Mind Reader????

This afternoon I browsed thru my 'short list' of fave blogs. Made up of some retailers, crafters, photographers, and designers. As I did, I found a post that made me sit back, nod my head in agreement, and nearly look over my shoulder to see if the writer was watching me. She so accurately described some of the thoughts and feelings I am dealing with, it was eerie. Read it for yourself: go and check out Alicia's post today at posie gets cozy (It's titled 'Martha, Anna, Ina')

For those of you who are 'fluent' in the blog world, you may already know Alicia. If you aren't familiar with her, once you get a look at her delicious blog, you'll be a returning guest! This woman, hailing from Portland, Oregon, is a font of creativity and imagination. She never fails to inspire me. Her good friend, Amy Powers of Inspire Company, is the same darling kind of girl - whimsical, innovative, and 'real'. I admire them both so much!

Alicia's post today is about overmarketing and authenticity. I won't attempt to rehash it, it's THAT good. The comments that follow it (38 at last count) are like opening a floodgate into the hearts & minds of consumers and artisans alike. I was shocked to discover that this feeling I have been having consistently for months is appearing in other people's minds as well!!!

What I want to add to it is this question:
As it relates to merchandising your products in your stores - whatever it is that you sell - can you read that post and those 38 comments, and come up with a way to present your goods in a NEW way, a way that whispers, gently, softly and graciously, inviting your customers to investigate? Can you create a connection between your busines and your customer, and rather than thrusting more and more and more AT them, find a way to OFFER them something wonderful that will meet a need, make life better, solve a problem? Can you rethink what 'selling' is, and approach it as 'sharing'? Can you help customers focus on a products' attributes, rather than a name brand or a logo or a marketing campaign??? Can we support local artisans and writers and chefs?

In other words, can we all stop with the hawking and pushing and strong-arming sales tactics this Holiday season, and become caring, helpful, knowledgeable resources with a smile on our face and true integrity in our hearts?

CAN we stop the Grinch of mass merchandising from ruining the holidays, please???
Yeah, I AM biting the hand that feeds me. I just think there is a better way than the tried and true. I respect Paco, but it's NOT all about the science of sales. After reading those comments on Alicia's blog, I know I am not alone in feeling this way. Share your thoughts with me, please.....

A Helping Hand....

Big Goings-On around Diva Central, let me tell you...
The Holiday Hullaballoo begins on Monday at Columbia Winery, so I'm in full prep mode this week.
I am also plotting and planning the total (and yes, extreme) makeover of my office, to accomodate some product development that needs to go on here after the Holiday rush is done in early December.

And to make the chaos complete, the guy who hosts my web site on his private server is shutting it down on Monday....my poor little web site will be homeless if I don't get my tuckus in gear. I accomplished part of the big move today, and will get some 'live' assistance tomorrow morning to complete the transfer from one server to another. God help me, I hope whomever it is who calls me is a patient soul.....the Diva is technologically disenfranchised, remember.

Would appreciate all prayers, thoughts, wishes, and crossed fingers you can spare over the next few days!!
(The blog won't be affected and if you need to contact me, just leave a comment here...)

That illustration reminds me of DD#1, the massage therapist.
Boy, I could really use one about now. And every day for the next month and a half.
It's just the flights to San Antonio that would be a problem..... ;o)

What's Your 'Imagination Quotient'?

This appeared in a recent issue of Better Homes & Gardens magazine...it's a quiz for parents to take that will assist them in helping their kids develop creative skills by determining a childs' 'Imagination Quotient'. WHOA! What a concept! It's sponsored by Crayola, the ultimate creative tool. I tried to access the quiz at the link they gave (www.bhg.com/crayola) , but it's not working. You can go to this page at Crayola and download a PDF file that is a printable book of creative ideas for kids. I should say, they intend it to be for kids. Why on Earth should we adults not get to have some of the fun, too?? Download it, print it, and open up your mind!!!

Creativity and Imagination...these are highly underrated skills once we leave the kindergarten classroom. (Remember Robert Fuhlgum's book, "All I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten"?!) But they are important and valuable throughout our lives - and in business.Without creative thinking skills, coping mechanisms, and expressive outlets, we'll go stark raving mad in a world like ours. Without the ability to imagine a new product, industry goes stagnant. Without the ability to express ideas and concepts in written words or drawings or animation, communication grinds to a halt. Without respect for the time, knowledge, ability, and effort it requires to perform creative tasks, less and less people pursue careers in the creative arts.

How do you rate YOUR 'Imagination Quotient'? Are you up there at the Disney "Imagineers' end, letting your ability to visualize and create and think innovatively serve you in many facets of your business? Or are you stuck at the bottom, in Never Never Land - never never have time to even THINK about being creative, too busy with the busy-ness of business? Or are you somewhere in the middle of the two: you know you have the ability to think creatively, to imagine new ways to do things, but you second-guess your sanity when you do something out of the box and then a shall we say 'creatively challenged' person questions your innovation? What about the people around you - your family, employees? Do you value THEIR creative ideas?

