Sommer Designs

No Fling this Spring

I've received a few emails from my local peeps about the annual Spring Fling I've had in my home for the last 3 years, and figured I better come clean. There is no Spring Fling this spring! :(

That decision was not made lightly. Spring Fling is a ton of fun; I get together with some of my favorite designer friends, make the house pretty, buy flowers, set a pretty table and we invite everyone we know in a 50 mile radius.

It's also a ton of work. Last year, combined, we sent out close to 800 invitations. Luckily, close to 800 people did not descend on my little house. But between getting everything ship-shop ready, boarding the dogs, shooing away my family and the expense of the whole thing, it exhausts me. Every year.

Instead, this year, I packed my event calendar. And, boy oh boy, that's just about as much work. I'm paying the price, right about now. When I applied to everything, I didn't really realize how back-to-back they were; plus, I had no idea whether I'd be accepted.

 

First up is a local event, Walk on the Wild Side, which is next Thursday & Saturday. Followed the next weekend by Unique Los Angeles, downtown. The following week I'm doing a 2-day fundraiser in Manhattan Beach that Joelle is organizing, and the following week Kelley & I are driving to Oxnard for the California Stawberry Festival (and staying the weekend; girls roadtrip, yay!).

 

The weekend after the Strawberry Festival is Memorial Day weekend, and Scott & I are trying to plan a trip to celebrate our 20th anniversary (hello? when did that happen?). 

 

The week after that is the Palos Verdes Street Fair, and then I can die.

I'm not posting this to show you how busy I am, but to really talk about logistics, and trying to get as much product made as possible during this time.

 

It is hard to continue production during a busy season. After a weekend fair, which is so labor intensive, the last thing I want to do is come home and spend the time in between shows cranking out product.

The key is to be as organized as possible, and utilize downtime to its' fullest potential. Right now, I'm severly lacking in organization, and as always, I've frittered away my downtime.

I've got a brown bottom tote production in process (and that damn tote is the most time-consuming bag I make); belts and fobs ready for cutting & hardware; lavender liners ready for stuffing & packaging and aprons coming in (thank goodness I started outsourcing the aprons!). After I finish the brown tote production, I have to move on to black totes. Plus, trying to fit some smaller bags in there as well.

So if I don't post a lot in the next week, you know why. I'm chained to my sewing machine...As for future Spring Flings - who knows, maybe next year! Or, maybe a Summer Fling is in order?

P.S. I hope my local friends will be able to attend some of these events! XO

@ the L.A. Textile Show today...

It's that time of year again. I skipped the fall show, I can't remember why now, I think I was just off a couple of killer shows and was so, so, so tired. So, of course, I rationalized that I couldn't miss this one. There's fabric out there waiting for me to buy it!

It was a different show, in my opinion. Most of the same folks were there, but it seemed smaller, a little less crowded and there were a lot of empty showrooms. I do know that many manufacturers decided to forgo the showroom and took a centrally located booth instead, but even that area was smaller.

Luckily, I still found my favorites and placed plenty of orders - most of which will be for late summer/fall production.

The funny thing was that I had just left the Michael Miller booth and Twittered that I bought some of Patty Young's new line. As I was looking for Kelley, Patty replied to my Tweet requesting a picture of the Miller booth.

Photos are a no-no (why? I have no idea.) at the Textile Show, but after I found Kelley we went back to the booth and I showed the sales manager her tweet, and asked if I could take pictures for her - he said yes! Name dropping, oh yes I did!

 

As you can see, Textile Show booths are NOTHING like the gorgeousness of Quilt Market.

 

Which is really such a shame. Inspiration is inspiration - and these darling little dresses from ModKid Boutique were really the most beautiful and best representation of any of the fabrics we saw.

 

This is typically what you will see. Racks of fabric cards with boards above showcasing the newer lines and colorways. Very low tech, very low creative. I realize that the clientele is totally different at the Textile Show, but I've always thought it could be so much more. I suppose it's a different mindset as well.

One thing I can say; Kelley & I both have this show down pat. We have our favorites that we go back to, maybe look for something new [maybe not] and then we're out of there and downstairs at our usual sushi lunch! 2 hours - we're done. It's a nice break.

CA Gift: This time, we walked it.

