Thursday, February 18, 2010
"If Taylor Swift was an etsy product"
I don't check google analytics as often as I should, but sometimes there are some super fun surprises in there...Like this article in Slate about Taylor Swift. I'm reading it wondering how all those people went to my site from a piece about her Fairytale song, and then I got to the end...Thanks Slate! Love it!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The Morning After
NYIGF, #5500, Jan 30 - Feb 3 2010Show 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.
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.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Countdown
This time next week, I will be checked into the New York International Gift Show. I will have painted my space, wielded my power tools to mount the display shelves, and drank way too much coffee. I will be wondering why I felt compelled to sample every style in every color in every size (not kidding there), and how I will manage being in booth, rip roaring ready to sell at 8:30am every day for the next 5 days.
But this is the part where I am so grateful for all those years working runway shows in fashion industry. This is actually my favorite part of a show season - it's the last week. If it isn't on track by now, it isn't getting done. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Weeks and months of planning are all coming together in a seriously magical way (like, really, there will be a collection? ready? on time? really??) (oh - and it looks good too??)
fritillaries
The spring 2010 collection is a mix of best sellers from the last year and new styles. Some favorites that are coming back include Go to the Gym, Tree of Life, and Seahorses. Let's Make Out has been a roaring success at retail for the last 5 months, but will be new to the wholesale market. Two of my favorites that are debuting this week are Call Your Mother and Fritillaries.
Lots of major company overhauling is timing together with the opening at NYIGF. I have been working with Jaime from Bluestitch Books to re-do my logo and branding. My website, www.alexandraferguson, is completely down right now, so don't visit it. But that too will be coming back stronger than ever (or at least without broken links). The etsy shop (which you can visit) will be getting a makeover.
Maybe I'll even blog more...
My company turned 1 year old this past Saturday, January 16th. Happy birthday, company!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Here we go...
It's official...this week I received my acceptance into the NY International Gift Show at the Javits Center Jan 30-Feb 3! There is a lot of work to be done over the next 2 months to get ready, including getting the new collection together, overhauling the website (which is woefully out of date), not to mention designing the booth layout. It's a big gulp, but I think the company (and I!) are ready to take this big step forward.
Also on the calendar coming up is the Holiday Handmade Cavalcade on Dec 5th in Little Italy in Manhattan. I love selling with the newnew team, and this show will be highlighting some of the best of the NY craft scene.
A couple weekends ago, I took a road trip up to Boston to sell at the SOWA open market with several of my newnew friends. The weather was gorgeous the day was a bang up success. I also finally indulged in something that I have been wanting from Caja Jewelry - check out my new "Craft Tramp" necklace! I can't wait for it to be delivered tomo. I have a feeling I will wear it every day.
Full speed ahead!
Also on the calendar coming up is the Holiday Handmade Cavalcade on Dec 5th in Little Italy in Manhattan. I love selling with the newnew team, and this show will be highlighting some of the best of the NY craft scene.
A couple weekends ago, I took a road trip up to Boston to sell at the SOWA open market with several of my newnew friends. The weather was gorgeous the day was a bang up success. I also finally indulged in something that I have been wanting from Caja Jewelry - check out my new "Craft Tramp" necklace! I can't wait for it to be delivered tomo. I have a feeling I will wear it every day.
Full speed ahead!
Monday, August 31, 2009
that's a lot of nice.
I can't resist a great group shot, so when I was getting ready to ship a lot of Be Nice or Leave pillows (total: 24) to several locations of Boston Interiors, I was nearly beside myself. They should be in-store right about now. Be sure to check it out.
Upcoming events:
Sept 12th: {newnew} presents the Fall Handmade Cavalcade in Beacon, NY
October 17: Crafts in Chelsea, 21st St b/w 8th & 9th Ave, NYC
October 9-31: Madison Square Park Market ("NYCraft" booth) 23rd st b/w 5th & Madison, NYC
Sneak peak at a new Lady Slipper Orchid pillow that I haven't listed on etsy yet (but will very soon!)
i really like orchids.
one of 172 flower photos I felt compelled to take. thank god for digital.
Upcoming events:
Sept 12th: {newnew} presents the Fall Handmade Cavalcade in Beacon, NY
October 17: Crafts in Chelsea, 21st St b/w 8th & 9th Ave, NYC
October 9-31: Madison Square Park Market ("NYCraft" booth) 23rd st b/w 5th & Madison, NYC
Sneak peak at a new Lady Slipper Orchid pillow that I haven't listed on etsy yet (but will very soon!)
i really like orchids.
I was hard at work last week on a "research trip" (vacation) in Paris. We took a road trip to Giverny to visit Monet's house (amazing) where I took (way too many) photos of all the flowers growing there. I see some new botanical pillows in my future...
i could probably paint a masterpiece or 300 if I lived here
i could probably paint a masterpiece or 300 if I lived here
one of 172 flower photos I felt compelled to take. thank god for digital.
now if only I could conjure up an excuse/several grand for India next....
Saturday, July 25, 2009
handmade
I wanted to play around with some logo artwork and thought I would scan in the embroidered logo that is on the back of every pillow...and got this. Dang that's awesome.upcoming events:
Aug 1-3: Philly Buyers Market of American Craft (wholesale). Pennsylvania Convention Center, Booth 1616.
