Remembering Beginnings...

Although it seems I live 24/7 in my studio, I do get out occasionally.  Yesterday the Whee Ones, the mister and I participated in an Earth Day event, with one more to come on Monday.  (We are invited each year because I use [all new] fabric remnants to make my little critters. A lot cuter than clogging up landfills with bits of fabric.)

I was reminded why it is good to step out of the studio now and again...

Not only is it rewarding to be on the receiving end of a lot of warm fuzzies (figuratively speaking) ~ "Oh these are so cute!"  "You make all these?"  ~ but I usually gain some insight, some wisdom.  And sometimes in the most unexpected ways...

One man stopped and inspected the Whee Ones sitting on the table.  He smiled and said, "How did this all come about?  How did you get started with this?"

I thought quickly and gave him a short answer ~ something about loving stuffed animals as a kid and I never really outgrew that.

He seemed to be ok with that answer, but later I was still pondering the question.  I have been designing and making Whee Ones (and the occasional Cuddle Bunny, Security Bunny and Plush Pillow) for 3 years; but how did this all come about?  Why has it become a passion and how am I able to sustain not only the passion, but the business?

It did start with an affinity for stuffed animals.   As a little girl I grew up on a farm with no friends for miles.  So my limited little group of stuffed animals became my friends.  A large teddy bear (who knows where that came from, but it had been around the block), a squirrel, a dog, a snake (yes a snake) and a couple of other assorted rag tag critters were my best friends.  I read to them, I took them on grand hikes around the farm and every night they were lined up on my bed, heads on pillows and blankets up to their chins.  I can still see them ~ and it's been a couple of years, folks.

So even into adulthood I still had the occasional teddy bear on my desk or next to my bed.  In 2009, tired of beating my head against the wall with my photography (which was going nowhere - it's a tough industry) I felt a great need to do something tactile.  It took a few months to find my niche, but falling back on sewing skills I learned as a girl I did find a niche.  And once I did there really was no turning back.

 I honestly can't remember (and I wish I could) but either Piper the Penguin or Simon Owl was my very first original design.  I realized it didn't take much fabric to make these guys (they are about 6-7 inches tall and about 13 inches around) so I could use fabric remnants.  Another win/win - saving the planet one Whee One at a time.  Using fabric remnants that would normally have been discarded meant less fabric clogging up landfills.

The Whee Ones were met with smiles, so I decided to open an Etsy shop and try out a few additional designs.  I actually made a couple of sales - much to my surprise and delight.  Which, of course, just fueled my interest and my imagination and before I knew it I had over 100 products in my Etsy shop.

Then my Etsy Shop began to gain the attention of small boutique owners ~ locally and across the country.  Not really having a clue what I was doing, I signed consignment contracts, took orders, designed, sewed, merchandised, packaged and shipped ~ to several shops.  As of this writing I am in 9 charming brick 'n mortar shops (6 of them local in the Denver Metro Area, as well as New York, Chicago and Seal Beach, CA), another online shop and my Etsy shop.

I have discovered that I love the "thrill" of the sell - not the sale (although sales are always lovely, too).  But not exactly being the most outgoing person (you do recall that rather isolated childhood ~ I talked to stuffed animals for cryin' out loud!)  it is a challenge to sell my product.  Or so I thought.   I'm always just a little nervous walking to a new shop, armed with just a brochure and one Whee One, but I have yet to walk out without a contract!  The Whee Ones have given me a confidence that has escaped me my whole life.  And that is exhilarating!

I have shipped Whee Ones to newborn babies, to Hollywood elite, to children dying of cancer, to little boys saying their "see ya' laters" to Daddy going off to war; to celebrate birthdays, to be hung in Christmas stockings and to fill Easter baskets.  It is all incredibly rewarding and humbling.

So thank you Mr. Man for asking me "How did this all come about?"  Because it is important to remember beginnings and to take time to be grateful for all that has ensued.

Thank you!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Three years ago ~ March 17, 2009 ~ I opened my cmh design Etsy shop and my life will never be the same!  Thank you to all of you who have supported me with encouragement, kind words, kudos, sales and all around love!  My Wee Ones, et al and I wouldn't be here without you!

Cheers!  And maaaaawah!  We heart you all!

Things To Come...

