The 2008 Allen Designs catalog is finally done! We (Katy and I, mostly Katy) have been working on this for a LONG time! It feels so good to finally see some proofs from the printer. Now off to figure out how to mail, label and package it. Exciting!
I'm still lovin the new Allen Designs logo Katy designed for us based off our original logo. It was nice to run out of our gift boxes so we could do a new print plate with the new logo. There is just something about a fresh sketch book, a package of new pencils, a pile of new unfolded printed gift boxes that makes me excited!
I had to throw our studio dog into the mix, he is a great source of love everyday for us all. I took this the other day when it was snowing outside! Isn't he cute!
From left to right, Katy (graphic design/shows), Mary (shipping/lots of misc!), Dane (production/misc.), Alison (shop manager/customer service with a smile) and myself (bon bon eater).
I heard on the radio the other day that the one thing that most people could give up during the holiday season was their work party. And, after my over cooking the chicken this year my staff may have to agree with this statement. Maybe they do already? It was still a nice time to get together and visit casually especially this time of year when things are so hectic in the studio. Gary and I worked hard trying to make it a special evening to show how much we appreciate and care about them.
We played Bingo again, this time WITH PRIZES, it went much better! Prizes are a must with Bingo.
This is the last of the parties at our house, at least the "planned" ones. Looking forward to meeting deadlines next week and then chilling out with my family. Oh.... and I better do some Christmas shopping since I haven't even started yet!
Anyone have any suggestions on the DDR's?
These are some of the reasons that you haven't heard from me much in the past two weeks! The studio has been super busy. And, I'm still down an office person. So.... I'm it!
Hosting my daughters youth group for craft night, (the night before my studio sale, WHAT was I thinkin?) I couldn't believe the noise level of 10 12/13 yr. olds!
My employees helping me set up the studio sale till 9pm the night before. I have some amazing people working with me! I ended up finally going to bed at 3:30am. I'm definitely getting too old for "all nighters". I used to do them all the time. This time I think I even started hearing voices! I was back up at 5:30am to finish all the details, get my kids to school, get the coffee on, put out the signs and be ready by 10am for people to start showing up.
We had a fantastic turn out. It was so good to see everyone, old friends, new friends, customers. A blessing of a life I live.
I have more to share but I'm out of time. I'll leave you with an original that I sold to a darling customer of mine. If you're reading this Mary, I'll get your other original out to you tomorrow!
17122 NE 219th St
Battle Ground, WA 98604
360.687.8454
888.606.8454
Directions:
I-205: Exit 32(Padden Parkway)
Left(north) on 117th Ave(SR503) Right on Main St. approx 2 miles
Look for signs,
driveway on left
I haven't been quite the prolific blogger lately. Being in China cuts out all social responsibilites making time to blog every day.
Last week we received another container of much needed product. Here is our good friend Steve who happened to stop by and got roped into helping us. Thank you Steve! And Mary who has been working with me for about 2 years. I have finally given in to the fact that we can no longer get 40' containers up our driveway which I sure am thankful for when it comes to unloading! It takes 5-6 of us hustling about an hour to unload a 20'er and we are exhausted by the time we're done. We will be receiving 2 more of these before year end.
I'm still doing good on the whole "healthier eating" thing. I even bought whole wheat Boboli pizza crusts in which Lex made her infamous BBQ chicken pizza and I made a veggie and chicken. Hers was much prettier and probably yummier. I am still not eating sugar so I had to stay away from the bbq sauce. My family was honest with me and said the whole wheat crusts were not near as good as the regular ones.
Off to a busy day at work, Mondays always tend to be swamped!
Thank you to my uncle Kerry for your bravery and willingness to serve this great country. Don't forget to thank a Veteran today.
