Blast Off Designer Mathew, Rockin His Tee!

Isabella Rockin Her Peace Design!

No Homework in the News

My friend Sam was looking through her local newspaper, The West Essex Tribune in Livingston, New Jersey, and came across this shot of a first grader rockin the No Homework tee at her local library. You can say no to homework and say YES to reading!!! Cool.

Vote For Peace!!!

I received this great message of PEACE not too long ago from Isabella's mom. Isabella is the designer of the PEACE tee. Turns out she made up some small flyers and passed them around the neighborhood to get votes for her tee. I thought this was pretty amazing. All her campaigning paid off. Not only did Isabella win the design contest, but already her design is going to be sold in three stores throughout the US and counting. Looks like she's not the only one who wants to spread the message of PEACE. Way to go Isabella!

Blast Off! by Mathew Hogan

Mathew Hogan, age 9, is a long time fan of verymeri. He had this to say about verymeri and being a part of the verymeri design contest.

“Cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
I thought as I heard Meri was going to start a t-shirt company but at the same time I felt sad. Meri was a teacher at my school for a long time and was a great teacher. I became a part of the contest at a bazaar at my school. Meri was there selling tees and she had papers that you could fill out. I filled out two. Obviously one of the two was in the contest. I am a huge fan of Verymeri for two main reasons. The first reason is I know Meri. Secondly, I like it because just thinking about kids making t-shirts makes me happy. To receive votes my dad e-mailed friends and family asking for them to vote. I think I thought of my idea because in school we were studying space.
And that’s all folks.

Woof! By Maddie Forbes

Check out this interview with Woof! designer Maddie Forbes.

1. Where did you first see verymeri tees?
My best friend, Chloe has a few.
2. What did you think when you saw the tees and learned they were designed by kids?
I thought it was such an original idea and immediately wanted to enter a contest.
3. How did you come up with the idea for your design?
I love dogs and have always drawn them.
4. How did you feel when you saw your tee in the design contest?
I was so excited, thinking that my design could become the winning t-shirt.
5. What other designs did you like in the contest?
Oink! by Chloe, Peace by Isabella and Move To The Beat by Dani.
6. What were your thoughts and feelings when you found out your tee got the most votes?
I couldn't believe it! I was really anxious to find out the results and when I found out that I had won, I was SO happy!
7. Do you have any advice for other kids who are thinking of entering the verymeri tee design contest?
Start drawing and your design will come to you. Have fun with your design and tell all your friends to vote.
8. What do you want to do when you grow up?
I want to be an artist.
9. What do you like most about verymeri tees?
They're simple and stylish. It's amazing how talented kids are!

Here's what Maddie's Mom and Dad have to say:

1. What has your experience been like with the design contest?
I was asked to recruit voters. And was excited waiting for the contest results.
2. How did you feel when you learned your child had received the most votes for the design contest?
Really happy for my daughter, and very proud of her.
3. What do you like most about verymeri?
I love that the tees are all designed by kids and that it's very democratic in choosing the winner.

PEACE by Isabella Garvey

Isabella, age 7, is one of three contest winners. Her PEACE design knocked our socks off! Read on to hear what Isabella has to say about verymeri on the design contest.

I saw the Kindergarten Rocks t shirt when I started Kindergarten and my mom bought it for me. Then I saw the Far Out One, and The Super Jew one, and I got those two. I also got the no homework shirt, 2 of our school shirts, and a camp shirt from verymeri. I really liked the shirts. I heard that kids made them and I thought that was cool. I love to draw, but I didn’t know I could do one. When I was at the Hanukah Bazaar at my school, they were selling verymeri shirts, and they let the kids draw some while our moms were shopping. I drew a bunch of them. Then my mom bought me the Go Green One. I didn’t think about winning at all. When I found out I was in the contest I was sooooo excited. My mom told me that they chose my peace design out of lots of others and people now had to vote. I love drawing peace signs!

I started telling everyone I knew to vote. I had my mom call and email her friends and my friends’ parents, and I had my “bubby” email the whole family, here and in NY & NJ. I made little note and gave them out to people in my neighborhood. I even knocked on neighbors doors. I made my mom tell people everywhere and my dad told some clients. And then I forgot about it because my mom said that we wouldn’t know for another month! Oh, and I prayed.

On Thursday my mom asked me to guess about something that happened that I would be excited about. I couldn’t guess that I won, because the contest was so long ago. Then she said, what did you ask everyone you knew to do? When I realized I won, I screamed! I wanted to tell everyone, my neighbors, and friends. Mom wouldn’t let me go next door until I got home. I can’t wait to see my t shirt. I want to win again, and make lots of money and become a famous drawer.

Winter 2007 Contest Winners!