Since an emerging designer's profit margin is going to be nothing like that of an oil company's, or even a boutique, we have to sometimes consider moving manufacturing to China. More companies are doing it - kind of like starting a website. Ya right, but you get my drift.
If you're going to do it, you have to be careful. And paranoid. We've all most likely seen the Dateline special (yes, you were sitting at home as well on a Friday night), where the factories duped 'inspectors' into thinking they were keeping sane hours and paying employees accordingly. However, this isn't a post about human rights. It's about piracy.
I'm very much on the fence about producing in China, but I have a contact that could just bring me to that level. The thought of it rattles my nerves, as there are so many components that I have not thought of to consider and be aware of. One of them is piracy. My products are available and flaunted for the world to see on this blog and my online shop. Anyone can copy, and yet it's only made easier if you hand your designs over to a factory who will bring them to new levels of production you didn't even know about. So I encourage you to read this article as an introduction into piracy paranoia:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/27/business/nec.php
PS: note the google ads at the bottom...they help you find manufacturing in China...like you'd want to after the article! that's my one pet peeve with google ads...so off target sometimes.
Home | Permalink
BijouBoutique.com - Wearable Rock Candy
One evening I was minding my own business, when a "Grand Opening of BijouBoutique.com!" email graced my inbox. Those emails are always grab bags, because you never know what you're going to get, but sure enough, I opened this one and scored! BijouBoutique.com is a delightfully refreshing candy store of handmade jewelry by designer extraordinaire, Lourdes Amador, a web designer by trade who took up jewelry designing by suggestion. Now she swirls silver around crystals, stones and beads of all sorts and sells them in her delectable online boutique at very affordable prices, I might add...
bubble gum - $35
I love her wirey silver work. Wish I could do it! She can customize this ring for you...
topaz swirls - $25
these earrings would brighten up your morning...
blue whirlwind - $32
or for your blue period...
candy bubbles - $30
if this ring doesn't put you in a good mood...i don't know what will!
blues fever - $17
these wouldn't normally be my style, as I need a bit more umph, but I love the silver clasp, and the beads make me feel like I'm basking in a sunset in Florida. I'll take 'em!
filigree tears - $30
for belly dancing nights on the town
Go ahead. Treat yourself.
Home | Permalink
bubble gum - $35
I love her wirey silver work. Wish I could do it! She can customize this ring for you...
topaz swirls - $25
these earrings would brighten up your morning...
blue whirlwind - $32
or for your blue period...
candy bubbles - $30
if this ring doesn't put you in a good mood...i don't know what will!
blues fever - $17
these wouldn't normally be my style, as I need a bit more umph, but I love the silver clasp, and the beads make me feel like I'm basking in a sunset in Florida. I'll take 'em!
filigree tears - $30
for belly dancing nights on the town
Go ahead. Treat yourself.
Home | Permalink
SeekIndie Online Treasure Hunt - Prizes!
The easter egg hunt may be over, but the SeekIndie.com online treasure hunt has just started! Actually, it started while I was out in the desert, but I couldn't get myself together to post this what with those cacti attacking us and all.
Over 60 indie designers have donated prizes to this event. The idea is, a white flower is hidden one click away from the home page of an indie designer website. The flower has a number in it, and once you find it, you record the number and the URL. You do this for at least 5 sites and submit as many as you've found to the SeekIndie team. You'll be entered into a drawing of all of these fabulous prizes. katie james has donated a moss jewelry pouch, and there are lots of other prizes. So, if you're killing time between projects at work, check out the rules and participating websites, enter the corresponding numbers that you've found via this page, over at SeekIndie and bounce around some really cute sites! Deadline is in May!
Permalink
Over 60 indie designers have donated prizes to this event. The idea is, a white flower is hidden one click away from the home page of an indie designer website. The flower has a number in it, and once you find it, you record the number and the URL. You do this for at least 5 sites and submit as many as you've found to the SeekIndie team. You'll be entered into a drawing of all of these fabulous prizes. katie james has donated a moss jewelry pouch, and there are lots of other prizes. So, if you're killing time between projects at work, check out the rules and participating websites, enter the corresponding numbers that you've found via this page, over at SeekIndie and bounce around some really cute sites! Deadline is in May!
Permalink
The Return of the Cholla!
