2010 Pricing Announcement We are grateful to be coming into the last half of this very unique year with some greater optimism for the future. In forecasting the next 18 months, we continue to seek ways to internally create efficiencies and reduce costs. In addition, we believe the external factors that create pricing pressures on our wide range of products will remain relatively consistent. Therefore, not withstanding some critical supply chain disruption or other unforeseen cost out of our control, our 2009 product prices will remain in effect at least until February 2011. As the current prices remain in effect, we will not be sending out a new product price…
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A New Blue Pigment is Discovered
Chemists at Oregon State University were delighted when they discovered a new, durable and brilliantly blue pigment by accident. Will a fabulous “new blue” paint follow? Read Friday’s New York Times article here.
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FREE Painting Knife Techniques DVD from RGM!
You may have seen RGM‘s beautiful DVD demonstrating painting knife techniques earlier this year, when we previewed it at NAMTA. RGM retailers can now get their own FREE copy to show in their stores or post on their websites. The 40-minute DVD features technique demonstration by artist Danielle Jouault using the RGM Plus Palette Knives and also the New Age Knives, against the gorgeous backdrop of Venice. Ask your MacPherson’s rep for your free store copy today! Please note this is a promotional item and not available for resale. Consumers are also welcome to request their own free copy on the RGM website; http://www.rgm-art.com/en/spazio_artisti.php
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The Green Zone for Winter BTS
Located in the centerfold of the just-released MacPherson’s Winter Buyer’s Guide is a new feature – the Green Zone! This special section was inspired by retailers who asked us to share our ideas for “green” end-caps. A team of green-leaning MacPherson’s employees got together and developed end-cap suggestions, downloadable signage, vendors’ inspiring stories and more. See pages 40 and 41 in the Winter Buyer’s Guide or log on to www.macphersonart.com/greenzone for details. Have other great ideas? Let us know! We’re in the business of helping customers succeed.
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Art Alternatives Economy Canvas Line Extension
It may not interest you right now, on the cusp of the frenetic holiday shopping season, but Art Alternatives just added new sizes to the Economy Value Pack line-up. Double-packs of student grade canvas are now available in 8×10, 9×12, 14×18, 20×24 and 24×30 sizes. We have stock in Reno and Elgin, and we’ll be in-stock in Suwanee soon. See page 58 of the MacPherson’s Winter Buyer’s Guide for more information, plus details on the special 80% off launch discount. (And check out our cool new online “flip-book” version of the Winter Buyer’s Guide here!)
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Chroma Link New Edition Now Available!
The latest issue of Chroma Link, Chroma’s online newsletter, is now available! It’s filled with updates, tips and techniques and ideas that inspire. Highlights include links to fantastic new Atelier Interactive video demonstrations from professional artists Mitch Waite and Mikel Wintermantel as well as a very informative series on the Atelier Mediums by our resident artist Jennifer VonStein. Additional articles feature plein air painting, a twist on “decorative” painting, new artists on our online gallery and information on Chroma’s Student Art Competition. Chroma Link can be found at http://email.webchameleon.com.au/em/message/email/view.php?id=576752&u=20218. Please pass this informative link onto your customers, so they can learn about all the benefits and features of Atelier Interactive!
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Montana Gold Demo in Wine Country!
Napa Valley Art Supplies in Napa, CA, just held its second successful Montana Gold demo this year! Ten local artists joined the event this time, and were allowed to paint large canvases during the event and then offer them for sale at the store. If the work sold, the artist was responsible for reimbursing the store for the materials, but got to keep the remaining balance of the sale. This event was such a hit, it made the front page of the local newspaper – great publicity for the store! For the full story, please click the link below; Napa Valley Register
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Industry News
We are sad to report the sudden passing of Sharon Rebisz, 64, of Middlebury, CT on October 19th. She was the co-owner of Koenig Art Emporium in Southbury, CT where she has worked for close to 30 years. Sharon was much loved in the industry and leaves 3 sons and daughter, Nancy Hansen, who also works at the store. ColArt America’s VP Sales, Charlie Newcomer has left to pursue new opportunities. A search for his replacement is underway. According to proud dad Steve Caplan, son Eric Caplan has left A. I. Friedman to pursue other ventures in any field. If anyone is interested in hiring a hard working and experienced…
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News from Strathmore Artist Papers
How Do You See Green? Remind your artist customers and friends that Strathmore’s “How Do You See Green?” Illustration Contest deadline is November 30, 2009! Or enter yourself! Create a piece of art that expresses the theme of “green” and “environment” using dry media techniques (pencil, pastel, charcoal, etc.) on Strathmore paper. In January, you can cast your vote for the winner on Strathmore’s website. Winners’ art will be featured on 1 of 4 special edition Strathmore Premium Recycled pads! Visit www.strathmoreartist.com for more details.
