I have had three glorious sleeps, cleaned my entire house tip to toe, sorted my storage area and started pecking at a huge pile of paper on my desk since Scott and I closed up my booth Sunday at The Signatures Gift show.  It was an amazing success for me, though the days were long to be on my feet for over 12 hours at a time.. but nothing a hot bath could not sooth. What I did not expect, was to sell out of recycled wool sweater leggings and to receive so much positive attention for my new bag collection. I sold 10 of them. Very happy about that.  AND I am overjoyed to have met with some fabulous retail women who have asked to carry my bags in their fabulous stores. Workshop Boutique / Flock (Byward Market and Westboro, Ottawa) and Sacsou (Gatineau, Quebec).  Workshop recently opened a new location in Westboro called Flock. I have always wanted to be featured in Workshop. They carry Canadian designers and the most creative collection of clothing and fashion accessories for all those super stylish fahionistas in Ottawa. Wohoo.  And Sacsou is a brand new boutique in Gatineau on boul. St Joseph that carries fabulous shoe brands including El Naturalista & Fly London, plus a selection of Canadian designed handbags and totes. I have yet to visit their new digs, but by the way the owners were dressed, I can tell it is going to be a fashion mecca in this city.

There is so much choice in gift shows to attend at this time of year for small companies such as mine. It can be tough to decide where to get the greatest return for the effort that goes into attending. Often times you might have heard about a show that is a must attend because the traffic is high and the quality of craft is edgy, but sometimes you will attend simply because your BFF is already signed up. I prefer to get into the good shows (big and small) if they will have me, and bonus, if my friends are there too, we can share runs for coffee and watch each other’s tables when in need of a bathroom break. As I have said, I love craft shows.. but I don’t really want to be just a warm body with cool stuff, “filling an empty table” for certain upstarts.  Quite a few people have approached me to take a table at their “Holiday sale”. While this is flattering, not only am I trying to limit the number of shows I attend to something manageable, but I try to filter out some smaller shows that are not well organised and have little or no advertising.  Some gift shows are held in church basements and legion halls, you know the kind.  But do not be deceived. I have attended some amazing craft shows held in such venues that are overflowing with happy consumers buying crazy-unique product made by super stylish designers. I have also visited craft sales in similar places that include one too many wildly colourful slippers with pom-poms, afghans with too many frilly bits and crochet Santas made in 100% acrylic Phentex.  Not my thing really (I know, I know, I am a yarn snob, what can I say…)  you know these types of sales.. we have all been there.  But I am happy to have visited and read about hip shows in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.  The trend is clear. More and more gift shows and craft sales are catering to a demand for superior, hand-crafted objects and locally made designs. They are providing well advertised outlets for a new breed of hipster designers out there. From glass, silver, wood, photography to textile, plus, plus.  I hope this movement continues to grow and that buying high-quality, locally-made wares becomes more mainstream in this North American, brand-conscious culture.

I am now heading into a week of administrative catch up and to sew more leggings for the show I am attending at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau, that runs during the first two weekends of December (2-5 and 9-11 Dec).  It is the second year for this Christmas Craft sale and my first attendance. From what I have heard through friends who sold there last year, the quality of product was high and visitor traffic was super. Sometimes the smaller shows can generate great sales because the atmosphere is more intimate and the selection of vendors limits you to being the only one selling in your product category. The Museum grand foyer where the sale is to be held is a spectacular venue.  I am looking forward to my last show for the season and onto exciting plans for the year ahead.

I am also sending a very special thank-you to my lovely friend Fiona, who happily returned to the show for a second visit on Saturday, this time to help me with sales. What a natural saleswomen. I loved how she kept referring to “we” when describing to visitors how things were made.  I am going to keep her number for when I will be in need of  a VP Customer Service and Sales!   (Free bags for life! Just keep that in the back of your mind Fiona!)

Thank you to my sweetie Scott for delivering sushi on his way home from a business trip after suffering through an overnight flight and for helping me pack up on closing day.  My handsome knight keeps shining and pulling through for me. (Love you.)

Happy sewing and showing everyone!

Anne

]]> http://justbdesigns.ca/JustB/fashion-blitz/feed/ 0 http://justbdesigns.ca/JustB/production-heaven/ http://justbdesigns.ca/JustB/production-heaven/#comments Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:32:20 +0000 Anne Bursey http://justbdesigns.ca/JustB/?p=881 Hi there!

