Yes, it's cold season. I am starting to get a cold. It happens every year around Thanksgiving. I get stressed out over holiday orders and then I don't sleep at night and then I get sick. I should know better by now.
On a happier note, I'm looking forward to a product review in HybridMoms Magazine this December. Also, I will be featured as the "Swanky Mom of the Week" on http://www.swankymoms.com . It's one of my favorite sites to visit to see what other moms like me are cooking up.
We continue to donate 10% of our proceeds to Philabundance in hopes of helping to feed the hungry this season. Visit their website at http://www.philabundance.org . It's a wonderful organization doing really good work on a minimal amount of money.
It's only 6:40 PM but I think I'm done for the day. Nighty-night.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
We all need some humor
Ok, one of our newest retailers, http://www.buzzworthygifts.com/ has one of the funniest products I've seen in awhile for new moms. It's a book called Porn for New Moms....yes you read it right Porn for New Moms. It's photos of hot men doing things like changing a diaper or getting up in the middle of the night for a feeding. All things new moms would LOVE their husbands to do. I'm ordering a copy for my sister-in-law's baby shower. It's too, too funny and we can all use a good laugh.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Time of Change
Well, it's November already. A time of year that begins a faster pace for those of us in the retail industry. Although our economy is suffering, there's always a desire to get a special gift for someone. November is also my son's birthday month so I've been searching as well for that perfect gift for a 9 year old. Somehow I think it will have something to do with Pokemon.
It is also just 2 days from the presidential election. Although my husband and I are on opposite sides, we can both agree that a change will be good for the country. These next few years will be tough ones and I don't expect any miracles to happen, but I hope that we all become kinder to one another and help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Everyone has something they can give to others in need. Whether it's time, food, clothing, shelter or just being a friend to someone; we all have gifts to share with the world.
My favorite charity is Philabundance. They provide food pantries across Eastern PA with much needed food for those who can not afford groceries. For some, this is the only option available for food. This year, food donations are critically low and they are in need of donations and money. You can visit their website at http://www.philabundance.org to make a donation or learn how to hold a food drive.
With the holidays approaching, let's all agree on one thing; do something kind for someone less fortunate. It's a gift that can really make a change in someone's life.
It is also just 2 days from the presidential election. Although my husband and I are on opposite sides, we can both agree that a change will be good for the country. These next few years will be tough ones and I don't expect any miracles to happen, but I hope that we all become kinder to one another and help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Everyone has something they can give to others in need. Whether it's time, food, clothing, shelter or just being a friend to someone; we all have gifts to share with the world.
My favorite charity is Philabundance. They provide food pantries across Eastern PA with much needed food for those who can not afford groceries. For some, this is the only option available for food. This year, food donations are critically low and they are in need of donations and money. You can visit their website at http://www.philabundance.org to make a donation or learn how to hold a food drive.
With the holidays approaching, let's all agree on one thing; do something kind for someone less fortunate. It's a gift that can really make a change in someone's life.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
They're Here!
Today we launched our 2 new products, the keepsake box and the photo frame at www.staciedaledesigns.com . I've been wanting to offer a smaller version of our popular keepsake chests for quite some time and have finally found a way to get it done! I hope you all enjoy the new boxes and frames and as always, if you have an idea of a custom design you would like, just let me know and I'll do my best to accomodate. I want to thank Pam Long at Long Consulting for all of her wonderful advice and hard work on my website. You can find her at http://www.longcsi.com .
Also today, I received a copy of HybridMom magazine with our business listed among many other wonderful mom-owned businesses. It's always great to be a part of a larger community of people with similar goals. Visit www.hybridmom.com to see what they're all about!
Also today, I received a copy of HybridMom magazine with our business listed among many other wonderful mom-owned businesses. It's always great to be a part of a larger community of people with similar goals. Visit www.hybridmom.com to see what they're all about!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Copycats
Well today I think I've seen someone I used to know hit a new low. From time to time I like to browse competitor websites just to see what else is out in the market in comparison to what I'm doing. Today, I saw a company introduce a new product that is an exact copy of another well-known product in the baby market. Now, I don't know for certain that the other company isn't OK with this, but I'd find it highly unusual. I won't name names but let's just say this person has been accused of this before so why go down that road again?
Maybe I'm making too much of it? I know there are other artists out there doing keepsake boxes like me, but I hope mine are unique enough to stand on their own. I have even once had the misfortune of unknowingly painting a wall hanging for a customer (back in the day when I owned my own little store) that was similar to one out in the market and I got called on it and rightfully so. But to knowingly copy another company's product and market it as your own seems ruthless. But perhaps that is their mantra. All I can say is,what goes around, comes around.
