The NY Gift Fair has officially begun, and we are off to a lovely start! I’ve launched 12 new items, and here is one of them – in a trade bead-inspired pattern which I love for it’s texture and mood.  My new Grand Plan pads are beautiful, offset printed paper blocks (over 1″ thick) with three perforated panels. So, one big list can become three little ones or vice versa. It’s always nice to have options.

I love designing for the space where work and life meet. It’s a place I am in a lot, myself. I’m often in need of a large piece of paper at the beginning of the day – and many times, I find myself making several lists at once- I almost think of it as the blueprint for my day. I loved the idea of creating a beautiful paper item that is also comfortable in the organizing, decor, and gift category, and I’m really happy to introduce these as a part of my line.

I’ll post more images as items debut, but I thought this was a good place to start for a Monday. After the show is over, I’ll also be listing our newest in the shop.

Headed to NYC? Swing on by: #4150 with Crow and Canary Rep Group!

As I mentioned in my new product post on Tuesday, we’ll be showing at the NYIGF here in NYC for the first time, at the end of January (Booth 4150! Ahem). Today, I’m wrapping up the promo postcard, so I can send them out next week, just in time.

I love designing my promotions – and usually try to come up with a neat concept, since what I send to buyers needs to work hard for me. The challenge now is that I’m not quite done with my new styles, so I didn’t want to include images that were not final. However, I think this will work for a postcard. I also thought it was apropos since I’m from NYC myself. The back will house info on my products, a thumbnail, and relevant details.

Anyway I hope the debut will be a big success, and I liked this idea so much I wanted to share it here. When I get the cards back from the printer, I’ll probably post a pic of how they turn out. One little tweak I can already see I should make is making the R in Fair a little brighter.

PS. If you’re a retailer and would like more info or to make an appointment to see the line, more info can be found here

Happy 2012! I hope you’re enjoying it so far. Actually, I have a feeling it’s going to be an amazing year. Do you?

I spent mine here in NYC and in the Hudson Valley – which was a welcome break from what turned out to be a very busy holiday season for me.

Now it’s time to plunge back into work, and I’m getting ready to show at the NY Int’l Gift Fair at the end of January. We’ll launch three new products, in a bunch of new patterns…and I can’t wait.

Over the years, I’ve come to relish creating the packaging for my line as much as I love making the patterns. It’s the point where the designs really start to come alive as products, and it’s always exciting. Up here is a spec sample of one new style in progress. Lately I’m totally into utilitarian hardware labels of the 1920′s meeting delicate, textural patterns, and I’m loving the cardboard touches and the textures in this item. I think the diamond shape on the packaging is a bit strange….but I tried a square, and an oval, and a circle, and they’re just plain not as cool.