Once again, it was time for the California Gift Show. I didn't exhibit this go 'round for several reasons: 1. The economy; 2. January is historically slower than July; 3. I don't have my spring line ready yet (and am just now getting in new fabrics & working them!); 4. I'm tired. So very tired.

But, I firmly believe that you have to stay in tune and up to date, and keep your eyes open at all times, so with that, Scott and I went downtown yesterday to walk the walk.

 

Does he look exicted, or what?

Actually, I think he enjoys it more than I do. While I really just walk the aisles to see who's there (i.e. anyone I know), he slowly jaunts through, cosmically drawn into booths exhibiting the strange & unusual (there are many). He has to touch everything. And he asks a lot of questions.

We walked the main show (kinda slow up there, I wasn't really surprised), and talked to several exhibitors about traffic & attendance, which seemed to be down since July. A few had attended the recent Atlanta show, which is huge by comparision, and for some, that show was fabulous, for others not so. Many returning exhibitors said they were really only writing orders for existing/returning stores, while newer stores are holding off and being more conservative. This wasn't surprising to me at all.

We walked through the zoo they call Cash & Carry - mainly jewelry, and a lot of supplies, and while it appeared to be very busy, I saw my neighbor from the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair (he makes amazing high quality silver resin jewelry) and he said sales were down considerably.

From there, we hopped on the shuttle and headed over to the LA Mart, where the main gift showrooms are located, as well as the Temporaries. Scott insisted we start at the top and work our way down (*sigh*). I have to admit, walking through those showrooms is inspiring. There's a totally different vibe at the Mart, more polished and upscale.

 

I ran into my friend Cynthia Berman, of D-lux 57, who as you know, is another apronista! She just returned from Atlanta with the news that it was bustling. This is good, and I'm happy to hear that! I love having friends on the inside! It's just so great to be able to tap into the different experiences, resources and information out there.

We spent about 4-1/2 hours, all together, walking and talking - so worth it. I saw a lot of exhibitors I knew from past shows, and met some really cool new people.

If you are ever considering exhibiting at a trade show, I urge you to do this. You can register as a retailer (which you are, if you are selling), or contact show management for a guest pass (you'll probably have to provide credentials). Talk to people, but be upfront about who you are, to get an idea of traffic and attendance. But keep in mind that these things change from show to show, and year to year. July 2007 was totally different from July 2008.

On the way home, exhausted, I was happy with my decision to sit this one out. It's giving me time to reflect on my line, refine my collection and decide where I want to go with it this year. There's nothing wrong with giving yourself time. It's the cheapest gift.

Welcome to the Carnival

I might have done something a little crazy. Well, okay, not so crazy. I've done worse. I didn't like that my Etsy shop had my sewn product and fabric for sale, so I went and opened another Etsy store. Fabric Carnival. Scott thinks it's a dumb name, but he doesn't have as much fun with fabric as we do.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade fabriccarnival.etsy.com

You simply MUST get involved.

By now I'm sure you have heard about the insane and over-reaching Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (aka CPSIA). I have avoided posting about it because it is so overwhelming that I can't even begin to wrap my head around this new law, let alone paraphrase how it will affect small business, crafters, thrift stores, libraries (yes, even libraries) and the American economy.

Suffice it to say, that if and when this law actually goes into affect on February 10, 2009, untold millions of American businesses will be forced to shut their doors; real and virtual.

There is an online petition to repeal this act right here - but what's even better is that there are also several links to sites where you can learn more about the act and what it means. Be prepared to spend your day in front of your computer reading.

Save handmade and American business.

And the economy; duh, congress.

I've loaded the store: Etsy deals

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and you are thoroughly stuffed. I did, and am. I'm not having a Black Friday sale per se, but I have amped up my Etsy store and there are some really good deals on bags.

We're heading out to the desert for a couple of days - all orders received will go out on Monday! Have a fantastic weekend!

XO

Holiday Crunch: is it possible?

I can't believe it's the middle of November.

 

That's my new homepage image - my little gift to you, and some incentive to help boost the economy - FREE SHIPPING for the rest of the year! Every little bit helps, right?

I'm also working on stocking my Etsy store for the holidays - FREE SHIPPING there too!

Just trying to make life easier, k?

BOO! I have updates!