Let me introduce you to my new hire as of a few weeks ago. (this isn't the office person, I did finally hire someone for that position but she won't be starting till I return from China)
This is Katy. Being a small biz as we are, she has a fairly broad job description. I learned this lesson several years back when I hired a gal and after a few weeks (or days... I can't remember!) I asked her to carry some boxes up the stairs to the storage area above the studio. She got really upset and told me this was not in her "job description"! Truthfully, I can't imagine I was that organized back then to even have had a job description! I learned that hiring for a small business you need to make sure the employee is willing to step in where ever it is needed. Even if that means... picking my kids from school in an emergency or hauling boxes up to the storage area.
Anyways, back to Katy! I hired her mainly for graphic design- catalogs, fliers, images. She'll also be traveling with me to most of the gift shows, some of you may be getting to meet her in person!
The first fruits of her labor! THIS is why I hired her. This flyer with all our new designs would not have normally gotten out before Jan. at the shows. We would have missed the opportunity to sell all this new product during the peak of our season!
When you're a small business and you start hiring people, especially people with college degrees that require higher salaries, it can be scary. Wondering if they are going to pay for themselves, wondering if you can lead them in the right direction and on and on. I truly feel like God has led my business since the beginning. Although, I tend to be on the safer side of things, there have been times I have felt not led but shoved by Him for my own good! Thank you Lord.
Okay, I've been a laggard on posting. So, so busy. And, even now I only have a few moments to say "hi" to you and that I miss you!! So, a few quick updates....
*My new Graphics girl is awesome! Having her is going to eventually free up a lot of my time to be able to concentrate on designing.
*My office manager is gone. I wrote an ad/job description today. I will try word of mouth for a few days and then resort to my local paper/craigs list. I'm very sad to see Trish leave.
*Met with Art from SCORE again today. He's great, he really gets me thinking from a different perspective than my own confined views.
*Kids are doing great in school. The homework is starting to pile on for Lex.
*I had started running again, but as usual when the stress pours on and time is so valuable it's the first thing to go. I know it should be the other way around. I feel like I've gained 10lbs over the past few weeks, I'm scared to step on the scale. My husband even came up to my studio Saturday morning and tried to fix my treadmill. Maybe tomorrow, it's a new day. (with a new list)
This piece above is from my new ceramic line that I introduced this summer at the shows.
I am looking forward to having the time when I can snoop on your blogs and comment again. I've been deprived!
I always LOVE to look at other artists studio's. It's fascinating to see how people work and the environments that inspire them. "On My Desk" is a great blog that features different creatives and their surroundings.
I'm a pretty lucky artist (blessed really), I actually have 2 studios. One, I call the "Lower Studio", is the working studio where I have my employees and we produce about half our line. The other I call "Upper Studio" (I NEED to come up with more creative names!), it's the place I spend most of my time... there and the kitchen table! All these shots are of the "upper studio".
I spent a little time a month or so ago trying to pretty up the place, I strung some twine and spray painted some clothes pins to make this bulletin board type of thing. I do all my computer work in this corner.
My husband made me this HUGE (about 4'x12') table a few years ago. It is the most valuable thing in here! I love it. I can have several projects going on at the same time without much cramping.
This is the corner that I do my smaller more precise art or where I flip through magazines or books looking for a starting place.
Here is my least favorite part of the studio, this is where all the samples pile up. I clean it out once a year for my studio sale which I do in Nov. and Dec. I've learned, whenever you need to clean, throw a party!
Another great link to see artists studios is Studio Friday's site. Enjoy, be inspired!!
Another pretty exciting thing that's happened this year is that I met a gal from South Africa in New York at the gift show and she is going to start distributing our products in South Africa. This is her shipment waiting to be picked up!
When I went out to take this picture I couldn't help but snap this shot of this lovely but widely over grown bush. I can't remember what it's called? We had such a beautiful day here today. It was difficult to stay inside and work.
Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Sid spoiled Alexis today for her birthday (which is in a few days). It was the package that never stopped! Boy, was she excited. They had asked her what she wanted but wasn't expecting them to buy the WHOLE list! (smile)
