Yet....another social networking site!

Carmen Iezzi, Executive Director of the Fair Trade Federation has "tweeted" the challenge! But am I up to it? I've hardly mastered Facebook and Twitter! I've struggled to recruit fans and thumbs ups to the Dunitz & Company Facebook page. (We have 254 as of this post date!) And it was only a few weeks ago that I, Ms.nbdunitz was encouraged to tweet all I could at the Chicago Gift Show...in an effort to win the elusive iPad. (I'm almost certain I tweeted the most at market. I however did not win the iPad. The odds had to have been in my favor.) The newest challenge - sign up for Foursquare.com! Learn it. Use it. Review it. It has been suggested that foursquare.com may be an excellent communication tool at the upcoming Fair Trade Futures Conference taking place in Boston Sept 10-12! Does this mean I have one more reason to keep my nose pointed at my telephone?
Mmmm. I guess the challenge is on. I've signed up and I'm about to look for the Droid app. Do you want to be my friend? You can check out foursquare.com too :) -ND

Before & After....

We're in the midst of trade show season. I've been barreling through shows from Los Angeles, Chicago, New York.... and soon Fort Lauderdale. It never ends. Once you set up and tear down a booth you're in the next city doing it all over again. When you attend and walk the various trade shows you see all types of exhibits. Large. Small. Well designed. Not designed. Low budget. High budget. The challenges of booth display always rely on time, money and man power. Our booth usually takes one full day to set up. In some cases, we show up two days before an event and set up what we consider the booth infrastructure. Yup - the infrastructure usually consists of lots of drapery, tables & posters. Check out our "before and after" photos from the Chicago Gift Show & NY Gift Shows this year. Look at what we see when we show up in the exhibition hall. And ...see what we later present our customers with. Let me know what you think! -ND

Inspiration....

I recently read a blog entry from my friend Caroline Kennedy, the editor-in-chief of Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine. In this blog, she mentions "clearing" your brain by going out for a walk sometimes allows inspirations and ideas to emerge. I agree that "brain clutter" is distracting. I make lists to keep my thoughts organized. This way I don't need to review things over and over and over...so as not to forget. Sometimes inspiration comes my way in the middle of night. It wakes me up....resulting in a sketch or another list. Our long fringe necklace on leather resulted from a midnight dream (SKU: LC3A). This design also was a fabulous seller this season. You can expect it back for Fall 2010 in a host of darker rich color combinations. - ND

Just....an Update.

I recently returned from Guatemala where I was working on our Fall 2010 collection. Sometimes the design process doesn't flow as easily as other times. However, I'm thrilled to report that the Dunitz line will be replete with loads of new designs (in all price points) in twelve fabulous color combinations. We've added to our new "huipil" collection. Stay tuned for new designs using recycled and repurposed clothing. A new necklace, brooches and.... a cell bag are in order. We also snagged some old denim and we've crafted these into some of our new designs. Here's a peak at some of the season's new colors. For you our readers, you'll have to wait on a peak of new designs. Don't forget to check out our regular postings on our Facebook "LIKE" page! And don't forget to give us your "LIKE" vote! - ND

I Spy something..... Dunitz!

Do you remember the game I Spy? I can remember long driving trips with my family and playing this game to pass the time. I spy something green. I spy something bumpy. And today.... I'm still playing. I spy something beaded. I spy something coral color. I spy something with Czech crystals. Must be Dunitz & Company jewelry. I've got a new game going. And my most recent finds are posted on our Facebook "Fan" or...now "Like" page. Recently I found our jewelry photographed and shown on our client Island Passage's Facebook pages. I spy a big BLUE arrow pointing at lots of cool bracelets. My hands should look so perfectly manicured. Stay tuned for more I spy discoveries. -ND

Sorry for dropping out.....

Wow. I guess I dropped out for a while. I certainly haven't dropped out of the day to day operations of Dunitz & Company. However, as far as this blog goes, I have been remiss. As of today, Dunitz has been seen at five (that's 5!) major trade shows this year. Accessories, The Show NY... Los Angeles Gift.... Chicago Gift....New York Gift.... and WWIN Las Vegas. I head to Boston on the 19th to exhibit at their regional gift show. The shows have been going fabulously well. I'm thrilled to report that sales at these shows have been up from the last couple of years. What a big relief. Unfortunately there have been cancellations after people have realized they've spent too much $ - or committed to spend too much $. This is always a disappointment. Over all, I'm thrilled with how the season is looking. Posted here for your viewing pleasure are a few booth pics. - ND

Happy Holidays... Happy Happy.

Happy Holidays from Dunitz & Company, Nancy and company mascot, Byron. ND