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
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
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
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
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