And, naturally who knows this more so, then ‘simpatico’ artistic friends. Those acquainted with the unique and delicate balance of art and commerce, friends such as these are the ones to turn to. Lehane is fortunate to have a circle of similar-minded friends that can manage challenges that pop up when pursuing creative paths.
Lehane often finds herself with more ideas than cash, and when this is the case she turns to friends like Richard Shiu and now to Kickstarter.
Lehane’s experience in retail and eye for textiles and fabrics inspired her to make something for the canine demographic. “Mon Bébé plush toys is the result of my friendship with Richard and his partner George Freeman. They own a local pet supply boutique on Castro Street,” she said.
“Richard and I met when we both worked in the visual department of The Emporium on Market Street,” she explained. “After the Emporium closed, Richard and George opened their store, ‘Best in Show’ in the heart of the City’s Castro District.”
Visiting with Lehane and husband, author Larry Levy in San Francisco’s Sunset District, is like coming home to a little bit of Vogue and Better Homes & Gardens Magazine with a hint of Julia Child, all in one. Their two-bedroom house ‘out-in-the-Avenues’ as a native would say, is a wealth of ideas and expressions making every visitor feel welcome and at ease.
Recollecting about those days at The Emporium Lehane has lots of happy memories. “Those were among the best days of my career, she said. I got the chance to work at putting all of my creative talents to work and it was so much fun. It was one of those types of jobs were each day you look forward to it.”
Unfortunately, just as her dream job was taking her to new heights, The Emporium, a century’s old retail landmark in the San Francisco Bay Area, closed. The flagship store on Market Street with its elegant dome, which rivaled that of the legendary City of Paris department store was later torn down. Fortunately for San Francisco both domes of the two longstanding department store giants were saved. Neiman Marcus which bought out City of Paris and The Westfield Group which took over The Emporium’s flagship, used the iconic domes as centerpieces for their newly constructed stores.
The closing of The Emporium was the end of an era, especially for local big retail in the San Francisco region. “It was sad to leave and to see all of that go,” Lehane said. But she kept in contact with some of her coworkers and associates, like Shiu.
Reconnecting with him via social media, the two have continued to stay in touch and searched for creative projects to develop together. “Always brainstorming, said Lehane, we began to think of ideas to sell at the wholesale level to other pet supply stores.”
“The response we have gotten from pet store owners has been good, said Shiu. And most of all from dogs themselves,” he added. Toys are not so much a luxury but a necessity for dogs, according to the U.S. Humane Society. And, when a dog is left alone for any length of time it is important that the rover is not bored. A toy is also a comfort to a dog.
Even with its current issues about housing and high rents, according to the Baltimore Post-Examiner, San Francisco is still a dog-loving city.
This fact, Lehane sees daily as she and husband Larry live not far from Golden Gate Park. Even though Lehane now works as a fitness instructor/coordinator, her artistic intuitiveness and instincts of retail have not diminished over the years. “I lived in London on my own for over a year when I graduated from college, she said. And, that taught me a lot.”
Frugal when needed but always savvy on style, Lehane understands the ebb and flow of the artist. “Sometimes the best creative flow happens when obstacles crop up,” she said. Yet even when a starving artist makes ramen noodles and peanut butter a staple to help save money to pay bills, “you still need friends and family,” Lehane said. Kickstarter was the best approach. The goal is $12,000, with 16 backers so far.
Soft but highly detailed and well constructed the toys Lehane and Shiu have produced are designed just for canines. They have a squeak to make them even more appealing. Created with the Joie de vivre of Parisian life in mind the Mon Bébé plush toy characters are: Gaston Horse, Chloé Cat and Jacquí Bunny.
Deadline for Mon Bébé on Kickstarter is October 31. For more info visit the Mon Bébé plush toys for dogs page on Kickstarter
