MIR Recap....

By every account I’ve heard, MIR was the smash hit everyone wanted it to be. I know the pressure these guys were under….the whole world expecting the best and ready to pounce on anything less. It lived up!! More importantly, the message is clear……if you didn’t go, you missed something special. You’ll be there next year to make it even bigger…I have no doubt. Rubbermen from all over the US owe the organizers a debt. Without all the hard work they put in we’d still be lagging behind the world as rubbermen. I don’t see how anyone can complain about the price of a package either. This money is nothing compared to the opportunity you have to participate with the best rubber guys in the US and beyond.

From the biz perspective, DDR had another good outing. I confess it wasn’t our best effort. It was the best it could be given the obstacles that came up and that’s good enough. Each event and each passing month brings us another step forward toward our goals. This is the first event we got to showcase our custom work. Nick you made that baseball suit look sooooo good. It looked that good in my dreams, so it’s no wonder I couldn’t take my eyes off you ;-) Two of the Bio-hazard suits, the Carrara Designs suit, and the two sailor suits came out of our shop also.

We did have one nagging failure. Mule was so kind to us and provided the monogram M&Ms for the event. How many times over the preceding three weeks I opened the fridge to see them, taunting me. I resisted, “These are for our customers and friends, I mustn’t eat them.” Alas, with an inventory of 5lbs you only ate half. Forced, we brought the leftovers home with us to NC. So it’s with great sorrow I must inform you, they won’t make it to MAL in January. With such limited demand for a freebie, we must now devour them so as not to incur any inventory taxes. Perhaps our whole marketing plan is in jeopardy now…..I thought the chocolate high was why you bought our gear?

Live and learn? The week before and thru the weekend we managed to learn some valuable lessons. From a spectator view they may seem trivial, but we live this everyday so it’s a big deal. By MAL the behind the scenes stuff will be completely overhauled to put what we now know to use. It was a stressful weekend for me, personally and professionally. There’s no road map for a venture like this, maybe a few iconic role models but nothing at Barnes&Noble in the “How to” department. We certainly make mistakes from time to time, but the thing I’m most proud of is the way we can work thru conflict.

It is important to me to say “Thank You.” To the organizers, friends, customers, and all the special people that allow us to continue on this path. Community is important. Rubberworld is one I love living in.

Bodisama

J

I haven't put up much new stuff lately so here's a tease. It is my effort to create a hood in full latex that looks futuristic. For now, we are calling it the Cyborg hood. The teaser pic shows some of the intricate circuitry pattern. I'm really having fun with this one because it gives me a chance to create a look that I personally like and chart new territory for the rubber world. I'd show you more but in truth I'm still working out additional options. This hood will be available in a number of configurations and on sale at MIR, Nov 6-8. Just a little proof to back up one of my claims......

"If you come to MIR this year, you are gonna see things in rubber you've never seen before."

And yeah, I'm saving a surprise or two ;-)

Bodisama
J

Next Stop MIR2010

Time to turn our attention to MIR2010, Nov. 6-8, in Chicago. I can't wait and yet I know we'll be out of time to prepare long before we get everything ready. The complexities of prepping for the biggest show yet, doing R&D on new projects, and filling orders is more than enough to fill our days....and nights. All worth it however. So many things are coming together with the product line combined with progress behind the scenes.

We will soon have a production area that can accommodate several projects simultaneously. This will be in addition to a separate R&D project space. As with everything before this is done with an eye way into the future. When it comes to creativity and advancing this art we are starting to lead. How many rubber makers have a UV filtered workspace? How many know they need one? Feel free to ask us...

I have to thank all the people who have come to us with questions that start with "Can you..." No doubt you are driving the biz where you want it to go. And why not? Too many places are good at teaching you to accept what's between the lines. We have products like no one else because of you. Someday the pack will be following the new leader and eating a smaller piece of the pie :D

Make your plans for MIR, you don't want to miss this year!

Bodisama
J

Assorted......

MSER is behind us now. Who would have thought the turn out would be so good. The guys put on a great event. Beginning to end it came off without a hitch. Def one of the friendliest groups I've ever seen. The Atlanta Eagle was a great venue. Perfect atmo. For all the people who came out to see us....THANK YOU.

From here to November, we will be concentrating on orders and building up inventory. MIR 2010 will be Nov. 6-8 in Chicago, IL and we will be there in the vendor mart. It's gonna be serious work getting ready for this. It will be the biggest showing we've ever done. New products and lots of custom stuff. We already have several custom suits lined up to be done for this event. Got a couple new designs to debut there too.

More of our work will be on display and on bodies than ever before. If you already have our gear, stay tuned....I have a surprise for you ;-)

This is the most excited I've seen people in a long time. I'm right there with you.

Bodisama

J

MSER - This weekend!!

It's already here. Rubber guys from several states are gathering this weekend at the Atlanta Eagle. Finally, a rubber event in the south. We will be there with our gear, including a few new items. We will also be taking measurements for custom orders.

Credit goes to Nitro for putting all this together. He's put a lot of work into this and it's gonna show. The prize package and raffle items are remarkable. This is headed towards being one of the best regional events in the nation. If you don't go, you're gonna regret it ;-) Just wait till you see the pics!!

The beginning of accoutability?

Recently the Executive Committee of International Mr. Leather released the following policy change;

"...International Mr. Leather has decided that it will no longer allow participation in the IML Leather Market by any entity which promotes barebacking or distributes/sells any merchandise tending to promote or advocate barebacking. This restriction will also apply to the distribution of gifts, post cards or any other information via our facilities."


It's about time. Time for the community to take responsibility for the message we are sending to the youth and the world in general. A better approach is to promote personal accountability. Whether it's sex or any other aspect of social interactions, we are men. Time to act like it.

Shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who knows us, but for the record. DEVIL DOG RUBBER supports the policy and has no intention of promoting irresponsibility in any form.

We are in the latex biz. For folks just coming to the accountability table, we can help. Wrapping you in a much latex as possible will assist you in conforming to the new policy. It's our mission. We can offer a complete consultation, compliance, and equipment fulfillment service. Your one stop source.

Bodisama
J

Mr. Southeast Rubber

We will be in Atlanta, Ga for Mr. Southeast Rubber on August 28-30. This is about as close as a home event gets for us so it's especially nice to be invited to show off our gear. We will be set up on Saturday from 12-8pm. The Atlanta Eagle should be filled with horny rubber guys :) Lots of eye candy at the very least.

A couple words about this event. Unlike bigger only for profit and self interest events, this is organized to do some good as well as provide a venue for rubbered southern boys to have fun.

This is shaping up to be the best year yet for rubberist across America. Events are gonna be packed leading up to the biggest best MIR ever in November. Make your plans now before it's too late.

More event dates will be posted as we firm up our plans.


Bodisama
J