Recap - Dog Show

How nice it is to take a break from all the craziness of preparing for and selling at the dog show! We worked for about 3 weeks straight getting ready for the show and that paired with full-time jobs is enough to wear a woman out!

The rain is back in Atlanta, so I'm taking advantage of a sleepy, rainy, southern day...listening to the rain and watching college football, that and the Real Housewives of Atlanta (I admit, a guilty pleasure!).

While we didn't sell as much at the show as we had hoped, we weren't the only ones. 4 straight days of rain kept spectators away and I was told the entries were down a lot this year - chalk that up to the economy. So, with those factors, I think we did well. We got a lot of great feedback and interest in our products.

I've re-worked a few of the breeds based on feedback by breeders who know their breeds best and I have a few more to tweak.

It was a great experience - I learned a LOT about dog shows! I don't think I full understood what a business it is, it's quite something. That and I had no clue that people dye their dogs so their coats look better!

We will let you know when we have another booth!

Dog Show Booth - Day 1

So, I wanted to share with you a photograph of our booth at the Classic Cluster dog show in Atlanta, GA. We're sharing it with a couple other ladies from the Atlanta Terrier Club and it turned out really nice. In fact, I would say it's probably the nicest booth at the show! The H&T items are mostly in the foreground...

I wish I had more energy to write, but after weeks of preparation and working until the wee hours last night, I need to put my feet up! If you're coming by, we've got a good location. It's straight to the back of the center and a little to the right (rows J&K if you look for the markers on the ceiling). Come on by and say hi!

I'll report more later...now on to cuddling with the dogs and eating some dinner!

Preparing for the show...

The big dog show is now one week from today! I've been working hard and can't wait to see how we do. Last weekend I packaged a ton of cards, had an incredible seamstress sew my pillows (I still have a lot of practicing to do before I can sell my sewn pillows), and firmed up the booth design. I hope I can get everything done in time! I still have to apply the appliques to the pillows, sew a couple of aprons, design a banner, create signage....Wow, I've still got a lot to do! I'll write more once the show begins to let you know how it's going! Gotta run...

H&T at Georgia Classic Cluster Dog Show!

Hi Everyone!

I've been working for the past few weeks to get things in order to secure a booth at a dog show and it's just been confirmed! Hound and Thistle will be at the Atlanta Exposition Center for a 4 day dog show - The Georgia Classic Cluster show. The dates are September 17-20 and the Expo center is located at 3850 Jonesboro Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30354-3507. This is a big show and a great place to learn about breeds and potentially meet breeders if you are considering adding a dog to your family. We will keep you updated on the progress leading up to the show and of course, let you know how it went!

If you're in the neighborhood or looking for something to do, please stop by. Since there will be many dog breeds at the show, it's a great place to see lots of breeds up close and in person - especially those you don't see every day!

Playin' With The Queen Of Hearts...

Hey there!

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted...there's been a lot going on and we're just trying to keep up over here at H&T!

Recently, Hound and Thistle stationery has been set-up for sale in a booth at the Queen of Hearts Antiques in Alpharetta, GA! If you've never been there, it's a great place to find antiques and home decor items along with many other things. I swear there is a booth that has a bottle labeled "poison"...not sure what that's all about, but this place has it all! It's a really inspiring place for your inner designer as well. So many of the booths are decorated so nicely.

The booth is run by a company called Harvest and it's near the back of the space, I think in the middle section. It's on a corner and is so cute. I've attached a photo to this post and you can see the cards in a basket at the front corner. The booth changes all the time as items are sold and new things brought in and currently there is a beautiful green cupboard where the stationery resides.

If you're in the area, check out Queen of Hearts - you'll be inspired! Here are their details:

700 N Main St, Alpharetta, GA 30009-8341 (678) 297-7571

H&T at Fringe - Artful Goods

I am very pleased to announce that Hound and Thistle stationery can now be found at Fringe - Artful Goods in Canton, GA! I met with the owner, Katherine, on Saturday and she is such a cool person. Her shop features work by local artists along with creative fashions and home accessories. It's really a neat shop so if you're in downtown Canton, be sure to stop by. Not only is it good to support local businesses, but it's always good to support kind, nice people and Katherine fits the bill!

I have to say, one of the coolest things about starting my own business has been the support of women I know. A former colleague sells her items at Fringe (really cute baby blankets & toys along with dog blankets and fashions) and took my stuff in to see if they would be interested. It's amazing how much support you get from other creative women in your life.

You can visit fringe online at www.fringeartfulgoods.com, but you've got to pay a visit to the shop, they have some great stuff!

Pillow Talk

Sorry it's been a while since I've written, I've been busy and trying to get organized! My Friday night out at Candlebar was fun and successful. I got a total of 5 orders which was great, plus they asked for more cards last week! They are the nicest people. If you are in the Atlanta area, please pay them a visit. They have a shop in Midtown and one in Dunwoody. They have the coolest gifts and wonderful lotions and soaps.

So, back to the title of this post...I decided I would try to #1 sew a pillow and #2 sew an applique on said pillow. My dear friends just had a baby and since they are big dog lovers, I wanted to make them a unique dog-themed gift to put in the dog-themed nursery. I found a fun "kid" fabric, got some contrasting felt for a dog silhouette and got to work...Not only did I sew a pillow with a dog silhouette applique, I also sewed a zipper on the pillow! Now, it's not the most well-crafted pillow because I'm still learning (and a perfectionist and my sewing machine goes from 0 - 100 with no in between!), but they loved it and they are so fun to make (when my sewing machine cooperates). I've done a total of 4 pillows with dog breed silhouettes and I just love them! Hopefully it won't be long before I perfect these and can start selling them online.

I've included a picture so you can let me know what you think!