Custom Work

I love a challenge. I love when a customer has a vision, and just needs someone to make it real. Ok, it does take some of the pressure off of me as a designer, but it presents new challenges. Is my sense of proportion, color and layout going to fulfill her vision? Am I going to spend all this time working on it just to find out it's not anything like what they wanted?

Some designers & artists loath the idea that what they create may not be at all what the customer wanted. This is always a possibility. I've found, however, that after so many years designing, whether it be logos, furniture or a sign, that your confidence level does come through in your work. Customers come to you because they like what you do, and WANT that "look" that says it's yours. Otherwise, they wouldn't come to you!

There's always going to be that one time when your vision doesn't match your customer's. That's when we as artists must be willing to go that extra mile, it's the nature of custom work. I've had to remake items, and it's those times when I realize perhaps I wasn't listening to exactly what they were really saying. Sometimes they relay a detail that gives me a clue as to what they really mean.

Sometimes, though, they aren't really sure, and it's up to me to know what will look best. It's a collaboration of ideas and communication. One thing I've learned over my years as a designer, is that effective communication is crucial to serve your customers in the best way possible.

Perhaps it isn't exactly what they had in mind. Perhaps it's even better! Perhaps you'll have to redo a job. It's ok. It's the challenge of taking a vision and making it real that builds that confidence and makes you a better designer. Often, it's your job as a designer to let the customer know that certain aspects of their vision won't work in reality, and with just this adjustment or that, it will work.

Sometimes their vision won't work at all, then the onus is on you as the professional to communicate why and offer up a better alternative. Either way, it's a good experience builder to improve your communication skills, your problem solving skills, and your creative skills.

So don't shrink away from a challenge if you know it's something you can handle. And know when to tactfully say "this won't work". You're the professional. You will both walk away with something you wanted, or even something you needed. Risks are important to building a business, they can and do provide learning experience and a chance at greater success!

Have a custom horror story? What have you learned from it? Or tell us a success story when you knew what needed to be done, and it all worked beautifully!

Soft Comfort for Any Hair!

I've been having a blast making these headbands! They're a new venture for me, and have been selling well locally. A lovely friend at the Lost Spool does my embroidery for me, and I can't stop making them!

My customers rave about how comfortable they are to wear, while growing out bangs, or just for a quick and easy do. I find myself going the "easy do" route often!

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KaBoogie Babies!

A few of my boogie babies. I live for this! Many customers send me pics of their little ones in their boogie shoes, I've got a big folder of them, some have given me permission to use them, so here they are....ta-da!!

This little guy needed some black leather ankle boots, stat! Seeing how adorably his little birthday outfit came out, I'm glad I put a rush on this one!

This was my first pair of boots, for a special custom order. Her mom wanted them just a little higher than my ankle boot. I was thrilled at how well they came out!

A friend brought this little darling over one day and I just had to put these on her! Maryjanes are just so classicly sweet...

A customer at a craft show, I'd swear she brought this baby dressed JUST for these boots. One of my more exquisite designs, made from an eyelet skirt. Rare find, gorgeous boots!

Always on the lookout for more boogie baby shots, if your baby is sporting KaBoogies, I'd love to see a shot!

Train Them Up Well Already!

So.

You're running around your house behind your kids, picking up stray socks, vacuuming, clearing dishes, wiping counters, putting silverware away, folding laundry, bla, bla, bla. Those pampered little princes/princesses are toiling away on Facebook, having a pattern block war on their bedroom floor, or watching iCarly for the 400th time this week.

Not you? Good. Move ahead 2 spaces.

No, just kidding. I know we've all done this at one time, wondering why it's US doing all the work. The answer is simple. Because kids don't have the first clue how to do chores. They must be taught. I did a little experiment with my 5 year old today to see just how much she could handle. Now, she's been trained up to do many things, so you'd have to start simply. But I think you get the idea. Seriously, if you think your kids cannot do anything, it's because you haven't taught them how.

I gave her the vacuum cleaner, an Oreck, not too heavy. Told her to do the best she could in the dining room, moving the chairs for her. She got about 1/3 of the way through, said it was too hard, I believe her lol. She does know how to work.

This needs to start when they are around 2. They must learn to pick up. They need to be shown over and over, ohhh, until they're about 18. Then you can send them and their junk packing if you want. (Disclaimer: your standards will never be met, it's "kid" clean, as my bf told me, get over it or toil away alone). So here's my list, certainly not exhaustive, of things kids CAN handle, from about age 2, to start them getting used to the idea of chores. Be aware that at age 2, you have to take their hand, put it on the item to pick up, move them to where it goes, shake the hand til it drops LOL. Repeat for each item. They'll get it.

