Barbie Loves Stila Cosmetics | Mattel and the Makeup Industry

Barbie is at it again…she (or at least Mattel) seems to love makeup as much as I do.  Stila just announced that they have joined forces with the iconic brand to celebrate Barbie’s 50th Birthday. Exclusive to Sephora, the line is slated to launch in February…just in time to get all dolled up for Valentine’s Day.

Regardless of how much ‘she’ is demonized by hard-core feminists – Barbie is a brilliant brand. I’m biased and pro-Barbie because I played with these ‘girls’ like crazy when I was little.  And, if you know anything about me…you can hardly say that these toys thwarted my independence, stunted my intellect, or destroyed my self-image in any way WHATSOEVA.  In fact, I would go so far as to say that Barbie Dolls enhanced my creativity and confidence in countless ways.

I used to design Barbie clothes, every one of my Barbies were GREAT gymnasts, none of my Barbies were domestic (obvious foreshadowing – yes, I’m lucky I married a fantastic guy who does all the grocery shopping and cooking!)  My Barbies were a diverse group of girlfriends; mine were even motivational speaker Barbies…inspiring a captive audience of Fisher Price People.

But I hardly need to try to sell people on Barbie.  Looks like Mattel is doing just fine without me.  But that does make me think…hmmm?  I’d love to design a Barbie.  A Sugarluxe Barbie would be so awesome!

If you want more details on the actual product line, be sure to go visit Musings of a Muse.  But the real reason that I’m talking about Barbie today is because of this new gig with Stila.  As an artist who has licensed my work to major retailers and manufacturers, here’s the most interesting part to me about this new partnership:

When Barbie did the Limited Edition MAC line last year (which was actually to die for if you like bright, poppy colors like I do) – I thought that was the last of licensed Barbie Cosmetics.  I thought a deal like that would have been like signing your life over to Coke…you’re not going to get a contract to do Pepsi after that.  There’s no way you can endorse competing brands.

Further, Estee Lauder no longer owns Stila Cosmetics…which if they did, it would make more sense because Estee Lauder owns MAC…so if they were the parent company to both I could understand that the deal would present little if any conflict of interest.  But since they sold Stila (I only recently learned the line is now available at Ulta and even Walgreens, too) to Sun Capital back in 2006 – which is fascinating considering Sun Capital also owns Hickory Farms and Souper Salad (quite the diverse portfolio) – I can only conclude that the cosmetics industry is not as particular when it comes to requiring brand loyalty licensing in perpetuity.

Which you might ask matters to me why?

Well, because one of my secret goals has always been to do a project with a cosmetics company.  I often lay awake thinking about packaging, how I might illustrate the brand, what the color palette would look like, getting to apply the new goodies on my girlfriends (years ago, I perfected my painting skills by practicing applying makeup for fun and eventually for profit) – so, Sweet Sugarluxe Dreams are made of these.

And now I’m even more excited with this recent revelation…because that opens me up to do what might be a smaller cosmetics line first….and makes it so I don’t necessarily have to wait until Estee or Sun Capital come calling.

So, what about doing something with this astoundingly successful independent line – Rae Cosmetics? This is a great company founded by a women who I would totally love to work with; her name is Rochelle Rae.

Rochelle is a Fine Artist, turned Hollywood Makeup Artist, turned amazing Cosmetics Manufacturer.  We first met in 2006 and have remained in touch ever since – supporting and cheering each other on every step of the way.

We are truly fans of one another’s work.  Which is why when she wrote me the other day after I emailed her to congratulate her on her recent onslaught of well-deserved press coverage, she wrote back something that really got me to thinking about this whole idea.  She said:

I was just in San Francisco and saw some of your work. Everything you do is always fabulous.  Please let me know if there is ever anything I can do for you.  Someday I would love to do a Sugarluxe makeup palette. I will keeping on working and make it happen I hope.

First Rochelle – right back at ya!!!  Second – that would be so cool!!!

As two artistic, entrepreneurial women, I think it would be so fun to collaborate with Rochelle.  And now that I see that Barbie can work with whomever she wants and is in no way precluded from keeping her options open…I too, will be exploring all the ways that I may one day create a Limited Edition licensed line of Sugarluxe Cosmetics.

