The Original

The Original
The Original Mini by Mary!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

The Latest

Hey Girls,
This past week a few exciting things have happened! Just recently, a girl from Marist College, Dayna, contacted me and asked to write an article about my minis on her blog. Her blog is where she writes about all different fashion trends, styles and other things that pertain to the fashion world. She also writes for her Marist Newspaper about Beauty and Fashion, as well as The Look of the Week. Be sure to check out her blog at http://daynavasilik1.wordpress.com/. She has a great sense of fashion and writes to perfection. I’ll be sure to keep you posted through my facebook page about when the article is done. I’m very excited for it!
Yesterday I met with a sewing contractor who is going to be helping me produce my minis. Him and his wife own the factory and are the nicest people ever! They will be my major source of production and then my mom and I will continue to sew in the basement sweatshop with smaller orders. This way, we can start spending more time on the creative side of it and focus more on marketing the Minis!
Starting today I will be contacting every boutique I possibly can to try and get my minis in their store! I’m really trying to expand from a small business to gradually a medium size then hopefully one day a large size company! If anyone has any boutiques they think would be a hit for me just give me a holler.
I’m also trying to get photo shoots lined up so hopefully soon I will have new pictures to show you girls!
Okay well I'll keep you posted as new things pop up! Have an amazing day ☺
Love,
Mary

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Mini Take Over

Hey Gals,
So a few things have changed since the last time we chatted... This past week I have "taken over" a few local college campus with Mary Carroll Posters. Now when I say take over I don't mean ya know a casual one or two poster(s) here and there I mean a lot of posters per campus. For example, I put up 75 posters at Union College (located in Schenectady NY) in the student union, in different buildings as well as sorority houses and dorm rooms. I also put 50 posters up at Russell Sage College (located in Troy NY) just in the dorm rooms alone as well as a few up at RPI (located in Troy NY). I have a few other local colleges to hit like Siena, St. Rose, HVCC and SCC and then I want to spread to hit others. I really really hope this gives me good exposure. You might be thinking? Why so many? Well I feel as though the more someone sees a Mini poster the more likely they will check out my blog and what my skirts are about. I mean being a college girl, I truly think Mini Skirts are just great! You can wear them to class or on you big night(s) out! They are just so comfortable right!? Like I mentioned before, my minis are targeted toward high school and college girls so hopefully only good things come from this! As far as high schools, I have been in contact with a few local high schools and were in the works of getting a "Mini" fundraiser together that will benefit their senior class and help them raise money! I will fill you in more once I know more details!
Also, My minis will also be sold at Fly Boutique in Latham NY. Its right on Troy/Schenectady Road. This is a great boutique that offers a wide variety of different designers. Check them out ladies! Hopefully by next week I will hear from these two other fabulous boutiques that might be interested. I'm not saying names but they are also really good ones. So check back next week :)
I am still continuing on expanding my clothing line I just haven't had a second to make my next product. That too you will have to check back on lol ----Sorry :(
Alright well I think thats all the gossip I have for now. If I forgot anything I'll just blog about it later.
Have an amazing day!
Love,
Mary

P.S Don't forget to check out the new Fall 2011 line! Pictures are below as well as on the "Mary Carroll" facebook page! Let me know your favorites:) Love ya!

Monday, September 19, 2011

How to order a mini

Hey Gals!
I just want to give a quick and brief run down on how to go about ordering a mini skirt(s) because I've been getting lots of questions on how to do so :) As of now, just about all the different fabrics I have to offer are posted on my blog as well as my facebook page - MARY CARROLL , http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Carroll/148938478499875?ref=ts. (I have more cute fall prints coming out soon so be on the look out for that as well.) This is how you can see what fabric you like and would be interested in purchasing. Once your done finding your fabric you have to decide what size skirt you are. I usually tell girls to go by their Jean Size (1,3,5,7,9,11,13). Then after picking out the fabric and size you just email me with your order at minisbymary@gmail.com. Orders usually take a week or two to fill so make sure you plan ahead if you have some place you want to wear your mini to. Let me know in your email your address so I can mail it as soon as I'm done making it. I hope this helps with the confusion! Also, I'm currently working on getting a website up and running so hopefully you can order your holiday minis via the new website! Can't wait!! Hope everyone has a great week!!
- If you have any other questions, just ask me :)
Love,
Mary

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Onward and Upward!

