Come and visit me at the Boulder Farmer's Market this weekend (April 25) in Boulder, CO! I'm so excited to be bringing all my bibs, onesies and tees! I have been VERY busy sewing and I have tons and tons of new fabrics and designs. Many of which will probably never make it to my Etsy site!
Click here for more info on the Boulder Farmer's Market.
I am also excited to be sharing a booth with my friend Nicole who makes the awesomely cute and cool felt barrettes that you've seen on here before. It's going to be a great day!
See you there!
jesi
Monday, April 20, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Fun with Celebrity Gifting
Over the last few months I have been lucky enough to get accepted into a program that sends gift baskets to celebrities. It's a great way to get exposure, and if you're lucky enough to get a picture of your product on a celebrity kid - you're good to go! I'm just excited to get my products in the hands of some famous people who might help spread the word!
This is a bib and onesie set I did for Molly Ringwald. She is due in August for boy/girl twins. The onesies are custom dyed and they both come with matching bibs.
This is a shirt for one of Jennie Garth's girls.
And this was for Brooke Burke's youngest son.
This was was really fun to do! It was for Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale's youngest son. I hunted down some black & white houndstooth to make a ska-inspired baby bib!
And another black & white bib, this time with skulls for Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz's new son.
And this sweet little birdie was for Jessica Alba's daughter.
I'm not sure if I'll do many more until I figure out if these got me anywhere, but it was fun to do and very surreal to think about sewing up something for someone famous!
In "real life" news, we recently moved which is why I've taken a hiatus from sewing and blogging. This was how my sewing room looked for a few weeks:
I finally put it all back together yesterday. Ah... much better!
Eventually I will *gasp* have my very own ROOM in the basement dedicated to my sewing. I already have so many ideas for what I want it to look like! Luckily my husband is a carpenter so he can usually magically make things like cubby holes and shelves magically appear! Unfortunately it's going to be a while until that room is done, but I'm excited that it will happen eventually!
Happy Spring!
jesi
This is a bib and onesie set I did for Molly Ringwald. She is due in August for boy/girl twins. The onesies are custom dyed and they both come with matching bibs.
This is a shirt for one of Jennie Garth's girls.
And this was for Brooke Burke's youngest son.
This was was really fun to do! It was for Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale's youngest son. I hunted down some black & white houndstooth to make a ska-inspired baby bib!
And another black & white bib, this time with skulls for Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz's new son.
And this sweet little birdie was for Jessica Alba's daughter.
I'm not sure if I'll do many more until I figure out if these got me anywhere, but it was fun to do and very surreal to think about sewing up something for someone famous!In "real life" news, we recently moved which is why I've taken a hiatus from sewing and blogging. This was how my sewing room looked for a few weeks:
I finally put it all back together yesterday. Ah... much better!
Eventually I will *gasp* have my very own ROOM in the basement dedicated to my sewing. I already have so many ideas for what I want it to look like! Luckily my husband is a carpenter so he can usually magically make things like cubby holes and shelves magically appear! Unfortunately it's going to be a while until that room is done, but I'm excited that it will happen eventually!Happy Spring!
jesi
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Monsters are HERE!
I posted about my new monster applique a few weeks ago and now they have arrived on BIBS!
They are so much fun to make. I love that they all have their own little personality and I love figuring out which buttons are going to make the best crazy eyes! :)
I have also tried making a few bibs out of "upcycled" material. I found this great skirt at Goodwill a looong time ago that I just KNEW would make an awesome bib (or two, or three) plus I love the idea of reusing and recycling fabric. At one time I thought this was going to be my niche in the bib-making business but I'll admit it - I love buying new fabric too much! Anyway, this is my upcycled bib:
I am actually thinking about offering a new kind of custom on my Etsy site where customers can send in their own fabric to be made into a bib or an applique for a shirt. Maybe a nifty old concert tee of theirs, a piece of fabric from their favorite old set of sheets, or something like that. Maybe I'm just a weirdo in that I keep stuff like that... I have an old R.E.M. concert tee from 1985 Fables of the Reconstruction Tour (no, I did not go. I was 9.) that I got back in 8th grade and thought I was sooooo cool. I still have it. I think it would make an awesomely cool and hip bib. I also kept 2 cushions worth of fabric from the fabled "orange flowered couch" that at one point lived in my parents old bedroom. Then in our basement forever, then in my college dorm rooms, then in our first house. It is really obnoxiously bright but also wonderful. I have been wondering why I still have it and what I should make out if it. Maybe a bib! Or a cool applique for a shirt for Violet although I hate that she grows out of stuff so quick. Maybe mommy needs a new appliqued shirt!