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AA13301 Replacement Easel Panels
Have you found additional AA13301 Young Artist Easels in your back room as you prepare for the holidays? Did you forget to ask for a replacement easel earlier? No problem, we have plenty of free, compliant chalkboard panels and we are happy to send them to you. Retrofitting the easels is easy – simply remove the 6 screws holding the green panel, dispose of the panel, then use 4 screws to put the black panel on. (If you have a MacPherson’s sales rep, she or he would be happy to help.) Click here to order replacement chalkboard panels. Questions? Call our recall hotline at (800) 289-9899 x1093 or email us…
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AA13301 Easel Recall Update
As you know, MacPherson’s has been working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on a recall of our Young Artist Easel (AA13301). We are now ready to launch the recall to the public. The CPSC has put the recall information on its website. MacPherson’s has put information and instructions for end-users on its Art Alternatives website. In the next couple of weeks, all retailers who purchased the AA13301 Young Artist Easel will receive a recall kit in the mail. This kit contains a poster with tear-off instructions cards that explain how the consumer can get a free chalkboard panel replacement. The CPSC and MacPherson’s urge you to place this…
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Golden OPEN Holiday Promotional Kits Arriving Early November
In appreciation for your support of the OPEN Acrylics line, GOLDEN will provide you with complimentary OPEN promotional kits, which are scheduled to ship to you the last week of October. The kits, which contain the three sample-sized OPEN Mediums and an OPEN Acrylics DVD, are provided as a promotional opportunity to further engage customers with the unique properties of OPEN Acrylics and to encourage repeat purchase activity. Artists that buy 6 tubes of OPEN qualify for a free OPEN Now Kit. A rack header magnet will ship with the kits to communicate the promotion to shoppers. If you have any questions about any of the above information, please contact…
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Check Out the New GOLDEN Facebook Page!
In an effort to increase GOLDEN exposure on the world wide web and as a way to socially engage with artists and business partners, GOLDEN has created a Facebook page. If you already have an account on Facebook, you are welcome to become a fan of the GOLDEN page. However, you don’t need to have an account in order to view the contents of the page: Connect to Golden on Facebook! Please feel free to share this information with your friends, associates and anyone you think might be interested.
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The GOLDEN YouTube Channel is Growing!
Be sure to check out the ever increasing number of videos that have been posted to the GOLDEN YouTube site. The two newest videos focus on monotyping techniques. Creating a Monotype with GOLDEN OPEN Acrylics and Creating a ‘Dry Monotype’ GOLDEN plans to continue producing short video clips, with particular attention placed on subjects that can be confusing for or problematic to artists. If you have a video that you would like to see, or that you think your customers would benefit from, please email your suggestions to drice@goldenpaints.com.
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In Memoriam; Alan Lanny Rosenbaum
It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of our friend and colleague Lanny Rosenbaum. As many of you know, Lanny had been fighting a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer for the past two years. He died yesterday—October 26, 2009. Lanny joined the Blick family in 1997 as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. During his 12 years with the company, he was instrumental in identifying and developing a variety of catalog, internet, and private label growth opportunities. Despite his health challenges, Lanny continued to be a driving force within Blick over the past two years. As recently as September of this year, he participated in the company’s…
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Industry News
Ilka Lohaus has joined the ColArt Group as Chief Brand Officer to be based at the company’s headquarters in Wealdstone, England. A German citizen, she speaks three European languages (German, French and English), and has had substantial consumer marketing experience including stints at Johnson & Johnson, Reckitt Benckiser and more recently Henkel as Global Marketing Director. Michaels Stores Inc. has opened its first Manhattan store featuring a new urban store design that focuses on providing creative inspiration, according to Reuters. The store, whose week-long grand opening celebration began Oct. 25, is located in the new Columbus Square development at 808 Columbus Ave. at 97th Street. The new 14,700-sq.-ft. store features…
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Go Green! MacPherson’s e-Statements Now Available
Make your work a little easier and help the planet, too! MacPherson’s e-mailed invoices have been such a hit that we developed e-mailable monthly statements, too. Would you like your statements e-mailed instead of snail-mailed? All you have to do is ask. Contact Sioban directly or log in to MacPhersonArt.com and click on the Customer Forms Setup link under Business Basics.
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Sakura News for October 2009
Pigma Sensei Open Stock Pens in Time for the Holidays! Sakura has announced that the individual pens in its popular Pigma Sensei Manga Drawing set will be available in open stock and displays just in time for the Holiday Season. Consumers already love Pigma ink in Micron, Brush and Graphic pens, and the launch of Pigma Sensei open stock gives them four new point sizes! The Pigma Sensei pens are available in the following point sizes in black ink only: 0.3mm Ultra-Fine tip, 0.4mm plastic tip, 0.6mm bullet tip and 1.0mm Bold tip. Pigma is unsurpassed as an archival, fade-resistant, chemical resistant, waterproof ink that won’t bleed through thin paper!…
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Get a Sneak Peek at Robert Gamblin’s Studio in American Artist
Robert Gamblin’s Studio, among those of many other prominent American Artists, is profiled in American Artist’s special Studios issue, on newsstands now. Robert’s studio is right across the street from Gamblin’s factory in Portland, Oregon. Once used as a maintenance bay for concrete mixing trucks, Robert and his partner Catherine Kumlin converted the space into a combined oil painting studio and printmaking workshop.
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New MacPherson’s Feature: Go Green with Fewer Packing Lists!
Do you use that list of what’s in each specific carton we ship you? If you do, that’s great, we are glad to make checking in your orders easier. If you don’t, you can join MacPherson’s effort to use less paper and turn that feature off for your store. Just click here to send an email and let us know!