how

Stage 1 - Inspiration

Often we look at shapes and materials in stock - then think about what is missing from the Acrorats cages - no need to keep re-inventing the same things - but ideas either come like an avalanche, or they dry up completely. You can't invent something if you are just not inspired.

So ....... When I found a new material shop - in Gloucester, I decided to pop in. - it was filled from the floor to the ceiling with every type of material I had ever seen from fleece to Chinese silks - talk about a place for inspiration - walking into a shop like that allows the imagination to work overtime! You may think I have finally lost the plot but I guess it is a bit like being an alcoholic and finding there is a whiskey distillery open half a mile away!

Stage 2 - The Drawing Board

So home I came with 5 new materials - 2 fleeces, 2 suedettes and a beautiful thick Christmas cotton - I may have spent 3 times as much as I had intended to, but I was "drunk" with ideas - so I grabbed a notepad and started to draw ..... 8 new products were initially drawn - although I knew they would not all make it into production

Stage 3 - Choosing materials and cutting out various sizes

Once I have decided on the design I want to use, I then have to work out which materials and what sizes I need to cut out. Here I have cut out templates and am ready to stitch them together to come up with something that resembles my initial drawing. There is still plenty of scope to alter the design.

Stage 4 - Sewing up the prototype

This is where my trusty 1950's Industrial sewing machine comes in handy - I get everything ready and stitch the first prototype ....

Stage 5 - approve or reject?

The Rat Cave on the left was rejected after it had been made up. There was not enough support in the opening. When I trialled it with the Acrorat Testers they soon piled on the top and forgot that they were supposed to go inside. You see, once they flattened the opening they were less inclined to go in.

Also it has to be a standard size to fit most of the popular rat cages on the market. This prototype was 2cm too short and the pattern had to be altered.

Back to the drawing board .......

Stage 6 - Try again

After re-thinking the Rat Cave the initial pattern was "tweaked" and the original problems overcome. The overall design was altered to allow less sag on the opening and a more rigid frame. The size was altered to allow for possible shrinkage when washed - it MUST fit the cage sizes that I work to even after lots of hot washes.

If the product is still not up to scratch then I will continue altering it until it is either correct or if it is just not possible then it is rejected.

When the product passes all criteria it is on to stage 7 . . . the "animal testing" stage.

Stage 7 -Animal Testing

I am pleased to say that all Acrorats products are tested on the animals they are intended for - which is normally rats. Some of the new range is made specifically for mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets and chinchillas and these products have been tested on the relevant species.

This prototype was in the cage for a week by the time this photo was taken - and although a little dirty from the heavy use by 10 extremely naughty does, it is intact (minus some of the fluffy liner - but that is to be expected).

Happy that the product does what I intended in the beginning, is safe and washable and loved by the rats I make up another batch of prototypes which are tested by other rat owners to see if their results are as good as mine.

Stage 8 - Feedback and photos

Once all feedback has been received and we are ready to produce the new line it is all hands on deck.

Hours of cutting up material to the new pattern and sewing up a small stock for the initial "rush" that every new product gets. Extras are made up so that they can go to the shows I take the trade stand to.

On to the last tricky bit ...... the photos. Maybe a hundred shots are taken of the rats using the product, sometimes in the cage, other times not. I then have to pour over the photos and select a few - this can be really time consuming.

Stage 9 - On to the next project ....

You can learn a lot and come up with new ideas as you are working on one particular item.

I could see this was such a winner with my rats, that I decided to use the same idea for some of the other small furries.

6 rats asleep in the Rat Cave - I creep up with the camera and slowly open the door - great shot .... stand back ..... focus .... oh dear it looks like they saw me coming - and Caramac is making a bid for freedom on the door.

LEFT: Rats are soooo funny - KC tries to run off while Sunshine pulls the door closed ... watch out for poor Pasta's head! How on earth am I supposed to get good shots for the site girls????

First the Hamster House/sack - not actually named yet - but Hammy is here enjoying hers - with a no-sag doorway she can find her way in and snuggle down easily.

Then it is off to update the website and tell you all about the new products as they are launched.

Thank you for taking the time to read this page - you can see now that when your lovely new hammock/pouch/Rat Cave arrives on your doorstep that there has been a lot more to making it than slapping 2 pieces of material together and stitching them up!

If you have any ORIGINAL ideas for products, why not let me see your drawings - I am always happy to look at new ideas.

Can't stop here with you today - must dash - hammocks to make, orders to pack .....

Byeeeeee

Julie Parker

Acrorats

When I first started making hammocks choosing the right materials - strong and safe - was the most difficult job I could imagine. It took a lot of searching to come up with the special webbing, rings and specially stitched callico quilted materials. Fortunately as they have proved themselves so well over the last 5 years they continue to be an integral part of the products.