Secrets of an SBO

I have a small confession to make. I'm nervous as all get out...the stationery show is in 3 weeks, I'm filling orders, preparing samples, doing new designs and oh yeah...trying to combat the butterflies in my belly. I guess I'm excited too but it sure doesn't feel like that right now. *breathe*

Anyway I'm bringing along my tea towels + a new "suzani" style design, new journals that I 'm really excited about, and my cards are the same (maybe one or two new) since I've never done a show before and to the masses it's all new. I've commited myself to doing a launch of something new every 3-4 months to keep things fresh so let's see what feedback I get from the show to go forward. Phew...ok I guess I am sort of excited :)

Mood board

before

mood board (click image for large version)

So AphroChic received a reader request for help with her living room & office space and invited us all to play along. This was so much fun! City Sorbet wanted something "sexy and sophisticated, with clean lines and a sleek finish that her and her boyfriend can live with. Oh yes, and a space with just a touch of girliness. " She already has in place a couch and a table and chair in her office. Here's what I dreamed up:

Living room: Clean lines and edgy so the boyfriend doesn't feel as though he's living in a powderpuff; art and a bit of shine bring the glamour she is looking for. Anthropologie fruiteria floor lamp , Roost carved bone sunflower mirror , Etsy seller fotofiction: 8x8 or custom sizes , DWR Gas armchair , Jayson Home & Garden Mesa coffee table , Velocity Angela Adams wool rug , Hive Modern Platner side table or West Elm convex drum side table .

Office: It's a part of the living room space so nothing too farfetched, but I though it deserved a little girl power for this art director. Here is where her pink comes in with a wallpaaper that can go along the side wall to define the space. Anthropologie silvershift lamp , Ikea Spontan magnetic board , Z Gallerie ceramic hands , See Jane Work letterboxes , Design Public Graham & Brown midsummer wallpaper , Design Public Graham & Brown Serenity wallpaper .

Fieryeyed photography

How stunning are these images from Fieryeyed photography? I am thinking of lining my living room wall with photographs and I'd love to add these. Here is Jenifer's website, store, and delightful photo filled blog. I'm very happy right now :)

Vintage props

I purchased a similar easel from Olive Vintage to hold my business cards

sushipotparts

seaglassvintage

modsquad

I've been playing with the idea of using some vintage pieces to "prop" my products at the National Stationery Show. These are a few shops I really liked on etsy, but of course searching all will take a full day :) I couldn't help buying that brass easel for my business cards.

Jen Everett

While we are on the subject of styling, I just love these gorgeous compositions from prop stylist Jenn Everett.

A little about me

A couple years ago I was looking to do something more creative with my time. I quit my job and along came an opportunity to assist a friend of a friend who happened to be an interior/prop stylist. The job was for custom closet company Transform, who are some of the sweetest people ever. I loved every minute of it; this particular shoot was done in a mcmansion upstate NY with brazilian cherry wood floors and a huge wine cellar. It's so cool to look at the images and know the little tricks we did...all the folded sweaters are stuffed with towels to make them appear thicker, some of the clothing and shoes in the closets belong to me, and the top image is the stylist!

Zia-Priven

I have heard of Zia-Priven and certainly can't miss their work, but I only browsed the site after Holly interviewed Marcia Zia-Priven (see here...great series!). I was kind of surpised at myself that I was attracted to such "posh" lighting. I love the sleek and glamorous shapes; with namesakes like Katherine and Audrey the inspiration is clear. Me though? I'd put one of these next to something a bit rough...like this. That way I'd be less afaid to break it.

Rekero Camp & Homes

My mind was still wandering around the world when I got the travel email from Daily Candy. Today's feature is a guide to safaris; these images are from the Rekero, the Masai Mara Game Reserve on the northern tip of the Serengeti. Both options to stay in the camps or homes are absolutely gorgeous and rustic. Now that's my version of camping, not the hard ground, beef jerky version my husband is touting.

Alila Manggis Bali

This is certainly one way to travel; the long flight to Indonesia is no problem with Alila as a final destination. I'm often more of a 'stay in the center of culture' kind of gal, but I can certainly spoil myself rotten here. And yes...you guessed it. I love the combination of culture meets modern, I'm filing ideas away as I type. All of the Alila resorts are listed here.

