In the spirit of full disclosure I must warn you that there is a danger of excessive exlamation markage in the following post. For many reasons I have waited to share this news with you guys and now I find myself a bit stuck for words.
A lot of people who read here have followed me along as I made dolls, and sold them and finally after much nagging wrote a pattern for them...and slowly followed with more patterns. They followed me as I went to Big shows and struggled a little bit with the concept that I belonged there in amongst all the "real designers".
They would know that my business plan basically consists of dealing with whatever is happening on a very ad-hoc day to day basis and fitting it in around the day-job. Those lucky enough to read between the lines, may have guessed that the whole "business bit' is not my favourite bit. Printing and folding and packing and checking invoices does not really rock my world - and more importantly, it keeps me out of the sewing room.
So, I'm not going to do it anymore !
Instead the amazing team at Creative Abundance are going to be doing all that for me. After a very surprise email asking if I was interested I met with Nel and Jaques and the control freak in me realised that they could do all that stuff a million times better than me.
They distribute for a group of very talented designers and I am truly amazed and honoured to be asked to join. Go and click on the 'very talented' link - I can't even type the names of the people involved without having small palpitations and having to clench the lady muscles lest the excitement wee escapes.
(and I am not opening the door labelled "what do you think you are doing hanging with those really truly designers you big fraud! Get back to the library).
Now, don't go getting all world domination on me you lot (especially the over-enthusiastic UK branch), its all still going to be the same, There will be toys, and not-toys and hopefully some more stories (I LOVE doing that bit) and me banging on as usual.
and if you are reading this and thinking - wow that Jodie, she seems so calm and unfazed by such freakingly amazing news....
Lets just say I am not sure if I should be wearing these on my butt or on my head.
They would fit either end quite perfectly at the moment.
WOW and well done : o )
ReplyDeleteI like this pair - good grin.
Congratulations Jodie! You have earnt your Mrs Big Head stripes once again! Taking it to the next level! And more exclamation marks!!!!
ReplyDeleteGood on you, Mrs Designer!
:)
well look at you go! wearing your big girl panties (on your butt or your head) and everything. my goodness. i guess i will be able to say i knew her when. of course you don't know me but no one will ever ask that (hopefully) maybe i should wear knickers on my head so they won't even think of asking me (anything) Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteHelloooooo!!! What can I say, except CONGRATULATIONS and TOLD YOU SO!!! LOL Haven't I been telling you that you're brilliant for awhile now. And what have you been saying to me? I think it was "Shut-up!"
ReplyDeleteWell, proofs in the pudding!!! ;-)
I'm sooooo excited for you and can't wait to see what you create next!!
Still spewing I missed all the fun of Mr Hedgehog!! That'll learn me to disappear from the blogosphere for so long, won't it!!!
Big hugs from one of the little people. ;-)
Kelly xoxo
Congratulations I can now say "I knew you when......" or at least bought your patterns and read your blog lol. It's all onwards and upwards from here.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, fantastic news.
ReplyDeleteHooray! We knew you could do it x
ReplyDeleteRight where you belong!
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazingly talented Lady!
Brilliant Jodie!! Well done!
ReplyDeleteThat's great news Jodie - I am sure it's a good thing to get out of the bits you don't like - it's like outsourcing homework, no? And do you do those undies in super large lady style? Because man, I love em!
ReplyDeleteWell , well , well what can I say ?
ReplyDeleteWhat about CONGRATULATIONS and you have earned it and you deserve it !
Seriously Jod I couldn't be more thrilled for you , can't wait to see what you've got coming up !
This is a very long comment , I might go and write a novel now .
Well done, you! A huge congratulations to match youe huge panties lol.
ReplyDeleteOh how super exciting!
ReplyDeleteYou mean I'll be hanging out with a real life celbrity designer on Friday night????
Congratulations. So very well deserved.
ReplyDeleteYay for you, clever girl. And stop it, you are so not a fraud xx
ReplyDeleteWell in fact I have been there right from the start..or pretty much..and I love you and am so very very proud of you..
ReplyDeleteXxxx
Ahh, you crack me up! That's great news and a smart move. If only I could get others to do my boring admin while I stick to the creative stuff!
