Are You Ready to Profit Through Your Own Signature Products?

Today  I’m thrilled to be able to share more in depth info on my fantastic new class on designing and selling your own line of signature products which I will be teaching along with my partner in crime Deb Barrett at the Atalanta’s Mart at the Deco Zone on July 7 from 1 – 6 pm.

Many of you probably know that I design my own signature product lines and work closely with manufacturers to develop their product lines. 

You may also know that I have written four books and have helped build the massive design image library for Studio from Minutes Matter Inc with all of my illustrations from my books.  But did you know that books and software are considered signature products?  There are so many ways to distinguish yourself and elevate your personal and business brand through the development of signature products.  It has never been easier or more profitable for an individual designer or small retailer to capitalize on this lucrative segment of our industry.

Signature or Private Label product offerings are not just for super star designers anymore.  You can be the master of your own destiny in a new and exciting field.

Here is the class outline for our half day event in Atlanta  - it is so full of information, step by step, instruction, resources, and even one on one consultation time with Jackie, that you will walk away with everything you need to get started.


BUILD PROFITS & ELEVATE YOUR BUSINESS WITH SIGNATURE PRODUCTS
JACKIE VON TOBEL AND DEB BARRETT
July 7, 2014 1 – 6 pm AMERICAS MART - ATLANTA

Take advantage of new technology and services available today to easily design, manufacture, and sell your own “signature” product lines to your customers.

Would you like to open a whole new stream of revenue for your business by offering signature fabrics, pillows, decorative throws, upholstery, candles, trays or any number of beautiful high quality décor items to your clientele that reflect your design aesthetic and signature style? Deb Barrett and Jackie Von Tobel, the creative team behind The Soft Design Lab can show you, step by step, how to enter into and profit from this lucrative market while using it to elevate your brand at the same time. Signature products not only add to your bottom line but they impart a level of professionalism and expertise to your business that sets you apart from your competition. Don’t be left behind, join us and get your beautiful signature brand ready to sell!

Jackie Von Tobel is an award winning product designer, author and interior designer who has self-produced signature product lines as well as licensed signature lines through established manufacturers in many home decor product categories from fabrics, drapery hardware, tabletop, gift, garden and many more. She will share her industry secrets and show you how to follow her lead into his lucrative sector of the industry.

This class is an intensive crash course on signature product design using newly available fulfillment resources that can enable you to create product offerings to your clients on a short run basis. Many of these new resources eliminate the need to buy inventory or stock product. Jackie will show you how to utilize print and produce on demand services that automate fulfillment for you direct to your customer’s one item at a time. You will lean the basic techniques and skills needed to easily design signature products and bring them to market. Use these products to turn your website and blog into a profitable source of residual income through product sales while growing and promoting your brand at the same time.

Here are just some of the product categories that will be discussed:

Fabric

Rugs

Upholstery

Home Décor Textiles and Accessories

Wall Art

Wallpaper

Tabletop

Gifts

CLASS OUTLINE

What are signature custom products?

Soft Goods

Hard Goods

How offering your own signature products can generate residual income.

Why are signature products a necessary part of today’s successful designers arsenal?

Designer case studies – a lesson in visionary thinking.

Bloggers

Designers

Product selection – deciding what products are right for you?

Choosing your level of customization.

Curated designs

Semi-custom designs

Fully original, custom, designs

Copyright Law – what you must know to avoid infringement.

The Basics – what skills do you need to be able to design your own signature products?

Research and Development

Design Acumen

Artistic Talent

Graphic Design, Photoshop, Computer Skills

Financing  

Overcoming your skill shortage through outsourcing.

Graphic Design

Photoshop

Art Rendering and Illustration

3D Product Development and modeling

Packaging Design

Order Fulfillment

Point of Sale Systems

Accounting                       

Source Directory – How to find the right manufacturer for your business.

Order fulfillment – How do you get your product to the customer.

Selling Online – exploring DIY full service websites versus building your own independent site.

Marketing your products through:

Blogging

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Industry Hub Sites: Houzz, Todl, etc.

Etsy

Pinterest

Trade Showrooms

Trade Shows

Capitalize on your signature products to elevate your business brand.

Create Your Personal Plan of Action and Goal Chart.

