A big week ahead!

I have so many exciting things happening next week! First, I am being featured on Journal Modiste as their designer of the week. I can't even tell you how excited I am! Since I began making custom boutique clothing, I have been reading the interviews of so many designers on JM. I can't believe I get to join the ranks with so many amazing designers. What an honor! So make sure you click over to Journal Modiste to read my interview starting April 2nd.

Next, I'm listing a romantic and sweet little set as part of Bijou & Co. launch called The Hamptons. The designs are inspired by a trip to The Hamptons. I've been saving this gorgeous italian lace for the perfect design and I think I finally did just that. I purchased this vintage italian lace from a couture designer I met. She had traveled Europe studying couture design techniques and picked up some FABULOUS fabric along the way. Last year she decided to move and offered to let me go through her fabric collection so she could clear it out (at a very discounted price). When I saw this lace, I couldn't believe my eyes. I've never seen or felt lace like this in person. The little girl that gets to wear this set will feel like she is on the runways in Milan or Paris. Here is a little sneak peek!




You will be able to see the entire listing for this set starting April 1 by searching BijouCo on ebay. Or click HERE to see the entire listing.

And last, but definitely not least is that I should be receiving my first shipment from the manufacturer next week! What an experience this has been and I know I'm just getting started. More to come this week on the details of working with a pattern maker and sewing contractor. It is such and interesting, educational, fun and scarey process! LOL.

Ginger Blossom

Only one day left until this auction ends! The price is still well below my retail pricing, so if you are thinking about buying this dress, you might want to get it now for a GREAT deal!

Click here

Creative Kids!

I love it when the children who will be wearing a Molly O custom design are involved in the design process!

I was asked recently to make a dress for a birthday party. Typically this means discussing designs, silhouettes, fabrics and colors with the mom. Not this time! The birthday girl herself had very strong opinions about what she wanted to wear for her party. So after looking through design samples she decided on a dress. Then it was time for color! We knew were going to use dupioni silk, so I pulled out over 140 color swatches. It was so much fun to watch her choose different colors and put combinations together. The end result was fabulous! She choose this gorgeous orange silk that has fuchsia threads that run through it. Then she found the perfect fuchsia to use for the trim. When the sunlight hits this dress, the orange silk turns pink. It is just stunning.

Who knows maybe in a few years she can intern for me!

Take a peak at this beautiful one-of-a-kind custom designed dress!

Testing Out Leafletter.com

So I thought I was going to get fancy and create this great little widget from www.leafletter.com You will see my first attempt in the post below. Hmmmmm, not sure if I did it right, but it was fun. You can mouse over the photos and click to enlarge them. They tons of templates to choose from and you can even add in music and video images. You should definitely check it out!


If the images are peaking your interest at all, then check out my newest listing on ebay. I designed this adorable custom boutique outfit with the new Ginger Blossom fabric by Sandi Henderson. Bijou & Co, the ebay design group I am a proud member of, is launching designs based on these fabrics during the entire month of March! There are so many cute designs.




Take a peak at my listing by clicking here.

Design Your Own Custom Outfit!

I have to admit, that this auction was created because I was down with that horrible flu for an entire week! And that was after taking care of 3 sick kids. So after a trip to the urgent care for some IV fluids, I became coherent again and realized there was no way I was going to have time to photograph my new designs for the current Bijou & Co. launch. What is a working mom to do? Let the customers have a little fun, that is what I say!

So, I've decided to list an auction where my customers get to design their own one-of-a-kind custom boutique outfit. The designs are based around the gorgeous new fabric by Sandi Henderson called Ginger Blossom. I will work with the winning bidder to create an adorable spring/summer set using this beautiful fabric. It's almost as much fun as being on Project Runway. O-kay, I'm going a little far, but it will be "fierce" (that is a Project Runway reference for those of you that don't watch). LOL.

Click here to view the auction and don't forget to search BJAC on ebay for all the wonderful designers in Bijou & Co. Our Ginger Blossom launch will be running the entire month of March. Check back for new designs every week!

