Creating Custom Pieces for Customers
When I started Plush in 2000, it was never my intention to make Plush a big company. I always wanted to be able to personally oversee everything to the extent that I could and mass producing our products outside of the U.S. was not an option.
I also didn't know what in the world I was doing! My background was in the legal field now here I am playing with luxurious fabrics, making accessories that have the added benefit of being really pretty. (Don't ask how many pieces I've kept for myself thru the years!) I started with one product and have grown to where I am today by working hard and never giving up on what I set out to do. As long as I still feel that passion and my customers keep telling me how much they love what they bought, I'll be doing what I do with the same energy and passion I started out with.
One of the services I am most excited about it being able to customize pieces for our customers. This can be anything from adjusting a size or switching out a color to brand new items designed specifically per request. I enjoy the one-on-one interaction that makes someone's wish a reality. A 'wish list' form on the website is there to encourage people to ask as a starting point. Otherwise, an email or phone call can also start the process.
Our custom orders can range from one piece to many pieces. You can view some of the custom pieces we have created thru the years on our website.
One custom order came from a mother of the bride. We worked together for almost a year! But it was fun and in the end, the mother, the bride and the recipients of the gifts were so happy with everything. That's all it takes to feel good about what I do. Nothing tops a satisfied customer!
A recent corporate order was one of my favorites. Here, we weren't doing big quantity (18) but we were doing very big quality. The request was for a selection of luxury items for an upcoming overseas trip. We discussed colors and specifics but it was my job to elevate the gift to something extraordinary. I love a challenge! The finished gift was a monogrammed, fabric covered box (which in and by itself was a 'wow'), four pairs of monogrammed shoe bags, a launder bag, monogrammed lingerie and jewelry bag, monogrammed travel blanket and an eyemask featuring Swarovsky crystals. Color coordinating all the pieces was crucial to the overall effect. When everything came together and got packed perfectly inside the box, I felt the goal had been met, and then some. My customer was thrilled with the finished product and received nothing but stellar compliments on her selection of gifts.
Offering custom services to people is one of the big benefits of having everything made here, close to home. It's something I love to do and the rewards of a job well done are never underestimated. So, if you don't see something you love on the website, never hesitate to contact me. The very thing you are wishing for may well only be a contact away from becoming a reality!
Sweater Weather Sweater Care
Texas can be one of the hottest places to be in the summer but when that first bit of cool air starts coming in I can't wait to bring out my sweaters! There's a little bit of TLC needed to keep sweaters looking their best from year to year but I think it's well worth it.
I'll talk more about storing sweaters later on but for now, while we're wearing sweaters, the main concern are those pills! Those fuzzy little balls that tend to gather and collect where your body parts rub against each other - under arms, across your waist and for long sweaters, across the butt after sitting. It's not a sign of dirt, it's a sign of wearing and a brand new sweater can develop these after just one wear. Washing a sweater often will make the pilling worse but when you do wash, turn the sweater inside out to minimalize pilling. Acrylic sweaters tend to gather pills more easily than a cashmere sweater.
Several tools are available and can be used to remove pills. A fabric comb, razors and scissors are often talked about but I use a battery operated fabric shaver. These come in different sizes and can be found online or in a fabric and notions store. Simply lay your garment on a hard surface, pull it tight with one hand and shave the areas that need it. You'll also want a lint roller or brush to use before and after using the shaver to pick up any of those loose fuzzies hanging around.
Although I wasn't looking for it, I found a great mini set of tools which is just perfect for taking on the road! The set consists of a mini sweater comb and mini lint roller. Now, whenever I travel with sweaters, I don't have to wait till I'm home to de-pill! Great little find for about $2.99 and what a super gift for someone travelling with their favorite sweaters.
Giving Thanks to the Hands in ‘Handmade’
It's that time of the year to give thanks. Even though it would be easy (and quite necessary for retailers) to roll right into the December holiday shopping, I want to bring a special thanks to all the hands that make Plush Creations possible. And I'll be honest. Until I developed Plush and started to meet with seamstresses and other small businesses whose services I rely upon, I didn't really know all the work that goes into the making of a 'handmade' product.
It makes my part of the job look easy (and way too much fun).
But let's start with me anyway. It was an accident that I found my passion for fabrics. I already loved to shop but this was different. I had to step out of a box and look for fabrics that had a broader appeal than just my own personal style. When I started this, I lived in Los Angeles and was lucky to have access to quite a few fabulous fabric shops. Designer lines and imports took up entire buildings and it took hours and days of focused work to find, well, I didn't know what I was looking for exactly, but when I found 'it', I knew it! And if all that work resulted in me going home with just one fabric, I was thrilled and couldn't wait to have it made into something Plush.
This was only the first part of the process for me. I now had to find the right lining, the right piping, the right trim, the right color zippers and ribbons. Again and for the most part, I didn't quite know what I was looking for until I found it. This could take a while - even months. Yes, this is still all fun for me.
Once I have everything I need for a lingerie bag (as an example), I deliver it to my seamstress. It's up to me to be sure she has everything she needs to now do her part. This includes me cutting, folding and ironing the ribbons that tie our bags. Not as fun as shopping, but a very important detail that is important to the end result. My seamstress make their patterns, do all the cutting and, of course, sewing.
Sound easy? It's not. I have watched the process from beginning to end, not because I have any plans to buy a sewing machine, but because I want to have an understanding about each piece, how it's actually made and the steps involved. When something is wrong, I like to know why and how it can be fixed. I hope my understanding of their jobs makes working for me a better experience for them.
