i feel like i have had the longest three weeks of my entire life. last night when i started typing this post i did not even get past typing the title of the post before i felt the need to go to bed. i spent this last weekend driving and flying back and forth between portland and seattle. i had an event planned in seattle for the past few months, then my son's first communion was scheduled for the same weekend, and our friends suffered the loss of their sweet little daughter. so i spent the weekend grieving, printing, working, attending a funeral (or rather a celebration of life), working an event, flying home for first communion and back to work again, and then driving home late on sunday........i am totally exhausted & missing my family like crazy. oh, did i mention i am training for a marathon too..............need sleep!
i think that's enough feeling sorry for myself. the one thing that i have learned these past few weeks is that most of the worries and problems that i have on a day to day basis are really kind of trivial in the grand scheme of things. it is easy to get worked up over the little things in life when you are a busy parent, wife, and small business owner. i had an order for a store that was overdue this last week, and i just honestly could not bring myself to drive across town to deliver it. i could not worry about delivering this order when my friends, family, community, and myself were consumed with grief. all i wanted to do was to help my friends in some way to get through their daughter's funeral, even if it was just making sandwiches & filling cups with candy, or finding the perfect yellow flower to wear to her celebration. so the order was delivered late, and life goes on.
be sure to check out PedX shoe shangri-la for their new shipment of b hive shirts and hoodies!
pedX shoe shangrila
2230 ne alberta street
portland, OR 97211
p.s. thanks pedX for being so patient!!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
a bit of yellow for mk
the past few days have been extremely worrisome for many of my friends and family. a very sweet little friend of ours has suffered liver failure and is in very critical condition. this tragedy was completely unexpected and occurred virtually over-night. i had a very difficult time concentrating on my work this last weekend, because i was so worried about our friend MK. the truth is that when you have children of your own, you can't help thinking that this could be happening to your own child, and all you want to do is find a way to help. yesterday when i arrived home my husband was cooking dinner for MK's family, and my son had a little yellow ribbon pinned to his shirt in support of his friend. so, even though this post has nothing to do with b hive designs, i just feel like i need to send a little yellow ribbon out into the virtual world for MK. she needs all of the prayers and good intentions that she can get right now!..............we love you MK
Sunday, May 3, 2009
missing the sunshine
i'm in LA, but i am missing out on all of the sunshine! at least i am surrounded by a number of really cool artists here at UNIQUE. it's funny, when i am in portland i often daydream about california and the sunshine that i left behind when i moved up north, but now that i am here i am feeling a little homesick and wishing there was a little more green on the horizon. i can honestly say that i also miss the people of the northwest. the shoppers have been great here, but i still miss my peeps. i will definitely give props to the amazing sonja, who organizes the UNIQUE event. she managed to arrange a truly unique showing of arts and crafts, and in an amazing loft-like location that overlooks downtown LA.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
unique los angeles
unique, unique......gosh i hope my tees, blouses and crafts are unique enough! i am headed to LA to sell my goodies at the UNIQUE Los Angeles show. i am really excited to take this trip. not only will i see my sister, her family, and my best friend, but i will be selling amongst some really talented artists. a number of whom will be traveling, just like me, from p-town. you should definitely check out the vendor list on their website, pretty impressive!i am also very excited to sell a few new designs. my "not blossoms" design, modeled here by the lovely miss rachel, is such a delicate print. i have it printed in a number of variations, in multiple colors, on tees, blouses, skirts, and kitchen linens. i can't wait to showcase this design and a number of others this weekend.
with that said, many of you may have noticed that my website is empty. well, the truth is i just can't keep up with the picture taking, listing, etc., that is required of an on-line store. plus, most of my pieces are one of a kind & i don't have very much backstock. so i've decided to leave my website and my etsy shop empty through the weekend. i promise to load the shops up with lots more goodies when i return to portland next week.