You will come away from this class with:

1.       A detailed and comprehensive overview of the DYI signature product development and design marketplace including key design and development sources, manufacturers listings, and fulfillment options that will allow you to design , produce, market, sell, and make a profit from,  private signature product sales.

2.      We will guide you through the myriad of possible product options available to you and help you determine what are the key products or product for you and your particular business.

3.      You will develop a plan of action that you can put in place immediately to start you on your way to product development, production, and sales.  You will receive a one hour phone consultation with Jackie after the event to discuss your strategy and implementing your action plan.

As part of your class materials you will receive:

Digital Resource Guide and Directory

Digital Outsourcing Guide and Directory

Class Notebook and Digital Manual

Swag Bag ( full of Goodies)

One hour phone consultation with Jackie after the seminar.

 $499.00 per person  ~  Wine & Cheese Reception Immediately Following the Class.

..........SIGN UP HERE TODAY  ..........

Because of the intensive nature of this class and the amount of material we will cover over the course of five hours the class size is limited so be sure to sign up now!

Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to get ahead of the pack and start designing your signature products today.  

I can't wait to see you all in Atlanta!!!  

                                                                          Jackie 

 

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Soft Design Lab Live kicks off at the Atlanta Gift Market

 

Are you planning on attending the Atlanta Gift Market, July 7 – 15,  or do you live in the Atlanta area?  If so don’t miss Jackie and Deb’s fantastic classes at The Deco Zone.

First up is our class on designing and producing signature product for your business.

 

 

Have you every thought of producing  signature products of your own for your business but don’t know how to get started?  Whether you are interested in simple promotional items with your companies logo to a full line of home décor fabrics or pillows this seminar will give you the in-depth knowledge, processes and sources to make your products a reality. 

 

 

BUILD PROFITS & ELEVATE YOUR BUSINESS WITH SIGNATURE PRODUCTS

Friday July 7, 2014   1:00 p.m.  – 6:00 p.m.

Take advantage of new technology and services available today to easily design, manufacture, and sell signature product lines to your customers. Would you like to open a whole new stream of revenue for your business by offering signature fabrics, pillows, decorative throws, candles, trays or any number of beautiful high quality décor items to your clientele that reflect your design aesthetic and signature style? Deb Barrett and Jackie Von Tobel, the creative team behind The Soft Design Lab can show you, step by step, how to enter into and profit from this lucrative market while using it to elevate your brand at the same time. Signature products not only add to your bottom line but they impart a level of professionalism and expertise to your business that sets you apart from your competition. Don’t be left behind, join us and get your beautiful signature brand ready to sell! Followed by wine and cheese reception.

Jackie Von Tobel is an award winning product designer, author and interior designer who has self-produced signature product lines as well as licensed signature lines through established manufacturers in many home decor product categories from fabrics, drapery hardware, tabletop, gift, garden and many more. She will share her industry secrets and show you how to follow her lead into his lucrative sector of the industry.

This class is an intensive crash course on signature product design using newly available fulfillment resources that can enable you to create product offerings to your clients on a short run basis. Jackie will introduce you to  new resources that eliminate the need to buy tons of inventory or stock product and show you how to utilize print and produce on demand services that can automate fulfillment for you direct to your customer’s one item at a time. You will lean the basic techniques and skills needed to easily design signature products and bring them to market.

Don’t have artistic skills? – no problem, Jackie will show you how to use stock image resources, affordable local talent, and starving artists and students to help you create and produce your vision.

Use these products to turn your website and blog into a profitable source of residual income through product sales while growing and promoting your brand at the same time.

Product categories that will be discussed include:

Fabric - Home Décor Textiles and Accessories - Wall Art - Wallpaper - Tabletop

Attendees will also receive these valuable resources:

A one hour post-class phone consultation with Jackie to fine tune your product design plan. Detailed source list                                                                                                                              Step by Step instructional digital handbook

Brainstorming session and wine and cheese reception following the class from 6PM – 7PM

Learn More or Sign Up Here Today !

attendance is limited

 

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Chinoiserie Takes High Point by Storm

 

Global Views

Classic design motifs and genres are making a big comeback and Chinoiserie is at the forefront of this movement.  If you‘ve followed me for any length of time you will know that it is probably my favorite historical element to mix into interiors for a dash of the exotic.  It’s clean lines and bold colors make it a natural compliment for todays vibrant interiors and todays forward thinking manufacturers are serving it up in large doses.

