Decisions and Directions: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm!

This morning I had the opportunity to talk to a marketing company about some awesome tools that are available to big companies, little companies, and start up companies.  Kevin forwarded me an email regarding a free demo.  In a half hour, I learned how another company can use it's resources to connect me to people, other companies, and journalists all around the country and increase my sales.  Nice!  This company is able to do this by using the tools I am already using (plus new tools) but using them more effectively.  You know the saying, "there is an app for that" is kind of true.  I am so not a techie and was very much blown away by the presentation.

I called Kevin up immediately after the meeting and told him I was impressed.  He says, "So how much does it cost?"  Yep, there is the clincher.  $3,000 for the platform I am interested in.  $3,000.  $3,000.  $3,000.  Three times because it is $3,000.  You get it.  It costs a lot of money and 715 Pillows does not have that much money in it's paypal account.  Have you ever seen Ferris Bueller's Day Off?  Well, do you remember the scene when Cameron flips out because of all the miles on the his dad's beloved car?  Here is a reminder: 

In a way I feel a little like Cameron.  I am not flipping out really.  I am not flipping out at all.  But, I am conflicted and sometimes a good AHHHHHHH is a pleasant release.  I like this pillow gig.  It is fun.  I have sold a few pillows to family and friends but most of my pillows have been sold to people I have never met.  My pillows are decorating homes from from sea to shining sea.  Not kidding, the good folks of California are digging 715 Pillows.  So, do I keep doing what I am doing which equates to steady sales and a bit of revenue?  Or, do I take a risk, a gamble, a plunge?  Do I really think that I have it in me to make it as a "real" company?  It is not like I invented Spanx.  I just make throw pillows.  What makes my pillows stand out?  I don't know.  But, if I am going to take this to the next step, I suppose I would have to answer some big questions.

$3,000 is a lot of money.  That it $250 a month.  I don't pay $250 a month on my car payment.  What do I want to do?  I don't know.  Up until I took this call I was thinking I should go back to school to be an ultrasound tech or pursue some other non-invasive medical job in two years when Violet is in school all day.  Things that make you go hmmmm or things that make you go ahhhhhhhhh?  I guess it is a little bit of both since this is a matter of a pipe dream and reality.

Josie Geller Makes Pillows: My Connection With Drew Barrymore!

They just do't make 'em like they used to.

Movies are kind of like comfort food.  There are some movies out there that just make you feel good - kind of like homemade mac n' cheese.  There are movies that one can relate to, bring back memories, make you cry, make you laugh, or just entertain.  When Kevin is out of town, I like to watch documentaries and period movies, like Merchant Ivory films.  Also, when Kevin is away, I like to watch tearjerkers.  Wow!  Nothing brings on the tears for me like The Way We Were and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Have you ever watched the movie, My Dog Skip?  I can't even write about it because I will cry.  Actually, I am not allowed to watch that movie.  Watching Planes, Trains, and Automobiles around Thanksgiving is a must.  Thirteen Going on Thirty came out the year I turned thirty.  The scene where Meg Ryan flies to Paris in the movie French Kiss reminds of my first panic filled flight to Paris. I kind of wish interesting Frenchman had been sitting next to me.  Anyway, not all these movies are great movies, but they do make me happy and that is all that matters.  This weekend, Kevin and I were revisiting a movie that makes us giggle and we discovered something that we hadn't given much attention to in the past.

It is not a great movie.  I don't even remember it being out at the movie theater.  But, whenever Kevin and I can't really decide on a movie, we proudly settle for Never Been Kissed.  It is a silly movie about a intelligent, yet frumpy copy editor who get's her big break as an undercover reporter.  The catch is that she must go back to high school, which was a humiliating time in her life.  Throughout the movie, usually when Josie Geller (Drew Barrymore) is making a strange face or embarrassing herself, Kevin will usually say something like, "Who does that remind you of?"  The last time we watched this movie, we noticed that Josie Geller makes pillows.  Whoa!!!!  I have something in common with Drew Barrymore, besides the fact that we are both incredibly beautiful women!!!!  (I am kidding!!!)  Okay, I am not a moron.  I know it is just a movie.  I know Drew Barrymore is playing a character.  But, that character sews pillows, is really good at embarrassing herself, is kind of a klutz, and is a damn good writer.  Hmmmm....Does this sound a little bit like your's truly? Maybe a little because I am by no means a grammarian.  Expect, I have never been physically gross - I have always washed my hair.  Okay, summer camp and camping are two exceptions for any bouts of poor hygiene that I may have exhibited.

