A beautiful time

I started Dress Me Up as a small hobby project in early 2007, intended for just me and my wee Ruby - all of 4 months old. Back then, organic cotton and natural baby products were still hard to find, and the aesthetic of the few pieces available were too cutesy for my liking. I decided to make my own organic cloths and toys for Ruby - I sketched out a few designs, ordered a few yards of organic cotton flannel and got to work, creating what was to become the foundation of what is now our signature, one of a kind wave stitching on our Teething Bonbon, Blankets and Burp Cloths, and the shape and form of our classic Cloth Balls and Jumbo Blocks. I loved the look and feel of the pieces I created, and loved that they were made by me, and crafted from such healthy materials. I made a few items for friends, and come spring of that same year, I decided to take my organic baby products to my local farmer's market.

I had two card tables, a hand drawn sign, a few of each of my creations and wore Ruby in the sling while I made sales and chatted with my market neighbours. I remember being nervous and excited, and thankful with each sale that folks loved my craft and cared about beauty, making sustainable choices for their little ones. I grew increasingly thankful - and amazed - as word spread over the summer months, and friends offered support and connections. Within four months my products were carried by a successful, local online retailer and featured on a high profile celebrity blog. From there, things changed - dramatically!

Fast forward four years to early 2011, and I find myself in a very different place from that first market day, yet still nervous and excited. Changes are happening.

Dress Me Up has grown to a small cottage industry that employs up to 8 craftsmamas on a contractual basis. Our flagship product, the Organic Teething Bonbon is carried in over 100 stores across Canada and the US. We have representation across Canada, and also in Australia and New Zealand, and growing interest in Europe too. We've been on TV in Canada and the US, featured in high profile US magazines, and interviewed for independent, women-centric blogs in Canada. All of this accomplished with only one mama at the helm (that's me!). The growth of Dress Me Up was so substantial for this little company, that last summer we had to offer only our Teeting Bonbon to retailers in order to keep up with demand.

For the past four years "we" has been me - Tressa Brotsky - and more recently me and my husband, Nathaniel. Many a late night has found us working on new designs, marketing, production management, book keeping, trademark and patent dealings (and legal wranglings), cheerleading, occasionally weeping, and often marveling at the success my handiwork has become.

Recently, however, "we" has become Jen and Brad Williams.

This year, I know, will bring increased interest and product demand for Dress Me Up, as will next year, and the next, and the next - and I found myself in the most amazing position of knowing that I need to move Dress Me Up forward, but not knowing - exactly - how to do so. Serendipitously, a recent dinner conversation with good friends, Jen and Brad, opened a new possibility. Jen is a long-time Dress Me Up customer (and actually went to elementary school with Nathaniel), and passionate about sustainability and good design. Brad is a Chartered Account and business whiz (that's my title for him). They approached us with the offer to take Dress Me Up and grow it, and I said HECK YEAH. I am so excited to announce Jen and Brad as the new owners of what is now called Dress Me Up Organic.

Jen and Brad have already put the wheels in motion for many changes - it's inspiring and amazing to see their talents begin to move DMUO forward. But what's really wonderful are the things that they aren't changing - the products continue to be hand made by our team of craftsmamas here on Vancouver Island, they continue to source and utilize certified organic cottons and Canadian lamb's wool, and they continue to embrace the simple and beautiful aesthetic that I created for the Dress Me Up Organic line.

Beginning March 1st, Dress Me Up Organic will be fully in the caring hands of Jen and Brad, and if you were to pop by the old DMU studio, you'll find me with my daughters, turning soil and staking out our garden, finishing up the last of the flood damage renos in the basement, cutting out wool stockings, and dreaming my next chapter. And, delightfully, you'll find me remaining connected to Dress Me Up Organic in a design capacity, and always as cheerleader.

With this announcement comes the news that this is the last post on this here Blogger blog. You can stay up to date with DMUO news on the What's New page - next week Jen and Brad will introduce themselves there, and share more of what's happening for DMUO.

The Dress Me Up Organic online store is ready for you, and Jen has sweetened our spring by starting off with a 20% off sale for all customers! Enter "new" at checkout to receive the discount until March 31st. I sincerely hope you feel compelled share our good news with all of your friends, and continue to support this inspiring and dynamic brand. (You can keep up with me by visiting ModernFair.Etsy.com ... with the promise that more is to come soon, including a new Tressa blog. Oh, the possibilities ... !)

I thank you for accompanying me here, on my journey as designer, crafter, mama, wife and dreamer. It has been a beautiful time.

warmly,

Tressa