Since it is our tenth (TENTH!) year in business, and since we were out growing our longtime basement-of-a-building-near-a-dumpster-but-really-close-to-my-house-so-I-could-see-if-it-was-on-fire office situation, and since our lease was up this year, we decided that it was time for some grown-up, big-girl, just our style office space.

That is a long way of letting you know that we are moving our offices and retail warehouse across town and thusly, need to have a HUGE SALE so we don't have to physically move all that stuff!

There is a LOT of great stuff on sale right now in the online shop, and it is first-come/first-serve. There are even a bunch of signed canvases that we only have singles of and want you to have at a ludicrously low price. We only have a handful of days before we move to get this stuff out of here and into your hot little hands, so think of all the gifts you have wanted to buy or send or give to yourself and what a bountiful Curly Girl summer you are about to have and get thee over to the sale!

The direct link for the sale is here, and I am posting just a handful of the canvases that we have in the sale...some of them we only have one of so you'd better boogie!

If you need help, have questions about dinosaurs or just want to chat with someone about the awesome savings, email Lauren (lauren@curlygirldesign.com) or call the office: 617-484-9502 and she, or someone as nice as she is, will be glad to help you.

These awesome large-format, hand-finished and signed (by me!) canvases are in the sale along with many others! WHAT!? I know. Crazy.

xoxo

Hello and happy Friday!

Before the New Year I started a periodic entry series called "Open Book Thursdays" where I answered your questions (about almost anything) here on the blog. I took a wee break from it over the holidays, but now am anxious to get back!

Thank you for your questions! I love hearing from you guys, and hope to get to all of them someday. You can see previously answered questions here, here and here or by poking through the journal tab on the left hand side there.

On to questions! (I am answering these in random order, or in order of what I have the brain power for today...)

Jenny asked:

I attended a Women in Business luncheon yesterday, and our table got into a discussion about a quote that one of the attendees had on her wall.  It read:  “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?”  So, that being said, what would you do? 

I’d love to know what your vision for the future of your business is, as I often feel that you have a true talent for putting into art the things we are all thinking and feeling.  I’d love to know WHAT’S NEXT?

Thanks for your question Jenny! Oh how I love that question. It is actually up on the refrigerator in our office so that every time a Curly Girl staffer goes in for a seltzer or a snack we ask ourselves that question. The answer is usually 'pop open some of this champagne that is taking up all the room in here...".

Just kidding. Sort of.

This question is a bit of a double-edged sword for me. It assumes, firstly that we are not already living bravely, which I think, if we really each examine our lives, we can find some proof that we are. And it sort of suggests that what we are doing is not already enough.

It is my sincere hope that everyday when the beautiful, talented, amazing women that work together with me on this business look at that question part of them is inspired by it, and part of them wants to flip it the bird and say "you are lookin' at it!"

Showing up everyday for yourself and hopefully going to bed at night feeling like you have contributed to your well being and others well being (in whatever incarnation) is something to be proud of and never to be swept away as un-grand (not sure that's a term, but you get what I mean.) We can certainly fail at that. Most of us have at some point. So I would strongly advocate for considering our victories.

That said, it also offers contrast. "To fail" is the opposite of "to succeed". We must have one in order to have the other. You cannot have light if you do not have dark. And so, it is our failures that make our successes possible. They are counterweights for each other and thusly are both totally necessary. It has been my failures that have been my greatest supporters along the way. They are proof of what has happened that I was capable of getting through. And learning from. In a way, it would be a better question if it read: "What would you fail at over and over again if you had the time."

But you didn't actually ask for my philosophic ramblings about the question, you asked for the answer to it. And the point of the question is not lost on me.

There are many many things that pop into my head as quick answers; buy a farm and grow things, math, learn to play the banjo, renovate houses, wear more lingerie. But in truth there are only three things that are currently full-out honest answers to that question:

Be a mother. (in discussions)

Write a book. (also, in discussions)

and Sing.

Singing is something that I love dearly, and makes me very very happy that I never really got to pursue the way I dreamed I would. It has been so many years since I have had any real training, that I think the fear is that I don't have the equipment anymore, and with time, goes confidence. So that is what I would choose to fail at over and over again if I had time. I might even do it with gusto.

