Selling in an Antiques Mall #101

'Selling in an Antique Mall: A Beginners' Guide'

written by Inis Lovely and Sue LaLumia,

is a new e-book available on Kindle through Amazon 

{click book title above}.

It's just $9.95 

and is a great resource of information and inspiration

for vintage/Antique dealers, or those of you who want to be!

This would be a great Holiday read - just in time for the new year.

Find out more info on their facebook Page and blog

Design Resources from Gingko Press

 

Today I received an email from Karen at Gingko Press, 

asking me to help them promote a new book release. 

More on that coming soon!

As I searched through their web site, I found a large selection of books that they have published that I consider valuable resources for the design of retail spaces. From fashion to food and brand image, these compilations of work by designers from around the world is sure to inspire and educate you.

Each title below links to the book's information page 

on the Gingko Press web site.

Super Identity
In Your Sight & In Your Mind
First impressions count. As that first perception is the most important one in real life, in the competitive world of commerce it has the potential to make or break a brand. Be it the visual identity for fashion branding or traffic signals, service industry manifestations or restaurants and food boutiques, Super Identity – In Your Sight and In Your Mind, unveils the ever changing, cutting edge of this visual language. 

Structural Displays

A brilliant collection of simple, novel and out-of-the ordinary packs and displays, this book illustrates perfectly how to showcase a product to its best advantage.

Nice To Meet You, Too

Visual Greetings from Business Cards and Self Promotion
Artists and studios featured range in their specialist fields from direction and design of moving image projects to product packaging, typography, event promotion, interior design, fashion, music photography, illustration, graphics, film, exhibitions and interior and product design.

Growing Graphics

Design for Kids
There is a visual universe that children immediately recognize. Enter a bookshop with your children, and you can be sure they will quickly be drawn to the department aimed at their own age. Growing Graphics – Design for Kids opens a window to this visual universe of children at different ages, presenting a multitude of graphics aimed at them: Logos and characters, corporate identity, packaging, labels, catalogs, brochures, posters, invitation cards, books, educational material, web and multimedia design, exhibitions, signage etc.

Design Taste
Graphics & Interiors for Bars & Restaurants
In a frenetically paced, time poor world 'dining out' has become a frequent activity and accordingly, patrons of restaurants, hotels, coffee lounges, clubs and bars have become more discerning. To succeed, each requires its own particular brand of ambiance and an image with which its guests can readily identify, from the soft and subtle to the bold and daring. Design Taste is a brilliant collection of identity designs covering everything from external signs and entrances to logos, menu cards, tableware, uniforms and interior design, and how to visually create a unique experience for the patron.

Stay tuned for information on their latest release here...

{Image and All Book Descriptions 

property of Gingko Press; 

All Rights Reserved}

By the Book - a Giveaway!

Have you read this book, 'The Martha Rules'? 

I'll admit I don't watch the Martha show much, but I do have a few of her holiday decorating books. I highly recommend THIS one, which is geared specifically toward women entrepreneurs.  In it, 'The Queen of Domesticity' sheds that crown and puts on her business suit to share insights, plans, guidance, and perspective on being a business owner. This is the book that Martha wrote while serving time in a womens' prison a few years back... and that experience is referenced in the book. {I actually like the fact that she's included it, too.} If you have a business already, you will find some helpful practices in this book that will help you grow & expand.

I have several brand new hardback copies of this book, and would love to share them with a few of you...so let's have a giveaway, shall we? Call it an early Valentine. ;0)

Leave a comment on this post telling me why you'd like to receive a copy and you may get lucky! I'll choose the three best answers next Monday, February 8th, and post them here.

**And don't forget that I am still looking for props & fixtures for my seminar in March - read the post below this one for more into!**

Flea With Me!

I asked fans on my Facebook Page to tell me what kinds of subjects they'd like to see me discuss here on my blog... and several cited Decorating. Happy to oblige!

