My little germ factory is at it again.........

Just when I think it's safe to smother my grand baby in kisses, his runny nose catches me off guard again and wham, I'm back out of commission.  All the handwashing in the world won't stop baby germs, that's a fact.   Doctor said "stop making out with the baby and you'll stop getting sick" and I should have listened last month after a bronchial infection knocked me on my butt, but I truly learned my lesson after this knock down, drag out bout with a24 hour stomach virus that hit me right at the beginning of my tapas dinner party! Bed rest for an entire day which I really couldn't afford, so I am listening to him now (grudgingly I might add) and managed to stay away from the love of my life for at least a day.

Continuing getting ready for the Pre-Westminster Fashion Fashion Show and Gala 2012 this year,

http://www.pre-westminsterfashionshow.com with new Spring 2012 harness vests in the works. So chic and functional, made right here in the USA and priced right! The sweaters will be offered at wholesale prices to attendees at the event for that night only and I’ve been FB-ing and Tweeting constantly to get the word out. There is a Venetian Masquarade theme but I feel costuming the Divine Ms. Lacy at this stage of her 15 years is undignified and slightly humiliating so, sporting one of the newest harness styles will be as dressed as she’ll get. I, on the other hand, may just wear the “Satan’s Little Helper” devil mask from Jeff's film of the same name and scare the bejesus out of one and all…..just kidding ofcourse. I do have the mask I made for the School of Visual Arts 40th anniversary gala. Add a few feathers and viola! Venetian Masquarade revisited. We’ll see if I even decide to use it.  Maybe as a prop.

I loved doing the masks used in The Actor's Shakespeare Company’s production of  "Two Gentlemen of Verona" back in 2004 I believe,  but don't see myself going through that kind of time consuming creativity for this event.  Time is better spent perfecting the Spring '12 collection and generating some interest (read sales).  I attended Texworld at the Javitts Center again on Tuesday and came away with color and fabric direction for 2013 and a great solution for the new paisley harness embellishment from Mako Inc. I always find something wonderful and inspirational from them. Now to place my order so it's delivered in time for the gala.  So far I have 3 new spring styles to introduce.  The new fringed plaids will have to wait for the Winter collection though....
And away I go, germ free and back on track! 

Holidays fun.....and .....over........

I'm no Ebenezer Scrooge.....not by any stretch...I LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME......however, I find that as I get older, my tolerance level has waned .........to.......nonexistent.  I don't know why, I just find so many things about celebrating the holidays have become fodder for situation comedy-like situations,  or reality shows (both of which I've never taken a liking to). 
I found refuge at the shelter though. 50 plus dogs were rescued from a shelter down South and transferred to Elmsford over the holiday and I went to pay a visit.  They were in various stages of confusion which was sad, but several volunteers were soothing, talking and making them feel welcome.
There was Button, pure white, wiry haired and skittish.  A few milk bones and scratches behind the ears, and he was ready to go.  I took him out and we played in the yard, he's great with tennis balls......as long as you have several on hand as he grew bored with each one,  and he wanted to RUN, when we started to take a walk.  That was OK, I was glad to oblige but, my running days are over and the senior me had to slow down (reluctantly) after a short period of time.  Ah youth..........He would gallop like a stallion set free, tongue flapping and wearing what looked like a big grin.  It made me so happy to feel that same breeze on my face that he was feeling on his.  No more fear, no more uncertainty .......but then he'd stop short......bow his head down in a cringe, lower his tail and look back over his shoulder at me with sad eyes.  It broke my heart.  Who scared you Button, who would dare to hurt you?  Never again now that you're here. We will see to that.   Now he needs to relearn how to trust.


I'm happy to report, Dale, the beautiful great dane mix,  was adopted in December,  though I had no doubt he would be.
Sheeba, still my first priority, has slowed down a lot.  Kind of behaving like Lacy does now.......
two steps forward......stop.....look up as if to say, that's enough.....treat , two more steps forward.  I guess old dogs follow the same age related pattern (don't we all?)  Sweet girl.