So, thank you Barbie and by the way, Happy 50th Birthday. Who ever said you weren’t a good role model?  See ya at Sephora…

Form, Function and the Field of Dreams

The BRAND NEW Sugarluxe Website is live, lookin’ good and I sure hope you LOVE it like we do!  If you’re on our private VIP list, you already know about the improved site.

If you stumbled onto Sugarluxe for the first time this past month, you already know about it too…and because we outperformed all forecasts for new traffic and direct sales, even in slumpy economic times, I think every single minute of the 784 hours to complete the migration is going to be totally worth it!

Few people know that our original site was all hand-coded.  We didn’t have a shopping cart platform and the site didn’t pull from any pre-fab templates.  That means every single page (over 900) had to be changed one at a time if we wanted to add a product or category, or make any updates to the navigation.  It was such a nightmare.

Not to mention, the back-end was totally chaotic.  In retrospect, I don’t know how we handled our volume of sales with such little automation.

But the idea of developing a new site right before the holidays was a nothing short of insane!  A week into the project (back in October), it looked practically impossible to go live by December.  For some ridiculous reason, my life is full of self-imposed deadlines that make me nutty.  I think I might work on doing that a little less in the New Year.

Yet, when it comes right down to it…the foundation of this company was built upon the importance of signature imagery and usability.  Whether we are talking about product development or a website overhaul – it can’t just look fantastic, it has to be functional.

It was time for an update.

Despite the intense amount of work, I am so, so happy that we are now on such a sophisticated, user-friendly software system.  It’s heavenly!

Here are some of the things that I am just so excited about:

1. We’ve built a back-end customer database so anyone can create a personal Gift Registry.
2. We finally have a site-wide search mechanism with thousands of programmed terms.
3. Our shipping is fully integrated, so you can log onto your Sugarluxe Account for tracking.
4. We’ve designed a breadcrumb trail in all categories for much easier navigation.
5. We now have the functionality for every customer to provide their opinion with Product Reviews.
6. Sugarluxe Partners can now log in to see their special pricing without waiting until checkout.
7. We now offer Sugarluxe Gift Certificates in multiple denominations for convenient gift giving options.
8. We’ve posted new product lines including the SMART Collection Cufflinks and Collectible Paper Prints.
9. The entire Sugarluxe Website loads much more quickly…saving you time when shopping.
10. Specials are so much easier to update, so we will be offering many more deals to our VIPs!

Today, it’s pretty easy for someone who wants to launch an online store to start within a matter of days.  Technology has come a long way.  With portable shopping widgets, blog plugins, sites like Poketo, Etsy, Zazzle, and more…anyone can sell their stuff online.  But even with progress and all these portals, I still believe that if you want to create a real brand…you SHOULD build your own retail website (at least in addition to your pages on the crowdsourced sites).

My vision has always been to compete with some of the biggest shopping sites online.  Not in terms of sales (although that wouldn’t suck). I’m not aiming to be the size of Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try really hard to emulate the experience.

Like most of the undertakings at Sugarluxe, this was no easy task.  But I hope you find that as we continue to grow, we make every single improvement with you in mind.

I feel pretty good about all of the enhanced features, the project was certainly a good investment.  But the best part is – I’m actually now a firm believer that if you build it – they will come!

What is your favorite part?  Have you explored the new site?  Have you left a review?  It would be great to get your feedback…

Stand Out in a Crowd: Being Unique like Cool Designer Cufflinks

Don’t you love cool little cufflinks? I think they’re totally sexy and for something so small, they sure can make a big statement. Huge compliments to avid cufflink collectors.  I really like accessories that provide a little insight into an individual’s personality. 

Cufflinks do that. 

So, I’ve been trying my hand at making cufflinks for almost a year and a half. In fact, I have cufflink prototypes (hundreds of pairs) strewn about the studio and stashed in drawers.  Part of the fun for my friends to come into the studio is trying to get a sneak peek at the multiple experiments I have going on at any given time…

In today’s world of manufacturing and overseas sourcing, it’s rare that a company will manufacturer and sell their own products.  It’s cost prohibitive and for the most part, I don’t know if people even care anymore about where something is made.

But I do.

