Sommer Designs

That little nagging voice; you know the one.

It's a four letter word, and not my favorite four letter word [although it also starts with F]. It's called fear, and I've been working though it for the last several [seemingly endless] weeks. Actually, scratch that. I've been working through the fear for years. Fear of failure; fear of success; fear of putting myself out there; fear of rejection; fear of making an ass of myself; fear of playing with the big guns - you name it, I've feared it.

Last year, my goal was to take my business to the next level; but looking back now, I don't even know what I thought the next level was. All I knew was that I couldn't go on the way I had been, doing everything myself; sewing everything myself; being everything myself. But I really didn't know where I wanted to go. I took a Ladies Who Launch Incubator, which is an intensive 4 week meeting with other women where you brainstorm for them, and they in turn, brainstorm for you. It was pivitol for me and was fabulous in terms of confidence building. Without it, [I know] I would have never had the nerve to fly to Chicago and pitch my apron line to the Country Living editors. That was a huge step for me. And I made it - it was amazing, and I still can't believe it, and am still so humbled.

But self-doubt has a way of creeping back into the psyche, and before you know it, it's taken root. It's hard to shake fear. It's hard to move through the fear. And yet, I still have this weird drive pushing me forward. I'm still trying, but I'm still scared. Does that make sense? Does that fear ever go away?

So, in working toward moving forward, I'm still trying to move my business to the next level. I still have no idea what that next level is. Recently, I took another big step out of my comfort zone and applied for the California Gift Show in July.

There. It's out there. I'm accountable.

And I'm pretty scared.

Yesterday, I received booth options, and once again, the fear arose. I could take a 10 x 10 booth in the middle of show, or a 5 x 10 booth in the back. I had applied for the smaller booth, thinking, it's my first show, I should be conservative. But seeing where the smaller booth was raised my doubts about the success of the show for me. And who knows, I may blow anyway. This will be the most expensive show I've every done. The larger booth is $2475, and the smaller booth is $1551. I know, we're not in Kansas anymore Toto.

There's a lot to think about, and it's been dragging me down. It's been hard to come here lately and be my normal cheery self. I think that's why I haven't been updating as much as I usually do. I have too much baggage these days - nobody wants to hear the doldrums. But this is what's going on - now you know.

This post may self destruct - but I strive to keep it real; and this is pretty real for me. Thanks for listening.

Meet The Betty's.

No, I don't normally name my mannequins. My son Dylan asked me what one of their names was, and I said, Betty. Then he asked what another was named, and I said, Betty. Finally, the last, and I said, you know.

Dylan looked at me and said, "You can't name them all the same name! That's creepy."

Me: "No kidding. Mannequins are creepy. They are The Betty's."

End of story.

I bought them last week at a store that was going out of business in Hermosa Beach. It was one of those expensive stores that I could never afford to shop in, but everything was 70% off, so I stopped in. And I still couldn't find anything, except The Betty's.

Look at their awesome feet! I needed some matching mannequins for an upcoming trade show, and The Betty's will be perfect.

And, they were only $35.00 each. How could I not take them home with me?

ETA: The Betty's came with the pink sashes - I did not outfit them! They were from a store called PINK, in Hermosa, that donated all its' profits to breast cancer research. It's a real shame they closed, but I think they might have lost their lease. Maybe they'll continue via the web?

There's a frog in my throat ~ thank god for Social Networking.

I thought I was on easy street with this cold-thing. Stuffy nose usually passes in a day or two and I can jump back into life. But then a tickle took up residence in my throat and now I have that cough that's been plaguing the entire world. It seems better today.

But the last two days, I've had very little energy. I finished a bunch of burp cloths, pouches and a couple of orders, but it's taken longer then usual because I keep having to rest! The simplest things are leaving me pooped!

So I've been jumping on and off the computer all willy-nilly, and finding long forgotten social networking sites. Have you noticed the explosion of these? Best part is that you can still network and play, even though you're sick!

