Beside myself with glee..............

Some samples came in from Peru and they're EXACTLY what I have been trying to achieve over the past year as far as color and qualities. The materials are sumptuous, the colors delicious and the price ........well, we'll work on that. Basically, this young woman has a great eye for color and although there are a few tweeks that need to be made, she attempted to recreate the prototypes of two styles FROM THE PICTURES I SENT HER, just to show me that she could do it!! Great job. I can live with that. Now that she has the actual prototypes and specs, I have no doubt she can do them.

She sent the color cards for the alpaca and pima cotton (which I love) but I'm going to have to juggle things to make the price work. Still waiting to hear from Bolivia but I know Peru is a good resource and we're on to great things. She also sent knitted swatches ( just because.......) of amazing jacquard trials and all I can say is how smart this young woman is to have added these to the package. I'm hooked..............and happy to have found a resource I can work with.
More to come.............

Vote for Lollypups..........

In the never ending quest for start up funds, I have entered the Intuit "Love a Local Business" contest to win 30K which I sure could use now that the samples are in the works and I'm going to have to start production (yikes and yikes) If anyone is actually reading this, I sure could use your vote so just click on the link and write a comment for Lollypups........then hit "vote"

http://lovealocalbusiness.intuit.com/fan?b_id=16290&cid=ad120x60

I thank you..........Lacy thanks you..........and those terrific artisans from Peru thank you (gracias)

Also working on different grant options for Women entrepreneurs and then, the big bad banking boys! Wish I could spend as much time on designing.

Pepper is here........

Finished the Pepper style and am happy with the way it came out. I think the smaller flower embellishment is the right scale since the sweater itself is in a smaller size, opening up the range from xs through to large. XS can be more Yorkie size or Chihuahua but not teacup. Some day, maybe in knit styles but the crochet is bulky and may be too heavy for a tiny dog.

Next trial is going to be a spring style in cotton boucle and a bit more complicated. I think I need something that's not made in Alpaca so as not to be only about winter. I saw a beautiful crocheted free form Chris Benz dress in plummy colors that's very inspirational and I do want to get back to the free form

designs.

Let the waiting begin.......

All prototypes have been sent to their respective allocations in Peru and Bolivia I'm delighted to say. Now comes the not such fun part. The waiting....the anticipation.......I still have no idea how the garments will cost out but have informed both vendors of my target wholesale price point and if we need to change a button here, or a yarn quality there, I'm willing to compromise a tad. Patricia is sending out the yarn package on Monday and Javier is awaiting receipt of the protos in order to see first hand, what yarns will be suitable. I'm not sure all that is necessary since the jpegs I sent him were pretty clear and explicit. He did send me an attachment of the available Alpaca and Llama colors which always translate differently then the real thing, but I did see the yarns he was supplying to the knitted dog sweater company who I spoke with back in December at their booth at the high end craft fair.
While the clock ticks away, the fun part (and the least amount of time I get to spend creatively) is that now all those ideas sketched, yarns and trimmings researched, trade shows visited, fashion blogs and magazines perused and new novelty details discovered, can be made into the next new designs. It gets easier actually making them now that the pattern is pretty much solidified. Less rip out time. I'm doing a black and cream striped number, called "Pepper", with a brightly colored flower embellishment at the base of the collar. The style is simpler than the others but a bit more sophisticated and creates a focal point for the beautiful flower. I'd like to get at least 4 more styles made before the samples come in and either submit them for development or take them with me to So. America when I plan my April trip. I'm anxious to meet these amazing women of Peru and build an ongoing relationship with them and other Fair Trade artisens. This is quite a journey and keeps getting more and more interesting.
I'm so antsy to get this product launched but will continue to take one step at a time and avoid past mistakes. All is good (and Emily made the Dean's list and will graduate UAlbany in May)
So it's not just Lacy who makes me kvell. It's my daughters too.