until then, shop handmade at a local craft show...........see my list below.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
irvington artisan market - april 25, 2009
i am so excited to be working at the irvington artisan market this coming saturday. not only is it the official start of my work year, but i will be introducing my new line of eco-friendly shirts. my little workshop is now officially lead & phthalate free! as i mentioned in a few of my previous posts i was encouraged to change all of my inks in order to comply with the cpsia, and as a result i think that i have an even better product to offer you. in addition to changing the inks that i am using, all of my children's shirts are organic cotton, made in the usa, and certified lead & phthalate free by the manufacturer.
i will also be introducing a few new designs and great colors for summer. so be sure to stop by the irvington artisan market this saturday to pick up a cool tee for yourself, or as a gift for your mom.
happy spring!
springtime events
HERE IT IS
chances to buy b hive designs
** COME SEE ME & RECEIVE UP TO 20% OFF **
April 25th (Sat), 10am - 4pm
Irvington Artisan Market
In the Historic Ballroom at the Irvington Tennis Club
2131 NE Thompson
Portland, OR
May 2nd (Sat), 11am - 7pm
May 3rd (Sun), 11am - 5pm
UNIQUE Los Angeles
California Market Center
110 East Ninth St
Los Angeles, CA
May 9th (Sat), 10am - 5pm
En Plein Air - French Market
Portland French School
6318 SW Corbett Ave,
Portland, OR 97239
May 10th (Sun), 11am - 4pm
Crafty Wonderland
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E. Burnside
Portland, OR
May 16th (Sat), 10am - 6pm
May 17th (Sun), 10am - 7pm
University District Street Fairl
Exit 169 (the 45th/50th Street Exit)
when traveling north or south on Interstate 5
Seattle, WA
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
in reverse
the past few weeks i have been trying to reorganize my business. the catalyst for this change was the cpsia, but it is something that i have wanted to do for the past couple of years. i have invested in an entirely new eco-friendly lot of inks. i am really excited about using my new ink, but of course in order to do so i will need to destroy all of my screens and recreate new ones that can withstand the water used in the clean up process. in other words, it might be a while before i get some new designs printed with my new ink. i'm not even entirely sure how the inks will print on my different colored shirts, so it is sort of like starting my business all over again. in the meantime, you can still buy the remainder of my inventory on my website or on etsy. all of the children's shirts will be half off until i print new shirts, and all women's short sleeved shirts are on special too. ooh, and i have a new design....just a little something to remind you that spring is almost here!.....(click on the picture to get a better look)
Sunday, March 8, 2009
back in business
so, I took a little break after the holiday season.......but, now i'm back!come visit me today, sunday 3/8/09, at the crafty wonderland sale. i have some super deals to kick start your spring/summer wardrobe. all children's shirts are $10 off, all women's short sleeve and long sleeve crew necks are $10 off, and everything else is $5 off!!
doug fir lounge
830 e. burnside
portland, or
11am - 4pm
Thursday, January 29, 2009
blowout sale.....onesies & kids tees
so, enough doom & gloom over the cpsia......let's embrace the positive. buy B HIVE DESIGNS onesies and kids tees for 50% off until 2/9/09. hip hip hooray!i'll even throw in a little bonus. the first person to buy the super cute little newborn gown pictured here (only $10), will receive a blanket to match! it's the perfect baby gift.
p.s. all women's short sleeved shirts are also on sale, so be sure to check those out too!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
CPSIA Blog Day
oh, the cpsia. have you heard about this new law that will take effect on february 10? well, this law will definitely put producers of handmade children's items out of business, and many small firms that make toys and children's products. this act will have far reaching ramifications beyond my little one person business. think about a small business that produces children's clothing, or toys, or cloth diapers, or baby slings, baby quilts, etc., etc. this small business can have anywhere from 1 to 50 employees. for example a locally owned children's clothing business probably employs a pattern maker, more than one seamstress, a graphic designer, not to mention the owner/visionary of the business....all jobless on February 10, because they can't afford the lead/phthalate testing and certification. not to mention the price you will be paying as a result of the testing costs. it is too much to detail what is required of the testing, but let's just say that for most of us it is redundant testing. most crafters and handmade artisans can buy components that have already been tested and certified from large companies (i.e. i can purchase lead/phthalate free shirts & ink, but i would still need to test these components again). as a fellow "handmade artisan", i am joining the many bloggers today who are voicing their concerns over the cpsia's new set of laws. please read this statement at www.boulieblog.com
i also think that it is worth it to read this article by Paul H. Rubin.