I find satisfaction in doing both manufacturing and distribution. I can have control over quality and I get the opportunity to connect directly to customers.  I think that’s the best of both worlds.  But maybe that’s just me.

I enjoy taking ideas and turning them into something tangible.  I like developing the prototypes, working with so many materials, and figuring out how to perfect a process.  Art to me is more than painting or illustrating…it’s about creating something out of nothing.

But guess what?

Read more

Girlfriend and Cleo Magazine | Editors Pick Favorite Pink Ribbon Gifts

It probably comes as no surprise - I love PINK.  Which is why I love spending time in my studio downtown.  It’s not covered in the color;  it’s just the right amount to make me feel good.  Let’s call it a daily dose of Pepto Bismol to soothe my creative soul. 

It’s so fun to watch people walk into the building where I lease my space and find their way through the maze of non-descript hallways.  Upon opening the door to the Sugarluxe Studio…even guys, mind you…seem as if they’ve been transported to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.  *Cue the lights and the chorus*

Well, substitute Interns for Oompa Loompas, sparkly gems instead of a chocolate river, and we don’t have lickable wallpaper (yet) but the studio is filled with tasty, sexy art – it’s definitely a decadent place packed with delicious artistic goodness.

But my appreciation for PINK has far more to do with the POWER of this color than it does with my own predeliction toward it.

For years, pink products have made their way into the marketplace every October in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  It’s amazing how many things are out there…pink, proud and hopefully, all doing their part to raise money for research and prevention.

From pink blenders and pink bread mixers, to pink curling irons and pink toolkits…for one month out of every year, we are bombarded with companies who manufacture Pink Ribbon Products.

This is something I’ve been doing at Sugarluxe since our inception.  And better yet, we don’t do it for one month.  We manufacture our Pink Ribbon Gift Items all year long. 

Preventing, educating and creating more awareness about breast cancer is part of my personal mission.  I might not be a big huge brand like Conair’s Personal Hair Care Products or Palmer’s with their ubiquitous Cocoa Butter Creme, but I am compelled to do whatever I can. Even if my contribution is small potatoes compared to these places…I’m in the fight to help battle this disease.

So, I’m pretty excited that Girlfriend Magazine (btw – they were the very first magazine to be printed on entirely recycled paper) and Cleo Magazine chose some of our Pink Ribbon items to feature as their favorite picks.  It let’s readers know that I, like so many other independent artists and designers, are also doing what we can to help fund and find a cure.  If we band together, we can make a difference.

If you want to create and sell Pink Ribbon products to help wage the war against Breast Cancer, let’s start with some Do’s & Don’ts to help you begin sharing knowledge and spreading hope…

DON’T

1. Don’t put a Pink Ribbon on your designs just to sell products.  Believe in the reason you’re doing this or just don’t do it.
2. Unless you are a big label or manufacturer and can sell tens of thousands of units, don’t source production.  You will likely not be able to move that much product and then you’ll be faced with discounting to offset costs, thereby diminishing any proceeds for the cause.
3. Don’t anticipate it will produce a revenue stream. Consider creating these items as part of your charity work.  Offering these goods should be a way for you to donate your time, effort and money to a cause you care about.
4. Don’t be vague about who you are contributing to. Penn sells Pink Tennis Balls and states that “15 cents of your purchase goes to a Breast Cancer Research Organization”.  That’s too unclear for customers.
5. Don’t make pink ribbon items if your products have chemicals or components proven to contribute to the disease.  Please just find a way to make safer products first.

DO:

1. Make sure to choose a specific organization for whom your contributions will benefit.  Susan G. Komen for the Cure is so large now that it’s hard to make a significant impact.  That’s why it’s good to consider other organizations too.  Like the National Breast Cancer Foundation.  They help pay for mammograms for women who cannot afford them and as the saying goes…an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
2. Decide what portion of the proceeds are going to go directly to the organization and clearly state that amount to customers.
3. Do your research.  Many organizations have local affiliates or chapters.  Big organizations even have trademark licensing requirements.  So, it’s best to start out at a local level to find out what is required of you before you start producing your own line of pink ribbon products.
4. If you sell your line wholesale, require those resellers to also contribute to a Breast Cancer non-profit organization of their choice. Because the net proceeds are decreased on wholesale orders, it’s important that both parties pitch in to make up the difference.
5. Be creative.  Do something special.  It’s not about taking a pink item and dubbing it a Pink Ribbon Product…develop something that is truly and specifically for the cause.  

