Well I just returned from the National Stationery Show and Surtex Design Show in NYC and there is lots to tell. As we all know the economy is not the greatest and I would say attending one of these shows will certainly prove that correct. I have been going to the Stationery Show since the 1990's and I would have to say this was the slowest, least exhibited show I have ever seen. I know many companies and sales reps whom I work with and they kept on saying in all their years as exhibitors they have never seen it this bad. The show used to run from end to end on the main floor and then spill on over down another level. Some of my major clients who used to have huge booths were not even there. With that being said those who were there said things went better than expected.
I have to just add that at the end of the day on Sunday I took the shuttle bus to the Marriott to meet with friends and I overheard the bus driver tell another they have never seen it soo bad. I can agree, there used to be taxis lined up outside in the morning and they were hardly any when I took mine.
The trends I did see were just continuations of things already out there.. Owls, birds and letterpress. I was told that mushrooms were making a comeback so which is funny since I did several prints of those over a year ago. Still allot of bright fun colored designs and many collage looking ones as well, like yours truly.
One of my new client this past year is the fabulous Gina B.Designs.
Here is Gina and her wonderful designer Erin who takes my designs and transforms them into beautiful stationery.I love the quality of their product, the cards feel like hard watercolor paper and they are not as big as your ordinary card, which makes them special. You can find their cards at places like Kates Paperie in Soho, a wonderful stationery store.
I love seeing my Santa and Snowman on these great cards and notepads. I cannot wait to get my box of samples!! I was allowed to take some while I was there so I could Twitter about it! As we all know I am a big Twitter fan these days.
Now onto Surtex! This is a show that showcases artists who license and design for product. I had been exhibiting at this show for about 7 years until last year and this year when I felt it no longer was worth my while to do so. I still go to the show to say hi to all my fellow artists and meet with clients. I can honestly say this was the smallest show ever in the history of the show. Surtex used to have three floors and now it was on the same floor as Stationery. Many of my fellow artist friends were walking the show as well meeting with clients.I really didn't get a chance to hang out and asses the art of the artists since I was busy with clients so I wish I could tell you what they were showing.
Here are some of my fellow Surtex buddies!
Bentley Publishing ladies, who were my old neighbors when I used to exhibit!!
Barbara Tourtillotte and Debra Jordan Byran who was also walking the show.
World famous Miss Carol Eldridge, who was walking the show as well and had been doing the show for over 20 years, infact she did the very first show.Carol is the go to lady if you ever want info on licensing! With her vast experience there is no other person to see!
Some of my new Twitter/Facebook friends who did their very first show.. Holli Conger.
and the very cute Miss Jannie Ho! Of Chicken Girl!
They were pleased with the contacts they made and really were just trying to see if they could generate other business rather than the children's book industry they normally work in. I have to say I am one of the lucky ones, my very first show I got three very huge contracts and not many people get those. Sometimes its all about timing, you just never know when things will hit.
While I was at the shows I also met with my fabric client Clothworks. They took a bunch of us designers who were at Surtex out to a fabulous dinner at the Michelangelo Hotel. I had such a great time hanging with my fellow fabric peeps!
Counter clockwise is Sue Zipkin, Candice Hoffman( owner of Clothworks), Christine Graf, Me! Barbara Tourtillotte, Joyce Cronkhite ( Clothworks designer), and Sharyn Sowell.
It was nice to talk about how we all got our start in the business and new things we are working on. I think the dinner lasted over three hours which means lots of nice conversation.
After days of being back in NYC I was certainly ready to go home to my family and sleep in my own bed. As much as I miss living in NY I don't miss the small spaces and noise at night. Its nice that I get to visit every now and then.
All in all for me the best part of a trip like this is hanging around my close school friends and fellow artist friends. I tried to get a picture of another fantastic artist friend but then my iphone went nuts! The amazing Robin Zingone, who is just a delight to talk to and creates these fun and funky designs.
I am sorry to all those I didn't get a chance to say hi to, there just wasn't enough time, with meetings and dinners and such. Hopefully next year I can carve out more time to do so. I even spotted the fabulous Miss Amy Butler while in the Starbucks line.. but couldn't say hi since I had to rush to a meeting.
Well thats my report folks.. until next year!!
Ellen
