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.

iPhone Painted New Yorker Cover

This is pretty darn cool. This week's New Yorker cover was drawn on an iPhone. You can watch the video above, or read the Cover Story about the painting. Good stuff, but call you really call it a "painting" if didn't actually use paint?

Anyway, I may have to go buy this app now. Who knows, the next Sandbox Threads design may be painted on my iPhone.

Bono Headlines Baby Shower

My sister-in-law is having a baby. She's the same sis-in-law whose gift to Ben led to the brain child that is Sandbox Threads. She's also a huge Bono fan (as is my wife). This past weekend my sis-in-law had a baby shower, and to surprise her, I have been holding back this Bono design for about six weeks. While I wasn't at the shower, I am told the surprise received the type of response I was hoping for, and now that the baby shower is over, I am thrilled to share our latest design with all of you. All you U2 fans, enjoy!

Earnshaw's Magazine

Taking a break in FL this week, but wanted to share some news. We made Earnshaw's Magazine, the leading business-to-business publication for the children's apparel market. The magazine will introduce SBT to retailers, boutiques, and be GREAT exposure for Sandbox Threads. Yippie, now time for a dip in the pool.

New Colors for Spring (and Summer)

For some time now, you guys have been asking for new shirt colors. Well, we have obliged and the new shirts have arrived. I'm picky when it comes to adding styles. I want to offer colors and styles that you can't find everyday. I think we've done just that with our two new colors.

The new colors are a Gold with Grey stitching and a Eco-Red Heather Crew (Made with a unique blend of organic cotton, recycled polyester, and naturally occurring rayon knitted imperfectly for authentic vintage look and feel). Yeah, I thought that was pretty cool too. And as always, ALL of our shirts and onesies come from sweatshop-free knitting mills.

The Most Amazing Mashup Video I've Ever Seen

Don't know the whole story behind this video, but some dude (with TONS of time on his hands and apparently no children), put together or "mash(ed)up" MANY different individual music clips into one amazing song.

Enjoy!

New (and Improved) Facebook Fan Pages--BOLOGNA!

First a few weeks ago, Faceboook tried to say they "owned" the stuff we wrote on our walls, or posted on Facebook. After some very public coverage and outrage, they backed down.

Now, Facebook is claiming to have a new and improved redesign of fan pages. I'll use a kid friendly word to describe how I feel about it, BOLOGNA! If by new and improved, they mean making every fan page look the same, and blend in with every other page on Facebook, then yes, it is new and improved.

But I run a business, and I want my business to stand out. I worked hard on making the Sandbox Threads' Fan Page different than other pages by adding unique features and ways to learn about Sandbox Threads, but now Facebook has taken that option away. Until I publish the "new" page or once Facebook decides to pull the trigger on all fan pages, you can see the "old" page. After that happen, generic will soon be king.

Why? And for what reason? My bet is that if you look down the right side of the "new" page you'll see advertisements, and what was missing on the old page? Yeah, advertisements. Facebook will never admit ad money being the reason for the changes, but I think most of us can read between the lines here.

Who clicks on those ads anyway? And why would I want my business displaying ads for other businesses. Come on Facebook! Don't make this change.

Journey--Pre-Game at the Super Bowl

I wanted to write about this when it happened, but I forgot about it until I heard the song on the radio this morning.

I like Journey. I have their Greatest Hits CD (crazy that saying "CD" dates me), but I'm not a huge fan and I haven't followed them closely enough to know the comings and goings of band members. I knew "Don't Stop Believing" ended the Sopranos. And I knew Steve Perry (the former lead singer) was no longer with the band. At least, I thought so.

During the Super Bowl pregame, I was working on the computer with the TV on in the background. When Journey came on stage, I was surprised to hear Journey sound like the "real" Journey. And I immediately thought Steve Perry was back with the band, so I looked up at the TV to discover a most unusual site, Arnel Pineda.

Filipino native Arnel Pineda looks nothing like Steve Perry, but sounds JUST LIKE him. After several double takes, yelling to Elizabeth to come see, and a quick search, I found out that Arnel was discovered on a YouTube singing covers of, you guessed it, Journey songs. Amazing! We really do live in a shrinking world.

Have a great weekend.

Adult Shirts Video

I suppose that this "Adult Shirts" Video is better than "Adult Video" shirts. I'm not sure those would be a big seller at Sandbox Threads. Get these and all many other designs at the Sandbox Threads' Big Kids Store.

By the way, you can make your own video like the above for free. You get to pick the photos and the music. Really, pretty darn cool.

Reason #296--Why I Love Jon Stewart

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Bill O'Reilly's Right to Privacy

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Funny Political News
Joke of the Day

Ever wonder why Sandbox Threads would sell a onesie with Jon Stewart's image on it? Because he's AWESOME and we love him! Enjoy the video and the hypocrisy of Bill O.

Growing Pains...Adult Version

When I first started Sandbox Threads, we had some growing pains (fading/peeling designs, tag removal, shipping problems, etc.). It took a while, but I now have the making of our cool baby clothes down to an efficient, smooth running operation. That was until, the CPSIA pushed me quickly into making adult t-shirts, and in many ways, I'm back at square one.

