Big Ideas

I am so excited for my 5 by the 5th coming up! I have some exciting big ideas. I’m not quite ready to share them with the world, but they are awesome! As you probably guessed, they are all wholesale oriented.

Having wholesale on the brain has made me start thinking about getting my products shelf-ready. I don’t have a plan for packaging yet, but I have been admiring different types of packaging around the internet. The goal is to come up with something easy, inexpensive, special, and of course, beautiful. I will definitely be letterpress printing at least one element of the packaging, be it a belly band or a paper slip with my information. Then I have to think of marking the product, especially if it’s a card. Putting out a set of greeting cards with my logo is like little mini-marketing magic. Givers and receivers get a sweet card, and a link to my site. I don’t want it to get crowded though- so probably just a small logo, ©, and link. Well, I’ve got a lot of work to do- so I better get busy. I’ll be sure to update with any progress. Happy Monday!

Downtown McKinney, TX

Today Tyler and I scouted shops for future Ma Joie Press wholesaling ideas. It was so fun! Very hot- about 102 degrees, but fun, none the less. Plus, different shops had awesome little refreshments- cucumber water and fruity wines. I can’t remember the last time I just went out and shopped around. I’m from a small town, and we always had a wonderful square with shops for special gifts and vintage items. We didn’t have chain stores, and the closest mall was an hour away. I think that’s what I miss about my hometown most- the charming local shops and feeling of community. It’s funny that I was so eager to get out after high school graduation.

I love being the girl who shows up to a bridal/baby shower with something thoughtful and unique. Don’t get me wrong, registries are awesome- but the gifts you remember are the ones you love, but weren’t expecting. The square in McKinney was so great, and brought back a lot of sentimental feelings. Wonderful food, culture, art, shops- the perfect place for wonderful Saturday afternoon or date night. I found about four stores that I adored, and hope to approach one in the future with a wholesaling proposition.

Ma Joie Press has taken on a whole new perspective, and I am so excited about future plans. If you would have told me four months ago that’d we would be where we are business-wise, I don’t know if I would have been able to contain myself. This is my dream job, and I’m so happy and blessed to be doing it. Have a lovely weekend!

Craft, Inc.

It is no secret that I am a horse-before-the-carriage type personality.  I can’t help it.  I have big dreams, and sometimes (most of the time) I miss little steps along the way.  Yesterday, while exploring and researching my options in wholesale, I found this book:  Craft, Inc. by Meg Mateo Ilasco.  I read it straight through.  It is a wealth of knowledge about my particular business situation.

If only I would have had it one year ago! None the less, it has filled me in on a bunch of little things that I never even thought about- trademarking/copyrighting (duh), selling products wholesale, press kits, catalogs, and trade shows/craft fairs. There is a whole list of internet resources in the back that I plan to go through, one by one, this afternoon. I have so much to say about how much this book has helped me in ONE DAY, that I can’t even organize my thoughts into words. Bottom line… if you are starting a business based on your particular interest in art, BUY THIS BOOK. And, if you already started your business, like me, buy it and count/correct the things you may have overlooked in the beginning. It is smart, concise, easy to read and bursting with important tools and information.

Alyssa and Kevin’s Wedding

Oh man! Five days, already? I promise the blog hasn’t fallen to the wayside. I just had an extra busy couple of weeks.

One of my college roommates got married this weekend, and our other roommate brought her boyfriend to stay with us before the wedding. We had an absolutely fantastic time- which I must say- I am still recovering from. It was just like 5 years ago. We’d stay up all night, sleep in and repeat. I can’t say the wedding went off without a hitch, but it was absolutely beautiful. And, we had a blast dancing. I am so happy to have been able to catch up with my college girls. We all do our own things now, and I miss them every day!

Here are some photos Tyler took of the fete: (he’s getting good, huh?)

MJP on the knot!

Amazing… Awesome… Super… News!  Apparently MJP doesn’t launch on the site on June 26th.  It launched last night!  You can now find me on the fabulous wedding planning website, theknot!  The profile is not complete yet, but they went ahead and put up a picture and a link to my main site.  How fantastic!  I am so excited to see where this takes us. Have a look: *Click