A Big Thank You to the University of Pennsylvania

When I first decided to embark on a mission to start my own creative business, I realized that I had no idea what I was doing.  I still giggle at my brazenness and naivete.  It was clear from the start that I was going to need help, and lots of it.  


Lately, I have been taking advantage of some really fantastic resources at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.  I have been very lucky to find high quality and affordable (mostly FREE) programs for small business development within a reasonable distance from where I live.


I first learned about what UPenn had to offer from a friend and fellow small business owner.  She recommended a class offered by Wharton's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) called Strategic Business Planning.  The class is a five session workshop that takes you through all of the steps of writing a business plan, from concept to presentation.   The class is structured so that you really get out of it what you put into it.  For me, it was well worth the initial investment ($225).  It connected me to other local entrepreneurs of all kinds and introduced me to a lot of other great resources.  My favorite part about the program is that once you complete all five sessions, you have the option to submit your plan for review with a Wharton MBA student.  That student then becomes an informal business coach, one you meet with periodically and helps you follow through with the goals that you set forth at no extra cost.  And once you take the course, you can also attend any of the panel discussions or seminars that happen at the SBDC.


From that class, I met a fellow who was currently working for another great part of UPenn, their Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic.  I learned that small businesses can apply for free legal aid through the clinic.  There is an application process, but if you and your business meet their criteria, you work with one of the law students (who works under the supervision of practicing lawyers) for a full semester.  What you and the student work on depends on your needs as a business and the scope of the clinic's curriculum.  When my application for uhuui was accepted, I did an especially enthusiastic happy dance because normally, lawyers = expensive.  Prior to learning about this resource, I was concerned about how I was going to be smart about protecting my intellectual property and protecting my business.  I am having a great time working with the clinic so far, and have been introduced to a series of free seminars that they host as well!


So, I owe the University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton SBDC and The Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic a HUGE thank you.  I am so grateful for the support that they offer for developing entrepreneurs such as myself.  I even mailed letters to my state legislators urging them to continue funding these programs, as well as others like them.  They are an invaluable part of this community.

uhuui meets Papertini!

I think my favorite person in all of Philadelphia is Tanti Lina.  Tanti is the owner and principal designer of Papertini, a floral and event decor company.  Since April of 2010, I have been working under Tanti as a floral assistant, and she has been the warmest, most exuberant teacher anyone could ever ask for.  


Once or twice a year, Tanti collaborates with other event industry businesses to orchestrate a large-scale photo shoot.  It's an opportunity for all involved to let loose and do something a little out-of-the-ordinary.  


This year, uhuui was part of the action!  Tanti and I worked together to design some floral pieces that combined real flowers, dried flowers, and fabric flowers made from uhuui's fabrics.  This is what we came up with:

Photo by Overjoyed Photography

Photo by Overjoyed Photography

Photo by Overjoyed Photography

Photo by Overjoyed Photography

Photo by Overjoyed Photography

Photo by Overjoyed Photography

You can check out more photos from the shoot at http://www.flickr.com/photos/uhuuistudio/

Special thanks to Overjoyed Photography,   the Harleysville Bridal and Tuxedo Shoppe, Papertini, and all of the lovely models who volunteered!

uhuui is now at Cottage Crafters!

Cottage Crafters is this great little local business with two locations, one in Allentown, PA and one in Easton, PA.  It's "home to over 250 crafters and antique dealers..." and it feels like what I imagine the crafting community must have been like a generation or two before Etsy came into existence.  Every vendor has their own customizable booth space. 


The right half of the store is dedicated to all sorts of antique oddities, while the left is devoted to local crafters.  That's where you'll find uhuui's new booth (painted a fetching shade of blue)!  There you'll find fat quarters of my fabrics, hand sewn bags, greeting cards, and other fun things.  Stock is very selective for right now, but keep an eye out for new products and uhuui's upcoming holiday collection.


Cottage Crafters is located at 4636 Broadway in Allentown, PA 18104.  They are open Mondays through Fridays 10am-8pm, Saturdays 10am-6pm and Sundays 12pm-5pm.


Come check it out!

Introducing, Crayon Box - uhuui's Debut Collection!

In addition to running uhuui and working as a freelance designer, I moonlight as a waitress to make ends meet.  The inspiration for this very first collection actually came from the restaurant I work in.


On top of the table linens, we put white butcher paper down.  The paper serves two main purposes - it helps keep the linens cleaner longer and it provides a drawing surface for antsy children as they wait for their food.


I remember the first time I cleared away the dirty plates,  cups and balled up napkins to reveal a rainbow of scribbles.  They were wildly free, visceral, and beautiful.  I don't know that I can articulate well what it is exactly about kids drawings that I love so much, but it was love at first sight.  I couldn't bear to throw them out, so I started taking the drawings home with me.


All of the artwork I created for the collection is very simple, just crayon on white paper.  I wanted it to be fun and sweet.  There are four main fabrics to the collection:

Circles and Dots

Colored Rings

Blue Scribbles

Crayon Stripes

I am proofing one more print for the collection and creating a few other colorways for the Scribbles fabrics so that there are lots of options for coordinates!


All of the above prints are currently for sale through my website www.uhuui.com - just click on the 'Shop' page.

Howdy!

Welcome to uhuui's new blog.  If you haven't already, please take some time to peruse www.uhuui.com and view uhuui's debut collection, Crayon Box.


Check back here often for announcements about new prints or fabrics, where I'll be vending, press mentions and other company news.


I also look forward to sharing interesting articles about kids, textiles and tidbits about my adventures as a newbie entrepreneur.


Thanks for visiting!