2-3 yr. olds :
Can sweep with a small broom, toy or one from the Dollar Store.
Give a basket they can carry when full, show them how to pick up toys and put them in. Afterwards show them how to put them where they belong. Small steps, one thing at a time.
Have a low drawer of plastic ware that they use, cups, plates, bowls. Have them empty those things from the dishwasher into their drawer. If you have to actually hold the item in their hand, walk them to the drawer and put it in, so be it, just be calm and firm. Usually they love this chore though, my 3 yr old does.
This is a good age to let them learn to cut things. Play dough and a plastic knife, graduating to butter knife and a hot dog. This is such a great skill for a child to learn, to be careful with cutting! Anything a 3+ yr old can cut with a butter knife is invaluable experience.
Teach them to put small piles of clothes in their drawers. This is the start toward the day they will actually bring the piles from the laundry room! You’ll probably start by sorting and laying piles on their beds. My 5 yr old sorts, carries up and puts hers away herself, as do the older kids.
3-5 yr. olds

Put their dishes in the sink, as long as they're plastic, anyway.
Clean up into basket and put away. If a room is particularly messy, give them 1 type of toy at a time to put away.
Feeding animals.
Watering animals.
Watering plants.
Sweeping/vacuuming with a small enough vac, and no, it won't be done very well.

Vacuuming stairs.
Putting laundry away.
Using a vinegar and water solution and a small squirt bottle they can clean tables, counters, sliding doors…anything you can think of. Cabinet and drawer fronts, chairs, things that get cruddy and we hate cleaning lol. A chamois type micro fiber cloth works very well, or a sock on their hand. Make them step back and look at their work when they’re done so they can see where to “fix”.

These are just some ideas, I'm sure you can come up with plenty, I'd love to hear more of your ideas. At this point it's plenty of work for mom, but worth doing. Kids need and WANT to feel like contributing members of the house. They appreciate the praise, and feeling like they matter. I tell mine often that I cannot run this house well without their help. We're a team!

Next time I'll get into chores and responsibilities I think older kids can handle.

Fix Your Facebook!

This is copied from a facebook post in my status updates!

To restore old Facebook look. Look to the left menu on the home tab and click on MORE. Then drag STATUS UPDATES to the top. After dragging to top, click on it. That becomes your default and it is like before. Pass it on.

That's it!

A New Venture

I met a lovely woman, the mother of one of my kid's schoolmates. She is a seamstress, like me, but she makes costumes for LARP, ren faires and CSA. She commissioned me to create some belt pouches to take with her this weekend to a LARP event. I gave her the outside rectangles to embroider, and WOW! The possibilities! They all use my typical recycled leather. I am excited because these use the heavier leather I am not able to make shoes from. They can be custom ordered in several colors, choices of images, or plain. Enjoy!

This butterfly mask she gave my daughter as a gift. See, I told you she was a lovely woman! These pouches can be direct ordered through me. Jo Jo is sporting a mask I had already, bought 20+ yrs ago, I may remake this one in leather. I will be working on a line of animal masks once the busy Christmas season is over.

A Little Etsy Love!

I love my customers. I do! No, REALLY. Not just because they buy shoes from me. But because I get to hear from them after they get their shoes. Their reactions give me more satisfaction than getting paid.
Sometimes they send pictures, which makes me feel like they value what I do so much more, to take the time to come bad, leave feedback AND take a picture during their busy lives.
Here's some of the feedback that gives me such joy:

"As I held these little shoes in my hand I could just imagine sliding them softly onto little feet. As a mom of four I would have loved to have these when my children were little! Soft yet protective of little feet. A perfect shoe for little feet!"

"Totally AWESOME!!! so well made, cute and comfortable fit, great styling, my daughter just LOVES them!! they have growing room without being bulky, they are soft inside and out, and just what I hoped for!! thanks so much for offering such wonderful moccasins at an affordable price!! fast turnaround, fast shipping, well packaged, great communication, just everything perfect! thanks so much!!"

"Oh my goodness, I LOVE THESE BOOTS! They are the cutest, most well-made, most comfortable boots! My 2-year-old, who hates wearing shoes, won't take them off. I can't say enough positive things about your work. I will be back for more the *second* she outgrows these. Thank you so much!"

This is what makes a place like Etsy so wonderful to sell on. Without the feedback, I'm just another anonymous seller, and they're just anonymous customers. I've developed friendships with my customers, gotten to see their children, and have used their ideas to make KaBoogie shoes an even better product.

So thank you so much for every kind word, it makes doing what I love SO worthwhile!