Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

Hi everyone!

Ah yes, change is in the air :) With the new year I've decided to make some changes to Hip Violet and I would love love LOVE your opinion them! As added incentive to get your feedback, if you post a comment here on my blog, you will be entered to win a FREE Hip Violet item!

So here goes!

1) Price Change
I love designing and sewing up my items - I really do! But it has become pretty apparent over the last few months that I need to put my prices up in order to stay in business. Starting January 1st all of my appliqued bibs and short-sleeved apparel will be $18 (previously $15) and all long-sleeved apparel will be $20 (previously $17).

Now I know a lot of you really love the size and fit of my bibs but didn't necessarily need the fancy applique (or the cost of adding it!). I've got your answer! I am going to offer a new "budget" version of my bibs that do not have an applique. Same great size, snaps and quality crafts-woman-ship, but offered at $12 so you can stock up! Looks for them soon on my Etsy shop! And if anyone has a great name idea for these bibs, let me know! Maybe Thrifty Clean Bibs? Bargain Bib? Economical Eater? Cheap n' Clean?

2) Apparel
I have really been struggling with my appliqued apparel and if I should continue to sell it or not. I really love doing it as it seems to be a good option for people with kids older than bib-age, but I have a lot of trouble finding blank shirts, keeping a full inventory of the multitude of sizes needed for kids apparel, and even with how to display it all at craft shows and online.

If I did decide to discontinue apparel sales, it would not be until later this year as I have a big inventory of blanks at the moment. I would also still offer them as a custom order.

What do you think?

3) Custom Orders
I really love that I can offer custom items for special occasions, and I plan on continuing to offer this service. However starting in January I will only be taking 3 custom order "slots" per month. If you are interested in a custom order, let me know and I'll get you on the list for the month of your choice. Once it is your turn, you can order up to 5 items at a time. The running list of custom slots will be on the right sidebar on this blog.

4) Wholesale Orders
Currently I have 5 super-fantastic wholesale accounts, but I'm looking to add a few more this year. If you know of a really cool boutique that you think my bibs would be a good fit for, please let me know! I am currently looking for places outside of the Denver area as I think I have plenty here!

Thanks so much for reading this far! Make sure to post a comment - I not only would LOVE to hear your opinions on any/all of the above issues, but you'll also be entered into a drawing for a FREE Hip Violet item!

Thanks again!
jesi

Meet the Newest Hip Violet Family Member...

I'd like to introduce you to someone. She and I are going to be spending a LOT of time together...

This is my new-to-me Bernina 530 Record. It may not be the most beautiful, high-tech machine (I think it's another 1970's model), but MAN can it sew!

I had one of my worst fears come true late last week. I was sewing for my biggest show of the year (Holiday Handmade in Denver) when at 11:30pm the night before the show with a STACK of shirts waiting to be appliqued... my trusty Bernina 810 died. REALLY died. I'm pretty sure the motor is busted. After a few &$*@&$ I got my backup machine from the basement, relearned how to sew on it, and finished up my work. The backup is fine, just SUPER slow and weird and loud. And it doesn't do NEARLY as good of a job as my Bernina.

Then I did what any Vintage Bernina Loving Person would do. At 3am, I searched my local Craigslist to see if there were any for sale :) And I found this one.

No frills here!But look at that niiiiiice stitch. And did I mention how QUIET it is to sew on? I think I may even be able to TALK to my husband while I'm sewing!
And the best part? Check out the carrying case! Of course there won't be a lot of carrying. She is a BEAST!!! I cannot believe how heavy these old metal machines are! I need some help naming her. She is in rough shape as far as cosmetics go and is old. Any ideas?

Speaking of Holiday Handmade, here are some pics from the show! It was at THE most beautiful craft show venue - the Sherman Events Center in Denver. I think it used to be a Greek Orthodox Church. Every inch was covered in something decorative!

You can sort of see my booth on the left-hand side. I'm in the second row on the corner.
Birds-eye view! I was so lucky to have a corner booth!
I had a REALLY great show - my best yet! It was my first show doing something a little different - usually all my bibs are one-of-a-kind but that was causing some odd issues so I decided to do 3-of-a-kind on each bib and when one sold, just took out another one of the same. It worked GREAT! It was really fun to see which bibs sold the fastest (I had a few where they would sell within a few minutes of being out - crazy!), and I actually think having less choices for people was better so they weren't overwhelmed with so many!

Speaking of designs, below are a few of my Holiday Bibs. Most are available through my Etsy shop. They would make a great gift OR the perfect thing to cover up your own baby and their adorable holiday clothes at mealtimes!

I also have two Hanukkah bibs. Check them out!