ANYWAY, my point being if anyone has something like this laying around and they wouldn't mind being a guinea pig for my new idea, please contact me and let me know! You'll get a discounted rate on teh bib and you'll be able to say that yours was the prototype! :)
They are so much fun to make. I love that they all have their own little personality and I love figuring out which buttons are going to make the best crazy eyes! :)I have also tried making a few bibs out of "upcycled" material. I found this great skirt at Goodwill a looong time ago that I just KNEW would make an awesome bib (or two, or three) plus I love the idea of reusing and recycling fabric. At one time I thought this was going to be my niche in the bib-making business but I'll admit it - I love buying new fabric too much! Anyway, this is my upcycled bib:
I am actually thinking about offering a new kind of custom on my Etsy site where customers can send in their own fabric to be made into a bib or an applique for a shirt. Maybe a nifty old concert tee of theirs, a piece of fabric from their favorite old set of sheets, or something like that. Maybe I'm just a weirdo in that I keep stuff like that... I have an old R.E.M. concert tee from 1985 Fables of the Reconstruction Tour (no, I did not go. I was 9.) that I got back in 8th grade and thought I was sooooo cool. I still have it. I think it would make an awesomely cool and hip bib. I also kept 2 cushions worth of fabric from the fabled "orange flowered couch" that at one point lived in my parents old bedroom. Then in our basement forever, then in my college dorm rooms, then in our first house. It is really obnoxiously bright but also wonderful. I have been wondering why I still have it and what I should make out if it. Maybe a bib! Or a cool applique for a shirt for Violet although I hate that she grows out of stuff so quick. Maybe mommy needs a new appliqued shirt!ANYWAY, my point being if anyone has something like this laying around and they wouldn't mind being a guinea pig for my new idea, please contact me and let me know! You'll get a discounted rate on teh bib and you'll be able to say that yours was the prototype! :)
Monday, February 9, 2009
Trunk Show Success & My New Best Friend
Our Kiddie Trunk Show was a huge success! It was so much fun to meet up with other local "kiddie" crafters, and meet a lot of local parents who came out for the festivites. Plus the Red Trolley Ice Cream & Coffee Shop where it was held was to die for! Yes, I sampled both coffee (well, tea), their amazingly yummy breakfast granola, and a bowl of ice cream for lunch :)
We were set up in their back room. Here is what my display looked like:
And here is my friend Nicole from marmalade on the right, and my new friend Claudia from Sew You! set up her great capes and aprons on the left.
We had Anya from the Music Train come and set up her stuff and she did two performances during the day. It was so fun to watch the kids play the instruments and sing along! It was so crowded during her morning performance that you could hardly get in the door! 
Thanks to everyone who came out to support local and support handmade! We all greatly appreciated it!
AND... my big news of the weeek... I GOT A NEW SEWING MACHINE!!! One that will hopefully stand up to the rigors of bib and onesie sewing a few hours a day. She is my new best pal.
Meet Penelope. She is a 1979 Bernina 810. No bells and whistles, but completely easy to use (I learned how in about 10 minutes), oh-so quiet, and built out of sturdy metal to last forever. I am SOO happy!
I also thought I'd show a shot of my updated workspace. I started out at first with one little tiny basket of "scraps". Now I have three huge ones! From left to right are fleece scraps, pattern scraps, and the cutout middle of the bib scraps on the far right. I have a hard time throwing things away, huh? But all the scraps do come in handy for my appliques and I am rifling through them often ;)
Later!
jesi
We were set up in their back room. Here is what my display looked like:
And here is my friend Nicole from marmalade on the right, and my new friend Claudia from Sew You! set up her great capes and aprons on the left.
We had Anya from the Music Train come and set up her stuff and she did two performances during the day. It was so fun to watch the kids play the instruments and sing along! It was so crowded during her morning performance that you could hardly get in the door! 
Thanks to everyone who came out to support local and support handmade! We all greatly appreciated it!AND... my big news of the weeek... I GOT A NEW SEWING MACHINE!!! One that will hopefully stand up to the rigors of bib and onesie sewing a few hours a day. She is my new best pal.
Meet Penelope. She is a 1979 Bernina 810. No bells and whistles, but completely easy to use (I learned how in about 10 minutes), oh-so quiet, and built out of sturdy metal to last forever. I am SOO happy!
I also thought I'd show a shot of my updated workspace. I started out at first with one little tiny basket of "scraps". Now I have three huge ones! From left to right are fleece scraps, pattern scraps, and the cutout middle of the bib scraps on the far right. I have a hard time throwing things away, huh? But all the scraps do come in handy for my appliques and I am rifling through them often ;)
Later!jesi
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Kiddie Trunk Show - Coming Soon!