Stayed with friends in the city for New Year's weekend like we did last year.  Great food, wine and champagne flowing, Central Park fireworks and midnight runners slapping five to shouts of Happy New Year and horns blowing. Lots of merriment and celebration.  Good for the soul, for sure. Then movie marathon, junk food, bloody mary's and an 80 pound black lab pretending she's a lap dog, sleeping on top of me.  Silly Tilly.  While Lacy was all out of sorts the whole time there, doing nothing but sleeping, body pressed against the arm rest of the leather couch. 
Now it's back to work.  The pre-Westminster Gala will take place on February 10 and I've once again decided to participate.  I did ok last year, and broke even so even if I do the same this year, I think it's important that I keep the brand in the public eye.  I have some new harnesses (as per my previous post delighting over the newly discovered fabric resource right across the Tappan Zee bridge) and intend to sell the sweaters at wholesale prices for the night.  It feels good to be able to concentrate on the business again. It feels good to be healthy again after two back to back bouts with major bronchial infections since our return from Italy.  It feels good that 2011 and the joy that year brought to our little family unit is still reverberating.  Jeff was a bit more mellow and less curmudgeonly this year, during our festivities, due mostly to it being Logan's first Christmas.  Children always make celebration happier.
So........2012.......here we are.......doing what we do, living and loving, working and playing, making a difference.... what's in store?  Can't wait to see........   Happy New Year!!

SSSLLLLLLLOOOOOOOWWWW season...

A situation that's both bad and good. Gives me much needed time to send out mailings, design new styles and shop for next season. Fun. Found a new resource for vintage fabrics, buttons and trims ::yowza!!::: where I will be able to acquire some more fringed wool. And not far from home!! I was also able to reorder the cool little mittens again this year, so the "Holiday Mittens" harness vest is being reissued. Big seller that one.  Because of the fact that the plaid I used for the first one was a remnant, I thought I'd be limited in the number of pieces I could produce. I may not get the exact camel plaid but the substitutes make for a whole new look. Yaaa!
So far, several stores have responded to the mailings inquiring about wholesale pricing, lead time etc. so I'm happy the Lollypups name is getting out there and more people are visiting the site. I'm also happy that I can jump back into the biz with NO further family commitments or travel, except of course, the holidays (and occasional babysitting) until June when we'll be headed to Switzerland!! Stay tuned.
On a sad note, I was finally able to go back to the shelter to see my seniors last week and was told that Reily had passed the week before. Poor little bony boy, although I knew how sick he was, I'm sorry I didn't get to see him again and that broke my heart. Now Sheeba is the only one left of my three friends and I know it sounds silly, but she does seem a bit slower and sadder...I know she misses her companions-- first Buzzy and now Reily, and I hope the shelter will at least put another senior in her pen with her to keep her company. I'll check on her soon and maybe suggest it.

I kind of felt the need to look into the eyes of some youngsters that day, and maybe feel less hopeless with their situation then I do with my seniors. So I met Hector, who was brought into the shelter in October. Wow, talk about love at first sight.....(new?) He's a Glen of Imaal terrier mix and 6 years old, but doesn't look like the picture anymore since his fur has grown over his face making him look like a mini-sheep dog. He has the disposition of a goofy, fun loving, nerdy kind of bear and I know he'll get adopted but just needs a grooming. Another one I met was Dale, a great dane mix and not overly huge. Talk about beautiful! Crystal clear blue eyes, white and black face and still just a pup. Under a year if I remember correctly. I think I'll start posting pictures of the dogs on my website. If people aren't going to buy the clothing, at least they may pass the word about these wonderful animals that so desperately need a home. http://www.petsalivewest.org/
A quick trip to the city tomorrow, apple pies to bake then off to Albany for Thanksgiving with Mr. and Mrs. Newly weds and their family.  I have so very much to be thankful for this year and am always aware of that fact.  If the business picks up, so much more so.  Happy Thanksgiving!

THE DOGS OF ITALY

We took a trip  to Milan, Sardinia and Florence this past month. Besides doing all the touresty things, I observed how Italians treat their dogs, and there were many to observe. For the most part the pups appeared loved and well cared for, and as in most of Europe, accompanied their human everywhere. Bakeries, boutiques, meat markets, restaurants......everywhere I went, there they were, like little alter egos participating in daily human activities with patience and grace. However, I did notice that Italians DO NOT dress their dogs. I saw very few sweaters (though the weather was still fairly warm) and certainly, no fru fru dresses, tee shirts or bandanas so my undisclosed hopes of expanding the business were sadly deflated.



