Monday, April 16, 2012

Big exciting news! Yea!

I have literally been bouncing off the walls with excitement over the last week or so and I can finally share my news with you! But before I get to the actual news, some quick back story for those of you who might not know it...

When I left my job in advertising in NYC a few years ago and moved back to Austin, TX, I knew that I wanted to make some pretty major changes in my life. After spending nearly 20 years in the corporate world, I really wanted to create a life for myself where I could be creative and I had much more balance. I loved my job and my career, but I knew I needed to make some major changes. I really wasn't at all sure what I wanted to do, but I just knew that I needed to take the leap and just dive in head first. 

I spent some time trying a bunch of different things on for size and fit and when I discovered fabric design, for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was in my groove. Once I set my mind to building a business around my designs, I set my sights on signing with one of the major fabric manufacturers and was lucky enough to start working with the wonderful team at Robert Kaufman. I also quickly realized that I really wanted to expand my licensing business to include not only having my designs on fabric, but on a whole range of different goods. Think home decor, gift products, baby accessories, party supplies, stationery. Oh. And melamine dishes... How badly do I want my designs to appear on melamine? :) 

Over the last 2 years, I've been hard at work on expanding not only my range of fabric designs and my design portfolio, but I've been working on building relationships with manufacturers across different product categories. During that time, I also decided that I wanted to partner with a licensing agent who could represent my work and really help me take my designs to the next level in terms of exposure. But I knew finding an agent who I really clicked with and who really got my designs, could take some time. And lo and behold, that time has come. I'm beyond ecstatic to share that I was approached by Mosaic Licensing, who are now my licensing agents! Here's a snippet from our press release:

We are so delighted to be representing Laurie and her collections of over 600 designs,” said Val Adams, Principal of Mosaic Licensing, Inc. “They have a personality and appeal that truly puts her in a special category of graphic art and pattern. We see a tremendous future in licensing for Laurie’s designs on products from home accessories and home décor to gifts and stationery, baby goods, apparel and craft”.


The full release is available here: http://lauriewisbrun.com/press-releases/2012/4/16/represented-by-mosaic-licensing.html

I can't tell you how much its meant to me to have all of you rooting me on and encouraging me as I've been trying different things and sharing my experiences over the last few years. Thank you so much for all of your support along the way.

Working with Mosaic, I'm so excited to see what else the future might hold.
xoxo
--laurie


36 comments:

Jan Maree said...

Congratulations! This is a wondeful milestone and achievement and I look for to seeing your designs on all sorts of things!

Marta S. said...

WELL-DESERVED! You are so talented. Looking forward to seeing what's next on your list.

P.S. Modern Whimsy is my favorite fabric collection *of all time* --this is no joke!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Congratulations Laurie! Now we'll be seeing more of your designs.

Kathryn said...

Major Congratulations!!

Johanna said...

How exciting! Congratulations!

sarah said...

congrats! your story is an inspiration!!!

Karamat said...

Congrats!! I'm looking forward to seeing your designs on all kinds of fun things!

Poppyprint said...

Bring on the melamine!!! (can I please have a patio service complete with plates, glasses and tray in time for summer?). Way to go and congratulations!!

Jo Ann said...

Congratulations on your expansion. I look forward to shopping for all your new wares.

Angela said...

Woohoo!!!! Congrats Laurie! I want to see Laurie Wisbrun in every room of my house!

Jess @ Elven Garden Quilts said...

Awesome news!

Little Island Quilting said...

Richly deserved

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Woo hoo - well done you!!!

janequiltsslowly said...

Woo hoo!! that is wonderful news! Let us know when we can get the dishes!

Beth said...

What great news--for you and for us, too.

I'm happy for you, proud of you, and excited to see what will be coming our way.

Betty said...

Well done! And, you know, the possibilities are endless?!

A Peppermint Penguin said...

Congratulations!

Bring on the melamine!!

Deborah OHare said...

Congrats!
Very much deserved.

Reene@Nellie's Niceties said...

Woot! Congratulations, well deserved! I'll look forward to seeing more of your fabulous designs in unexpected places :-)

Kate (KnitsInClass) said...

Congratulations! And, I would love to BUY your designs on melamine :)

Jennifer Ladd said...

Congratulations! I'm so excited for you!

:)
Jennifer Ladd

Kelly said...

congrats! i can only imagine how fulfilling it is to put your mind to something, and have it actually come to fruition! good for you! :)

Victoria said...

Congrats, Laurie! It's been so interesting watching your journey and you just don't stop. It's really refreshing and you deserve it. Looking forward to more from you!

Cynthia Strickland Studio80 said...

Laurie Congratulations! I am so happy for you! Your story is inspiring to read and your enthusiasm and joy touches so many of us! I am so glad you have been so richly rewarded after all your hard work and am sure your journey ahead will be as exciting!

Fran said...

Congratulations, great news for you :-)

briscoeslochico said...

I'm so excited for you!! You definitely deserve to be where you are, you're designs are among my FAVORITES!!

Sheila said...

So happy for you Laurie! How exciting! I am just starting off... along the same path.... and it is so inspirational to see others whose hard work is paying off. So glad your goals are becoming reality!
Awesome, wooo whoooo!

Pam said...

I am so very excited for you!! You have such a wonderful whimsical style. I can picture your designs on so many different things.

Sarah PingsAndNeedles said...

Fantastic news Laurie! Congratulations - can't wait to buy some melamine!

Dana said...

Congrats! I would buy your melamine plates in a heartbeat!

charlotte said...

Congratulations. You are so fortunate to be able to use your talents like this. I love your fabrics and can't wait to see your designs on other things. I totally get the melamine thing. Jack and Jenny would make an awesome set of kids dishes.

Natalie said...

That's great news, well done! Love your work.

Megan V said...

LAURIE! This is so amazing!!! You totally deserve this and I'm super proud of you!!!!!!! Congratulations my lovely friend!! You continue to be an inspiration to me!!

Nova said...

yippeee!!!! congratulations Laurie! That is both big & exciting news :) well done you - you deserve it x

mummysam said...

yes yes!!!! you deserve this so so much....

Linda McMullan said...

I am so happy for you - I met you at Surtex 2011 when I was walking the show, trying to drum up the courage to do Surtex 2012. I was drawn to your booth by your beautiful designs, and you kindly invited me to stop and chat for a moment. You encouraged me to keep plugging away and told me about your book, which I now happily have.

Your designs are perfect for so many applications, and I can't wait to see them on melamine! Don't forget the plastic tumblers...