Thank You to "5 Minutes for Books" June 12, 2009 00:47
I want to thank the nice people at the blog "5 Minutes for Books", especially Lauren, for writing such a wonderful review of my picture book "Greetings from Kiwi and Pear." They even gave away a free copy of my book to one lucky reader! It made my day to know that it made her kids smile while also teaching them a little about the world. Here's the link to the review: http://www.5minutesforbooks.com/1120/b-is-for-books/ Thanks to the 85 readers who responded to the blog entry for the free book.Kiwi and Pear @ Licensing International Expo 2009 June 6, 2009 07:59 1 Comment
I just got back from the Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas! It was a huge success in terms of the response and feedback I received and the number of prospective clients and agents that I met. Now the "real" work begins! I'll talk a little more later about my overall thoughts on the show when I've collected all my thoughts. In the meantime, here are some pics of the Kiwi and Pear booth:
The full size backdrops created a real eye-catching display and made it a really easy set-up.
As crazy as it gets during tradeshows - I managed to find some time to take in some sites with my folks including the incredible Bellagio Water Show. Notice my dad's "ooh's" and "aah's" as he's watchin the show - hilarious!
Vegas or Bust! May 27, 2009 19:48 2 Comments
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm taking my Kiwi and Pear characters to the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas. I'm heading out this Sunday to setup for the show which doesn't start until Tuesday. I've exhibited at the show a couple of years ago but at that time i think it was a bit premature. However, I did learn a lot from being at the show and now that I have been running Wanart for a couple years, have some licensing deals and a book under my wing, I feel like I am super prepared and more confident than ever! For this show, the whole booth is going to be focused on Kiwi and Pear. I designed two huge 8' x 10' vinyl banners to cover the two walls of my corner booth, a lifesize cardboard cutout (picture below), I have jumbo 6" x 11" postcards featuring the design on my backdrops, pinback buttons as my free giveaway and even a trifold brochure with background information and pictures of all the licensed products for those serious inquiries! Samples of my book and Kiwi and Pear products that are already being sold in stores like the cards, the magnets, the flashcards will be on display. Pictures of my Kiwi and Pear booth in Vegas will be posted next week. Wish us luck in Vegas!! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="Posing with My Favorite Monkey Duo :)"]
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Wanart at National Stationery Show 09 May 22, 2009 15:48
Here are the pics of the Wanart booth at National Stationery Show 2009 as promised. I'm still recovering from the show - I have tons of new ideas I can't wait to get started on. Although next week will be all about the next Kiwi and Pear book - I have to start sketching out the dummy!
I gave away Zodiac pins at the show as a freebie - it was a great conversation starter. Most people actually didn't know their zodiac sign - it was fun to help them figure it out. This also gave me an idea for another new product...
Busy as a Bee May 20, 2009 13:23
Sorry, I have not been posting much. I've been busy preparing for 2 tradeshows in the next fours weeks - the National Stationery Show which ends today and the Licensing Expo which starts in a couple weeks. The Stationery Show was a dissapointment in terms of sales written at the show but if some of the leads pan out - it can be a great show - probably not record-breaking - but decent. Since I have been exhibiting at that show for the last 6 years, it has shrunken by more than half. I wonder if it is a sign in terms of where the stationery industry is going. However, I do believe that it has been a great way to hone my design skills and to launch my design career. If It hadn't been for my stationery & gift biz, wanart, there may not have been the opportunity to work on the book. I'm taking my Kiwi and Pear characters to the Licensing Expo this year to see if I can get some feedback, more licensing deals, work on new design projects, or even meet some agents who can help me navigate the licensing world. I'm a little worried about the Licensing Expo being in Las Vegas this year - first time in 20 years apparently! I was hoping i'd meet more publishers - but the publishing industry is in New York not on the West Coast! There's a lot of buzz that moving the Licensing Expo to Las Vegas is a mistake - and a ton of people will not be attending. I guess we'll see. You never know what kinds of oppportunities come your way unless you try. Anyway, off to the last day at the Stationery Show - breakdown and moveout starts at noon. Let's hope it's fast and painless! I will post pictures of my booth soon!Free Shipping + Gift on wanart.com April 23, 2009 03:59
New wanart.com Items and Free Shipping + Gift with orders over $30! Click on this link for details: http://bit.ly/37L0wsA Sneak Peek at New Wanart Products March 31, 2009 07:14 2 Comments
I finally finished Wanart's brand new 28 page catalog and sent it off to print! It features a bunch of new items and designs that I will be showing for the first time at this year's National Stationery Show! Some new items include wrapped canvas giclees, pinback buttons, gift enclosures, boxed notes, frameable prints - I'm so excited! Here are pics of some of the new items/designs: |
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| Zodiac Zoo 12"x12" Gallery-Wrapped Canvas Giclees I hung these prints up in my office - they look amazing together! | ||
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| Zodiac Zoo Pinback Buttons - Wear your zodiac sign for good luck! | ||
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| Boxed Thank You Notes - Our boxed notes are now packaged in 2-piece sturdy kraft boxes with a slip cover. | ||
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| GIft Enclosure Cards - These are just 3 of 24 new gift enclosure designs. | ||
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| 11" x 17" Prints - Inspired by some of our best-selling card designs | ||
Year of the Ox 2009 March 22, 2009 03:35
I was reflecting a little about how this year is going so far and it seems to be in keeping with what the Year of the Ox is supposed to be about. Here's a postcard that I sent out to my customers at the beginning of the year to promote some of my ox products:
The back of the card said:
According to Chinese tradition, a person’s birth sign has a profound influence on personality and destiny. Underneath a tranquil and unpretentious demeanor, those born in the Year of the Ox have tremendous amounts of ambition, drive and fortitude. Oxen are known for their patience, dedication and tenacity and will achieve great success by a slow, steady and sustained effort. Born leaders, they hate to fail or be opposed and have the innate ability to inspire confidence in those around them. Famous oxen include: Napoleon Bonaparte, Vincent Van Gogh, Walt Disney, Diana Princess of Wales, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep and Barack Obama.
