Keep Pineapple Pop Alive!

~ Hi there ~ 

My name is Birdy and I run a small - well, TINY business called Pineapple Pop.  What I do is design and construct one of a kind wearable art clothing.  

I have been in this business for 10 years, now, and I have lots of other sewing experience, too.  After a 2 year break from my art sewing, I decided to give it a go again.  This is what I love more than anything in the world and I just didn't feel whole without it.  

Since I reopened my shop late last summer, I have been running into lots of troubles  while trying to keep my sewing studio afloat.  All in all, I'm having a really hard time keeping bills paid and an even harder time replenishing my materials.  As I write this, I have enough materials to make 2 or 3 more items before I have nothing left to use.  
And the rent is late.
And the car note is late.
And the phone is disconnected.
And we're out of milk, bread, and toilet paper...

I think that the momentum my shop had in the past was lost in my long break and also, a harsh winter has made it even harder than usual to sell my typical summery clothing.  (I would be making more Winter items, but the materials are more expensive and have been out of my reach this season.)

I am also signed up for a big artist showcase near the end of April ~ including my own runway fashion show(!!!) ~ and I am really worried that I simply will not have enough inventory for the event.  Oh, boy, would it be a shame to miss out on this opportunity!  

I have also been working on several tutorials on how to make the style of clothing that I create.  I base most of my designs on sets of equations that came from years of trial and error, and most folks that don't have years to spend on experimentation learn lots of the trade secrets through my instructions.  I have one currently published and available through my Etsy shop and on Craftsy, but I'd like to write several more.  Lately, though, I have been too stressed to be able to sit down and write.  I am positive that being caught up on bills will remedy this, as I love to write and teach almost as much as I love to sew! 

Anyway, any generous donations that are made to this fund will go directly toward keeping this sewing studio up and running, including:
Rent
Electricity
Sewing materials
Machine maintainence
Tools
Advertisement (minimal, yet VERY effective)
Vending fees
Cleaning supplies
Washing machine repair (I wash all materials before use ~ and the machine just started leaking ~ Oh, no!)
I'm sure there is more, but these are the main things right now.  

So, if you would like to see the kinds of work I can do, you can check out my Etsy shop at www.pineapplepophandmade.etsy.com
And my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pineapplepophandmade
There are about a million pictures of my work on my Facebook page, so you are sure to get a good idea of what I do.

Thank you all so very much for taking the time to learn about my passion.  It is so hard to ask for help, but I truly feel that I am in need right now, and any amount will certainly help.  I encourage you to follow my facebook page so you can see where all these donations are going, and have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are helping my dreams come true.

All donations $10 and up will receive a copy of my PDF dress tutorial, if you want one.  I also have a great memory, and I don't forget those that have helped me along my way.  I'm not sure exactly what I will be able to do in the future to thank y'all, but I do give back whenever I can.

Thank you!!!