Today is the first day of the Signatures Gift show 2011 at the Ottawa Convention Centre. I am all set to go.. well almost..

It never fails that as much as I think things are tight and ready for presentation, I always manage to find a little something that needs tweaking to enhance the booth layout in some way. Last night, after I returned home from setting up, I was not quite satisfied that my new leggings were merchandised in a basket..It will just cause people to pull them out, one at a time, to see all the colours.. But how to hang them up in a tidy manner at such a late hour in the game?

Despite all my efforts to set up my booth in my living room and to sort out my merchandising design, this issues simply did not come to mind.

I found myself fumbling through the studio looking for some clips that I could use to hang the leggings from, and found some vintage wooden clothes pegs. I attached some wire that I shaped into hooks, and voila, instant hanging devices.. Where to hang them from?  My chrome floor stand for hand bags. Perfect.

Next issue – photographs. Since my fingerless gloves will remain merchandised in baskets, I thought it best to at least showcase them in a photo. This I hope will create an obvious visual on what these colourful woollen bundles are.

And finally, I have a basket of kooky and colourful woollen creations that are not so self explanatory. I am hanging another photo for my “Jester” dog collars.

It is all coming together after months and months of mad sewing and production in my studio. Thank goodness I had the help of Annamarie who did her magic to pull together the majority of my recycled sweater products, including some pretty swanky woollen shawls that are so soft and delicious to wrap around your neck in these cold months of ours.  I have also single handedly produced over twenty new shoulder bags and some fifteen large totes in recycled wool blankets and felt. I am super excited about these latest bag designs.

And so it goes, another gift show coming on, another milestone achieved. I worked so hard these last few months to prepare for this day that I find myself wondering if the effort is worth the benefits yet to be reaped.  Is the gift show circuit the best route for me to travel while growing my company?   It is one of the least expensive ways for a small company such as mine to have direct interaction with consumers which makes it such an ideal sales opportunity. But for me, it is absolutely impossible to find time to present new product to my much valued retail clients while being so intensely focused on the shows.  I ask myself if I want to sell to the retail world, how on earth can I extract myself from the production side of my business? My marketing efforts these last few months have also been painfully minimal which is simply a cause for serious concern in my view.  If my potential clientele does not know what I am doing or where to find Just B product, is there any serious point in sewing away all these hours in my little hideaway studio? It doesn’t quite add up to a good practice..

After the holidays, I plan to spend some much needed time reevaluating my production approach. It might include expanding my production space here in my home, outsourcing some international production and perhaps hiring Annamarie to produce my entire show collection for Spring.

These are some pretty big questions to be answered and it all has my brain working overtime.

Meanwhile, I am off to the Signatures show strutting my new recylced sweater leggings and looking forward to seeing my regular customers or meeting some new ones. I do get seriously energized by these shows. There is nothing better for my ego and to encourage me to keep doing what I am doing than in seeing real people in real time genuinely excited about Just B designs. Could these shows be a form of therapy? a drug? hmmmm…

Be sure to stop by my booth (216) if you are in Ottawa this evening and until 20 November. I would love to receive you and get your feedback on my latest collection.

Happy sewing my friends! And an extra special, heart-felt thank-you to my darling friend Joanne for helping me set up yesterday!

Anne

Just finished our fabulous gift show at Lavender Ridge Farm this past weekend. (see photos under the tab Art on the Ridge) It was blustery with a bitter wind Saturday and cold Sunday, but the rain stayed away and I was so happy with the number of visitors who came out for a look-see.  My friend Joanne Labadie (Lavender Ridge) and I organised the event, our first, and it went off rather well I must say.  It seems that we were in sync on all aspects of the show planning and set up and complimented each other every step of the way.  Joanne was raised in the neighbouring town of Quyon and so she seems to know everybody in the Pontiac!  I have a few graphic design skills and a little media planning/ placement experience which come in handy when advertising came into play. We are a good team for sure! (how lucky for me that I met Joanne at the chelsea market two summers ago!)