ReplyDeleteFantastic news Jodie and well deserved. You'll be right at home with the talent there.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations,
Kerryanne
Congratulations lady - that's very exciting. And well deserved!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are celebrating by painting the town red, with your undies on your head.
xx
First time I've ever seen "lady muscles" and "excitement wee" in a sentence. Well done, on all accounts!
ReplyDeletewell done...congrats!
ReplyDeletechhers Julz
Bloody hell, your name fits in perfectly up in lights with those others. You self effacing Aussie you. Hooray for you- I wouldn't like the businessy bits either, you, my dear, are a 'creative' (said in a dodgy french accent. Really, hooray for you. Your patterns are very clear and well written, original and fun...and helpfully, accurate from my experience and that's always good!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all CONGRATULATIONS you awesome lady you!
ReplyDeleteI think once you're done jumping around and pinching yourself you will see that you've made a fantastic decision here. Not only are you letting someone else do the "less fun" parts of running Ric Rac (like getting someone to do your taxes, blech!), you're freeing yourself up to do more of the fun stuff! Whether that be crafting or hanging out with the fams.
You rock chick!
Holly
http://twocheeseplease.livejournal.com
Bravo..♥ When all the big stars get agents that gives them more time for creativity ;-) !!
ReplyDeleteTo quote dali..
At the age of six I wanted to be a cook. At seven I wanted to be Napoleon. And my ambition has been growing steadily ever since.
(ooh and I got the pattern a week ago, thank you, and am busily tracing and preparing and looking for stripy fabric..will update my blog when I actually sew something :-))
Oh how exciting, i can say "i knew you when" . . . congratulations. Domination (in Dr Who exterminator voice) oh please do a "dominator" robot. Just realised your son is out of the family business & he was so enthustiastic about printing & folding patterns too. Every teenage boy's dream job, gone, his mummy has gone global on him. Love Posie
ReplyDeleteWay to go Jodie! Your immense talent could never be contained by mere underpants!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I love good news and this is better than good!
ReplyDeleteWhoooooooo hooooooo - that's the pep squad from the UK calling :) Congratulations! And I would totally wear those pants on my head - in fact I have a photograph somewhere....... Anyway, congrats again :)
ReplyDeleteLOOOVE the undies!!
ReplyDeleteYou know if you ever loooong for some invoice writing and order filling and wrapping and trips to the post office.....
Nice work withe patterns, i reckon you are easily as good as the people they already have on baord. and they don't embroider undies.
Hey Mrs Big Head..........CONGRATS..........superfantastic news........
ReplyDeletelets face it you such at selling patterns.......you are too generous...........LOL.........
now get back in the sewing room and start designing some more patterns.......that's what your brilliant at........
Well done!
ReplyDelete.... WORLD DOMINATION HAS BEGUN . . . . .
ReplyDeleteWoooo Hoooo!!
Oh, huge congratulations!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm thinking if I had those pants I might have to add "Pass with Caution" to them ... push past *this* wide load and you're likely to get squished against a wall!
great news! Enjoy your freedom from printing and folding and invoicing and ...
ReplyDeletethat is awesome! way to start taking over the world. *bows down before Jodie and her mighty pants*
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have finally let the cat out of the bag, Jod. Your talent deserves a wider audience. Will embroidery patterns for undies be your first release under the Creative Abundance label?? Well done!
ReplyDeleteHave just shown the pics to Pr. C-W. Am now dealing with a traumatised 12 yo. They have been doing 'sciencey-science' this term, aka sex ed and biology. I think the 'Danger' graphic was too much for her ;-)
ReplyDeleteSo, should you fire up Monkee Maker's New Monkey Army to assist in your World Domination plans?
Jodie, even if it were only for your talent in the hysterical underpants department, you've more than earn't your place amongst the best of them, but no, there's so much more. You are a gem and I'm thrilled to hear your news!Love, Amanda xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm happy dancing for you. Yes, you belong and what fantastic company you'll be keeping. Gosh...I wish my patterns were printed, folded, and stuffed by a distributor. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations - how exciting for you!! Now you can spend more time being creative!!
ReplyDeleteWOOHOO! SO exciting Jodie!!
ReplyDeletethe undies are gold. xo
Congratulations Jodie. Man, imagine the stuff you will come up with now you have all this extra time to create. Love the hat/undies. :0)
ReplyDeleteWell done you - congratulation - you deserve it - it's about time - what else can I say.