The satisfaction of a job well done!

So, if I were playing Six Degrees of Separation would it count if I said, "Hey Drew Barrymore played Josie Geller, who sews pillows, and I sew pillows so there you go."  Um, maybe not.  Now if Drew Barrymore was looking for some custom made pillows for her gestating baby, I might be able to help her out.  Drew, or anyone else really, let me know if you need a pillow.  I am open for business!

Me, my pillows, my name is sort of in lights at the top of the tank.
Instead of putting all my pillows on my bed, I put them in fish tank!

   

Race to Reopen the Belle Isle Aquarium: Fun, Food, and Fish!

Are you getting sick of my blog posts on the Belle Isle Aquarium?  Because in case you missed the first two, this is number three!  My first post described my joy and excitement as I prepared my dry tank exhibit and the second post described the behind the scenes fun I had setting up a fish tank full of pillows.  Good times!  So, what else could I possibly have to say about this event?  Isn't it obvious?!?!?  Now I am writing because someone needs to tell you to get down to the historic Belle Isle Aquarium on Thursday night!

I am going to take you back to elementary school English class for a moment and give you the who, what, where, when, why, and how's of the "Race to Reopen the Aquarium" event.

Who:  You need to go!
What:  "Race to Reopen the Aquarium" a gala with music, fish, finger foods, and fun!
Where:  Belle Isle Aquarium on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan
When: Thursday, May 31, 2012 from 7pm to 11pm
Why:  The aquarium was the oldest continually operating aquarium in the United States until it closed in 2005 due to lack of funds.  This place is a gem and it is needs to be open.
How:  Show up at the aquarium in your "summer chic" duds and plan to spend $50 a ticket.

I know, it sounds like a lot of fun!  That is why I am going!

I tugged, twisted, cried, begged, and pleaded with my husband to get him to take me to this event.  Okay, I am exaggerating.  All I had to do was say, "Hey, since my pillows are hanging out in a tank at the aquarium, don't you think we should hang out at the aquarium?"  It took little or no convincing and since my birthday was last week, my husband somehow bought me the most perfect dress for the occasion.  And it fits... it fits welll!!!!!

Sure, I want people to come out and see my pillows.  I ordered some really cool Detroit and jellyfish fabric that I am hoping will come in the mail ASAP so that I can add some nautical and local flavor to my tank.  But, regardless of my desire to introduce more people to my pillows, the fundraiser really is going to be a snazzy little event.  I encourage all of you who ever went to Belle Isle as a kid, but never had the chance to take your own kids to get out there and and support the aquarium.  I don't this you will be disappointed!  

Violet: Color, Flower, Literary Character, and My Kid!

Names are pretty important to new parents.  Couples spend a lot of time trying to find the perfect name for a person they have never met.  It is hard work.  My husband said "no" to many of the names that I suggested.  And I certainly expressed my deep concern when Kevin suggested Vera and Pearl.  Vera and Pearl Mlutkowski?????  Anyway, it is hard to pick names.  However, most of the time names seem to fit the kid.  Mimi is actually an Amelia and I think her given name and nickname suits her well.  She is a smart, playful, sassy, caring, loves to please, and is beautiful little girl.  Violet is all the things that her sister is but a little more devious.  But, little did we know when we named her she has a literary and silver screen doppelganger.  


Have you ever read Charlie and Chocolate Factory or seen the movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory?  Do you remember the character Violet Beauregarde?  Well Violet is a gum chewing champ and she turns into a giant blueberry after eating blueberry pie gum.  She swells up in a giant blueberry and the Oompa Loompas have to take her down to the juicing room to return her back to normal.

Violet Beauregarde - this could happen to my own Violet!

We had planned to name our own Violet, Lucy.  About a month before she was born, Kevin said, "How about the name Violet?"  Sure, why not!  Well, we could not have picked a more appropriate name.  She loves the color purple even though we tried to steer clear of dressing her in too much purple.  Do you know how annoying it is to hear, "Oh, you named her Violet and you dress her in purple.  How cute!  Do you do that all the time?"  Uh no, I just liked the outfit.  But, she likes purple.  She also loves blueberries.  I am not talking about just enjoying blueberries.  The child can down a pint of blueberries a day.  At least blueberries are a super food!  Well, yesterday the child ate so many blueberries (frozen, fresh, and in pancakes) that she actually started to resemble Violet Beauregarde.  Blueberry stains around her mouth, her chin, cheeks, eyes, forehead - they were everywhere.