The last day called for a last long bike ride down a black diamond dirt bike path under power lines...
still in the 'gated community' of where my great uncle's condo is, here is a sample of what desert landscaping can include:
wild flowers not usually found in landscaping
we descend down the dirt biker path...
under the powerlines, that did electricute us actually
the name of David's enemy, the prickly cactus that digs its spikes in, that work like arrows (so pulling them out is really hard), is a cholla, and I brushed one up against my ankle!
"David! I can't pull them out!"
David begins the surgery with the sticks...he pulls very quickly and the cholla flies out...I feel no pain, until...
"Oh no!"
let me tell you, that those are not simple pickers. they are arrows that are embedded in your skin. when they are pulled at, they pull your skin with them before you rip them out.
"WaWeeeee!"
the pain makes me sing some soul.
"This is worse than ANY wax I've ever had!!!"
"I would be a terrible Scientologist in labor."
cholla all gone.
brief pause for scenic beauty
how not to hug a cholla bush
see the little rock under the big boulder
"David! Leave the boulder alone."
david after a day in cholla surgery
we'll be back soon!
Permalink
still in the 'gated community' of where my great uncle's condo is, here is a sample of what desert landscaping can include:
wild flowers not usually found in landscaping
we descend down the dirt biker path...
under the powerlines, that did electricute us actually
the name of David's enemy, the prickly cactus that digs its spikes in, that work like arrows (so pulling them out is really hard), is a cholla, and I brushed one up against my ankle!
"David! I can't pull them out!"
David begins the surgery with the sticks...he pulls very quickly and the cholla flies out...I feel no pain, until...
"Oh no!"
let me tell you, that those are not simple pickers. they are arrows that are embedded in your skin. when they are pulled at, they pull your skin with them before you rip them out.
"WaWeeeee!"
the pain makes me sing some soul.
"This is worse than ANY wax I've ever had!!!"
"I would be a terrible Scientologist in labor."
cholla all gone.
brief pause for scenic beauty
how not to hug a cholla bush
see the little rock under the big boulder
"David! Leave the boulder alone."
david after a day in cholla surgery
we'll be back soon!
Permalink
David in Arizona
Well folks, I'm moving to Arizona! Forget Manhattan! Forget Chicago! Let Jen and Vince live in the wind and cold and snow. I'm moving to AZ where there is only hot sun, no humidity, very little bugs, and quite a few quail.
So far, highlights have included jogging into the desert with no civilization except for some big wires running through the middle of it, and David's encounters with the local cactus. Yes, 'encounters,' as in plural.
the jogging path
i'm in love with god.
god stuck himself to a cactus
more proof of how embedded the cactus gets.
we had to remove it with two sticks.
Day 2
my stupid sunburn.
i didn't even apply lotion, but my lotiony hands must have touched them for such an uneven burn.
not sure if you can see the lines.
we are very risky joggers/cowboysandgirls
david stuck himself to a cactus again.
he lept around the cactus bush, which proved painful.
it's not coming out.
i used to sticks to pull it out, but the cactus would not budge.
in fact, it seemed to embed itself more,
finally, a cowboy/golfer rode up on a mountain bike and expertly got two bigger sticks and after three attempts, pulled the cactus out.
david in recovery
my new office.
a foreign hyacinth in the middle of the table sweetens the air.
just need to sell a few more chow chows to get a place of my own.
Permalink
So far, highlights have included jogging into the desert with no civilization except for some big wires running through the middle of it, and David's encounters with the local cactus. Yes, 'encounters,' as in plural.
the jogging path
i'm in love with god.
god stuck himself to a cactus
more proof of how embedded the cactus gets.
we had to remove it with two sticks.
Day 2
my stupid sunburn.
i didn't even apply lotion, but my lotiony hands must have touched them for such an uneven burn.
not sure if you can see the lines.
we are very risky joggers/cowboysandgirls
david stuck himself to a cactus again.
he lept around the cactus bush, which proved painful.
it's not coming out.
i used to sticks to pull it out, but the cactus would not budge.
in fact, it seemed to embed itself more,
finally, a cowboy/golfer rode up on a mountain bike and expertly got two bigger sticks and after three attempts, pulled the cactus out.
david in recovery
my new office.
a foreign hyacinth in the middle of the table sweetens the air.
just need to sell a few more chow chows to get a place of my own.