Happy Halloween! I have a lot to say, so I'm just going to plow through the list!

1. Major update in the Del Cerro Tote department! Many are in limited quantities thanks to my recent jaunt downtown (I don't normally 'jaunt' around, but it's Halloween, so I thought I'd give it a go.)

2. Sommer Designs is having a 12-hour Spooktacular Sale! Seriously, if you have your eye on something, now is your chance! 20% off sitewide, BUT, it's only from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., California time, with promo code "SPOOKY". Details, and my cute graphic, here.

3. Hello St. Louis! I have super exciting news - NEST was asked to set up a holiday display of  some of their fabulous products at a WHOLE FOODS MARKET in St. Louis! How flipping cool is that? My Melrose Hostess Apron is part of the display! I think that means that I can say, my product is in a WHOLE FOODS MARKET??!! Holy cow! So, if you are in St. Louis, or know anyone in St. Louis, go in and check it out, and support NEST - talk up the store personnel about how cool NEST and their designers are! The store address is: 1601 S. Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood, MO

4. I have to deliver another bag to Cathy today, and I'm already thinking about another hank of that Malabrigo. It does that to you.

5. Have a great weekend my friends! XO

I made so many new friends!

This past Friday & Saturday I had the honor of vending at Artistic License Fair in Costa Mesa. You know, this whole event/show thing is such a crapshoot. You never know what you'll find, or how you'll do, or whether the organizers have it together, or just threw it together. I find the last circumstance a lot, but my goal is to remain positive above all else, because to me, no matter how a show does, it's exposure, and that's worth a lot to me.

Apparently, this show has been around for 43 years. That, in itself, boggles my mind. I met a vendor that has been exhibiting there for 30 of those, and it was so interesting to talk to her and hear how the industry has changed and evolved in that time.

This fair was organized so well. The location, Estancia Park, was beautiful - we were on grass, under a canopy of California Pepper Trees, there was plentiful sunshine and a soft breeze - it was truly a vacation (after the back-breaking work of setting up, of course!). Kelley was there also, but we forgot to get a picture together!

I was next to LoriMarsha, who is so down-to-earth and sweet; it was great getting to know her better.

 

Shari came to visit (with a vintage Sommer Designs bag! I love seeing old bags!):

 

I had the nicest neighbors - Laura from Talisman Art Glass (spectacular work!):

 

Maggie, across from me, wove two baskets that weekend, it was amazing to watch! (I can't find her card right now, but will update when I do):

I met Michelle Hoffee from Made by Lovecraft, who has the most delicious yarns, and is so damn cute:

 

And also Lori Lawson from Capistrano Fiber Arts Studio, who had gorgeous handpainted and handspun yarn (I'm sure you can see where this is going):

 

How gorgeous is this?

 

And finally, the organizers, Nancy & Drew, who, as artists themselves, know exactly what to do [and how to do it] to make an artisan fair a success.

 

This was such a different event for me; it was so inspiring because I was surrounded by artisans and designers. There wasn't a replica booth in sight. Everyone was so nice and so down-to-earth and I left there on Saturday feeling so good about what I was doing, because there were so many other people doing what they loved, and sharing it with people who understood and appreciated handcrafted art and design.

The only downside is that I have to wait a whole year to do it again. Something else to look forward to, right? Hope you all had a fabulous weekend - I'll show you what I bought tomorrow!

Seven Totes.

 

Yesterday I hunkered down, streamed some Pandora, and made it to the finish line. About half the bags I cut out last week are done.

 

I can't decide which I like better - the blue lotus, or that olive wallflower. While I find blue so soothing and sedate, the olive is so me. But I'm just blathering here, I can't keep any of these for myself; they are to be added to inventory. *sigh* But at least they're mine until they find new homes - :)

Now, to get started on the last 6...

I almost forgot: my friend Janet emailed me earlier this week to let me know that my Melrose apron was in Cottage Living's Christmas magazine! They asked for images a couple of months ago, and you never really know what's going to happen; whether they'll be used or cut. So most of the time, I'm on pins and needles - sometimes I actually forget. I was surprised that this issue was released so early, and then Janet reminded me that Christmas is 10 weeks away. Gah!

 

If you happen to see the issue, it's on the very last page! *happy dance*