Big News!

Well, my last post was in April, this blog was started as a way of sharing information with my customers. As my business is growing, so is my need to share some news with you all! I am super excited! Our website is now OFFICIALLY live! YES!

The new website came to be as I am always trying to figure out a way to make it easier for my customers when it comes to ordering, especially with the softball and baseball products. Since pricing varies depending on the detail of the product rather than just a set price it makes it easier for a consumer to say, "YES that is what I want!" I do not want it to be confusing or overbearing or difficult to order from Ape's Hair Doohickys. That being said, there WILL be times that some customers may want to order something that is not listed in the shop, if you are one of those customers never EVER hesitate to contact me! I am always happy to work with my customers and produce a one of a kind and amazing product that you or your loved one will enjoy for years to come!

Now, this post will be full of new news, next on the list, WEDDING GEEKERY!
Ah yes, wedding season is upon us. I know there are many themed weddings now a days and I am guilty myself of a dream themed wedding. That being said, I am now offering ring bearer pillows, garters and slowly but surely several other potentially geekery themed items for custom order. I am currently in the works for some geekery themed embroidered ties, talk about a perfect accessory for the men in the wedding party!? The website is not in full swing just yet, it is a premature release to help those who need to order baseballs and softballs. However when it is totally complete I hope to have information for baby blankets, quilts, and much much more that we offer. In the mean time, as always feel free to contact me if you have a request.

Next line of big news, I have applied for the Amazon Handmade Marketplace! It is in the early stages of planning but if our application goes through it will be a huge gateway for us! SUPER EXCITED! I should hear from Amazon in the next month or so.

For anyone who has been following my business since it was only one rather than 2, it is that time of year again, during the summer months I await the release of this year's Ga National Fair competition flyers. I am doing the waiting right now, however it is pretty much the same every year as far as categories and almost everything is due in early to mid September which means I work my tail off for months getting my items ready for the judges. I also work very hard this time of year to make an inventory for the Ga National Fair's Ga Living Store, it is a consignment shop in the fair for those who participate in the competitions. All handmade, all amazing. Also all due early to mid September lol. So this time of year does get busy. I am however still available same as always for questions, orders and anything you may need.


Thank you for visiting our blog, supporting us as we grow and supporting Small Business!
---Ape

Customized Baseballs, you asked, I shall tell

Over the course of the last week or so I have been asked many questions about the embroidered baseballs and softballs I am now offering in my shop. This blog post will serve as a Q&A style answer forum for some of those questions, as well as the process that goes into making the balls.

Q: What kind of balls do you use?

A: I try to post this with the ads especially on Facebook. With baseballs I use ONLY Rawlings Official Recreational Baseballs, they have a cork and rubber core with a synthetic leather cover. I can use official League balls as well upon request but they are slightly more expensive and cause more wear on the machine, making them more expensive. For softballs, I use only WORTH brand balls, I do allow for requests on flat OR raised seams, though currently I have raised seams in stock. The Worth balls are also Official Recreational Game Balls, with a cork core and synthetic leather outer cover. 

Q: How do you customize the balls? 

A: I take the balls apart, I will post a photo of what the balls look like through the process below, I carefully unlace the balls, marking them so when they are taken apart they can be put back exactly the way they were taken apart. Next, I remove the writing from the balls so it does not interfere with the finished designs. After the writing has been removed and I have a blank canvas, I have to plan the design for the ball in my software, sometimes this can take a couple of hours, depending on what needs to go on the ball and how detailed the work is. In some cases I have to hire a digitizer to make logos that will fit the small space of the balls. Once the design is planned and set, I embroider the ball one quarter panel at a time, once the embroidery is complete I use 12 strand embroidery floss and 2 curved needles to sew the baseball back together, somehow the same but very different. Each ball becomes one of a kind in it's own right. 

Left: Original Ball
Right: After removing lacing

Left: original Ball
Right: After removing Lacing AND Lettering

Q: How long does it take to make a ball?

A: the entire process varies, depending on what is embroidered on the ball, how dense the embroidery is, etc, it generally takes about 2-3 hours start to finish, not including excess software work. 

Q: How long do you need to make a set of balls for the team and coaches?

A: Generally 2-3 weeks is the length of time for any order OVER 9 balls. I hand stitch EACH ball back together myself, and can only do so many a day. If you would like to place an order for team gifts, awards etc, please be sure NOT to wait until the last minute, I cannot provide 24-48 hour rushes on team orders, I do have a 7 day rush order for 10-15 balls. That rush is $50 extra. 

Q: Why do you charge extra for additional icons on the ball?

A: Each quarter panel is done separately, each ball when purchased, fits exactly together, there is a certain amount of "shrinkage" when the ball is stitched which calls for a lot of physical stretching and pulling to get the ball back together. The denser the stitching the harder the ball is to put back together. Also, the more stitching the more work my machine does, some designs have over 15,000 stitches. Seems like a lot for such a small space huh? Most embroiderers charge a general $1 per thousand stitches, I usually only charge $5 per quarter panel. This does vary depending on detail, whether I have to have a digitizer make your specific design for you.

Q: Do you offer discounts?

A: Yes. I offer team discounts, if you are ordering MORE than 9 balls, you receive a discount of $5 off per ball. For team orders, I also allow for a little extra on your ball, as I know, you may want your players position, team name, logo etc on your ball you do get the option of a free quarter panel. Free quarter panels are only available for team purchases.

Q: What occasions can you make a ball for?

A: ANY! yes, almost literally, retired, military, cancer survivors, disease awareness, autism awareness, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Wedding party gifts, Wedding Announcement, Engagement, Proposal, Angel babies, New Baby, Gender Reveal, Birth Announcement, Birthday Gifts, Team Mom Appreciation, Coach Appreciation, MVP, Adult Leagues, Little Leagues, House Warming, Going to Disney Surprise, Teacher Gift, the options are truly endless. 

Q: Do you offer protective display cases?

A: YES. There is a listing in the Storenvy shop for 5 year UV protective Clear cube Display cases. The cases are an add on option with an additional fee. Cases only fit baseballs, I am working on finding cases or display stands for softballs as well. 

You are welcome to submit some questions of your own. I am happy to answer any question that is unanswered here :)

Thanks for your interest in our products, God Bless!