Check out the brand new blog for soon-to-be-released Flea Market Style magazine. The blog just launched, the mag is on its way. Headed by Ki Nassauer (formerly of JunkMarket and now of Junk Bonanza & Junk Revolution) and Matthew Mead (formerly of Country Home magazine and author), this new publication will provide a plethora of tips, tricks, and inspiration for using secondhand items and bonafide JUNK to create stunning decor. The very talented staff is a virtual who's who of decor & blogging pros with a penchant for vintage style. I'm meeting my friend Heather Bullard, contributing editor, this weekend in Portland. I can't wait to hear more about what she's working on for upcoming issues!

You can see why I am on the bandwagon here, right? I've been preachin' this gospel to retailers for years now, and decorating myown home this way all my life. And it's ever so hip: When it comes to display & merchandising, as well as home decor, this is a whole new way to Go Green!

The Art of Business

I've been recieving newsletters and inspiring info from Artella for years (thank you for turning me on to this, Tracy!). While many people tend to look at business in one very linear, money-and time-based way, I choose to enlarge my perspective and look at business as a creative endeavour. (Much like Sir Richard does!). And like any kind of creativity, inspiration is crucial.

I've just become an Artella Affiliate, making it possible to offer you links to FREE resources and merchandise for sale at Artella. The links are down in the lower third of my sidebar, and you'll find some very informative and TRANSformative resources there. Very affordable, as well - I'm thrilled to be able to offer these resources to you!

Download a FREE copy of the Artella eBook, MoneyMorphosis: Ten Things Butterflies Can Teach Us About Money. This ebook invites you to transform the way you think about money! Follow 10 metaphorical fables in which butterflies teach us about true prosperity. Download your copy here!



There are many books, ebooks, kits, and materials for sale at Artella - some about business, some for artistic expression & exploration. Yes, it's usable for business! Think of journalling, mapping, collaging, and 'stream of consciousness' writing as creative brainstorming activity for your business that helps you to break out of your own limitations. Check out these great 'box-expanding' books: (click on photo for link)

Gratitude Giveaway

I stopped in at Half Price Books last evening and headed for the sale rack. Yeah, I am CHEAP. And sitting there on the lower shelf, as if waiting for me to arrive, were two copies of the best book ever written for retailers: 'Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping' by Paco Underhill, self-avowed Retail Anthropologist.

The Retail Bible, it's been called. The de rigeur textbook for countless students in business and visual courses at colleges across the country for years now. And one of my number-one resources. Paco studies stores and talks about what works and what doesn't, sure, but Paco also studies PEOPLE and how they shop. The resulting information is enough to make a business owner's head spin - and to help them get back on track, with helpful suggestions for changes that will result in increased visibility, accessibility, conversion, and sales of merchandise. Just what we all need right now, yes?

I know that this book will help you, no matter what you sell or where your store is or how long you've been in business - or what your situation is right now. All you have to do is make time to read it, and let yourself be open to the advice given within its pages.

So, of course, I grabbed those two copies and instead of the publisher's price of $25 per, I got them for two bucks each, and now I'm going to give them away - to you. Free! Just my way of expressing my gratitude and saying thank you to you all for visiting, reading, commenting, and letting me know when the resources I share here have been helpful to you. These are Hardback books, probably publisher overruns or leftover stock from some poor soul who went out of business because they didn't READ this book. (The paperback shown above is mine and I'm keeping it, sorry!)

How do you win?

Leave a comment on this post, with your name, the kind of business you are in (gift, fashion, home decor retail, event design, etc.) and make sure your name is linked to your profile, blog, website, or leave me your business or personal email. If I draw your name, I'll contact you for a shipping address - and send Paco's wisdom winging it's way to you.

Want another chance to win?

Post about this giveaway on your own blog, with a direct link to this post, and then comment here with a link to YOUR post. I'll enter your name again!

I'll be picking two names on the evening of Thursday, March 12. On Friday morning, I'll announce the winner's names here, and send them an email. Good luck!

Creating Business Success

“I have never been interested in being ‘in business’.
I have been interested in creating things.

Business is creative.