It  appeared that the dog of choice in Milan and Florence was a squat little, smooth coated terrier type, a breed I was  unable to identify. I must have seen a dozen of them-- fawn and white or black and white with a patch over one eye.  There were also quite a few strays roaming the streets. One little apricot colored poodle had no collar and trotted along the narrow streets in Florence. It walked right up to two other small dogs sitting with a homeless man resting against a building, and as if in recognition, wagged it's tail excitedly as if wanting to play. They just snorted and he trotted off again. Was he lost? He didn’t appear to be in distress and did seem well taken care of.  I would have scooped him up in a nano second but thought, what would I be able to do for him? Take him home? I think not. I looked around to see if there was anyone to whom he may have belonged, but peope just continued to scurry along and took no notice of him.   This was all far too emotionally draining on our first day in Florence, so I made a note to myself to check out what kind of shelter programs are available for pets in Italy. Curious.

We went into the Mercado Centrale, a huge indoor market in via dell'Ariento and took pictures of the displays of fresh mushrooms (truffles are in season), fruits, meats and cheeses while deciding what wine we wanted to buy. At one meat stand, a butcher was tossing scraps to an excited patron standing on hind legs at the meat display. The pup deftly caught each morsel and barked in anticipation of more, to the amusement of all who stopped to watch.

 I visited several shops in Milan and Cagliari (in Sardinia), two of which were for pet products. No apparel at all in the Milan shop and only a few inexpensive sweaters were displayed in the other. But again, human boutiques had their share of the canine variety of shopper. A very regal gray and white grayhound wearing a thick leather collar on its long elegant neck, walked out of one shop. There were dog displays in another shop and dog art was plentiful in the piazzas throughout each city.   

We visited a small village called Pula in the southern tip of Sardinia and twice had lunch at a restaurant in a piazza at the towns' center.  There was a sweet little stray who wandered among the tables outside, came to our table and plopped himself down beside my chair, as if knowing I was a dog lover and someone who would give him something to eat. 
Here's another one I wanted to take home with me!  I know when I volunteer at the shelter back home, I feel the same way, but in a foreign country, where I'm helpless to do anything for these little guys, it really took out a chunk of my heart each time. Just look at that face.  I've got to stop feeling this way.  NOT!!  Happily, I saw that the restaurant owner gave him a giant bone and he trotted off to a nearby patch of grass to eat. He's probably a regular and gets fed all the time. So all's well in the little man's life today.  Good dog!





Baby inspiration trickles over to petwear!....

I will not be the typical gushing new grand ma........I will not be the typical gushing new grandma.....I will not be the typical gushing new grandma... Ok. That's taken care of. ::sigh::

Now, with the wedding a week away, I'm amazed that the only thing I'm stressing out about is Lacy. Being that dogs are not allowed at the hotel, I will have to leave her at Emily's house and although Cody will be there with the baby while Erika performs her Maid of Honor duties, he's not a dog person and I'm sure, doesn't know how to read her moods.  I have no doubt that she'll be comfortable there since the surroundings are familiar and especially because Scooter and Daisy, Emily's crazy-cute and overly energetic terriers will be staying at their "other grandma's" house so I take comfort in knowing that she won't be disturbed while she sleeps all day. Still....she's so old, I worry about her and don't want to appear too neurotic. Ha, as if.....

Three mailings went out this month and requests for wholesale info are trickling in.   I'm not sitting around with my fingers crossed though and am researching SEO strategies, how to take advantage of social networking etc,etc.  I listen to these webinars and although I'm able to take notes and pick up a few helpful facts,  I find the speakers talk too fast and assume anyone listening knows what all the abbreviations and seminar-speak stands for. Not me. Just figured out how to do the tiny url thing and marvel at these tidbits of technology that find their way into my limited computer consciousness.  I am woman, hear me roar! 

I found another great print for the rain slicker style and after I perfect the pattern, want to offer it in the spring rain wear collection for March delivery. I ordered a swatch to show customers in order to get some feedback but I still need a boys print.  I  discovered a site called Spoonflower last month and got swatches of their fabrics to custom print on, so I'm working on my own prints to maybe have printed up.  Problem is that the fabric is expensive even for dog wear and I'd have to have it laminated which will add to the expense so anything I do must be in limited editions.  But I LOVE the concept of doing it ALL!  It must be the control freak in me.  

I'll be semi-off the radar for the next week and a half as wedding duties call and finally, THE EVENT.

