Well here we are, the last quarter. The last class schedule I'll have to create, the last Holiday Open House, the last of a lot of things. Wow, it feels really strange. But on the other hand there are a lot of "The Firsts", or at least plans for them. I have decided to attempt to plan to put on one if not two retail shows a year. The "plan" is to host a retail show at the Embassy Suites hotel here in Lynnwood. I say plan because I could easily find out that it just isn't feasible. But for now the plan is a show that would consist of a day of classes followed by a buffet dinner and Make-N-Take Get Together. The second day would be a day of shopping. Vendors would have booths set up like you would normally find at any retail show. There would be Show Rates for the hotel rooms for those traveling. I expect to have everything priced individually as well as a package deal. You would be able to choose what you wish to participate in or receive a small discount for signing up for the full two days which would be something like 3 classes, dinner, make-n-take get together and entrance to the show on day two. These are very sketchy plans right now but that is what I am envisioning. To help clarify that vision I am attending a wholesale show in Portland this weekend. This after all is the show that I wish to emulate so I will be picking their well developed brains.
Aside from that I am looking at having some of my drawings put to rubber or clear stamps, enhancing the web store with all kinds of stuff, once I have all this time(?) and taking a well deserved vacation after the store is closed and before starting all this other stuff.
As for the store, I try not to dwell. I expect to have a clearance sale the first weekend in February then regroup and rearrange the store. Customers who have store fixtures and other store items on request to purchase will be called to come pick them up. The second and last sale will be the second weekend in February and then I'll be done. We'll spend the last two weeks in February cleaning up the store and then I'll fly off to Hawaii to visit my family, lay in the sun and eat! After a week or two there I'll return tan, relaxed, warm, fat and happy--ready to start on new adventures--what every they might be.
I hope everyone will visit me on the web, email me, etc. Some of you know where I live and I expect to keep in contact with many. I have after all known some of you for 15 years!
As for the immediate--be sure to come to the Holiday Open House. I am planning lots of fun projects and a good time! October 18 - Early Bird Sale starts at 9:30 AM! Check the web site for the schedule of things going on and their times. www.funstamps.net
