Fragile Earth Stuffed Animals

August 26, 1920 - 19th Amendment Adopted Giving Women the Right to Vote

On August 26, 1920, the 19th amendment was adopted giving women the right to vote. 

 

Miss Bindergarten is helping us commemorate this historic date.

Jellycat Junglie Zebra, Animal Model!

I have several design blogs that I read because I like to pretend that some day, I might actually do something to make my house look nicer. One of these blogs is Holly Mathis Interiors where I drool over many of her pictures. On Friday, one of the photos she used from Cookie Magazine caught my eye.  

 

What is the first thing that jumps out at you? The really cute little boy? The awesomely cool pirate ship? For me, it's the Jellycat Junglie Zebra reclining on the bed! Maybe it's because he's one of my favorite animals in our inventory here at Fragile Earth Stuffed Animals. Maybe it's because he chillin' and relaxin' on the bed, which is where I'd really like to be right now. Whatever the reason, the minute I saw the picture, my eye went right to him.

And because he's begging for a close up, and you know I can never say no to a zebra, here he is in all his glory!

THIS IS DIFFERENT

Yesterday was day one of the International Gift Fair at the Javits Center in New York. Not all the booths were open but there were enough to keep us occupied. Since the majority of our inventory is stuffed animals, that's what we shopped for yesterday. We visited some of our favorites - Jellycat & MerryMakers- and found some new things as well.

We ran into something new this year. As we introduced ourselves as an online retailer to new vendors, we found out that many of them are not opening any more online accounts. After the third or fourth dismissal, one manufacturer explained that within the last few years, some online stores are selling their merchandise at hugely discounted prices and are undercutting everyone else. And now, many of the sellers are leery about working with anyone who sells online.

I know, from working in a small, independent gift store, the problems that arise when someone else slashes the price of an item. We would hear that a giant corporation, with a store less than 2 miles away, had the same item for less than what we paid to the wholesaler. Since the bigger stores can buy in such bulk (we're buying 2 or 3 of an item, they are buying 2 or 3 THOUSAND for all their stores across the country), they get a huge discount and can then sell the item for much, much less. How could we even compete? However, that was strictly the choice of the wholesaler.

I also understand that, upon first meeting us, these wholesalers have no idea if we are the enemy or not. Without researching our store and looking at our sales, they would never know if we sell our merchandise for regular or discount pricing. And since that isn't possible in the hustle & bustle of a gift show, they have made a blanket decision not to sell to online stores for now. The person we spoke to said they were trying to weed out the bad sellers and decide where to go from there. 

Luckily for us, we didn't find anything we completely fell in love with that was denied us because of our lack of a brick & mortar store. There were some things we would have considered carrying but nothing that we couldn't live without. If we do find that item, I'm sure we can argue our case, and maybe they'll change their minds. And maybe it will be the kick in the a$$ that we need to take the plunge and open a store. I truly believe that, sooner or later, manufacturers will come around again and allow others to sell their items online. Because, really, how often do you buy online compared to in a store? I buy the majority of my items online. But that's just me. How about you? 

PLOT A COURSE

Gift shows overwhelm me.  There are so many things to see and booths to explore. Everywhere I turn, something catches my eye. I see stuffed animals that would be perfect for Fragile Earth Stuffed Animals, knick-knacks I'd love to sell but have nothing to do with our inventory, and things I personally want to own. The sheer number of people wandering through the Javits Center during the New York International Gift Fair all trying to get in as much as possible in the shortest amount of time is enough to send me into a corner. 

I know going in that I will only be able to put up with being pushed and bumped for so long before I start getting claustrophobic so I need to have a plan that allows me hit my spots of interest. This year, the New York International Gift Fair has an on-line website that allows me to search the exhibitors and make a walking plan so I can get from points A to Z with the minimum fuss. However, names don't always tell you exactly what the exhibitor carries. The search function gives the stores' websites, but clicking through takes time so, a few weeks before the show, I start looking for new shops to visit. I study the floor plan, looking at what is near the stores I know I will be visiting and skim through store titles, checking to see if anything pops out at me. There are certain booths I know I will visit - like Jellycat, Merrymakers, Unipak and Yottoy - because they are mainstays in our inventory. But there will be new products out there and I need to know where they are.