Hey Girls!!!
This week was one of my busiest weeks yet! I had two important deadlines that I had to meet by Friday! I had 11 skirts to make for Piper by Wednesday and I had a big order from one of the mini skirts parties, and needed to make around 20 minis just for that party alone. Let me tell you the sweatshop was nuts!!! I had about 4 hours of sleep each night. But hey, a girl has to do what a girl has to do!! Am I right? And I loved every minute of it!! I love being super busy so I enjoyed it!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! My mom was a super help like always, so thank you mom! This upcoming week I have another order of 10 skirts for Piper to fulfill. Piper is amazing! They sold out of all my leather lizard skirts!!! No worries, I just gave them more, as well as the Club Lace mini. I’m now also making Piper an “Exclusive Piper Mini” which will be more of a hip hugging stretchy skirt with bright bold fabric. Super cute! These minis will be delivered sometime this week so be sure to go to Piper and check them out ☺.
Okay so I got to thinking about my mini skirt parties and I’m going to change them up a bit. Ya know how I had “ Host a mini skirt party and for every 10 skirts you sell you get one FREE?” Well now its, “Host a mini skirt party and for every 10 skirts you sell you get one FREE as well as the newest addition from the Mary Carroll line.” Now you may be thinking what is the newest addition? Well….. Every few months I will be coming out with something new. It’s going to be a surprise! Keep an eye out on my blog as well as on the Mary Carroll Facebook page, as I will be sure to let you know when all of the latest additions are coming out. Some of my ideas include a headscarf, a jumper, pants, a vest. Who knows? The possibilities are endless. So if you book a Mini Skirt party in the Month of September (the party doesn’t have to be in September, you just have to book it in September) you will receive a mini skirt for every 10 minis you sell as well as the LATEST ADDITION from my collection. So ladies let me know if you want to host a party!! It can be during the week or the weekend!! I have lots of cute fall fabrics that you won’t want to miss out on. Book your party today!!!
The last thing I want to tell you is that Minis are coming to College Campuses!! The first hit will be RPI in Troy. My good friend Jennie is helping me design posters to post all over the campus so college girls have access to Minis!! Also, if you are a college student and want to host a mini skirt party in your dorm or apartment or even for your whole floor I will be more than happy to make that happen!! It’s a great way to get your girlfriends together before a night out so you can all have new mini to wear for your night out on the town!
Alright well I gotta run! Have a great labor day weekend and remember always dream BIG!
Love,
Mary

Friday, August 19, 2011

Exciting things happening :)

Hey Gals,
Where do I start?! I would just like to say thank you once again for all the amazing support that keeps coming my way from family and friends! You guys are amazing and I wouldn't be as motivated as I am without all the positive words from everyone, so thank you! These past few weeks have been extremely busy for me and I love it! The Mini Skirts are doing great up in Saratoga! All you girls should check out the store Piper! Its a great fashion forward boutique that sells only the latest trends! My skirts are selling great there and they just ordered more for the fall! So please keep your fingers crossed that they keep selling at the rate that they are and check them out. :)
Also, their is a fashion show happening this Sunday August 21st at the Gideon Putnam in Saratoga called the Catwalk for Kidneys. A Mini Skirt or two will be featured in the show which is also very exciting!
I just had my first Mini Skirt party yesterday at my cousin Remy's house and it was so much fun ladies!! I had about 90 skirts laid out all over her house from her dining room table to her couches.(pictures will be posted) I think the biggest hit at the party were the Leather Mini Skirts. I took about 20 orders for those skirts alone. Love it! Please, if your interested in hosting a Mini Skirt party contact me via email, phone or facebook! I would love to throw one for you! For every 10 skirts you sell you get one FREE! Its a great way to get your friends together to chat, have a few drinks and enjoy being a girl!
On another note, I am also very excited because I just purchased my first fabulous mannequin! HAHA I know laugh..but its very exciting to me lol! I'm open to suggestions for names for her LOL.
As far as the near future goes.. I'm thinking about having my own vendor at an October Trade Show in the City! I thought this would be a great way to market my skirts more and branch off to get my name out there! I have to think about it a little more because in order to be ready I have to have at least 500 skirts made! Just thinking about it gives me anxiety lol! But I really want to do a trade show so I have to start looking toward getting more help in the sewing department! Who's in?
Lastly, I'm in the middle of planning a photo shoot for the Mini Skirts. I found a great photographer that's interested and so now I'm starting to plan different venues to have the pictures taken! I will keep you posted as the days go by!
I hope everyone has a great weekend and remember to Always Dream Big!
Love,
Mary