The event didn’t go live without a few unforeseen developments – only natural..; The caterer we had recruited had to step down a week before the event, due to an unfortunate death in the family. But to my pleasant surprise, would you believe, on the very day that the caterer and I spoke, I received an email from an interested vegan chef inquiring if we needed food vendors. She saw one of our postcards at a local bakery.  How serendipitous! ;  We had also accepted applications for 20 exhibitors and 2 of them didn’t show on the Saturday. I think the forecast of rain must have had them a little nervous;  We had two large tents blow over and break overnight Saturday. Fortunately Doug (husband to Joanne and co-owner of Lavender Ridge) is ingenious and with duct tape, bamboo rods and some engineering expertise, we were back up and running by 9am – no trouble bubble;  The temps were so cold on Sunday that our visitors did not get a chance to sit and relax on the patio while sipping soup or spooning into a hot chilli, instead, they had to try to keep warm by shuffling from tent to tent. Such troopers!

Despite these few gnawing suprises, Joanne and I had a blast.  Our primary goal was to host the very first show of this kind in the Pontiac, showcasing superior crafts, foods and artwork. We imagined that by providing a picturesque venue and inviting visitors through social networks and local print media, that this combination would provide healthy sales for all vendors.  If they don’t sell, then we are out of business!   Our not so hidden agenda was to have the chance to hang with like-minded people and to shop!!   I was so glad to receive such positive feedback from some of the artisans saying how their sales far surpassed their expectations, some even said sales were higher than any outdoor event they had attended all summer.  I was so impressed and so thrilled, needless to say. That being said, there is always room for improvement, and with their support, Joanne’s energy, my dancing (oh yes I was dancing on Saturday night) we intend to take this show to new levels with every passing season.

I celebrated my 48th birthday on Saturday. It will be a most memorable one. Not because I approach the big, bad 50 year mark, but I was so fortunate to have one of my dearest and oldest friends, Lakshmi to celebrate with, along with newer and just as dear to me, friends, Fiona, Joanne, Doug, Morgan, Pat, Hassan. My sweetheart Scott is away on business at the moment so was  unable to join in on the fun.. We shared a dinner of humous with chips, lasagna and multiple glasses of wine right from the oak barrel at Lavender Ridge.. did I mention that Joanne and Doug have several vineyards and operate a winery at the farm?  yup.. oh, and is the red wine ever good.  I can’t wait for them to get their license to sell. I will be jostling shoulders with many eager buyers when it is bottled and shelved.  They have a large waiting list already..

Tomorrow I will continue producing more bags, sweater blankets and the like for what time remains before my next show opens on November 15. I will keep you posted on how things are developing for that. Now that Art on the Ridge is behind me, I will try to work at a more relaxed pace.  I think I can, I think I can….

Happy sewing lovely friends!

Hugs,
Anne

What started out this last month with my retail sales efforts, later shifted into a creative spell in preparation for my winter gift shows. All part of the juggling act to increase sales, to keep things fresh with every season and to produce, produce!   Of course the most enjoyable of the three major roles is the one where I create. The ideas are not a problem, the execution is where I get stuck given the constraints of time.  This month, I managed to design a few new beauties for this coming holiday gift show circuit which starts in October.

I had about 30 large woollen blankets tucked into large baskets in my studio.. You know the kind you find at yard sales that people just want to get rid of because they accidentally shrunk them in the washer?  Sometimes they can smell of moth balls.  Yes, those blankets..  I just can’t stop collecting them. A good friend of mine even collects them for me on her visits to thrift stores. (I am so lucky!)  I just let them sit there waiting for the right time, and figured that one day I would find the perfect use for them.  The white ones are the hardest to work with since they cannot be made into bags because the colours are just too light and will easily soil.  So I made pillows instead.

I aslo bought some gorgeous wool felt last year and have been waiting to get started on some bags with it. It is made in Germany and not something I want to waste if the design is not quite right.  I am really happy with how these are coming along. The interiors will be lined with some of my French fabric to make the felt more durable and I might have to waterproof them to keep the rain and snow out. The woollen blankets are also a great textile for this design.

The craft sale I participated in last weekend turned out to be terrific despite the major downpour we survived around 2pm. It just came so quickly and drenched my table cloths and nearly soaked my products had it not been for some wonderful visitors who got stuck under my tent. They helped me shuffle tables and merchandise to the centre of the tent and hung out until the storm passed. Peter Wood was one of these good Samaritans..  A few of his fabulour paintings were on show inside the Lions Club hall.  Am now saving my pennies to buy one of his works!

My not-so-hidden-agenda to attend this show was to recruit some ladies to crochet and knit for me. I set up this little announcement in a frame and propped it on my table, next to my crochet pillows, and hoped to get garner some interest.

