After much too much time, and lots of anxiety, tears, terror, excitement and anticipation, the store is open.
There are still many designs yet to be added. But, as the saying goes, done is better than perfect. And I became a bit obsessive about perfect as time grew closer.
It might have even been a bit of self sabotage.
When I decided to do this, probably mid summer of last year, I wanted 20 designs, fully realized, when I opened. (By fully realized, I mean adapted for each product flawlessly, and available in every way possible.) By mid winter I was thinking more like 15, then by spring, I decided on 10. I have more than 20 designs, but the process of making them work on products is a whole other issue. So, be done, not perfect. (It pains me to say that.)
It’s also heavy on Disney inspired designs. This is probably a bit curious if you don’t know me or the Disney community.
I began a little project last year, just for fun, to show my admiration and my gratitude for the inspiration Disney has given me through the years.
My first trip was in ‘75, or ‘76. I was 10, maybe 11, I can’t find a way to verify. My grandparents, bless them, took me to Florida for a month. I came back with 2 things that changed me forever. One, was the love of food (and 15 pounds, which is not such a good thing, but oh the wonders of Greek pastry to a girl who had hardly been out of Indiana!) and the second, an awe in the ability Disney used to create a fantasy world that would literally, for the day, make you forget a real world existed.
Everyone knows, in the Park, as it was then and parks as it is now, it’s all in the details. Between having creative and detail oriented parents, growing up with Disney movies, and being bent a bit toward creativity myself, it has stuck with me all these years, and has grown immensely.
That is why I started the project, which was really only going to be for me, but soon became something that other people were excited to see. That, and a group of amazing women who took me under their wing and into their Instagram world, (which I came to being absolutely clueless) has brought me to this point.
If you’d like to follow me over there, or on Facebook, there is an upcoming grand opening week with giveaways, shout outs, and some general merriment.
Through this I’m sure I’ve been a not so perfect human. I’ve neglected friends and family, I’ve talked endlessly to those closest to me about products, marketing, and designs, and I’ve probably whined a bit too much and withdrew in absolute terror at the prospect of it all. So for that, if you’ve stuck by me, …I’m sorry, I love you and thank you, I’m in your debt!
And with that….Onward.
xo