There's got to be a strategy for these though, and I have yet to really figure it out. I mean, there are so many out there, and I've joined many of them, mainly because I want to have a presence (either personally or professionally) in [all of] them, but also because I'm always curious how they might benefit my business. Off the top of my head, here's my take on a few:

1. LinkedIn: this appears to be more professionally oriented. I've joined, and I have a few 'connections', but since I am not really looking for 'clients', I'm not sure of the benefit to me.
2. Facebook: It seems like everyone is moving off MySpace and onto Facebook. Even the teenagers are beginning to favor it. I like the clean interface of it, but I don't like how it updates everything you do in all your contacts pages. I'm sure I can turn that off, but some things I do want updated. The other thing I like about Facebook is that you can set up a separate page for business, and people can become 'fans'. Well, Sommer Designs does have a page, but I'm not good at updating. For some reason, Facebook works really slow for me and I don't have time.
3. Yelp: this is my new favorite, but it's more personal than professional for me. When I was planning our San Francisco trip, my cousin Katie (who lives in SF) turned me on to this to find places to go, things to do/see and hotels. I checked it out, but didn't really 'get it'. The whole time we were in SF though, I kept seeing stickers on businesses that said, "We've been reviewed on Yelp" or "Check out our rating on Yelp", etc. So that pique my interest. I went back and created a profile, and now I love it. It's neighborhood oriented, so you can write a review on your favorite neighborhood spots; restaurants, parks, dry cleaners, stores, even hiking trails and gas stations. If you're looking for something new, do a search and see what real people think. I like it - here I am.
4. Twitter: This is just plain fun. And addicting. I don't even know how to describe it - you sign up, create your page/profile, and can update whenever (and if you go mobile, anywhere) you want with what you are currently doing - whether it's yawning, or looking for help with a project. You add people by following them, and can see what they're doing. It is definitely a networking tool, but it's also kinda fun. Good entertainment, especially when you're sick. This is my twitter.

Of course, there's always Flickr (and I *heart* Flickr!), This Next, Sk*rt, Del.icio.us (which I find poorly organized and overwhelming) and tons of others.

What have I missed? I know there's more. What social networking sites are you guys using, and how is it benefiting either you or your business? Is one better than another? Are they industry specific, in your opinion? Is it better to join them all, or just the ones that benefit you? I'm really curious about this!

I have no picture today. I'm sorry...

With fresh eyes: show & tell - a design process

Yesterday Kelley came over to help me with a pattern. You know, the never-ending-I'm-beating-a-dead-horse-as-well-as-my-head-against-the-wall elusive bag pattern.

That one.

Kelley is so patient. And much better with patterns than I am. I'm trying to keep it simple. I have to keep it simple if I want to add it to the line because I'll be replicating it many, many times.

I showed her all the duds - showed her what I liked and didn't like about each one. Showed her a few patterns I had, and what I liked and didn't like about each one - mainly didn't like. She suggested taking one of my current bags and flipping it upside down and working from there, because that was the general shape I was looking for.

And we made a pattern. Then she went home. And this time, after she left, I only made a shell of a bag - which is what one would normally do when drafting patterns, right? Even the 'real' designers don't start out with everything in place (interfacing, hardware, etc.). They make a muslin prototype. I guess the reason I dislike making the prototype in the first place is that I'm always hopeful it will turn out right the very first time (HA!), and it will be useful and ready for me from the get-go. Wishful thinking!

Thinking out loud: It was a good call to make the prototype shell Kelley. Because, while I liked the overall shape, I wanted it to be just a bit taller/longer/bigger, so I redrafted our pattern and added the inches to the bottom, not the top. The only problem with the prototype shell though, was that it was just that: a shell. I didn't make the lining, and I didn't interface it.

 

So when I drafted the second prototype, I went for it - lock, stock, interfacing and lining. It basically worked, but I'm still not happy with the top. Making the first prototype didn't allow me to sew the curve of the top opening and I don't like sewing curves - my industrial machine doesn't have a drop-away panel and I don't like wrestling with bags.

You see that? I don't like that. It only happens when the bag is full, and really, I don't carry around a ton of stuff, but some people do.

Once again it's back to the drawing board, or worktable. As you can see, when I get a bug, I have a hard time letting go of it. The first incarnation of this bag was made 18 months ago. I put it away for a year, but have made at least 6 various attempts at this in the last 6 months. The vision I have in my head is not making it to the real product. I should probably just let it go, but I'm super stubborn like that. Just ask anyone who lives here.