Violet -the Blueberry Monster!  This picture does not really show how
blue her face became after eating so many blueberries.

After dinner, we ventured outside to plant our flower, fruit, and veggie gardens.  The girls wanted to plant blueberries and strawberries this year.  They were so excited.  Mimi was a great help but Violet who looked like a walking blueberry stated, "I don't want to help.  I don't want to get dirty."  Interesting because she was covered in blueberry stains, snot, and dirt already.

Mimi - the Strawberry Monster planting strawberry plants.

Violet's blueberry plant

So, what is in a name and how does my name suit me?  Well, I basically believe that sometimes my name should mean lazy moron.  After planting I decided to water the gardens.  Even though I have not forgotten that I am dog-sitting for my parents, I did forget (or too lazy) to clean up dog poop! I dragged the hose across the backyard and watered my plants.  As I was putting the hose away I kept smelling something very nasty.  I realized there was poop on the hose, poop - not dirt on my hands, and poop on my clothes.  GROSSSSSSS!!!!!!  Ugh!  I cleaned myself up very quickly and my shoes spent the night outside.  When trying to clean my shoes this morning, I noticed what bad shape they are actually in.  Therefore, I am ditching my old shoes and trading them in or a new model.

Rather bold and clownish but, hey they are sooo comfy!

To quote one of my favorite comedians, Mel Brooks, "Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin.  The talent of a writer is his ability to give them their separate names, identities, personalities and have them relate to other characters living with him."  I like this quote for a couple reasons.  We are not born in a vacuum.  We are the product of our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and all of their experiences. We are an individuals under constant influence.  Maybe that is why reading fiction is so fun.  The characters maybe imaginary but you know they could have existed, maybe just not so exaggerated.  So, isn't it fun when fiction and real life collide?  Whenever Violet eats blueberries, I often think that one these days an Oompa Loompa is going to have to take her away for juicing.  Maybe this thought is wrong, but it does make me smile!  

Belle Isle Aquarium: Behind the Scenes

This weekend I got a rare opportunity to play around in a 650 gallon fish tank in an aquarium that is over 100 year old!  What a treat!  I like old buildings and old stuff.  I like snooping around and going places that most people normally don't get to see.  When I travel, I enjoy off the beaten path kind of spots.  So, hanging out in a fish tank is just the place for me.

In case you did not read Thursday's post about 715 Pillows decorating and empty tank, here is where you can check out the back story.  Late Friday afternoon, pretty much immediately after my husband returned home from Seattle, I packed the family up to pick out my fish tank at the Belle Isle Aquarium.  There were fish, turtles, an eel, a few volunteers, and the Pewabic Pottery folks hanging around the old aquarium.  I just love the green tiled ceiling.  You really do feel like you are underwater.  A volunteer showed me my choices of empty tanks and I chose a medium sized tank that had fake coral ledges.  My thought was that it might make it easier to stack pillows.  We walked through a narrow corridor, behind the tanks to get to my tank.  I climbed down into the tank, got a feel for how much space I had, and arranged a few of bins I brought.  I also let the girls get in so they could imagine they were fishes.  Unfortunately, as we were walking out I found out that the aquarium was not going to be open on Mother's Day due to unforeseen circumstances.  However, the Grand Prix is still a go!

Me in a fish tank!

Mimi and Vi decided to take the plunge!

Very fun evening!

I had a very bizarre dream Friday night.  I went to the aquarium to set up my tank and guess what?  My tank was set up like a tidal pool and filled with critters such as lobsters and crabs.  I was told I need to share the tank with the animals.  Yikes!

Saturday morning we loaded the car with lighting, a chair, and pillows.  We were ready to go.  But, we were bringing someone else with us, my friend's son who is a four year old fish enthusiast.  On the car ride to Belle Isle, my husband and I chuckled as we listened to a three year old, four year old, and five year old bond over poop jokes.  It was very entertaining.  When we arrived at the tank, we unloaded and started to get an idea of what we needed to do.  First, we had to lower the kids into the tank and then I got to work

Putting my husband and three little kids to work!

