAL website.

Meanwhile, I was able to make another sweater (crocheting really helps pass the time and anxiety of 5 hour plane flights) and am in the final stages.... just need to decide on the sleeves and embellishments. I'll post that when completed.

As for my suppliers, and on the advice of several of the attendees showing at the trade fair, I've started looking into Peru (great wool resource) and Canada as possible manufacturers of Lollypups sweaters. Also tried to reconnect with a vendor I worked with at LCI who made ladies sweaters in Mexico. Once I have more information from various resources and am more comfortable with the process, I'll be able to move forward.

Thought of the day..................dog lovers are a whole different breed of person. I'm grateful to everyone who was so free to give me pointers on this business.

PET FASHION WEEK...NEXT STOP, SUPERZOO

Pet Fashion week(end) was an interesting experience for Lacy and me. Held at the Metropolitan Pavilion on 18th Street in Chelsea, the first thing you see to the left of the entrance are manikins of 5 different breeds of dogs, groomed in wild "fur"styles, one dyed hot pink, others puffed out to there, for a grooming competition. No best in show award for the FIT designs chosen to be exhibited this year (last year a competition was held for FIT students, to create a garment utilizing Swarovski crystals) Across from that exhibit, was the display of the FIT student designs chosen to travel with PFW globally, Sorbet Valentine lead the way. It was placed on one of those black "pleather" dog manikins that was a bit small for the garment but showed it okay. Though my name and description of the sweater was displayed and a half inch black & white image of my logo, I was disappointed that my brand identity was excluded which would have been a big plus getting the name out there. Turns out the purpose of the display was to focus more on the FIT School for Professional Studies program. So Lacy walked around in a tee shirt I made for her with the Lollypups logo and a shot of the Sorbet Valentine display was used in a Daily News article on Monday.

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/galleries/pet_fashion_week/pet_fashion_week.html

There were lots of cute dogs, and TOO MANY strollers (but I've always objected to strollers in indoor public places whether they contain pups or babies -- that's just me) and Lacy and I were interviewed for a documentary (can't give you details because the director ran out of business cards) which will be about why people love their dogs.

I also spoke with a number of the vendors who proved to be very gracious and helpful in giving me advice on manufacturing and suppliers -- one being Carmina O'Connor of Oscar Newman, (a family run business in Peru) who's product I've always admired. Another really sweet and exuberant vendor was Tara Brown of Poochie Kingdom, a Canada based dog coat manufacturer. The coats were exquisite and lavish and Tara turned me onto the idea of maybe producing my sweaters in Canada. Don't know about that but it's certainly worth looking into. So I learned a lot, which was one of the prime reasons I wanted to attend PFW. SuperZoo in Las Vegas is next, and there will be seminars to attend as well as more vendors to speak with. I'll also be meeting with a rep in LA who works with China, to discuss manufacturing possibilities. Today is designated 'DESIGN ONLY' day. Word of mouth is spreading and I need more product so I'm shutting down my computer and phone to avoid being sucked into the information vortex, and won't show my face until I have at least 5 new sketches (and the one garment I put aside, completed). Dinner, wine and jazz this evening will be most welcomed.

Such a dweeb!!!

There are some things I just cannot do........a website is one of them. The plan was to get something up and running then worry about what it looks like later when I can afford to pay someone, and so that's what I did. Now that Lollypups Petwear is starting to get noticed, I try to update my 'pseudo' website (in between meetings, trade shows, designing, communicating with China, coming up with new concepts and preparing for Pet Fashion Week 2009) which ends up being less time than should be allotted, I end up getting disgusted and only update with text on the news page. My first venture into talking with a knowledgeable web designer, Jeff Cahn, back in March (who I was happy with , btw) was so expensive that I moved onto plan B (getting something up and running myself) but then, product development took over and web planning went back a notch. Then logo design, sample corrections, re-merchandising the collection, then personal stuff........each notch backward made it harder and harder to get back on the website track. I'm looking at SVA student and grad portfolios to maybe find someone who would do it on the cheap, then hope Jeff is available to take it over when I can afford him. So ...........
what I have now is http://www.lollypupspetwear.com/ . Any suggestions or advice (read 'free') would be more than appreciated and will result in less grey hairs and anxiety attacks for this old gal. Go ahead.........make my day ;)

Why I do what I do.........

