Sommer Designs

Back in it

I have to admit, from the get go, that I wasn't looking forward to the Farmer's Market yesterday. I wasn't looking forward to getting up at 5 a.m., on a Sunday. I wasn't looking forward to lugging my crap setup for a 5-hour day. I wasn't looking forward to setting up in the dark. But I surprised myself.

I realized I hadn't done a Farmer's Market since last October. I remember when I used to do them every month. What happened? I got tired. I got tired of setting up a full craft booth for 5 hours. Since I had nothing planned for September, and wanted to move some old merchandise, I decided to give it a go.

It was a good day. I did move merchandise. I saw a ton of friends and old customers. I remembered that getting out there, and the the exposure, does wonders to jump start my enthusiasm for the upcoming show season. I so needed that!

This is just the beginning - I'm still waiting for some event confirmations to come in, but it looks like I've got about 2 large shows a month for the next 3 months. In December, if all goes as planned, it looks like there will be 3 shows back-to-back within a week and a half (my car won't even get unloaded!). It is crazy, but that's how it goes. I just roll with it, and try to be prepared. It's all mental.

Today, I am giving myself permission to take it easy, just a little bit. I've been reunited with my lost knitting and we are going to have a lovefest.

Boxes & bins, oh my!

My studio is a pigsty. A month ago, my desk was one as well. I've worked on that, and have been trying to get into the habit of putting away and filing immediately. It helps.

One of the things I dislike about my occupation is the size of the materials used to make what I make. It's not dainty and small. Unless you have a huge, dedicated, space with lots of storage, it's usually out all the time. Bolts and rolls come in, and until something can be done with them, they sit.

Sometimes I just put things in bins to get it out of my sight. Sometimes after a show, I do the same thing with excess inventory. Before you know it, your studio has become a black hole.

Oh, I mean my studio! I'm sure yours is immaculate!

I was whining to Kelley the other day, and when I finished with her, I went and whined to Scott, about how I think I've lost my mojo. About how, lately, I walk into my studio and just want to cry. About how there is just so much shit crap stuff cluttered everywhere, I don't even know where to begin. That's when Scott, exasperated, threw up his hands and said, "That's what I've been telling you!" [Kelley was much more polite about it. She didn't yell at me, but instead suggested we go for tea.]

I know I keep saying I'm going to get organized, but the truth of the matter is that I walk in, and promptly walk out. It's that bad.

Yesterday, I started. I threw stuff out; stuff I won't even tell you about because you'll be angry with me. And I opened boxes and bins and found things, and wondered why I still had them. I have a whole bunch of webbing belts that I made for an event, forgot half of them when I went to the event, and they've been sitting here. For a year.

 

Stuff like this. And I'm trying to figure out if I should list them on Etsy, or just donate them? The lazy ass in me says to just donate them. The practical person is telling me to spend some time photographing and uploading.

Either way, [I think] I'm making some headway here. I have to. I simply can't move forward with all this hanging over my head, and cluttering my workspace. I know, for certain, I can't even begin to work on my fall line in this environment.

Oh. Whiny post. Thanks for listening and not yelling at me. Want to go for tea?

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

Back in Production!

 

Finally, a non-knitting post. Sorry to all the non-knitters, but I feel like I've been very boring lately in the studio sense. Yes, I've been working; but can I blog everyday about cutting out fabric and stuffing lavender liners and packaging aprons? Do you want to hear about running out of interfacing and poly webbing in the middle of tote production? I doubt it.

Well, yesterday I delivered 10 bolts of fabric for another full apron production. I'm excited, as I always am when I do this, but also have that topsy-turvy feeling in the pit of my stomach. It hasn't gotten any easier, but my comfort level has increased a little bit. If that makes any sense. And the fact that I've delivered all this, and then am leaving on vacation tomorrow shows incredible trust and confidence in my contractor, and for that, I'm so grateful. I could not have done it 2 years ago.

 

But, why am I still nervous after all this time? Because I still second guess myself. Because I still wonder & worry whether the fabric I've combined in my head will work together in reality. Because until you see the finished product, there are still so many 'if's'. Because, if you must know my deepest fears, after all this time, I'm still flying by the seat of my pants.

They should be ready in about 3 weeks - I can't wait to see them. I can't wait to show you!

[Trying to] Do something creative everyday

It's no secret, Flickr is a huge source of creative inspiration. My list of groups grows and grows, and it takes longer and longer to peruse and scrutinize (plus, my eyes are going; see February 5 post).

A couple of years ago I noticed a lot of self portraits and '365' tags, and it really made me curious. How could people take photos of themselves everyday, and post them online?

It seemed so narcassistic; but they were always done very creatively and really well. I sort of became addicted and intrigued with the idea.

Just before the end of the year, I decided to try it.

