Vancouver Update: UPCYCLED Brooches

Back in March, Erin and I commented on a customer's cute fabric floral brooch. I asked her where she got it and she replied that she had made it - cool. Upon further inquiry, it turned out that she had just made a few for herself and friends. When I express interest in carrying them in Smoking Lily, she was surprised, but interested.

Turns out Stephanie is a really motivated gal. Within a week she brought in a nice array of brooches to choose from. They sold really well. I'm sure you can see why. She creates her lovely accessories using only second-hand leather, fabric and buttons. They have a lot of personality.

Now the story turns into a Thomas The Tank Engine feel good drama. When dropping off the latest shipment today (the fourth shipment since April), she told us that she quit her day job to pursue a home-based business. So exciting for her! And so inspiring for all of us who have thought "I wonder if I could work for myself selling what I make, rather than working for someone else?" Guess what? You can! There's some Smoking Lily spirit in there, for sure!

All UPCYCLED (her new business name) brooches are just $20 each. We have a nice variety available in the Main Street (Vancouver) and Johnson Street (Victoria) shops, including lovely red poppies. We're hoping she gets carried in shops across Canada. Go Stephanie!

Our Hearts Go Out to Haiti

As I am sure you are all very aware, January 12th this year saw a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti just west of the capitol, Port-au-Prince. With estimates of casualties now in excess of 200,000, the images of devastation coming out of the country have been absolutely heartbreaking.

Haiti is obviously going to need all of our help for some time to come; as a bonus, it feels really good to be part of the proverbial solution (someone should mention this to Pat Robertson)! Here at Lily our fearless leader, Trish, has been donating $100 to the Red Cross for every Smoking Lily gal who gives blood. The ladies at the studio got to thinking, however, about what we could do to help get you, our fabulous customers, in on the act and came up with Hearts for Haiti, a take on our popular leather brooches. Printed in smashing colours and backed with felt, the full $6 sale price of these little guys goes to the Red Cross and their efforts in Haiti. If you're yet to make a donation, these pins are a fun way to start; if you've been a donating machine these past weeks, they also make fabulous gifts (glenda and I thought they were very Valentine's appropriate in a strange sort of way).