Great Things Happening at B&C

I felt the best way to update my customers and fans would be to Blog about it. So, here goes....

Bridget and Co has grown in leaps and bounds over the past 2 years and I'm so incredibly blessed. I truly have the best customers and I am striving to find ways to increase my production time without giving up the creating or the sewing of each and every order.

My business has always been very important to me and without going into details, it has taken on a much bigger role in my day to day life. Things have been a little chaotic over the summer and I cannot thank my customers enough for standing by B&C! With that said, I have some exciting things planned for B&C over the next year.

I'm going to start with extending my work day in order to get my production time back to a maximum of 4 weeks and to provide some ready to ship items. These items will be of my choosing and may or may not be available for ordering in the future. There will be several ready to ship items available every day. I will post them on Facebook and am still working thru the logistics of when they will be posted etc.

I will be focusing on primarily knit fabrics and designs. I've always loved the knit fabrics and feel that this is where B&C is most talented. Of couse I will mix some knits and wovens as well.

The Bridget and Co website should be up and running by the beginning of 2013 if all goes as planned. This will allow me to keep an affordable price point on my designs.

A few things to keep in mind:

1. I will only be answering emails for the most part once a day. I need to focus more on sewing and stay off the computer if possible. You can email me through Etsy, Facebook Contact Buttom or directly at admin@bridgetandco.com

2. There will be a size chart listed in my Etsy shop to ease in ordering. As always, I do customize when necessary and measurements are always welcome.

3. If you decide to provide measurements, please do so when ordering as this allows me to pull the order and not spend time looking for the measurements in convos - again, keeping me off the computer!

4. Facebook is where I will post all new designs. I do often offer a sneak peek of items before they are shipped to my Photographers.

5. I do welcome photographer inquires, but do know that I am a creature of habit and sometimes breaking those habits are hard. It isn't that I don't want to use various models, it can just be overwhelming at times to juggle measurements etc. If you are interested in modeling for B&C please send all pertinent information to Admin@bridgetandco.com

6. I always welcome customer requests and custom designs, but please value my time.

7. I have found someone to do my applique work and she is far more talented than I am and this will allow B&C to offer more designs to coordinate with the ever so popular ruffle pants.

If you have any questions, please do contact me! Again, thank you for your support because without all of you, there would be no Bridget and Co!

Really ETSY???

I received an email from Etsy and really found it to be a bit strange. I have decided to send it to my attorney as I'm a bit confused as to why Etsy needs a picture of me and anyone who works for me? Really Etsy?? Has anyone else received anything like this?

Hello, This is Katie from Etsy's Marketplace Integrity Team.
We're glad to see your shop on Etsy! Etsy is a venue for independent artists to sell their own handmade items. We take the integrity of our marketplace very seriously and work hard to ensure that all items qualify to be sold here. We are reaching out to you in order to better understand your shop and how your items are made. Any shop that is unable or unwilling to provide a response may be subject to suspension.

Please answer the questions that follow. This information is for internal use only, we value your privacy and will never share your responses. Please keep in mind that this inquiry is used to verify that your items are handmade. Incomplete, incorrect or false information may result in your selling rights being revoked.
This inquiry has 3 parts: Step 1- Information about your shop Step 2- Information about your Handmade Process Step 3- Specific Item inquiry
Step 1 - About your shop:
1. How many people are involved in your shop?
2. Write out the name of each person and their role in the shop. This includes making things, creating listings, running the shop, and shipping items.
3. Where are you located?
4. Where are the items shipped from?
5. Who takes the photographs for the listings?
6. Do you have any other Etsy accounts? If yes, what are the usernames?
+ Please upload pictures of yourself and members of your shop.

Step 2 - About the Handmade Process:
7. How are your items made? Please be as specific as possible.
8. Are the items made from scratch, or do you alter/assemble them?
9. How long does it take to make your item?
10. What materials are used?
11. Where do you purchase the materials?
12. What tools or equipment do you use?
13. Do you receive any production assistance, or do you outsource any of the production?
14. Are your items made to order or ready to ship?

