America's Mart---whew!

Hi Kids, Just returned (ok it's been a week or so) from the summer Atlanta Gift Market and Jim and I had lots and lots of meetings but managed to have a little fun with our licensing pals. Most of the shows we go to are between January and July so during the second half of the year, I really miss our business friends!

The new My Friend Ronnie plaque line was in a teeny corner of the Enesco showroom---and if all goes well, that teeny corner will grow a bit next time around! And they will be heading for a Macy's near you soon! For artists, there is no bigger thrill than seeing our "stuff" actually make it to market (well, that and a royalty check...) and I enjoyed watching people actually BUY the plaques!

I was going to post the obligatory shot of me next to the display but frankly why would I publish the unflattering shots that we took? Mama didn't raise no fool!

5 Steps to Successful Art Licensing

...From a writer, artist and licensing agent

I’ve been licensing my artwork since way back in the previous century and have seen the business grow up and get a life. I do have hundreds of designs under license and with my husband Jim, we run Two Town Studios, an art licensing agency. Here are a few (kind of blunt) tips to help you understand what this is really all about.

1)After you develop a portfolio of your work, show it to as many art licensing agents, gift and stationery retailers and gift and stationery manufacturers who will see you. Tell them you want 10 minutes of their time and ask if they will have a look at your work and give you an opinion. Here’s the deal---most of these people have seen thousands of images and product ideas come and go and they have very strong opinions of what will work and what will not. Expect that they will be direct with their comments and do not take it personally. Be quiet and LISTEN to what they say and do not argue with them. Thank them (profusely) and then go have coffee with your friends and bitch about how wrong they all are. BUT, if you hear the same things over and over (“gee, I’m not sure that style is saleable” or “I’m scared” or “Hmmm…yeah…not for us”), go back to the studio and refine your offering. Or, you know…rethink the whole idea.

2)Have something to say. Not the exact same thing as someone else, but say it in your own way. Most of the images that are licensable have a point of connection with another person. “I’m thinking of you”, “Let’s celebrate”, “Awwww…”, “you mean so much to me” or “screw this, let’s party!”. Be original but stay within the parameters of what is already on the market. This industry sometimes moves at glacial speed, but it does need refreshing new ideas.

3)Be patient. A career is built one contract at a time. A greeting card. A puzzle. A set of coffee mugs. 4 more greeting cards. A single fabric design. A fabric collection. A 72 sku Most Amazing Gift Collection Ever! You get the idea…so yeah, another source of income is a pretty good idea in the beginning.

4)Be nice. Extra nice. Most manufacturers I have worked with are working really hard to put out new, innovative products with tight schedules and even tighter margins. Whiners, complainers and prima donnas are not often invited back to the party. And those parties can be really fun!

5)I’ll cram a whole bunch into this one. Keep working. Try new stuff. Adapt to the comments you are hearing. Spell the word “stationery” correctly. And whatever you do, refrain from using the words: Live Laugh Love on anything. Ever.

Just three things...

1. Shopping at a farmer's market always makes me feel smug. I'm not proud of that fact, but it's true.

2. My sister Chrissie attributes her non-cellulite thighs to a diet of M & M's and red wine. Do you think she could be on to something?

3.I think if I only had one room in my house it would be a screen porch.

I'm back from Vegas, caught up on my sleep, my follow-up (ok, that's ongoing) and basking in the glow that is Licensing Expo. There is something so energizing about going to a show that's pretty much populated with people in the business of new ideas, clever concepts and exciting deals. Oh, sure, there are always the doom and gloom types but I try to ignore them, or at least just talk about them behind their backs. This is a picture of me next to my wall showcasing My Friend Ronnie (tm)---tell me honestly---is my hair veering too close to Paula Deen's? No, really, do let me know as these are the things I'm concerned about. I've never taken one of those quizzes that let you know who would play you in the movie of your life as I am afraid it would turn out to be Bea Arthur. And my voice is just not that deep. And neither am I, apparently. I'll keep you posted on all the fun things that could/should bubble up from the show.

My Friend Ronnie goes to Vegas, Baby!

The Licensing Expo is next week from June 8-10th at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center and My Friend Ronnie will be there! We will be exhibiting once again amidst the sea of other properties including a few names you may have heard of: Disney, Nickelodeon, MTV, NASCAR and Two Town Studios! This is one of the trade shows we do every year where we meet with and (hopefully) develop relationships with current and potential manufacturers. Jim and I enjoy this show on a lot of levels: one...hello?! It's Las Vegas! and two; it's fun to get the inside scoop on all the new property introductions for movies, tv and consumer products and of course because all our pals are there at the same time! You can feel the excitement brewing with new ideas, new relationships and well, I just like being around clever people! So now I will finish my to-do list, start packing (and most important---figuring out my outfits!) I'll have a few pics for you when I return and maybe even a few scoops from the show.

Things N Stuff

It's Friday, but in my free-lance world that means very little. I've always logged a few weekend hours in the studio without grumbling because A. if the phone rings, it's probably someone wanting to go out to dinner with us and B. there is often a "Real Housewives of Somewhere" marathon on Bravo. And it's totally embarrassing to be watching something like that when a client calls or our office manager needs my attention. Of course during the week, I only listen to Public Radio so I can appear to be super smart, but most people know better, particuarly the Real Housewives.

Reading the Refrigerator

These are some of the ultra fun magnets (there are 32 of them!) I designed for Leanin' Tree Greeting Cards---part of the Real Women, Real Funny by My Friend Ronnie greeting card collection that was introduced in January.

I have always loved reading refrigerators. From the choice of magnets, which coupons have been clipped (really? you need to save a quarter on anti-itch cream?), photos and calendars , you can really learn a lot about a person. Families with kids have complicated schedules posted with stickers, post it notes and pretty multi-colored markers to keep track of which kid needs to be where when. It's so relaxing to know that I do not have to go to soccer, hockey, basketball, Spanish, dance, religion, or karate---unless of course I feel the urge. Shopping lists are fun too---oh, sure the usual things show up...milk, bread, eggs but it's a bonus when there are items like "tequila" and "glitter glue". I do like seeing a well placed magnet but mostly I like it when the fridge is completely encrusted in them---with a theme! Holstein cows, famous motels, felt and sequined crafty things from the senior center craft and bake sale are my favorites. On my fridge? A few well placed "inspirational" messages, holding Sunday's menu and a couple of My Friend Ronnie magnets, but I keep all the juicy information on the side you can't see right away---I'm not letting my refrigerator blab all my secrets!