2012 has proven to be a banner year for the Wee Ones and me ~ thanks to the amazing support from you!  Four online shops and seven brick 'n mortar stores/galleries have kept me quite busy (hence long time no blog).  To that end I am working on some restructuring for 2012 ~ streamlining my lines to make my turnaround time faster and more efficient; but also looking to grow the business even more (without making myself too crazy...).

I am hoping to sign with a few more brick 'n mortars and plan to introduce new little guys in my regular line. Something new I am looking forward to is featuring some limited editions as well. Limited meaning they will be special ~ unique fabrics and/or designs ~ with only a few offered for sale for a limited time, then the line will be retired.  Furball here is a tease of what's to come.

I'm nearing the end of my holiday orders and looking forward to some fudge-making, cookie-baking, sitting- around-the-Christmas-tree-and-the warm-fire-family-time, toasting our blessings this year and maybe catching a movie or two.

And sleeping in.  Omysweetgoodness sleeping in would be such a treat!  ;-)

Happy holidays to all of you with {hugs} and enormous gratitude...

The Sum of the Parts...

that make the whole.

I know when I buy something I don't really think about all the parts that go into making the whole item.  But when I am on the other side - actually making the item - I think seriously about the parts that make up the whole. I scrutinize fabric; in fact, I've been known to get really unreasonably excited if I find just the right fabric for just the right project.  I am sure to keep my inventory of threads up to date; yes I do need four shades of pink and eight shades of blue.

In my particular business - making my Wee Ones, et al - I think the thing that really brings them to life are their eyes.  For my critters who will be adopted by kids over 3 years old, I use plastic safety eyes.  When I attach those eyes... well, that is when the Wee One comes to life.  The eyes are the window to the soul ~ even in a stuffed animal. When those eyes become part of a bear or a dog or any critter I'm working on, suddenly a personality appears.

And that is when I smile.  And that is when I know I've got a winner.

So, all that being said, eyes are a crucial part of my inventory.  And more often than not, I lose track of my inventory "count" and realize that - uh oh - I've only got 4 pairs of 12mm black eyes left!  The person I always turn to is my Etsy friend, Clara of 6060.  She always has what I need and am in dire need of.  Her response to my requests are immediate and her turn-around time is amazing!  Although we are many, many miles apart I usually have what I need in just a couple of days.

There are many times she has saved the day for me ~ especially during crunch times like the holiday season.  So I just wanted to tip my Santa hat to Clara and say thank you for your outstanding customer service!  I don't know what I would do without you!

Why I Love What I Do!

All of my customers are special to me, but once in awhile an order comes thru that stands out.  I just never know where my critters may end up and what their stories will be. And, in the end, that is why I love what I do. A request for Rudy and Toby (the ram and dinosaur pictured here) was one such order.

A few months ago I had a note from Haleigh ~ she was excited to see the addition of Rudy the Ram in my Etsy shop, because one of her two sons carries the nickname of "Ram." As the mother of two boys myself, I remember well ~ if you buy one critter you must by another ~ so Rudy and Toby were on their way to Haleigh's two little boys.

What I didn't know until just recently is that they were surprise gifts for the boys from Mommy and Daddy to let them know that their Daddy was thinking of them.  Because, you see, Daddy is a Sargent in the United States Marines and as a member of the 26th MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) was deployed to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Libya, Italy, Africa and Greece (with a lot of time spent on a ship in those areas) for almost 9 months.  Scary stuff.

Haleigh provided the image you see here ~ the top and bottom photos are the boys saying (as she so sweetly put it) their "see you laters" and the center photo is Dad returning home safely and embracing his precious little boys.

I was so touched by Haleigh's story ~ honored that she chose Rudy and Toby for such meaningful gifts at such an important time in her children's lives and honored that she shared it with me.  Thank you seems inadequate, but thank you Sgt. Johnson for your service and to Haleigh and the boys, thank you for your sacrifice and your service as well.

I can't say it enough ~ stories like Haleigh's are why I love what I do.  It brings wonderful people like Haleigh and her family into my life.  And I am grateful for that.

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friend

I have a mug that reads “Behind every successful woman is herself.”  I love that sentiment.  I believe strongly in home-grown, women-owned businesses ~ or women being successful doing anything they love.  It does take drive, ambition and good old-fashioned hard work to be successful.  

But today it occurred to me that as a one-woman show I really don’t do all that I do without a little help and support.  (Scratch that - a lot of help and support.) I often forget that in essence I’m not totally a one woman show.  This handsome guy does a lot to help me.

