TGIF: Preparing For Make It in November.

Here's Jenna at the new PNE location!

via MakeItProductions facebook page

This is it!

This is our fourth year at the Make It Show. We're busy producing cycling caps for stock and having enough for the upcoming show in November. We will be at the new PNE venue and it promises to be a big locale. Just look at the photo of Jenna in the cavernous space.


We hope to see you soon!


Make It Vancouver! November 28-Dec 1

TGIF: NO January Blues.

Flemish Winter Wool Cap,

by Red Dots Cycling.

January is remarkably busy for us.

The month is usually a time for us to reaccess and plan for new products for the upcoming year. Now, our work table is full-on for more wholesale custom cap orders. In fact, we just finished and shipped off a batch of cool custom caps to the US. A detailed post upcoming.

We received a unique request to make our Flemish wool winter cap into a ...summer cap. That's a new one for us, that means no ear flap. It's unusual. But, it makes us think there may be a demand for a warmer cap without ear flap. This could be a cap for next Autumn.

After our last craft show, in December, the attention grabber for us is that our winter cycling caps are  a fashion accessory. A young woman, not a cyclist, enthusiastically purchased the Red Hunting cap for about town. Many women bought our winter caps based on the design. It's made to be stylish to walk around town, warm and comfortable to keep that rain/snow out of your eyes. Our winter caps are popular with dog owners.

You may have notice the price has increased on all of our recycled inner tube products. After evaluating our products and the long hours of preparing and producing we can now confidently enter the wholesale market. In fact, we shipped off our fun rubber products to a US sportswear company. Again, a detail post upcoming.

We are planning our upcoming new 3-season caps with new fabric and colors. And, we will be working on some old favorites; to all the folks that have requested some of our popular caps from last season... have patience, they will return!


Have a fun Friday!

A Fun Affair... The Women's Winter Faire.

Our famous selling Scuola!

Red Dots Cycling

When it comes to our cycling caps, I work with cyclists. I was so happy to discover, after this past weekend's Women's Winter Faire, that people love to wear our winter caps to stay warm and fashionable walking around town. They are not only for cycling.

Before the show, Richard and I wasn't sure if the Scuola Pouch would be an item for us to continue producing. It wasn't selling as well as the other items and we wanted to introduce new rubber products. After this weekend, I'm having doubts. People were going crazy and in love with the Scuola pouch. Before Sunday, I had to take seven Scuola's off from our website. Well, they sold and now I have only two left. We will decide soon whether it returns, perhaps with a glass of wine to make the decision process easier.

It was a pleasant surprise for me to see so many Francophone vendors. My friend Helene, Chicachicdesign, was a vendor and ceramic artist, Micheline Claret of L'Atelier De Poterie. I learned that Micheline and her partner, Jean-Marie is retiring after 40 years producing beautiful ceramic pieces. Sadly, this was their last craft show. I could not help myself and bought two wonderful coffee mugs. I wish Micheline and Jean-Marie a happy retirement.

This was my first show by myself. It was an interesting show. In fact, the 19th edition and the organizers are already talking of a huge 20th anniversary show for next year.

I had fantastic response for my knit wear, almost selling out. That means, I'll have the extra money to buy lots and lots of yarn.

Thanks to Pat and all the volunteers for making this show a success, I plan to return next December!

Jean-Mariee & Micheline

TGIF: Red Dots Cycling at Women's Winter Faire

Our last Christmas show of the season is this weekend...

I'll be at the Women's Winter Faire Dec. 15/16, Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street Vancouver. Red Dots Cycling will have many cycling caps and recycled inner tube products perfect for Christmas gift giving. And I'll have many products not available on our website. Hope to see you there!

Carolle

TGIF: Flemish and Women's Winter Faire

Happy to have more Flemish wool.

Carolle is still recovering from last weekend's Make it Show with flu!

As she convalesces, I'm holding the fort and have returned from our fabric supplier with ample wool to make another run of Flemish winter caps. Also, I picked up a nice supply of our popular linen/cotton, superb fabric that we use in our famous all-black Cappello da Ciclismo Nero cap and Cappello Nero Rosso cycling cap.

All Black linen/cotton,

Cappello da Ciclismo Nero!

Our next show is the Women's Winter Faire, December 15-16 at the Heritage Hall on 3102 Main Street, Vancouver. Carolle will be doing this one solo but she will have plenty of set-up help from me. This Women's Faire features; BC women artisans and craftswomen.

Have a good weekend!

Make It Show a Success

Folks followed our 'Bike' sign to see us!

The Make it Show was a success!


The winter caps was the star of the show. And the feedback was incredible. A lot of our customers were first-time buyers. And here is some of the testimonials...

a. Well made.
b. Fit well.
c. Glad that they are made in Vancouver.
d. Great fabric
e. Cool looking.

We couldn't agree more!

It was packed. About 9000 eager shoppers came through the doors and we are so glad there's two of us working. After the first day, sales was discouraging and we wondered if craft shows was worth it. Well, as the second, third and fourth days passed we quickly changed our minds. The sales picked up. And, what also was valuable is the feedback from folks. To have an on-line business is one thing, direct contact with our customers is also very important.

