shop talk (( on my heart))

I'd love to talk shop for a bit.  Care to listen?


The other day Scott and I were talking Lillypie and as I was venting a few frustrations-he said something that settled in with me.
You love it  and it completes you--then it gives you a twitch.  I've learned to just let you ride the wave.



I'm running low on time. I don't have the consistent few hours each day to devote to designing, creating, and  packaging lillypie orders that I did a few months ago.  I have these monsters to blame.

The second being that I just can't commit to being a night owl anymore. For the past two years I've stayed up until 2-3am several times a week to complete orders. I loved it. The house was quiet.  It was just me and my thoughts and  some awweeessoommeee dark chocolate.  I just can't do that anymore. Adding a child and subtracting a full time job hasn't really equaled the extra time I thought it would. Foolish, foolish girl.

I've always been a creative person that creates in seasons. I would say that in 2012 my season was April--August. I just couldn't keep the ideas out of my head! During  those few months I cranked out two  LARGE collections--lollipop and latte da. They were/are super successful.  I also kept my shop stocked all summer with new designs each week--all while being 9 months pregnant/ keeping my head above water with a newborn. I drew out designs in the middle of the night on a post it pad on my nightstand.  I came up with my most popular design to date (the orange ombre necklace) while rocking a 2 week old Noah.

lollipop collection

image via Sarah-Beth Photography

 

latte da collection

image via Lemongrass Photography

 

And here I sit in January---and I am all dried up on good ideas! . It suuuccks. It's like Lilly's  good friend Marlin says in Finding Nemo  "People expect you to be funny just because you're a clown fish".  I expect myself to ooze creative ideas just because I'm artsy.

So---where am I going with all this? Well, I'm moving the shop over to strictly ready to ship. I did this over the summer and really enjoyed it. Here is my previous post about it. I won't be taking any custom orders until  late March when I'll open up the queue for custom Easter designs. I will make necklaces, headbands, and bracelets as I have time and supplies and will happily sell them. They will all be premade and will be shipped within 2 days of purchase. How awesome is that! No more week and a half turn around.  It also means that once my stock for the particular item has been bought--there is no guarantee when/if  more will be made. 

I had a half-assed collection put together to release in January. I'd say three of the ten designs are rad and I'm super proud of them. The others? Ehh... They were fillers. Is it okay for me to even say that?! Just being honest. So I'm dumping the ehh ones and will maybe release the awesome ones later. I was pulling together all the designs and wasn't too impressed. If I'm not impressed--how can I expect you to be?  It's just embarrassing and NOT how I want to do business.

Another little lillypie shop keeping announcement is that all designs and products will be FINAL. I inspect each item before it's shipped and  stand behind my work.  If an item  is too small and/or too large I'll happily resize it for you but will charge a "fix it" fee to cover time, supplies, and shipping.  All measurements are listed in the item description to help you decide on length/size. This goes the same with items that become damaged/broken. I understand things happen--my darling Noah ripped a favorite necklace off of my neck just this past Sunday. Monster thought it was food. I can no longer fix, resize, restring, or remake items without charge. While it's the nice thing to do---it's poor business practice.  You might disagree with me--but I have to stand firm on this. Thanks for understanding.



Lillypie has always been about what I'm passionate about and what I love. I've always said that I will change it to meet the needs of my family and myself. You all  are great--and I'm so happy that you're letting me do what I love. I'm even more grateful that you're letting me change what I love into something I'll love even more.

The shop will move over to Ready to Ship ONLY on January 14th. As a thank you, please enjoy 25% off the entire shop until then with code 'Awesome25'.

Lillypie is READY TO SHIP ((shop update))

Lillypie is now READY TO SHIP.

Up until today --most  if not all my items were made to order. You order. I make. I package. I ship. Rinse annnnnd Repeat.

Now------ I make. You Order.  I Ship.  Rinse annnnnddddd Repeat. 

There are a few reasons for this change. The biggest reason is my little big man  in mah belleh.  I need more control over my business. Up until now it hasn't been an issue to keep up with orders. Busy weeks, slow weeks.....I really just went with the flow.  However with the arrival of the newbie---I need to control the amount of time spent on my business.

This will allow me to assess inventory and make lots of my best sellers--like the ruffled rose pendants, whimsical headbands, and  clip trios on my own time.

I'm hoping to curb the "ohhhmaaaaaaaaaaah gaaahhhhhhhh I need to make 6 head

bands, cook dinner, change a diaper, moby wrap my little, pay attention to my toddler, and keep mahself saneeeeee" breakdowns.

When I have time, energy, and the creative skitters (which I happen to get A LOT) I'll close myself off in my studio and make make make.

And what is REALLY exciting??

This change also benefits you, the awesome customer.

Everything listed in my shop is ready to go. No more production time. No more waiting for me to make-then package-then ship. The part that takes the most time will already be done!  You can expect your lillypies a whollleeee lot sooner. Whoommmmpaloomp!

So how will you know when I update the shop?

I will post updates as often as a can. Some weeks there might be dozens of items ready to fly. Other weeks----like early July (when mister arrives) there might be a few or heck....ZERO.

I'll ALWAYS notify via my facebook fanpage first.  Here's a link if you'd like to pop over. ;)

Shop Updates will also get their own blog posts on Mondays with lots of pretty pictures.

This is a big change for little lillypie but I'm excited for the opportunities ahead!

I just big fat puffy paint heart this business.

You're adorable,

Laura