Hi all. I'm going to be a wee bit busy today... The 2010 Wall Cal is a part of Daily Candy's ShopTalk nesting roundup today. Exciting!
Take a peek here (make sure to scroll through and check out the other items-- I LOVE the decorative trophies!)
Candy Wrapper Image via Inchmark
(c'mon, you KNOW I'm busy when I do a "via" image).
Hello Sweeties! I wanted to thank all of you who took the time to comment on yesterday's post. I really, really appreciate it, and it made me feel so good to hear from each of you. More and more, lately, I've thought about how great it is to have such a connection with my readers, and my customers, and really it's more than any designer could ever hope for. I'm overwhelmed and heartened by each you who has shared excitement over my designs, and what the designs themselves are trying to evoke...and about this blog, and the type of content I try and write - a love for style in a way that feels open-ended, healthy and encouraging-- with plenty of room for a sense of humor! I wanted to share that happiness back-- so I made you a card.
Download Free Printable Template for 8.5" x 11" By Clicking Here.
Feel free to use the file any way you see fit, with the exception of printing a bazillion copies and selling them. Ha ha. While the PDF is of a 5" x 5" folding card format (to be printed on cover weight for best results), you can also trim the front panel out on text weight paper to create a print to hang in your space, wrap a gift with.. or just crop it and use the graphic on your desktop.Or....well, I'm sure you've got your own ideas!
Have a wonderful weekend, and again, thank you so, so much. I hope you enjoy the freebie! xx s
Hey Loves. Something kind of weird happened this morning. And I share this with you because I learned something-- both about myself, and about doing business. Isn't it great how in this day and age you can actually watch as someone blindly feels their way into running a business online?? Sure!
The Live Part:
So, I came across a new article on Redbook.com (which might also be in the print edition) with a How-To. Those of you who know me as a designer also know I love hearing about customers getting creative with their items, and I love hearing your ideas, and knowing people are reusing the products rather than chucking them when they're done.
LEARN HOW TO MAKE A STENCIL TUTORIAL HERE (photos above via RedBook.com)
The Learn Part:
While I like the article, it really caught me off guard to see such a literal iteration of one of my surface designs. I sent a polite letter to RB and I also called my lawyer to get his take. I posted an angry, gut-level tweet, which in hindsight, I should not have done. Anyway, here's where I'm netting out: given the lovely images, and fun ideas, I think I can live with this! But, as an independent (read...small) business, I need to be careful that I protect my work, but also that I'm open to new suggestions and uses for it.
What I have learned-- and I share it here for any of you independent business people who are interested.
1. Do not start a business without hiring a lawyer who understands the needs of a small business, and can give common-sense advice on what is truly best for your brand (hint, sometimes it's medicine you don't want to take...see point 3).
2. Have said lawyer draft a letter which you approve, and use this letter, at your discretion, when you send your samples to the press. Just so you are clear about what you expect the item to be used for-- then, you won't run into surprises.
3. Not exactly legal advice, but, don't jump the gun. Learn how to take a compliment. As they say, all publicity is good publicity. Even if you feel icky about it, having your name out there is better than not at all. And the BEST publicity is being polite, supportive, responsive, professional, reliable and easy to work with, no matter what your industry.
Anyway, buy a calendar! Then Show me Your Pillows in 2011 !! Ha Ha. Love, S
Good Morning!! I'm busy getting ready for tomrorrow's SALE AND GIVEAWAY...updating my website, and adding some new goodies!
I also wanted to mention that my newest item, the 2010 Desk Calendar is now in store and ready to ship.
While 2010 Calendars won't be part of the sale tomorrow, there will be lots of other yummy, bright and useful things from my collection available at discounted prices; like pencil cups, notebooks, boxed notes and jotters!
At the risk of getting overly self promotional...I'm attaching an image down here that you can reference if you'd like to blog, email, or tweet about the sale to your own readers, friends or followers. I'd love to get the word out as widely as possible about the sale, so feel free to grab it if you'd like, and make use of it any way you see fit! : )
Hello everyone! I'm running out shortly to work on an exciting new project, but I thought I'd tip you all off to some good news, which is always a good way to start a week!
It's true. We're having a little SALE for Back to School! Ok, most of us are out of school. But, please take the word "School" as broadly as you'd like. College Students, Co-Workers...Friends...a gift for yourself; it's a good time to get organized, and start thinking about starting some Fall Focus. So get ready!
THE DETAILS
- I'll be back here and on twiter on Wednesday morning to launch the sale.