Attended the Directions trend show yesterday and happily pulled out of my month long creative funk just being surrounded by beautiful sweater swatches, print patterns and colors. Learned a lot by just observing and talking to people face to face especially after being holed up in the studio for so long. It was so refreshing and made me realize that I need my city fix at least once a week in order to keep the creative juices flowing and not get bogged down with ONLY the financial and business prep work as has been the case lately. I've been so concerned with creating the perfect business plan, figuring out the resources and how to get things done, that I've forgotten the reason why I'm doing this in the first place. To design beautiful pet wear!

Spoke to a young woman at the print show who happened to have her lovely pup Lola with her and she gave me lots of feedback as to what she (as my target customer) is having a hard time finding that's truly "fashionable" meaning, within the current fashion trends. I'm remembering my initial concept for Lollypups was exactly that.....fashion conscious sweaters for fashion conscious pet owners. Something they would wear themselves. I feel like I've lost focus since the last print show (also, losing my mother-in-law, and Erika's wedding were so all consuming)

then, Lacy being so sick! Point being, life goes on even when shit happens........so I'm happy to say, I'M BAAAAAACCCCKKKKK! (and Lacy is too).

Got a message from FIT that the Sorbet Valentine sweater was chosen to be showcased at New York Pet Fashion Week (August 22 - 23rd) at the Metropolitan Pavilion in a special display and then to travel globally with Pet Fashion Week for one year. Nice little boost to the old, battered ego, I must say. This was the sweater that was worn on the "catwalk" at the FIT Pet Fashion show back in April. Strictly a promotional item, I'm sad to say, since it's way too expensive to produce (all those tiny stitches and silk and mohair yarns!) ::sigh::

So, in closing today's report, I must say much progress was made in the time span of only one afternoon. All is good!

Even Diva dogs can get the blues......

For the first time in her 12 year lifespan, Lacy is officially sick. She's been out of sorts before but always bounced back in a 24 hour period. No vet needed, no meds...just her usual puppy-like self. This time, I'm sad to say, she's showing her age (hmmmmm.......so am I lately......I wonder, is it contagious?) Vet says its a pancreatic infection and so she's been on antibiotics for a week now. No problem giving them to her since Jeff discovered that if you cut the pill in quarters and bury them in chunky peanut butter, she thinks its quite a treat and laps it up.
And here I am, boiling chicken and rice and feeding her this bland diet in small portions three times a day. No appetite problem here either, which I take to be a good sign. After a week and follow up tests, she pulled through and it seemed the infection was gone. However, she's still lethargic, stays right by my side (even on my trips to the john) and is just not the same. Her gait is no longer bouncy, her head and shoulders slump downward and although her ears and eyes were checked, she doesn't respond immediately when I call out her name.. She's just not herself and has slowed down considerably. She won't take the meds in the peanut butter anymore and, on the vet's advice, I weaned her back onto her dry food which she won't eat. So it's back to boiled chicken and rice I think. I'm more diligent about her exercise routine in the hopes that she'll snap out of it and I've taken to bringing her with me where ever I go. This is the part of loving a pet that is scary.
Though obviously distracted, I've been working diligently on the business plan and am struggling with financial portion. Not exactly sure how I'm supposed to predict sales when I haven't sold anything yet but..........
My China resources have been great in that once I've explained my new strategy with Lollypups (merchandising several items around the color/ pattern stories of the sweaters) they are full of suggestions as to what I can and can't do. I realize now that although frustrated with the amount of time it takes to establish a business, that time is also spent solidifying business relationships as well and I feel more comfortable with the vendors I've been working with as time goes by.
I wanted to attend the HH Backer trade show in Chicago but unless I'm ready to show, their rules for non-exhibitors are very restrictive and expensive. I still hope to launch the website by September and take advantage of this holiday season then be ready for the Spring circuit and introduce lighter weight garments and accessories.......so , onward we trod (and still loving this).