Permalink
Henri Bendel Open See - Report from the Sidewalk
I got there at 8am, and the line was just about to wrap around the building. There were eventually around 500 people, I would guess. Everyone mainly kept to themselves, unless some had experience from the last Open See, and could enlighten hungry designers of how dismissive or patient the buyers would be. Promptly at 9am, the side doors at Henri Bendel on E.56th and Fifth opened and the line jumped forward. Everyone got off their cell phones to catch up and get prepared. At 9am, the sun was just beginning to steal down the side streets, so those who got stuck in it when the line stopped were very lucky. It was chilly, but not too bad. However, some women chose not to wear socks with their flats, and that was a mistake.
After a bit, a girl came out asking for lingerie, implying they were short (note for next time!). She came out a few more times, asking for different things, like handbags and gifts. My place in line had advanced quite a lot, and I was standing in front of a blow vent from the building, a normally probably disgusting thing to stand in front of, but I was just peachy. A stylish woman in flowing, frizzy curls came around with what seemed to be her daughter, and asked if anyone wanted to show her anything. Everyone hugged their bags closer to them. The woman stated she was a stylist and sometimes wrote for magazines. A couple behind me who were holding a curious jet black box sniffed and blinked at her, not budging. I offered my card, which she hungrily took (hope she finds something she likes!), and figured that if she was going to copy me, she could do it after she bought a jewelry pouch.
The Bendels girl came out again, this time in a jacket (her arms were so bear in her short-sleeved office attire) and called for handbags and accessories. At this point, I didn't know what category my things (jewelry pouch and checkbook cover) fell into, so I stuck my hand up and was instructed to stand in line to the right of the main door. After a big, a bouncer/janitor guy let in the group who had formed, and I led the way down winding back stairs to the basement of Bendels, which was where the employees apparently keep lockers and have breakfast in florescent lit white rooms. I waited in another line and eventually signed in, only to be ushered into another room down the hall to sit and wait.
I waited for a while, and many girls around me were called in. Sweaters were popular, knits were wanted, gifts and handbags. I had been told to sign in on the jewelry sheet, so I waited for jewelry. There were many jewelry designers, so that market was flooded. Again, you would have had more of a shot if you had sweaters or lingerie. Designers who had been waiting debated bugging the girl calling our names off the sheet. I had already bugged her three times, and she seemed to know where my place was each time. However, after more than an hour, I checked the sheet myself, and discovered that I had been crossed off (grr).
Still not knowing what category I was, I was told to stand in the jewelry line. I asked the little name caller girl, Olga, who had previously mistakenly crossed me off, what constituted as a "gift" (I think this category is really stupid, as anything can be a gift). She asked what I had (although I'd told her 3 times before), and she okayed me showing my pouch to the gift buyer.
I waited in another line, and when it was my turn, was ushered to a buyer on the far left of a U-shaped table full of about 15 buyers in different categories. Designers were displaying their garments before the buyers, others were in an out in 60 seconds. My buyer was busy talking when I was guided to her, and after a while, she finished her conversation and was ready for me. I showed her my jewelry pouch, explained the details inside, asked if she'd like to see other colors, pulled those out, and was told that "You know, we are currently developing this product with another vendor. We have all we need in this area."
And that was that! I left, got a mid-morning half-caff-one-pump-vanilla-latte (which was not good for my nerves) and went home to try and drum up sales and fix copy in my Google ads in order to get more targeted visitors. I will go again, and will feel much better having a clear picture of what to expect. Putting the products into vague categories threw me, so that next time, if I do bring products that cross categories, I will be prepared.
Henri Bendel Open See success story
Henri Bendel Open See website
UPS and IMG Fashion Announce World Wide Open Call
Home | Permalink
Clear Shoe Boxes Make Great Storage
Getting sleepy here the night before the Henri Bendel Open See as I cut ribbon to make hang tags, but I wanted to show you how I'm using a uniquely designed clear shoe box that was sent to me by the Shoe Nazi at Clear Shoe Boxes (she calls herself Shoe Lover, but can be very brutal if anyone misuses or lets shoes get dusty). One day, the Shoe Nazi/Lover came across the mess of my shoes as shown on this blog, and delivered some clear shoe boxes to me to fix my problem. Oddly, that same week, I found stackable racks that my shoes fit quite snuggly on. When the shoe boxes arrived, I discovered that they were in fact too wide for my absolutely tiny closet, and bashfully did not use them.
