Bear Hug Designs Blog!

As I mentioned before, I’m going to start licensing in addition to Bear Hug Designs.

I ordered my phone headset, bought a new apple laptop with a hot pink case, bought an external hard drive, ordered the Wacom Cintiq 21, bought Photoshop, and bought the book, “Photoshop for Dummies”!  Are you laughing yet?  Guess I’m a little excited.

I now have 5 monitors and 3 printers in my office.  That doesn’t count 2 laptops.  Please be impressed. If I don’t break into hives every time I open my office door, I think I’ll get a lot done.

Been studying my little Photoshop program.  I’ve been told I’m living in the dark ages.  I like the dark ages.  I’m comfortable there.  Poor Dawn.  My sweet graphic girl has her work cut out helping me.

This is Alison, my favorite sister (she’s my only sister, but if she wasn’t, she’d still be my favorite!).  She also holds Bear Hugs  Designs together in every aspect.  Thank heavens, because it would be very, very scary if I was in charge!!!!!!!

P. S.  shut up, Alison!

So sorry!  That adorable bag hasn’t been uploaded.  I feel terrible.  I’ll have it done soon, so come back.  It is so cute!  Soon!  I promise!

http://www.bearhugdesigns.com/new/index.php?cPath=36_37

You can order by going to Amy’s Favorites, Purses and there it is!

This one, well, let’s just say YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT !!!!! Coming from someone who knows!  This one is a “have to have” adorable summer go-out-with-pals bag!  Clean, crisp, summery white grosgrain ribbon with a beautiful white seashell on a hand woven bag from Bali!  It’ s itty bitty.  Enough for your cell phone, license, some hooch  (that’s money, sillies) and of course, lipgloss.  What can be better?  I had to have one for myself and every time I wear it I’m asked where did I get it.  I’m saving you from  NO COOL BAG FOR THE SUMMER problem .  Thank me later, order now!  But, you owe me!

I love animals!  Here I am with my little friend, Mr. Lemur.

Here it is…………..the famous one and only JACOB JAVITS CENTER in New York City.  And for last week, the home of the National Stationery Show.   The hum of buyers was much improved from last year.  It seemed that most of the manufacturers were the big boys.  You know, Cranes, William Arthur, American Greetings, CR Gibson……  The little guys (like me) were not as plentiful.  That’s a little sad.  The economy has been rough on the American Dream.

It did feel good to see more serious buyers and really nice attitudes.   There seemed to be a very positive feel to the whole show.

To give you an idea of what we did, I thought I’d share some pictures.

Yep, this is what we walked up to.  Makes me want to puke just thinking about it.  Now understand there are 3 pallets filled with heavy boxes.  We (Alison and I) have to put down our puzzle-piece floor UNDER THOSE BOXES.  We’re not allowed to push them into the “hall” because Mr. Beep-Beep-Drive-You-Nuts-Union-Dude has to have total access of the “hall” to move crates back and forth.

Then of course, there are walls to put up.  There were lots of boards filled with stock that refuse to stay on the walls.  The tables were too short so the table skirts were dragging on the floor.  (We fixed that by raising the tables with  the  green oasis blocks that were meant for the flowers!)  Anyway, after a day and a half of setting up…………………….DRUM ROLL, PLEASE!!!!

Yippee!

We left exhausted, but happy with our results.   Off to dinner and a good night sleep, ready for the opening day.

Best show ever by far.  I always feel so vulnerable, but then things get going and I relax.  It was a great show! It is so much fun to meet new people, reconnect with our great customers and make contacts for new ideas. What an adrenaline rush!  We had so much fun!

So, looking back.  The set up was nothing when you consider all the positives.  Again, as I’ve said in the past, the harder you work, the more accomplished you feel.

Folded notes were HOT, HOT, HOT!!!!!!!!!! The ribbon memo pads always create a feeding frenzy! The alphabet cards flew too.

Thank you to all my family and friends who put up with me during preparation. Thanks to our loyal and new customers!  Hugs to all of you! I’m going to take a nap. :0)

All you guys who order once or keep coming back,  I just want to say thank you.  Never, never, never do I get hum drum about this.  I appreciate all of you.  Most of all, I just get such a kick out of the fact that you actually want one of my designs to help you celebrate a special occasion or want a personal note to send to someone.  It humbles me.  I love to draw and this is why I have Bear Hug Designs.   Sometimes the business side can become overwhelming. ( Remember it isn’t too far to go to be overwhelming when you color for a career)   However, really, I’m so glad you like a few of my little drawings that allow me to do this.

“You pickin up what I’m layin’ down?”  tee hee.  Jeff, (son) came home to say that and I haven’t stop saying it since.  Aren’t I cool?

The National Stationery Show, held at the Jacob Javits Center in NY, is May 16-19.

Bear Hug Designs is in Booths 2352-2354.

Why is it that I always think I have everything under control and then…………….BAMMMM!  Everything topples.  It’s not like I haven’t done this before!  Somehow those last few days before the freight truck shows up, it’s just chaos.    Kinda like when you have to do that last minute vacuuming before the guests arrive (or worse yet, go jump in the shower as they’re pulling into the driveway!)

The darling little freight man (GRRRRR!) showed up at 10:30 all jovial.  I was guaranteed between noon and 4:00.  My hair was sticking out, my white tee untucked and covered in dirt,  my stretchy pants had stretched too much from all the box jostling and needless to say, I wasn’t in the best of moods.  He stared at me with an oh so annoying, been-here-done-that superior look and started to chuckle.  Forgive me for wanting to rip his eyelashes off.

He then proceeds to tell me that he feels like he’s watching me hyperventilate right before his eyes.   I’ll show you hyperventilating, Mr!

Anyway, he did give me more time and returned later when I was beginning to remember that I even had a sense of humor.  Seeing my pallet all wrapped up in something like saran wrap gave me a giddy sense of accomplishment.

My fulfillment  company is sending all the product and stands and Fed Ex Office has their own pile.  But the most important part, is that our  booth is going to ROCK!

While I hate the packing part, I really love the show.  It’s such a blast to meet new customers, visit with old customers and feel the energy of the show. I also adore New York.  AND, I get to spend a whole week with Alison!  Yippee!  I always come back re energized.

For now, for the next hour, I’m going to sit down and enjoy a Snickers.   I deserve it.  And maybe it will hold up my stretchy pants.

Thought it would be fun to share a picture from my book about a blue-footed booby.  I’ve been working on developing my character.  I’ve named him Mogie.  This picture is when he’s trying to shake the blue off his feet!

Well, do you like him?