New products

I think the most exciting thing about having my own business is creating new items for my store. I love it! So far I am still in the process of learning to use a camera that I am borrowing to shoot my new creations, and manipulating it with photo software Picnik and storing/sharing it on flickr. I think I am starting to have fun with this!

ORGANIZING MY SEWING ACCESSORIES

Sometimes I just need to get things cleared up so I can move forward. My sewing needles have gotten out of control! I will try to get a a needle free and my hand gets attacked for a hidden point coming from beneath. Then there is the tangles monstrosity of thread that covers my cluster of needles like a sticky spider web. fighting to get a needle free is something I want to avoid no include in every day practice.
It finally dawned on me to use a glass bottle that a friend had given to me several years ago. It's lid a cork works perfectly to keep needles with thread in place and untangled. The glass bottle holds assorted needles that I can easily grab from the wide mouth or from the collection stuck at either end of the cork top.
My bottle had become functional, my needles have become organized. I just wish I could do this with all of my work accessories.

Timing

I am working on the new packaging of my Disaster Kit. I want to make a few different mock-ups with sizes and colors. I came to the conclusion(with help from my supporters: Joe, Kristina & Maria)and that I would like to hold a focus group to go over all the aspects. I still question a few things that may go in the kit and have too many choices for packaging. Plus, I figure this will help get the word out.
I figured I would enlist the help of a few mommies I know and have them lead a group of their other mommy friends (mommy groups) and discuss:
*Price point for buying as a baby shower gift
*Included items usefulness
*Disposable verses cloth for some items
*Labeled boxed versus printed on box
*List of items inside box versus on rear of box
*Would you buy this as a gift or for self?

Any other suggestions for questions?

I want the focus groups to include new mommies, seasoned toddler mommies and mommies to be. I was thinking of asking friends to host this group here in the Bay Area, and a few around the nation. The Group would need to recorder so I could gather the information- but I wouldn't be there.

I need to come up with a gift for mommies who participate. I would limit the groups- especially since I would be asking friends to host in their home.

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, the title. I have to sew a few items and my boys are busy being boys who won't need my attention. My toddler tries to sit on my lap when I sew- and that doesn't work! Outside it is rainy and the wind is so strong I'm sure it could pick up my kids. So trying to contain them means I need to be with them at all times. I already tried to use the restroom today (alone that is) and as soon as I shut the door it sounded as if a riot had ensued. How am I going to get in my 3 projects today? I can't stop thinking long enough to start acting- or stop managing kids.



Anymore suggestions?

Vacation

So, deciding to tag along with my husband for work was a little more complicated then usual. The rain just wouldn't let up and that narrowed our activities a bit. We were in L.A. and yes we did go to Disneyland, in the rain, until it started creating little pools of water in our ponchos while seated on the rides.
However, we did get to go to a few great indoor activities for the kids. All in all it was a good trip- just not exactly the way I had first imagined.
Over the course of the week we were gone one of the products I sell, BabbaCo. carseat covers, was featured on Rachel Ray's talk show. Lucky for me Lizzy's Busy Baby Products was featured on BabbaCo.'s site as store of the month so we got a little bit of action. This was a nice surprise and definitely a boost to the slow January sales.
Unfortunately, I did not change my settings (email,website,phone) to acknowledge a time of business delay or out of office. This trip was short and somewhat close to home but, in the future I will need to teach some of LBBP's supporters how to handle shipping and go over our products storage. Having another person help out every now and then would be nice!

Today I met with another local mommy who is a designer/crafter of wonderful pieces of housewares and babywares in the eco world. Sam is the founder of inkloredesign.com and a busy mommy. She took time out to chat about the world of handcrafting and selling online. She has had her shop about twice as long as I have had and was nice enough to share some pretty good business tidbits.
I love her hydrangea print items-yes, because they are my favorite flower- and her designs are simply and beautiful.
Check them out at inklore

Another Great site

Ksleepy has some amazing nightlights.
Her cupcake night lights are an adorable touch to your little ones room.
I am having 1 specially made for my sisters dorm room- no age limits here- in a zebra print. I'll post that pick when it comes.
Check out the site-they are cute, they are hand made by a mommy and for us Bay Area people it's local. The cost $20-take a look. *She also makes great robot night lights.

7AM and already dealing with it...

7am I have an email from one of the companies I sell and use for my kit. An email I was not at all happy with-a note of competition is what it was. And as if to add a little more the company then tried to get me to buy and sell their version that is not coming out before mine. Hmmm, why? This is my thing- my eco kit- why would I want to sell yours?
After a few hours I continued the conversation with them and, well it is better than it started. But, of course we are not done. Maybe, I was thinking it was worse than what I first suspected. But, I know 7am is way to early to hear that a new competitor has popped up after I announced my news to them. Yes, I could be coincidence, that still doesn't change how I felt. This part of small business I don't like. I lack the big name to move at a faster pace but not the bite to keep up and get my product and name out there. So, I will press forward.
I am trying to avoid the details-

On a positive note- I posted a new picture of a go kit with a new interior idea (instead of elastic I used the coordinating fabric) and I got a sale off that post. I was placed with the new interior but I guess so are others and that makes me feel very good! Now, I just need to finish the one R ordered and I will post a few pictures of that one.