We met thru mutual friends in 1991.  Yup, we’ve been together 20 years – married 18.  I knew the first night I met him that I wanted to know him.  He made me laugh. 

He engaged in conversation.  He was clever and smart.  He was so damn cute.   He had an MBA in finance from the University of Denver (which came in handy later when I started my business). 

Fast forward to 2011.  He is a partner in his own IT Consulting business.  He is a Type A workaholic.  (He is quite often up with me on those 3 am work mornings - doing his own work.)  

And yet before he leaves every morning he asks me, “Do you have anything for the Post Office?” -  and at the end of the work day he texts me with “Do you need anything from the grocery store?  Need wine?”  

He does 98% of the grocery shopping and cooks 98% of our meals.  If not for him I would live on chocolate, chardonnay, hummus, carrots, chai lattes, English muffins and peanut butter.  Seriously.   He's not opposed to washing a dish or two. And once in awhile even a wood floor.  He happily walks the dog in the early morning hours when I'm slammed with orders.  He puts gas in my Jeep.  He takes care of all the household finances.  He passes out my business cards like candy to his business associates and clients.

So that "one woman show" thing?  It's a myth.

Thank You Amigos!

Being a one woman show as I am requires I spend about 85% of my life working alone in my studio. That works for me as I'm kind of an introvert (aren't most creative people?) and a control freak with a bit of OCD sprinkled on top. About 10% then goes to my family; the additional 5% to local events where the Wee Ones and I mingle amongst the population.

What's missing? There appears to be 0% time for friends.

Which is why I am so grateful for my online community of friends - both those of the crafty variety and those who are just fun, inspiring, brilliant in their own way (the ones who make me laugh are especially dear to me...) - and most of whom I will probably never meet in real life. But as I work away [in that 85% of my time], my computer is always on and as I walk by I check in.

So this is for you, my cyberspace friends - you have no idea what the support you give me has done for me. The support, the encouragement, the "go for it; you can do it" messages have given me a sense of confidence I've never known. There is no way my "wee" idea would have taken me to where I am today without you.

I totally heart each and every one of you. I once told my husband that even in my older years (come on, I'm only 56!), I will never be lonely. Can you imagine Facebook in about 30 years???! *wink*

Grab this kiss I am blowing to you and carry it in your heart every day.

Maaaaaawah!

Humbly Accepting...

And now for something completely different.

I was recently tagged with a “Versatile Blogger” award. Thank you very much sweet Dana. And the deal with that is – you share 7 things about yourself and go on to tag 7 of your favorite bloggers. I’m not huge in the blogging world and I only follow a handful of blogs so Kat, Susan, Kathleen – you’re it. Because you are awesome.

And here are some [I’m so sure] fascinating facts about me.

1. I have to create something every day or it is a wasted day to me. It is a value/obsession my Mom instilled in me from a young age. And I am eternally grateful to her for that. I will never be bored.

2. I function quite well in solitude. I enjoy alone time. It is the joy of having more interests than I can fit into a lifetime. Again – I will never be bored. That being said ~ put me, my kids, my mister and a few friends in a room, add a glass of wine or champagne and I’m the biggest social butterfly ever. As long as I know I can retreat into my studio the next day and be alone.

3. Jimmy Buffett once invited me to a New Years Eve party at Margaritaville in Key West. Unfortunately I couldn't go. Bummer.

4. I am a television, Netflix and movie addict. (And really true confessions? Any online fabric site.) My guilty pleasure is “Real Housewives of…” ~ anywhere. But Beverly Hills Housewives are my favorite. Please come back Camille, you little vixen you.

5. I abhor talking on the phone but will email you in a heartbeat. And I still believe in writing handwritten thank you notes. Come on, people. If someone cared enough and took the time to choose a gift for you, you owe them at least a handwritten note.

6. My BFF is my husband’s sister. I had never met her until the day I married her brother. Who knew what a gift that would turn out to be? Our friendship has grown incredibly close over the [almost] 18 years despite the fact that she lives in another country. We share a love of art in all forms; good wine; laughter; deep conversations; silly conversations; hikes along the ocean (or lake) shore; not to mention all the shared highs and lows of just being “family.” We even published a book together ~ her poetry and my photography ~ Flight of the Magpie.

7. My favorite thing in life is being a Mom. The greatest gifts I have ever received are my two brilliant, talented, charming sons. And bonus – the women they have chosen to spend their lives with are equally brilliant, talented, beautiful and strong women! Yay – I now have 4 children and double yay ~ I finally have daughters!