Friday, July 15, 2011

Minis all around!

Hey Girls!!
Its been super busy lately with trying to get my minis in local fashion boutiques but I've been loving every minute of it. This past week I have been a gypsy! I've been carrying around a huge bag of skirts over my shoulder and walking from stores to stores, to streets to streets around Long Island, New Jersey, Woodstock to local towns like Saratoga, Loudonville, Guilderland and Troy. Yea I know...how embarrassing!!! But girls we have to do what we have to do :) Be sure to check out Magic Moon which is on Phila Street in Saratoga and Piper which is on Broadway, also in Saratoga! They are both fun, girly stores that carry great fashions! I'm having lots of great, positive feedback from all these different locations! However, its been kind of tough selling them to a few boutiques for now were in-between seasons. I still have lots of summer minis made but stores are now looking to purchase Fall Merchandise rather than Summer! Sooooo... guess what that means? Yes! I will be starting to make minis for the fall.:) These skirts will range from all different leather texture fabrics to heavy cotton fabrics. Keep your eyes out in a few weeks for some fall minis! Also, for those of you who ordered skirts at my party, I haven't forgot about you...I will be working on all your skirts next week and will hopefully have them all done by Friday or Saturday! I'm sorry for the small delay I've just been all over the map this past week. Also, for anyone interested in having a Mini party Book now!! For every 10 skirts you sell at your party you get a FREE One!! Alrighty well have a great weekend everyone!! I'll be in touch in a few days! Muahhhh!
Love,
Mary

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Sew it was a hit!!

Hey Hey Hey!! First I would just like to thank everyone who came to my Mini and Martini party! It was a blast! I made 100 skirts for the party and 10 wallets and I sold around 30 skirts and 6 wallets. I hope you enjoyed the party as much as I did! I wasn't expecting much for my 1st party because of course it was my first one but I had between 20-30 guests which I didn't think was too bad for my first mini party ever! For anyone who is interested in hosting their own just holla atcha girl lol! It can be during the week or the weekend. Whatever works best for you. When you host your own mini party, you get a FREE WALLET as well as a FREE MINI for every 10 skirts you sell! Also, for anyone who couldn't make the party, let me know what skirt you want and size of course! So now, I'm on my way up to Saratoga and Loudonville to hopefully sell my minis to some boutiques. Also, I'm heading to Long Island this weekend to visit a friend so I might hit a store or two there! If anyone, has any questions comments or suggestions let me know! I love hearing other peoples thoughts! I know this was a short entry but I have lots to do today and little time!
Love ya,
Mary

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Catch up!

Hey ladies!
Wow! A lot has happened since the last time I've updated you! Well, for starters I legally changed the name from Minis by Mary to simply Mary Carroll. I did this because I want to expand my line and add other pieces to it besides Mini Skirts. Of course I want mini skirts to be my trademark but I also just started making cute size wallets/clutches which are posted on the Mary Carroll Designs facebook page.(I will be posting pics of them on here in a few.) Also, I'm hoping this week or maybe next week I will be adding head scarfs to my line. By head scarf I mean a stretchy thick headband with extra fabric attached so you can wrap it under your head so it falls on your shoulders. What are your thoughts? On another note, I have officially moved my sweatshop (thats where I do all my sewing) out of my families dining room into my basement. LoL my sisters have been busting since the day I started sewing saying my place of work is "the sweatshop!" I know, how rude lol!! So, I have acquired extra tables for more work space, another sewing machine, and display racks where I can hang my products! So excited!!! I really really hope I can move the sweatshop out of my basement and into my own fabulous boutique one day! I'm hoping sooner rather than later but we'll see! Now, for those of you that have been reading my blog right along you might be wondering "when are the Mini and Martini parties going to start!?" Well ladies, I was going to have the first one at my house but at this time if anyone is interested in hosting one please contact me via email (minisbymary@gmail.com) so I can explain more in detail and we can further plan the party!! Alright ladies, Hope you all have a great week and a fun Fourth of July! If your searching for something cute to wear to your Fourth of July BBQ, 4th of July skirts are now available! Variety of sizes and fabrics! Ta Ta for now!!!
Love ya,
Mary
P.S - Be sure to check out the wallets and the new skirts below :)

