The Morning After

NYIGF, #5500, Jan 30 - Feb 3 2010

Show is over. Cars are loaded and home. Orders are written and being processed. Staff is being put into place to begin production. Emails are flying. This afternoon will be dedicated to a studio overhaul, which (not joking) is actually one of my favorite things to do. I am nothing if not organized. In light of other terms being used to describe me during set up and show, I think I am settling on "detail-oriented" (thanks, Katherine, from one to another).

There were some very clear best sellers at show this collection - Be Nice or Leave knocked it out the park, particularly in the 22" size. That was no surprise, as it has been the best selling style since the very beginning.
Some new styles were also a smash hit - You're Right and Stud both shined. That we were positioned right next to the men's bathroom is an interesting coincidence.



22" ampersand in the block font was also a no-brainer. I was so happy buyers were responding to that one because I am personally obsessed with it. In fact, it was really exciting to write several monogram orders. The monogram series has been so popular for me at retail, and I know it will be a good one for brick and mortar stores.


It's not yet noon, but already my brain is filled with so many exciting ideas for the next six months. Lots of live retail selling events are up in the air all over the country, as well as taking the collection to far flung corners of the globe. There was so much feedback for the collection, and I can't wait to start designing into some new ideas I have. I will definately be back at the NYIGF come August - but most likely you will look for me in the Studio section instead of Handmade.

As always, information for wholesale and retail selling events will be posted here, so check back for dates and booth numbers.

Sunny day in Brooklyn (and Manhattan, and Queens)

Today I went to my second {newnew} etsy street team meeting, which was at the etsy labs in Brooklyn. Just like the last time, I managed to run 45 minutes late. Not only did I start late (good excuse--Josie my cat had to have her drain tube taken out of her face--long story, not pretty), but there was terrible traffic and then I took a wrong turn somewhere in deep burrough territory and did 100 blocks the local way down atlantic ave.

After the meeting, which was very informative, several of us walked over to the Brooklyn Flea which was just hopping with people enjoying the sunshine. Stopped at the {newnew} tents, bought some delicious chapstick from Nordea's Soaperie (www.nordeasoaperie.etsy.com), got to say hi to Kristen from Cakehouse who wrote a lovely interview on me for the newnew blog (www.cakehouse.etsy.com), and somehow wrap my head around even more things I had to get ready before May 9 when I would be selling there myself.

After this lovely afternoon, I then managed to drive into Manhattan (planned) and did a full tour of Queens (unplanned). At least I had the top down on the car and managed to get some much needed sun on my shoulders.

Finally put up a bunch of listings tonight on etsy. Visit www.alexandraferguson.etsy.com. Most of them (99%) are monogram pillows, plus I did a fun silver/orange colorway of the watering can pillow.

Something cool that I learned in this last monogram moment? 1. W is an awesome letter. 2. oatmeal and black are rocking next to each other.



Another cool moment that doesn't have a photo yet is a new "be nice or leave" colorway courtesy of a wholesale special request. I'll post the photo later, but for now let me just tell you that 1. I was pleasantly surprised and 2. I loved it more and more as I was sewing it (which is a good sign). Going to work on even more "be nice" colorways that I will debut next week.

Finally, just checked google analytics and learned that we had a pretty cool moment on the etsy shop this week. On Thursday April 16th, we had over 1000 visitors to the shop! It just so happened that I was on the front page of Etsy 3 times that day, which probably helped.