I'll be there with some friends -- Cakehouse, KimmChi, Beacon Bookmarks, and KnitKnit
September 12: {newnew} presents Fall Handmade Cavalcade in Beacon, NY
October 17: Crafts in Chelsea, 21st St. between 8th and 9th Aves (NYC)
Fingers crossed for another major event...tba
Be sure to check out all the new styles that are uploaded to etsy
Happy summer!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
new collection time!
Oh, happy day!
You know how singers will complain in interviews that when they are on tour they get soo sick of singing the same song over and over again? Well, I kind of understand that.
It is time for something new!!
Luckily I have Dallas wholesale market coming up fast to jolt me into gear to design a new collection. And what fun it is!
Drumroll please...I would like to introduce the world to Privet. Privet, world.
Fast on Privet's heels came Clematis, Smokey Blossom redux, and two lovely fantastical birds that have yet to be named.
The bad news is that Dallas market is 3 weeks away and god help me that I am only 5 new designs in. 25~ to go.
Other fun news to report is that I have discovered books on tape. My motivation has skyrocketed. When I used to work out of my apartment, I would leave the TV on (MSNBC) and listen to it as background noise while I worked. The Obama pillows were designed during this time. Then I moved into my current studio at my mom's house and was relegated to my iTunes music library. That got old real fast. I thought I was burning out (how many months can one work with no day off?). This is my dream! Why am I dragging my feet?! Where is my television?? As much as I am obsessed with Beyonce, I was ready to throw her out the window.
Then came the audio book. My ideas are flowing again. I clammor for studio time. I banish visitors who come to taunt and distract me from my focused work. First I listened to Ian McEwan's "On Chesil Beach," (oh, the agony!) and now I am in the grips of Dan Brown's "Angel's and Demons." If religious iconography starts creeping into my pillow designs, you now know why.
Lot's of things happening over the next few weeks--
First off, this coming Saturday, May 30th, I will be at the Brooklyn Flea again. Last time was such a success, it was so nice to meet customers in the flesh! So I am really looking forward to that.
June 6 & 7, I am honored to have been chosen among a select group to be a part of the {newnew} team pop up shop for the Atlantic Avenue Artwalk festival! Come find us at 93 Nevins St. Aparently there is a block party on Saturday which i think will be terrific fun! www.atlanticavenueartwalk.com
Then on June 13th I am back at the Brooklyn Flea.
One (very short) week later, on June 22nd, I will be down in Dallas for wholesale market week. If there are any buyers located in the midwest who will be attending, please be sure to stop by and say hello! I will be with my team at Omni Sales Group in the World Trade Center.
Something fun to leave you with--when it rains, it pours, and in a sudden deluge I received a ton of orders for red Bud Explosion pillows. So I took a family shot. (there were actually 3 more, but they couldn't all fit into my set!) What a proud mama, I was!
You know how singers will complain in interviews that when they are on tour they get soo sick of singing the same song over and over again? Well, I kind of understand that.
It is time for something new!!
Luckily I have Dallas wholesale market coming up fast to jolt me into gear to design a new collection. And what fun it is!
Drumroll please...I would like to introduce the world to Privet. Privet, world.
Fast on Privet's heels came Clematis, Smokey Blossom redux, and two lovely fantastical birds that have yet to be named.
The bad news is that Dallas market is 3 weeks away and god help me that I am only 5 new designs in. 25~ to go.
Other fun news to report is that I have discovered books on tape. My motivation has skyrocketed. When I used to work out of my apartment, I would leave the TV on (MSNBC) and listen to it as background noise while I worked. The Obama pillows were designed during this time. Then I moved into my current studio at my mom's house and was relegated to my iTunes music library. That got old real fast. I thought I was burning out (how many months can one work with no day off?). This is my dream! Why am I dragging my feet?! Where is my television?? As much as I am obsessed with Beyonce, I was ready to throw her out the window.
Then came the audio book. My ideas are flowing again. I clammor for studio time. I banish visitors who come to taunt and distract me from my focused work. First I listened to Ian McEwan's "On Chesil Beach," (oh, the agony!) and now I am in the grips of Dan Brown's "Angel's and Demons." If religious iconography starts creeping into my pillow designs, you now know why.
Lot's of things happening over the next few weeks--
First off, this coming Saturday, May 30th, I will be at the Brooklyn Flea again. Last time was such a success, it was so nice to meet customers in the flesh! So I am really looking forward to that.
June 6 & 7, I am honored to have been chosen among a select group to be a part of the {newnew} team pop up shop for the Atlantic Avenue Artwalk festival! Come find us at 93 Nevins St. Aparently there is a block party on Saturday which i think will be terrific fun! www.atlanticavenueartwalk.com
Then on June 13th I am back at the Brooklyn Flea.
One (very short) week later, on June 22nd, I will be down in Dallas for wholesale market week. If there are any buyers located in the midwest who will be attending, please be sure to stop by and say hello! I will be with my team at Omni Sales Group in the World Trade Center.
Something fun to leave you with--when it rains, it pours, and in a sudden deluge I received a ton of orders for red Bud Explosion pillows. So I took a family shot. (there were actually 3 more, but they couldn't all fit into my set!) What a proud mama, I was!
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