A special note of THANKS goes out to Sam Winter of Sassi Sam in Australia whose hard work and savvy PR made it possible for the selection of Sugarluxe in these magazines.  Thank you Sam…you are such an amazing friend and smart business partner!!

7 Lessons: What Training for the Olympics Taught Me About Building a Successful Business

Maybe because I’m an artist or maybe because I was a gymnast…either way, I love that The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games now lists the sport as Gymnastics Artistic.

It defines the competition as, “A perfect fusion of athletics and aesthetics, gymnastics ranks among the defining sports of the Olympic Games. Mixing strength and agility with style and grace, the high-flying acrobats have provided many of the most breathtaking Olympic spectacles.”

I couldn’t agree more.  I know because I trained day in, day out for years as a young Olympic hopeful.

One fateful night (and one heartless hit and run driver later) the course of my life was changed, ensuring that an Olympic Gold was not part of the plan for me. So when the Summer Games approach, bittersweet memories typically surface. 

After my life-altering accident, it seemed it was all for nothing. I had worked so hard my whole life, I had trained relentlessly, acquired massive amounts of self-discipline, gave up on having a normal childhood…and for what? 

Well, three years into building my business, I finally understand that it all had a purpose. 

The first thing I learned about achieving success started with competitive sports, specifically Gymnastics Artistic!

JUNIOR OLYMPICS INVITATIONAL | CIRCA SOMETIME LAST CENTURY

A quick tug to my leotard removes the annoying wedgie that always finds its way into my butt-crack. I approach the boundary line, arch my back and wave my right hand high into the air. This single-handed salute signifies to the judges that I am ready for my routine.

Two bars into Hernando’s Hideaway, I tango into the hearts of my judges and teammates alike. 

Deep breath in, I prepare for my last run. This is the gold medal moment. After all, I’m a highly-trained eight year old athlete.

Charging ahead with the fearlessness of a defensive lineman, I tackle my biggest tumbling run to date. I punch it. I’m flying high and flipping fast. Then a thud – and blood – everywhere.

Weighing in at a whopping 35 lbs, it’s sort of hard to imagine any strength whatsoever. In fact, from the ages of 6-11, I didn’t appear to have a mid-section. Lacking a definable torso and legs that looked like they were growing out of my neck, I was always told I should have been a ballerina. No doubt, I was definitely born to dance, but acrobatics appealed to the young risk-taker in me.

It seems, even as a kid, I was out to prove that I could do things people said I couldn’t, even if it meant getting a little banged up in the process.

This time? A broken nose.

In an effort to make the full rotation and not land on my head, I pull my knees in tight to turn my body into the tiniest ball possible. Most third-graders don’t pay much attention to physics, but since my face and the floor were familiar with one another, I learned pretty early on about the laws of gravity.  So, my right knee slams hard into my nose.

OMG…I feel the burn shooting through my brain and now I’m bleeding all over the mat.

But I pick myself up, finish my routine and with a blood-stained face, salute the judges.

Without an ounce of hesitation, I turn to wave to my audience.  Embarrassed, dizzy and utterly disappointed that the gold is now out of reach, my glazed-eyes doing nothing to hide my pain.

Then something amazing happens. Read more

Sugarluxe in Home of Pop Star Celebrity Miley Cyrus | InStyle Magazine

You have 269 new messages:

Message 1: Karen Scott

“Is Fabulous in the dressing room of Miley Cyrus? It’s in her house. Have you seen InStyle Magazine? Why don’t you tell me this stuff? I had to find out from someone who came and asked me. I’m your best friend – I’m supposed to know these things. Call me back.  Nevermind, you won’t even get this message…”

Thank God Karen and I have been best friends for 10+ years and she forgives me for my failure to give her information first before it becomes public knowledge.

Not to mention, I rarely listen to voicemail messages (that’s just one of those things my friends, business colleagues, interns, other artists and my own family) have come to accept about me. I NO likey the phone.