As for what's next? Well, the book is a project that I have wanted to do for years and years, but frankly have been a little afraid of. It seems so permanent (ahem, Library of Congress) and I guess I always feel so...in flux. BUT, I have said it out loud now...and I have a cool vision and a tight deadline....so off we go! I will talk more about it when I am able.

Thanks Jenny! Great question!

What would YOU do?

Have something you want to ask me?  Leave your question in the comments section of this post.

xo

Hello! I am back for a moment on a pit-stop from tradeshow season. This is one of a few times a year when we travel around like nomads presenting our product to the world of buyers. Buyers that own shops on Main Street and everywhere, that take all of our beautiful things back to their beautiful stores so that you can discover them! It is both hectic and exhilarating and the circus-cast of friends we have collected over the years is one of the finest rewards.

Another great part of the shows for me, as a licensed artist with a few companies, is that I get to see the beautiful product that they have developed over the past year in all of it's glory in their various show rooms. It is sort of like the 'reveal' on one of those "HGTV" shows ...I never know what it's going to look like, but it usually makes me say: "Wooooooooow". This year was no different!

I have been working with Demdaco for almost 5 years now and they never cease to amaze me! Their showroom is one of the most well curated showrooms in the whole market (in no small part thanks to their visual manager Cory! Great job Cory!) This year, they have done a sweet little release of some big-impact product and I am thrilled to the max with it!

We have already gotten this in to our warehouse and up on the site (which is a small miracle - thanks Lauren!) so it is ready to be scooped up! You will also see that our new "Just Our Type" line of cards and posters is up and ready! Exciting stuff!

The above beautiful, bright and completely lovable pieces are just a sampling, but are as follows:

1.) "Wine with Friends" Cutting Board: $24

2.) "Cape & Tiara" Paper Lantern: $22

3.) "Wine with Friends" Layered Wall Art: $42

4.) "Peacock" Mobile: $32

5.) "Hug You" Squiggle Plaque: $10

6.) "Mermaid" Squiggle Plaque: $10

7.) "Welcome to This World" Frame: $26

8.) "Mermaid" Layered Wall Art: $35

What do you love? Any favorites? I would love to hear!
More licensor product releases coming soon...

xox

You like us! You really really like us!

A couple of days ago Curly Girl Design reached 10,000 'likes' on Facebook and we got pretty excited about it! Look, I even took a picture:

I am a weirdo about numbers sometimes. I like to try and get the gas pump to perfect .00s and have been known to take a photo of the mileage of my car when it hits and interesting number. Nerdy stuff, I know. But this milestone is a little different. Facebook has been profound in how we have been able to community build around Curly Girl and since community building is one of our core values here, that's a really big deal to have a community that now includes over 10,000 people. We like to refer to you casually as "Curly Girl Nation"...hope you don't mind.

I think there is power in numbers and power in community, especially when the community all shares something positive in common. In this case, we get to be that 'positive' and we are very very grateful.

So, to celebrate, I am doing a giveaway!!

I will be giving away TWO $50.00 Curly Girl Gift Cards!

All you have to do to enter is SHOUT IT OUT! Share your love for CGD in anyway you want, but in a way that will encourage other people in your sphere of influence to find us too. Link to it, photograph it, post it or point us to it in some way in the comment you leave on this post and that will count as your entry. If you shout out in more than one way, leave two comments with two separate links. All links/posts must be dated today or later, they must work and be active, and if you have multiple entries, they must be different.

I will be choosing one winner at random and one for creativity! So get out there and SING IT! I know some of you will do some really clever stuff! Winner will be chosen on Sunday November 11th at 10am EST.

Thanks for your support and for following along....this is really what it's all about for us!

xoxo

Hello all! I hope the past couple of weeks have found you well and enjoying fall! I had to take a brief hiatus so that we could get our new website up and running and our servers all spit-spot. I also had to pop over to Montana to visit our new warehouse and give a little kissy to the 7000 pounds of Curly Girl product that we just shipped there this month. I will fill you in on all of that a little later.