All is complete and now...............ON WITH THE SHOW

Weddings are over, mood is soggy but content. The marriage of a first born in any family conjures up emotions that are both sweet and painfully sad and losing an important family member one month prior who should have been present to enjoy all this only proves to me once more, that there is no god only circumstance. The simple task of designing a sweater for a little dog to wear and keep warm seemed to pale in comparison to the roller coaster ride we've all been on these past few months. All planning is done, wedding dress successfully constructed and beautifully worn, wedding cake consumed and champagne toasted. And a memorable time was had by all. In the end, with the disappointments came joy........with the bad and insulting behavior of some, came consideration, helpfulness and a sense of camaraderie of others.....The true meaning of family was displayed at both events and I'm grateful to my own little clan, for giving me the truest sense of belonging.
But back to the task at hand........Lollypups Pet Wear.
The focus is no longer my personal life but back to development, business plans and designing and merchandising the line. We're at the 3rd phase of counter samples for Misty and Lucky and I've found a good supplier for other items as well, that will coordinate and merchandise back to these two styles. I need to give the go ahead for the Tigger style and correct the glitches in the Sugarplum style, then send the proto out to be made. I contacted a company in Peru (my gut feeling that these sweaters should be in pure wool is still nagging at me) but no response. The words Small start-up company seem to slam a lot of doors........too bad.
I'm not going to China in July this time around since the trade show is not really pet oriented but that's just as well. I need to research more and have more to show and I must GET AN AGENT.........only proving my humble inability to do EVERYTHING which is a rude awakening on my part since I've always done everything in the past. Damn..........talk about being driven......I have to learn how to delegate and let go.........This is a challenge, truly (and to have the funds to PAY for someones help is a close second). I don't want to.......but I must........or this will take me forever to launch. Prime focus is on creating a solid business plan or as solid as one can be in this quagmire of economic uncertainty. Therapy session over.........All is good.

My Italian connection.........

The FIT fashion show made the Italian press. The magazine is called Quattro Zampe and it's the June issue. Since I'm a lousy Italian, and never learned the language, I have no idea what it says so am hoping my pal Paolo will translate. The only Lollypups design featured was the Sorbet Valentine which is the only garment I'm NOT able to manufacture. Crap! But hey, publicity is publicity is publicity. Too bad there's no mention of my name or of Lollypups. No need to speak the language to decipher that .......and so it goes.

Been a while so.........new?

Lacy, ever the loyal companion, sleeps soundly in a yarn box in my studio, while I work, making the perfect "before sweater" picture, I think.


Very little progress has been made during May which is to say it's been a tumultuous month. The Chinese economy is suffering economic woes the same as in the US. Vera, acting as an agent for the factory, did follow through with the 2nd samples of the Lucky Rainbow (this time in both colorways) and the Misty Heart as promised. I received them at the end of the month. She also got a new job with a Hong Kong based petwear company so maybe this will be a good thing. There are still color and material issues that need resolving and ofcourse, will require me to make a trip to China which I had planned on doing in July (after Erika's wedding). That's still the plan (at least for the time being---so many monkey wrenches keep being thrown into the works!) One never knows.
The business plan is coming along as well, though it changes constantly due to the economic situation. Sometimes I think starting a business in this environment is like running in quick sand while other businesses are crumbling like a house of cards around me. Other times I'm sure that laying the groundwork now, when the economy is in flux will prove to be a smart thing once the smoke clears and people are spending again. In any case, I will take advantage of those small business Obama bucks while the opportunity is there.

On a very sad note, Pearl, my much loved and admired mother-in-law passed away on May 19th, and so time was spent in Florida with the family, trying to comfort her husband Gene as well as one another. She was a fantastic Lady, a real mother to me as well as a friend and confidant. My girls and I drove down to Florida with Lacy in tow, my sewing machine (Still working on the wedding dress) and piles of wool to maybe get some designing done. It wasn't going to happen though, since she took a turn for the worst by the time we got there. I miss her a lot. So, since life has to go on (no matter how much I miss her) wedding plans are moving forward, and the bridal shower (afternoon tea in the garden at home) was bittersweet, but a success. The weather was beautiful and Erika was happy. Check that off the to do list.

