One step closer

Today I approved a proof of my sell sheet for our new Disaster Kit. So excited!!! Thank goodness for graphic designers- the sell sheet went from amateur to perfect in minutes! Now, I just need to get sales made.
Yes, I did end up getting eco printing with eco paper and added some technology to the piece with a QR.

Spring is here

With the arrival of spring comes the warm sunshine and plenty of backyard play. Toys have migrated out of the garage have populated the space. It turns out to be a wonderful solution to my photography woes. I have wonderful photographers all around, but I need to cut that area and do them myself. Along with my friends DSLR, that I borrowed, the kids out door toys have been wonderful props/ settings for my new products. Natural lights, kids toys, new products and a wonderful photo editing site my photos seem to be working out. But, I take about 500 photos every time I pull it out.

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