This week we’re featuring a guest speaker here on the Engelblog: Jan, the administrative assistant for ME Studios. Enjoy!
The year before I went to work for Mary, I was her very excited, and “biggest fan” standing in line with my ME tin at the Saint Louis Galleria, waiting for her to SIGN it. That was 1994. By 1995, Mary’s “magic” touched my life and I began to work for her. After six months on the job as receptionist, I became the administrative assistant (or “Adminnie” as they call me) at Mary Engelbreit Studios.
One of my first little “gaffes” was on my first day when Mary said, “I’m going to ‘the store.’” I thought she meant the grocery store, but, of course, she meant her OWN “Mary Engelbreit Store” which was in the Saint Louis Galleria. I laughed to (and at) myself when I realized my error, and NEVER made that mistake again.
My favorite ME product line is the “LHFF” line. The initials stand for Love, Home, Family, and Friend. To me, these four words embody Mary’s illustrations.
Here I am sitting at my desk with “The QUEEN” behind me! It took me a while to get used to her looking over my shoulder.
I like to think I was Mary’s inspiration for the greeting card image “Oh, Great & Powerful . . . ” — which is included here.
In January 2009, I semi-retired from Mary Engelbreit Studios, but work from home via phone and computer during the week, and still come into MES at least one day a week. It’s the best of both worlds and I’m having a “BREIT” time!
~Jan
LUCKY!!
HEY Jan!
Thanks for the Wonderful Day Wednesday! We had a ball in St. Louis. I think you should pose with your head under the crown for your next office picture…you truly are the “EMPRESS-US” of the office!
The Downstate Illinois Illustration Group of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
What a fun post. I love the sneak peek at the office too.
Hello Jan:
I think that you do have the best of all worlds, a great job with great people and you only have to work part time. I enjoyed the tour of the studio and will never forget it. Thank you.
Kathleen, thanks for replying to my Blog.
By the way, did you like the 12-picture “shuffle” print I sent you?
Janet
Jan,
I have to agree with the others. The first time I saw ME fabric, I was completely convinced that an inspirational ministry using that popular print was something I needed to undertake with my grandmother’s Singer sewing machine. I’ve been making pot holders, cooking gloves, specially designed/reversible aprons and reversible knitting/scrapbook totes ever since. Since I design what I want to do, I take time to work on a particular pattern for a project. I feel those people who need the inspiration whether they are down mentally, emotionally, psychologically, or spiritually, should be the ones to receive the homemade gift. So far, I have made more than thirty projects and each reciprocant has been uplifted and very thankful. Please let Mary Englebreit know how much her special printed fabric with the mini cherries has changed many people’s lives, esp. mine. I hope that particular fabric design stays with us for years. I love it so much. It makes me happy and I tend to smile when I work my original patterns using it. Thanks, thanks thanks! I wish I could have said that I designed that print, but I can’t!!
Diana M.Gauthier from Pineville, Louisiana
Hi Jan!!! It’s Bridget, from the Chicago and then the Dallas store! So good to “see” you!
Bridget, thanks for taking time to comment. Seems like so long ago, but yet only yesterday, that the ME Stores were operating!
BREITfully,
Jan
Jan: You are one special lady! Mary chose you for a very good reason–your kind heart, wisdom, and creativity. I am lucky to have worked with you.
I am so glad that you are featured here.
XOXO
Jean
Jan, I’ve been a Mary fan since I first saw her artwork. After my visit to St. Louis; I’m also
a huge Jan fan! Thank you for your time, friendship and suggestions. Blueberry Hill had wonderful burgers and Fitz’s had an incredible root beer float. I’m so happy that I had the opportunity to meet you. I’m looking forward to the next adventure,
Hi Jan: I know how much you enjoy your position with ME. I was there from the beginning and each time we meet for dinner, I enjoy your stories about your “adventures” at ME Studios. If people only know how creative you are – that’s why you are perfect for where you are!! Continue to enjoy ME and Emma (her granddaughter).
Love,
I want your job. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at the website at job openings. More than I can count. I’m an Adminnie too and a huge fan of Mary’s as well, even before she was so well known. One of my favorite places to shop, Main Street, St. Charles, MO reminds me of Mary’s art work and I can always find her items there.
Congrats on your blog you lucky dog!!!
Call me, ME.
Janet,
I have a friend who carries an almost-worn-out ME cloth bag to work consistently. Someday I want to visit the studio and bring my friend Laura. I need to purchase a new bag for her, too!
Like so many others here, I too was blessed to have you lead our group on a tour of ME studios. You are in your element there! I am sure all the ME creativity is contagious but I don’t really think you need it as you are by far the most creative person I know. ME is lucky to have you. Congrats on your Internet notoriety!
Jan –
Although I’ve never had the opportunity of meeting you, I’m so glad your ‘adminnie’ role at ME has been so entertaining! I admire all admin people who keep the business world organized while having fun at the same time.
I chose my ‘last’ home based on a drawing that Mary did. I carried it around in my Bible for several years telling God that when it was time for us to downsize to please send me a little cottage like the one in the drawing. My husband has been in Stage IV Kidney Cancer for over six years now, and three year ago God knocked me over the head with a little cottage that looks so much like the drawing that I immediately put our 6,000 q. ft. McMansion on the market and made plans to move. I just knew the cottage would be ours even though it had been sold to someone else. Two weeks after it was supposedly sold, I got a call from the owner saying the deal didn’t work out and as she promised, she was calling me first! I asked if she wanted an offer over the phone and her reply was, “Don’t you want to see the inside first?” I said it wasn’t necessary, but if she insisted my husband and I would be over immediately. When I showed her the drawing she was amazed at the resemblance of the drawing to her cottage and the rest is history. Later I found out that the cottage was completed in the year and month I was born.