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Im Back :)

Hey Hey Ladies!
Due to family circumstances these past few weeks, I haven't had a chance to update my blog or keep up with my mini skirt business. However, the time has come where I can put my energy back into my minis!!! SOOOOOO....Whats New!!? Hmm...well I have pulled my skirts from a few salons because I have a change of thought. I'm thinking salons aren't really the hot spots to sell mini skirts because the packaging isn't appropriate for clients to actually see and feel how the skirts fall. So, what I want to do now since summer is right around the corner is go to local boutiques including stores in Saratoga, Lake George and various other beach stores to try and promote my minis there seeing as though they can be used as bathing suit cover-ups as well. I mean, how cute is this with a bikini top :). Also, I want to attend local craft fairs and set up a stand to try and get the word of mouth out there more. I think I have to put more of an effort into the advertising side of business now. I don't know... I'm just going to fly with this on the seat of my pants and see what happens. I still want to make minis for you ladies because I enjoy it so much!! With my passion in sewing skirts coupled with my business degree I can only hope for positive results from this lol. Keep the mini orders rolling and keep an eye out for Mini and Martini party in the near month! I'm back :)
Love yaaa!
-Mary

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Long time no talk!

Hey Ladies!
As some of you may have already noticed, I have not updated my blog in soooo long! My fault! I fell way behind and it will not happen again! So, I just posted 5 new skirts that are now on the market if your interested. Just let me know and I will pull them aside for you! Also, Minis by Mary are now in 4 different salons! I'm so so so excited! These salons include Cache in Guilderland, Bellezza in Albany and the two newest- Plush in Scotia and Karizma in Rotterdam. I know I mentioned this before but just incase of any confusion, if your interested in a skirt and it says Cache, Bellezza, Plush or Karizma underneath the picture then that means, that particular skirt is in that salon unless it says My Stock, then I have it! Another thing, I just purchased more summer fabrics! These fabrics include plain kaki, a classy navy blue, really cute floral prints, animal prints and more to come! I hope you ladies love them! OMG and also...Some time in June I believe I am going to have a summer mini and martini party! I want to have a large selection of minis so you have lots of options to choose from, if your interested! Its going to be an open house type thing, where you can stop by during maybe a 3 or 4 hour time slot and just browse to see if you want any minis for the summer! Keep your eyes out for invites next month probably and you can obvy bring your friends! Email me with thoughts and suggestions at minsbymary@gmail.com. Thanks gals and I will be in touch! Keep being fabulous!
Love,
Mary

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Blog Construction

Hey Gals!
After talking to girls I think I need to edit my blog a little bit because it seems that its unclear what is and isn't available and thats totally my fault! So I'm changing my blog around to make it a little more organized and convenient for ordering purposes. Before this post all the pictures that were on my blog were just skirts that I made. Some were sold and some weren't. I never made it clear on how to go about ordering a skirt and such and that just has to be changed!! The pictures I post of my skirts are now going to be labeled by the name of the fabric, the sizes in which I have and where they are available. So if you see a skirt you want you can either ask me for it or just go to the salon that has the skirt. Also, I do take custom orders but not necessarily for the exact fabric you want. For example, if you see a floral skirt you're interested in but I don't have your size listed just let me know and I"ll see what I can do. I can't promise I can make you a skirt with that exact fabric because sometimes supply is limited. However, majority of the time I can get fabric that is very similar to that in which you want. You can contact me through a few ways. Either inbox me on facebook through my name or the Minis by Mary page, or email me at minisbymary@gmail.com. Also as of right now the two fabulous salons that are also selling Minis by Mary are Cache which is on Western Ave in Guilderland and Bellezza which is on Fuller Road in Albany. See ya later alligator!
Love,
Mary

