New Products - Opinions?

Please let me know if these items are actually new creations. I have not been around as long as everyone else ...so I just want to be certain. I am open to constructive ideas/questions/feedback.

I have a lot to post - so I will plug the pictures as I go per post/item.

Thank you!
Kimberly

The top of this has already been modified to add a slight different shape (plateau) near the tab to allow fro 4 reinforced tabs instead of one tab. The bottom pouch was also increased in size.

That's quite large, huh? So - do I need to edit before "hosting"? I checked the option to shrink it...but I don't know that it worked. I could potentially just have massive images? Anywho - will take any advice on that too. I still need to post a few more individual items and a LOT of pics from a customizable snapset that I have. I just don't want to overwhelm the site with HUGE pics. Let me know please. LOL

Pics are a fine size from my side.
I think that this one is very cute. Have you tried it in your cage? How did your gliders respond to it? What about your testers? What did their gliders have to say?
Do they sleep in it or just play on it (not asking about the concept, asking about how it was actually used by the gliders).

I can't tell you how much I appreciate vendors who do this sort of checking and asking for feedback before selling an item. Kudos!

Oh good! I am glad the pics work and are not massive like on my side. So, on a posting note - should I have a post per item or just put them all here?

For your questions: I have tried this design in my cages and I learned a lot fast. It is also in 2 other cages (with the original design) being tested outside of my home (in addition to me rotating mine in my several cages). My gliders enjoyed it but they used the top more as a swing/eating perch. With that said - I felt I needed more room/clearance from the roof of the cage to the peak of the top. So, I changed the design to have longer support giving more head room on top. I also noticed there was seam pressure on the four top pieces. Nothing broke, etc but it is a heavy product.

SO, in the process of making the hanging piece longer - I change the top to include 4 tabs spread out to the pressure points. I know this reduces the "swing factor" but it needed to happen for the product to have integrity long term. I then doubled the tabs in thickness, length, and also triple reinforced them both on the tabs themselves and on the seam to close them inside the material. SO, then I needed to deal with the seam pressure. On the next top that I made - I put an additional layer of fleece to reinforce those areas. So, now it's much thicker and holds up much better. I also changed the material that I fill that area with to a much lighter material so that everything weighs less and pulls less. I was also over stuffing the first one to get the right shape. I don't need to do this any longer with the more firm and lighter material. That is a newer change and I am interested now to see how it does in the washing machine. Which I will find out about tomorrow more than likely, WISH ME LUCK! If it doesn't fair well, I have a 3rd option that is lighter, easier to wash, but not as 'firm' to retain shape - so I would likely need to put some interfacing etc on there if I go that route - OR build in a boxed fleece support and change where the weight is distributed. I have a back up plan here. Product will look identical...but have a different weight distribution if I have it figured up right in my mind.

The last change I decided to make to the top was to add a hidden pouch so that the top had more "functional use". That is something I am working on today. The pouch will be inside the top piece and the filler will be reinforcing the sides and the shape. This is one reason I said I need to see how it does in the wash and figure out which material will support the pouch (which is essentially an empty pocket in your design). Other than the bucket pouch being expanded a bit to match the size of the top - that's about it.

Any thoughts?

I think you are overthinking it.

I NEVER in a million years expected you to say that Val. Gosh dang it. HA HA HA!!!

Someone at one time was making a hot air balloon style toy- can't recall who or if it's still available. I'm thinking theirs was with the plastic mesh for the basket part.

Cute toy though :)

There is a hot air balloon made by another vendor too but it's flat and a lot different. I will get those posted too.

Here is a VERY rough draft of my hot air balloon thingy. Basically, there is a sleeping pouch in the top inside the balloon (which I plan to reinforce...although I bet they would like it squeezy like. The rest of the balloon is closed but there are snaps placed around the balloon (hidden behind the snaps that hold the braids) so that you can add toys and bling that I also have. There are the 4 rope braids that snap in to the balloon and c link onto the bottom fleece "basket". I have toys dangled off the bottom but I don't think you can see that well. I am toying with the idea of adding a very small nesting vine in the colors/shape of fire coming out of the bottom of the balloon. I need to refine the design a bit but it's pretty close. Oh and sorry for the bad pics...I only had a darkish room and a cell phone camera available at the time.

Thoughts?

On the plastic snaps- I wonder if there is something else you could use? Not a safety issue- a chewer issue. My gliders will chew everything and anything plastic (especially when it's something unique to them), so the snaps probably wouldn't last long for chewers. Just something to think about.

What will keep the gliders up inside the top of the hot air balloon?

Definitely another option for snaps. I actually toyed with the idea of putting tabs on the seams where the snaps are - or putting the tabs in the bottom ...where the basket hangs from and just have it anchor there. So, tabs are DEFINITELY an option and probably even a little easier for me because I wanted to place the snaps after I had the shape...and it was no fun angling that tool and the tiny little snaps vs the bunched up fabric.

For the pouch at the top, it's a standard boxed pouch, double layered with the thickest fleece I could find. I made it long enough to where it stops at the neck of the balloon. So, they have no where else to go inside the balloon. The tabs while it's hanging also hold the top up...which is sewn into the pouch so it stays up. I put a 5lb weight in that pouch to see if it would hold and it did.

Let me know if you have any thoughts/questions/ideas - I am thankful that you all are helpful!

Is it stuffed with fleece or something else?
Cute idea!

Hey Brenda,

The hot air balloon? That one is stabilized inside with fleece and the round part is filled with polyester batting.

Kimberly

I get lost with all the technical jargin, but then I'm no seamstress. I had to post a reply though because I love, love, love your hot air balloon, as is!!! Me is starting to think of a possible accidental landing of one of those "hot air balloons" in the Enchanted Woods.

LOL!! Thank you SO much! I love it too. I can't wait until it's finalized and ready to go!