Maybe I'm making too much of it? I know there are other artists out there doing keepsake boxes like me, but I hope mine are unique enough to stand on their own. I have even once had the misfortune of unknowingly painting a wall hanging for a customer (back in the day when I owned my own little store) that was similar to one out in the market and I got called on it and rightfully so. But to knowingly copy another company's product and market it as your own seems ruthless. But perhaps that is their mantra. All I can say is,what goes around, comes around.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Steady As She Goes!
Well this has certainly been one heck of a rollercoaster ride on the stock market this week. I just received my statement for my kids college education funds and my IRA and let me tell ya, I'm back where I was three years ago. Feels like I just can't ever catch a break but hopefully in the long run ....the very long run., all will work out.
October has been a little slow to start but things are starting to pick up. It's been sort of nice to have a few days to sketch some new ideas and think about things before jumping back in to work. There's lots going on politically as well which has been captivating my attention for what feels like forever. I'm a die-hard Democrat married to a die-hard Republican so you can imagine the "spirited conversations" in my household. The economy has been a big topic of discussion obviously, but I'm taking a tip from my Republican husband to keep calm about our investments and go slow and steady before acting on any "Sell, Sell, Sell!" impulses I may have. I'm trying to think long-term for my money and for my company but it is difficult with so much uncertainty. I know the slow-down can't last forever, but like this election cycle...it sure feels like forever. Wishing everyone the best in these tumultuous times.
October has been a little slow to start but things are starting to pick up. It's been sort of nice to have a few days to sketch some new ideas and think about things before jumping back in to work. There's lots going on politically as well which has been captivating my attention for what feels like forever. I'm a die-hard Democrat married to a die-hard Republican so you can imagine the "spirited conversations" in my household. The economy has been a big topic of discussion obviously, but I'm taking a tip from my Republican husband to keep calm about our investments and go slow and steady before acting on any "Sell, Sell, Sell!" impulses I may have. I'm trying to think long-term for my money and for my company but it is difficult with so much uncertainty. I know the slow-down can't last forever, but like this election cycle...it sure feels like forever. Wishing everyone the best in these tumultuous times.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Things Are Brewing
Well, it is now October 3rd and I am going tomorrow to my dear friend, Linda McManus,, http://www.lindamcmanusimages.com , to have my new line of keepsake boxes photographed. I'm excited to be able to offer a less expensive alternative to the keepsake chests and also offer some hand painted photo frames which make fabulous holiday gifts!
After all of the tough financial times Americans are feeling, I hope that my less expensive alternatives are something customers will enjoy. I had a nice conversation yesterday with Jamie of Jamie's Painting & Design, http://www.jamiespnd.com about the tough financial situation right now and I hope that in November we all make an informed vote to help turn this country around. Jamie has a background in animation and her painted tiles are a wonderful personalized holiday gift as well. She's also got alot of great advice for entrepreneurs on her blog so take a minute and read what she has to say.
I'll be emailing all of my previous customers and retailers to introduce you to the new product line so look for an email from me soon!
After all of the tough financial times Americans are feeling, I hope that my less expensive alternatives are something customers will enjoy. I had a nice conversation yesterday with Jamie of Jamie's Painting & Design, http://www.jamiespnd.com about the tough financial situation right now and I hope that in November we all make an informed vote to help turn this country around. Jamie has a background in animation and her painted tiles are a wonderful personalized holiday gift as well. She's also got alot of great advice for entrepreneurs on her blog so take a minute and read what she has to say.
I'll be emailing all of my previous customers and retailers to introduce you to the new product line so look for an email from me soon!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
How It All Got Started
Many of my customers and friends ask me how I started Stacie Dale Designs Inc. so I thought I would give everyone a summary of how it all came to be. In 1992 ( wow, that long ago!) I graduated from Drexel University in Philadelphia with a degree in fashion design. I went to work right away as an assistant designer for Alfred Angelo/Christian Dior bridals. I had always wanted to do childrenswear and so I left and started working at Flapdoodles, then SO Fun Inc. and then I started my own line of children's clothing called Seasons In The Sun. What a disaster that turned out to be but I learned so much about running a business that I would never ever want to give up that experience.
I married my husband, Doug in 1995 and went back to work at the only job I could find at the time making prison apparel and hospital gowns ( yes, I said prison apparel)...it was a low point in my career. Finally a job opened up at The Eagle's Eye where I went to work as a technical designer and I loved the people I worked with....but wasn't all that passionate about the job. While there, my friend Judy had a baby and I needed a gift for her. We didn't have much money back then so I got an unpainted toy chest and painted a Beatrix Potter design on it to match her nursery. After the baby shower, I started getting calls from people who had seen it or seen photos I had of the chest, and they wanted one too. I started selling smaller pieces of hand painted furniture to a kids store in Bryn Mawr, PA and also started painting murals in homes all while still working at the Eagle's Eye.
