JPD Mom

A Read, A JPD Giveaway, and Please Help Out

March 20, 2008.

Silicon Valley Mom Blog

I did get a chance to post a few blogs on a blog I write for called Silicon Valley Mom Blog.  I wrote a piece titled "Dear SAHM" asking why I always get so judged at my children's school.  I am not assuming anything - these were real things said to me on more than one occasion - it has stirred up quite a few um feelings (not all good).  Any of you working mom's want to chime in?  Please do....

Advertisement(s) for Licensing

So.....I am still trying to get licensing work ready, get new products to market, um work, handle Easter party(s), keep house clean, take care of family....oh and design an ad (yes another ad) in 2 weeks!  Please note, the dimensions are very specific - and I get one image and 50 words or less.  I have taken 3 paintings and plopped them on the "ad" sheet.  Please, please do a girl a favor and give me a comment and tell me which you like best.....I am sure I will do another 3 or 4 tonight.  Pirate? Football? Baby?  Stop me - please!

                                                                      Ad # 1 "The Bugs & Butterflies"

I know, I know super tiny, but I only did a mock-up, my super talented graphic designer will have to help me lay it out.  I just want you to get the feel...and the 50 words of copy, sort of garbage I wrote looking at other advertisements.  Trust me - tiny is good.  Do you like the feel of this? Is the art strong?

Ad # 2 "Safari Guide Dudes"

I like this one, it shows my "style" (whatever that is) but it is also very boyish, and if you want to know the truth, girl stuff always trumps boy stuff.  We sell twice as much girl stuff as boy stuff.  I would like to see more boy stuff out there, considering I have one  - but again, best art to show my talent?  Best use of my skills?

Ad #3 "Sail Away"

This one is okay, sailing and sailboats - not best sellers - but the colors pop.  Sometimes when I design I am in a "girly girly girl" mood, other times - all boy, all masculine things.  I love the Nautical theme, but it is not always an over the top best seller.

Ad #4 "Hey Diddle Diddle"

I guess this would be "baby, baby, baby" if there was an actual description for it.  It is one of my favorite birth certificates I designed - I love the little cow.  I am reaching at this point, I realize this one needs the little dog laughing and a border....agreed? A border?

Ad # 5 "Princess Fairies"

This one is a sort of um, threw it together in 20 minutes piece of art.  I really was looking for the "feel" of princess, and would probably do a close up of a crown, or a princess, or a more cartoony looking princess painting.

Free Give Away

Thank you for your troubles - I have a hard time (usually) asking for advice.  However, graphic design is not my strong point - and I know now (older wiser) that I need to get some feed back.  For your troubles you can go see this give away:

In case anyone wants some free stuff....that would be a $65.00 gift certificate to spend at Jamie's Painting & Design.  Click here to leave a comment and get in the drawing!  I don't k now if anyone who reads this actually needs themselves some ceramic keepsakes, but thought I would give ya a heads up. 

Painting, Working & A Request

March 17, 2008.

I am seriously so behind on blogging and so far removed I am not sure where to begin.  My posts are down, my comments are down, my visitors are down and my readers are waaaay down.   In fact I am not sure anyone is reading this now....anyone?  No, seriously, I have just been super busy on way to many projects.  I am NOT having another pity party for myself, I just may have to admit I have bitten off more than I can chew - and I have a big mouth you know?

Painting New Designs

Maybe if I can get it together I can show you a little of what I have been working on.  It's not that exciting, and I have some more paint stained shirts, but it has been a ton of work:

That is one of like 20 new painting that I am trying to figure out how to put them on....well everything.  Licensing is a full time job in itself, not to forget the other 45 things I do (or make that 78 if you are a mother too - you know what I mean?). 

I am so used to working on ceramics, with lots of white space and no borders.  Licensing opens up so many avenues, possibilities and options it is, at times very overwhelming, oh and they loooove borders.  This past week it took up all of my time at the office - only to find out after a consulting meeting I needed to do more. 

Yep - more.  Well - more work is good, it is a must and I like to know how to do things perfect, or close to perfect.   I hate coming to the game (meeting) unprepared, unsophisticated and looking like a total hack.  I swear by the quote.,"You only get one chance to make a first impression."

So, since I am in a blogging sort of um vortex, and totally busy with other projects, I am hoping to help some other entrepreneurs out there, I got this email a few weeks ago and I apologize to Rina for not posting it sooner:

An ABC Exhibitor Requ

Dear Jamie,

I've enjoyed reading your blog and your insights on the ABC Kids Expo.  I am a new business owner and I am still in the manufacturing process of my product.  My product is a handy clip that keeps a blanket or stuffed animal from falling from a stroller. 

I will be a first time exhibitor this year at the ABC Kids Expo.   I am new to the children's industry and am looking to find someone to share a booth with.   I believe that sharing a booth with help defray costs, since I only have a single product.

If you know anyone interested, please have them contact me directly.  Again, thank you for helping a total stranger!

Rina Yano

Serial Entrepreneur

So, not wanting to just put somebody's information out there without know anything about them, I googled Rina (I am still amazed when I meet people that don't know how or refuse to use a search engine to find out information).  It really is an invaluable took for a small business owner, especially if you work alone or you want information fast.

So as I was saying - I found Rina and she is a successful entrepreneur already - her and her sister started a company called Omma Yoga, they create stylish, yet functional yoga bags.  Being the yoga novice (um, actually read totally ignorant, never did it but EVERYONE says I should) I had no idea what this product was.  After closer inspection they seem to really be on to something, it is a great looking bag they have designed that all of your yoga (or Pilates) stuff (again, I have no idea what that would be).  See how that google thing worked out, took two seconds and I have a plethora (love that word for some reason) of information.

If anyone is interested in sharing a booth with Rina, or speaking with her please feel free to comment on the blog (you know how I love that!) or send me a direct email and I will forward your information on to Rina.

Searching the Internet

The funny thing about this 'request' is that The ABC Kids Expo is one of the most frequent searches for people finding my blog.  I have not even attended in 3 years, yet my recent posts last year show up soon after the actual ABC Kids Expo site. The second most frequent search is my post on "What Happens in the Garage Stays in the Garage", just in case you wondered - and here is that post. 

That's all folks....I swear I have a Saint Patrick's Day post for tomorrow, or tonight, um okay give me till Tuesday and I will post on Wednesday, I promise.  I hear they might revoke my ol' blogger badge (that I have been wearing so proudly for two years) if I don't post more frequent, and relevant, and more pictures, and links...and how I need to update my flickr.....better yet if you have any more questions I am happy to answer them, Wednesday, yes I will get to them Thursday, or Friday?