Then I discovered that they had another purpose: to hold inventory. They now hold all katie james products, and what I like best about them is that they easily open from both ends, so that I can grab a style without digging through another style to get to the 'back' of the box, which isn't a back at all. Plus, they are reasonbly priced, and you can buy them online. So go forth and get organized.
Permalink
Competition
Everyone I talk to asks me the M word about me and David, and they are never satisfied with my answer of "not today!"
I finally got a dig from my grandfather. My dear cousin has gotten engaged to her boyfriend. The conversation went like this:
Grampa: "I hear there is a cousin who is trying to get married!"
Me : "Yeah!!"
Grampa: "There is still time to beat her! Isn't she getting married a year from now or something?"
Me: "She's going to have two up on me already!"
Grampa: "There's still time! Don't you know someone up there in the east?"
Me: "I'll keep my eyes open!"
hehe. funny man.
I finally got a dig from my grandfather. My dear cousin has gotten engaged to her boyfriend. The conversation went like this:
Grampa: "I hear there is a cousin who is trying to get married!"
Me : "Yeah!!"
Grampa: "There is still time to beat her! Isn't she getting married a year from now or something?"
Me: "She's going to have two up on me already!"
Grampa: "There's still time! Don't you know someone up there in the east?"
Me: "I'll keep my eyes open!"
hehe. funny man.
Small Updates
Yesterday morning I woke up to my crazy neighbor announcing to our foyer things about dead babies and burning girls and "feed the lobster to the flower" and things like that. Well, not that exactly, but other phrases that didn't make sense. I opened the door to ask her to stop shouting in front of our door, and she announced that she was rehearsing her method acting, and that it would all be over shortly and to please close the door. I'd just read an article about Wu Wei, the act of not making an action for the wrong reasons or something, so with all of my might, I restrained further argument or potential yelling. I did call the landlord so that he could hear her, but no one answered. She was finished shortly after that.
The day progressed into a very tired one, most likely b/c for two mornings now I've had salmon on fresh plain bagels with cream cheese. The salmon is great, but the bagels not so much, as they are loaded with bad sugar and make my love handles go "blupe-blupe!" That and the Sunkists I've been drinking (yum!) with my huge burritos for dinner b/c I can't seem to budget in the grocery store.
Which brings us to today, where I had planned on going to Henri Bendels in the afternoon (after meeting with dog sitters in the morning) to investigate current products and displays before I go to the Henry Bendels Open See (open call for emerging designers), but freezing rain is going to keep me indoors today. David's gone, so I'm using this opportunity to be on the computer ALL DAY investigating Google Ad words (b/c I need more people to get to katie-james.com and buy some jewelry pouches!), figure out how to bring free USPS shipping to the shop, and a few other money generating things.
The day progressed into a very tired one, most likely b/c for two mornings now I've had salmon on fresh plain bagels with cream cheese. The salmon is great, but the bagels not so much, as they are loaded with bad sugar and make my love handles go "blupe-blupe!" That and the Sunkists I've been drinking (yum!) with my huge burritos for dinner b/c I can't seem to budget in the grocery store.
Which brings us to today, where I had planned on going to Henri Bendels in the afternoon (after meeting with dog sitters in the morning) to investigate current products and displays before I go to the Henry Bendels Open See (open call for emerging designers), but freezing rain is going to keep me indoors today. David's gone, so I'm using this opportunity to be on the computer ALL DAY investigating Google Ad words (b/c I need more people to get to katie-james.com and buy some jewelry pouches!), figure out how to bring free USPS shipping to the shop, and a few other money generating things.
It's A Dog Day Easter!
Finally, coming up with the crocuses, are the chow chows! The first style of the katie james dog treat bag is finally done right in time for easter! And NYC Unleashed on 84th and Amsterdam has already bought some, so buy them there if you are in the neighborhood! Or, get them on the katie-james.com store!
