Saturday, January 15, 2011

CHA Peek Preview, Tutorials and More!

Hello Everyone,

We have been so busy getting ready for our Online Trade Show (a private link retailers can access) this Monday, Jan 17 to Feb2/11.  Our new stamps and Creative Scraps will start shipping the first week in Feb!  If you have a favorite store please tell them to sign up for our Trade Show Party on the wholesale section of our website. This is our first time not exhibiting at the CHA Show I want to help store owners because I'm concerned about how many are struggling... read below


Every month I hear about more stores closing and it is so sad that we have lost so many great stores! One of my favorite things to do is go check out cool stores and get inspired. Just imagine how dull it would be if all we had was big box stores and all the funky little hometown shops were gone!  So I decided to take a bunch of the money we saved (not exhibiting at CHA) and and instead, we are using the savings to build an online wholesale store to streamline ordering and start some promotions to help stores sell more product.

Of course we will have great CHA Show Specials with free product but one of the new things we are doing is introducing Color Display Postcards that stores can hang next to some of our Clear Art Stamps! The first in the series of Display Postcards (I’m excited they will be double sided color) will include 3 of our new Clear Art Stamp sets: SL39 Tea With Alice, SL37 Farm Chicks and SL31 Artsy Banners, plus 3 long time favorites: SM12 Bird Notes, SL04 Kitchen Classics and SL10 Sew Special. There will be several more to follow!


Plus – stores will get online tutorials, see inspiring samples (okay – I will post them here on the blog as well) and each month there will be a printable project sheet (just for stores) that they can use in classes and demos. We will also be doing random draws for Gift Certificates each day from store orders placed.

So, I admit I’m a little worried about not attending CHA but I hope stores will hear about our desire to help them and I would truly appreciate if you could pass the message on to your favorite retailer!

Talking about 'tutorials' , here is a fantastic one that DT member Michele Kovack created using a Faux Tile technique and look at how fabulous this card is!  She used SM35 Floral Art, (a new stamp set available in Feb).  Here is the link to Michele's blog, where you can also see the other tile card she created using a stamp from our SL24 Seasonal Friends Stamp set HERE on Michele's Blog.



Look at this card DT leader Heidi Blankenship created using the Rooster and 'Best of Cluck' stamps from our SL37 Farm Chicks set. I love the way she colored some of the checks in blue so it ties in the color of her cardstock. You can get details HERE on Heidi's Blog.


DT leader Vicki Chrisman has been busy creating all sorts of projects including some adorable gift box projects for Accucut and she made this cool sewing kit with a purse die! She used our Sew Nice Creative Scraps and because they are double sided you can make the little folding needle case and have a pretty double sided tag.  You can see more photos on Vicki's Blog HERE and check out the super cool ICE Wreath by filling an old bunt tin with water, cranberries and greenery!  Only works if you have icy cold weather and she is snowed in. See her 'Cute Kitchen post' HERE.



I adore these fairy bottles that Nathalie Kalbach from scrapbooktrends.com got published in a Stampington Magazine. She used our Altered Fairy Scraps and I love that they featured the little 'Party Pooper girl'!  Nat is close friends with DT leader Vicki Chrisman and lives in Germany and when we do CHA Shows we always get together.  Too bad we won't see her this time!  She is a true artist, trend setter and amazing photographer!




I will be back with a post on Monday and I think you will love what I have to share!

Wishing you joy & creativity
Sandy Redburn
Owner
Crafty Secrets



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5 comments:

Donna said...

Sandy I am sooo proud of you and CS!!! While I love the CHA sneak peeks and dream of visiting there myself, I understand and agree completely about your watching the expense and putting your energy and money into helping out the local scrapbook and crafting stores. I love your products no matter what but I enjoy them even more, knowing they are manufactured by someone who CARES about the bigger picture. Thank you!! Looking forward to seeing more blog posts about the new goodies!

Jean Franks Beck said...

The sneak peeks look amazing, I can't wait to see these products tomorrow! And I very much admire your decision to pour the money you saved (and CHA does indeed sound like they are taking major advantage!) into local scrap/stamp stores. We have lost every single one of ours in the Cary/Raleigh/Apex area of NC (5 stores since I took up the hobby 8 years ago), so I really appreciate hearing about companies like yours who are willing to help. Keep up the great work!

Rene said...

I wish I could "like" what JeanFB said! Several local papercrafting stores have closed in my area too. I also work in publishing, and hobby shops are closing at a similar rate.

Love your products and the great ideas and projects you keep showing.

Anonymous said...

Love the new Farm Chicks set!! It is so cute!!! You come out with the greatest images!

Kathy W said...

Love that rooster card! Thanks for sharing.