I'm sorry that the business has taken a back seat at this time but I do manage to communicate with the vendors and keep them posted of my progress, however slow. They've been very patient and we're moving along. I'll be happy to be back on track and in full swing by July 1st.

YOU JUST NEVER KNOW.........

This post is in the "You Just Never Know" category since that's been the running comment echoing over the past two weeks. Things at Lollypups were going according to plan , though slowly, due to outside forces filling up my days. (I do need an assistant!!) They are:
* My older daughter's upcoming May bridal shower plans for which her sister and I are collaborating on collecting all the necessary items for a tea party for 40 women.
* Her two (New York and Florida) June weddings, for which I'm making her wedding dress.
* Writing up a 40 page business plan to obtain a small business bank loan so I can start production.
* Communicating with Vera in China on the progress of the 2nd counter samples and color corrections and development of the Tigger style.
.......and throw into the mix, my younger daughter's pending lawsuit from an auto accident which has finally found it's way onto the court roster after six years!!.
You just never know .....what the outcome would be after such a long time and faded memories of that horrible day......and happily, it was decided in her favor. Check one off the stress list and move on.

The samples were moving along fine when I received an e/mail on Monday from Vera telling me the trading company that employs her has unexpectedly closed down their foreign trade division and she is out of a job. After 8 months of building a trusting relationship with a manufacturer, I am now back to square 2. I don't say square 1 because Vera has assured me that she is still able to act as an agent for the factory actually producing the goods and without a middle man (the trading company) the product will end up being cheaper to produce. So she is proceeding with the samples and will advise me as to how we will export them.
She has her BA in Translation and Foreign Trade Business and feels confident she will get another job elsewhere. She also considers me a good friend but again ........
you just never know........

I've renewed my relationship with another Trading company (the maker of the first Tigger sample) and have been assured that they will follow my instructions to the letter and try again. The new sales rep is trying to regain my trust. I hope she succeeds but I'm on the lookout once more, for other factories that can produce the new styles coming down the pike (when I can get back to concentrating on new product). I've started developing an enamel charm with the Lollypups logo with this company and will use it as a promotional piece or give away when the time comes that I have enough product to sell and for the upcoming trade shows.

You just never know......... But I'm moving along as if I do ;)

We made the news on wcbstv

http://wcbstv.com/video/?id=127087@wcbs.dayport.com

On the "Cat" walk

Getting my feet wet in this pet product business has been quite a trip . Exposure is great in the right places and so far, my two practice runs--the barking beauty pageant and the FIT fashion show--have been eye openers as to what to expect and what not to expect. The show was actually a graded project for the Event Planning coarse at FIT. The kids did a good job for a herculean task and earned the high marks I'm sure they'll get.
I submitted three pieces by the submission deadline of April 1st and then the deadline was pushed back to the 15th because there weren't enough garments to show, so I submitted one more. I was surprised and somewhat disappointed that of the four pieces I submitted the only one used on the runway was the Sorbet Valentine, which looked beautiful on Zoe, Margaret's adorable miniature poodle and drew oohs and ahs from the crowd. Another disappointment was that we were told garments not used on the runway would be displayed on tables and there would be dog bowls for the designers to put their business cards in. There were no bowls and the displays were so haphazardly arranged that it was difficult to determine what cards went with what display.
All in all, the reaction to my designs was overwhelming and people (though not the "press" that was supposed to be present) praised them and genuinely wanted to know more about their availability.
So now it's back to work adding new styles and upgrading the business plan so I can take advantage of my minority status (woman entrepreneur) and those mighty Obama bucks, and acquire funding to get this real show on the road. Proof is in the pudding and judging by the reaction I've been getting, this is a very saleable product. Sorry we didn't bring the professional camera for Jeff to video the runway, but here's the gist of it using our little digital.

