Okay, so NOW what!?!

January 17, 2011

Hmmm....
So MANY possibilities.
I've had plans to do THIS for over a year now (Too many other things that need to be done, like actually making up our products.) and am just now getting around to it. I'd been trying to decide between either a blog or a web site and a blog just seemed so much more fun and well, PERSONAL.
Because unlike most vendors at skating competitions, we actually make up most of our products.
That's the main thing I want to do: showcase our product lines.
But, I also want to show you all the GREAT stuff we have that NEVER makes it to competitions due to a lack of space.
Or, because they are CUSTOM pieces, such as artwork, and there's just no way to display them.
I have a huge file (actually files) of designs I want to post for kids - all those items that would be fun and easy for them to make up, but that are not really the sorts of things we make and sell at events.
I also want to do monthly give-aways.
And keep you up to date on where we'll be throughout the year.
(See the calendar at the end of the post.)

I've added new items to each of our product lines. Here're just a few (as soon as I figure out how to do it, I'll post pictures as well!):

JEWELRY
New Sophisti.Skate - fun, whimsical, somewhat vintage-style skating-themed jewelry.
I've also added NEW birthstone dangles for the Bottlecap Necklaces.

AMERICAN GIRL
New PERSONALIZED seasonal doll tees & tutus - tres cute!
Fun on the Ice Pattern Collection - ice skating accessories for girls and their dolls; super easy to make and super cute!
I'm also working on period-style skating outfits. A few years ago I made up a pattern for Molly, but then American Girl came out with an outfit, so I let it go. Recently, I bought a 1930's era skating costume (Kit & Ruthie) pattern and have plans to re-size it to fit the dolls. It's adorable!

SOFT & CUDDLY
I've added a new blanket style to use up all the bolts of skating print fleece I had - pillow throws!
The blankets fold up into their own pocket to make a pillow or seat cushion.
I also have the cutest new stuffies, throwies, whatever you guys want to call them (it varies from rink to rink), SPRINGTIME COZIES.
They're felted wool critters by the same company we get our sock monkeez from.
These are some of the few items we buy, then make over into a skating-theme.
Lately, I've been busy making up scarves for all the critters.
Chloe Noel now has skating dresses and skating shorts in addition to new pants and jacket styles.
Alas, I have decided NOT to carry their full line around from event to event any longer - it just takes up too much room to carry every style in every color in every size.
I will, however, be happy to SPECIAL ORDER anything you want off the site (chloenoel.com) and will continue to offer it at a 25% off discount. My minimum order with them is 6 pieces total. I'm in the process of putting together this years' order book and will have it with me at competitions - just ask to take a look.

SCRAPBOOKING & PRINTABLES
New Skating-themed banners & pennants - I've actually had these ready for a while, but have not had a way to display them.
Same with the skater-themed ARTWORK, Stationery, Party-ware, Cards & Tags, and more!
Once I figure out how to do it, I'll have a link to my etsy shop and you'll be able to upload the printables in a pdf file.
I've been putting together a binder with the printables and will bring it along to competitions - one more thing to take a look at (maybe I should ask for more chairs!).

HOLIDAYS & MISCELLANEOUS
It's early in the year yet, but I do have a few ideas for this years' Christmas ornaments.
I also have LOADS of different commercial skating ornaments and cards.
The think is, it just never seems like a good idea to have them at competitions during the spring and summer months and we only do one competition in November, plus our holiday sale in early December, both of which are small. So, come about October, I'm going to picture them all on here!

Miscellaneous encompasses all the skating items I've come up with or collected that don't fit into any of the other categories. I'm going to be putting a lot of these into a pdf format for YOU to make up.
And, if you make up an item from one of my patterns and send me a photo, I'll post it here.

Whew (mops brow), I think that's enough for now.
Besides, I need to go read tutorials...

Jenny


CALENDAR 2011

February
13 - BOK Skate Date, Tulsa, OK

March
4 - Sooner State Games, Tulsa, OK
25-27 - Skate Houston, Sugarland, TX (Tentative)

April
14-17 - Skate Dallas, Grapevine, TX

May
TBD - Spring Spectacular, Tulsa, OK
TBD - Ice Dance Weekend, Wichita, KS*

June
3-6 - Austin Blue Bonnet Open, Austin, TX
18 - Diamond Edge Open, Little Rock, AR

July
8-10 - Cannon Texas Open, TBD
15-17 - An Affair of the Heart, Tulsa, OK (Tentative)

August
4-7 - State Games of America, San Diego, CA

September
2-5 - Houston Fall Invitational, Sugarland, TX (Tentative)
TBD - Pony Express, St. Joseph, MO

October
21-25 - Southwest Regionals, Grapevine, TX (Tentative)

November
TBD - Blazin Blades, Oklahoma City, OK
15-19 - Midwest Sectionals, Fort Collins, CO
18-20 - An Affair of the Heart, Tulsa, OK (Tentative)

December
TBD - BOK Holiday Mart, Tulsa, OK
9-13 - Jr. Nationals, Lansing, MI*

We may be adding in another event or two as they come up. We've also gradually expanded some of our product lines into other sports and are now doing SportCraft at a few local craft shows.
*These are events at which I expect my son to compete, but where I do not plan to be a vendor. I can however, deliver orders and save you the cost of shipping!