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Busy Busy Busy

Hey Ladies!
Long time no talk! I have been extremely busy with school and family that I haven’t had much time to update my blog, so let me take the time now to fill you in on a few things that are going on with Minis by Mary. Recently, my business cards have come in the mail!! I know it, so exciting! I love them and I think you will too! I’m putting two business cards in each package one for the customer to keep and one for them to pass on to a friend. Also, I’m ordering tags now to sew on the inside back side of the skirts. I think this will be the finishing touch. AND I’ve been having lots of ladies ask me if I can make my minis longer so they can wear them to work. I’m thinking about actually making one in a longer length soon to see what it looks like before I definitely say yes, but I think it’s a great idea! Now, ladies, some other news….my skirts are now put out in a few hair salons. Cache in Guilderland and soon in Karizma’s in Rotterdam. Shout out to Mrs. Aviza for letting my display them in her salon Cache! Thank you Mrs. Aviza you are the best, and thank you for all your advice!! I’m planning on going home this weekend to meet with other salons too, to see what they think. You may be asking yourself, why salons? Well I want to one day display them in cute boutiques and eventually open my own store but right now, I need to work on putting my name out there and see whether or not random people love them and want them! So I thought this was a good way to start. If anybody knows of other salons that might be interested give me a holler. On another note, I am now looking into starting my own website! I have made some phone calls and contacted some people as far as creating a website and getting a photographer lined up! I’m not going to get my hopes up yet but I hope my website will be up and running by May. I know, that seems so far away but its a lot of work and I have to keep my focus on my school work too. It’s tough to balance everything especially when all I want to do is work on my minis! AHHHH so much to do, so little time! Okay well ill be posting new pics probably this weekend so keep on checking out Minis by Mary!
Love,
Mary

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Let the Minis keep on rollin!


Hey Gals! 
Okay so as promised, I posted some new pictures of the different skirts that were made this past weekend and let me tell you ladies…there are a lot of cute summer fabrics on the market right now! I’m still taking orders as well as branching out and hopefully over spring break, getting minis into different locations. So be on the look out! Also, I need your thoughts and opinions. I’m thinking about adding ruffles to the bottom of a few skirts and pockets on the fronts or backs of a few.  This way there will be more of a variety on which style mini you can purchase. What do you think? Some other news, the packaging I ordered for the minis came in last week so now each mini is placed in a clear pillow box, which will protect and keep them fresh for when you wear them! They look really cute! (Look below for pictures of the packaging.) Lastly, in this blog entry I just have to give a shout out to my grandpa who has been on a crazy hunt for cute fabrics to help me out. As you can imagine, it’s hard to keep up with school and making lots of minis at once. So my grandpa has been helping me and hooking me up with really cute fabrics. Now trust me ladies, my grandpa is no ordinary grandpa. He still has really good taste and funk.  I kind of led him into what kind of fabrics I’m looking for and now he’s on a roll with helping pick out really nice fabrics lol. I know it sounds funny, but its true! So thank you grandpa! Oh and one more thing, thank you mom for helping me with EVERYTHING!!! Ladies, if it weren’t for my mom the skirts would be majorly backed up. As of now, I’m using her vintage sewing machine lol to sew all these skirts, and she refuses to let me bring it to school so when I go home its major crunch time to crank out as many minis as I can and she is so so helpful!!!!  So thanks mom for staying up to 4 in the morning sometimes with me lol. I just want to give one more shout out to all of YOU for supporting me and liking my minis! It truly means a lot to me that you appreciate and love my new endeavor. Anyways, let the mini orders keep on coming and feel free to pass the word to your friends and family members!  Any new requests or suggestions just holler atcha girl hehe;) !!!
Love,
Mary