Several women have already contacted me to discuss the projects I have in mind. I am thrilled. Thank you ladies!  There are a few wool producers in our area as well. If it could be affordable, I would love to incorporate their alpaca, cashmere and wool into my products. I am hoping to join the owner of a local farm in the next few weeks on the day when they will be sheering their sheep and goats. So cool.

My gorgeous friend and chief sewing queen Annamarie was here last week and the week before helping with some fingerless glove production. She has sewn 100 pairs so far!

I just put the final touches on these swanky knitted gloves. They had been sitting on my coffee table all summer missing thumbs. These are for my personal collection (with a six month lead time for production of one pair, I would be out of business in no time!) Right on time for dog walking on a cool windy day like the one we are having out here in the Pontiac. The thermometre keeps dropping by a few degrees every week. I love Autumn and its warm, cozy colours!

Happy sewing, knitting and crocheting!

Anne

]]> http://justbdesigns.ca/JustB/autumn-colours/feed/ 4 http://justbdesigns.ca/JustB/crochet-inspired/ http://justbdesigns.ca/JustB/crochet-inspired/#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:56:19 +0000 Anne Bursey http://justbdesigns.ca/JustB/?p=722 A few days in Montreal, and follow up weeks on the phone while facing my computer and the retail sales effort carries on. With a few interesting prospects as well (though not without a tremendous amount of emailing and sending out of catalogues). One new retailer has signed on (yay oh yay). Ferme Lavender Ridge are just  up the road from us in the Pontiac.  They recently opened a gorgeous boutique on their farm where they sell the fabulous lotions and soaps produced by co-owner Joanne Labadie using lavender blossoms harvested on the farm. Their amazing wine will soon make it’s debut and will be added to the selection of delicious products the farm is going to feature in their shop.   I am not the only lucky designer that Joanne Labadie and Doug Briden have signed on for their boutique.  I share their shelves with a number of other talented artisans, including my friend and leather designer James Brooks.  Sales have been terrific thus far.  Happy Happy me.

But of course this business of sitting in front of  the phone all day long has it’s limits. I need to be creative at least one or two days a week.. C’mon!   Crochet seems to be the latest of my temptations. I have been hooking away at a series of woollen and cotton pillows. I have included these wool numbers in my product catalogue for my winter collection. Now I need to find some crochet queens to help me produce any orders.  I am accepting applications!!

What happy, creative project are you working on between computer sittings?

I have a new wallet design in the works, using my cotton weave from France. They are looking fab.. Stay tuned for my next posting to get a preview.
Happy sewing!   Anne

I had a great show back in April at the originals Spring Gift show held at Lansdowne park, Ottawa. I rented a larger space this time round to see if it made any difference on my presentation and flow of traffic. 10 x 15 feet. It gave me more room to merchandised the space with furnishings and I think it looked really great. Kind of like a proper boutique of sorts. Traffic flow was smooth and encouraged visitors to walk into the booth, around a table I had placed in the centre and front, and then out again on the other side. I get a sense that some visitors do not want to feel “trapped” inside a booth (which might make them feel uncomfortably committed to making a purchase when they only want to browse for the time being).  So placing merchandise closer to the aisle allowed passers by to see some of my merchandise up close, to touch it,  and enabled them to relax and have a wonder inside to have a closer look at other things. This larger booth size space is great. The cost of which goes up at the Holiday sale, so I am back to a 10×10 in November. Bohooo.

I introduced my summer collection of canvas shoppers and totes made with my prized French woven canvases. Many visitors were so very complimentary about the splash of colour in my booth and my bag designs in particular – they just stopped in their tracks and took it all in with a smile.  Once again, this experience was very validating and energized my creative spirit immensely. I met more terrific people and made some new friends. One of the great perks of hanging out with other artisans at shows like this is if you can find willing participants, you get to trade!  I think most of the talent at these shows, like me, just loves being around other creative people and shopping! I alternated days during the show wearing three new bracelets and a necklace that I was lucky enough to barter. Thank you Nathalie and April!  I hope you two are enjoying your new pillows and tea cozies !