I found some delicious faux snakeskin pleather in lemon and lined them in powder pink and lilac pleather (FashionMista insiders can know that both the faux snakeskin and powder pink are Prada fabrics). This style is limited! I gobbled up all of the fabric, and once it's gone, there's no reordering! For the tamer of the bunch, there is a nice brown made of the softest of pleathers lined in the powder pink, and a black and purple. The black is a bit more rugged. Good for guys. And remember, the pleather is for a cleaner dog treat bag so that crumbs don't get stuck into the traditional nylon or canvas used in other bags.
As for poop bags, I just got the cutest one from a TX store called Fetch LLC. It's a poop bag dispenser that is pink, in the shape of bone, and can clip right onto the chow chow. David wore it all this morning when I bribed him to take Gerdy out. ;)
Permalink
I found some delicious faux snakeskin pleather in lemon and lined them in powder pink and lilac pleather (FashionMista insiders can know that both the faux snakeskin and powder pink are Prada fabrics). This style is limited! I gobbled up all of the fabric, and once it's gone, there's no reordering! For the tamer of the bunch, there is a nice brown made of the softest of pleathers lined in the powder pink, and a black and purple. The black is a bit more rugged. Good for guys. And remember, the pleather is for a cleaner dog treat bag so that crumbs don't get stuck into the traditional nylon or canvas used in other bags.
As for poop bags, I just got the cutest one from a TX store called Fetch LLC. It's a poop bag dispenser that is pink, in the shape of bone, and can clip right onto the chow chow. David wore it all this morning when I bribed him to take Gerdy out. ;)
Permalink
Stop Periodontal Disease!
Floss! Rinse with Listerine! Go to the dentist for a cleaning every 6 months! Just stop periodontal disease from forming in your mouth!
I have just come from the best dental cleaning of my life with one of my best girlfriends, yes, Dr. Alia. We had a long and juicy gab fest while waiting for the x-ray thing to heat up (I don't know if that's what it really does, I just know that we talked for a long time). She's on a hunt for a certain type of cavity for her board exam in Cleveland and won't stop cleaning people's mouths until she finds it.
I, luckily for me, did not have the cavity. But I do have early signs of periodontal disease! Space between my teeth at the roots is growing - and it's not supposed to. There is a history of bone loss in my family (uh, mom? why didn't you tell me about possible bone loss in my teeth? or maybe you did and I blew you off...), and it seems that I am at risk. The calculus that forms between your teeth sits there and just eats your teeth for lunch. You had a tuna sandwich, the calculus had your bones. Unlike in Harry Potter, there is no Madame Pomphrey to grow them back. Now, I don't look like an old hag with rotting teeth. Quite the contrary! There are just tiny separations between the tooth next the root and the next tooth - on some teeth like molars - seen only by xray. I drink gallons of milk, and my bones are pretty good shape, although I could take some supplements. But most importantly now, if I want to avoid little holes in-between my teeth, then I must floss and rinse with Listerine every day. And go see Alia every 3 months for a gab fest before my jaw is totally wacked out after the exam.
PS: the chow chow is done!!! Tune in next post for details…
I have just come from the best dental cleaning of my life with one of my best girlfriends, yes, Dr. Alia. We had a long and juicy gab fest while waiting for the x-ray thing to heat up (I don't know if that's what it really does, I just know that we talked for a long time). She's on a hunt for a certain type of cavity for her board exam in Cleveland and won't stop cleaning people's mouths until she finds it.
I, luckily for me, did not have the cavity. But I do have early signs of periodontal disease! Space between my teeth at the roots is growing - and it's not supposed to. There is a history of bone loss in my family (uh, mom? why didn't you tell me about possible bone loss in my teeth? or maybe you did and I blew you off...), and it seems that I am at risk. The calculus that forms between your teeth sits there and just eats your teeth for lunch. You had a tuna sandwich, the calculus had your bones. Unlike in Harry Potter, there is no Madame Pomphrey to grow them back. Now, I don't look like an old hag with rotting teeth. Quite the contrary! There are just tiny separations between the tooth next the root and the next tooth - on some teeth like molars - seen only by xray. I drink gallons of milk, and my bones are pretty good shape, although I could take some supplements. But most importantly now, if I want to avoid little holes in-between my teeth, then I must floss and rinse with Listerine every day. And go see Alia every 3 months for a gab fest before my jaw is totally wacked out after the exam.
PS: the chow chow is done!!! Tune in next post for details…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)