Behind the scenes, we have had a lot of wheels turning in 2012. Understatement of the year. There has been so much that has happened, so much that we have learned, and we are soooo close to having product back in stock that has been sold out for a while. Thank you for your continued loyalty and enthusiasm and support … and patience! This recent picture I shared on instagram is pretty representative of what all those “wheels turning” look like on paper with a typical to-do list.

I will try to strike a balance between being brief – while also helping you feel informed – with this blog post. I want you to understand a little about what’s been going on, and of course tell you what’s coming – and when you can expect everything.

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{ cliff notes version of our recent growing pains }

First, a preface: This story has a happy ending.

Friends are telling friends (who are telling their friends) about Project Life. The growth is awesome, but we found ourselves selling out of our Core Kits and ready to re-order more at the beginning of 2012. Lots more. Instead of re-printing in China, we decided to try producing our printed (paper-based) products in the USA. We figured we could get better quality, faster turnaround, and hey – what’s not to love about “Made in the USA”!?

We knew this transition would put extra work (than we already had) on our plates, and it would likely cost a bit more, but we wanted to at least try it. What we didn’t know, was how much time and how much money, this would cost us. I will spare you details (although if you ever see me in person and want to ask – I could tell you all about it! It’s been a crazy ride.) But … after months of working with several different companies on printing and packaging right here in the Phoenix area, this is where we are:

1. A small quantity of each edition has already been printed in the USA and is being packaged and will be available on Amazon shortly.

2. A huge batch of 3 editions (Cherry, Clementine, and Turquoise) are being produced in the USA right now and those will be available shortly after the first smaller batches arrive and potentially sell out. To quickly explain the reason for 2 batches … we were well into full production when we were informed of a huge error in their printing quote for our Core Kits, which had a domino effect on all current and future production of all products.

3. Ouch. It costs sooooo much to print here. Not just a little bit. If we print all of our products here, we won’t be in business any longer. Literally.

4. It’s not as simple as making up for the difference by charging you (our customer) more. It’s a LOT more. Part of our philosophy is that memory-keeping should be do-able and affordable, for sure! We also want to stand behind the top-notch quality of our products.

5. We can not bear the thought of being sold out of everything for even longer (most of you agree), so we proceeded with the production of Cherry, Clementine, and Turquoise even with the significantly higher prices, but have decided to keep the retail price the same for you ($24.99/Core Kit for U.S. customers).

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{ all is well }

6. We are so grateful for the relationships we’ve established with fantastic local companies that can help bring our products to fruition. Even though it’s a more complicated and expensive process for us, we would love to continue doing a few things here. We will look for ways to have some of our products made here in the USA – whenever possible. In fact, we have several other items beyond the Core Kits that are currently being produced and packaged here in the U.S. right now.

7. We are a USA-based company. We live here, we work here, we love it here. We make some stuff here, and we make some stuff overseas – and that is how we can stay in business. We are still quite small, but pleased that we have been able to create a few jobs right here in the U.S. with plans for that growth to continue. Just because many of our products aren’t actually produced here doesn’t mean that we’re not doing our part to support employment in our home country.

8. Our very hands-on experience of being deeply involved in the details of printing and manufacturing was far from a wasted effort (although very stressful at times). The valuable lessons that we learned, the experience that we gained, and the more trained eyes that we now have – make us better business owners and smarter product developers. Without a doubt, we know this will be a huge benefit to our product offering and ultimately, our customers.

9. The team that brings our products to life overseas has been doing absolutely everything to increase the quality of our products. Everything will be even better than it was before. The paper, the printers, the quality control … everything. We are confident that you will love the continuation of our products, no matter where the production happens.

Now. Enough chit-chat. Let’s see what’s coming, and when it’s coming – shall we? Oh, and by the way: You can see ALL of our products (what’s in-stock, what’s coming, expected dates, etc.) on the Products page – naturally. When you click over, click refresh to be sure all the updates show up in your browser.

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{coming mid-July }

Note: Clementine Binder already in stock.

Note: Cobalt Binder already in stock.

NOTE: Remember, there will be limited quantities of the Core Kits at first (all made in the USA) but we have plenty more in the making already. Cherry, Clementine, and Turquoise will be re-stocked almost immediately (if they sell out quickly), as those are in-the-making here in the USA. Amber and Cobalt will be re-stocked on Amazon around October (if they sell out before then).

ALSO NOTE: The pictures shown on the Amazon listings need to be updated. We will have that shaped up by the time they’re for sale. If you’d like to see more details about card designs, etc. you can see all the same products in digital format on JessicaSprague.com.

AND ONE MORE NOTE FOR CORE KITS: These are the contents of the revised Core Kits.

Moving on to more products coming, besides the Core Kits:

Note: By “White Cards” we mean … yes, completely blank. Think … kids’ little bits of art, your own doodles, anything. The cards are completely white and completely ready for you to do anything you want to them. They’re pre-cut with rounded corners to the exact dimensions that you need for our Photo Pocket Pages.

You’ll love our new Core Kit packaging so much, you’ll probably want an empty tray for storing some of your other miscellaneous 3×4 and 4×6 cards for Project Life. This empty tray will come protected in the same, cool outer box that the Core Kits come in.

Also coming in the next few weeks …

We don’t have images yet, but I’ll share them as soon as we have them. You know Bazzill Cardstock? As in … my personal favorite cardstock for scrapbooking (for years)? We have a box of 3×4 and a box of 4×6 coordinating Bazzill cardstock for every single Project Life Edition. That’s 10 different items. They are pre-cut with rounded corners to the exact dimensions you need for our Photo Pocket Pages. This box of 60 cards in 10 different colors will be awesome background cards when you want to throw some receipts, movie ticket stubs, or other small memorabilia in a pocket – for example.

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{ more stuff showing up by mid-July }

 

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NOTE: All mentioned timing is applicable to U.S. customers and when we anticipate seeing product on Amazon.com. If you live outside the U.S. please refer to your country’s distributor HERE.

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{ coming october 2012 }

It sounds far away, but it’s just a few months!

And also due to arrive by late October … our highly-anticipated Baby products and Childhood products! Super excited about these, and totally itching to share sneak peeks with you sometime in July so you can get excited too!

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{ coming november 2012 }

Two new Project Life editions, of course! The two designers are already working on the two fantastic new looks, and we’ll reveal who they are later in July or early August.

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There is never, ever a dull moment around here.  : )