Not only was Barack Obama born in the year of the ox 1961 which I found to be an interesting coincidence but we will all have to have the perseverance like the ox to endure the trials of this economic slowdown. Fear not people because Ox are also known to be dependable - but we will just have to work harder and be patient!
The Book is Available! :D March 18, 2009 17:23
"Greetings from Kiwi and Pear" is finally available on the web! Here are the direct links to places where you can find it: Chronicle Books Amazon Barnes and Noble Borders So exciting!!!My Weekend in NOLA March 12, 2009 00:28
Went to New Orleans this past weekend for a mini-break. Never been there before but LOVED it....so much history...so much old world charm and the food was AMAZING! Here is a link to some of my vacation pics on my facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=70567&id=674330697&l=783625bc3e ENJOY!Wanart @ The New York International Gift Fair February 14, 2009 05:22
It was so exciting to see my book in the Chronicle Books booth along with all the other books at the New York Gift Fair a couple of weeks ago - it was almost surreal! It's fun to think that I met my publisher at this very show just a year ago. I got some great feedback from long-time wanart customers on the advance copy I had displayed in my booth. Here's a picture of the Wanart booth from the show (I had a copy of the book displayed in the front and rear of the booth):
Traffic at the show was a bit down from last year - which is what I was expecting. However, I'm very optimistic and cant wait for the official release of my book!!
The Book is Here! January 23, 2009 03:23 1 Comment
I received advance copies of my book yesterday and it looks fantastic! I had asked my publisher for some copies to display in my booth where I will be showing and selling my greeting card and gift products at the New York International Gift Fair which starts this week. Hopefully, I can direct some traffic over to the Chronicle Books booth where they can actually pre-order the book! I will post pictures from the show later this week! Also, the publisher looked at my Kiwi and Pear in space sketches and liked them. She wants to speak further about that project! YAY!2009 is here! January 16, 2009 16:26
Happy (belated) New Year! Things over at Wanart have been pretty busy as we start preparing for the Year of the Ox which starts on January 26. I have also been working on a couple of new book dummies including one about Kiwi and Pear going to outer space! Here are some sketches from the dummy:
Hot off the Press - Blue Apple Book's Spring 2009 catalog! December 15, 2008 00:13
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Here are scanned pages from the catalog showing the Greetings from Kiwi and Pear book and the Travel Flash Cards!
 (Greetings from Kiwi and Pear - left side of spread) "Travel around the world with Kiwi and Pear! - Kiwi and Pear are a pair of monkeys who do everything together, and now they're off on a trip around the world. They travel to every continent, visiting penguins in Antarctica and llmas in Peru, snapping photos of the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the pyramids at Giza, snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and touring the Taj mahal in India. The rhyming text and sweet illustrations are presented on gatefold pages, and at the back of the book is a map where readers can follow Kiwi and Pear's adventures by putting a sticker on each country they visit."
 (Greetings from Kiwi and Pear - right side of spread)
 (Kiwi and Pear Travel Learning Cards) "Travelling is fun and easy with Kiwi and Pear - These flash cards, shaped like little suitcases, are the perfect complement to Greetings from Kiwi and Pear. Each card features a picture with its name in both English and Spanish: plane and aeroplano, suitcase and maleta, swimsuit and traje de baño. The cards are held together by a ring on a spiral cord that can be clipped onto a child's backpack. They are a valuable language tool for families planning trips, or for parents who want to talk to their children about foreign languages and places."
Kiwi and Pear even got a spot on the back cover of the catalog!
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New Kiwi and Pear Shop December 9, 2008 00:34
Just in time for the holidays - t-shirts, tote bags, posters, framed prints, ornaments, coasters and more featuring your favorite jet-setting monkeys! http://www.cafepress.com/kiwiandpear
Good News November 19, 2008 23:24
Just got word from my publisher that Kiwi and Pear will be featured on the back cover of their Spring catalog! The book and flash cards should be available for pre-order within a month or two and will officially be released in April!
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