behind the scenes of my new collection ((lolliPOP))

This week is an exciting week! I'm hanging up my teacher hat for a week and enjoying my toddler. It's hard to believe that in just a few short months there will be a newborn around again. I'm also launching my biggest and *brightest* collection ever. My spring collection has 30 new pieces and is full of eye catching, bold, delicious colors. In anticipation of this collection that will launch !!Tuesday!!,  I thought I'd share a little behind the scenes of how  my creative process evolved into lolliPOP!

Back in January I started thinking about what I wanted to do for spring. Last year I launched Pocket Full of Posies and it was a big success for lillypie. I knew I wanted to do another collection for  spring but didn't really know where to start.  My ideas started flowing after placing lilly's large lollipop from christmas in a mason jar on a shelf in our kitchen. Scott poked fun that I was using my daughter's present as a decoration in our home. When I think something is pretty--I display it. I don't think that's tooooo weird.

Around the same time I also started hearing about the big trends  for spring. Thank you fashion week!  COLOR is IN this season. On every page and every fashion blog the term COLOR POP was being mentioned. Another huge trend for spring that I admired was the pastel and sherbet colors. I've always been inspired by color and the spring/summer palette fits my design eye. 

Magazine features from InStyle Magazine

Then came PANTONE---ahhhhhh.

Then came the target ads ----swwoooonnnnnn

I was hooked  and drooling. I *knew* I needed to stray from my muted and soft colors and GO BOLD or GO HOME. :)

The concept of lolliPOP was born after marrying my love of the seasons trendiest colors with my increased fascination with the stocking stuffer turned home accessory.   LolliPOP is a collection of accessories that women of all ages can enjoy. It's a way to experiment with the trends without the FULL commitment of colored denim and neon chevrons. :)

I'm a visual girl so sketches were drawn, lists were made,  and prototypes were constructed.

a lillypie lollipop. :)

When coming up with  a set of new designs I like to think of a story. Who is my customer? What are they looking for? How can I make them happy? I want this collection to be an extension of my personality and full of products that I not only love but so does my customer.  Lots of thinking. Lots of planning. and a lot of conversations with husband and friends about my ideas.

True story, girlfriend. Print in my studio from YellowHeartArt

I wanted this collection to be full of EVERYDAY pieces.  I want items to be loved and worn often --lillypies aren't just fun photography props for family photoshoot or newborn photos---they are designed to be  everyday. 

In March--I began production. I narrowed down my 45 item list to a more manageable 30. I eliminated several designs that were not cohesive with my vision. I  also added 3 last minute designs ((as in --I made them 2 hours before my product photoshoot)) that are currently my FAVORITE of the entire collection.

Last week I brought my entire collection and a gaggle of fun lollipop props and met Sarah of Sarah-Beth Photography at her downtown studio for a styled shoot. We were joined by four darling little girls and their mothers for one of the most fun dress up sessions ever! The little models enjoyed licking *rather* large lollipops while their mothers dressed them up in fun dresses. I plopped my collection on the babes and the mommas while Sarah snapped away. I was BLOWN away by the entire afternoon.  I LOVE THIS JOB.  I met some darling women from Indianapolis who are gorgeous inside and out. Their little ones were happy, energetic, and full of life. I couldn't of asked for a better group to model this collection. My heart was full that day.

This collection is fun, bright, and cheerful.  It's trendy. It's classic. Lillypie is about making women feel put together and adorable.

Lillypie is loving your daughter and yourself.

I can't wait to share the entire collection with you! I hope you enjoyed the story of how it came to be!

Tuesday is going to be a fun day!! I hope you'll come back to see all the pretty things I have in store!