A WAY BACK Look at Sandbox Threads

The snapshot above is of the Sandbox Threads website taken just a few days after we opened. If you'd like to browse around the original Sandbox Threads' website, enjoy. Many of the links are broken and images long gone, but you might enjoy seeing the humble beginnings from which we originate.

Two things strike me when I look at our original site and our first attempt to sell cool baby shirts. First, why on earth would anyone in there right mind buy from us with a website that looks so, well, generic and homemade? Thank you for your trust. We've come a long way and without those first customers we wouldn't be where we are today.

Second, the vast majority of the designs that we offered back then are still our best sellers today. I guess I really was onto something way back them because my original ideas still seem to be my best ideas.

Looking at the site then and the site now really brings a smile to my face. The changes have been a labor of love (and many times utter hate), but I'm really proud of how far we've come.

Back to School Flashback

I loved back to school shopping when I was a kid. I mean LOVED! I remember picking out my new notebook and hoping my mom would spring for a Trapper Keeper. Getting everything I needed to load the notebook up. New pencils. New ruler. New everything. Mind you, getting the notebook ready had nothing to do with "school," but everything to do with maintaining the status quo.


I even loved going to get my new school clothes. Shopping has never been my thing, but during that week in early August, I loved it. My mom loved it, too, which wasn't a problem until around 1986 when I was trying to "assert my independence." I mean, I wanted to ditch her and pick out clothes by myself, but she was paying and I was still her little boy and she wanted a say. This battle, while torturous at the time, makes me smile at how weird teenage boys become toward their moms. Sorry mom.

My point? Moms(and dads): buy the stuff you like now (hopefully a few Sandbox Threads' shirts) and dress your kiddos in them while you can because in a few short years the battle between parent and teenager will ensue.

A Close Up Look at Sandbox Threads

I'm still a few days away from starting "The Great Shirt Mock-Up" (see below), so in the meantime, I'm still taking pictures of shirts, and I discovered a neat benefit of taking pictures for one more day, some new views of Sandbox Threads.

When I put the camera down, I could see the above view through the screen. I liked it and took a picture. I then proceeded to take other "close-up" shots of some views around Sandbox Threads.

Yeah, I know, but this is what I do.

 

 

 

One of These Things Is Not Like the Other

I am finally giving in, and I'm pretty excited about it. Since I started Sandbox Threads, I have tried to take individual pictures of the shirts we make and then manually upload them to our website. Doing it the "old way" adds extra work and I often find myself behind a big stack of pictures that never make it to the site.

An alternative to taking actual photos is to use shirt mock-ups. Most sites you visit already do this (and I bet most of you didn't even know). I have used mock-ups of our shirts before, but I just didn't want to give in and stop taking pictures of our shirt. I didn't (until now).

Side by side the mock-up looks better than the photo, and the mock-up is still a true representation of our shirts. So, I'm making the change that will not only save me a bunch of work, but make the Sandbox Threads website look better.

I hope you agree that our cool toddler shirts and baby onesies really do look better.

And in case you couldn't tell, the above picture is the mock-up while the picture below is an actual photo.

SBT Shirt + Cute Kids = AWESOME Slideshow

Just a few of the thousands of kids sporting some of the awesome baby clothes from Sandbox Threads. And starting today, receive $1 store credit for each picture you send to us with your little one wearing one of our cool baby shirt. Check out the full details at Sandbox Threads.

Update on Elijah

Last year, we were approached about doing a fundraiser for a little boy who was, at the time, very sick. We jumped at the chance. And many of you also jumped at the chance to help.

It had been a while since I had checked Elijah's Guestbook to see how he was doing. I was reminded yesterday to check on Elijah after I read an article on one of my favorite former football players, Al Wilson, and his son who seems to be battling a similar disease.

After visiting Elijah's page, I'm happy to report that Elijah seems to be doing much better and has turned an important corner. You can read more here at Elijah's Guestbook. Cancer sucks any way you slice it, but Hope remains greater than Fear.

Bad at Blogging. Good at Facebooking

 

OK, so it has been months since my last blog posting. Sorry. One reason, I really wanted you to see the awesome photos in that post from way back when, but really I just haven't taken the time. I'll try and do a better job at blogging, but on a positive note, I'm really good at Facebook. I post something on the Sandbox Threads Facebook Fan Page almost every day. And we'd love for you to be a fan too. Maybe I should try to link the Blog and our Fan Page so when I update one, I update the other...I may be on to something here. Maybe check back soon for updates.

Just Too Good...

Kristie Serra is a Tampa based photographer (she's truly amazing, as you'll see), and apparently a big fan of Sandbox Threads. Yesterday, Kristie wrote about Sandbox Threads on her blog (http://kristieserraphoto.com/blog), and she emailed me to let me know. When I opened the link, I was just floored. Not only was I flattered by the nice words, but the photographs were just so fun and playful. I see these shirts everyday, and they have never looked better. Go take a look and I think you'll agree. Thanks Kristie!

Flashback--80s Commercials

It's easy to get lost on YouTube for hours. Today instead of packing, I spent the better part of two hours watching 80s commercials. I'll be in trouble once my wife gets home, but I sure had fun. I think you will too. This video is just Vol. 2 of 20 plus. Be careful....

Elijah's Story

Click on the photo to read Elijah's Story, forward it, or if you can, help.

Thank you.