All the kids made it safely into the tank.

Kids out, time for me to work.  It was not easy.  Small space,
lights were shining down, no ventilation.  I was very warm. 

I'm a very funny looking fish.

See my lower extremities?  

Almost done...

...oops, I knocked over some pillows trying to get out.

Grrr

Putting everything back in place.

My sign.

Voila!

I am really happy with how the exhibit turned out.  The glass is cloudy but, it does look nice.  It is hard to take photos in the aquarium so hope you enjoy the gritty quality of the photography.  After we got our work done, we walked over to the conservatory to play.

The three musketeers ready to play.  

Conservatory - we actually saw a raccoon inside!

A fantastic outing!

It would be really nice if this little display resulted in a few sales.  But, as far as I am concerned, playing around in a 100 year old aquarium after hours was worth all the work.

Swimming With Pillows: A Mother's Day Dream Come True!

I dedicate this post first to my grandpa!  He was a Cass Tech grad, WWII veteran, Detroit Mounted Police Office, Harper Hospital Security Guard, and an all round good guy.  Second, to my parents who often took me to Belle Isle as a kid to see the fish swim in America's oldest aquarium.  

Michigan Central Station
(took this picture from Wikipedia)

I love the history that just spills out of Detroit.  It is rich, it is powerful, it is gritty.  I loved going to Fort Wayne, the DIA, and the Historical Museum when I was a kid.  I can't begin to tell you how many birthdays were spent watching plays at the Youth Theater.  Mickey Miners was my hero!!!  I love that my parents took my brother and I on a day trip to Ann Arbor on a train that left out of Michigan Central Station.  Listing to my mom talk about the old Hudson's Building made it seem more like a magical castle than a department store.  She was always telling me about taking the bus downtown with Grandma Warrick and going up to the Notions Floor.  A whole floor dedicate to sewing.  My grandfather was a Detroit Mounted Police Officer.  He spent most of his career on a horse, patrolling the streets, riding in the Thanksgiving Day Parade, and making friends.  I loved listening to his stories about Detroit.  I still think about him when I am downtown.  Right now, I think he might be just a little bit proud of me because now it is my turn to contribute.  Now I have the opportunity to share my pillows and a little bit of myself with the City of Detroit.   

Belle Isle Aquarium (this picture is from their Facebook page)

The Belle Isle Aquarium is an absolute treasure in Detroit.  It opened on August 18, 1904 and closed on April 3, 2005.  The building was designed by Albert Kahn and the park itself was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead.  It was the oldest continually operating aquarium in America until it closed.  While looking into the specifics on building, I just discovered that it was a speakeasy during Prohibition.  (Thanks you, Wikipedia!)  My parents took my brother and I to Belle Isle a lot when we were growing up.  We spent time at the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, the Dossin Museum, and the Aquarium.  As a parent, I have been able to take my own kids everywhere, except for the aquarium.  Well that all is going to change this Sunday!

Celebrate mom, see some fish, see some art, and check out my pillows!

Fabric I am going to buy from Spoonflower

This Mother's Day (Sunday, May 13th), the Belle Isle Aquarium will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and it is free.  Some of the tanks have fish, some are empty (but not for long.)  I am so excited!  First, because I have not been there for a really, really long time. Second, because I am going to display about 20 to 30 my pillows in one of the empty tanks.  That's right!!! 715 Pillows is going to fill a fish tank full of pillows for Mother's Day and for the Grand Prix events.  I have a lot of work to do before Saturday afternoon.  I know which pillows I am going to display but I have to figure out how to display them and figure out lighting.  This all came about so fast.  The Belle Isle Conservancy announced on Facebook a couple days ago that they were looking for crafty people to create a dry exhibit - aquatic exhibits favored.  So, I e-mailed them a proposal and got myself a tank!  I am beyond excited!  I am over the moon!  Right now, I am going to stock the tank with pillows I already have.  In the next couple weeks, I am going to make some aquatic and Detroit themed pillows and will swap out my stock for the Grand Prix party on May 31st.  Tickets will are $50 and I am poor.  However, I just may need to convince my husband that we need to get dressed up and spend some money so that we can stare at my fish tank full of pillows.  

