Company Blog Page Louise Chabros and Umbrella Creations Inc.
January 31, 2009: Wow, it's hard to believe the first ten years of the new millennium have already past. 2009 was a year of change for Umbrella Creations. In March I was elected as president of a local non-profit Victoria A.M. Association . I have indeed learned much both about the association but also how to apply some of the principles I am learning into my business. In September after spending the summer in the United Kingdom, I also took on working for a new media solutions company ENS Corporate. Keep checking back for changes at Umbrella Creations, as I have a video about the history of the handkerchief and the hanky gift card created. Wishing you all a Very Happy New Year and prosperous 2010.
June 20,2008 Yesterday while out for a walk I happened across the beginning of the cross Canada Walk for Justice. I was moved by the entire event and after hearing organizer Bernie Williams speak I presented her with Embracing Hope as a symbol of my love and support for the awareness they are creating in memory of the 3000 missing or slain women between Prince George and Prince Rupert. Seeing this picture this morning with Embracing Hope on her ceremonial cape filled me with honour and pride. Bernie I wish you and your fellow walkers all the best of luck on this 15 week journey.
June 5, 2008 It was a pleasure to see old friends and make new friends at this year's Stationery Show in New York city. Things continue to be busy between new customers and up dating the website. Please keep checking back as changes will be going on over next few weeks. Also please visit www.paralelles.com to read the profile article that was done on Umbrella Creations.
May 18, 2008 Umbrella Creations is pleased to launch the following new lines at the National Stationery Show in New York City today; Entered in the Best New Product Display is Mazel Tov. Also making first appearance on the world stage is the full Bridal Line with hankies for all involved in the wedding, and an additional line of cards for Hanky Whisper and Hanky Flirtation that all use wonderful handkerchiefs that are made and embroidered in India for Umbrella Creations. Please stop by booth 3368 to see these wonderful new additions to the company.
April 30, 2008 Thanks to Pete Friesen at Edit New for the fabulous redesign of website. I am thrilled. Feedback has been very positive. Stayed tuned for further changes as this year's new product lines come on-line.
April 29, 2008 Well it has been awhile since last update. Audition went well and feel I am just waiting for call from producers to let me know date to show up in Toronto to face the Dragon's.
April 20, 2008 Well tomorrow is my big day. They say timing is everything and that proves so true again with this business. My hankies from India all 20 new embroideries arrived on Friday and they are wonderful!! Just in time for the audition, they will be what I demonstrate the product with. Thank you Sophia!!!
April 14, 2008 One week to audition. The support and encouragement that I have received from family, friends, and business associates has been phenomenal. My hankies from India should be arriving any day. Sophia is thrilled that they will being taken to the audition.
April 4, 2008 Louise will be auditioning in Victoria at Royal Roads University April 21, 2008 to be on the Canadian Television show Dragon's Den.
Umbrella Creations will be returning to the National Stationery Show Booth 3368 Check back to the website regularly as updates will be being posted regularly. Many exciting things that are just on the edge. Year 2006 Umbrella Creations introduces the Swanky Hanky Bonnet, Year 2007 Umbrella Creations introduces Embracing Hope, Year 2008 stay tuned ??????
Umbrella Creations and I will be returning to New York City in May of 2008 for our 3rd consecutive appearance at the National Stationery Show.
In October 2004 while visiting family in Victoria, British Columbia, Louise Chabros was shown by her sister Teddii how to magically transform a vintage hanky into a baby bonnet. This wonderful bonnet will one day become the "something old or something blue" for a bride to carry down the aisle on her wedding day. This teaching has gone on to have a profound impact on Louise and in turn has led to the company now known as Umbrella Creations Inc.
From the beginning while hand stitching these tiny works of art into bonnets, thoughts of the babies who will wear the bonnets have preoccupied Louise. Will the baby be a girl, boy, red head, blonde, green-eyed, blue-eyed, healthy or sick? Those questions still arise as Louise hand crafts the vintage handkerchiefs into the Swanky Hanky Bonnets.
The Swanky Hanky Bonnet was introduced on the world stage in New York in 2006, at the 60th Annual National Stationery Show. Also introduced were Louise’s nostalgic lines of vintage Hanky Gift Cards, the Hanky Whisper and Hanky Flirtation. At the Stationery Show in New York it quickly became apparent that new handkerchiefs would be required to fill the growing market demand.
Side Street Studio
Feb 2006
Window Display Shabby Tiques
Victoria BC
Teddii Schmit and Louise Chabros first appearance for Umbrella Creations at the National Stationery Show in New York City, May 2006
Gift Shop magazine: Trending Up Aug 2006 from National Stationery Show New York May 2006
Gone Shopping Find of the Week
Kitchener Ontario
May 2006
Teddii and Louise
Blethering Place Collector Car Festival
Aug 2006
Umbrella Creations was at New York in May 2007 and the 61st National Stationery Show, where Louise Chabros officially launched its own line of high quality new embroidered Hanky Gift Cards.The first of the line has been accepted as an entry for the esteemed Best New Product Display and is entitled Embracing Hope.This innovative new design captures an emotion that Louise believes the world is ready to welcome. Umbrella Creations introduced a total of five designs in New York this year. These new embroideries, exclusively created in Ireland for Umbrella Creations, seem to come to life as the light captures the different colours used in each design.
Louise’s product lines have grown to such an extent that Umbrella Creations now offers a full colour ten page catalogue. Umbrella Creations, tailors a Hanky Gift Card to fit all needs, be it for the small gift shop owner, who wants the uniqueness of the vintage product line where no two hankies are the same, the national retailer who will select from the new line ofembroidered hankies, or the corporate and non-profit association. Each hanky gift card includes a vintage graphic, either a new embroidered or vintage hanky, a symbolic pin, and an original poem to fit the occasion or sentiment. Traditions of the handkerchief, greeting card and hanky gift card are detailed on the back of card.
Also this year Umbrella Creations is introducing the Parasol to its product line. In these times of growing concerns about the damaging effects of the sun, many women want to protect themselves while still remaining fashion conscious. Louise spent last summer watching this trend of growing numbers of women walking with rain umbrellas to protect themselves on sunny days. Seeing a need in the marketplace for a more fashionable protection, Umbrella Creations has imported a Battenberg Lace Parasol which is currently available in four colours.
With its corporate office located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Umbrella Creations sells all product lines throughout North America, and through its online wholesale store at www.umbrellacreations.com Louise is also looking forward to expanding to the United Kingdom and other world markets in the coming year.
