We have a new license with one of my all-time favorite companies, Bethany Lowe, and I am very excited to show you what’s coming out in the spring! These things were just shown at the gift show in Atlanta, but we wanted to make sure that all you store owners who were not able to make that show are able to see what is available.

As a matter of fact, we’re starting a new newsletter for independent store owners so that they will be able to see all the new products that we are offering, because we really want to get back into the independent market and support those smaller stores that are hanging in there during these tough times. Sometimes some of the things we produce are only available in certain stores or call for minimum orders that are way too high for smaller stores to handle. We hope to figure out a way to eliminate this problem very soon. If you are a small store owner and would like to receive this newsletter, please visit our website at http://maryengelbreit.insiteadvice.org/contact-me/newsletter/ and signup as a retailer, or send your email address and store information to contactus@maryengelbreit.com and we will add you to our list. And those of you who just love to shop, be sure to let your favorite stores know about this!

Hopefully, our own line of products will be available soon as well— all will be revealed in the magical newsletter, so be sure you’re on the list!

Sometimes it’s hard to merge two distinct lines, as with Bethany Lowe and ME. Bethany’s customers are into Folk art with a capital F and my customers are into ME with a capital ME. We think we’ve done a great job of combining my art with Bethany’s vintage look– we’d both LOVE to know what you think in the comments section below.

PS: Wait until you see the Halloween and Christmas lines for 2011 from Bethany! But enough of this teasing about 2011– next blog: I’ll show you what’s coming out this Christmas!

~Mary

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