Right now I need your help!
I am getting us ready for 2013 and have a new little line that I am going to introduce called "Just Our Type". It focuses on the quotes and my love for typography and graphic design and I think it is really going to be fun! My thoughts are that even though we all love the illustrations, there are times when you just need to get the words across. One of my favorite parts about my job is the writing part, and I wanted to celebrate the original quotes in a special way. There will be a couple applications of type in this line (this is one, I will post the other a little later). We will start with greeting cards and potentially some wall art based on feedback.

As with any stray from a well-plodded path, I am meeting some resistance. I did a gut check and know where I stand, but I wanted to throw it out there to y'all, as my first-line feedbackers and see what you thought. Am I spitting into the wind here? Do you see what I see?

PLEASE feel free to be honest with your feedback (be nice, of course) and also know that this is NOT in lieu of a new release of traditional Curly Girl cards, merely an addition. Another way to say it. Something that is 'just our type'.

Thanks in advance!

xoxo

I have been answering a lot of questions lately. Questions for interviews, through emails, in the shop, and in working on a "Frequently Asked Questions" page for our website. I like questions, and people who ask questions, because they are how one gets answers and because if you are asking questions, you are probably a curious person.

I like curious people. Curious people have the most impact on the world.

I also like answering questions, because I generally like talking about myself talking to people and because so many people have answered my questions or let me into parts of their process along the way (regarding business, art, life and other things) that I always feel good about paying that forward when I can. I also always envy people who answer questions thoughtfully and like to practice being one of those people whenever I can.

The only kinds of questions I don't like are leading questions, the kind that we already know the answer to, or are waiting for an answer that we don't like or are prepared to judge. Questions we ask other people because we know the answer will make us feel better about ourselves. I try not to ask those, and I try not to answer them when possible.

So, all of this is to say that I am opening the floor for questions! Ask me anything you want. I will do my best to answer (in due time) and if we end up using your question in our FAQs we will give you a shout out!!

However, if your question is about curly hair, I will save you some time: check out this post and this post. That's really all I need to say on the matter (she says as she high-fives her conditioner...)

Looking forward to the conversation!

xoxo

OOOOH! Almost forgot! We have a couple of winners from the Coach's Birthday Giveaway! Sexy Random number generator picked:

Comment #3, Kate and Comment #84 Chaco_Kid! Congratulations you two, we will be in touch and get you your massive box of holiday cards...hope you have lots of stamps!

Greetings from Atlanta!! I have a few seconds to catch up and wanted to share another new product release with you! These showed up at our showroom just in time for the show and are WAAAAAAY CUTE! Sets of recipe cards are such a lovely gift, and I can't wait to make my neighbors holiday bread and write them a little love note and the recipe on these!!

What will you use them for? Favorite recipes you want to share??

xoxo

What is awesome? The fact that I am writing this post from 30,000 feet (thank you Delta!). What is not awesome? That the man that is sitting in front of me in my lap, is a former professional athelete rendering my 'table' useless and forcing me to use T-rex arms to write this. Sigh. The things I go through.

I am suffering through all of this to share a sneak peek at one of our latest product launches!

I would like to introduce you to the first edition of Curly Girl Design Nifty Gifty Label Sets!! These packs of labels will come with 4 sheets (all the same...there are three different styles available), of 7 of the most ridiculously cute stickers you have ever had the pleasure of decorating with! Use them for gifts, or letters or packages sent by post....we can think of a million things to do with them (ok, a MILLION might be pushing it...but a lot) and can't wait to see what you guys come up with! (We should have these ready to ship by August...for those of you who plan ahead...)

What do you think? How will you use them?

xoxo

Hello there and happy Friday! This week went fast didn't it? Sheeew! Last week Molly and Emily and I took the show on the road to the National Stationery Show in New York City. (Does anyone else hear those "Old El Paso" salsa commercials in their head when they say "New York City" out loud?.....just me? aging myself here?)

This was our 9th year at the show, and as ever it was full of fun, old friends, new friends, long days, some even longer evenings (ahem, waiting for our crate at the Javits) catching up, catching on, and some of the prettiest paper products in the world (not just ours either!).

