When I was a boy, my father used to criticize me for - it's hard to translate - I guess you could say 'mindless time.' Thinking what to do. I need to be bored so I can be pushed into doing something.
Other people might buy a Rolls-Royce. I'd rather encourage people to be creative.
California starts a lot of trends.
Most fads get jump starts because of the media.
Lack of money is no obstacle. Lack of an idea is an obstacle.
Contrary to what most people believe, fads are made, not born.
Fads are born to die.
It's crazy to go into manufacturing. That's not where the money is.
Fads get hot in California. A good idea can come from Des Moines, but it's not going to be anything there. Then it'll hit Venice Beach or Westwood and go all around the country, back to Des Moines.
I wouldn't finance a fad if I were a banker.
People always ask me how I got interested in the Shakers, but I have no clear-cut answer.
People came to my house in limos looking for WallWalkers, and they made emergency calls, breaking into our phone conversations trying to order them.
America is just a cool place.
I think what you inherit is not real. I haven't inherited anything. What I have is really mine because I made it myself.
You never know where you're going to get inspiration.
Everyone underestimates the maturity of kids.
To me, all these things tell a story, and I find clothespin parts as interesting as 'collectors' furniture.' Good pieces of Shaker furniture are interesting, but only so much. It is the other things and the personal effects that let me feel the Shakers.
A fad is something that gives just a couple of minutes of extreme fun. It can be useful. It can be useless.
Whatever you do, don't sink your life's savings into cliche items.
The product of stickers will be around for a long time, but how it gets to the consumer will change.