ReplyDeleteWas half way through and thought you were pulling the plug on the whole lot!!! Crikey, my eyes bulged a bit then I read on. Phew!.
ReplyDeleteWell done.
Looking forward to the next story.
They'll be no living with ya now!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats heaps and heaps!
yay you ! well done you awesome chick!
ReplyDeletebye to the boring stuff & hello to more of your fun stuff, we LOVE that.
go on, be a big head, you deserve it!
I don't think you will though, you are a pretty down to earth sort of gal.
♥
"Now that sounds like a good idea!" she says very selfishly...as all she wants is to read some more stories...having loved the story of Ernest and all the rest of the gang! More creative time...a great big "yes" and "yippee"...I'd be in that too!
ReplyDeleteWell yay for you Jodie! You are fully deserving of wearing those 'wide load' undies on your head - that's fabulous news.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations.
That's awesome Jodie, you so deserve it!
ReplyDeleteFrickin' awesome! You are gold! Nic x
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing news! Congratulations and well done!
ReplyDeletehahaha super lustig!
ReplyDeletelg kerstin
Wow! Fantastic Jodie!
ReplyDeleteGreat news!!!!Now you will have more time for your incredibly wonderful stories:)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Wonderful news. (I'd rather be sewing too!)
ReplyDeleteEr... "over enthusiastic UK branch"??
ReplyDeleteJust in case that might be me.
What jolly interesting news. I'm sure it will be a very nice thing for all concerned and a most advantageous business agreement.
That restrained enough?
On the other hand.
JODIE IS A ROCK STAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rock on! That's great news--how nice to have all the boring stuff taken off your hands and just the pattern making to do. And book writing, of course. We do need more stories about all our fave little guys (hint: Ernst!)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Mrs. Big Head!
YAYAY!! Congratulations on your very exciting news! And if I were you, I'd wear the underpants on my head. Or over a pair of tights like a superhero! ;D
ReplyDeleteTrudy
This is such exciting news! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteCongratultions Jodie - you deserve it ... with knobs on! (Love those knickers :D ) x
ReplyDeleteBest news EVER and we are all soooooo excited you are joining us!!! Of course, condition of entry is some tailor made undies for all the gang - LOL! Yay!! :)
ReplyDeletecongratulations!
ReplyDeleteenjoy all the fun bits of your craft and be creative! so glad someone else will do the bits you don't love. life can be sweet!!
WOW!!! Congrats!! What amazing news!! You shouldn't downplay how amazing this opportunity is! If you just sat their and did nothing but tell your minions what to do, then that would be an entirely different thing. But you've worked hard, so you should definitely enjoy this moment!! :D
ReplyDeleteCoolio!
ReplyDeleteNow to rake in the dosh.....
Well thats not the important bit is it.
Taking your great stuff to the the level and getting it out there is the best bit eh?
Makes it all worthwhile :-)
How exciting. Of course we all ready knew you were amazing - now you just have to realise that. Doing the happy dance for you.
ReplyDeletefantastic-wonderful-stupendous-congratulations!!:)
ReplyDeleteThat's fabulous news Jodie! Looking forward to all the extra creativity and stories now the boring bits are taken care of! (ps Loving the Wide Load pants)
ReplyDeleteWay to go, sista!
ReplyDeleteOooooh! Does this mean more stories? Ohhhh! Love the green panties - too funny!
ReplyDeleteWOOOOHOOOOOOO!!! Wear those pants on you head with pride! You totally deserve every bit of awesomeness! xox
ReplyDeleteWowsers. Well done, your work is wonderful and amazing and you absolutely deserve it so hold that big head high.
ReplyDeletethat's so wonderful Jodie and you are definately way up there with those other designers and don't you forget it xxxx
ReplyDeleteHey Wow Jodie congrats! : ) Enjoy doin the fun stuff!!!! : )
ReplyDeleteHoly Crap, you are SO hysterical! I need some of those wide load undies. Congratulations on the new deal -- it's VERY exciting!!!
ReplyDeleteNOw that last line just cracked me up! Well Done Jod and you do deserve to be there whether you believe it or not!
ReplyDeleteHugs from one of those nagging friends!
Jo
Oh Jodie,
ReplyDeleteyou are SO funny. I laughed out loud so hard my cat jumped onto the bed to see if I am alright (I'm blogging about in bed on my laptop - as you do!).