FIT Fashion Show - April 22,2009

FIT’s Pet Fashion Show will be held on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 from 5:00pm to 6:30pm in the John E. Reeves Great Hall Conference Center.

The show will feature petwear by FIT students and will include 4 Lollypups Petwear tm styles;

Lucky, Misty Heart, Tigger and Sorbet. They will be shown on the "cat" walk (ha, this is too cute) and are to be worn by pro dog models. Press and buyers will be present so it's a good venue to introduce the brand.

I attended the Print Source show on the 14th which is a good resource for knit swatches and inspiration. I did end up purchasing a knitdown of a terrific stripe (something I vowed I wouldn't do--but it possessed the stretchability I have been trying to develop) The rep is Catherine B. Designs and the studio is in London. I was hoping to see more but the show was for the Spring/Summer 2010 season so people are less likely to need knits then. I felt it was worthwhile to establish a relationship with a knit studio though, since I know I won't be able to make all the samples myself much longer, as the business progresses. Next up, we'll see what kind of a response we get at the FIT show and I'll use that with my small business loan application. Time to move up the pace a bit. More to come................

Official press photo

Couldn't resist! Lacy had her professional photo taken at the Barking Beauty Pageant and of course, I got sucked in by those moon eyes and bought one. She does look cute ;)

Go to http://www.stevenrosenphotography.com/ if you want to see the rest of the "contestants" on his blog. Great fun. I enjoyed watching him work.

What a trip........

Lacy may be my muse and looked beautiful in the sweaters at the Barking Beauty Pageant on Sunday, but there's no chance of her becoming America's next top (dog) model. Being the consummate diva, she outright refused to walk onto the center area but was, however, gracious enough to pause and sniff a hello, one by one, to each of the spectators sitting on the floor. Unfortunately, the time allotted to us was very brief (and there was no Miss Congeniality award to earn). My visions of her prancing, head held high, proudly modeling my designs (maybe turning slightly and coyly glancing over her shoulder at an adoring audience) fell totally flat and I ended up picking her up and walking her around, while the moderator explained that this old girl was a diva in the truest sense of the word. The other dogs were all adorable and their owners were at various levels of fixation on their pets, from nonchalant to manic obsessive so it was an education for me as to what my potential customer is willing to do for their pet...... I handed out business cards and information about Lollypups Petwear (and accepted the accolades on their uniqueness and originality) so all in all, mission accomplished. I hear there may be coverage of the event on The Learning Channel. Stay tuned.

Upcoming Barking Beauty Pageant

Lacy will be debuting a couple of the Lollypups sweaters this Sunday March 22. Sorbet Valentine was custom made for her and strictly for publicity purposes, the other I haven't decided on yet. However, check out the earlier posts with pictures of the 3 styles in development.

The details for the pageant are as listed on the website:

http://thebarkingbeauty.com/nyc and the pagaent benefits BARC, Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition, which does great things for shelter animals. Erika, Emily and I had the honor of taking out 3 of the dogs for a day of undivided attention and love (plenty of that available from we three)

Lacy can use all the support she can get since her only purpose in life is to eat, poop and look pretty. She does sit (after several commands--she's such a diva and will do it in her own time)

and dances on her hind legs (tempted by a treat) but those are all the "tricks" she's capable of so chances of her winning the "talent" phase are slim. However, it's for a great cause and good exposure for my Lollypups Petwear. The more spectators cheering her on, the better, so if you can, do come. It should be fun!

Samples are on the way.....and I say YEA!