Come and check out the coolness of our neighborhood Kiddie Trunk Show!
Click on the picture for a bigger, printer friendly view!
And just a small update on the CPSIA legislation that requires lead and phthalates testing. So far nothing has been amended, but it does appear that we have a couple of high-ranking senators who have gotten wind of what this law will do to tens of thousands of small businesses and are hard at work trying to find a way to keep us all in business!
And just to clarify - all of us strongly believe in NOT having lead or phthaltes in our kids items. However fabric NEVER had EITHER in them, and all of my other products were tested by the manufacturer. Unfortunately how the law is written currently, I would still need to test. Eeks!
Thanks again for all your support and if you're in the Denver area, stop by and see us on February 7th!
Click on the picture for a bigger, printer friendly view!And just a small update on the CPSIA legislation that requires lead and phthalates testing. So far nothing has been amended, but it does appear that we have a couple of high-ranking senators who have gotten wind of what this law will do to tens of thousands of small businesses and are hard at work trying to find a way to keep us all in business!
And just to clarify - all of us strongly believe in NOT having lead or phthaltes in our kids items. However fabric NEVER had EITHER in them, and all of my other products were tested by the manufacturer. Unfortunately how the law is written currently, I would still need to test. Eeks!
Thanks again for all your support and if you're in the Denver area, stop by and see us on February 7th!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Long Time, No Post!
You've missed me, admit it!
Confession time: Over the last month I've had to deal with morning sickness (yup, Hip Violet is expanding by 1 come June!), a flu epidemic in our house (which my dear husband never even caught - LUCKER!), going on vacation over the holidays, and now... wondering if I'll still be in business in a month!
See, there is this lovely new law on the books that takes effect February 10 which, as it is worded currently, will put Hip Violet and most small businesses out of business for good. The law states that all items made for children under 12 years old must be lead tested. Which, as a mom of a 2 year old who still puts everything in her mouth, should make me ECSTATIC. Believe me, anything to make toys and clothing more safe for our kids, the better. But they kind of forgot about us "little people". See, to lead test ONE item costs upwards of $500. Each. Thus if I tested each of my bibs (each unique item must be tested) I would be out $486 per bib. Hm. The math just doesn't seem to add up to me! :)
Here are some great links on the subject if you'd like more information:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-updates-and-calls-to-action-3157/
http://nationalbankruptcyday.com/
The sad thing is that this law is retroactive. And covers EVERYTHING. That means that kids consignment shops would have to test each article of clothing that comes through their doors. So would thrift stores. Which really means that all kids consignment stores and the kids sections of all your favorite second hand stores would be GONE. There is no way they could afford to test. And in this economy when consignment shops and thrift stores are the busiest they've ever been, it just doesn't make sense.
What can you do? You can write to your senators and representatives and ask them to SAVE HANDMADE! Save the small businesses, the LOCAL businesses, the mom's who sew and knit and create awesome unique products that you can't find at Target or WalMart.
*whew* off my soap box.
So needless to say, my sewing has slowed down a bit. Now call me crazy, but I really do believe that they'll see the error of their ways and see what a huge mistake the very broad wording of the law was. In fact, there is already some "talk" that this is true. So I'm not announcing a store-closing yet (not when I just was getting off my feet, no sir-ee!), and even if the testing DOES need to be done, guess what? I just bought 14 adult sized t-shrits today and their in the wash right now ready to be appliqued for my adult fans :) Stay tuned!
But, I'm still sewing. In fact, I just listed a bunch of new bibs, shirts (including girls sizes!) and onesies on my site. Here is my latest edition, and currently my favorite bib to date:
AND I've even been coming up with some new funky appliques. Like this monster, for instance. Who say's BOYS get all the fun of monsters? Look for more monster bibs, shirts and onesies on HipViolet coming soon!
I also got this great new set of fabric this is my new favorite. So I made two bibs out of it yesterday. They are both available on my site!
I'll keep you all updated on how things go with the CPSIA law, but in the mean time this is a GREAT time to buy handmade... it may be the last time you can!
Have a great day!
jesi
Confession time: Over the last month I've had to deal with morning sickness (yup, Hip Violet is expanding by 1 come June!), a flu epidemic in our house (which my dear husband never even caught - LUCKER!), going on vacation over the holidays, and now... wondering if I'll still be in business in a month!
