Designer fabric is now available in the online store! I have a great collection of fabrics in my basement, and sadly need to part with some of them. If you are a quilter, crafter, or fabric junkie like me check out the sales at http://store.mobellaclothing.com/fabric.html
Freespirit, Michael Miller, Moda
Garden Party by Anna Maria Horner
Where would my business be without the help of my friends? I am always blow away by the enthusiasm that friends and neighbors have shown for my small venture. Just this week a neighbor gave my name and info to a children’s boutique owner, another friend introduced me to an influencial women who organizes a children’s charity shopping event, and yet another spent some time in my online store buying 4 dresses for her grandaughters. This kind of generous support is so appreciated and to my suprise, happens quite often.
When I first started Mo’Bella, it just so happened that all of my friends had little girls, and loved clothes. Lucky me! They were my four best and only customers (Amy, Ginny, Kristin, and Kara). They bought a few dresses and kept coming back for more whether the girls actually needed more or not. It was their dedication to my success (or maybe just their shopping obsession:) that kept me working hard and allowed me to experiment with things that worked or didn’t work. I really had know idea what I was doing back then. Admittedly, I am not a “natural” when it comes to running a business, but thank goodness for good friends and acquaintances who believed in my product.
I have probably considered giving up on Mo’Bella at least once a month for the last 3 years. And each time I do, it’s not long before I get an email or phone call from a friend who has a great new lead for me, or needs to buy a dress for someone’s birthday. I believe in this business because you keep believing in it. So, thank you to all of my friends who at one time or another have told another person about me and my dresses. You are truely the reason that this business is still alive and kickin’.
Sunny Day Dress
Just added this dress to the online store! http://store.mobellaclothing.com/ I must say, I am rather proud of myself . This dress is a pretty big departure for me. I usually stick to making t-shirt dresses, because I can get a lot more of them made quickly. Knowing how difficult it is to find the time to try something new, I find it easier to stick to what I know. Almost without exception I choose fast and furious over slow and steady! I don’t think that I have attention span issues, I am just a typical American who likes instant satisfaction. It’s really hard to make any significant money from a dress like this because it takes so much longer to cut and piece together. I have no doubt that I could easily make more money selling popcorn on the street, than trying to create, manufacture, and sell this dress.
Here in lies one of the many instances where conflict of business vs. hobby really comes into play. If Mo’Bella was really a business, I’d never try to sew or sell this dress. I’d have to pay someone who owns a giant overseas factory to make it. But as my hobby, it is very satisfying to make something that you are really proud of, even if means only making $1.00/hour. This is where I shrug, and my husband say, “seriously, what are you doing?”
Did I mention that Mo’Bella Clothing is made in the USA? Yep, by me, in my basement with some occasional help from a local seamstress. Even the t-shirts are made by an American manufacturer. Great quality, but not so cheap. One of these days I’ll figure out the balance between my hobby and actually making a living. Until then maybe I’ll suplement my income with a popcorn cart!
Benjamin O. David said, “The secret to getting things done is to act.”
If only it were that easy. What if you act, but your action takes you in several different directions at one time. Then does this quote still apply?
I know as well as anyone how great it feels to finish a project. Unfortunately, I am notorious for having at least 5 orders or projects underway at any given time. Depending on the day, one may take priority over the other, and that is the one that I work on for a while. Then, as I begin to think that someone is getting anxious for their dress to be finished, I’ll switch and work on that one. I know it’s not the most efficient way to work, but it’s very me.
Today I finished an outfit for a friendwho is attending a baby shower this weekend. She needed a gift and came to me for help. Luckily for me, she is a very low maintenance friend and is very tolerant of my ways. She has probably ordered 20 dresses from me over the past year or two. Since she is a good friend and very good customer, I gave her full permission to keep reminding me of the date of the baby shower so that the outfit definitely got done on time. I am not one of those people that get annoyed at little hints and reminders. I am thankful for them. I am very aware of my weaknesses, and staying focused is one of them! So if someone is willing to keep me on track with email FYI’s or subtle “oh yeah, just in case you forgot’s,” it makes my life all the easier.