One more show of the year and then I'm done for a while - come and check out Firefly Handmade in Boulder this weekend!

See you there!
jesi

Holiday Open House!

You're invited to our Holiday Open House! There are two dates and locations to choose from - we'd love to see you! We're your one-stop-shop for holiday gift giving - both Hip Violet and marmalade creations will have our entire inventories available and they make great gifts!
Can't make it to the parties? Check out the other awesome shows we'll be at this holiday season on the list to the right. They include Fancy Tiger's Holiday Handmade as well as Boulder's Firefly Market.

See you there!
jesi

Birthday Sets and Hats

I finally had the chance to get some professional pictures taken of my daughter Willa modeling my 1st Birthday Sets. These are always hot sellers and I've really wanted to get some great pictures of them to post on my Etsy site as well as use in advertising. I'm so happy with how they turned out!

If you are in the Denver area and are looking for an AWESOME photographer, please make sure to check out Jessica Juriga Photography. She is super easy to work with, great with kids, and takes really fabulous pictures!

A while back I had the chance to make some great Hip Violet baby shower gifts/decorations for two little twin girls. A friend of mine had me make two bibs, two t-shirts and two onesies all with birdies for her friend's baby shower. She hung them up as decorations at the shower and gave them to the mom-to-be as gifts too. The two little ladies are finally here - and sporting their adorable birdie shirts too!
Speaking of babies, I got a few blank hats and was able to do a little birdie applique. I also have done a tiny owl. I have a few more left (and can get them in baby blue and white) - let me know if you are interested! They will be $15 each.
Make sure to check out my Holiday Show Schedule over on the right. I will be at some GREAT shows this winter - make sure to stop by and get all your holiday shopping done!

New Retail Location & Fun Sets

I'm happy to announce that my bibs are now available at Tomte Craft in Denver, CO! Here are just a few of the bibs I dropped off:



I also had the chance to do a really fun set for a mom with a little boy who is due in a few weeks for a "surprise baby" - since they don't know what they are having, we did one for each gender!
And a funny little set for a fun couple - one is a big Florida State University fan and the other is a huge University of Florida fan. This is for their daughter! And just a note - although you won't see "licensed" fabric like this on my Etsy site or at shows, I am happy to make them if you send me the fabric!
Have a hip day!
jesi

Another Chance to WIN!

I was recently featured and reviewed on the HSUper Parents Blog - check it out HERE!

There is also a chance to win a super cute gender neutral bib in one of my favorite fabrics - Retro Kids in the Kitchen!
I have also been busy adding new bibs to my Etsy Shop - let me know what you think! They are my newer style where I am doing a lot more pattern-on-pattern applique instead of solid fleece. I am loving them but I always love your opinions!


Keep checking back on my site - I'm hoping to add a bunch of new onesies and t-shirts later this week!

Have a great day!
jesi

Introducing 3 New Appliques!

By popular demand!

The Turtle
The Strawberry
And the Hedgehog
I'll have a few of each at the Sweet William Market in Stapleton, CO this weekend!

jesi

Happy Birthday, Hip Violet!

We are turning TWO this weekend! In celebration I'm doing giveaways every day this week on my Facebook page. Come on over and join in the fun!

Hip Violet's Facebook Page

If you aren't on Facebook and would still like to enter, post a comment here and I'll add you to the list!

My Own Little Birthday Girl!

It was my youngest daughter Willa's 1st birthday last weekend! I can't BELIEVE she is one already! Time really does fly... But it was REALLY fun to go shopping for some super cute fabric just for her 1st Birthday Set. I found this awesome retro mushroom fabric that worked out just perfectly! Here she is showing off her shirt at the Botanic Gardens.
And her bib. Yes, I did make mushroom cupcakes too :)
If you have a little person turning 1 or 2 and would like a custom birthday set (you pick the fabric!), let me know!

Sibling Sets! These two whales are for a sister and brother - so cute! These make awesome gifts OR are a cute idea for family photos.I whipped up a few tank tops for my daughter Violet - she told me what she wanted and *I* picked the fabric! She loves them!

Craft show season is in full swing - if you're in the Denver area, make sure to check out my show schedule on the right. I have TONS of new products at each show and it's always so fun to meet everyone! Tell us you saw this on my blog and get an additional $2 off your purchase! :)

See you there!
jesi

Cute Customs!

I have had the best bunch of custom orders lately! It's so fun to see what other people pick to have done - a lot of times it is a fabric and applique combo I wouldn't have tried and it always turns out so cute! Here is my current favorite Retro Deer fabric with a little dotty whale:
And Retro Rockets (this was the last of it, I'm sorry to say!) with a Rocket and then a matching initial onesie
This was a first birthday set - one without a cupcake! I love this idea as you can most definitely use both pieces after the party!
Here is another initial set - this one was out of my cute Retro Pets fabric that I rarely use even though I love it! I think I may have to try it out for my next batch of bibs for the Paris Street show!
And last is a set of kitchen towels for a good friend who is getting married soon.
Contact me if you'd like to order your own custom set or items!