and last but not least, i just want to say that i am not entirely opposed to this act. i completely believe that lead/phthalate levels need to be regulated in children's products. i just think that the cpsia needs some revisions. i mean what's next, is grandma going to be jailed for making her grandchild a quilt?......you know what i mean:)
Friday, January 23, 2009
a sign of spring......maybe
this morning on my way to pick up miles from his play group i witnessed my first sign that winter is waning. not only have our days been sunshiny, it has been getting dark later, and now there are blossoms on the trees too! yay!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
say goodbye to the little tees
i am just so sad today!!!!
when i started my little business of making shirts in the summer of 2007, my main motivation was to dress my own two children in unique clothing that was made locally. i was so tired of the ridiculous clothing options for boys....i mean how many different dinosaurs and trucks does one little boy need. so, i bought some shirts from american apparel and started printing owls, pigs, birds, dogs, trees, and other designs that really are not very childlike, but look great on my kids. i was so happy to print on shirts that are made in the USA (los angeles to be exact), and that are 100% cotton. not only was i supporting our own US economy by purchasing these shirts, but i managed to create a small business of my own. a business that works with the needs of my family, and that fuels my creative needs. i am able to be at home with my children, and i only work long hours while they are asleep or on one of the few days that i have childcare. sounds like the perfect stay at home solution, right?
well, as of february 10 this year, i could face conviction with fines of tens of thousands of dollars and potentially even jail time if i continue this innocent little business.
the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which will take effect on february 10, will force me to shut down production of all of my children's products. this new law, while very good in many ways, will ultimately be the demise of many unique and talented arts and crafts people who make products for children. i cannot complain about the law overall. this law will regulate lead and phthalate levels in children's products. as a mother, i have never understood how so many children's toys could be sold in this country with high levels of lead and phthalates, so i am grateful and 100% supporive of this type of law. however, there are many layers to this law that need to be clarified. for example, as the law stood last week, all thrift stores and re-sale stores would have been banned from selling any used items. luckily, the public complained and the law was revised to exclude re-sellers. could you imagine what that would have done to so many low-income families, and families affected by our economic crisis who depend on low cost resell items. not to mention the fact that once this law takes effect on february 10, the cost of all children's items will be going up to accomodate the new testing and certification that will be required of each item.
so, b hive designs shirts for kids are a thing of the past. i will not be able to afford the labratory batch testing that is required off all children's items. the cost alone would raise the cost of a onesie to about $100 each, and i just don't think anyone would pay that much for a teeny weeny piece of fabric that will inevitably be covered in food and goo. the frustrating thing for me is that even if i were to buy shirts that are already cerfitified lead and phthalate free, and if i were to print with ink that is already certified lead and phthalate free, i would still be required to test the final product. i guess i will need to change the "about" page on my website. here is what is says until february 10......
"The goal of my business is to be creative and promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle for my children. All of my baby & kid’s tees are made in the USA sweatshop free. And all adult tees are either made in the USA sweatshop free, are oganic cotton, or are conventional cotton made by manufacturers who comply with strict fair labor principles. The totes are made from organic cotton, and the grocery bags are made from recycled cotton, manufactured fair wage, fair labor. I am also an avid recycler, and only purchase paper that is 100% post consumer content for my business purposes."
so much for trying to do the right thing. but never fear, you will still be able to buy kids shirts at the mall, because big corporations who can afford the testing will win again!
sorry about that little bitter jab, but i just can't help being a little upset. i love all of my little tees. they are the cutest little things, and my customers love them. it is a sad, sad day!
needless to say, this is it, your last chance to buy a b hive designs shirt for your little ones. i have about 3 weeks to deplete my inventory, so every last item that i have will be 50% off through 2/9/2009. i have limited stock on-line, but i will be posting more items within the next week. so be sure to check back if you can't find what you want.
also, this does not mean that i am going out of business. you will still be able to purchase all of my adult shirts after february 10. this law only applies to items made for children under the age of 12.
