October Musings

Fall is a favorite time of year for many mid-westerners. The hot summer is behind us and thoughts of snow and ice a distant thought. Just beautiful weather and still enough light in the evening to keep us energized. Once the cold and darkness sets in, my body clock re-regulates to bear-like behavior. In the evening I just want to hibernate under a warm quilt with a good book.

We've been busy at Graphic - the usual fall rush with students and instructors ordering materials to have in time for classes. It's always a dance of some sort - better when it's a waltz and everything flows smoothly, but occasionally it becomes a tango. Our customers have been great - Most realize we aren't Amazon. We are working hard at reducing order wait time, backorders, and communication among other things, but we are a small company with real-time employees. Whenever you do have a problem, let us know. Especially when done in a positive, pleasant way, it gets our attention.

My October specials:

20% off all Books, videos & dvds, colored pencils and drawing pads...
15% off Airbrushes, Compressors and Aquatint Spray Solutions (Lascaux & Badger)
10% off Table & Floor Lamps with Magnifiers

BACK TO SCHOOL

I was sorting through old pictures trying to remember dates photos were taken - there were several "first day of school" pictures of our children - sometimes it was what they were wearing that helped narrow it down. But I remember how excited our kids were on that first day back to school - choosing what to wear, coordinating with friends for the walk to school, organizing their new supplies and packing up their back-packs the night before. Even though our children our grown, we, at Graphic, still experience the back to school preparation and anticipation, if in a different way.

The beginning of every new school term brings with it deadlines, red tape, and sometimes a little anxiety - not to mention the "art emergencies " that arise. We're asking for help in improving our service during this next school rush period. It is more important than ever for manufacturers to keep inventory tight. Economics just don't allow for excess inventory and cash being tied up in non-profitable stock. The flip side is that we want to keep you stocked with the right products in time for classes. The difficulty comes in trying to project - Classes are not always firm early on but we want to be able to start on your "wish list" for fall. For instance, if you know that your are teaching etching, please tell us what quantities you estimate and what products you think you'll order. You don't have to send in a firm order (but, that would be great!) . Any instructors that turn in a supply list by July 31st will earn their students a 5% discount on their student's orders when they order in the fall. Students can save money on shipping by pooling their orders. We appreciate your business and want to support you and printmaking in any way we can. List any products you anticipate - tools, plates, paper, inks or non-standard items would be very helpful. Please specify brand and sizes where appropriate. Please keep in mind that certain products - imagon for example - may not ship during hot weather.

Individual artists have deadlines as well and we don't want you to get lost in the shuffle. The more information we have from you, the better we can serve you. If you know you have a deadline, please keep us informed. We're working on our end to communicate better with our supplies and our customers. Together, we can make the back to school rush run more smoothly.

10% Monthly Specials:
Paper Sale
60828 Revere Silk 22x30" Polar Wht 250gsm
60809 Revere Suede 22x30" Black 250gsm
60810 Revere Suede 22x30" Ivory 250gsm
60808 Revere Suede 22x30" Bisque 250gsm
60821 Revere Suede 42"x20yd Stand Wht 300gsm
60722 Maidstone 22 x 30 Warm Wht 245gsm
60720 Maidstone 22 x 30 White 245gsm
60360 Graphic H/W 20 x 26" Nat Wht 250gsm
Lascaux
42110 Gesso 1 Ltr
42117 Spray UV semi-mattProtection
42118 Spray UV Matt Protection
42119 Spray UV Gloss Protection
42130 Trans Varnish 2 matt 5lt
42125 Trans Varnish 1 Gloss 5lt

Pre-Inventory Sale

I haven’t quite put winter out of my thoughts yet – we do live in the mid-west and don’t give up on the possibility of snow until Memorial Day. Yet we are all enjoying the beautiful, sometimes chilly days of Spring. I don’t think I’m alone in not being able to pass up a beautiful flat of flowers or basket brimming with colorful flowers and greens. Looking at the herbs and vegetables and wondering if I can keep them alive until it is warm enough to plant.
The longer, warmer days also seem to boost my energy level. Spring cleaning at home and here at Graphic actually seems appealing. Watching the shows like “Clean Sweep” and “Hoarders” seems to help as well. We have done a few Garage Sales at Graphic to get rid of old stock, damaged paper, discontinued items. The mere mention of it elicits a few groans from some employees. While we may still do a garage sale this year, I would like to move out as much product as possible, as we now do inventory June 30th.
Perhaps a good old fashioned Sale will do in the meantime.

Until June 25th we will be offering fantastic pricing on the following items – this does not include equipment or special orders and is for in-stock only. Additional Discounts don’t apply. Use the code “Inventory” in the message box if ordering on the website or just advise us if ordering by phone. Discounts will be applied when your order is processed. Backorders will be canceled as it does only apply to current stock.

Fine Art Papers Papers except Graphic H/W- 10%
Graphic Heavyweight 22x30 - 20x26 - 26x40 in Natural White – 15%
Inks - Graphic Oil Based Inks
Inks - Caligo Inks (Safe Wash Etching & Relief, O/B Litho & O/B Letterpress)- 15%
Lascaux products – 20% off Colours - Studio Acrylic, Gouache, Resonant Gouache, Sirius
Lascaux Tusche, ARE Products, Varnishes - 15%
Speedball Oil Base & W/B Block Inks & Brayers – 15%
Speedball 8oz Screen Inks - Waterbase & Acrylic - 15%
Colour Shapers – 15%
Akua Kolor & Createx – 15%
Albrech Durer Watercolor pencils – 20%
11251 – Small Feathers – not as large as the standard - 10%
Pre- Mezzotinted plates - 10%
English Brayers - 10%

Steal of the Century:
Graphic Engravers Tools - 30% Off the following tools:
May need to be polished
Lozenges #8, #12 - Flat #42, #44 - Knife # 3, Knife #5 -
Round Scorpers #50, #52

VHS Tapes - 60% off

photo courtesy of Jana Von Stein

Spring Trade Shows & Specials

Spring seems a far way off and yet “show season’ will be here soon. Graphic attends two major events in the Spring. Southern Graphics Council generally holds their conference in March - this year's conference is in Philadelphia on March 24 - 27th.

Dean and I are looking forward to seeing everyone there - Graphic has been a vendor since SGC’s beginning. We'll bring product to show...a little bit to sell and hopefully, a lot to talk about.

If there are products you want to see, call and ask us to bring them…I can’t promise that we can bring everything - if it’s too big, too heavy, or flammable, we can’t bring it. It is always difficult to decide what products to bring and we’re open to suggestions. Nothing is better than seeing a tool or paper in person.


We also attend the National Art Materials Trade Associations convention (NAMTA). This show is for retailers and suppliers - We usually exhibit, but this year we will walk the show instead. It’s a great place to talk with customers from the retail side of the art materials business, especially when our friends from overseas come as well. We’ll visit our suppliers, looking for products and new ideas.

This month, I am highlighting Books, Videos and DVD’s - 10% off all in stock items through March 30th.** Look for specials on paper this May!
　
**No other discounts apply



Southern Graphics Conference - Philadelphia
March 24-27, 2010
Contact cperkins@philagrafika.org