Global Views had several vignettes featuring bold Chinoiserie prints paired with a vibrant tangerine palette and bright white accents. 

C.R. Laine went all in with the majority of their showroom sporting one derivative or another of the popular style.  Their front window was a great example of how manufacturers are pairing these traditionally busy prints with modern styling to create a lively mix of culture and contemporary design.  Silhouettes and simplified prints bring the motifs into a more relevant form for todays designer and consumer.

 

Décor 55

Simplified Asian style toiles were in abundance and most often paired with zebra prints for a touch of contemporary exotica.  Décor 55 a semi custom, drapery manufacturer showed off this pairing with their high quality ready made panels complete with interlining and superior workmanship!

 

Surya

Always on trend – Surya debuted a beautiful painterly selection of vibrant Chinoiserie styled pillows in a large range of colors and styles.  Printed on silk these pillows raised the bar for Suryas extensive pillow program.

Wesley Hall

The Wesley Hall showroom never disappoints and it was clothed in a wide assortment of Chinese décor from lamps to art, upholstery and drapery; they truly embraced the Eastern vibe.  We fell in love with this trellis style “lantern” fixture.

In our last post we discussed the broad use of Greek Key trim by vendors and Wesley Hall was among those who used this classic element to tone down the busy visual of Chinoiserie prints and add a tailored edge as seen in the trim applied to the dust skirt of these lovely chairs. Never underestimate the power of a little bit of trim!!

 

While they do not sell the wall art that adorns the showroom we have to give a shout out to the design team for providing a complete theme throughout their vignettes with superbly chosen wall décor that brought the rooms home.

Thibaut has always had a selection of Chinoiserie patterns in their line up but their new Enchantment Collection features a diverse blend of traditional Eastern motifs and graphic patterns that create a fresh, trend forward coordinated look.

From beautiful embroidered medallions to a boldly graphic toile, there is something for everyone in this well defined selection. 

 

Terms you should know

Chinoiserie  French for "Chinese-esque", Chinoiserie is a recurring theme in European artistic styles since the seventeenth century, which reflect Chinese artistic influences. It is characterized by the use of fanciful imagery of an imaginary China, by asymmetry in format and whimsical contrasts of scale, and by the attempts to imitate Chinese porcelain and the use of lacquerlike materials and decoration.

Chinoiserie in a broader scope refers to a mixture of Eastern and Western stylistic elements for both the decoration and shape. The style held particular favour during the Rococo period and the court of Louis XV, with which its fanciful, ornate and idyllic imagery is commonly associated.

Toile or Toile de Jouy is the term for a style of decorative pattern consisting of a plain ground color with an overlayed pattern usually depicting scenic subject matter which is most commonly printed in one color. Modern toiles can be multi colored, rendered in silhouette, or colored in reverse with the background being a dark color and the toile pattern done in a lighter color.  Toiles can be used on fabric, wallpaper, and other decorative surfaces.

 

 

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The Greek Key Makes a Bold Statement at High Point

 

The classic Greek Key motif has burst upon the scene this Spring at High Point market in such a comprehensive way that it seems like all the manufacturers got together and decided that this was “the year” for the classic design element to reign supreme. 

The motif was on everything from case goods, to mirrors, fabrics, and trims.

This fantastic table was  a bold usage of the old school element that was given a fresh new interpretation by the addition of the nail heads as trim.  I LOVE it !! 

Even lighting was trimmed up with the stuff.

Eastern Accents served up a beautiful collection featuring our favorite fretwork in several different cvaristions.  There use of flat trims and textures was perfection in creating these classic pillows and bedding. .

 

Mirrors at Global Views sported a circular take on the usually square key.

Greek Key trim tape was used in every conceivable combination and direction on upholstered goods and throw pillows as well as on screens, mirror frames, upholstered tables and lighting. 

Mary McDonald used it in several unique ways such as this banding on her beautiful settee that was part of her collection for Guy Chaddock.  It was stunning.

 

The key was also evident an many different upholstery fabrics but I really fell in love with this trellis version.

 

My own admiration for the Greek key motif is evident in my drapery hardware collection for Helser Brothers.  These pieces were a “must include” for me when building the collection and I am so happy to see that a collection that I designer almost 3 years ago is so relevant today. I adore my Greek key finial.  It can be hung facing up or down and can also be used as a tie back.