I'm looking forward to NOT having to do anything but enjoy watching my baby girl marry the man of her dreams in her beautiful confection of a wedding dress, wearing grandma Pearl's string of pearls, under a chuppah with grandpa Irv's tallis draped over it. They'll drink the wine from grandpa Sammy's Kiddish cup and Jeff's and recite their vows in Hebrew and English.    The symbolism sometimes overwhelms us all but somehow, it's all come together .......the joy of motherhood, and new nana-hood, watching the patterns of our lives as they weave and change.  First born, first teeth, first steps, first words and now,  it begins again with my grandson and with Emily's marriage to Chris........and all is as it should be, at least for now.  Peace.

September ....filled with activity for me.......while Lacy sleeps

Over a month has passed since my last post and this time I can actually say I KNOW where the month went.  Preparations for Emily's wedding, fittings, bridal shower (cancelled and rescheduled due to hurricane), creating Katuba art, soothing ruffled bridal feathers and serious dieting (5 pounds so far and counting).  In between, babysitting for an amazingly mellow 10 week old baby grandson has a soothing effect on this MOB and the birth of yet another boy into the family (nephew Daniel's first) fills our lives with happiness.... times twenty! All the joy of 2011 overshadows the sadness of 2009 for the Lieberman clan and each day is cherished and never taken for granted.

Business has been slow and I've slashed prices on the website to see what will work and what people will want to spend, but with the chilly weather upon us and holiday season approaching, my mass mailings are being stepped up.  Postcards came in and my mailing list prep is ongoing so all is ready.  So far Artsydog.com hasn't done much but the promised ad campaign is almost upon us (magazine ads in October issues of pet magazines) so we'll see how that works out.  Another Toronto based pet website

contacted me to carry the line but I'll hold off on any more Internet stores for the time being.

The biggest issue is still cash flow so I'm not doing any ads for a while but twitter often and have offered a free sweater give away for the month of October to those who write in. It's nice to see how much people love their pets. All the harness vest and leash designs for 2012 re complete though I'll continue to update and add to the collection as ideas pop into my head. The new strategy for selling wholesale is to show existing samples and present CAD images and swatches of the new styles so I'm working on that as well,  then maybe cut to sales. The raincoat is still an issue but I think I have found the best, simplest and least expensive way to do it.  Unless there's an angel out there that wants to invest in this struggling company (in this struggling economy) I'm still content doing it all but would gladly relinquish a couple of hats from time to time. 

Meanwhile, Jeff and I have planned our 40th wedding anniversary present to each other.....a trip to Italy......Milan, Sardinia and Florence to be exact!  After all the above activities are complete, it will be awesome to just think about us for a change, kick back after the wedding and have fun, which we always manage to do when we travel.  We'll be staying with a friend for part of the time (villa in Sardinia...whoo-ha) were we will forget our diets and stuff ourselves with seafood and pasta, walk on the beach which I'm told is beautiful (but have yet to google earth it) and while Jeff and Manlio drink grappa, smoke pot and talk film, I will paint the landscapes, visit flea markets and smile a lot.:::does anticipatory dance::::

Life goes on.....and on.......and on........

Went to take the "seniors" at the shelter out last week and saw that only Reily and Sheeba were in the "senior" area. I found out that Buzzy (my lionhearted pal) got sick the week prior and had to be put down while I was busy being an excited grandmother.  Funny how it effected me.  The whole "stages of death" thing happened; sadness, anger, guilt...
I should have been there to say goodbye, why was I enjoying the good things in my own life and neglecting my "senior" charges? 
Interesting how I was most worried, after being away 3 weeks, that it would be Reily who I might not see, so losing Buzzy was a surprise.  I guess I'll never be ready for this but what I can do, I will continue to do, even if it's just a day of love and hugs and attention.  These guys are so incredibly worth it!
RIP Buzzy

August is half over and this month the Lollypups focus has been on presenting the product to boutiques in the NYC area.  Lots of e/mails went out last week and I'm designing a postcard to send for a mass mailing hopefully before Superzoo, which is almost complete.  Then it's hoofing it with sample case in hand (and maybe Lacy in tow?)..... Hmmmm....... I don't know about that since the poor old girl seems to prefer sleep to work these days.  Maybe it's time she retired and I schlepped around my Melissa & Doug stuffed Jack Russel terrier as my new fit model. 

These are the "dog" days of summer indeed........