Most gift shows try to organize the exhibitors so that like items are together. For us, we find the majority of our booths in the Baby and Child sections. However, we stumbled upon Jellycat one year in the middle of General Gifts, and we realized that there are hidden gems everywhere. Don't become convinced that one section will encompass everything you want. Explore!

Happy Birthday Beatrix Potter!

Guess what popular author was also a sheep breeder and farmer? She published 23 books between 1902 and 1932. A film about her life was released in 2006 starring Renee Zellweger.

 

If you guessed Beatrix Potter, you'd be right! Our Merryday Frog, Scrumpty Duck, and Bunglie Mouse, Bunny & Kitten wanted to pass on their birthday wishes.

If you want to learn more about Beatrix Potter, check out this fabulous web site - http://www.peterrabbit.com.  It has information for young and old alike.

WELCOME TO THE FOLD, KYLOE!

What, you say, is a kyloe? I'm glad you asked. This is a kyloe ...

 

It's the Scottish word for Highland Cow! How cool is he?  This one is a Small Jellycat Truffle Highland Cow, one of the newest arrivals at Fragile Earth Stuffed Animals, and he's just as fluffy and furry as he appears. While his relatives in Scotland may be a rugged breed, he's a lover just waiting for someone to take him home. 

DOS AND DON'TS OF USING A LIGHTBOX

As we take more pictures with the lightbox, I'm compiling a list of dos and don'ts based on mistakes we've made in hopes that we won't repeat them. I'm sure I will be adding to this list as we go along. But after three sessions, here are the first few: 

1. DO read the book. There's a reason they send an instruction booklet and using it as a wedge to fix an uneven chair or, better yet losing it, is not what the creators had in mind. I lost the one we got within the first week and I'm sure there's a lot of useful information that we should know. 
2. Don't do anything when you're tired. My family don't do tired well - as a matter of fact, we get all snappy and sarcastic. We have yet to take pictures where we weren't exhausted, so we're not quite sure how we'll feel when a shoot goes smoothly. Chances are we're doing it after work and on the fly, a scenario which does not lend itself to success. Invariably, it DOES lead to tears!
3. This segues very neatly into my next point. DO make sure you have enough time to build your vision. Plan things out ahead of time and have things ready to go, preferably before 10 PM the night before you plan on posting. Yesterday, I had to pass on my idea for storming the Bastille because I just didnt have enough time to create it. As with so much we try to do, it comes down to timing. We are getting better at planning things out on the weekend so we know each day what we want to accomplish. However, my ideas take on lives of their own and before I know it, they are to big to realize.

This whole venture is a learning process. If only we were graded on a curve!

HOW BIG IS THAT FROGGY IN THE WINDOW?

 

If you're talking about Big Frog, she's so big, she can't fit in her book, Big Frog Can't Fit In: A pop-up book. She's just popping out all over the place.

 

But that's okay, she fits in just perfectly at Fragile Earth Stuffed Animals! 

Bet You Didn't Know a Bat, Highland Cow, Duck and Lion Could Make Cookies Together...

In honor of National Sugar Cookie Day yesterday, our newest additions decided to introduce themselves to the regulars at Fragile Earth Stuffed Animals by whipping up a batch of Lemon/Lime Sugar Cookies.

Jellycat's Cordy Roy Lion, Tiny Truffles Highland Cow, Bashful Duck and Barty the Bat shared in the cooking duties.  Have you ever seen a bat try and use a lemon zester?

I'll measure out the sugar, says Barty. 

Oh, no! Bat overboard! 

Barty! Get out of the sugar!

 

Ducks are very good at measuring.

Our Cordy Lion thought the mixer was a carousel ride.

The final product was well worth all the effort and what a way to make new friends.

Happy National Sugar Cookie Day (one day late!)

THERE'S A NEW KING IN TOWN

And we don't mean LeBron James (because we don't recognize him as royalty). No, we've got a new King of the Jungle who just arrived at Fragile Earth Stuffed Animals. (drum roll please...)  Presenting ... 

The Jellycat Cordy Lion! 

Doesn't he strike fear into your heart with just a glance? I know, but don't tell him that. He feels very fierce.