March.......in like a lion.........out like a pup

Seems there's a light at the end of the tunnel once again (in more ways then one). The 20 inches of snow from last week's February 2010 snow storm (part deux) is melting away enough for Lacy to actually step precariously onto the 5 or so inches remaining on the patio, in order to go beyone the path shoveled for her, to take care of business. She's happy, so I'm happy.
I'm sending out the Lucky, Candy and Tigger specs tomorrow to Peru. Patricia sent me swatches that were done over the weekend to show that the artisans there are very capable of recreating the intricate shapes used in my designs and to say I'm thrilled is to put it more than mildly. Above and beyond I'd say, though we all have to do what we can do to stand out in order to drum up business. I think I found my ideal resource.
The colors will need to be worked on but the Alpaca quality is just what I wanted all along. My fault entirely...........having said I wanted high quality materials from the get go, I was faltering in order to save money. Bad move on my part I summized, because it really wasn't my vision at the start, to make sweaters that look and feel cheap. So it took a year of research to conclude that I must remain with my initial vision in order for Lollypups to work. And after much legwork and brainwork, I think I found the right people to do it.
Feeling great once again and moving forward. Next stop, Peru. Then Bolivia. April, Spring, new beginnings...............:::happy dance:::::

Sky Bark 2010

Emily and I took Lacy and Daisy to Sky Bark at the Pennsylvania Hotel this past weekend, an event meant to launch the 2010 Westminster Dog show at Madison Square garden across the street. It was quite a red carpet spectacle, with dogs dressed to the hilt in glam, glitz, ruffles and rouching. I really love this business and the people who feel the need to validate themselves through their sweet pets. The dogs were, as dogs tend to be, unaware of what was being asked of them.........to preen and primp in eye catching (human?) attire in order to win the attention of those present and perhaps elicit a few oohs and aahs and "how cutes". Personally, I love them just the way they are but it was fun watching the pet parents strut around as if equally oblivious of the stares and smiles as they and their haute couture pets pranced by. The evening was filled with dogspeak ....identifying breeds, their ages, their idiosyncrasies, and the cute little habits that make them unique. All very entertaining and enlightening.

Lacy refused to walk but instead, stood in place each time I put her on the floor. It was long enough to garner some favorable comments about the Misty Heart sweater she was wearing. Business cards were exchanged once I explained that I was having it produced in Bolivia, and along with several other models, would be available for sale some time soon. Then Lacy laid down on a chair and promptly went to sleep (The old girl does get tired and it was way past her bed time)Em's pup Daisy got into a brief bitch fight with a tiny yorkie seated beside us with her rather huffy mom. She yipped most of the night so we popped a few bad hors d'oeuvres, drank a couple glasses of white wine and left before the fashion show (the STAGED one that is). So, little by little Lollypups is making its way into the pet fashion community and that's just the way I like it, though I'm not sure how many of these events I care to attend, it's always a joy to ooh and aah over the pups whether dressed up or not. I vowed Lollypups wouldn't make "silly clothes" --no one needs me for that--but I know these people want what's eye catching for their dogs and that, along with warmth and practicality, I can provide.

Fair Trade and sourcing progress

I like the idea of having women who wouldn't ordinarily be able to work, utilize their skills at knitting and crocheting to make a living. In theory, it could work for me and is worth pursuing. Of course, China was able to copy the protos pretty well (that's what they do best) but following instructions and obtaining the materials I required proved to be the biggest challenge. Accessories may be ok from there but the sweaters clearly are not.

The gift show is being held at the Javits center starting Saturday and there will be many Fair Trade Federation representatives attending with their offerings. I didn't think I would be able to attend and it was a bit pricey to do so, but after thinking about it, it may be the best thing for me to do now. I've been in contact with Aid to Artisans and will be meeting someone at their booth to discuss the possibility of having sweaters made in Peru. Barbara, at FTF already connected me with Javier in Bolivia (not sure why he pretty much ignored my previous requests for information but he's been very helpful now) and we're going forward with the first sampling. I'm hoping to obtain color cards of the available yarns etc. which he promised to send in a couple of weeks. I'd like to eliminate the process of dyeing colors though he's looking into that option as well. I'm willing to compromise as long as the colors are naturally dyed and close to the prototypes. I'll continue to research Textiles of Peru and my dialog with Ruby. However, they are manufacturers and may have a higher minimum requirement. I do know I will need at least 3 sources so that everything isn't being developed in one place. I'm more comfortable with this arrangement (once all the details are in place) because the minimums would be lower. With all that was spent on development up to now, my funds are diminishing and I do want to be able to take a trip to So. America for production if necessary and pay for the garments. Of course, my computer died and now I need to order another one. Still keeping the faith though........as hard as it may be.