Have a great day!
jesi

Craft Shows!

Hurray for craft shows! We were at the Boulder Artisan's Market this past weekend and it was so much fun! I am sharing a booth most of the summer with marmalade creations - my good friend Nicole makes simply adorable felt hair clips. Check out her Etsy shop here!

Since we are sharing a tent, we had a top banner and two back banners made. Plus Nicole made this super nifty fabric banner that we put on the front. It turned out so cute, even if we do say so ourselves! It was very inviting and felt like a little boutique inside :)

Here is my side!
Even thought it was a little chilly (PLEASE remind me this summer when we're sweltering that the first shows we did were FREEZING!!), there was a great turnout and I sold a ton of stuff! Plus my favorite part - I met a bunch of really fun people! I love talking to everyone and seeing who they are buying for or just what they are up to for the day. Every show I meet the most amazing people and get to laugh - a LOT (of course Nicole helps with that too - we have the exact same sense of humor!).

My list of shows is up on the right - check it out! The next one is A Paris Street Market in Littleton, CO. It is a super cool show with about 70% antiques/vintage dealers and the rest are handmade. I went to check it out a few weekends ago and came home with all sorts of fun finds!

Soooo I was SUPPOSED to be on a fabric-buying-freeze. I have kind of a lot. And I need to USE it before I buy any more. But late one night I couldn't stop myself... I started searching on Etsy... and you all know how that goes! I am happy to say that I found a really great fabric shop that is semi-local - they are up in Fort Collins, CO and they had the BEST selection of fabric! The best part is they shipped it so soon that I got it two days later! Check out Sew Materialistic on Etsy by clicking here!
Yes, that's retro deer, garden gnomes, cars AND 80's guitar picks. I'm in fabric heaven.

I made this set from the Retro Deer. It is already sold but let me know if you'd like one - I still have plenty of fabric left!

My youngest daughter Willa is now 11 months old now and she is our last. There is very little that makes me want another baby and I have RARELY ever uttered the words "I wish I had a little one to wear this!"... until I made these two little t-shirts!


Talk about tiny. And cute. Ugh!! These were both custom orders for friends of mine. Let me know if you'd like something similar and I can see about ordering the shirts! They are great for cloth-diaper fanatics such as myself. Especially in the summer you can just have them wear a t-shirt and diaper with a cute cover or wool and it's so cute! I'm happy to try to match it to wool if you'd like!

See you soon!
jesi

Another Giveaway!

Check out a review, interview and giveaway at a great blog! WeeShare
She is giving away a really sweet gender neutral bib like this one:

Gift sets have been selling FAST at the craft shows! Check out these two still available on my Etsy site:

I have been BUSY sewing for my next craft show! I'll be at the Boulder Farmers Market next weekend (May 8) near downtown Boulder. I can't wait! Let's hope the weather is better than last year when it was freeeezing and raining!

Here is a stack of 33(!!) bibs all appliqued with eyes sewn on... just waiting for their fleece backs!
Check out my list of upcoming shows on the right to see where I'll be this summer!

** Bib Giveaway **

To celebrate my big Etsy Front Page success, I'm giving away a bib!

The bib I have up for grabs is a second - the fleece of the cupcake melted when I went to iron it (which is really weird - NONE of the other ones melted and I've only had that happen once before!). It's on the fleece of the cupcake but honestly, once you're about a foot away you can't even see it. Plus it obviously still works great as a bib.
Note: if this giveaway goes well and I have a lot of entrants, I will possibly be doing a lot more "seconds" giveaways - I have a stack of them and haven't figured out what to do with them yet!

To enter, please post a comment with either the name of your favorite pet, or your favorite pet name (does that make sense?). I'll randomly draw on Sunday, April 11th. If you do enter, please make sure your e-mail address is in your profile so I can contact you!

On the front page again!

One of my bibs was featured on the front page yesterday! It was so exciting! The coolest part is that it looks like it was all horse-related items (how cool is that?) and it was picked by the Etsy staff. That always gives me warm fuzzies :) It's the bib down on the bottom left. It's still available (even after getting 230 views and 8 new item hearts yesterday!.

Hip Violet Photo Shoot!

I had some professional pictures taken of some of my stuff - I'm so excited for how they turned out!

This is my youngest daughter Willa:

And my oldest daughter Violet
Models :)