But here’s the truth about magazine and celebrity stuff…

Sure, I usually know about magazine coverage, with big national publications like InStyle, they typically put an issue to bed many months before it hits the stands. But check this out — the ONE time I talked about Sugarluxe being in a certain magazine…it didn’t happen. The ONE freakin’ time.

So, my rule of thumb since that incident is this — mum’s the word.

What works about this approach is:

• I love to surprise others.
• There’s so much fun in your friends and fans discovering it for themselves and messaging you to let you know all about it.
• Little doers are better than big talkers.

Here’s my other guideline:

Celebrities do not make Sugarluxe, however, Sugarluxe does make art for celebrities.

What do I mean?

Let’s take Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and Tom Cruise for starters. If you’ve completely associated your brand or business with a certain celebrity and they turn out to be a complete nutbag (which seems to be a matter of when and not if) what does that do to what you’ve created? Where do you go from there?

I’m not really into tying my name to somebody else who I can’t control.

Unless:

I really like them and they’ve been a good friend to me (John Corbett)

They are sexy, dirty hot (Tommy Lee)

I think they’re the sweetest mega-rich couple I’ve ever met (Gregg & Jeff Foxworthy)

Or, I meet Oprah. Which I haven’t. But I will. Soon.

So – yes, it’s super cool to see my work hanging in the spot Miley Cyrus calls “one of her favorite rooms in the house”. And, I have four nieces under the age of 11 – so I admit that I’ve watched my share of Hannah Montana episodes (and really liked them).

But to me, I get far more pumped about someone who writes me a special note saying that they love my work, or they send me a picture of a Sugarluxe piece that they bought, or they tell me that I’ve inspired them in some way.

It may not seem like much compared to all the fancy famous stuff, but that’s what means the most to me!

If you’d like to order an Artist’s Proof piece just like this original painting, you can find it here – Sugarluxe Fabulous Art.

Brand Licensing & The Magical Mailbox Money Maker

Donald Trump does it, P Diddy did it, even midwestern textile designer – Amy Butler – is doing it and it all begins behind closed doors.

It’s called: THE LICENSING DEAL…

Why do BIG designers and FAMOUS celebrities put their names on manufacturers products created for major retailers?

In short — there is only one true answer — SMART MONEY!

When other people pshaw Vera Wang for creating Simply Vera for Kohls, Cindy Crawford Home for Rooms to Go, or Martha Stewart at Michaels (AND Macy’s)…I just watch and learn.

If you don’t like the mall, detest discount stores or believe boutiques are the ONLY place to buy all your heart desires…well, then, okay?!

Sugarluxe accessories are available in hundreds of boutiques around the world. We’ve hand-selected each store and truly admire the proprietors of these establishments -

A few of my all-time favorites that we’ve been with since they first opened their doors are:

• Soigne Boutique in Central Austin
• Patricia Junes Boutique on Melrose in Los Angeles
• Ginger & Koi Boutique in Kailua Kona, Hawaii
• So Absolutely Fabulous in Temecula, Californa
• Sassi Sam in New South Wales, Australia

And I typically offer exclusives, so that these small business owners can trust that I won’t go down the street to their competition. With that kind of business philosophy, it’s probably apparent that boutiques will never be my bread and butter. I just really love working with other women who also work very hard to run a business of their own.

So, yes – I shop at these places whenever I can. But I love Bed, Bath & Beyond and Target, too.

Those who have a lot of money but are wise about spending it, or for those whose financial cup does not yet runneth over…big brand names today are but a chain store away. And I for one – am so glad for that.

Starting a business really forced me to be more frugal than I had ever been in my life. I was raised to love a good bargain, but it wasn’t until I became a true bootstrap entrepreneur that I understood what it meant to really NEED to find a good deal.

From the outside looking in…it would be easy to say that I’m cheap (not in a hookerish way) just thrifty. But really, when you’re here on the inside, you understand that it’s all very strategic.

In the same way that I want my hard-earned dollars to go as far as possible, I have the same desires for my work. And…watching…as I do, the business people I want to emulate, it was clear to me from the outset that LICENSING would be a significant way to achieve that.