 

 

My Greek Key medallion is a super versatile piece of the collection.  I wanted to give designers the maximum flexibility possible for them to use each piece in the collection in a variety of ways.  These medallions have screw holes at all four corners and can be connected with the addition of a small bracket to create an endless combination of designs suitable for whatever your design needs may be.

Square

Here are just a few of the variations that you can choose. 

Vertical

Triangle

Cornice

You choose where to attach the appropriate brackets and it’s ready to hang.

Learn more about my collection at Helser Brothers  here and GO GREEK!

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Are You Ready for Spring?

 

I’m getting in the mood for Spring with a few new JVT product samples arriving from my licensing partners in the Studio this week.

 

Get well and Encouragement cards from my Tea Time and Neon Garden collections for Divinity.

 

It’s so fun to finally get samples after working on collections so long ago.  Seeing the finished product is always a happy surprise especially when they turn out so cute. 

 

We also got a selection of bright and happy yard flags from my Floribunda collection in two cute designs from Carson.  All of these products are available for sale through retailers across the US.  Unfortunately I cannot sell them myself so you'll have to look for them in stores near you! 

 

I hope you are all getting that Spring back into your step and getting ready to enjoy the beauty of the season, particularly my friends who have had such bad weather this winter! 

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Anyone Can Learn to Draw

I had the pleasure of teaching a private session yesterday of my Anyone Can Draw class to the fabulous design team at Colours Inc. in Las Vegas.  Over the past 25 years my good friend Leslie Parraguirre has built Colours into one of the premier design firms in Nevada.



She and her talented design team were great pupils for my full day immersion class that teaches design professionals how to easily and accurately draw professional quality design renderings that will knock the socks off their clients and help them communicate with their workrooms and installers.



Here they are showing off some of their drawings done in class.  They really rolled out the red carpet for me with gourmet pastries for breakfast, a fabulous lunch, and delectable deserts and wine after we finished.



It was a long day full of creative learning but they all took to it like the pros they are.  My favorite part of teaching this class is seeing the finished renderings at the end.  They are all so well done and beautifully executed.  Thank You Leslie and Colours Inc. for making me feel so welcome and for being open to new ideas and creative growth! 

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Who are the Best Design Bloggers?

 

The best design bloggers are ones who work hard at improving their message, content, and voice by taking the medium of blogging into new directions and stepping out of the lines. 

The beautiful stage setting designed by Currey & Company – just look at those flowers!

I just got home from my second Design Bloggers Conference run by the gregarious and always entertaining Adam Japko and his fantastic team at Digital Sherpa where I was once again challenged to step up my game.  This years conference was held in Atlanta and it featured A-list designers, blogging superstars, TV personalities, marketing experts,  magazine editors,  a fantastic wine tasting and some of the top home dec brands in the industry.

sketch of the gorgeous flowers by Currey & Co on the stage set.

Aside from the beautiful decor and those flowers the conference is an intensive immersion into the nuts and bolts of design blogging and the future of the medium.   Digital Sherpa hosted in depth blog analysis for all attendees who wanted to participate so they could have key questions answered or just get a broad overview of their blog by experts.  It was a huge success for everyone involved.  

 

One of the highlights was Candice Olsen giving a lively talk on the importance of texture and contrast in design as well as tips to create a good lighting plan.  Other speakers included Timothy Corrigan, Suzanne Kasler, Jeffrey Allen Marks, Susanna Salk, Tobi Fairley, Jennifer Bowles, Andrew Joseph and many more.  It was quite a line up.

Melissa Galt, Deb Barrett, and Shannon Leclaire enjoying the annual wine tasting hosted by Digital Sherpa and wine expert Jeremy Parzen of “Do Bianchi” There is nothing like a room full of 350 design bloggers with three fabulous glasses of wine in front of them.  Cheers!

 

After the educational portion of the conference was over for the day the parties began with Kravet, Sunbrella, and Ethan Allen partnering up with Traditional Home magazine to host three fabulous nights of revelry, great food and drink including a swanky Oscars viewing party on Sunday night.

Next years event will be held again in Atlanta if you want to join in on the fun.  Thanks to Adam Japko and the Digital Sherpa team for putting on such a fun and worthwhile event.  See you again next year. 

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