The land of misfits.

Last night, I gathered all The Duds in a box. You know The Duds, don't you? They're that family of misfits you tried to master, only to sink lower and lower into the abyss of unfinished and abandoned.

Oh. You don't know The Duds? Well, lucky you.

I've boxed up my misfits and duds and I'm going to be placing them on a high shelf, or under a table for a while. I've spent too much time making and remaking, and wasting both time and fabric. I'm frustrated and annoyed. I am not a patternmaker, I'm just winging it here. {but first I'll strip them of their hardware - they won't know what hit them}

Damn Duds. Misfits.

Inept quasi-patternmaker {me...*shaking fist at the heavens*}

I'm not looking back.

You do know I'm the Anti, right?

We've been through this before...I'm not real big on V.D. and I'm secretly happy that none of my kids are in elementary school any longer and we don't have to buy into that whole Valentine-swap-for-everyone anymore.

I don't know when this distaste for this commercial and manufactured holiday began, but I'm pretty sure that's why I dislike it.

Scott, my sweet, buy me flowers because you want to, not because the masses tell you to on a particular day.

There, I'm off my soapbox. That wasn't so bad, was it?

I do have to admit that the little knit heart up there is pretty damn cute - Shari made it and gave it to me yesterday, with the comment, "I know you don't like Valentine's Day, but here!" See? Everyone knows! The whole thing is about 1-1/2 inches - it's so tiny, I can't imagine the toothpicks she must have used to knit it!

The weather has changed again - and I'm freezing! It's even sprinkling over here! I like it better this way. It's February for crying out loud, act like it! I'm bundled up and have a huge day ahead in the studio. I've been working on trying to get a pattern right - I hate it. I hate wrestling with it, I hate when it doesn't turn out, and I hate wasting the time on it.

I broke down last night and ordered pizza, but the night before I made a super easy (and super tasty) Orange Beef stir-fry with cilantro rice. Another 30 minute meal - it's up over at Dinner Challenge!

Oh, and, Happy V.D....I guess :)

Dare I mention the weather?

Saturday evening we went down to Laguna Beach to meet some friends for (my birthday) dinner. The weather was stunning. Seriously. It's been freezing for the last three months, and then all of a sudden we have (near) record highs. Before dinner we met for cocktails on the patio at Las Brisas, and the view was simply spectacular.

In retrospect, an evening out in Laguna, as wonderful as it was, was probably not the best idea the night before a market. Because the next morning, I had to get up 5 a.m., and that wasn't pretty.

Once again, the weather was spectacular - tank tops and flip flop weather and white, white, white legs peaking out of skirts. It was all I could do to make it through the morning - actually, the morning wasn't so bad, and luckily the day ends at 1 p.m. I was a basket case, however, by the afternoon and even with an afternoon nap (can you believe it?), I was in bed by 8 p.m.! I am so out of market shape! The back hurt, the legs hurt - oy, me!

As part of my early-in-the-year organizational triumphs, I am dedicating Mondays to paperwork and bill paying. I even put it on the calendar, and having put the time aside, yesterday was so productive. I feel so much better and in control of those nagging things. My desk is still a mess, but at least the mortgage is paid.

After last week of not cooking one single night (thankyouverymuch), I am back at the Dinner Challenge. It has been so helpful to plan everything out, and blogging about it keeps me accountable, even in the smallest way. Last night, I made Pasta with Turkey Sausages, Red Bell Peppers & Basil, and the unofficial recipe is up. Unofficial, because I couldn't find the actual recipe, and just winged it.

It's super easy - take a look!

Small discovery - when cooking, it's especially important to have a kitchen staff. Mine just follows me around...

They're better at clean up duty than anything else. I always disappoint though...poor babies.

Del Cerro in Action!

Did you know that there is an actual Del Cerro place? You might know this, but I name all my bags after little pocket areas in Palos Verdes, where I am based. This is a really beautiful area, and I am so blessed to live here; I still catch my breath when I am driving, and come around a bend, and get a glimpse of the cliffs and the ocean, and the Channel Islands beyond. We moved to Palos Verdes in 1970 when my parents relocated to California from Long Island, New York. I grew up here, Scott grew up here, and except for a few short years in Hermosa Beach and then Torrance, we haven't left.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula is a large hill between Redondo Beach and San Pedro port, and as a Peninsula, juts out into the Pacific. You can see the ocean from many places on the hill. Del Cerro is at the top of the hill, and adjacent to the neighborhood is a pretty little park, also called Del Cerro. I've long wanted to take pictures of each of the namesake bags in their proper namesake environment, but I'm short on models.

