Sobering wake up call's are necessary now and then

After the holidays, I decided to take a much needed respite from the business of business and immersed myself in just creating for the past couple of weeks. But the brain is a stubborn organ and sneaks in little jolts of guilt mixed with reflections on how I can make this business work. Happily, I managed to get some new designs completed and figure out my next strategic move while doing it.I took the harnesses to a contractor in the garment district, no world traveling needed to cut costs right there. His name was Igor and he reminded me of a cartoon about a bee that I loved as a child. He was round, jolly, smiling, spoke with a thick European accent (not the bee) all the while flitting about answering employee's questions, overseeing the work room and signing for deliveries. He was quick with suggestions about how to do the harnesses correctly, coupled with long explanations to verify his points. I was grateful for that. He talked about his bulldog and how he would never wear clothing but praised the styling of the harnesses and even loved the sweaters, asking questions about them. We ended our meeting with him saying, why don't you take these sweaters to Bloomingdales?? I explained that they're too expensive to be sold wholesale, that I've been selling them on line and at vendor shows, to which he replied, "People who buy expensive items like this, go to stores. They don't shop on line". There is some truth in that (a lot in fact) The people who had purchased my sweaters at the shows, felt them and examined the details. It's the feel of the alpaca, it's softness and warmth, the uniqueness of them that can't be totally appreciated on a web page.

I wrote to Patricia in Peru telling her I was rethinking my strategy and that if we continue doing business we have to figure out a way to cut the cost considerably so I can offer new styles to wholesale venues. She’s working on it and will send me new materials to consider. Either way, I won't go into production until I get the orders to back it up.


A second blizzard halted my plans to go to the Indigo print show this week to do some color and trend research, but I did manage one day at Printsource before the deluge.  Because it's for Sp/Su.2012, there were no knit swatches and the same type of prints were shown, booth after booth. The kid's stuff was outstanding but the rest was just more of the same. 
Next step, I'll give Igor my specs and pattern information and he'll make up a set of samples for me that I can present them at the trade shows as well as figure the yield of the harnesses. I’m guessing 6 to 8 per yard. It’s on to the Texworld show next week to find suitable fabrics and vendors willing to sell me closeout couture fabrics at cheap prices.

Meanwhile, Lollypups sweaters are now being offered at Bark and Meow, a small pet boutique in Tarrytown, NY.  All these snowfalls may prompt a few local shoppers into purchasing a sweater or two for their shivering fur babies!

The holiday festivities are winding down....but not the winter chill

The first major blizzard of the season has dumped 18 inches of snow here, and Lacy and I are grateful that we can snuggle under the down comforter until Jeff puts the heat on and gets a morning fire started. We take our usual walk, though this time, it’s limited to the shoveled path along the patio. The vision of the back woods is magical when covered with snow. A visiting hawk is easily observed from the bare branches of an oak tree, as are the fresh coyote tracks heading up the slope, making this place breathtaking under the mauve morning light. There’s a newness apparent in the fresh cover, even as the end of the year approaches and final details to be seen to.

The next event for Lollypups is the Pre-Westminster Gala to take place February 11, 2011 and which we’re looking forward to. There will be new harnesses available and sweaters will continue to be reduced 15% from the on line prices. More details will be forthcoming.

The Misty Heart style will be featured in Modern Dog magazine, as a Valentine ’s Day promotion and modeled by our favorite bad girl, Daisy, who incidentally, was dressed in her holiday finery as she helped Emily and Chris host christmas festivities at their home in Albany.  Lots of laughs, good food (minus the brie that Scooter once again managed to snatch) and mostly warmth and joy as I watched the excitement my youngest exhibited in hosting her first family holiday with both her future in laws and us.  I observed the glow on the face of my first born, as she reveled in her imminent role as a mother.  I watch Lacy sleeping peacefully in a nearby corner, Scooter tucked into Jeff’s lap and Daisy on the other side, exhausted from all the activity.  These moments are the most precious. I welcome 2011 for all it’s newness and fresh beginnings, like the snow that covers the property,  and the expectations of the added joys to the  Liebo life, wedding, new baby………and all is as it should be.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

White on white

Cold, blustery fall day (not officially winter until the 21st!!), a half inch dusting of snow on the ground and Lacy (sans sweater this morning), blends in to the point of becoming invisible.  I've had to put my sweater and harness designing on the back burner for the sake of a major fashion assignment this week, so everything I've been experiencing, has become a source of inspiration.  It's quite a hefty undertaking, but I'm realizing that my Lollypups design development skill set has brought me up to the task in a surprising way.  Past experience in the fashion biz helps but my organization and research ability was honed through having my own business and seeing what needed to be done in an efficient manner since there's no delegating here!  There's inspiration all around me--stacks of magazines and books I've collected over the years, color resources (on line and off). Color covers every inch of wall space in my studio, sample cards of yarns from Bolivia,Peru and Italy, swatches and swipes, skeins of wools and novelty yarns fill the bins on my industrial shelving.    The window looks out at the woods where the sun rises and warms the room with mauves and taupes, literally bringing color to my doorstop.
So I have this white on white concept, which I created as a pet sweater last year called Sugar and Spice. It didn't quite work out the way I wanted it to, but I've kept it filed in the back of my brain to resurrect at some point.  Standing outside and watching Lacy appear and disappear as she stepped on the rocks then on the snow, I realized another way to create this concept..and that is to take all the colors I see in this frosty natural setting and whiten them.  So back to work on my November boards.......one hand washes the other, then back to finishing Sugar and Spice.
Lacy had the zoomies again this morning, and now snores quietly at my feet.  All is as it should be.

HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE GIG COMPLETE

Berkshire Botanical Gardens Holiday Market place Dec. 3, 4, 5 2010

This shot of Ms. Lacy sums up our weekend.  Could I but climb in beside her........She was the hit of the Berkshire Botanical Gardens Holiday Marketplace, as were the sweaters!  Can't say sales were outstanding but I broke even and made a small profit.
Also, I learned:
a) 3 people had bichons larger than Lacy and not as well behaved
b) 4 people had poodles all of whom were the "smartest dogs on the planet".
c) 8 people had dogs too large to fit into Lollypups sweaters, or too tough and macho for sweaters!
d) 11 people had dogs who passed away this year (jeez...talk about depressing!)
e)  4 people whose dog had died said they couldn't bear to get another
f)  1 woman said she'd get another dog once she retires, and 1 woman will get another dog when she stops travelling
g) 1 husband flatly refused to let his wife buy a sweater for their dog.......and she came back 5 minutes later and did anyway.  (You go girl!)
h) dogs were named: Killer (poodle),Sadie (border collie), Pete, Zac, Molly and Sacha.

i) Jane, the mom of "Christmas Cookie", an ADORABLE little piece of fluff,  bought the Pepper style in XS and came back the next day to show me how well it fit her. She even consented to model a beautiful new silk harness for a photo op! ....(could you just??..........)
j)  76 brochures were handed out to be passed on to daughters, sons, friends, mothers, aunts, nieces or to order on line after measuring their pet. Or were simply being polite as I thrust it into the hands of browsers!
k) 1 woman advised me that I needed a publicist to get the product noticed (Yes, but it takes $$) then came back and gave me other "ideas". Her husband came by and taught me how to correctly teach Lacy to "sit" since I was doing it all wrong. (he was right)
l) a woman stopped and raved about my burlap swag!!! and offered to buy it.  (huh?) no mention of the products sitting on the table below it.  I let her take pictures............
m) and lastly, a woman came with her black dog on a leash, and said as Lacy approached it, "don't let her near him.  He'll think she's a rabbit and eat her"........so I didn't.
For the gala opening on Friday night, there was an open bar and the chardonnay flowed.  I sampled the most phenomenal cheeses and a duck something or other (brain freeze) that was to die for from Popovich Provisions (www.popovichprovisions.com) did a bit of my own holiday shopping, at www.silvertwistdesign.com with beautiful and affordable silver and gemstone jewelry, also fair trade produced. 
All in all, Lacy entertained everyone by looking beautiful, I was entertained by everyone listening to their dog stories and the praise for the sweaters was gushed liberally by all (smile). 

Holiday Marketplace Preview is going to be a fancy schmancy event!!

Just heard that the weekend Lacy and I are scheduled to participate in the Berkshire Botanical Gardens Holiday Marketplace is the very weekend that the Norman Rockwell Christmas festivities kick off the holiday season.The  Red Lion Inn will be decked out magnificantly as well as the quaint Stockbridge shops,  carollers will be carolling, vendors and shop keepers will be dressed in period costume and all the usual greenery and twinkling lights that launch this fun time of year will be on view.   The Norman Rockwell Christmas is a yearly event that  always attracts a big crowd.   The preview opening of the BBG Holiday Marketplace will be stocked with outstanding  dried wreaths created for the gardens, as well as crafts and LOLLYPUPS DESIGNER PET WEAR. ::giggles::   
"The town of Stockbridge, made famous by Norman Rockwell’s painting of the village during the holidays, becomes a magical New England setting decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights, as the town celebrates the 21st annual Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas, December 4th and 5th.
Sponsored by the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce, the holiday celebration offers a full range of activities, with highlights including a holiday house tours, caroling, and a holiday concert (which I'm sorry to say, is already sold out).
Capping off the weekend on Sunday is a re-creation  of the scene depicted in "Main Street at Christmas", complete with vintage automobiles parked in the spots occupied in the painting. The day’s activities include horse drawn rides, a visit from Santa, Roger the Jester, lunch at the Christmas Food Booth and much more."

For a hefty $75 admission charge, patrons get first look at all there is to offer on Friday evening Dec. 3rd,   but they also get to sample food and wine from the area restaurants for that admission fee, which goes to support the botanical gardens. Not to fret though, Saturday and Sunday are free to the public and parking is free too.    I'm not sure what other vendors will be participating  as I didn't receive this years list.  But Lacy and Lollypups will be there with bells on (literally) and brand new harnesses as well as the unique alpaca sweaters for pets and matching people scarves.  Great gifts for all those chic pets and pet parents out there. Really excited about it and looking forward to getting my Christmas shopping done all in one spot as well.  All this and a little bit of Americana too.  Do I sound like the chamber of commerce, or  what??