Anyway, I am thrilled with the outcome of this outfit, and am very happy to put a check in the ”done” box today.
P.S. My friend liked the outfit so much that she ordered 2 more! One for a birthday gift and one for her own daughter. It pays to GET IT DONE!
I thought this was really cute and wanted to share… It is an adorable tooth fairy pillow that was made for my nephew by his grandma. It’s shaped like a tooth and has a pocket on top with his initial to keep the tooth nice and safe.
To be honest, when I saw the picture of the pillow it made me feel really guilty for making my daughter use and old ring box for her teeth. Although maybe I shouldn’t feel to bad. I remember wrapping my teeth up in a paper towel and just shoving it under my pillow. I wonder how many teeth my parents found under my bed years later. The quarters always showed up though. Yeah quarters, I know each tooth is worth about $5 these days.
Anyway, I love seeing what great ideas other crafty people come up with. Please feel free to send your pictures to be featured in the blog. To receive fabric swatches for the tooth fairy pillows or for ordering information please email admin@mobellaclothing.com .
Congratulations Robyn! You are the winner of the $50 Mo’Bella Gift Certificate. Here is the adorable picture of Robyn’s daughter that was sent in to enter the contest.
If you would like to share a picture of your favorite gal in a Mo’Bella dress, email it to kristie@mobellaclothing.com . Pictures will be posted in the “Gallery” on the website www.mobellaclothing.com .
1st Birthday Dress
Mo'Bella Office
I’ve heard that if you really want to accomplish something, you should tell someone else your goal. Not just anyone, but someone who will hold you accountable, and someone you would be mortified to fail in front of. Since my husband, mother, kids, sister, and several close friends are already aware of my “situation,” and have yet to hold an intervention, I decided that exposing myself to a bunch of people that I don’t know might be worth a shot. So here it is, my 2010 New Years Resolution.
I will organize my work space.
That’s it? you say. Big deal right? Have you seen the picture? It’s a VERY big deal. It is so disorganized and disasterous that I roll my eyes at myself every time I walk in the room, the same way that I roll them at my husband when he undresses in the living room. There is fabric here, t-shirts there, sewing scraps covering the floor. Ughh. The only redeeming thing about my dungeon like, poorly lit room is the space heater. It is the reason that I keep going back for more. I love the feeling of really warm legs and feet while I sit in front of my sewing maching. Anyway, I am completely embarressed to admit that I actually work in here. I had to swallow every ounce of pride that I have in order to post this picture. Have I made my point? It’s bad.
Here’s to a new beginning. As part of my resolution, I will post regular, updated pictures of my progress. You’ll have to cut me a little slack though. My work area is nothing more than an unfinished area of my basement. So, it has it’s limits. Not having drywall creates obstacles when it comes to hanging shelves or mouting wall units. Still, there is much potential for improvement. Any suggestions or office decorating advice is welcome. I’ve got my work cut out for me, but I am up to the challenge. Please do not let me fail!
Since the start of Mo’Bella Clothing almost 5 years ago, it has served as a source of great fulfillment for me. I have seen great successes and unfortunate failures (let’s call them opportunities for change). I have learned so much, and been frustrated beyond measure, but this business will always be one of my favorite challenges.
As a full time mother, running a small business has always demanded more time than really exists in a day. Mo’Bella, my hobby/business, has tested my skills, creativity and ability to multitask. It has sometimes meant sewing with a two year old on my lap, or dragging both kids in to a fabric shop while I find just the perfect color ribbon. I have taken them with me to sales calls, home shows, and the post office more times than I care to remember, especially the post office!
Despite it’s challenges, I get no greater thrill than hearing from a customer who says that their daughter asks to wear a Mo’Bella dress every day. Or that someone received so many compliments on a dress that their daughter wore to a party. When your daughter feels great and looks great, so do I!