Here’s why:

My whole life, my dad instilled in me the MAGIC of MAILBOX MONEY. He would always talk to me about what investors call – PASSIVE INCOME. In other words, do the work, sell the rights and get royalties. Checks coming every month in the mail for the work you did – once.

He instilled in me a deep desire for this type of financial freedom.

That’s not typically how an artist thinks, yet an artist who aspires to make art their business, could learn a lot from my dad.

But that makes it sound so easy, huh? Want mailbox money? Do a licensing deal.

Sure, in theory, it’s very simple. But how do you get there? How do you create a name, brand, design or invention that someone else wants to pay you to license? That’s the very, very – did I say very? Tricky Part.

Now, let’s go back to my friends Vera, Cindy and Martha.

They are incredibly savvy business women and one of the ways they’ve amassed a fortune is, of course, first being at the top of their game. But to build an empire? They would all agree with me – licensing is the key!

I will always love, shop for, and even create one of a kind, unique items that you can’t find anywhere else…but those are splurges. And my suspicion has always been that other people feel that way, too.

Partnering with small shops, creating original paintings, designing custom surfboards (oh yes, wait until you see) and hand-made items will be the work I live for. But it takes more than that. Getting your work into Big Box Retail is like getting drafted into the NFL. It’s a major deal.

And – it’s not because I want to be famous, not because I have to be rich – but only because I want to live a life I enjoy, connect with people through my work, and run my own company because I don’t like anyone else to be the boss of me.

My desires have always been THAT crystal clear – how I was going to get there and what I would have to do to attain those goals is a story that unfolds every single day.

Sure – there are plenty of books, trade shows and websites that will teach you the tradional path by which to try to break into this business.

But I find it rather difficult to compete with Disney. And I am far from a traditionalist. Or remotely conventional. Or by the book. Ever.

Guess my point is…you can be independent, you can do this without high-priced lawyers and lots of money, even successfully promote yourself without an agent or a manager (*hint* TalentDatabase is the BEST place to start!)…but you can’t do it without being SMART, RELENTLESS and DETERMINED.

Two weeks ago (that’s why I’ve been MIA) we finally launched our fifth major licensing deal…and the biggest one to date for Sugarluxe!

Placing over 10,000 new Sugarluxe items in 1000+ new stores, I couldn’t be more excited. And my parents were so proud when they called me from the art section of the biggest home decor retailer in the nation. Moreso than if I would have sold one painting for $500 grand – they love seeing Sugarluxe on the shelves.

The BEST part is, I did this whole deal from the comfy convenience of my fabulous studio. Want to know how? Stay tuned and SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Extreme Wealth Working Just 5 Hours a Week

A business mind and a bleeding heart are often an incompatible mix…

But I should back up.

Don’t we just EAT UP the idea of an overnight success story?

Like the 2 a.m. infomercials – Lose weight without any effort whatsoever, enjoy extreme wealth working just 5 hours a week, and get smoother, wrinkle-free skin with this amazing wonder cream.

Who doesn’t want the quick fix? Yet, true success in, well, pretty much everything…doesn’t happen overnight. For artists, if it happens at all, it’s usually after we’re dead.

So, for those who hope that fortune will fall in your lap – then by all means, click here.

Know better? Then keep reading.

• By nature, I was born a bleeding heart. It’s a fact – and it’s a double-edge sword when it comes to business.
• I hate to say NO to anyone – because I am wired to want to help others…and also because (see #1).

When I decided to launch Sugarluxe…I left everything behind.  Full-on risk, no side jobs, no income, no safety net.  I cashed out my tiny 401K and I was determined to build a brand name.  I didn’t freelance or take any pick up work that might have made it easier, but would ultimately, distract me from my end goal.

I don’t believe in Get Rich Quick Schemes. So, to be successful, I have to make sure that my business sensibilities prevail, or at least work hand in hand with my bleeding heart.

I understand people want something custom for their business, new website, boutique, blog, product packaging, myspace page, their new line of greeting cards, their new line of panties, their non-profit, their church group, their brochures, their banners, headers, t-shirts, and…oh my gosh – I am out of breath!

I’m not complaining or taking any of the recognition for granted. 

One day I’ll spill the gory details of the significant losses in my life, until then just know that I am someone who gets that in an instant, your whole life can change. (Did you think for a moment that my happy, colorful artwork meant that I wasn’t a tortured soul?)