+ Upload Pictures of work space
+ Upload Pictures of raw materials
+ Upload Proof of purchase for materials (receipts or links)
+ Upload pictures of equipment/tools
+ Made to order items - show pattern and materials

Step 3 - Specific Item Inquiry
http://www.etsy.com/listing/92863136/bridget-and-co-bubblegum-ruffley
15. In detail, please outline the steps used to make this item. Include as much information as possible.
+ Upload pictures of the raw materials used
+ Upload step by step photographs of your handmade process
+ Upload picture of finished product
In all of the photographs, please include a piece of paper showing your username and the date. This will show us that the photographs are current and taken by you.
Thank you for helping us maintain Etsy's integrity as a site for handmade goods. Please get back to us within 5 days. We look forward to hearing from you! Best, Katie Etsy Marketplace Integrity http://www.etsy.com/policy/dosdonts

The 2nd most life altering experience in 2011

The only reason this is the 2nd life altering experience of 2011 is because it happened after my surgery. It is by far the MOST LIFE ALTERING experience EVER.

On December 15, 2011,my mother passed away very unexpectedly. She had gone in for a routine colonoscopy and ended up dying. They punctured her bowel and she went into cardiac arrest and bled out. My one saving grace with this is that I was not there to witness what she went through, but this is also what haunts me today...the fact that I WASN'T there!

My mom was a healthy 80yr old woman and while I was adopted, she was the only mother I ever knew! There are so many days that I just want to pick up the phone and call her, but I can't and that is so hard to deal with. I need advice on how to handle things and she isn't available. Well, she is, but it is a little harder to realize what she is trying to tell me.

I feel really bad for my Dad as she was his Rock! He is doing ok, but very sad. So, the end of 2011 wasn't quite what I expected it to be. There have also been some issues with my oldest and my youngest. The oldest I cannot discuss, but the youngest...well, that will be another blog post :)

This is how I like to remember my mom!

The end of 2011 and on to 2012

I realize it is almost the end of March and here I am writing about the end of 2011. Well, the end of 2011 was a pretty rough end to the year, so I have been avoiding it. I like to keep my blog positive, but I do like to also let my B&C customers have a little insight as to who I am if they choose to read.

I had surgery on December 5 and while it went very well, it has been a life altering surgery. I have held off sharing as I do know I will get judged for having this surgery, but I had to do what was best for me. I don't ever put myself 1st and I felt a little like I was being selfish. This was a surgery that I knew would be coming, but never knew the actual date until I was called and told - pick a date - you have 3 choices in December and since I had met all of my out of pocket expenses, it had to be done!

My life changed forever the day I went in for Gastric Bypass surgery. Being 5'2" tall, I felt like I was as round as tall. I was 100 lbs overweight. Now, I haven't always been overweight. It really started to happen with baby #3 and #4 being 16 months apart. Then baby #5 was a big baby, a move to WV and then baby #6. It was a multitude of issues that caused this weight gain. I'm a huge stress eater and my life is anything but stress free!

Yes, many thing you can just do what I do now: eat smaller meals, walk and focus more on what is good for me to do and eat. I have tried Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Atkins, Cabbage soup diet and many other diets. I also did the exercise! I would lose the standard 30lbs switch back to my old habits and gain it all back!

Now, I'm forced into new habits and it has been the hardest thing I've ever done, but by far the best thing I have ever done. People think it is the "easy" way out, but let me tell you, I have never done anything as hard as this in my life to lose weight. I have 52 lbs gone and 48 more to go! I will share pictures at some point, but I'm not ready to face that just yet.

I feel fantastic to have lost a small child and cannot wait to feel even better once I lose more weight.

I did what works for me and realize that it isn't for everyone.

So, with that said...comes the next blog post...

Taking a few minutes for a little fun...

After a busy day of sewing today, I'm going to my Happy Place and have decided to pass a little fun on to my readers and FB fans. For those that can guess my #1 Happy Place. I visit this place often and it always brings a smile to my face. I know most of the employees that work there and I can purchase many things. I will put your name in a drawing for a $10 Starbucks gift card. Just post a guess to win! Easy!!

upcycle Me Monday continued

I love upcycle Me Monday and the creativity behind it. I do feel bad when I don't get done in time and people are waiting to see the finished product. I've decided to change it up a bit on how upcycles will be offered. Instead of people sitting around waiting on FB hitting refresh, I will post pictures of my work in progress. It may start with a picture of the tshirt that has given me inspiration for the day or fabrics. Once the upcycle is done, I will add it to my website for people to buy. This way the sizes will be there and if people want to buy them, they can. No competition of who is sitting waiting on FB and who isn't available. This will also save me time on sending out invoices etc. I spend too much time at the computer when I could be sewing. I will give notice several hours in advance, but the idea is to have the upcycles on my website Bridget and Co by 9pm EST. I will answer any questions the next day as starting this week, our house closes down at 9pm EST so that we can start getting ready for our early mormings. My days start between 4 and 5am, so I do need a little sleep :)

Any questions, please ask away!

upcycle Me Monday

Finally I have thought out upcycle Me Monday. I sew 7 days a week. Rarely is there a day that I don't spend some time with my machines and I LOVE it. I truly love what I do!! I'm so blessed to have such wonderful customers that keep me very busy.