I am shifting gears this summer on the sales front. Retail is where I am focused for summer and winter. So far I have rekindled some existing retail accounts and approached several new stores in Ottawa and Montreal. It’s hard work to keep things on track with so many boutique owners in and out of their stores.  I feel like a pest calling back and leaving messages. But if they are interested, I know we will connect eventually. And if my products just aren’t the right fit for certain clientele, well that’s perfectly fine as well. (I don’t worry about rejection, it’s the long hours spent making the sales that does zap my energy from time to time.)  I designed a small catalogue and price list for my fashion accessories and am working on one for my home decor collection.  I email these to prospective retailers I have visited and then follow up with calls to determine interest. I have no intension of just showing up with my bags in tow and introducing myself out of the blue. Not only is that an intrusion on the retail owner, but it can put them in an awkward spot if they don’t see a fit with your wares, and find themselves trying to gently tell you, “sorry, your stuff just doesn’t work for me.”  Best to let them peruse my e-catalogue and web site, and then when we speak on the phone, they can let me know if they are interested or not without any pressure.  I am finding most owners are very open to discussing what works for their clientele which is so interesting for me. I am more than willing to consider contacting them in future as well, as I evolve my designs and perhaps create are more fitting styles to suit their audiences. It will take time to develop a series of relationships with a few “key accounts” that I hope to work with on a seasonal basis. That is my goal. How long will it take to develop this client list?  My target is to sign up with 6 new stores before the year is out.

From the desk of a crazed saleswoman, I bid you farewell for now.  Will be sure to let you know as soon as I have added any new retail outlets to my “where to shop” page!

Meantime, happy sewing!

Anne

]]> http://justbdesigns.ca/JustB/summer-shoppers-to-go/feed/ 0 http://justbdesigns.ca/JustB/production-happiness/ http://justbdesigns.ca/JustB/production-happiness/#comments Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:26:44 +0000 Anne Bursey http://justbdesigns.ca/JustB/?p=630 Why did I wait so LONG to get myself an industrial straight stitch sewing machine you ask? Why was I fussing with my three – second-hand- domestic machines for over three years now? oh no no no.. limited budget has nothing to do with it.. I guess I was hesitant to commit given there is so much choice out there  and I had limited knowledge of what best suited my needs.  I just kept putting it off.. and then, last week, my little crew of machines started spewing out uneven stitches, skipping stitches outright, and unable to pierce through my fabrics so I had to roll the wheel myself to help things long every few feet when I hit a thick seam..  I had reached the end of my tolerance for sewing with my little beauties having given me all that they have to give..

It didn’t take much time to sort out the problem as the dream machine I have been waiting for was sitting in storage just 15 minutes away in the safekeeping of a sewing expert whom I also happen to work for.. and voila.  Last week, I set up my new table, and my darling husband carried the 100+ lb machine up to my attic. After connecting the motor and filling the oil tray (for this self-oiling beauty)  I put it to the test.. Did I mention how quiet it is? I was giggling like a girl having just adopted a new puppy..  it sews like it is hungry to gobble up my fabrics and spit out perfect lines of evenly spaced stitches. yum yum yum..

My brand new “heavy duty, top and bottom feed lockstich industrial sewing machine” has already munched through some 25 tote bags and will be working on more this weekend. I am in love, in heaven, overjoyed and believe it or not, so much more relaxed because I no longer have to undo/redo a single stitch! Ahhh.  I bet some of you have had similar “eureka” moments.  I have finally joined the turbo sewing club and there is no going back!

In my last posting, I was venting about the limited time I seem to have and how I had committed to upgrade my production capacity and find more sewers (sorry about the venting).. Since then, a rather serendipitous connection has transpired when my husband was chatting with a colleague. Luck should have it that I be introduced to the wife of said colleague , who not only  sews, but she trained and worked in the fashion industry in South Africa where she has acquired years of experience and knowledge!   Not only is she a walking bible on sewing machine technology  and has a wealth of knowledge on production processes and sewing efficiencies –  she is infectiously enthusiastic; passionate about textile and all things crafty, and speaks with the most charming South African accent !  I am thrilled to have met her. Lucky for me she was interested in doing a little part time work and accepted to produce a small volume from me. We have already worked together for some three weeks and she has sewn cosmetic bags, place matts and aprons for my next gift show, all to perfection and with an attention to detail equal to that which I practice.  Happy Happy me.  What a great connection, with more creative energy likely to be exchanged and working together to transpire. Thank you my darling husband, Scott!!