- While we won't have the 2010 calendars discounted, since that wouldn't be fair to the fine folks who have pre-ordered, we are offering a giveaway! any purchase from the store will enroll you to win one of two calendars...our new desk calendar or...the deluxe wall calendar.
- Sale only applies to customers in the US (sorry internationals. we'll work on this!)
- Please feel free to let your friends know...the more the merrier!
Ok, hope to see you back tomorrow...I'll be back to launch the 2010 Desk Calendar!
Hi All! I've been intermittently working on some new patterns in the past month or so and I thought I'd share some little swatches here. Some of these will make their way into the 2010 calendar (which will be ready quite soon) and some are just ideas that I think are worth checking out.
One of the major things on my wishlist for SusyJack* is a more integrated website, which would be able to show my products, and also show a selection of patterns and motifs for licensing. While I love having my own product line, there are so many patterns I create which don't *quite* fit in...but that are successful in their own right, and might be great for other uses-- and that is something I'm getting approached about more and more. So, hopefully, I can explore that project this year.
Anyway, I wanted to show how some of the natural shapes and ideas I've been posting about lately are inspiring me, in my own work! I hope you all enjoy your day, today. I'll be quite busy in the studio, but hopefully, I can get a lot accomplished.
xx s
Hello everybody!
You know, one of the things I just can't get used to as an entrepreneur is the idea of self-promotion. I am just not the sort of person who toots her own horn without feeling VERY self-conscious. But, I thought since this promotion involved the lovely, lady-owned and operated site Delight.com, I'd toot, toot, toot, guilt-free!
Today (for the next 22 hours) Delight is offering up my work/life magnet sets as one of their daily shopping specials! So, I hope you'll hop on over there and take a peek... There are lots more wonderfully fun items there as well, all hand-picked by the delightful Kim and Tracy, the site's founders. Actually, I had the pleasure of meeting Kim at the Stationery Show. It is always great when you know that there are cool people behind a very cool site.
Check it out > Right Here
Hello all,
Well, here I am on day 3 of the National Stationery Show..and it is late, and I am tired beyond tired. I will definitely be posting more about the show, and what it was like for SusyJack* this year, very soon...because it was quite a bit smaller, and so definitely different. But, for me, it's been a better year than last, and a success...the small changes I've made to the line have really helped bring in some new interest from new directions, and I am really pleased to be able to say that. I worked really hard...not necessarily on new designs, but on the back end of things, and I am glad for that.
Also, I have had the chance to meet some wonderful HS readers in person...which always makes my day. I have completely enjoyed the opportunity to get out there and socialize...something I don't get to do enough while I'm in here working!
I wanted to share a few images of the booth-- most of these were taken on Saturday Night-- before the show opened...and this is pretty much what it looked like. This year, I avoided the walls completely and mainly used tables (putting up shelves stresses me out). I also printed catalogs which are on the front table for all to see.
All right...I'm off to bed. Even though it's not even 9 PM! kissums.
Hello Everyone!
A huge, huge thank you to all who have stopped by in the past couple of weeks. My posting schedule has been way off...and while I do feel guilty, I'm pretty sure the time off was well-spent, because all the stuff for the stationery show is almost ready, and honestly, I think SusyJack* Contemporary Paper is looking pretty darned good!
Anyway, a little peek onto my desk. There really has not been much in my sightlines *other* than my desk, lately.
I'll be bringing my camera along to NSS with me, so I hope to take some pictures of booth progress- while I know many of you read this blog for the shopping/style tips...I believe I also have some readers who are Paper Peeps....so, the next several posts will be devoted to that. If you have any questions about NSS...or anything I've posted about it, just leave them in comments, and I hope I can provide some helpful info for you.
Again, thank you all so much for stopping in, and pardon my appearance while I indulge in a little Paper Takeover!
love, sus
Hi Everybody! See...I have been working!
The next few weeks here at HS*, and in the studio, are going to be really, really busy. So, an advance apology if I don't post every day-- or even every other day, as usual. There is plenty to do, and a paper business to run. Hopefully, after all that has been happening, I will have lots to share, business-wise. And, I'd rather post thoughtful things of interest to my readers than scrounge at the last minute for a quick fix to slap up here.
...
In the past few months, aside from blogging here, I've been focusing in on cultivating my brand, deciding what should come next, and getting ready to step forward. It takes a lot of thinking...and exploring. And much more is going on here other than just designing new styles.
It has been (and still is) a big challenge to go from a handmade brand, to something more broad-based. And while I am not there yet, there are interesting things in store...new ways of thinking about my business, my products, and how they are presented to the market. I hope to share all of this with you as it evolves, and I hope it will be interesting.
