Saturday, December 11, 2010

December Sale

Check out out December Sale at www.laptophoops.com/sale.





Wednesday, November 24, 2010

It's been a while...

Sorry for such a long delay in posts. I have been using the blog space as a way to keep my followers up to date with new products, design changes and ideas. I will post another update before the month ends with a complete listing of changes.

-Harry

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

New Designs


I promised some pictures of our new designs. I am still playing with the length of the arms, but it should look very similar when it rolls out. I am calling it the Light-weight Sit-On Frame. It will have 3 different size hoops 8", 10" and 12", that will be interchangeable. The hoop attaches to the base with 3 strong magnets. The magnets clip on to a small hinge that allows you to flip up the hoop to look at the underside of your work. I am thinking it would be ideal for needlepoint, cross stitching and embroidery projects or maybe a small quilt project.


-Harry

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Where did June go?

Wow! June flew by so fast. Between making frames, fishing and enjoying summer vacation with my kids, I forgot about our blog. It feels like I don't have enough time to do all the projects on my list. The little business has become a steady career. I don't want to keep track of the time spent in the shop or online working. That would take the fun out of it, but life is looking good for Barnett's Laptop Hoops. We are selling frames daily now, even without a single paid advertisement. However after the May release of Fons & Porters article, I know we have to advertise.

Today I am building a few more frames and then taking pictures to design a few ads and update the pictures on the Website. Oh, I need to squeeze in a couple of hours to go clamming at the beach. Saturday Laptop Hoops is having a Clam Bake/Lobster & Fish Fry at the shop. Good times! Our Tiki Bar will be open too.

My next post will have pictures of two new prototype frames. Check back soon.

-Harry

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

New Hoops


Wow - Wood bends so easily when you steam it. Check out this Custom 18" Hoop. I can now make almost any size hoop you may need. I listed 12", 14", 16" and 18" round sizes as our stock sizes.
If anyone is interested in a square or oval hoop, please email me. I have not attempted these shapes yet, but when someone asks for one...I will figure it out.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

May is our best month ever!!!

Exciting times here at the shop! We have a small article that was featured in Fons & Porters, "Love of Quilting". The orders just keep rolling in! The power of advertising is amazing. I can see this little business growing into a full time income.

Well I posted a picture on our new items page of a floor frame that holds a Magnetic Hoop Frame and I like it. I have one small adjustment to make on the pivot bracket, but I think it will work well. I will need a hand quilter to test this one out before I start production. Anyone local to Massachusetts, email me and I may ship it to you to test out for a couple weeks.

Yesterday I took a road trip to locate some beech wood for our Custom Hoops. These are extra strong, 1-1/2" wide x 3/16" thick hoops that I steam and bend to custom sizes for you. Email me the size, order the Custom Hoop on the Store Page and I start steaming! This is really cool to do. Making a perfectly straight piece of wood into a round circle is just crazy. I have also ordered a new wood brand with our name and Web address that will be burned into each hoop.

Well it is time to run. The kids are tugging at my legs.

Have fun,
Harry

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Who needs thumbs???

Oh yes, I had a close call with my new scroll saw. It was just a small cut but it woke me up rather quickly. Well I have been bending more hoops in the shop and it has been a frustrating endeavor. I want perfection every time and I hate that learning curve one must go through to get it. Today I learned, the wood must fully dry out from the steaming process before I can glue up the ends. Glue doesn't like wet wood.

The day has not been a total waste. I was able to shoot off a dozen emails to various quilters this morning and received a wonderful picture from our first customer to buy a "Sit - On" frame. Her smile was perfect!!! I believe her husband shot the picture on his cell phone as she was initially trying it out. She made my day even if I nearly cut my thumb off.