We want to thank Jenna and Chandler and all the folks for stopping by our booth... looks like we'll be back next year!

Good Karma Harris Tweed SmartPhone

Our new SmartPhone Wallet.

As promised, here's a sneak peak of our new SmartPhone Wallet...

We'd like to thank ilSoigneur for the 'good karma' Harris Tweed Wool. There's a bit of Harris Tweed love in each of them. They have a zipper to close your valuables safely and the slip pocket to keep your smartphone nice and cozy. Today was a good day... we sold quite a few.

For now, the Good Karma Harris Tweed SmartPhone is only available at our craft shows!

TGIF: Make it Time!

Richard's CyclingArt prints are available at the show!

This is day 2 of Make it!

We invite you over to the Croatian Centre, Vancouver. Our handmade cycling caps and rubber inner tube products are available. The show opens at 11 AM - 9 PM. Our booth is 121 and we are located in Room A. You can't miss us just look for the glowing 'bike' sign!

See our new limited edition SmartPhone Wallet! That's right ...exclusive to the show, perfectly fits the new iPhone, Blackberry and Samsung phones. It's our posh wallet lined with Harris Tweed Wool. And, most likely to fit other phones. Come on over and try out your phone.

Also, Richard's unique CyclingArt Prints and postcards will be available... a perfect christmas gift for the discerning cycling fan!

TGIF: Christmas, Musette Caffe & Coupon

Need help with your Christmas shopping?

Ready for Christmas?

Christmas is fast approaching. Need help with your Christmas shopping?

We have wonderful gift ideas for the cyclist enthusiast on your list. Make sure you order early to have your gift arrive in time for Christmas.



Remember when we received some fun Harris Tweed fabric samples from our friends at ilSoigneur?
We had a sneak peek from Thomas, at Musette Caffe, that a cool boutique called Raiment Cycling Clothing will soon open. From the corner of our eyes we saw the Harris Tweed ilSoigneur musettes, recognizing their finely made Harris Tweed musettes.


We have the Make it Show coupon combined with our Red Dots Cycling coupon ($5 Off with purchase of $50 or more at the Make it Show only!) waiting for you at Musette Caffe. This also give you $1 off admission at the door. There is only a limited amount of coupons available so go on down have a delicious espresso and grab a coupon to see us November 8-11, Make It show, Croatian Centre Vancouver.

TGIF: Make it! More Cycling Caps.

Follow the 'Red Dots' to see us!

Here's the floor plan for the upcoming Make it! To simplify your journey to see us, Carolle has made it easier. All you have to do is follow the red dots to our booth #121!

The Make it! show will expand with more vendors, more fun. Let's not forget, bring your love ones and enjoy beer/wine, live music and just have fun! If you're going to one craft show this year, then this is the one. Here's the link for $1.00 off admission.


We have made enough winter caps to replenish our stocks, now we realize that our regular caps are dwindling down. Carolle is serging away on some popular regular caps for stock. On the table now: La Francaise, Paris-Roubaix, Cappello Nero and Falling Leaves!


I'm glad to be recovering from a stubborn cold. While I was resting in bed, Carolle has taken control in production. Now, I'm feeling better and appreciated the time 'off' to recuperate. I'm sure glad it's happening now and not during the Make it show!


Have a good Friday!

Richard

TGIF: New Wallets/Pouches, Francophone Women's Entrepreneur & Shipping to Malaysia

New La Piccola's and Piccolo's!

Last evening I had a wonderful opportunity to present Red Dots Cycling at the Vancouver Francophone Women's Entrepreneur monthly meeting. It was a success, in front of an enthusiastic group of 30 business women. I started off the meeting with my 10 minute presentation and shared, quite proudly, with our recent success in Bicycling Magazine. I was the intro of the evening with the main portion following about how and why to build your business with LinkedIn. I'm grateful to go to the monthly meetings and it's important for me because I learn important business tips/strategies  and it also keeps my French alive!


Here's an update on our rubber madness week...

It's almost at the end and with the help of the blue monster sewing machine we will be ready for November's Make It Show in Vancouver! Everyone loves a deal... here's a link on how to receive $1 off admission! Hope to see you there!


We have tons of new La Piccola wallet designs ready and especially a special Skull custom design. We plan to have new wallets/pouches sometime up on the website by the end of next week.


We are becoming more global...

Today, we are shipping two winter caps to Malaysia... a first for us!


Have a great Friday everybody!

Carolle

We'll be ready!

Hope to see you there!

Last Day To See Us: Vancouver Folk Fest!

From Friday.

One more day left for a chance to see us at the Vancouver Folk Music Fest. The past two days were busy and very hot.

We will be there with our famous cycling caps and rubber inner tube accessories from 10-10pm... hope to see you there!

Just Follow the Sign to the Vancouver Folk Music Festival

Just follow the sign!

Carolle got creative and designed our new sign for the upcoming Vancouver Folk Music Festival, July 13-15th.  We will be in the vendors market located before you enter into the fenced compound. Come over and see us and check out our new products and ...hear some fantastic music!

