The grand opening of our new website has been a great success! Lots of new people jumping on board, so many that our web company’s server almost crashed and John alone got over 2000 friendly emails about the site! All this while I lay blissfully unaware, elevating my broken ankle, reading trash magazines (Why DID Miley cut her hair like that?? What is Taylor Swift THINKING dating a high school senior??).
Everybody was so nice, even those having problems with the website. The only thing that slightly worried us was the fact that some people said “Welcome back!” as if we hadn’t been right here plugging away for the last 10 years, and asked for the same products we were making 10 years ago, like, ahem….magazines.
Admittedly, the company has had a lower profile up until recently. Many things factored into that, the main one being the lousy economy. People’s buying habits changed dramatically, and small gift stores closed while stores like Walmart and Target became the go-to destinations of shoppers everywhere. We’ve been here the whole time but it did get harder and harder to find my stuff, for sure. Although not for lack of trying on our part.
Happily, we’re now in Walmart and Target and– the best news ever– independently owned gift stores are coming back!
But we have evolved over the last 10 years, as is only natural. I don’t draw in the exact same style as I used to, and the things we used to produce just aren’t as fashionable now as they once were. I’ve changed, people’s tastes change, everything changes– think of it as a movie. Don’t look at it as a snapshot, of the way things used to be. After all, you wouldn’t be caught dead in the clothes or hairstyles you wore 10 years ago, would you? And I would be bored witless if I drew and made the same things over and over
So while some things stay basically the same, like the cards and calendars (although I certainly think my style of drawing has evolved!), we also have a ton of great new things, with more coming everyday! Things with fun patterns and more graphic, modern designs that I personally just love. I hope you will, too. So as I said in a previous blog, I hope you’ll take this leap with me into the future, design and product-wise. That’s right– I’m not done with the leaping. So, c’mon and leap with me! Trust me, it’ll be fun!!
~Mary
Note: The bags and accessories are from Sub Urban and are coming this fall. And the fabric pattern is coming soon from Andover Fabrics!
I also like to see an new line of T-shirts. Hmm–how about a 1950s theme T-shirt with pony-tailed preteen in poodle skirt playing with her white poodle inside mid-century modern interior in aqua, pink grey. Maybe a series of T-shirts devoted to the decades–50s, 60s, 70s, etc. I would collect the entire series if they were priced around $20-25.
Love your ideas about the tees
I’ve LOVED the drawings on the last two wall calendars…can definitely see growth and change and YOU coming through everything you do! I’ve been a loyal “seek you out and find you” shopper (not a huge target/walmart fan!) and I’ve loved reading you blog and getting connected that way. I dream of coming to one of your workshops…it’s gonna happen!
http://mymemoryart.blogspot.com/2011/08/anticipation.html
http://mymemoryart.blogspot.com/2011/06/happy-birthday-ali.html
Links to two of my blog posts where your calendars show up…you’re part of my every day world!
Hello!
So glad to see the upgraded website! Looks FaBuLoUs and I’m so happy you are and have been around all this time! And as much as maybe you don’t want to keep hearing it, I too wish the magazine would come back. I have and have kept every issue I ever bought ( several years worth!) of Home Companion and treasure them dearly. I realize times change and things progress, but there are a logic magazines that have been around for 30 or more years and they still sell and find ways to be new and fresh. I am not one to want to read a magazine on the computer. I want it in my hands. I want to keep it on my bookshelf and continue to enjoy it for years to come. I am a creative and artistic person and your magazine has always inspired me as I’M SURE it has for millions of others through the years. If I could convince any magazine publisher to bring back just one magazine out of all that we lost from the economy, it would be yours. I looked forward to each and every new issue and read it cover to cover. Your blog says many exciting things are to come. I truly, whole heartedly, and sincerely hope and pray that this would be one of them.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration.
God Bless,
Carla
The new fabric is so beautiful!
Mary,
Your new line is beautiful and I am sure it will be a HUGE success! We (your faithful fans) have never lost sight of your work & I’m personally thrilled to add more beauties to my collection!
Cheers to your speedy recovery!!!
Mary,
Your new line is beautiful and I am certain it will be a HUGE success!
Your faithful fans have never lost sight of your work and I personally look forward to collecting these beauties!
P.S. Cheers to a speedy recovery Mary!
I don’t know I missed this post, but I LOVE the fabric! I quilt and I will be awaiting the release of this one! Keep going with the flow, Mary! Your fans love you!
When I was a teenager in the “60′s” I would draw this very piece of fabric over and over and over…even in my imagination. Love it!