Dear Painting friends,

Christmas is coming on so quickly. It's hard to believe that it is just around the corner with this beautiful fall weather we've been having here in southern Ontario.

This is a short newsletter, a longer one will follow soon I promise. But this letter contains some important information so please do take a few minutes to catch up with me.

As you know, I have made my living in the decorative painting industry for almost 40 years, and I continue to love what I do. Times are tough economically for all of us right now. Big corporations are not the only ones who are shaking things up and having to re-structure in order to survive in this economy. I've found it necessary to undertake a complete review and cost analysis of all facets of my business.

 

This analysis has shown me that I am actually losing money when selling some products. To see this in black and white on a spread sheet is quite a reality check. However, I have now adjusted the retail prices and the discounts to my wholesale customers, and I am confident that this will correct the problem.

I am very pleased that the brush prices will remain unchanged. However the packets which have never had a price increase since their inception over fifteen years ago will now go up slightly. To keep the retail prices on the wet palette and the translucent paper (vellum) as low as possible I have made the decision to no longer wholesale these products. They will only be available for retail sales.

I am discontinuing all but nine packets in the 500 series (500 - 599). The discontinued packets are now available at 50% off in the SALE section of the website. The discounted price is indicated on the website. This sale will continue until our inventory is depleted on these packets.

We just have two or three left with some packets - so now is the time to complete your library. Do take a look on the website, as there are some lovely designs there for you to paint.

Teaching packets on the 500 series will always be available to teachers who decide to present classes with these projects. They are copyrighted protected and therefore written permission from me is still required for teaching

In the future I will sell the painted samples from the discontinued packets in the gallery section of my website. I still have to go through the samples and see which ones are suitable for sale. When Webmaster Vikki and I have this all organized I will announce it in another newsletter.

Look for the 2011 calendar featuring my Russian theme artwork. I will complete the calendar designs when I return from my teaching trip to S&S Brushstrokes.

If time allows I will also release some new notecards

I will update my travel teaching schedule and show you the projects that my hosts have chosen.

2011 Annual Canadian Seminar
Our 2010 seminar was such a success that we will have two four day sessions in 2011. Look for the dates in the next newsletter!.

 

Till next time, paint with a happy heart!

Maureen