God answered my entire prayer – good neighbors, flat, fenced backyard to garden in, close to hospitals, downtown, community center and churches, plus no through traffic because it is a circle at the top of a hill.
Mary Engelbreit is an inspiration and God is good!
with a ‘wishing you well’ song,
Jan Andrews
Hey ME Studio,
I am new to this blogging stuff. So forgive me if I am asking something that has been asked and answered.
I was fortunate enough to have attended the ME workshop back in April. I also got the tour of the studio. Cute, Cute, Cute! I am hoping someone can tell me how to get some of the great decals you had up in the bathroom. You know, the hearts and dots. I have a white hutch in my kitchen that is screaming for some.
Can you help me? Donna Mc.
Donna, sorry to be so long in replying. We’ve had some internal IT issues.
At any rate, I asked Mary and she said she got the decals at Target & Michael’s. Good luck!
Jan … what a beautifully written and shared posting. It reminds me of the ME tours you once gave to our visiting AFS students. You are a wonderful, giving and multi-talented person — ME (and the rest of us) are lucky to associate with you!
Jan, thanks for sharing your comments with us. I loved the tours of ME Studio you gave us. As your sister-in-law and good friend, I know you have been a perfect fit at ME.
Love ya, Kathy
Nice to meet you! It must be so much fun working for ME. I envy you! Kit
Wow! You are one lucky woman.
Perfect! ♥
Jan–you’re ME spirit shines through in all that you do! It’s a real pleasure to know you!
God Bless!
I’m wondering which “Jennifer” you are!!!
Oh how fun!! I think you must definitely be the inspiration for that picture!
Nice to meet you Jan and learn about your VERY important role in the ME empire! I noticed the queen’s eyes are looking away from you – I’m sure that must mean she trusts you implicitly!
Jan – lucky you! To have a dream job like you have all these years must make retiring a hard thing to do. So glad you left the door slightly ajar and work from home a bit, too! I’m retired now. I don’t know how I found time to do everything before I let of my 8-5 life! It’s a bit lonely sometimes but I try to keep in touch with folks. Being able to go into ME once weekly is a great way to slip into retirement! Have a wonderful life! Roseanne
…wow…lucky lady!…
You have my dream job Jan! What a great place to work and be inspired every day. Can you tell me if that card is still available? I can’t find it on the website and would love to have some, or the print..Thanks.
I too was lucky enough to have you lead the tour of the ME studios at the MEHC Workshops. I think you might have almost as many fans as Mary herself – myself among them! You were like a ray of sunshine (I know, cliche’ but oh so true!) and made me feel incredibly welcome. I can totally see why Mary won’t let you go into retirement but when/if you ever really do, there’s a gal in California who’s willing to relocate…even though those are some big,intimidating shoes to try to fill. Thanks again for a lovely time! Victoria Cullen
You are sooo lucky! I love all ME products, and am sure I would hit it off well with you and Mary. I love the styles of papers, products and home decor she designs. I just wish I lived closer to the store, although I have a friend in St. Louis-good excuse to visit, I’d say. Enjoy!! Wish I could meet both of you.
Jan, We were lucky that you gave us the tour of the studio last May! You made it so special for us! Blessings, Donna and Donna
you are a lucky woman!!!
You are so lucky! I have been a ME fan since 1981 and would love to be able to be around all that creativity. Mary is so inspirational! Plus how can you bring that kind of joy into everyone’s life and not be fun! Thank you for giving us a glimpse into your job at ME!
You were priceless when you gave us our studio tour at the ME Workshop and it was a joy meeting you! Thanks for adding to the Magic of Mary for me!
Jan,
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story! It’s a testimony of “dream-come-true” realities. One of my dreams is to be able to attend a weekend workshop. We are so busy in ministry, but I know I will be there one weekend for a fun workshop of being lost in Mary-land.
Blessings to you as you continue fulfilling your dreams…Diana Morales
Jan, I too was so pleased to have met you at the Home Companion Workshop! You were quite a gem! Now I understand why you were so kind to all of us that were wide eyed and snapping away with our cameras- you started off as a “biggest fan!” Thanks for sharing! ~Kelly the red head from New York
Thanks for giving us a little taste of “behind the scenes”. I’m sure you have been a real blessing to ALL of the people you work with! One of my favorite memories is the summer we stayed across the street from the St. Louis Galleria …and getting to go to “the store” almost every day! Heavenly!
Jan,
I don’t know if this is even possible, but here goes. I sent an e-mail about 3 weeks ago to the website contact info regarding my wife, Faye, and her upcoming 60th birthday. Faye is a HUGE fan of Mary’s. She has ME influence all over our house, she recycles ME calendar pages to make beautiful cards for her friends and family, she has decorated her sewing room in ME influences…well you get the idea. I even am having her birthday cake decorated with ME drawings from the fabric Faye used to decorate her sewing room. Anyway, I didn’t hear back from my e-mail and tomorrow is Faye’s birthday part (8/7). Faye’s niece and I are putting together a Memory book with notes from Faye’s friends and family from all over the U.S. and even from Germany and far East. It would be INCREDIBLE if that book contained a few words from Mary Engelbreit herself! An e-mail would be fine. Whatever you can do would appreciated. Even if it came after the 7th, I think it would still be wonderful. Thanks for your time and consideration.
The Husband of an ME fan (who likes ME himself)
Steve Roberson
steve_roberson@medco.com
Jan, It was lovely to meet you during the ME studio tour in May, ( I was the Mary Engelbreit fan) ~the one that asked how much Disney charged her for the Mickey & Minnie tea party portrait over the teatime table. LOL thanks for sharing, I’m sure many of us wish we had a taste of ME,oh so daily!
You are one very lucky gal!