Friday, February 25, 2011

Mini Madness :)


Hey Ladies!  
This mini skirt adventure of mine gives new meaning to supply and demand. I’m so happy my marketing classes are finally paying off lol. I can’t believe how well this is taking off and I am so excited to meet everyone’s request. I’m so happy you ladies are loving my minis! I went home this past weekend and made about 10 more skirts. However, I wasn’t thinking before I sold them and forgot to take pictures of them for my blog. But no worries, I will take pictures of my next bunch and post them on here.  Also, I’m on the look out to get a real website going so I can start taking orders right from online. Some other great news, I just ordered my first bunch of business cards thanks to vistaprint.com and their great designs!!  I’m so excited to get things rolling. I truly, truly appreciate all the support I’m getting from my friends, family and extended friends. As, spring is approaching new fabrics are arriving so be on the look out for new picture posts coming up early next week! 
Love,
Mary

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

I'm in awe.

Hey Gals!
WOW! WOW! WOW!  Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I cannot believe how much positive feedback I have received from my blog. Like really! Thank you to everyone that is supporting me. I’m truly in aw about this whole thing. I never thought Mini’s by Mary would actually have a slight chance of being a legit, successful business but now I’m kind of re-thinking, so thank you for your support.  After my first blog, I have made and sold around 20 skirts, and still have about 10 more orders that I haven’t even got to yet! I try to go home every other weekend to replenish my stock of mini’s but I can’t seem to actually hold skirts long enough to have a stock before they all sell, and that is amazing! This past weekend I went home and I made 14 skirts and they all already SOLD! Cannot believe this! The way I’m kind of working this is if someone is interested in a mini I have them inbox me their size and what style fabric they would like. For example, size (3,5,7,9,11,13 etc.) and floral prints, solid color, going out skirt, animal print, etc. Then I go shopping with the customer in mind and try to pick out the fabric they want while keeping their own style in my mind. However, I bought a lot of extra super cute fabric this past weekend so if someone just says, “surprise me”, I have options. I would say the biggest hits so far are floral prints for all the spring breakers that are going away soon. LUCKY GIRLS! Also, with summer coming up these skirts can be very versatile. As I mentioned before Mini’s by Mary are great for summer skirts, knock around skirts, going out skirts and also beach cover up! So below are pictures of the skirts I made this weekend. However, as I previously said they all already sold. BUT if you’re interested in one let me know and I will hopefully have time to make it for you this weekend! Let me know Gals!!
Love, 
Mary

Monday, February 7, 2011

The mini beginning

Hey Gals!
As some of you may already know, I have finally taken up my passion for fashion and started making my own mini skirts! Yes, that’s right, Mini skirts! You may ask why Mini’s? Well, last July I was sitting in the kitchen with my mom chit-chatting about how it’s always so hard to find the perfect mini skirt. My mom being the crafty, creative and fabulous woman that she is said, “Mary why don’t you just start making them!??” At first I laughed, because who says that! But then, I thought about it and I wanted to experiment. So we went to the fabric store and I picked out the perfect pattern that I thought would work for all different sizes and 3 different fabrics. I went home and got started right away! I made my skirt first (seen above), then I made 2 more for both of my sisters. As I said this was back in July so I figured eh whatever there cute knock around skirts for the summer to wear whenever. However, whenever I wore it I started getting compliments here and there asking where I got it. When I told people I made it they couldn’t believe it.  I started thinking, “Wow maybe I really could start my own small business making mini skirts.” So just recently, I went back to the fabric store, bought bulks of all different fabrics, and started sewing away! I completed a total of 13 skirts and I enjoyed sewing every one of them! I made a few light summer cotton skirts for the spring breakers that are going away and a few winter ones that you can wear with tights in the fall/winter. When I came back to school my friends bought them for the price on the tag of $15 or $20 (depending on the fabric). I’m so excited that Mini's by Mary are starting to become a hit! I think all us girls can agree that most of the time it’s hard to find the perfect mini skirt to wear out on the town for the night or just for a more casual look. Dress up or down, Mini’s by Mary are sure to be your perfect fit!
Love,
Mary