Only, for me, it was less about a full-on face shot and more about doing something creative everyday, and somehow documenting my day.

I've done the full-on face shot, and it still makes me uncomfortable.

But I've also learned that that uncomfortableness is called stepping out of your comfort zone, and when you do it, the universe rewards you.

 

Today is Day 71 for me. Want to join me? Here are a couple of the groups - here is my Flickr set. There are many more groups, just do a group search for '365', '365 days' or 'YIP' (year in pictures).

Inspiration is good for the soul.

Romantic Homes Magazine! SQUEEL!

Thank you thank you thank you! for all the birthday wishes yesterday! Even with my profanity-laced gift you warmed my heart on that dark, dark day!

And really, even with my chin-up attitude, I was still having a hard time! It was just one of those days, you know? My husband was out of town (and I KNEW he would be late home! Yup - Dominoes pizza in my jammies with my kids for birthday dinner!!), I was waiting for an in-home consultation from Calico Corners (I totally didn't jive with the consultant) and it was raining.

I hit up the sale rack later at Anthropologie and then found happiness in the magazine rack at Borders! I'm so easily distracted! Remember this - way back in JULY? IT'S HERE!

Holy smokes.

 

The March issue of Romantic Homes magazine - a 10 page (TEN PAGES!) spread of my studio and my story - I'm blown away. (Also - the previous 4 pages are my dining rooms in another article!)

 

Seriously, it is more gorgeous on these pages than it ever is in real life.

 

This was the best birthday present EVER.

F### YEAH.

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.

Happy New Year...

 

This collage makes me happy. We didn't do a whole lot last night, which is always the plan. We had to beg and cajole to get all three boys to come out to dinner with us; sushi, you'd think it would be easier, not so anymore. Teenagers...*sigh*

2008 was a very good year. Since my business isan LLC, it has to have yearly meetings (which is hilarious, but we do it). I got out last years' minutes which charts growth, plans and goals, and happily, it achieved everything it was supposed to, and then some.

Every year, when we have this little meeting, I tell Scott, 'yes, we achieved it all, but I worked my ass off and I don't know how much harder I can work.' To which he replies, 'you have to work smarter, not harder.'

This comes from a business manager at a [very] large corporation, who has a team of people working below him, helping him, and routinely comes home saying things like, 'well, I got another 2.4 million funded today'.

If I had a team [and that kind of funding], I am certain I could work smarter, not harder.

I was able to create some plans and goals for 2009, but really, I'm not sure where I'm going just yet. I have some ideas, and as usual, it will be the implementation that will challenge me.

I can't tell you how great it has been to take a break from everything in the last week. I've done a lot of nothing; I've literally been sitting around. We painted 70% of the downstairs [yes, I will post pictures! We aren't done yet!]; it looks so good. A fresh coat of paint was just the thing to bring in the new year. I donated a ton of stuff and am in the process of paring down some collections.

I'm determined to simplify - no, this time for real! The chaos is stifling, both personally and professionally.

And that's what I love about January 1. It's your once-a-year chance to start all over.

They're here!

 

I just got back from Orange County - Oh my gosh! I have them - they're here! They're ready! And they will be available this weekend at the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair! I'm just so happy - they turned out so well, what a relief!

That's Andrea - the sweetest girl ever. Who, last month, assured me that they could turn around my production in 4 weeks. And they did. Besides the linen full aprons pictures above, I also had some leftover cotton fabric from some half aprons, that we made into full aprons. The quantities are very limited and I'll know next week if I'll be able to add them to the website.

Everytime I go down there, I see something else happening. If I lived closer, I'd try to get a job there, seriously, because there is so much to learn and I just want to follow everyone around! Today, they were cutting:

 

I'm thinking this is a sample run, because for a large production, you would have layers and layers of fabric to cut through. This was only about 6 layers. Look at that thing!

 

Gives me the heebie-jeebies, it does.

Now, I have to tag them and figure out packaging. And display...okay, I have my work cut out for me! Plus, I have to go set up - oy! Happy!

Dare I say I'm caught up?

 

Reasonably, at least? I don't want to jinx anything - but, all the orders are out the door, I finished 6 more Del Cerro Totes yesterday (Garland & Verde Toile, which keep selling out, thank you Universe) and I finally feel like I'm in a pretty good place. 

I'm also waiting for a call from my sewing house that the full aprons are ready, which has me bouncing in my chair, I'm so excited! There is a super good chance that I will have stock of them available this weekend for the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair. If all goes well, they will be added to the website next week! That's only been, oh, a year in the making.

So, what does a small, indie businessperson do when she gets caught up? Relax? Read? Knit? SHOP?

No, I cut out 36 burp cloths last night. MORE SEWING!

I'm smiling as I say that. Can you tell? It's a sickness, I am sure.