So there are 7 oh so fascinating things about me. Thanks for playing.

One Idea.

Some of you may already have heard part of this story, but I do have a point and I wrap it up with a new bow at the end. So if you've heard my "one idea" story go have a sandwich and come back in five minutes. :)

I'll try to be brief. When I first opened my Etsy shop I had a hodge-podge of all kinds of things in there - photography, stuffed animals, knit hats, books I've written, note cards ~ all kinds of stuff. After a couple of months I started thinking that maybe it was too confusing for people stopping by to know exactly what I was doing and selling.

Then I came upon a quote that set me on the path to my decision. (I'm big on inspirational quotes.)

"Take up one idea.
Make that idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on that 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, that is the way great spiritual giants are produced."
*Swami Vivekananda*

I distinctly remember the moment I settled on my "one idea." We were visiting my son and his girlfriend in Berkeley, California, in June of 2009. I went for a solitary pre-sunrise stroll along the East Bay overlooking the brilliant city of San Francisco. (Walking has always been how I do my best thinking.) I thought about that quote and which one idea I should choose. I asked myself honestly what I enjoyed doing the most. And I kept coming back to making the little stuffed animals. I had been focusing on photography (no pun intended) for a long time and realized I really enjoyed doing something more tactile. I have always had an affinity for stuffed animals ~ since childhood. They filled a void in a lonely little country girl's life.

So that was it. My one idea would be my stuffed animals.

Done with that sandwich yet? Come back in here.

So partly because my business has taken off in ways I had never anticipated; partly because I just celebrated my 2 year anniversary; partly because I felt I had earned a little treat ~~ one night I came across a beautiful jewelry shop on Etsy - one that personalized pieces ~ and she liked quotes as well. It took me very little time to decide this was going to be my gift to myself. And I knew exactly what to inscribe on the ring.

Yup. "one idea"

So now every day as I'm sewing or typing or doing anything ~ I can look down at my hand and be reminded of my "one idea" ~ and how it has changed my life.

One idea. That is all it takes. Just one idea.

I'll bet you have an idea. You can do it, too. I promise.

(Thank you Brigit of Two Silver Moons for my very special good luck piece. I love it. And it will continue to inspire me every single day.)

Imagine That... 2 Years and Counting.

Some people celebrate March 17 as St. Patrick's Day. I totally respect your day ~ may the road rise up to meet you.

Me? I celebrate my anniversary. Oh no, not of my marriage, but of the start of my little business. At the time March 17 was just a random choice of days to open my Etsy shop; now I find it an easy anniversary date to remember. You know like getting married on Valentine's Day so you'll never forget your wedding anniversary. ;-)

So today I celebrate 2 years of sketching, designing, sewing, photographing, writing, posting, promoting, selling, tagging, shipping ~ and then starting it all over the next day. Two years ago my challenge was to see if I could actually sell something online. I never imagined that two years later I would have my products in fabulous shops on the East Coast, West Coast and my adopted hometown of Denver. I never imagined I would be joining artistic organizations and actually stepping out of my Hello Kitty pajamas and into some fancy go-to-meeting clothes (I wore heels, people!) to promote my products. I never imagined I would actually design my own lines with my own original ideas. I never imagined I would actually make a couple of bucks.

I didn't imagine that two years later I would still wake up in the middle of the night with ideas and quietly sneak up to my studio to start sketching before I forgot them. I didn't imagine that I would still wake up each morning and after walking my dog and making my peppermint hot chocolate I would walk upstairs to my studio and dive in - every single day - to create something whimsical. And never tire of it!!

But what I really never imagined is that in this little endeavor I would find myself. I didn't go to college. Well I put in a couple of years at a community college; but I always felt like I really missed out on something not going to a four year school. You know - lesser than... I married young. I worked many years as a secretary/administrative assistant/office manager ~ and mind you, I was pretty good at it. But I was never fulfilled in my work; never truly happy with how I spent 8 of my 24 hours in the day. So it took me a long time to find my calling ~ which is ironic because I am doing almost the same thing I was doing as a teenager. But at the ripe ol' age of 56 I finally embrace each day with joy and cannot wait to see what waits around the bend.

Which, by the way, may lie in a city I really love. Mums the word until all is finalized, but I can't wait to [hopefully] make an exciting announcement soon!