Here is an amusing note. My kids love the new magnetic frames. They have been playing with them, sticking each one to the dishwasher, trash can and the refrigerator. It does look funny! It did give me an idea to make little magnets with our Website on it, to go in the box with every purchase. Nobody throws away a magnet! That little idea cost me $225.00 to the guy who makes the wood brands. I use Brandnew in CA., but it is worth every penny.

Recently I have partnered up with Fiber Arts / Mixed Media to try a new promo. We are giving away a $25 coupon to the purchase of any frame or hoop, if you win Susan Sorrell's challenge. Check it out at http//:fiberartsmixedmedia.ning.com/.

May 4th is coming soon. Why is that important? It is the date our frames will be featured in the Fons & Porter magazine, Love of Quilting. I need to thank Jodi Davis for this one! She runs the QNNt.v. Website and she also took a couple of the frames to test out. I am hoping for a nice little spot in a show with a quick demo.

Well it is time to surprise my wife. I am actually going out with her for a night of fine food with the company of old friends. She says, I am never ready on time...but today I am going to be early.

Take care,
Harry

Monday, March 29, 2010

New Designs means fun in the shop.

My mind is always thinking of a new way to improve a design on the frames. My first attempt at a Tilt & Spin frame was driving me nuts! I new I could do better and I finally figured it out. A little Velcro and a change on the base, a couple new hinges and it was done. You would think my brain could take a rest, but no - it didn't. I started work on a frame that slides under your lap and on my second try - I got it. Perfect!!! Well, I say it was my second try, but I would say I experimented with 20 to 30 variations on paper and scrap wood. I built two. I now have a base that I consider to be a little to tall.

The latest endeavor is making my own hoops. Wow, it's a lot of work, but I bet you can't buy one like it in any store. Thick and heavy duty is the way I would describe them. I want to play a little more with them before I offer them on the Website. If anyone wants to test one, email me. I will make you an offer you can't refuse.

I am also considering making a low cost version of the frames. What do you think?

Well my kids are tugging at my legs, so I better get off the computer.

Have fun,
Harry

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Snow storm??? Well it finally came at 8:00 p.m.

Today was the day of the big storm. A wicked bad Nor'easter was coming. School was released early, my wife stayed home from work and all activities for the kids were canceled. And we waited, and waited all day. Just rain! Well just rain until now. It finally came, snow, snow and more of it. I can't wait to shovel out in the morning.

Well, this is a blog about hand quilting, not the weather. Today I spent the entire day dedicated to making quilt frames in the shop. At this point I can tell you...I hate saw dust. It covers everything!!! For anyone who buys one of my Tilt & Spin designs, let me tell you how much work goes into each. Well it's a long process that has too many steps to elaborate about here. The price of $99 should probably go to $199. Now I know why the competition charges so much.
I am just tired now, so sorry for the rambling. I actually enjoyed working in the shop all day. It's my little place at home that I can escape to and be creative. I figured out a way to have multiple settings on the Tilt & Spin today after 6 other failed attempts. Good news on the failed attempts, I now have kindling for the fireplace.

Well, email me if you find and actually read my blog. I think it's turning into a documentary of how to start an online business selling woodworking.

Good night to all,
Harry

Monday, February 1, 2010

Just another day at home with the kids.

Well today was semi-productive. I spent the morning emailing as many hand quilting teachers around the country to see if I could get some help on the website. I am keeping my fingers crossed they like the designs and want a few to use in class. Well I am off to Taekwondo with my oldest daughter.

Harry

Friday, January 29, 2010

Late night and no snacks in the house.

Hello,


This is my first attempt at this "Blog Thing" and I am trying to think of a way it could work for me. I don't quilt! That could be a problem, since this is a Hand Quilting Blog. I do make quilt frames for quilters. That's got to be worth something? Maybe I can sub it out to a quilter? Maybe a guest blogger can come on each week? I can do interviews! That's it, interviews with hand quilters and we can upload pictures and stuff. If by chance, someone out there does find this blog, send me an email at laptophoops@comcast.net You can be my first interview.


Thanks

Harry