So, I am excited.  My parents are in Europe so they have not heard the good news quite yet.  My children are thrilled and want to help out. My husband will be returning home from Seattle tomorrow afternoon just in time for me to put him to work. I also asked for help from a grad school friend who comes from a very artsy family.  Would my grandpa be proud?  Hell, yeah!  I just hear his voice right now, "It's a damn shame that place closed in the first place.  I am proud of you honey baby.  Really proud."  

John Christopher, Belle Isle, 1952

Fly, Fly, Fly, Fly

When I woke up at 5:45 a.m. on Saturday morning, I felt strange.  Not really nervous, not really apprehensive, just strange.  It was weird for me to know that I was going back to my old school.  Last year when I went back to Grand Valley State University to look around, a feeling of misery came back to me.  Two cold miserable years made tolerable by a handful of really nice friends.  When I visit Michigan State, I feel generally happy as the memories come flooding back.  But high school....  High school was a strange time.  It was better than middle school, that's for sure.  But, nevertheless, strange.  I was an average student, with average looks, with below average date-ability and popularity.  I was known for being kind of goofy (in an endearing way - I did have lots of friends), I wasn't really part of a clique or group, I fell down and ran into poles often, my first day of freshman year was so embarrassing I still cringe when thinking about it.  But even though I had fun and had a friends, upon graduation I never really looked back.  So why the hell was I getting up early on a Saturday morning to head back to my old school????

Chippewa Valley High School

Not mine, but similar.  Mine was a hand-me-down from my grandmother.  

I pulled up to my old high school in my overly stuffed, sub compact car and thought, this does not feel right.  I should be pulling up in my baby blue Buick Regal listing to a tape playing R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" or the Cure singing, "Friday I'm in Love."  The craft show was HUGE!!!!  There were close to 200 crafters setting up their wares in the gym, the cafeteria (oh, the dreaded cafeteria), and in hallways.  HUGE!!!  I set up my pillows and took a little walk.  I found the picture of my track team in the showcase.  That was kind of cool.  I also ran into some fellow crafters from the Troy craft show.  I thought, "Hey, I am making friends and bonding with crafters.  Coooool!!!!"  Eventually, I made my way back to my table to wait for the throngs of shoppers who were going to bust into the school and buy up every single one of my pillows.  

At about 10:45 a.m. the woman behind me says, "It is going to be a really long day.  Hope you brought your book!"  I was still optimistic.  Then my back started to hurt.  Then, my feeling started to get hurt because one person after another would walk past my booth, look at me, and not even crack a smile when I said, "Good morning!"  I was started to wonder if maybe I was just a ghost.  The day went on fairly fast.  I had visits from Kevin and the girls, the Troy crafters, and I spent a lot of time guessing in my head which instruments the band kids played.  Okay, you want to know if I sold anything?  Do you want to know if the CVHS craft show was in fact my swan song?  Yes, I am fly, fly, fly, flying away from craft shows.  I did this one because I had already committed to it but I will not do another.   It is so much work for so little return, even if I did sell and I did not.  Clearly I was not alone because everyone I spoke to was unsuccessful.  I even got an e-mail today from the organizer reassuring that promotion of the event was properly done and that vendor placement was done so that we would not be in direct competition with one another.  It was a well run show.  But I make more money on Etsy and I don't have to load, unload, and give up a Saturday to sell pillows.  It is okay!

I guess what I don't understand is why people actually do these sorts of craft shows.  Art fairs, yes, I get it.  I love art fairs.  But, as a matter of even general accounting, why?  I am not even good at math and as I walk around I just don't understand how anyone really makes money.  For example, there was a woman selling little bags that hold crayons for kids.  Very cute.  The bags included crayons and were sold for $5.  No one can put that craft together for $5.  Even if she sold bunches she would need to look at her material costs and time to make the craft, then add in the time preparing for the shows, sitting at the show, and packing up after the show.  She would be lucky to break even and the point is not to break even, it is to make a living or at least some spending money.  

So...I did not lose my religion while I was at CVHS, I did not fall down while I was at CVHS, I did however have some pretty horrible flashbacks to my days in Mr. Horton's gym class since I spent the day in the gym.  But, the craft show was a swan song.  But, I am okay!  Towards the end of the day one of the band boosters walked up to my table and said, "Do you need anything?"  Kevin was standing next to me, Violet was on my lap, and Mimi was sitting next to me and I said, "Nope, I am good, thanks."  And the woman smiles and says, "Yes, it looks to me like you have everyone you need with you right now."  And you know what?  She was right!      

Everyone I need!