Meantime, I continue to discover new avenues for sales opportunities.  I have been weighing the benefits and disadvantages of selling wholesale versus retail. A few of my friends in retail have been generous in sharing their insights on this subject. I recently read an article in Selvedge magazine (issue 39, March2011) that has given me interesting food for thought.  Sarah Campbell of  Mogwaii Design strongly recommends that artisans consider avoiding wholesale altogether.  In her article “Numbers game” she writes, ” Shops are always on the lookout for fresh, distinctive products and their approach to sell wares can be enticing. However, stop to think carefully about your product and your ultimate vision before you succumb. Selling to shops involves parting with your creation for less than half the retail price. …if stitch or hand knitting, or well, anything really handmade is your forte than you might be better keeping shops at arm’s length. Most will want multiples of the same products and if, like me, each repeat drains another drop of life blood from your creative system, then the wholesale regime is a pretty numbing affair. The hand makers who do wholesale are either impoverished or love management and employ a team of makers to produce for them.”  Ms Campbell goes on to suggest a handful of creative ideas for selling online and techniques for luring shoppers to your site by routine “tweeting” and blogging about your product. I also support her idea to maintain a regular attendance at specific trade fares, gift shows and perhaps galleries that target my specific audience.  All interesting advice. My wholesale ambitions are currently being re-evaluated.

Sewing lessons appear to be on the horizon. I have been contacted by a patron of the Christmas Gift show I attended in December to host a sewing class for mothers and daughters. In idea I had been offering to certain visitors who expressed interest in sewing (and who have teenaged children). She wrote to me the other day asking if I had any plans to hold classes soon, and it looks like we will be speaking next week to set up a date.  I am not yet fully equipped to host this type of activity with the space and comforts I had envisioned, but the living room will do for now. It will give me an opportunity to test drive the concept before I have a more suitable and spacious studio set up, hopefully, later this year.  I am also hosting a Home Party at the end of April. The Hostess seems so very excited about the event that it makes me smile.  Can you imagine a more flattering compliment?  Someone whom I have only just met through email (introduced by my husband, once again), wanting to invite her closest friends to see from my collection of much loved creations?  I am really looking forward to showing my work and having this opportunity to meet more women who also love this world of all things hand made. My kinda crowd!

I’ll be attending the Originals Spring Crafts Sale in Ottawa from April 14-17. Please stop by for a chat if you are in town!

talk again soon! Anne

My wish for the day is to have more hours! every day!   How am I supposed to get everything done by myself in a wee 10-hour day..  fewf.. I just spent three days loading up product photos on my etsy site. it just takes so long.. I am one of those people who wants to do it all.. yes, but should I?

Being a graphic designer means I want to do all things graphic.. all things photographic and all things related to marketing.. I love my Mac and getting on the computer for a few hours here and there..  Yet, as I was discussing with my good friend James just the other day.. where should I be spending my time to be of the greatest value to my enterprise!?  Being a one-woman show in the early days of my business venture means I have to do most things myself.. I simply cannot afford to hire anyone full time, much less on a regular part time schedule to do certain tasks for me. yet I can;t help but consider the need to sort this out before I sink this ship!

I have so much to do this year. I have to design a new collection for the summer. I need to get cracking with an electronic book keeping system – how else will I know how my business is tracking?  Then I want to launch a shopping web site later this year.  Every week I set aside some time to connect with a few shops in Ottawa where I am hoping to sell my designs.  Kock knock knocking on those retail doors.  My husband/ partner and I are hoping to build a new studio on our property later this year. I started to read a cool book called: “Business Model Generation” by Alexander Osterwalder & Yves Pigneur. I have been tackling a business model for Just B. It is looking very sound so far…

And then there is always production to be done.. Production, production! Notice my list begins with things that are non production oriented? what does that say about me..? hmm.. am I a planner first? A visionary perhaps? Does production come last? OMG!  Is this a common problem amongst us designers? Any thoughts out there?

Maybe it’s a sign.. hmm.. that’s it!  I need to get some help with production..   It’s perfect. This task CAN be outsourced..  I’ll get onto this “toute suite”..  Thank goodness I have you guys to hash this out with!

I am realistic enough about business to know that all these things take time and will get done in due course. (Even though I want them now…) I remember when I used to work in an office cubicle.. and the days just flowed by, one into the other.. and things somehow got done; deadlines were met, products were launched and no one died..  So why am I feeling so anxious to have it all done pronto?

If you have any ideas on how best to manage time and to make the daylight hours most fruitful.. I am open to your thoughts!