What really matters is what you create.
Does it work? Does it make you proud?"

These statements are but a few of some phenomenal insights from one of the world's most successful and interesting businessmen. I am continually inspired by this man and his very un-corporate attitude.

I'm not going to tell you who he is...instead, I'm going to say go here and read more from this visionary human being. Then go here and buy his new book, wherein he literally rewrites the rules for doing business. Anything this guy writes is at the top of my list of resources!

Business - DIVAstyle!

Divas Doing Business: What the Guidebooks Don't Tell You About Being a Woman Entrepreneur
by Monique Hayward

Released Feb 19, 2008

I just ran across this book tonight, while investigating the many entrepreneur groups on Facebook. Since so many businesses are facing uncommon obstacles right now, this one sounds like a common-sense approach to dealing with challenges. I thought you would find it a valuable resource...and I am not being paid to endorse it.

About the Book (according to Amazon!):
Her husband wants sex, the bank has denied her small business loan, creditors are after her house, her kid's big school play is tonight, and her top employee just resigned. One more straw and the camel's back surely will break. Welcome to Divas Doing Business: What the Guidebooks Don't Tell You About Being a Woman Entrepreneur, arming women business owners with the tools and firepower to tackle the unique situations that will test their resolve, strength, and spirit as they start and manage their businesses.

About the Author:

"Monique Hayward, whose corporate experience includes a wide range of marketing, business development, public relations, and communications positions at Intel Corporation and Tektronix, Inc., has shared her expertise through mainstream media outlets such as the Denver Post and CNN. Monique is now releasing her first book, "Divas Doing Business: What the Guidebooks Don't Tell You About Being a Woman Entrepreneur".

Monique has spoken of the difficulties of shopping a book proposal in today's economy - given the recession, publishers are quick to shut the door on first-time authors. Monique decided to bring the book to market herself - a truly entrepreneurial response! Monique also owns and operates Dessert Noir Café & Bar in Beaverton, Oregon (www.dessertnoir.com), which she opened in January 2005."

This article originally appears here:
http://newsonwomen.typepad.com/news_on_women/2009/02/monique-hayword-shares-her-expertise-and-her-desserts.html

To purchase this book, go to the author's blog for options:

http://moniquehayward.blogspot.com/

or click on the title to this post, which will direct you to Amazon.com

The author will donate a portion of the book's sales proceeds to PLAN!T NOW, Morgan Freeman's charity that provides information and assistance for victims of natural disasters. Learn more about PLAN!T NOW at www.planitnow.org. Mr. Freeman provides the introduction for Ms. Hayward's book.

Another One Bites the Dust

I just read on Deb Duesenberry's Curious Sofa retail blog that Country Home magazine from Meredith Corporation is the latest casualty in the shelter publications industry. Deb apparently received an email directly from Meredith, informing her that the magazine will cease production in the near future. Recently I also heard that Oprah's 'O at Home' magazine is no longer being published.

Just last month, Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine announced that its publisher was not renewing their contract, and the November/December 2008 issue was the last one. A few years ago, Victoria magazine was shut down nearly overnight by Hearst Publishing. Victoria was revived in 2007 by Hoffman Publications (who also produce Tea Time and Paula Deen's magazines) and is now alive & well with tons of thrilled fans - hopefully, another publisher will step up to continue the excellence of MEHC and their mission of featuring artisans & shoppes in each issue. This one magazine did more for independent creative businesses than anything else I know of.

Country Home may not be so lucky. Though they have worked hard to stay abreast of trends and changes in the interior design industry, country-style decor is in a constant state of reinvention and varies widely across not just our nation but the world. As far as meeting the needs of a large demographic, they have a lot of competition out there - as did Oprah and many others - and that includes popular decorating blogs. If you can get your inspiration & information FREE on the Internet, why buy a magazine??? If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, reduce your use of paper - browse online and print out only what you need to.