At the persistence of my wonderful photographer, I decided to start making upcycles again. People ask me, "what is Upcycle?". I explain that I take apart something and make it into something else. Currently it is graphic tshirts. My friend who is an awesome seamstress does this with wedding gowns.

I just started doing "upcycle Me Monday" and on Mondays I will spend the day working on just this (unless I have an order that must ship). This is my outlet to making something new and different that will not be offered more than a few times. I really want to make people happy and would love to make as many as people want, but I also need to have something that I just make a few of. I hope this makes sense.

Not too sure how it will all work as last week I was busy with orders and then my upcycle was late and ugh..it just didn't go as planned. I hope this week goes better. I currently have an "upcycle Me Monday" dress on my FB page and I will post the size and measurements and if it will be made more than once. I may set up those that can only be made once as an auction style. Still thinking out the details. Would appreciate any input. Some will be sent out for pics if I can do several. Again, any suggestions I'm open to!

Dear Lord, please keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth. Amen

Today has proven to be a busy day yet not a very productive day. I took Broderick to speech therapy and he is making great strides with his speech. I then proceeded to wear my Angel wings (I volunteer with an organization St Joseph Angels)and help out a client with an electric bill. This was supposed to be easy, just go by the market and take the account number and pay the bill. I didn't have the 3 digit code I needed, so was on hold for 20 min with the electric company in the market - that is always fun. Anyway, bill paid and off I go for the rest of my errands.

I had Broderick's evaulation meeting today from the specialist we took him to. Thankfully he does not have Autism, and is just delayed. We are going to work very hard on getting delayed caught up. I think this means making our 5 yr old a little more independent and not calling him "the baby" anymore!!

I check my email before I head to the fabric store and I am informed that there is an ugly blog post about me. Nice...what a way to ruin my mood.

Often I talk about Bridget and Co as if it is more than 1 person. Bridget and Co will be coming out with this or Bridget and Co has some great designs in the works. Bridget and Co stands for Bridget who is my only daughter. I have 5 sons and Bridget was a blessing in the mix. She and her brother are only 16 months apart while the rest of my children are 3 years apart. The whole breastfeeding can't get pregnant is a total lie! Well, Bridget and Co is ME, MYSELF and I. I do it all. I design, I sew, I market, I ship and most importantly, I search for great fabrics. I have often thought about hiring help and really do need to, but it hard to even think about giving up one aspect of my business. A little bit of a control freak - yep! When it comes to something that is going to have my name on it, well it better be damn near perfect! I've worked very hard for years to build this business and it is finally paying off. I have repeat customers and they are the BEST!!

I have always tried to be a helpful person and am more than willing to share a technique when sewing or share a fabric source. I got a little irritated when someone made ruffle shorts and used the term "Rufflettes" as it took me awhile to come up with that word, but I really in the long run didn't care. If it got them some sales, good for them. I have enough work to keep me busy and not lose the reputation I have built by putting out a good product. I have had my issues and have had to remake things - I'm not perfect, but I strive to put out the best product and customer service that I can.

So, when it was brought to my attention that someone decided to write lies about me, it took me aback. I want people to like me. I want to be helpful and I really don't know why I deserved to be slammed, but oh well, this is how the boutique business rolls sometimes. I will keep doing my thing and working hard for my customers. If I focus on the negative then I won't get done what I need to get done and if I worry about it, then they win and as I've said many times before, we are all just women who should be supporting each other instead of trying to bring the other down. I am pleased with how my business has grown and I am beyond thrilled with the customers that I have come to know so well and just adore them. I love seeing little girlies in my outfits and maybe someday I might just have to start doing boys things again (yes, I did them, with 5 boys...)

So, back to sewing I go!