Vintage Automobile Fridge Magnets

I have been playing around with new product ideas to debut in 2010. The majority of my work in retro inspired and I want to design new items that will compliment my current collection.

I collect vintage magazines and often take images in the to use in my work. For years I have wanted to do something with all the vintage car ads that fill each magazine. America is in love with their cars and are fasinated with its legacy.

I have scanned about 20 different vintage makes and models and created FRIDGE MAGNETS! The image you see is proposed packaging to sell them in a set of three, all with a vintage route 66 kind of theme. So much fun!

Each magnet is approx. 4" long and 1.5" high.

I will also be working on a collection of luggage tags for 2010 to round out this retro travel theme!

Think about it....

“A ‘bad’ economy is just the excuse many people need to stop showing up,” she said. “They stop marketing; they quit attending business events; and they stop planning for the future. But for savvy business people, now is exactly the right time to put more energy into setting big goals for your business.”

Custom Monogram Pocket Mirrors

I am trying to gear up for the upcoming holiday sales and thinking "stocking stuffers". I did a lot of business on Etsy last year with custom notebooks and would like to continue with that thought with the POCKET MIRRORS.

Each mirror is 3" round and can either have a single or double monogram or an entire name added to the front to personalize it. So far, this is the only design I have created and while it is classic and simple, it may be a bit too Lillian Vernon...if anyone knows what I am talking about!

So she thinks she can out TWITTER me?

I love pairing vintage photos with updated text! At this time, computers and cell phones didn't exist so the chain of communication was GOSSIP!

Now the "he said, she said" is in print with emails and text messages and can be easily referenced if needed...boy has that gotten a lot of people in trouble!

No, I am not a Twitter gal, but I get the concept.

Now that I'm on Facebook, there is no reason for us to get together in real life!

I love facebook! It connects all my friends in all the different time zones and it has reduced my communication guilt level immensely. I no longer get emails asking to send them photos of my son, or what I am up to...they can see it on Facebook.

I had an inspirational day yesterday and created new cards, magnets and buttons. My reps like to have a "new release" of merchandise at least twice a year so I needed to snap to it. But as an "artist" those moments of creativity just don't happen everyday. I was on a roll and stayed indoors all day just to crank out some new material. It felt great and I needed the burst of energy.

Acrylic Pocket Mirror Display

After much searching the internet, we found the perfect POP display for our new pocket mirrors.

This is a nice compact size and holds up to 36 mirrors. (6 slots which hold 6 mirrors each)

This item is now featured on the web site and will be in the updated catalog, which is a press as we type!

Simply beautiful!

Missoula, Bozeman and Portland

OK, stores are loving the "city" buttons and today we are working on orders for Missoula, Bozeman and Portland (Oregon). In all, we have over 500 buttons to produce in the next couple of days and get these orders shipped ASAP!

Other projects in the studio this week include updating our catalog and web site. Our web site lists all the stores we sell to and we have had so many new accounts recently that I am way behind in adding them to the list! Look for a store near you! www.mindseyecards.com

Enough blogging...back to the manufacturing!

Custom City Buttons and Magnets

Custom "City" Buttons and Magnets were introduced in April. There are 6 basic designs that can be customized with any city or store name in any color combinations.

I have been making these buttons for "Ann Arbor" for over a year and decided to include them in my wholesale catalog. It allows a store or boutique to create a unique item for their business without the high costs and high minimum quantities.

It's May?!

Wow, I realized that I haven't updated my Blog is weeks! Where has the time gone? And it isn't because there hasn't been tons to talk about either.

Despite the economy, sales are brisk and steady. I introduced a collection of pocket mirrors, created 12 new rectangle magnet designs, 16 new button designs and updated my catalog with ALL new products. Sample products and catalogs were then sent to my wonderful existing rep force throughout the U.S. Without the support of my sales team, Minds Eye Design wouldn't survive!

I placed an ad on Great Reps (.com) to increase my sales force in territories not already covered and now have representatives in Florida, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. Conversations are on-going with other sales teams and individuals in other territories as well so I hope to add to the list soon!

My project for this week will be choosing a POP (point of purchase) display unit for the POCKET MIRRORS so the stores are better able to merchandise them and increase sales. I love introducing new products and designs but the added responsibility is always finding packaging solutions and appropiate counter displays at an affordable price.

I love my job!

Inspired by Nature

I have been working on a new series of nature inspired pocket mirrors. I think the spring air has affected my creative soul!

I love the clean and elegant look of black and white images and quotes so the "Bird on a branch" mirror with the quote by Claude Monet is my personal fav!

As with most of my work, I include french words and sayings. "L'herbe verte" translates simply to "The green grass".

All are listed on my etsy page and available to ship asap!