Girlfriend, congrats and well done on getting the support that means you get to do more of what you love; rock on when it comes to keeping that "fraud" door well and truly shut; and OMG, do not s**t your pants - this is just the start of the ride!!!!!!!!
Hehe,
Sarah, NZ
Woohoo! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteVery much deserved in my opinion. You go, girl!
Wow! You are in good company (and maybe with Creative Abundance behind you that book deal isn't so far off!) Well deserved! Sending congratulations (oh, and even my hubby got a giggle out of the panties!)
ReplyDeleteFantastic news Mrs Bighead... congratulations!
ReplyDeleteBut of course you should be up there with the best of them!! Probably about time too you amazingly talented thing you! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteFantastic news. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteLove the knickers.
Rebecca
Hi Jodie,
ReplyDeleteHave been following your blog for a while but first time to leave a comment. Great news on outsourcing the bits of the business that take you away from the fun and creative side.
I heard you speak at the stitches and craft show about blogging and it gave me the confidence to have a go at the blogging caper.
Congratulations!!! Wonderful news :-) You might even have time to get back on the old horse and then you won't need those undi dundies! They might make a good stack hat?? :-)
ReplyDeleteThis member of the over enthusiastic UK branch is totally delighted for you Jodie! And those pants are fantabulous! Locket xx
ReplyDeleteThats great news for you jodie and gee you are so funny.lol
ReplyDeletecheers Shez
http://shez-enjoyinglife.blogspot.com
Absolutely fabulous Jodie, and very well deserved! Love the undies (you know undies is my nickname..thats what comes of having underhill as a surname!). Love your undies!! xo
ReplyDeletegreat news Jodie, think you might have to keep the pants on ya head for a while!
ReplyDeleteNow, if only I could find someone to do my accounting and paperwork for me...
WOW! Congratulations! You absolutely deserve to be in amongst the "special" people. ;) You are awesome!
ReplyDeleteyou do absolutely deserve it. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! although a school library does sound like my idea of heaven!
ReplyDeleteSusan
Félicitations from France. The only person to be surprised is you! The rest of us know how absurdly talented you are. I think you should adapt those knickers so they 'excitement wee' proof as I'm sure there will be much more to come! Lynnx
ReplyDeleteYou. Are. A. Legend.
ReplyDelete[and not even just in your own lunchbox!]
BIG congratulations and all that. xx
Brilliant! Wonderful! What a result - you get not to do that business stuff, we get to see even more creative stuff? How could it be better!?
ReplyDeleteWell done, Jodie - and enjoy it all!
Congratulations!! You deserve to be there, can't wait to see what you come up with in the extra time you'll have. Those panties are the best!
ReplyDeleteYay, yay, yay! And all the things that the other 100 commenters have said too!
ReplyDeleteMrs Bighead, congratulations, you are just as good as their other designers, only you make us laugh. Well done, v happy for you.
ReplyDeleteAs everybody has already said You are ace and so are your undies!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you!! The team at Creative Abundance are great to deal with so all your wonderful patterns are in great hands.
ReplyDeleteThose undies sooo belong on my butt!
That's wonderful news! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteWooooooohoooooooo!!! That's fantastic news Jodie and you're right up there where you belong, with all the other famous designers!
ReplyDeleteWith so much excitement you're going to have the most highly toned lady muscles in the southern hemisphere :D
Moogs xxx
WOW!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on taking a Great Leap f
Forward! (I always wondered what that fellow was talking about...now I know!)
oops...sorry about the extra "f" - I must have tripped on the Leap ;)
ReplyDeleteWell look at you Mrs All Grown Up Proper Designer with a Distributor...yes you are a Proper Designer and yes you do so belong behind that door that says Really Truly Designers so just stop fighting it...Big Congratulations, you so deserve to be there with the other very talented designers...
ReplyDeleteThat is truly the dog' appendages. And now about that book - you know, the one written by YOU with all YOUR felty mates in it. The note from the author might read 'Sometimes I like to wear my knickers on my noggin.'
ReplyDeleteDog's
ReplyDeleteOh and P.S., Lily is stuffed - she just ate two wooden doughnuts, each bigger than her own head.
congratulations jodie! what an exciting time for you, all the very best with it.
ReplyDeleteFantastic news Jodie! Well done you! I can't wait to seem more of your creations!
ReplyDeleteArabella