Happiness!

The second gift shop I signed with - can it be almost 18 months ago? - was Modern Mouse in lovely Alameda, California which sits across the Bay from the equally lovely San Francisco.  The owner, Eleen, (lovely herself) and I struck up a cyberspace friendship immediately.  Since then her brick 'n mortar store has grown by leaps and bounds, as has her ever-so-friendly and hard-working staff.  I'm thrilled to be a part of their beautiful shop!

Happiness has been a recurring theme in my life.  It has popped up when I least expect it; I've used the word happy so many times in business and in life it is practically my middle name.  I even have a tattoo with the Chinese symbol for happiness.

So, no surprise that Modern Mouse, Eleen and I would eventually join forces.  Eleen is all about delivering happiness (inspired by Zappos Founder, Tony Hsieh) and that is completely reflected in how she goes about her business and how she goes about her life.  And you know what they say about happiness ~~ it is contagious.  Take a peek at her online shop and you will see what I mean!  Happiness everywhere!

It was such fun to see my Wee Ones featured not once, but twice in Modern Mouse's October newsletter!  Drake-ula is proud to be a part of the Halloween Gift Guide!

And the other Big Deal in October is always (for me, anyway) Breast Cancer Awareness.  Modern Mouse partners with me in this cause and is featuring these BC Buddies in their shop!

And if you're just looking for a Wee One in general, a special selection can be found on Modern Mouse's shopping site.

One of these days I'm going to surprise those kids at Modern Mouse and pop by to say hi!  Thank you Eleen and crew for all you do.   Happiness all around!  

Pink Elephants and Such...

It is a common site to see a toddler walking along, cuddling his "blankie" ~ tripping over it, dragging it thru the dirt and subsequently refusing to give it up to be washed. (If this sounds like the voice of experience speaking... um... you're right.)

What may not be so common, but I know to be true ~ some little ones like to carry a small pillow around. One that is just their size, to fit in their tiny hands and rub against their little cheeks thus providing a unique form of comfort.

I've had this project in my head for a long time and am just now taking a bit of time out to present a few in my Etsy shop ~ 8" x 8" pillows with appliqued designs ~ small little guys for small little hands.

Unless, of course, you would like to give the pink elephant to your girlfriend who may have had one too many cocktails the other night and swore she saw one walk across the road... *wink*

And The BC Awareness Beat Goes On!

I love to gather ideas - ideas and inspiration from people, places, experiences... I am basically a shy person and many years behind a camera lens taught me the power of observation.

The idea I am writing about today was inspired by Stephanie, the owner of Stoopher & Boots in New York City. In late August I asked Stephanie if she would be interested in carrying a few of my little BC Buddies (a variety of pink BC Awareness inspired Wee Ones) ~ with 10% of each sale going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure ~ she enthusiastically said, "Yes! How soon can you send them?"

In the past I had only run my BC Awareness Campaign during the month of October. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in New York City took place in early September so I extended my campaign to two months. At the end of October I asked Stephanie if she would like to pull the BC Buddies from the shelf until next year. She responded,"I'd like to keep them ~it is always a good time to support such a good cause!"

So thank you, Stephanie! You inspired me to keep the BC Buddies in my Etsy shop year 'round. Because I totally agree ~ it is always a good time to support a good cause! Thinking about it, I realized women (and men!) don't just get breast cancer in September or October. It is estimated that in 2010 about 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women* ~ and that's just women. That is day after day after day after day...

And proof positive of that ~ I have sold three BC Buddies in the last two days. I am thinking they will make dandy Hanukkah and Christmas pressies...

Yay!

*American Cancer Society

For A Cure...

My little family of Breast Cancer Comfort Friends is growing! (These are only a few in the group.) I'm doing a big push in the next couple of weeks to get these guys out in the community ~ actually across the country ~ and literally into the hands of people I know are committed to Breast Cancer Awareness and finding a cure. It means quite a few "freebies" but if it can help anyone in anyway, it's worth it!

Coming up soon ~ why the issue of Breast Cancer Awareness is important to me personally.

I Heart Special Requests

So those quotes that inspired me to open my shop and have one focus and one focus only? Prophetic.

"Take up one idea. Make that idea your life.Think of it, dream of it, live one idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea,and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success."

*Swami Vivekananda*

[For our economy to survive]

"We have to start making stuff again."

*Peter Schiff, American Economist*

I have found something to do that fulfills my creative spirit and makes me smile every day. Not to mention in some small way I think I'm bringing smiles and just a bit of whimsical happiness to others as well...

Good karma. I have three special orders to fill. YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! And thank you, thank you, thank you!