Spoke to China this morning and Vera sent an attachment of the two counter samples along with the proto for comparison. All I could say was WOW! Secretly, I wasn't sure they could do it but outside of a couple of mistakes (miscommunication being the biggest problem in dealing with China), they did a stellar job of interpreting the Lucky and Misty styles. Happily, Vera says the factory will remake the samples correctly based on my comments.
Note to self: China takes EVERYTHING literally so what they get is what they'll produce. I found that out with the first factory and realize that maybe it's just the norm. Nothing that a trip to Asia wouldn't remedy but I know now to be very thorough and make myself very, very clear. Tomorrow I get the breakdown of costs (yikes!) (insert uncontrollable teeth chattering here!!)
Then onto the next step of this incredible journey. I need more funding now that the initial seed money has done it's job so I have to figure that out. Production is another story altogether. I'm convinced I have a really saleable product so, armed with that knowledge, the ability to produce, and with the upcoming publicity establishing the brand, I'll start the marketing strategy, get the website completed and begin showing the product to high end boutiques.
Should anyone ask me if I'm having fun yet...........I'd simply say...........ha........no brainer!!! Have I bitten off more than I can chew?...........ABSOLUTELY! It's what makes me even more determined to make Lollypups Pet Wear work. More to follow..................

March came in like a lion and is still roaring..........

Crazy busy........feverishly creating :)
Communicating with the factory on final details and the counter samples are finally in the works. I'm told they'll be shipped this week so fingers are crossed. Meanwhile, Lacy will be wearing a custom design at the Fourth Annual Barking Beauty Pageant taking place on Sunday, March 22, 2009. I'll post a picture of it after the pageant which is being held at the Richmond Shepard Theatre -309 East 26th St. between 1st & 2nd Avenues. Should be fun and good publicity with Modern Dog Magazine in attendance .......bring on the pupparazzi! (sorry, couldn't resist)

Next up, the FIT pet wear fashion show brought to you by the FIT event planning students and featuring the pet wear design department's creations on April 22nd. "Professional" doggie models will be used so Lacy will not be the "next top model" in this event.Don't want her to get too into the diva mode anyway so it's a good thing. More on that later......bedtime beckons!

It's been a tough week..........

Not much sweater progress this past week. Seems everything I try to create for this masculine design comes out looking too fuffy. I think I'll put it aside and go back to the "Sugarplum" style since that one is meant to look like "whipped cream" . I did spend all day today working on the logo and am happy to say, it's finally perfected. I think the hardest thing about this whole endeavor is not having the money to hire someone to do what I can't and so being the only creative source. Graphic art is not my strong point, so after much researching, sketching and tearing out notebook pages, (and my hair) I finally came up with something I think identifies the brand. Such a relief. Now I can get the business cards, labels etc made and put that task into the "done" column. Vera, my Chinese resource, informed me that the factory won't dye the novelty yarns needed for the counter samples after all, unless I place a bulk order, which I can't do until I know the samples can be made for a price. I told her that we'd just have to substitute other yarns for now in order to get the samples done but that's a week wasted. I'm hearing nothing from the other trading company so I guess I can write them off. Vera could probably do the Tigger sweater but I really don't want to put all my eggs in one basket so it's back to square one in the resource search. And so it goes..........

To err is human - to forgive, canine....

Poor Lacy...she's in the dumps because it's snowing and we can't go outside and play. Although it's the best weather for me to stay in and work on new designs, I did try to play fetch and toss her sherpa baby to her a bit, down in the den. I didn't expect a lot since she's never been much of a fetcher, preferring to grab the toy, shake it, drop it and sniff her butt. But I thought she'd appreciate my undivided attention. No dice this time. She walked upstairs in a huff and planted herself in Jeff's sock basket. My ploy was to get her in a better mood so I could try on the newest Lollypups creation and it just wasn't working. She looks forlorn and dejected huddled among the sport socks, no matter how much I bribe her to come out.........we women can be really bitchy when we don't get our way. Chicken for dinner tonight might cheer her up........hopefully, tomorrow will be sunny.

I divert today..........

Bought myself a knitting machine on sale and started playing. It's pretty easy once you get the hang of it however, I don't picture myself doing much with it except experimenting with swatches and colors. It's only a straight knit/purl machine and since I prefer mixed stitches and mishmash designs, I may need to find a book or something. Honestly, I'm in the throes of learning so much already, I think I'll leave the knitted proto making to the experts. My real purpose is to experiment with intarsia patterns which I can just send off to be developed, without a proto . I've yet to find a CAD program that doesn't cost a bundle and will translate graphs into sweater designs. I know they exist but cost a lot and right now, funds are tight. I'll try to figure it out in Photoshop or illustrator but until I can, old fashioned colored pencils will have to do. So many ideas............so little time. This is such fun!!

