Since the beginning of COVID-19, we have had to become less reliant on imported goods.
It's easy to get caught up in shopping inexpensive places like T.J. Maxx, Marshall's, etc., I do it, too, so there's no shaming going on here. But I also support small locals like Alibi and Goods.
Having run a small/BIG floral design business and now a small women's accessories business, I know the kind of time and effort it takes to create a single product.
Just cutting our silk charmeuse for our new collection took a great deal of planning, trial and error and precision. Charmeuse is slippery. Even those of us studied and practiced in textiles and clothing construction would avoid silk if it weren't so sumptuous and luminous. I'm kind of addicted now.
And Loren's task of Brioche Hand-knits, she took on like a champ. But yesterday when she came for a meeting, she was stretching out her fingers because the act of crowning a hat in this pattern is physically demanding.
But we're not complaining. We're thrilled to be consumed with making these elegant products. The thrill of seeing the spread of finished products on the table is rewarding in it's own right.
We're trying our best to bring to the market US made couture products and price them fairly. So pardon us, if we're feeling our way in this uncertain market. But we also want to thank those of you who have continually purchased our products since even before Loren came onboard to steady the ship. My first masks were clunky maxi-pads. Let's face it (pun intended). The nose wires were from rubber floral wire I had from teaching design classes. The ear bands were hard and inflexible. I was operating from a place of perception that we couldn't even find toilet paper in our stores, that I should use every item I owned already to make what I could so send to people in need and then started selling fancier ones. Think of The Sound of Music where Maria makes clothing out of drapery fabric. The first masks I made were actually made from a twill grommet Ikea curtain I hadn't ever used.
But we believe in our product. We enjoy making things. We take delight in perfecting. It takes hours, messy work rooms, threads trailing behind every member in the house, including the dog. But we continue because it feels right. It has created a sense of comradery. Having a partner keeps you honest and committed. Loren brightens my life. Murphy is in love with her dog Bella. Stephanie from Alibi inspires me. Dina from Dina Comer Designs does, too. We all believe in Goethe's Law: "At the moment of conception, the entire universe conspires to ensure your success."
We are women in business--the happiness business. We make ourselves happy and we hope to make you happy too. We have so much gratitude for those of you who believe in us. We want you to know how much that means and to THANK YOU!
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