SKCreations, LLC Surface Design: New Naturally ME T-Shirt

Ever since I first introduced my Naturally ME series of t-shirts, I've had inquiries about making a long sleeve version available.  I liked the idea but it wasn't my focus at the time.  Well, I finally got around to designing the tee, and here it is:

Naturally ME Long Sleeve T-Shirt

The shirt is 100% pre-shrunk cotton and has contoured sides for a nice feminine silhouette.  It's very comfortable and durable too.

This Naturally ME design is currently the only one that is available in a long sleeve t-shirt.  The other designs in the series are still offered in only the short sleeve version.  They're all available in the SKCreations, LLC online boutique.

Happy Holidays!

SKCreations, LLC Surface Design: The Shay Maxi Skirt/Tube Dress in Naturally ME Noir 2

I am very thankful for the reception that my new products, The Shay Maxi Skirt/Tube Dresses, have received.  One customer who purchased a skirt made a special request for a second.  She'd seen my Naturally ME Noir 2 t-shirt and asked if I could make a skirt using that design.  I hadn't considered it before, but I got excited about the idea.  I knew it would require a bit more fabric since it has a design which would need specific placement on the skirt, but I was sure it would work.  Well, not only did it work, I am thrilled with the result!

Naturally ME Noir 2 Maxi Skirt/Tube Dress

I shipped the finished product off to my customer, and two days later she sent me this message and photo:

"I got my skirt!  LOVE IT LOVE IT!  Thank you so much!"

 

 
I think she looks great!  The Naturally ME Noir 2 Maxi Skirt/Tube Dress is now available in the SKCreations, LLC online boutique.

SKCreations, LLC Surface Design: Customer Testimonial

I just love my customers!  Here is another testimonial:

"My daughter is a team leader at her place of employment. She likes to give personal notes to her staff when they do exceptional tasks. I bought her some "Naturally Me" note cards. She stated that her message and the note cards that I gifted her brought joy as well as a smile on each recipient's face."
- Bettye R.

Thanks so much for sharing this, Bettye!

http://bit.ly/1caL1xi

SKCreations, LLC Surface Design: Naturally ME

Did you get your Naturally ME Tee?

SKCreations, LLC Surface Design: Naturally ME 6 T-Shirt

If we're lucky we will all age gracefully.  The hair on our heads will eventually turn gray, if we still have hair at all.  Most often I see people with gray strands or sections running through their hair, mixing in with their darker color, sometimes referred to as "salt and pepper".  This can be attractive, particularly on men in my opinion.  Some, though, will find that their entire head of hair turns a very pale shade of gray or even white.  I think that look is so strikingly stunning that I call it the "silver fox" effect, and I think it looks good on everyone I've seen with it.  If I was guaranteed that my hair would transform like that when I get older, I would welcome it.  My girl on the Naturally ME 6 Tee is a "Silver Fox".

SKCreations, LLC Surface Design: Naturally ME 4 T-Shirt

Twist out with the Naturally ME 4 tee!  Perfect every time.  Available in the SKCreations Online Boutique.

SKCreations, LLC Surface Design: Naturally ME 1 T-Shirt

Naturally ME 1 features the TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro), and our girl is owning her blonde 'do.  No matter the hair color, this style always looks fresh.  Get your tee in the SKCreations Online Boutique.

SKCreations, LLC Surface Design: Naturally ME Noir - Special Edition

I have been thrilled by the response I've received on my Naturally ME surface designs.  It is a passion project for me so it's icing on the cake when customers tell me how much they love it.  There were a couple of inquiries about whether I would offer the t-shirts in black as well as in white, and the idea really appealed to me.  Black is bold and chic, and who doesn't love a black tee?  I decided to do it but I'd make it different than the original design, and it would be a Special Edition.  I set out on creating eight new designs of women with natural hairstyles, which would be shown exclusively on the black background.  Here is the finished product, Naturally ME Noir (that's black in French if anyone asks).  Unlike the original Naturally ME design, the individual hairstyles on the Noir tees will not be available separately.

There are two versions of the design: one with a red border like the one on the white tee, and one with a white border.  Why did I do two?  I just couldn't decide which I liked best, so why not have both?  The tees are now available in the SKCreations Online Boutique.

 

Also, as with all of the Naturally ME tees, a portion of the proceeds from sales of the Naturally ME Noir tees will be donated to Covenant House, the largest privately-funded childcare agency in the country providing shelter and service to homeless and runaway youth.  

Prince... Rock On

Prince is rocking the June 2014 cover of Essence Magazine in every sense of the word.  The outfit is funky, and his hand looks poised to rock it out on that fierce guitar.  I'm loving this awesome look, and best of all he's sporting a natural fro.  This musical genius represents Naturally ME.

Carol's Daughter

Lisa Price, founder of Carol's Daughter, has long been one of my businesswomen idols.  I was introduced to her products back in the 90's when she was still making them in her kitchen.  A dear friend of mine who lived in New York was selling the products and shared them with me when he came in town.  It was instant love.  I couldn't get enough of them and I made sure he had a selection with him every time he visited.