See, there is this lovely new law on the books that takes effect February 10 which, as it is worded currently, will put Hip Violet and most small businesses out of business for good. The law states that all items made for children under 12 years old must be lead tested. Which, as a mom of a 2 year old who still puts everything in her mouth, should make me ECSTATIC. Believe me, anything to make toys and clothing more safe for our kids, the better. But they kind of forgot about us "little people". See, to lead test ONE item costs upwards of $500. Each. Thus if I tested each of my bibs (each unique item must be tested) I would be out $486 per bib. Hm. The math just doesn't seem to add up to me! :)
Here are some great links on the subject if you'd like more information:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-updates-and-calls-to-action-3157/
http://nationalbankruptcyday.com/
The sad thing is that this law is retroactive. And covers EVERYTHING. That means that kids consignment shops would have to test each article of clothing that comes through their doors. So would thrift stores. Which really means that all kids consignment stores and the kids sections of all your favorite second hand stores would be GONE. There is no way they could afford to test. And in this economy when consignment shops and thrift stores are the busiest they've ever been, it just doesn't make sense.
What can you do? You can write to your senators and representatives and ask them to SAVE HANDMADE! Save the small businesses, the LOCAL businesses, the mom's who sew and knit and create awesome unique products that you can't find at Target or WalMart.
*whew* off my soap box.
So needless to say, my sewing has slowed down a bit. Now call me crazy, but I really do believe that they'll see the error of their ways and see what a huge mistake the very broad wording of the law was. In fact, there is already some "talk" that this is true. So I'm not announcing a store-closing yet (not when I just was getting off my feet, no sir-ee!), and even if the testing DOES need to be done, guess what? I just bought 14 adult sized t-shrits today and their in the wash right now ready to be appliqued for my adult fans :) Stay tuned!
But, I'm still sewing. In fact, I just listed a bunch of new bibs, shirts (including girls sizes!) and onesies on my site. Here is my latest edition, and currently my favorite bib to date:
AND I've even been coming up with some new funky appliques. Like this monster, for instance. Who say's BOYS get all the fun of monsters? Look for more monster bibs, shirts and onesies on HipViolet coming soon!
I also got this great new set of fabric this is my new favorite. So I made two bibs out of it yesterday. They are both available on my site!
I'll keep you all updated on how things go with the CPSIA law, but in the mean time this is a GREAT time to buy handmade... it may be the last time you can!Have a great day!
jesi
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Holiday Shopping on Etsy
Fun news! One of my bibs made it into the "Baby Gift Guide" on Etsy! I'm really quite pleased as the employees of Etsy pick the products and they are really picky about what they'll use. YAY! One of my "Extraordinary Equine" Bibs is in the 2nd row.
And I wanted to take a minute to encourage everyone to shop on Etsy for their holiday gifts this year. You won't find a better selection of UNIQUE gifts that you purchase right from the artist. It's also a great way to support your local artist AND get a gift that is really nifty too!
Click here to shop Etsy's other gift guides. Or go to Etsy's home page and start searching for that perfect gift! For instance, my brother (and brother-in-law and step-dad) like fishing. So I'll do a search for "Fish" or "fishing" and then you can narrow it down by price or item. I have found some GREAT and fun items that way! Don't forget to also check out the vintage section.
In other news, I am doing one other fun "trunk show" this weekend.
And I wanted to take a minute to encourage everyone to shop on Etsy for their holiday gifts this year. You won't find a better selection of UNIQUE gifts that you purchase right from the artist. It's also a great way to support your local artist AND get a gift that is really nifty too!Click here to shop Etsy's other gift guides. Or go to Etsy's home page and start searching for that perfect gift! For instance, my brother (and brother-in-law and step-dad) like fishing. So I'll do a search for "Fish" or "fishing" and then you can narrow it down by price or item. I have found some GREAT and fun items that way! Don't forget to also check out the vintage section.
In other news, I am doing one other fun "trunk show" this weekend.
Holiday Trunk Show
Featuring unique gifts you won't find at Target and without the frenzy. The focus is on gifts under $100 (great selection under $50!). And, if you see something you think would look great on you, we're happy to send a "hint" to your personal Santa Claus!
We will be serving wine, hot chocolate and tasty bites PLUS complimentary gift wrapping. Cash and checks only (thanks!)
Featuring unique gifts you won't find at Target and without the frenzy. The focus is on gifts under $100 (great selection under $50!). And, if you see something you think would look great on you, we're happy to send a "hint" to your personal Santa Claus!
We will be serving wine, hot chocolate and tasty bites PLUS complimentary gift wrapping. Cash and checks only (thanks!)
Where: Berkeley Row • 4400 West 46th Avenue #102 • Denver
(at the corner of 46th & Tennyson)
When: Sunday, December 7 from 2:00 - 5:00pm
(at the corner of 46th & Tennyson)
When: Sunday, December 7 from 2:00 - 5:00pm
Invite anyone and everyone! I have been busy sewing up a lot more appliqued tee's in larger girls sizes (I'll have size 4T-12), more onesies and of course lots of bibs! See you there!
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