Places I'd like to see: Costa Rica

So this will soon become a place I've seen and then some. It's still in very early stages but I've been approached with the opportunity of my dreams: designing a retreat in the tropics. Yowza! It's only land at the moment but I'm already trying to control myself with the plans I have for this space. It is still a year or so away but I'll keep you posted as things come along...and one day maybe images of developments.

Re: Brooklyn Flea

You'll excuse me if this post is more shop talk than pretty inspirations. I sold at Brooklyn Flea this Sunday and thought I'd post about my experience for the biz owners out there. As a webshop and wholesaler I was pretty excited to attend Brooklyn Flea to see up close how people react to my product. My vision for HHT is to create well priced products that have a sense of contemporary and accessible luxury. Let's see how that translated at the flea...

In general: I think the term flea market induces an image of price haggling; I heard a few "can I pay $ for $$$". I'm sure in some areas of the market that was fine but I was situated among a group of designers who had handmade, handprinted, handpressed, and handstitched every one of their products. I'm not sure the value of all that came across to people who were looking for bargains. As one person near me put it 'it's hard for me to bargain with you knowing that I put each of those tags through the press one at a time'.

My table: Not everyone was looking for a bargain of course, I wouldn't want to imply that. Most of the people who stopped by my table were looking for small home goods and gifts. Most of my tea towels sold within the first hour or two and shoppers were hoping I had more. The reaction was "beautiful", "I can't believe you print these yourself", and some pretty good stuff along those lines. That was exciting to hear, as almost everyone touched and commented even if they didn't buy. Lot of business cards handed out and possibly a wholesale order to come. I think my tea towels were priced well within the acceptable (under $20-25) price range at $13 each and that helped a lot, most customers bought 2-3 at a time.
I got a bit of price resistance to the cards and drawer paper; had I made a table full of tea towels I may have sold the entire tables worth. Although the drawer paper sold, I think the resistance was mainly to the fact that these items are made from paper. Fabric always has the appearance of being worth more and of course a tea towel can be washed and reused; though one person did remark that the drawer papers were each hand printed.
People were very drawn to the packaging for the drawer paper and the labels which I'm exicted about as I just redesigned them. I'm going to make the scent labels more prominent though especially since I'll be adding more in May. I found I had no impulse buys , expect for one girl whose nails matched my fuchsia ikat towel...too funny. Most purchases were well thought out and discussed as to who would get what, what matched their kitchen, and what a great gift.

My setup: I've done many a tradeshow and applied the knowledge to my table (sorry I didn't think to bring the camera). I used a bright pink table cloth, yellow tulips and just let the product speak clearly. It drew people in even if they weren't looking to buy, so that will definitely become my staple.

Again?: I had oringinally thought I could do the market 2-3 weeks out of the month and now I'll try for 1-2. That's primarily because I'm backed up with wholesale orders and I don't keep much stock. I think it's a great opportunity to test products and price points and I'll definitely know what to bring in the future. As I start to launch more of my home goods I think this will be the perfect place to test pillows, table runners, etc.

Overall I would give it 2 thumbs up for a learning and sales experience, and the turnout for a cold (so coooold) day was phenomenal. I can only imagine what a pretty summer day will bring. This is just my perspective from my little table but I hope it helps :)

Katya de Grunwald

I learned about Katya de Grunwald via AphroChic via Desire to Inspire...must love blogs huh? I'm just obsessed with the rich composition of her photos and totally inspired when I translate this in my mind into an HHT store. I could look at her work for days on end...

Daily Candy

Daily Candy featured Hammocks & High Tea this week in their "deals" section. If you'd like 25% off the entire site, subscribe to the addictive site to get the discount code.

Henna love

Andrea's post reminded me of my love for henna. Would you believe that I used to do this in college to my self and friends? I had so much fun with the intricate details, and looooved to draw flowers. I guess I should have know what was coming, I think I'm going to look back on those days for some inspiration :) See some beautiful henna work here.