Dog news Senior style

Yes Lacy is a Senior and I hate to admit it, my status as such will be official in two more years. The question "how to cope with the ageing process" I’m able to answer about the senior "me". That is, simply ignore it. Do what you've done all your life; exercise, eat right, laugh, create, love family and friends, enjoy a glass or two of wine, be kind and hurt no one. The senior Lacy is another prospect altogether. I watch her and worry when she stumbles, I call her and worry when she doesn't respond, I touch her and worry when she jumps as if startled. It's harder to watch her slow down than it is for me to deal with my torn meniscus, thinning hair, acid reflux and gnarly hands. I wear a knee brace, put my hair in a pony tail, take prilosec and play my fiddle....all to stem the flow of an ageing body and mind. I can do these things. But my little girl (can't help still calling her that) is sometimes confused, sometimes skittish, always ready for a nap and stubbornly resistant to taking walks. For over a year,  I've cooked her chicken and rice, shredding it in the food processor to compensate for her missing teeth. It was after she suffered from an intestinal infection last February that had me wringing my hands in anticipation of the dreaded words " she won't make it". She did.

But today, as she does every now and then, she reverts to her puppy-like state and plays hide and seek with me at the top of the stairs (which she refuses to walk down unless I'm behind her).  Her mighty bark , sort of a gurgling "raou raou" sound, leads me to believe that she's getting annoyed with me laughing at her as she peeks from behind the wall to see if I'm still there, then bolts away only do it again and again... always refusing my request to come down the carpeted steps with me.
She makes me laugh at how smart she is, looking at the door, then at me, than at the door again, until I take her out.   I delight in her ability to curl up on the tiniest fragment of something that belongs to me,a sock, a skein of yarn,  and take a nap. On our excursions to the back yard, she becomes a fierce protector at the sight of deer in the back woods, and charges after them as they run at the sound of her shrill bark.  But always stopping short of catching up with them, she turns to see if I'm still there to step in if necessary. It's as if to say, "you pests stay OUT of MY back yard, if you know what's good for you"  And they obey, (temporarily)
She stays with me in my studio all day as I work, and follows me out for my frequent bathroom breaks.  When she informs me of her equally frequent need to pee, I patiently oblige.

Lacy and I are growing old together and I have realized over the years, that she's added more to my life than I ever imagined she would when she was my daughter's puppy. When my daughter went off to college, Lacy stayed with me and has been my best friend ever since ( I never even thought to give her back).  
Mostly though, Lacy is my canine soul mate. I have my husband (soul mate #1) and my two daughters (my love for them is beyond description). But my "little girl" and I have a relationship I share with no one. As we grow old together, I sense her frailties along with my own. We talk like two old broads on a squeaky rocker (or I talk and she graciously listens with her head on my lap) or we sit silently together in the back yard, feeling the warmth of the sun on our faces.   But mostly, she surprises me with her occasional agility and its similarity to my own (now and then) as if she and I are completely simpatico like best friends are.  I read that to keep a senior dog healthy one must continually stimulate them both mentally and physically.  Teach an old dog new tricks, so to speak. I try to do something each day…. a physical command, a tossed toy to fetch, it lasts for about three minutes, then we both grow tired and take a rest. I guess that’s better than nothing.

Blustery Fall day....hail and rain and leaves twirling ferociously

Halloween can't just come and go without a picture to celebrate.  Our house sits on top of a hilly cul de sac so we don't get trick or treaters and I don't dress Lacy in costume (she's way too proper for that) but she did manage to pose in the Pepper sweater beside our pumpkin.  I can't ask for much more than that.   

Today is a perfect day for completing some harness designs.  I did want to go into the city on a selling trip to a couple of doggy day care places that just opened, but will wait for tomorrow when I have more items to show.  Meanwhile, Lacy and I travelled to Philly over the weekend and visited the headquarters of Anthropologie (their flagship store) and were totally wowed by the place.  It looked hip and palatial,  with pillars, high ceilings and a stained glass dome.  I didn't know whether to drool over the surroundings or the product so I did both.  Lots of ooing and aahing from this Lollymama and lots from the patrons and sales people in the store as I walked past with Lacy wearing her Candy sweater. The diva dog refused to walk (new?) so I'm very thankful for the time I spend in the gym building up my biceps.  I hate the idea of carrying her like an accessory but in this environment, it worked and she got a lot of attention.  The manager of the store gave me the contact number for the buying office so I can approach them about carrying the designs and I placed a call today.  I'd be so honored !! Philly is a nice city and is filled with dogs (all dressed in sweaters!) prancing down the streets on a brisk Sunday morning so Anthro would be an ideal situation for us! 

I should know if I'm in the running for one of the grants I applied for by the first of December.  Meanwhile, I just want to sell the product I have now (retail or wholesale) and get on with new pieces! 

So, update complete...........now back to work.