Meanwhile, I’ll keep you posted on the contract work I am going to outsource…
Happy Sewing!

Anne

This past year has been extremely gratifying for me. Not only did I finally get Just B off to a great start at my first Gift show in May 2010 (Tarts and Crafts), I had an amazing summer meeting great people and selling my craft at the Old Chelsea Market (May-October) and ended the year with a bang at the Originals Ottawa Christmas Craft Show (in December).  All of this excitement has given me so much to be grateful for.  In particular, I wanted to take this moment to thank all my friends and family for cheering me along my entrepreneurial journey with Just B Designs.

Special hugs go out to my sisters and friends: Karen, Donna, Kim, Lakshmi, Amy, Dave,  Tamara, Lesley, Ineke, Kelly, Laura, Jane, Sue, Cheryl, Gary, Lisa, Karyn, Laura, Joanne, Evelyne, Sheila, Emma, Harriet, Jocelyne, Chris, Heidi, Francine, Meriel, Leigh, Abby, Linda,  Beth, Sandra, Cathi, Jennifer, Lorri, Netha, Ersin, Loukia, Ayten, Hassan, Suzie, Richard, Derek, Victor, Szilard, Brian, Agnieszka, Aunt Pauline, Uncle David, Jill, Aunt Florence, Michealine, Martha, Hans, Patricia, Ross, Ana, David, Judy, Debbie, Vesna, Lisa, Carolyn, Bob, Barb, Richard and Fiona.   Extra special hugs to my dear friends who live nearby and managed to drop by my show booth this past December: Joanne, Evelyne, James, Erin, Jocelyne, Francine; and to Chris and Heidi for their overly generous time helping me set up the booth before opening day; to my sister Karen for driving from Montreal to help me out for a day.

Most importantly, I am eternally grateful for the love, affection and support I receive every single day from my loving husband and best friend, Scott..
He encourages me to dream big; routinely supplies me with brilliant ideas for products and marketing;  provides free delivery of coffee, sushi and falafel sandwiches at my shows;  encourages me to keep going when I get drained and throws a private party to celebrate each milestone passed.

Without your generosity Scott, it would be impossible for me to realise my entrepreneurial dreams or for Just B to ever have launched.
I appreciate all the amazing things you do for me and love you with all my heart.  XXXX

Thank you everyone for the positive energy you have sent my way this past year. Your words of encouragement put a smile on my face and a skip in my step every time.
Wishing the very best to each of you and yours in the New Year.  I look forward to sharing more news and reading your wonderful comments in 2011!!

Anne xx

Here is a photo of my show booth. It was 10 x 10 feet square.  Kind of on the small side.. but enough to showcase my wares. I learned a great deal about how to merchandise and how difficult it is not to clutter things up with everything I wanted to put on display.  I used the underside of my white table to hide some additional inventory and all my supplies.. it was just barely enough space to store everything.. but it worked out fine.  The show provided the black drapes and though I had hoped to use my own white curtains, I am glad I didn’t bother to make them. The black worked out just fine for my colour pallet and with the black rug I bought, it looked quite balanced.

The show proved to be quite a positive experience for me that I went and reserved a space for the Originals Spring show in April 2011. This time round, I reserved a 10 x 15 foot space. Hoping to improve on my floor plan and add some fashion photos to the walls. This  leaves a bit over three months to get my inventory ready.. so I start the whole process over again in a few weeks!  This time, since I have all my fabrics and know what to expect at the show, it should run smoother. I think I underestimated the amount of time I needed to produce the volume needed for a ten day show. Plus, I did not produce nearly enough of the smaller and less expensive articles such as my fingerless gloves, hats, coffee warmers and tea cozies.  These items just sold like hot cakes. They were prices between $25 and $38.  I sold out of gloves on my second day and found myself working until 4am on a Friday to get restocked!  Let’s just say I was running on caffein and pure adrenaline to do that.. and that it all caught up with me on the Sunday night as I flopped into bed at 7:30 and hugged my pillow for a blissful 10 hours straight.  ahhhh.

Today I tested my new Merrow 18-E blanket stitch machine.. OMG! It is très cooel! I stitched up a coffee Bodum warmer with some thick felted wool and it looks so fab.  The stitch is very pronounced and will permit me to improve on colourful border details on all number of products iI have in mind. Gives me a ton of new ideas for the Spring collection!   Stay tuned to watch it all unfold soon

& happy sewing!!  Anne xx