I've also recently discovered that the Del Cerro Tote makes a perfect knitting bag! As you can imagine, this thrills me to pieces. While I was finishing up this last batch of bags, I was dreaming of a photo shoot at Del Cerro park. And, as soon as the weather cleared and warmed up a bit (I know, look at the wimp over here... It's finally over 65 degrees), I set out to make it happen by myself.

Now, a disclaimer: I don't like modeling. That's why I cut off my head. And, luckily, the bag hides my thighs. And I wish there was grass planted where the park bench is, but who am I to complain?

Del Cerro in action:

This is probably a much better picture; the bag is deep enough for a bunch of yarn (which you can't see, but there are about 5 balls at the bottom), my WIP Slouchy Cardigan (which I have not picked up since the holidays) on long needles, and the pockets hold all sorts of [knitting] paraphernalia:

But really, it took me forever to finish these photos, and I could have sat there all day long. Because, you see, this is what I was looking out over:

Isn't it gorgeous? Forget the flipping bag, check out the view! Too bad it was so hazy...

Little known fact: Pirates of the Caribbean (#1) was filmed straight ahead.

To think: Johnny Depp was in my neighborhood.

Eventually, I peeled myself away from this and went to Target.

About my little outburst...

Thank you for dealing with me, and thank you for the many words of support and encouragement - you are too sweet! I get burned out in December and just want to veg out in January, but it never happens that way. In January, I get a bug that I want to add new things to my line, but then to keep the momentum going in my business, I have to keep selling. It's hard to experiment and prototype when I'm just trying to keep my head above the water - I know, a nice problem to have, but as a one-person operation, a little overwhelming sometimes. I can't complain...I am so happy to be doing something I truly love, and am so grateful that others like my products.

And then when the keyboard died, it was the last straw. I am so, so dependent on the Internet! It's essentially my entire livelihood. My sweet Scott brought me home a new keyboard, that plugs in no less (I'm so done with wireless devices!) and I really love it. That's right, I love my keyboard.

Another thing: I started a separate blog for Dinner Challenge because I really want to keep it going, but I don't want to clutter this space with poorly taken pictures of my dinner. My intent was to make it an open blog where the other participants of Dinner Challenge could also post as guests, and there would be one central location for all the Dinner Challenge recipes. But (always a 'but'), it turns out that my Typepad account does not allow for guests and I would have to upgrade the account (from $8.95 to $14.95 month). I'm not quite ready for that, so that idea is on hold. In the meanwhile, check out Dinner Challenge and the yummy recipe for Chicken Penne in Smoky Chili Cream Sauce.

Excuse me while I have a nervous breakdown.

1. My keyboard died this morning at 6 a.m. PST. It's one of those wireless doodads, that likes to die when I'm mid-sentence typing away on an important email. My life comes to a standstill while I search my secret cache of batteries, only to find that my stash has been discovered and depleted by children who must power a myriad of remote control devices. I am currently using Colin's keyboard, which luckily does work, but only has a 2 ft. cord, so I am stuck at a weird angle.
2. No way you needed to know all that.
3. I just found out that my one and only fabulous, amazing seamstress will be unavailable to help me for the first two weeks of February. She also has her own business as a florist, and damn if I forgot that Valentine's Day is coming up.
4. I have a sh*tload of sewing to do.
5. My month-long web sale is down to the wire: only 2 more days to save up to 40% on select hostess aprons and lavender liners.
6. If you want - use code "EXTRA10" for an extra 10% off your order.
7. Through January 31.
8. I'm going to have a big website update February 1, if I can stay off the Internet.
9. I am working on a dedicated Dinner Challenge blog - details at a later date/time.
10. I am signing off for a few days to get my head on straight and sew.
11. But check back on Friday - because to celebrate my birthday (which is in exactly 7 days, for anyone who is listening) I'll have a little something going on here.