The two incredible seamstresses who work for me are both young moms. One has three children and the other has two. The oldest child is 10, the youngest is 2. Needless to say, that's a full time job in itself. Yet, they are able to do what women do best, multi-task and make it all look so easy! Unbelieveable.
When a customer requests monogramming, I have another local small business that I go to. This business is owner/operated by a husband and wife team who have been doing monogramming forever. It wasn't my first shop to turn to, however. I went through no less than three other monogram businesses to finally find them. Because my items are very different from t-shirts and ballcaps, the time it takes to set up the monogram and get it done is substantial. Not too many places want to dedicate a machine and their time to doing these one-of pieces. I knew immediately that this shop was golden and I have been with them for five years....or more.....
If you've purchased from us, you know that each item is boxed and has a small sachet included. The sachet fragrance is an exclusive that I helped develop with another local small business owner. The fragrance beads are made to order for me by this small business and well worth the extra effort. Again, it's all in the details. When I get the beads, I cut the tulle and wire close it and add our custom printed ribbon, making it ready to go.
The gift box you receive has a custom Plush label on it. These labels are all individually cut to order and are made by another local business woman/mom of 5. (yes, FIVE) I don't even want to know how she gets it all done....she just does!
Last, the person who makes sure my website is always up to date and looking its best is a grandmother out of Arizona. We have been working together for about 6 or even 7 years now and I rely on her like air to breath. I have absolutely no computer skills. It's only luck that I have been able to learn to take the photos and send them to her for uploading. I know my limits and trying to learn the insides of a website like she knows them is not something I could do in this lifetime. I'll stick to hunting for gorgeous fabrics and designing pretty travel luxuries!
I hope this info helps with understanding the importance and value of 'handmade' at least in how it relates to Plush Creations. All the hands involved here are in the U.S.A., another very important aspect to 'handmade in the U.S.A.'. By purchasing our products, you are keeping the hands at work right here and helping to keep us all involved with strengthening our economy.
My personal thanks to my special talented individuals and to all of our customers who make everything we do something to be proud of.
One of the hottest accessories right now – leopard!
Just returned from an amazing trip to Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Croatia. Naturally my eyes were on styles, colors and that certain euro-chic way of putting it all together. I'll bring some of my finds to you soon, have to catch up on sleep and laundry!
One of the hottest accessories right now - here and in Europe - is anything leopard. Caught myself drooling over some amazing Italian leopard print handbags, shoes and belts. Add one or two of these pieces (you don't want to over do it) to your wardrobe and you will be stylin'! Will be posting some leopard Plush pieces later in the week, including a fabric from Cynthia Steffe.
Heirloom Bridal Jewelry Bag
Heirloom Bridal Jewelry Bag -
Silvered Lace and Satin
Just added! Understated elegance at its best. This stunning crinkle fabric from Nicole Miller is a pearlized viscose/nylon from Italy. It is beautifully soft and plush with a pearl shimmer, complimenting the true black matte silk lining, also from Italy. The black band that runs across the top is textured with lurex which gives the trim a sparkle of its own.
When giving a bridal shower gift, be sure to monogram it! There's nothing like seeing that new last name initial on something to make it real. We've done plenty of lingerie bags, jewelry bags, shoebags and garment bags to know this always gets a priceless reaction from the bride and all her friends!
Special – All ‘On-the-Go’ Bag Sets Reduced!
All of our 'On-the-Go' Bag sets have just been reduced by $10!
Plush 'On-The-Go' travel bag trios include two invisible zippered bags (measuring approximately 9"x6" & 6 1/2" x 5") and one tissue holder. Expertly handcrafted, you'll find these are great for cosmetics and other personal items. We offer a beautiful selection of fabrics.
Grab one now!
Summer Wardrobe Tip
Wear skirts or dresses during the day when it’s hottest, save the pants for evening or be sure they’re natural fibers, light linen or cotton. Try to avoid skin tight anything!
Think ‘light & bright’ when it comes to clothing AND food. What you wear and what you eat will make a difference in how you feel when it’s hot. Great time to shop a farmer’s market (and your fave boutique) and get creative with all those colorful goodies out there right now!
Check out our new Swimwear Bags – they are really a life saver for moms! There’s always something unexpected with small kids – so when that ice cream gets all over a t-shirt, swap it out with a clean one that’s kept in this bag and everybody’s happy!
They are designed for wet swimsuits or other items that need to be kept separate due to moisture when you’re away from home. With a zippered closure and a small charm on the pull, these bags are great for travels near and far. There’s a separate zippered compartment on the inside to hold small items such as goggles and ear plugs. A loop handle on the side makes it easy to carry or hang this bag at home or on the road.
Bridal Season
Bridal season is in full swing here! If you are a bride or know a bride, please give us some time to work with you to customize our gifts making them truly unique and personal.
Long ago, lingerie bags were traditional heirloom gifts that were treasured and represented a special bond beween the women who used them. Plush honors that tradition with a bridal line of lingerie and jewelry travel bags for today’s bride to enjoy and to one day pass on to someone special in her life.
Check out some of our beautiful Bridal Lingerie and Jewelry bags!
What our customers say!
“I LOVE THESE!! The bags are so beautiful, I take mine [Field of Flowers] with me all the time. All your products are great and the jewelry bags are a particular favorite – they make great gifts. Thank you so much!’
Stacy London, Stylist
TLC’s ‘What Not To Wear’
Emily’s Butterfly Set
All I knew about Emily was that she was going to be 15 years old and loved pink, purple and butterflys. With that, I went on to design this special lingerie and jewelry travel bag set.
With a beautiful designer brocade from Ungaro to start with, the monogramming and embroidery personalized it while the Swarovsky crystals enhanced it. I know I heard Emily squeal with delight when she opened her gift! Love my job!!!