If I had one suggestion for these now-defunct magazines, and others who worry that they'll follow suit, I'd say get busy fast to recreate a content-rich format of their websites, and keep them fresh each day - sort of a glorified/expanded blog theory. Sell ads & links, sell downloads, sell products - but keep those stories and ideas and inspiration coming to us via the Internet instead of the newsstand. Rethink what magazines are really offering us and focus on content instead of printing pages. Keep your staff employed because you can actually put more content on a website than you can in a 110 page printed publication.

Oh, and I'd also suggest that they stop selling magazine subscriptions on their websites when they decide to close down. It's disturbing and annoying to pay subscription fees, and then be informed that you will be receiving another magazine in its place.

OK, off my soapbox...

Retro Holiday

I found this book while thrifting awhile back (at the Glorious Goodwill outlet in Seattle, which means I paid about forty five cents for it) and thought you'd all love to see some fun things I found within it...like this very mod tree (well, it was mod in 1953 when the book was published!) and this thrifty nifty idea for a tablecovering Admittedly, not the grandest of decor ideas, but if you have a company party in a cafeteria, or something for the kids, this is a fun and simple idea - especially for the buffet table. This photo makes me remember that when I was a kid all of the neighbors on our street wrapped their front doors like presents - loads of metallic foil papers and huge Santa faces and holly sprig prints, accented with giant ribbons & bows. Mom covered our stunning persimmon-orange door with red paper for the season, accenting the brown & white siding just perfectly. I see fast food restaurants wrap their hanging pictures like this every year, too! (Tho it's hard to coordinate holiday wrapping paper with the abstract patterns and bizarre colors of outdated 80's naugahyde upholstery....sigh).

This book is like a peek into the past, revealing what was new and exciting in holiday decorating in 1953. No, not much there I can use now, but it's still fun to see what Martha's of a past decade recommended!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

On Wednesday July 25, this blog o' mine will reach the milestone of it's first year!
(Now, I realize that this may not be a big deal in the larger Bloggiverse, but in the Diva's world, it's an accomplishment worth celebrating!)

Not only are most of my projects temporal in nature - intended for a short duration and even then, they are constantly subject to change - but I tend to have this annoying weakness of not being a good 'finisher'. I lack that brain cell necessary for sustained interest. Everything has to be new, fresh, changing, all.the.time. I need visual stimulation, and I need it NOW.

Books, magazines, tv shows, shopping....always on the lookout for the next idea, the next creative impulse. An addiction, really. And so this blogging thing is just my thing: I can surf, view, read, investigate, and get inspired by new and changing info daily. Hourly, even! And I can share my bizarre ideas and projects here - where things are constantly in a state of flux, just the way I like it.

The real upside to all of this is meeting amazing people from so many varied walks of life. It is incredible to me the scope of art and creativity and lifestyles that are present in the Bloggiverse. I am awed!!! You have to know that I am completely blown away that Bacchus and MJ and Rosanna (a true celeb!) and so many other wonderful visually like-minded souls pop in here to read my thoughts and share their comments, along with my friends Amy and FABulous Jen and a few others. You really keep me on my toes! I also love that this foray into blogging - necessitating hours on the computer, my former enemy - has resulted in my learning new skills (ahem....the Diva is a formerly technologically disenfranchised woman, remember? I'm gettin' better....I have actually learned HTML code. CODE. A year ago I thought 'code' was...well, a secret code. duh.) Yes, Jen, you are right: You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!

So, in celebration of this momentous anniversary, and to say thank you to all of you who drop in and read my ramblings here, I'd like to offer a 'door prize', if you will. I've got an extra copy of this FABulous book

and I'd just love to give it to YOU!

So leave me a comment, and tell me something you'd like me to write about. It can be something to do with retail display or seasonal decorating or small business branding or....well, you tell me!

When I return from the SFIGF next Sunday, I'll read thru all of the comments, choose one that stands out (for a GOOD reason!) and announce the winner in a post here on Monday. Then that person can send me their mailing info and I'll send off the book!

