June 9, 2010 | Comments | Inspirations
Tulle, 1950′s prom dresses, kitties, mustaches, cowboy boots, over-sized collars, oh my!
*This is how the design process works in my head! I am planning on this being a consistent feature to record and share the evolution of my inspirations into designs!
June 7, 2010 | Comments | Inspirations, Parasol Doll News
When I first began consistently selling my handmade doll clothing, my packaging was really basic: a reclosable poly bag. Actually, that’s a little embarrassing now. I knew my presentation had to improve and I assumed the right idea would strike me eventually. Over the years, my packaging has slowly evolved. My most recent addition is the scalloped edge. This is the first batch of items I have packaged with this adornment and I really like the simple, whimsical look it adds. My most inspired packaging moment (you don’t hear that sentence very often!) was when I began sealing my packages with a bow. Yup, that’s a real bow! I use a little hole punch through the card stock and the bag, thread the ribbon through, and seal it with a hand-tied bow. That’s better than sealed with a kiss!
I am pretty pleased with the combination, but I am not completely satisfied. I still need to figure out a way to incorporate my logo into the packaging in a clever way and possibly figure out a way to speed up the packaging process. It takes a great deal of time, measuring and precision. It is a lot of fun to pick out the ribbons and papers to coordinate with the clothes, so it’s not all hard work! I am going to try and print out my logo on card stock, punch it out with a big, circular punch and then thread the circular logo card on to the front of the package before tying the bow. I am also thinking of trying cellophane bags.
There is a great deal of inspiration to be found in the packaging of other dolly artisans, too.
Diem of Tiny Haus hand carved a block print which she uses on recycled paper for the tops of her packages. The effect is really warm and folkloric.
Getting a package from House of Pinku is an unbirthday party in package form. Everything is pink, from the mailer, the paper header and even the bag that holds the dolly dress!