Once A Sell Out....Always?

May 13, 2008.

I am not dumb, I am not stupid and I do not run around with my eyes covered refusing to acknowledge design trends.  Sometimes though, I like to sit back and watch and wait to see if it is a fad or just a trend.  Othertimes I realize that if everyone is doing it, maybe I should not.  The fact still remains - I watch trends, whether I act on them or not I get it.

I knew the brown trend was here to stay - I love brown, I have brown all over my home - and with the pastel colors, fabulous for baby.  I love me some brown, I just had no need to add it to my line, and it felt everyone would think , oh there she goes, just like everyone else.   I assumed my work was classic and it was like the canvas art - everyone was already doing it, and doing it well, so why bother?  Until today that is:

Brown is the New Black

Which brings me to a few new designs......designs that were asked of me by others, um maybe more than once.  And, if I am getting paid to paint new designs for people, you better believe I am going to paint the colors they like.  My product is an accesorry, an add-on if you will - so I really should consider taking their suggestions.  A certain person I um, shared a booth with last July also was pushing for this color combination.  Again, I am not dumb - just stubborn.

Not Bucking the Trend

So here is my version of "Pink & Brown", I had to add some butterflies.  I also could not just do polka dots and stripes, not my style or my thing.  Wait, let me rephrase that - I don't draw those things, not my strong point.  Sounded like what my graphic desinger started calling me after she designed our ad last year "Jamie Hates Polka Dots". I don't know what it was, but the polka dots were not working for me.....yet they were for another person.  Anyway - here we are today.

I give you my first sample.  I like the colors, sort of kicking self for not doing this sooner.  However, I have NO idea what the Just Because Plaque should say or if it should be a new Name Plaque?  Thoughts? Advice?  Stuck in a pickle, so to speak.

Second sample with a brown ribbon you can see below.  Again, I can not decide which one to go with.  I always want to try a new ribbon color, however anyone in this industry knows pink sells, and pink sells well.  If pink is the predominating color in a product we know it will sell better than any other color combination.  Even though I continue to try other color combinations from time to time, anything with pink trounces the others.  Thoughts on the brown or pink ribbon

My Art History

When I was in one of my beginning art classes I made a self-discovery at one of our critiques (critiques are common in art classes, where you show the class your piece or work and they pick it apart).  I have found that these critiques (that were nerve wracking at times) have helped me to develop a thick skin when someone does not like my art.

Anyway - what I announced to the class as they were dissecting some piece or work, was I hated to have the art fall off the edge.  I could not stand it over to the side, not centered - made me crazy (can you say I had some control issues? Or have?).  For the rest for the semester I was forced to push my drawings, paintings, anything to edges.  I hated it.

So now that I am the boss of me I hardly never, ever push the art to the sides.  I like it pushed to edges, but not off the edge.  Oh well, now that I am on that I jumped on the brown train, maybe I will attack my "edge" issues.  I am feeling like a sell-out with the brown and pink color combinations for sure....oh well, takes one to know one, right? 

Comments

[London E]

You are not a sell out. We are in the business of giving people the kind of gifts they are looking for. Some of my best sellers are my least favorite designs. Oh....and going over the edge is good sometimes. HAHA!

[Amy]

Oh, I love the pink and brown! I think the pink ribbon wins...but the brown does look great too.

[Julie]

Hi Jamie~
Personally I like the brown ribbon better. I agree brown is the new black and so much easier to wear than black.
I'm not sure about what to say .Names or saying probably whatever you best seller is. I like the design it's very pleasing to the eye.
Lately I love short little saying like.
Be Amazing
Be Blessed
Be Happy
Be Inspired
I could go on and on , but I will spare you my list.
Hey~ love your new puppies name!

[Cecilia]

I prefer the pink ribbon. And I think you've done a stellar job of taking the brown & pink and really making it your own. The piece doesn't scream passing trend; It's unique and tasteful. Nice work!

[amanda]

I think what is great is that you have taken a current popular color trend and made it your own. The overall design of this piece is authentically yours ,fitting in with your full collection seamlessly.

[jen]

as a former art student, i agree with you regarding critiques. i also learned bunches during those excruciating minutes dissecting my "baby".

with regard to the ribbon... i think the brown is more eye-catching. it looks fresher and more "now". the pink ribbon is classic and will always appeal to those with more traditional tastes.

btw, i found you via svmoms or deepsouthmoms.