Real Christmas

I may have mentioned a time or two that I have been designing products for a jillion years or so (and loving it, I tell you!) and people like me design Christmas all through the year. And when we are not designing for it, we're looking at it, thinking about and at least once a year we actually celebrate it! Or as Jim and I call it, "Real Christmas". Sometimes it's hard to drum up enthusiasm for decorating the house when really, I was working on Christmas during Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July and yes, Labor Day.

But sometime around this time of year, I actually get a soft spot in my other-wise cold cold heart for twinkly lights, fake snow (I am in Florida after all) and the smell of ginger and cinnamon wafting from somebody's (maybe even my) kitchen. And then something big happens. I hear it. Someone singing Oh, Holy Night. Like I heard last night. And then, I drag the decorations from the loft in the garage and bore Jim with all the stories of how we acquired each one and then I'm officially In The Christmas Spirit!

Maybe I'll draw a picture about it.

It's Christmas at Macy's!

I'm happy to say that the new My Friend Ronnie products have debuted at Macy's in the past few weeks! They are safely tucked away in the Christmas Departments of the store as the spinners have Christmas designs and everyday sentiments included. There are really cute mini plaques that are perfect as ornaments, package decorations or hung on a wine bottle. The larger size is a great little gift ---for a friend, sister or by golly, get one for yourself!

When you make your living designing products, it's a very s-l-o-o-o-w process getting your designs to market. We first showed these designs to Macy's in May of 2009! And through a long decision making process, design approvals and manufacturing cycle they have finally made it into the stores! I am thrilled with the quality of the plaques and had a great working relationship with our client, Enesco/Department 56. We are currently working on next year's designs so I am keeping my fingers crossed that everybody stays happy and these babies fly off the shelf!