Friday, July 30, 2010

Making a real difference

Every  now and then we get messages back from our customers that really make us feel it is all worthwhile.

In these times of global meltdown (even if you do not believe the pundits) it is really reassuring to know that the work we do, and the products we provide, make a real difference to the people who put their faith in Nutshell.

For example, check out this blog from a recent customer who ordered a nutshell.

As a person who has been forced through circumstance to regularly inject himself with insulin to combat diabetes, Chris was a long time Nutshell customer who found that among the product we offer are several tailored to accommodate a variety of insulin pumps.

The testimonial he has provided is unsolicited...and we are very happy to know that for him, at least, our products really have made a difference.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Nutshell Retail Preparations



These are a couple of images of the method we propose shipping our belt case products out for resale, either through distribution or direct to retail.

It is proposed that we use a strong formed cardboard box that will have an affixed printed label displaying product data; barcodes, series information, product matches and configuration.

The box is large enough to contain the most popular belt case sizes.

Additionally, we believe the most appropriate way of displaying our product to prospective retail customers is to have a couple of cases attached to plastic display stands.

This is achieved by using a shaped plastic form to which product can be attached by sliding either their belt clip or belt loop onto a 'horn' that will allow the product to 'float' above the display shelf.

These images also show the proposed Nutshell label that will be attached to the display and may become printed on the retail product box.

Obviously this method may not be practical for the Nutshell Pouch.
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Sunday, July 18, 2010

Introducing the Nutshell iPad Pouch


In this video I have attempted to give a 'first look' at the latest product from the Nutshell design team.

Those who have been following along will know that, for the past couple of months, we have been laboring to design and create a pouch for the iPad which is not just another "me too" product, and we believe we have succeeded.

This is a beautiful product. The outer leather is high quality as used in the manufacture of women's boots and the interior is a lining of plush anti-static possum hide.

The possum is a pest in New Zealand. Introduced late in the 19th Century from Australia by well meaning folk who thought it would make for a great fur trade, unfortunately their plans got a little bit out of hand. Unlike its natural environment, where over millenia plants have adapted to protect themselves from the ravages of this creature, New Zealand was pure unadulterated, virgin territory. In this country, which had known no more than the birds (there were no mammals here until man arrived), there were no natural enemies, or anything, to slow down what swiftly became a population explosion.

Today there are an estimated 70 million possum living in the New Zealand bush, and every night they consume an estimated Container ship load of vegetation, that's more than two thousand tonnes of young tips and leaves of some of the rarest tress on this planet. Every single night!

And despite the best of intentions and efforts by New Zealand's environmentalists, the numbers of possum keep on growing.

But what is unique about this creature is not only its voracious appetite. Because the possum's fur is actually a hollow fiber it has a unique anti-static, anti-magnetic property, which makes it supremely well suited to protect high end electronic devices - like the iPad and the Kindle.

Possum hide is very thin, but it also one of the strongest hides available, due to the fact that each of these hollow stem follicles grows very, very close to its neighbor.  You can maybe count the hairs on your head, but there is just no way you could count the number of follicles in even a small square of possum hide.

Suffice to say that we believe that, in this product we have created a case that looks great. It will keep your iPad safe and secure for many, many years. But almost as importantly, each product sold will go a small way toward saving New Zealand's unique natural environment from ultimate destruction.

You will soon be able to pre-order a Nutshell iPad pouch here.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

There is Always a Better Way


There is always a better way of doing things.
As this video attempts to show.

That is an almost immutable law of the univerese - no matter what you do, you can always do it better. And resting on your laurels and saying "that is good enough" is not the right response.

Historically we have been building nutshell cases with a large slab of industrial velcro holding fast the tab or the full flap.

But 'industrial' Velcro has always had its share of detractors; it is loud and not very subtle. That's been a major flaw. And over time it can adversely affect clothing; 'industrial' Velcro grabs little bits and pieces and 'worries' them incessantly. It is why we developed our shielded magnetic clasp. 

However, at long last there is a solution; Velcro has developed an 'almost' silent hook'n'loop that significantly lessens the sound, and does not pull at clothing. At all.

This little video was shot using a handheld camera...and briefly shows you what we are working with.