Frida knows – Art is suffering.

Sacrifice, living lean and forging ahead is what I’ve had to do.  Sure it’s been 3 super fast years since I started Sugarluxe…but I’ve been working a lifetime to get to this point.

Reminds me of one of my favorite stories…it’s about Picasso:

Picasso was sitting in a Paris café when an admirer approached and asked if he would do a quick sketch on a paper napkin. Picasso politely agreed, swiftly executed the work, and handed back the napkin — but not before asking for a rather significant amount of money.

The admirer was shocked: “How can you ask for so much? It only took you a minute to draw this!” “No”, Picasso replied, “It’s taken me my whole life”.

So, absolutely…I would love to help with your project, your new business venture or develop your brand of designer boxers!  My bleeding heart wants to do it all for free, but then my business mind reminds me…

And this is especially important for women to hear because we are usually the first to trivialize our talents:

Understand your unique value.  Maybe you’ve started your own company, you’ve climbed the corporate ladder or you’re a freelance designer, writer or consultant – when you work incredibly hard for what you’ve achieved, you not only deserve credit, but you deserve excellent compensation for what you have to offer. 

And those who complain of your confidence are surely the ones sitting back their entire lives, just waiting for the chance to get rich quick.

Z Gallerie Continues to Sell Out of Sugarluxe Art Giclees

Ya know what?  I never get tired of hearing stuff like this:

Your in store art signing was a huge success! Managers commented the event brought in new customers and that you were delightful.  We had a good Sugarluxe weekend in other stores across the nation…some stores just received their stock last week and it sold out over the weekend! – D.D. - Head Buyer, Z Gallerie Stores

And this recent picture of two Sugarluxe pieces in the display window at Z Gallerie?  Well, it really does bring a tear or two.  Sniff. Sniff.

The flip side of this AWESOME news is that people need more information.  We receive emails daily from customers who’ve discovered the Sugarluxe Brand in Z Gallerie stores and many are asking specific questions about the line.  

It’s here that I hope we can provide more assistance and answer some of your most Frequently Asked Questions:

Q.  What is a Giclee?

A giclee refers to both a category of collectible fine art and the process of reproduction. Utilizing the latest technology, with the guidance of meticulous printmaking standards, our artwork is reproduced to museum standards.  Although many people are throwing around the word giclee these days to represent any reproduction methodology…it doesn’t mean that every reproduction print is actually a fine art, archival giclee.  Numerous examples of true giclee prints can be found in museums throught the world including The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the San Francisco Museum of Art and the British Museum.

Q:  Why doesn’t Sugarluxe currently sell original works of art?

My original paintings are kept in a secret safe place – away from my studio.  Holding onto the originals and making reproduction prints available to customers is a winning combination for everyone.  Sugarluxe customers get a gorgeous, signed and numbered piece and it’s affordable too.  Plus, as an artist, it’s smart because keeping original artwork and selling Limited Editions can greatly increase the value of the artwork in the future.

Did you know that in 2002, a record was set for pop artist Roy Lichtenstein when his original work – Happy Tears (pictured above, left) sold for $7.1m at Christie’s in New York?  The 1964 work, depicting the artist’s trademark comic-book style, was bought by an anonymous bidder. It broke the record for a Lichtenstein that had been held until 2002 by his work, Kiss II (pictured above, right) – a piece purchased for $6m in 1990. Happy Tears was part of Christie’s sale of post-war and contemporary art.  BBC News

Q:  Why do the Z Gallerie stores carry such a limited selection and supply of Sugarluxe Fine Art Giclees?

Great question.  The truth is, I really don’t know why they maintain such a limited supply.  I think they should keep more in stock and they should buy a bunch at a time!  But they did purchase two main works with exclusive rights to distribute.  That means I won’t sell these pieces to any other major retailer…but we can sell Artist’s Proofs direct to you (or if your Z Gallerie location is sold out and hasn’t yet received new shipments.)

Q:  Why can’t I find the Sugarluxe pieces on the Z Gallerie website?

Recently, the head buyer at Z Gallerie informed me that they want and plan to post Sugarluxe artwork on their website, but they simply haven’t gotten to the site udpates yet.  I wasn’t given at ETA…but will come back here to post any new info. 

