Our journey with Pillow Pets; one year later

What a year it's been since my last blog post! We've grown quite a bit, with new stores now in Morro Bay and Cambria, CA!

Dave and I take the "mom and pop" store approach...opting for real stores so we can enjoy the people in our community and have fun with our area visitors!! We love donating to silent auctions for good causes in the area, and offered Pets this year as prizes in the costume contest in San Luis Obispo's famous Farmer's Market!

Our online business has really grown, with so many folks knowing more about Pillow Pets these days. There's just nothing like seeing a child who has waiting patiently to get his very own Pillow Pet and when that day comes...it's just a magical experience of joy...for all concerned!

Thank you to everyone for your support and for spreading "Pillow Pet" LOVE!

Happy Halloween!

We are so excited to have all the Halloween excitement here at the store!

If you can come in, you'll see how many of our Pets are in costume (like our Panda).

On October 30th, the San Luis Obispo Downtown Association is having its annual Trick or Treat Map available at the Farmer's Market so kids will know what businesses have treats to share. We're on that map, so we hope to see you! We are expecting approximately 800 kids in costume to come visit us! What a fun night THAT will be! If you are in SLO or from the area, please come on by!

Have a Happy Halloween!!!

Comforting a 3-year old in the hospital

This week we received a phone order from a woman whose niece was going into the hospital today (9/12). Her 3-year old niece has cancer, and she wanted to be SURE this child could have a soft cuddle Pet while she was in the hospital...for comfort and cuddling. We made that happen.

So, please join me in holding this child in your prayers. I don't know her name, or what hospital she is in...and I have to believe that prayers for her will reach her wherever and whenever they are sent. I just see her surrounding in love and healing, and that this little lamb will bring her the soft joy and support she needs just when she needs it. Thanks for supporting her in your thoughts and prayers.

Sweet and Sad

It's been a wild month, what with the Mid-State Fair, and all the Farmer's Markets we are doing now. Dave has expanded into the Morro Bay Farmer's Market and in September will be doing the new Pismo Beach market! We're very excited about that!

This week, as an example, we had some very delightful customers:

• A woman came in saying her child loved the new small puppy, and had named him "Archie"!
• A couple with a one-week old newborn bought the big, pink Piggy for their new beautiful daughter
• A young man came in to get a large Pet for his girlfriend who was having a hard day
• A woman came in with her two girls, who had purchased two Pets at the Mid-State Fair and taken them camping with them. She needed the washing instructions again. I mentioned to her that some folks who go camping (or use the pillows regularly) sometimes put a pillow case over them, leaving the Pet's head out 'so they can breathe'. She loved that!

Those are just some of the sweet things happening in our world.

And, for me, today is sad for it's the 34th anniversay of my mom's death. That's a long time ago, AND, she would have LOVED that Dave and I are doing this business together and all the joy that is spread through these cute stuffed animal/pillows! So, I just send a hug of love to you, Mom, and wish you an ongoing delightful journey in spirit.

San Luis Obispo's Farmer's Market Rocks!

We are having SO much fun with our Pillow Pets at the Farmer's Markets! Each week we are in both San Luis Obispo, and the Shell Beach Farmer's Market...and it's just such a sweet experience!

Many folks get introduced to our Pets through Dave at the markets, then come visit me in the store. With all the tourists in town, we're getting lots of requests for our small ones to be used as airplane pillows...by adults and children alike. It makes me so happy to know that adults are letting their 'inner kid' enjoy them, too!

Morro Bay's July 4th Event- Wow!

My hat is off to the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce (Rick...you rock!) for their tremendous community event for the 4th of July! It was everything I have ever imagined for a fun, small-town celebration with the added benefit of a GORGEOUS location.

We decided to join the Morro Bay Chamber since they have such wonderful events (Kite Festival, 4th of July and the upcoming Avocado and Margarita Festival)...and everyone at the Chamber is SO NICE! While Dave worked the store in San Luis Obispo, I had the extreme pleasure of "working" the booth at the 4th of July Festival, where my view was of their beautiful bay and Morro Rock.

We sold a LOT of "My Pillow Pets" on the 4th, and it was so cute to see all the kids running around Tidelands Park with their new Pet Pillow. I wasn't on the ball to get any pictures, and, with the fun games for kids, their variety of bands, folks grilling with their families, and the fireworks over the water, it was the perfect 4th of July!!

San Luis Obispo Store is a Dream Come True!

I'm just in awe of how the dream of having a "My Pillow Pets" store has manifested! Right now I'm sitting at my desk at the store in San Luis Obispo, CA, and having the most delightful experiences with all sorts of great folks!

Today I had a family come in from Venezuela who only spoke Portugese. I managed to show them how our "pets" turned into super-soft pillows, and they each tried their own "test hug"! The two children were so delighted with the Elephant and our sweet, no-neck Giraffe...it just brought so much joy to the whole store!

Another instance was a little girl who decided to bury herself in the display case with all the baby Pillow Pets on display. Too adorably cute! I had wanted to create a space where people walked in happy and left happy. It's happening!

Lastly, I had customer email me today telling me about her daughters use of her Horse Pillow Pet to support her during a trip to the dentist. I Love that!

So, as more fun things happen, or I learn more, I'll post it here. And, I'd love to hear from you, too!!!