We attended the annual LOUIE Awards (which are like the Oscars in the greeting card industry...or so they say...) where we were up for 2 awards this year. We didn't win this time, but nearly everyone at our super fun table brought home some major well-deserved glass!! Congratulations to Bold Face Type, Amy Smyth, Rifle Paper Company and Old Tom Foolery!!! You guys are rock stars and we are glad to know you. We would still hang out with you if you didn't win, but this helps.

We may not have won a LOUIE award but Marmalade won this:

Part of my job while we are at these shows is to do the buying for our store Marmalade. So I have to wear a couple hats and be a buyer and a seller.

This award (No, I didn't get to keep the cool engraved brass top hat...) was from Old Tom Foolery, whose hilarious cards we carry at the shop. This past year at inventory time, we discovered that their cards were the most frequently shoplifted in our store. We know this, because the shoplifters leave us the envelopes. Because that is helpful. When I told Lauren and Joel from OTF about it, they swelled with pride and decided to give us a prize. With that we recieved the honor of being the OTF "Store of the Year". Thanks guys!!

The show is in New York City. (..."get a rope.".....nobody?) I love New York and really love that I get to spend several weeks a year there for work. Though I don't think I could live there all the time, the city has some real magic to it that keeps calling me back. Over the years I have grown to love certain streets and neighborhoods, have favorite restaurants and morning walks. I got to do a tiny bit of that this trip between heavy rain and long days at the show.

Mostly these shows are a whirlwind of business and chatter, networking, selling, buying, eating and drinking, and eating. I always leave inspired and energized though. Full of new ideas and partnerships and refreshed by getting to see folks who have grown to be dear friends. It really is a very friendly industry (as you might hope)...I can only imagine how different the experience is at say, an auto show or technology expo. Not for me I dare say.

Over the years (Molly and I have been doing these for almost 10 years now) we have gotten some things down. We have decided that it's just not worth the savings to stay in a $99/night hotel room in Manhattan (and have the stories to prove it). We know to always always bring an extra pair of shoes in your bag. We know where to catch cabs and where we will never get one. We know that eating well is well deserved and always try to have one special dinner. We know where to save: we bring our lunch to the show so we don't waste money on bad food, and where to spend: treating our tootsies to a pedicure once in a while goes a long way. 

We still have lots to learn and learn new things every year. We are constantly redesigning our booth and trying to do things better and make things easier for our customers. We learn from those around us and try again next year. It's a journey like everything else. So as we head into our 10th season, our big brass top hat is off to you NSS!!

xoxo

One year ago Sunday (April Fool's Day, naturally) we opened our shop, Marmalade, in our town center. A bigger and more beautiful location with lots of foot traffic and parking (yes!) has made our presence officially known as a fabulous retail destination in the suburbs of Boston. It was a big risk, a lot of work, a lot more work than that, and frankly, contributed to one of the hardest financial and organizational years Curly Girl has had to go through. But at the year mark, things are looking really good. The community has embraced us whole-heartedly, we are winning awards and getting the kind of press I always thought we deserved.

We are story-telling, community-building and creating an world for Curly Girl to live in that exists beyond the work we do in the offices, or online, or on paper. We have more work to do still, and growth is a moving target but I am really pleased in this moment with what we have done. I put this thought, this intention, this vision out into the world, and the world around me, the people around me and the community around me made it real. It's real and it's bright and shiny, just like I thought it would be. Happy Birthday Marmalade!

We have come a long way...

You can read a little about the beginnings here and here and see photos of our opening week here and here.

Saturday we threw ourselves a little party inspired by Marie Antoinette and piled the sugary treats high! We popped prosecco and put on our party dresses and treated our customers to a storewide sale.

The place was packed with customers (which is always good!) and balloons! Coach even helped bartend! (how cute is he?). The marmalade girls were in full effect and everyone's spirits were high!

It really put a cherry on top of an excellent first year and I couldn't be more grateful to all whose energy and time and love and support went into making this year a success! In particular: Lauren, Emily, all the marm girls, Ethan, Coach and our friends at Glutenous Minimus for all the delicious sweets when we need them! Also, to the Curly Girl staff (esp. Molly) for holding down the fort while we did all of this. Thank you all for making my vision a reality...and continuing to.

xoxo