UPDATE:  ZGallerie now sells select Sugarluxe Giclees on their website.

 Q:  When will the Sugarluxe site begin to offer Giclees?

Very soon!  We’ve been working for about 4 months to complete a new, dedicated section on our website which features a variety of images, sizes and framing options for our customers.  We want to make sure that we make it as easy as possible to buy your art online and to allow you the most versatility in choosing your special Sugarluxe piece. 

UPDATE:  We now sell Sugarluxe Limited Edition pieces and Artist’s Proofs online at www.sugarluxe.com.  Every piece is hand signed and numbered (with a special note on the back…because that makes it even sweeter!)

Q:  What if I bought a canvas from Z Gallerie, but I didn’t get to come to one of your art signings, will you still sign my piece in person?

I will always sign your piece in person, if at all possible.   Also, all of the associates and executives I’ve met at Z Gallerie have been GREAT.  Let them know next time you’re in your local store so that the POWERS THAT BE over at the Z Gallerie headquarters can decide when/where they might book another event.

Q:  Are you really rich now that you have products in all these big stores?

Licensing as a visual artist is tough business. I’ve experienced bitter disappointments, so much so, that sometimes it seems unreal.  But I guess that’s what makes the small victories so much sweeter.

The Suits (as I like to call them) stand to make the most money off of any successful creative, aka The Talent.  The business is quite similar to that of the music industry.  Basically, the goal for both is to put out multiple best-selling hits. 

If you don’t do that consistently, no matter how great your first big chart-topper, your life in the limelight could very well go the way of Chumbawumba.  And who would want that?

The Graduate: Here’s to You – Ms. Robinson

If you’ve ever contacted, applied, worked with or ordered from Sugarluxe, chances are – you’ve communicated with Lindsay. If you haven’t met her…please allow me to introduce you to someone who is wonderfully precious to me – Lindsay Robinson.

But first things first…whenever I have publicly spoken so highly of someone, I immediately invite poachers. I understand that. It’s really no different than the chance I take every time I share a new piece of art or a recent illustration. If I put it out there, it could be stolen. But I can’t spend my time worrying about the people who do that kind of thing. I want to share…my work, my passion and most of all, my appreciation for people I adore.

Lindsay is one of those people.

Graduating in May and wise beyond her 22 years, she is so smart, caring and devoted. Every day that she is at work, she is a burst of sunshine and add to that, she is never late, never gripes and comes in with a can-do attitude, I feel blessed that this wonderful human being is in my life.

Sure, I don’t sound like a normal boss. That’s probably because I’m not. I don’t subscribe to traditional bossery. I know that respecting your staff, welcoming their ideas, allowing them to fail and encouraging them to succeed creates loyalty and a cohesive team.

I can’t take credit for Lindsay being so ultimately fabulous…she is just that way. Her parents are as charming as any parents could ever be, her boyfriend, Andy (studying abroad in Barcelona right now) is a doll and her friends love her endlessly. She is just a gem, no doubt about it.

So is it all about luck of the draw?

Well, sorta.

But my guy friends say it this way: GAME RECOGNIZES GAME!

It’s true. Plus girls need to talk more about being tight and bringing ‘game’. So, I’m saying it here…in all my girly A-Game glory, that’s what it’s about.

I dread sounding preachy. I am not one to tell people how to do anything, really. That’s how it works in our studio anyway. It’s different on a blog because I can’t pack everyone into the studio to prove it. But mostly, I don’t tell — I just do. And it’s through my actions that I hope to inspire and attract like-minded people.

Might I possibly be too attached? Always.

But I have a long list of wonderful friends who started out working with or for me over the years. I spend more time at work than any other place in my life…so when someone is going to get that close and I get to choose, they have to be someone I will adore.

Lindsay: you are uniquely special to me. I’m so proud of you and everything you’ve learned. I couldn’t be happier than to start each day with your drive – a perfect match for my determination. It takes guts to step into the amount of responsibility you’ve taken on – but you’ve got what it takes. You will always succeed at whatever you set your mind to.

With Love & Octiwinkles,

C

« Previous Page — Next Page »