The products have always been high quality.  I still have some oils that I purchased more than fifteen years ago, and they still smell good.  Believe me, that's saying a lot!  I have always loved different scents so I've acquired quite a collection of perfumes over the years; more than I'm able to use up with daily application.  You can definitely distinguish the good from the great after you've had them awhile.  The great ones still smell like they did originally, while the good, or worse, end up being thrown out when the smell breaks down and what remains is an overwhelming unpleasant alcohol smell.

I've followed Carol's Daughter over the years and was so proud to see the growth of the company.  To open retail stores was quite an impressive accomplishment.  I spent the better part of two years renting kiosks in local malls to sell my products, and it was hard work.  When I started out I thought I might want to move into my own store in the future, but by the end I wanted nothing to do with it.  It wore me out.

Today, I learned that Carol's Daughter companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and has or will be closing most of its stores (Wall Street Journal Bankruptcy Beat).  According to the company's Chief Financial Officer, the stores have not been profitable since 2010.  When I read that it broke my heart!  Fortunately, though, the company is down but not out.  The products will continue to sell in other retail stores and online.  I'm sure this is just a minor setback for the company and that there will be some great things in store in their future.  As is often the case, sometimes you have to step back in order to move forward.  As a business owner myself I can appreciate her journey, and I can't wait to see what's next.

SKCreations, LLC Surface Design: Naturally ME 5 T-Shirt

How do I wear my natural hair most days?  In a puff on top of my head.  I really love the look, and I usually add a little pop of color to it with a headband or scarf.  I feel it provides a lot of versatility, and looks great even on days when I'm not really feeling my hair.  It's easy too!  So, of course I had to design a t-shirt with my favorite style.  Here is Naturally ME 5.  It's available in the SKCreations Online Boutique.

SKCreations, LLC Surface Design: Naturally ME 2 T-Shirt

Ever feel like sporting those curly locs over to one side?  I love that look, which inspired my Naturally ME 2 surface design.  The t-shirt is now available in the SKCreations Online Boutique!

Naturally ME 2 T-Shirt

SKCreations, LLC Surface Design: Naturally ME Note Cards

I am a card girl.  Perhaps it's a bit old school, but I have a real love for a thoughtful greeting card or a card with a handwritten note.  It's such a small thing to do but it can make a huge impact on someone's day.  To me, it shows that you cared enough to take the time to choose a card that reflects how you feel about someone, which I find very meaningful, particularly in this fast-paced age of technology.

I have always been a regular customer at my local Hallmark stores; so much so that I am a Platinum Crown Rewards Member.  I have a list of monthly birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions to acknowledge, so it's rare that I purchase fewer than three cards at one time.  I also love art cards.  I've accumulated a cache of these from artists over the years.  It's an inexpensive way to have a piece of beautiful work by an artist, especially if I'm not able to purchase the actual artwork.  I've even framed some of these cards.

Oftentimes I make note cards displaying some of my artwork.  Others who have purchased them have told me that they really value them and have a hard time giving them to others because they don't want to part with them.  What a wonderful compliment!  In keeping with this practice I have created note cards for my Naturally ME series.  The cards measure 5" x 7", are blank inside and come with a white envelope.  There are nine total, one each representing the individual hairstyles and the primary design which combines them all.  They're available in the SKCreations Online Boutique.  You can purchase them singly or at a savings when you purchase the set of nine.  I've created a reusable drawstring pouch to complete the set.  Fabric selections for the pouch may vary.

Naturally ME Note Card

Naturally ME Note Cards (Set of 9)

Naturally ME Note Cards (Set of 9 with Pouch)

SKCreations, LLC Surface Design: Naturally ME 7 T-Shirt

Each of the hair styles in my Naturally ME collection of surface designs is available separately on premium t-shirts.  Here is Naturally ME 7, available in the SKCreations Online Boutique:

Naturally ME YouTube Video

Check out our Naturally ME YouTube video to see our entire line of Naturally ME products, available at shop.skcreations.com.

SKCreations, LLC Surface Design: Naturally ME Tote Bag

Introducing the Naturally ME Tote Bag.  Our Naturally ME series celebrates Black women who rock their natural hair.  Our original surface design was digitally printed onto a sophisticated Linen Cotton Canvas then used to create the outer fabric for this roomy tote bag.  The interior is constructed from a nutmeg colored durable duck cloth, and has two pockets and a base insert.

With each sale of a Naturally ME Tote Bag, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Covenant House, the largest privately-funded childcare agency in the country providing shelter and service to homeless and runaway youth. To learn more, visit http://www.covenanthouse.org.

Complement your natural style!

SKCreations, LLC Surface Design: Naturally ME T-Shirt

Introducing our Naturally ME T-Shirt.  Designed to compliment your natural style.

SKCreations, LLC Surface Design: Naturally ME

My new surface design collection, Naturally ME, celebrates women of color who rock their natural hair.  This design includes several of the many styles being proudly worn today, including afros, locs, twist-outs, puffs and more.  Rock on!