In 1998 I became preganant but sadly, had a miscarriage 5 months in to the pregnancy and decided not to return to work full-time. It was a time for taking a deep breath and making alot of tough decisions about what I wanted to do. A month later, Doug and I purchased our home and I continued to work a very part-time schedule at Eagle's Eye. A few months later, I became preganant again and in November of 1999 my son, Pierce was born. At my baby shower, a friend of mine gave me a cardboard keepsake box that had 2 tin containers for his first tooth and lock of hair. Ah-ha! It immediately gave me the idea to do hand-painted keepsake chests. This idea rolled around in my head until 2002. I was busy having my daughter, Katie, and raising 2 little children, going to pre-school and all that fun stuff new Moms get to do. In 2002, my friend Judy told me about her interior design website she had started and so, I decided to give the website idea a try as well (eventhough I'm not good with a computer at all!).
Three months after I opened my online store, I got my first order! The first year was slow and I wondered if this was the right avenue to go. But then, I found google adwords! My second year sales were double the first and the business has continued to grow ever since. I've made alot of changes along the way by adding a wholesale line, importing from China, getting the chests pre-painted white or ivory, etc. I love to paint. When I paint, I am able to block out everything that is going on around me and that is a wonderful place to be. I'm still learning every day but I love the challenge of creating something unique for my customers and being able to give them a special place to hold their keepsakes and memories.
I married my husband, Doug in 1995 and went back to work at the only job I could find at the time making prison apparel and hospital gowns ( yes, I said prison apparel)...it was a low point in my career. Finally a job opened up at The Eagle's Eye where I went to work as a technical designer and I loved the people I worked with....but wasn't all that passionate about the job. While there, my friend Judy had a baby and I needed a gift for her. We didn't have much money back then so I got an unpainted toy chest and painted a Beatrix Potter design on it to match her nursery. After the baby shower, I started getting calls from people who had seen it or seen photos I had of the chest, and they wanted one too. I started selling smaller pieces of hand painted furniture to a kids store in Bryn Mawr, PA and also started painting murals in homes all while still working at the Eagle's Eye.
In 1998 I became preganant but sadly, had a miscarriage 5 months in to the pregnancy and decided not to return to work full-time. It was a time for taking a deep breath and making alot of tough decisions about what I wanted to do. A month later, Doug and I purchased our home and I continued to work a very part-time schedule at Eagle's Eye. A few months later, I became preganant again and in November of 1999 my son, Pierce was born. At my baby shower, a friend of mine gave me a cardboard keepsake box that had 2 tin containers for his first tooth and lock of hair. Ah-ha! It immediately gave me the idea to do hand-painted keepsake chests. This idea rolled around in my head until 2002. I was busy having my daughter, Katie, and raising 2 little children, going to pre-school and all that fun stuff new Moms get to do. In 2002, my friend Judy told me about her interior design website she had started and so, I decided to give the website idea a try as well (eventhough I'm not good with a computer at all!).
Three months after I opened my online store, I got my first order! The first year was slow and I wondered if this was the right avenue to go. But then, I found google adwords! My second year sales were double the first and the business has continued to grow ever since. I've made alot of changes along the way by adding a wholesale line, importing from China, getting the chests pre-painted white or ivory, etc. I love to paint. When I paint, I am able to block out everything that is going on around me and that is a wonderful place to be. I'm still learning every day but I love the challenge of creating something unique for my customers and being able to give them a special place to hold their keepsakes and memories.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Back To School
Well my 2 children went back to school today which leaves me with a little more quiet time. I miss them. My new shipment of chests is sitting in customs inspection (ugh!) so I won't be getting my new products for a few more days. I have a few orders that I need to get working on so I'm off to paint! I am looking forward to finding some time to create some new designs...I have a bunch of ideas rolling around in my head...just need the time to create them! Hope everyone had a great Summer vacation!
-Stacie
-Stacie
Thursday, August 21, 2008
First Blog!
Hello and welcome to my first blog post. I'm Stacie Dale, creator of hand-painted keepsake chests. You can view my website at http://www.staciedaledesigns.com . I am very excited because my new shipment of keepsake chests arrives in just a few more days and I can't wait to see the smaller boxes and photo frames that are coming too! I'm looking forward to creating some great new artwork for these new items and will have them up for sale on the website in mid-September....just in time for the holidays! Well, back to painting a new keepsake chests for a wonderful repeat customer...it's turning out great but this one was a real challenge.
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