New Fun Kid's Cycling Caps

Our fun yellow, blue & pink kid's cycling caps.

We just added three new kid's cycling caps to our expanded stock for our next show.

So, with more interest in kid's cycling caps, we made; yellow, blue and pink with fun color stripes. Our kid's caps are size: extra small to fit 19 1/2" - 21" and don't let the size fool you. They are made exactly like our adult size caps with our famous craftsmanship.

You can check them out at our next show... the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, July 13-15 @ Jericho Beach Park!

CyclingArt Prints at the Canada Day Craft Fair!

Le Maillot Vert 1982 & Cooked! Gap-L'Alpe d'Huez 1991.

by Cyclingart

I'm very excited to offer my Cycling Art prints at Sunday's July 1st, Canada Day Craft Fair in Waterfront Park, North Vancouver!

These are just two prints, but I'll have a few different ones to offer. And, with the Tour de France beginning Saturday, a perfect time to launch them. We print them with archival inks on archival paper (13 X 19") unframed. Included in each print is a Certificate of Authenticity signed by me!

Richard

Canada Day Craft Fair at Waterfront Park

We're getting ready for this Sunday's Canada Day Craft Fair at Waterfront Park, North Vancouver.

We will have our NEW products and some old favorites celebrating Canada's 145 year old birthday!

If you missed us at the MECBikefest, then come on over and check out our cool cycling caps and nifty recycled inner tube accessories!


SEE YOU SUNDAY!

CANADA DAY CRAFT FAIR BY

NORTH VANCOUVER COMMUNITY ARTS COUNCIL

WATERFRONT PARK, N. VANCOUVER

JULY 1ST  NOON - 4PM.

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Sunny Day with New Products for the MECBikefest

Bird standing guard over the MECBikefest.

Photos: Richard

The weather for Saturday's MECBikefest called for thundershowers...

Remembering last years show, I told Carolle to bundle up (with peacoat/blundstones) to get ready for a rainy day. I had on my winter hoodie and vest avec blunnies. Thankfully, it never happened, no rain but welcoming sunny skies and warm temperatures. Of course, I overdressed and curse not wearing my 3/4 shorts.

Ahoy Me Hearties!

Perhaps, that's why we notice a lack of folks attending the event compare to last year.

The excitement of starting our first show of the season snapped us into frenzy mode as we eagerly set up our table with new products. Now, I can finally mention our new rubber inner tube products; the reversible belt, lite rider id wallet, telefono wallet & multi-use rubber key chain. As of now, they are only available during the craft shows, but, we plan to sell them online very soon.

Huge Thanks go the MECBikefest crew for putting on a good show and to the sponsors for providing bananas and chocolate!

Look ...no rain but new products!

MECBikefest: Last Minute Prep

Our lead up to tomorrow's MECBikefest has been anything but restful. It seems we're busy right up to the day with last minute preparation of printing labels, signage and finishing another new recycled rubber inner tube product. The craft shows are a good launching point for new products, so I can't divulge what our new products are. Here's a hint: a brand new cycling cap will be avaliable!

We'll have fun, practical new products on hand. And, I'm always checking online what the weather gods  have in store for us tomorrow. So far, it will be cloudy with a hint of rain. That may sound depressing but the good news is, MEC organizers always make the day sunny with plenty of fun in store.

If you can make it, we hope to see you tomorrow,

So bring it on... it's going to be fun!

MECBikefestVancouver @MECBikefestVanc Come join the fun this Saturday from 10-3 with@momentum @WeAreHub @whoanelliebikes@StromerCanada @reddotscycling at MEC Bikefest... 04:13 PM - 21 Jun 12 via web

Riding Towards the MEC Bikefest!

This Saturday is our first show of the season....

We're very excited to be back at the MEC Bikefest! It's an important event for us, we've worked with rubber inner tubes in new ways and we have many new products to show. The products are so new they're not offer on our website. We'll have our regular products available and... you'll just have to come over to see what else we have!

This fun MEC Bikefest is all about the celebration of the bicycle in Vancouver and we'll be part of the Bikefest Marketplace. Located in the plaza in Athlete's Village beside the Creekside Community Centre a block off the Ontario Bikeway from 10:00am - 3:00pm.


See you there!

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Espress O & Classic Racer Cycling Caps: Now in Two Sizes!

Espress O and riding goes so well together!

 All pics: © Red Dots Cycling

We've been busy like beavers bringing back three very popular cycling caps.


There's only a week left before our first show of the season, the MEC BikeFest June 23rd, and we're topping off our cycling cap stock.

What is old ... is new again!

Re-introducing: Espress O (with a hint of Orange) and Classic Racer cycling caps, because our customers wanted two different size choice! Both handmade caps now available in two sizes... Small/Medium (21" - 22 1/2") & Medium/Large (22 1/2" - 24").

We hope to see you at the MEC BikeFest, where you can purchase these cool cycling caps or if you can't make it ...visit our shop!

Classy Classic Racer w/Stripe or...

...Classic Racer as is!