A Charlottetown jewelry-maker is getting ready to ship the first of her glass confections to the Canada pavilion at Disney's Epcot Center in Florida.
'Even to be a tiny little speck in the Disney network is a great thing.' — B.J. Sandiford
Happy Glass creator B.J. Sandiford made the Disney sale during an Atlantic Canada trade mission to Florida in November.
"There were 12 or 14 of us around the table and we showed the product," said Sandiford.
Disney chose three of the eight designs Sandiford presented.
(Steve Stapleton/CBC)
"When they came around and saw Happy Glass ... they got lit up because it fit their specific niche, exactly what they needed. They were happy, and I'm really happy. It's a real thrill. I mean, Disney's huge and so even to be a tiny little speck in the Disney network is a great thing."
Sandiford has been making her jewelry out of a small workshop in downtown Charlottetown for just a few years. Even with the Disney order, she and a few assistants make all the jewelry themselves by hand.
Before the trade mission all of Sandiford's business was in Atlantic Canada, supplying 33 stores in the region.
B.J. Sandiford said the trade mission was a step outside of her comfort zone.
(Steve Stapleton/CBC)
Selling to Disney is a big step, but only part of the success Happy Glass has had in Florida. Not long after the getting back from Florida, she signed a contract to sell jewelry through the retailer Fresh Produce, which designs and sells clothing from 10 stores in Florida.
"I never would have pushed myself beyond the comfort zone of wholesaling to Atlantic Canada if I hadn't gone on the trade mission," said Sandiford.
"The trade mission itself was a huge leap beyond my comfort zone. Yeah. But it led to doing business with Disney and to doing business with Fresh Produce. I wouldn't have pushed myself. I wouldn't even have considered exporting to the States as a possibility."
The first shipment to Fresh Produce went out a few weeks ago. The first of two to Disney goes Monday.
If it sells well, both say they'll order more.
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