In the meantime, if you are at the SFIGF this week/weekend, look me up at the entrance to Moscone South Hall. I'll be camped out there creating a display of products on either side of the doors. Saturday, I'll be there early in the morning before I walk the show, then I'm heading out to do some 'tourista' things in the city - the ferry building, the cablecars, shoppping darling indie boutiques. Eating authentic Chinese food. Tea at the St. James. This is the only vacation I get this summer - a day and a half in San Fran. Gotta' make the best of it!

And when I return, we'll do the book thing, then I'll share what I saw at the show and around the city. (Yes, that's a warning that I'll be showing you my 'vacation photos'! LOL )

A Rainbow of Color

I wrote recently about one of my fave authors, Alexandra Stoddard , and her new book (her 25th!) titled 'You Are Your Choices'. I highly recommend this contemporary philosopher's perspectives on living beautifully in every facet of your life AND on color. She is fearless with it!

Today, I had the pleasure of meeting Sandie and hearing her speak on color. Her seminar at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show in Seattle was held in the very room where I present seminars on retail visual design & display - I will be remembering this day every time I walk into that room in the future! When it was announced that she would be signing books after the seminar, I purchased a copy of 'Time Alive', (which I hadn't known about!), and had her sign it. What a charming, vibrant, animated and inspiring woman...just like her books.

Alexandra (Sandie) and her husband Peter Brown, graciously signing my copy of her book. And how about that COLOR?! Love it. Absolutely. In her presentation, Sandie quoted Maya Angelou:
"When things look their darkest, look for the rainbow.
When things REALLY look their darkest, BE the rainbow."
I LOVE that. And this woman really knows how to shine in ANY color!

Essential Resource

'Essentially Lilly: a guide to colorful holidays' by Lilly Pulitzer & Jay Mulvaney

I found this book yesterday at Ross. (And yes, I DID pick it up initially because of the pink and green cover....I'll fess up: I am a 'judge a book by it's cover' kind of gal!) Oh. My. Goodness. This book is FAB. I am not preppy, I have never BEEN preppy, and have never aspired to be preppy. (I lie. I did, in fact, once consider taking up tennis because I had a massive high-school crush on a guy who was a drummer & tennis player. Never followed through on that thought, which tells you where my problem in the game would have been.) But this book, well, this could make me start wearing polo shirts and bermuda plaid skirts and actually playing tennis, maybe even asking people to call me Debby again. ????

The Lilly of the title is Lilly Pulitzer, famed for her uber preppy fashion design and her eclectic decorating style, both incorporating bright happy colors. She is also the self-proclaimed 'Queen of Pink and Green', so I bow to her royally perfect good taste to love those two colors so much. (I really didn't realize the combination is considered the height of prepdom when I fell in love with it....) I would love love love to spend an afternoon having tea and chatting with Lilly and Alexandra Stoddard - two women who are fearless champions of color!

This book is a celebration of the everyday parties she throws for friends and family. A few are themes, a few are actual 'Holidays', and every. last. thing. is gloriously inspiring.
There are flowers.



There are tabletops.

There is food. With recipes.


There are colorful, fun, happy ideas for specific Celebrations, like: Easter.

And Christmas.

And More: Mardi Gras, Fourth of July, Memorial Day, etc.
There are also DARLING illustrations by Izak Zenou that look so very similar to the Daily Candy drawings, I am going to have to investigate to see if he also does them. **edited to add: Daily Candy emailed me, responding to my question. Their artwork is done by SuJean Rim !

This is one of my new favorite resources for seasonal decor, displays, event decor - and I haven't even really gone through the WHOLE book yet! I just can't wait to see it ALL, in depth.

Published by Collins and released in 2006, it's on Amazon OR, check out your local Ross store or Half Price Books for a discount copy. Mine was $8.99. BUT WAIT - THERE'S MORE! Check HERE for info on Lilly's other books! (And I just ordered the 'Entertaining' one. Thirty seconds...DONE.) Gotta love that! Almost as much as chartreuse green and hot pink.....

Photo credits: All images from Lilly Pulitzer