More progress....

Lacy is wearing Misty Heart (in honor of Aunt Marie's Chihuahua--RIP) It literally started out with the heart motif and grew from there. This prototype was sent to China Jan.7 and materials have been sourced but a counter sample won't be made until the factories reopen after Chinese New Year (Mid February for the dyers!) I'm assured that the technique can be replicated and all materials can be provided in the same colors but I'll have to wait and see. Meanwhile, it's a great Valentine's day sweater but my timing is a year off :(

I'd like to create a couple more though since themes are always popular. (but no Santa's, I promise) Coming up next......Sugar and Spice theme, a confection in shades of cream and cottony fluff...this one's tough and I feel it needs more planning than the others so I'll have to be a bit more disciplined. Also on the horizon, Winter Garden theme....a garden of appliqued flowers in a multitude of colors. The question that STILL remains after all the smoke clears on these designs, HOW MUCH WILL THEY COST TO REPRODUCE!!

Stay tuned...................

Progress report

Due to Chinese New Year the factories closed 1/20 and won't re-open till 2/2. One of the counter samples did arrive Thursday. It's the Tigger style which was actually one of the easiest to reproduce and considering I supplied all the materials as well, it only took the factory a week to make. It's pictured to the right of the prototype and although the technique is great, the sizing is way off. I can't even try it on Lacy which was the point of giving specs in a size medium. Another disappointment is that they didn't follow my instructions to make the collar removable which it needs to be. This vendor seems a bit lax and I don't have as much confidence in them as I have in the other trading company, which I've had an ongoing connection to since September.

Vera is great. Always answering my questions right away and very professional. At first, her response to the two prototypes I sent was that the factory will have a hard time sourcing the materials and so they might need to substitute similar ones. I told her that I was open to options as long as they maintained the aesthetic of the proto. In her message today, she actually went the extra mile to search and locate the exact materials needed to reproduce the prototype and has assured me that the technique, materials and colors will match.

Of course, the dyers are off until Feb.10th so I won't get the counter samples until probably the last week of February. I'm anxious to see these two styles because they're so complex, however, once it's determined that they can be produced and at the right price point, I can move forward with the website. And THAT will be challenge #2. More on that later.

More photos of the "kids".............

P'tunia, Beth's beautiful pug, loved trotting around in the Lucky Rainbow sweater. It fit her like a glove and so I realized, I had made it broad enough in the chest for a more barrel chested breed than Lacy. Which was actually a good thing. This was also true for Scooter, Emily and Chris' rat terrier (and my grand dog). Scooter was not as happy modeling but did get a dingo bone as a reward for sitting on my work table for the photo and being so patient. Rat terriers are NOT patient.....love you Scoot!

Lollypups is born.........

Here's Lacy in the very first Lollypups sweater design. It took 4 months just to set up the business, which included designing the product, registering the name, attending small business seminars and classes at FIT, meeting with hand knitters who could make up prototypes,(I crochet but I don't knit), researching vendors --China (very helpful) USA (not), Canada (rude) and keeping in communication with them. Designing the garment itself went fairly quickly. I'm not one to figure out stitches on paper but work a design out in my head as I'm doing it. The Lucky Rainbow sweater was pretty successful considering I only had to rip it out once :(
The one problem I encountered was in the fit but being the first prototype, that was to be expected. Lacy, my model and muse, is the perfect size medium but it looked too long on her so I eliminated the rose section at the bottom. The sleeve placement was a bit low too, and so I've adjusted the specifications and have sent it off to China to be reproduced as a counter sample.....we'll see how they do. It's been a nice journey so far.......working 16 hour days never felt so good! And Lacy's happy I'm at home to keep her company.