Thank you to my family and friends for all their encouragement and support ~ especially my charming husband who has totally taken over the kitchen and cooking. Dinner is so yesterday.

And omysweetgoodness ~ thank you to all my fabulous customers, many of whom keep coming back and have become friends as well. No way would I be here without you.

Maaaaawah! Kisses all around! Here's to Year #3!!!

Merry Christmas ~ with Gratitude

I wanted to take a minute to say thank you to those of you who follow my blog ~ and thank you for your patience when I am absent. I appreciate your comments ~ and you! Never one lacking for ideas, I have a few new designs and products I am hoping to develop in 2011; a few causes I look forward to supporting.

But until then I am wishing you and yours a beautiful holiday ~ full of sweet memories and tons of fun!

Catch you in the new year. :)

Thank You 9News!

Hope, a Breast Cancer Comfort Bunny, was

featured on 9News NBC Denver yesterday! (Video to follow!) Pretty cool seeing one of my little guys on TV ~ and they were very generous to post my Etsy shop address, too! Thank you, 9News!

Hope is part of my month-long campaign to raise awareness (and a couple of buckaroos) for breast cancer. 20% of each sale of one of my breast cancer comfort friends will go to Susan G Komen for the Cure.

Many of these little guys are highlighted in my showcase today in the gift guide, so stop on by and get a hug. :)

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.

Gratitude...

This is Hope. Next week she is going to be a gift to a sweet young lady who is a local anchor-woman in Denver. Surprise! (I really doubt Kim reads my blog.) ;-)

Kim has leads the campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness at our local NBC affiliate and has made it her passion. I just want to stop by and say thank you to her.

I "hope" she likes Hope. :)

Cyberspace is a wondorous place. I never would have imagined when I began creating cuddly little animals that one would end up on the other side of the world. But one is. And I can’t stop smiling.

I’ve spent the last couple of days communicating with a beautiful woman (who I would love to meet someday!) figuring out how to get Oliver, the long-earred bunny to Australia. This being my official first international shipment it took a little research and in the end, wasn’t hard at all. My customer down under was extremely patient and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that!

So, I this morning finally figured things out (again, with the help of my Post Office guru, Deep – we’re on a nickname basis now), confirmed all the important info and Oliver is off to Australia! I was so grateful for such a patient customer; and I didn’t want Oliver to travel all the long way alone – so I added his little brother, Ralphie, in the package to keep him company on his journey. I know my customer and her family will welcome both of them.

And I hope she doesn't read my blog (till later) or finds me on Facebook (till later), or I just blew the surprise.

Happiness

I wish I could show you her face, but suffice it to say my friend, Pardeep, at the Post Office was surprised when I sat a little blue bear on her weight scale today. I didn't know how much time we would have to chat, so I had put a little tag on it saying, "Thank you for always having a smile."

She blushed, picked him up and squeezed him and said, "Oh, I love him!"

I said, "Well, I just want you to know how much I appreciate you - you always have a smile no matter how stressed you might be. So, thank you!"

She responded with an enthusiastic, "Thank you!"

There were a few people in line by then, so I promptly signed my bill and left. But I've got to tell you - her smile and surprise absolutely made my day!!!

Gratitude. Share It.

Once in awhile someone crosses your path, makes you slow down and brings a smile. Even if you’re having a bad hair day. Or it has snowed for five days straight. Or if you’re running late. Or if… you get the idea.

Somewhere along the way we all picked up the pace and jumped on that information highway (remember the information highway?) and put life in the fast lane. We have no time to wait. We’re important! We have things to do! Places to go! People to see!

One equalizer that still exists is the USPS – yup, the good ol’ post office. The Post Office doesn’t care how important you are, how many things you have to do, how many people you have to see or what your hair looks like. You have to wait in line just like everyone else. Sometimes this is aggravating. Sometimes people get impatient. Sometimes people get downright nasty.

I’ve witnessed all of the above. And at my small one-woman branch Post Office, I have observed one sweet woman greet each and every person the same way – with a smile, a warm greeting and quick and efficient service. Go ahead – yell at her about the line. Like it’s her fault. And she knows it’s not, so she doesn’t let it bother her.

I’ve learned a lot from watching and interacting with Pardeep. Relax. Smile. Put good energy into the world and it will come back to you.

So this little guy is going to join her in her little space tomorrow. I hope he makes her smile every day. Because she sure makes me smile.