Designing for Fall/Winter 2008-2009

Does it seem a little strange that we aren't even out of winter and set here I am sketching designs for next fall and winter?! But I'm learning quickly that you have to be way ahead of the game. While I am frantically trying to get Spring and Summer produced right now, I'm also trying to get all my designs together for next year. I can't let you in on any secrets yet, but I'm loving what I have come up with so far.

Is there something you would LOVE to see for my 2009 line? Send me your suggestions! I love to hear from customers. Post a comment or email me at molly@mollyodesigns.com

In the mean time, here is a little peak and some fabric that was sent off to production today. It will be a limited edition run for a few select boutiques, but I think it will be so sweet for pictures at the beach, a summer picnic or even the fourth of July!

So much to do, so little time!

My life is always a whirlwind, especially when you factor in the fact that I have a 2, 4 and 6 year old at home. Add in that my husband is starting a new business venture and now I'm taking my business to an entirely new level. I've made the decision to hand over my designs to a small manufacturer. Yes, Molly O Designs is going big time. Or at least big time in my mind. I'm sure Michael Kors would holding his stomach in pain while laughing at me, but you have to start somewhere (plus I love Michale Kors so he can laugh at me any time he wants!)

When I started in the direction of custom boutique children's clothing a year ago, I never imagined I would already be at this stage. But here I am! After months and months of research, business plan developement, creating a marketing and plan and about a thousand prayers, everything is finally in motion.

Last week, my amazing pattern maker finished a few of my summer patterns and all my fabric was drop shipped to the manufacturer. Now, I wait and pray. I'm scared to death that I will have a room full of boutique dresses that will never sell. But I guess fear of the unknown is one of the biggest motivators in our life.

I also had the pleasure of speaking with Jennifer Varner from www.pure-ecommerce.com to start the development of my new ecommerce website. I can't tell you how excited I am to get started. She has the talent and business knowledge that fits perfectly into my vision for Molly O Designs.

Some of my customers have been asking me "what about eBay?" I will continue to sell one-of-a-kind custom boutique clothing on eBay and etsy.com I find that both sites are an amazing testing ground for my designs. You will also be able to purchase directly from my new website as well as various online boutiques.

So over the next few months, the Molly O Designs blog may turn into "how to build a clothing business from the ground up" blog. I hope you enjoy the journey with me!

eBay Strike Feb. 18th - Feb. 25th: Support Your Boutique Designers!

Due to recent changes from ebay, many custom boutique sellers have decided to participate in the eBay strike. That means no buying or selling on eBay for one week from 02/18 until 02/25! Many of our Bijou and Co. designers are joining in on this strike.

A large group of custom boutique designers are coming together to sell on Etsy during this week. They also plan to continue selling on Etsy, following the strike. The great thing about Etsy is they charge lower fees for sellers, which translates to lower prices for buyers! There is no waiting for auctions to end, see something you like and buy it right then! Please come check us out!

I will be running specials for buyers that purchase from my store on etsy during the strike

Molly O Designs Jewelry has come to and end......

It is with a little sadness that I have decided to stop designing jewelry. As many of my customers know, Molly O Designs started as a custom jewelry business. Through the last couple of years, I have slowly transitioned over to children's boutique clothing and accessories. With the success of my clothing, I found very little time to create jewelry. So I have decided to sell everything!

What a undertaking this is proving to be. I'm in the process of photographing and listing all of my bead and jewelry inventory. I literally have thousands of beads to sell. Semi precious, pearls, sterling silver, bali silver, clasps, charms, etc. The list goes on and on. Not to mention all my displays and finished jewelry.

So, if you know anyone in the market for beads or jewelry send them over to my etsy store! I'm selling everything well below value just so I can clear that area of my office. I don't know about everyone else, but I feel the need to clear the clutter in the new year! Maybe I should take a picture of my office now as my "before" photo so I can show all of you my progress later on.

I just started listing, but I will be adding new items every day, so mark my store as a favorite and keep checking back!

MollyOdesigns.etsy.com

And keep checking back here as I might even post a few pieces of jewelry as a free givewawy!

Boutique Bow Giveaway!

Add a comment to any one of our blog posts and you will be entered to win a set of Spring Boutique Bows from Molly O Designs!

Don't forget to leave your email so we can contact you when you win!!