No worries on fading designs or shipping issues, but aligning the designs on adult shirts is a brand new monster. Baby and toddler shirts are small, I can see the whole shirt and aligning the designs is cake compared to these monstrous adult shirts. When I'm making shirts, the XL shirts (the size I wear) look like they would fit a giant.

The other issue is picking the right shirt colors. I missed. With the adult shirts, I decided I wanted to only use 100% Organic Cotton Shirts, and I wanted to offer colored organic shirts. I found several really nice options, and narrowed it down to what I though were the three best colors. Well, the "Ocean" Blue shirt turned out to be much darker than the internet picture appeared, and just would not work with out designs. So, they are headed back, and a very nice "natural" shirt will replace it.

I guess these are small issues, but I had gotten into quite a groove and these new shirts have me off beat. Give me a few months, and I'll be grooving again.

DELAYED!!!!!

THANK YOU!

The CPSIA has been delayed by one year and I cannot help but believe this was due to the outstanding response from folks like you. Hopefully this will give Congress time to work out the kinks and get it right. Lead is bad and has no place in our kid's toys.

We're still in the baby clothes and toddler shirts business, (and to the chagrin of my wife) we're now in the adult shirt business too. She's worried that I'm getting too busy. I've been lobbying for adult sizes for the last few months. We'll see how the adult sizes go, and we'll just go from there.

Again, THANK YOU!

NOW OPEN--The Big Kids' Store

For the last two years, I have been asked by countless people to offer adult shirts. My answer has always been, "the kids' shirts are keeping me plenty busy, but I may look into adding adult sizes 'down the road'."

Well, with the pending legislation that very well may prevent me from creating infant and kids' shirts only two weeks away (click the save handmade button right over there -->> to find out more and sign the petition), I decided that "down the road" needs to be mile marker today.

Please take a look at The Big Kids Store, but don't forget about our baby and toddler shirts. We have plenty of little kid stuff in stock, and we're afraid we might have to get rid of it ALL in two weeks.

We think all the bugs are ironed of The Big Kids Store, but if you have any problems, please do let us know.

Thanks!

The Big Kids Store

Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it)

Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it) from Joe Nicolosi on Vimeo.

In the mist of all the possible gloom and doom, I took a break to watch this video, and I really must share it. While this is not my wife retelling the story, it very well could be.

Enjoy!

Help Save Sandbox Threads

On Feb. 10, the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) will go into effect. While the intent of the legislation is good (keeping lead toys out of the hands of children), the implementation will destroy thousands of small businesses, like SBT.

This legislation requires lead testing for all products designed for children 12 and under. In order to stay in compliance, we would have to test all of our onesies/shirts in every color, size, style. The cost of testing the products we offer would be approximately $1,200,000. Needless to say, we do not make anywhere near that sort of money, and thus, we will have to close up shop.

How can you help? Just follow this link and write to your Congressman and Senators. It will not take five minutes to write all three folks, and you just might help save SBT along with most other small companies that produce products for children.

http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/how-you-can-help

Thank you!

Build A Kid T-Shirt--NOW AVAILABLE!

After a long weekend of figuring out how to offer 55 different word options, and then get the choices correctly into the shopping cart, I finally figured out a way to make it happen and "Build A Kid" T-Shirt is now available.

Thanks for all of your word suggestions, and if you have other, please feel free to contact us. Depending on the success of this design, we may add more words down the road.

Maya's Sandbox Threads Debut

 

Today, we debut a new President of the United States. And at Sandbox Threads, we're introducing our newest baby shirt model, Maya, our daughter. Maya is sporting one of our new designs, Take Me to Bed or Lose Me Forever.

OH, HAPPY DAY!

Dr. King's I Have a Dream Speech

Build Your Kid T-Shirt

We're getting closer to introducing our latest design idea. Thank you all for your suggestions. We compiled a list of around 50 words (they are being printed as we speak, and we'll add more if this idea takes off. We're also working out the order page details on selecting the words for your child.

The layout of words will obviously be different for each shirt, but the layout will look similar to the two pictures here (the above shirt describes our son, and the shirt below captures our daughter). All the words are slightly different in size, and you will be able to pick up to 5 different words that describe your little one.

We're also considering a name change from Typewriter Philosophy to Build Your Kid T-shirt (you know, like the bear workshop).

That's where we stand, but we're still open for suggestions. Got any?

Typewriter Philosophy

We have a new design idea for 2009, but we need your help. This is our version of refrigerator poetry or Wordpress tags. We're calling it Typewriter Philosophy. We're still working out the details, but it will work something like this (we think).

You can pick one to four (maybe five) words from our list of words, and we will then arrange them onto the onesie or shirt. We're still working out the arrangement of words, but we will get there.

This is where you come in. We need words for our list. We're going for words that capture the joy of being a child. If you think you have a word, please write the word(s) on our wall at Facebook, post a comment here on blog, or email your word(s) to me.

Thank you and Happy New Year.

Happy 2009!

It's been a long time since my last post. I literally just "Stumble(d) Upon" this site a few minutes ago, and I thought I'd share. My favorite part about running SBT is the design aspect on both the website and the shirt designs. The ads in the attached blog posting are WAY more amazing than anything I do. Enjoy!

Please note a few of the ads are a bit "racy" so be warned.

Creative and Inspiring Print Ads