Where to buy my kids tees.....
www.bhivedesigns.com
www.bhivedesigns.etsy.com
Splurge artist boutique
1323 NE Fremont
Portland, OR 97212
503.288.7770
www.splurgeportland.com
when i started my little business of making shirts in the summer of 2007, my main motivation was to dress my own two children in unique clothing that was made locally. i was so tired of the ridiculous clothing options for boys....i mean how many different dinosaurs and trucks does one little boy need. so, i bought some shirts from american apparel and started printing owls, pigs, birds, dogs, trees, and other designs that really are not very childlike, but look great on my kids. i was so happy to print on shirts that are made in the USA (los angeles to be exact), and that are 100% cotton. not only was i supporting our own US economy by purchasing these shirts, but i managed to create a small business of my own. a business that works with the needs of my family, and that fuels my creative needs. i am able to be at home with my children, and i only work long hours while they are asleep or on one of the few days that i have childcare. sounds like the perfect stay at home solution, right?
well, as of february 10 this year, i could face conviction with fines of tens of thousands of dollars and potentially even jail time if i continue this innocent little business.
the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which will take effect on february 10, will force me to shut down production of all of my children's products. this new law, while very good in many ways, will ultimately be the demise of many unique and talented arts and crafts people who make products for children. i cannot complain about the law overall. this law will regulate lead and phthalate levels in children's products. as a mother, i have never understood how so many children's toys could be sold in this country with high levels of lead and phthalates, so i am grateful and 100% supporive of this type of law. however, there are many layers to this law that need to be clarified. for example, as the law stood last week, all thrift stores and re-sale stores would have been banned from selling any used items. luckily, the public complained and the law was revised to exclude re-sellers. could you imagine what that would have done to so many low-income families, and families affected by our economic crisis who depend on low cost resell items. not to mention the fact that once this law takes effect on february 10, the cost of all children's items will be going up to accomodate the new testing and certification that will be required of each item.
so, b hive designs shirts for kids are a thing of the past. i will not be able to afford the labratory batch testing that is required off all children's items. the cost alone would raise the cost of a onesie to about $100 each, and i just don't think anyone would pay that much for a teeny weeny piece of fabric that will inevitably be covered in food and goo. the frustrating thing for me is that even if i were to buy shirts that are already cerfitified lead and phthalate free, and if i were to print with ink that is already certified lead and phthalate free, i would still be required to test the final product. i guess i will need to change the "about" page on my website. here is what is says until february 10......
"The goal of my business is to be creative and promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle for my children. All of my baby & kid’s tees are made in the USA sweatshop free. And all adult tees are either made in the USA sweatshop free, are oganic cotton, or are conventional cotton made by manufacturers who comply with strict fair labor principles. The totes are made from organic cotton, and the grocery bags are made from recycled cotton, manufactured fair wage, fair labor. I am also an avid recycler, and only purchase paper that is 100% post consumer content for my business purposes."
so much for trying to do the right thing. but never fear, you will still be able to buy kids shirts at the mall, because big corporations who can afford the testing will win again!
sorry about that little bitter jab, but i just can't help being a little upset. i love all of my little tees. they are the cutest little things, and my customers love them. it is a sad, sad day!
needless to say, this is it, your last chance to buy a b hive designs shirt for your little ones. i have about 3 weeks to deplete my inventory, so every last item that i have will be 50% off through 2/9/2009. i have limited stock on-line, but i will be posting more items within the next week. so be sure to check back if you can't find what you want.also, this does not mean that i am going out of business. you will still be able to purchase all of my adult shirts after february 10. this law only applies to items made for children under the age of 12.
Where to buy my kids tees.....
www.bhivedesigns.com
www.bhivedesigns.etsy.com
Splurge artist boutique
1323 NE Fremont
Portland, OR 97212
503.288.7770
www.splurgeportland.com
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