Creativity, Imagination, Wonder, Exploration are all tools in our arsenals as former children. We just need to rummage around and figure out where we left them on the road to adulthood. And when we do find them, we need to give ourselves permission to use them to enhance our lives and the lives of those around us. Especially the KIDS around us. They need examples of brave souls who value the individuality and imagination inside of everyone.
As my friend Steph says, "There's a little artist inside all of us....we just need to remember where we put her!"

Besides, a world without creativity sounds like a dismal reality show to me.
One I would watch even less than RockStar SuperNova (LUKKAS????) or Project Runway (JEFFREY?????).
Yipes.

DivaDeb's Top Ten Holiday Ornament DisPLAY Ideas

1. Turn a fan trellis (wood or wire) upside down – voila! A Christmas tree! Hang ornaments in between the supports.
2. Use wire wreath forms horizontally in graduated sizes to create a hanging ‘tree’ shape. Dangle ornaments and ribbons from both the outside and inside edges – even lights!
3. Fill tall glass vases and wide bowls with unbreakable ornaments (fabric, wood, resin) for a contemporary look.
4. Bring nature in: Big bare branches can sweep down from the ceiling to hold an array of twirling items. Paint black for Halloween, then flock white for Christmas & winter seasons!
5. Hang wire wreath forms on the wall in a line, then display ornaments of one color on each – create a rainbow! Great way to top a wall of hooks with ornaments on it.
6. Get Sweet! Pop pastel or bright ornaments into cupcake tins with paper liners, sundae and candy dishes, and even into real ice cream cones propped up in a juice glass! Try ice cream tubs, egg cartons, jewelry boxes…think outside the proverbial ornament box.
7. Fill up a real sink – or bathtub! – with white poly batting, then nestle clear, white, and iridescent balls on top like bubbles! ‘Float’ a few above using fishing line. (Great way to highlight bath gift items)
8. Old windows and French doors, sans glass panes, can be hinged together to form a freestanding screen. Hang ornaments in each pane with ribbon. This forms a great backdrop for a vignette.
9. Don’t forget to use NON-ornaments on your trees, wreaths, tabletops, and mantel displays: teacups, plates, purses, books, toys, garden supplies, sachets, art, lamps, etc. Inspire your customers to use their personality to decorate!
10. Tree toppers are best displayed on mantels or in centerpieces – slip them into tall glass cylinder vases or slide them over a taper candle in a candlestick for stability. And on trees, use unique things like chandeliers, angel wings, giant snowflakes, etc. as toppers!

DivaDeb and DisPLAY are registered trademarks of Debi Ward Kennedy /2005.

Giftbeat magazine article

Many thanks to writer Sharon Bopp and editor Joyce Washnik for their interview with me in the October issue of Giftbeat Magazine. I just received my copy today, surprised to see a PHOTO of me on the front page, above. (I assumed it would be printed really small with my contact info at the end of the article....)The print version is only a segment of the interview; to read the remainder plus a sidebar 'Tip List' for Holiday Displays, members can check out www.giftbeat.com and enter their password to view subscriber-only content.

Edited to add: Actually, I just discovered that the 'Tip List' I provided wasn't used, so the additional info is a few lines about the importance of post-holiday display tactics. I will find that tip list and post it here on the blog for you...

WINE, Women, and song???

A departure from business talk for today:

A friend of mine sent this out today.After I picked myself up off the floor, I sent her an email telling her which number corresponds to people we know in the wine industry. I may never hear the end of this!

WHEN GIRLS DRINK TOO MUCH............
1. WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHERE OUR PURSE IS.
2. WE BELIEVE THAT DANCING WITH OUR ARMS OVERHEAD AND WIGGLING OUR REAR WHILE YELLING "WOO-HOO!" IS TRULY THE SEXIEST DANCE MOVE AROUND.
3. WE'VE SUDDENLY DECIDED THAT WE WANT TO KICK SOMEONE'S BEHIND AND HONESTLY BELIEVE WE COULD DO IT TOO.
4. IN OUR LAST TRIP TO THE RESTROOM, WE REALIZE THAT WE NOW LOOK MORE LIKE A HOMELESS HOOKER THAN THE GODDESS WE WERE JUST FOUR HOURS AGO
5. WE START CRYING AND TELLING EVERYONE WE SEE THAT WE LOVE THEM SOOOOO MUCH.
6. WE GET EXTREMELY EXCITED AND JUMP UP AND DOWN EVERY TIME A NEW SONG PLAYS BECAUSE "OH MY GOD! I LOVE THIS SONG!"
7. WE'VE FOUND A DEEPER/SPIRITUAL SIDE TO THE GEEK SITTING NEXT TO US.
8. WE'VE SUDDENLY TAKEN UP SMOKING AND BECOME REALLY GOOD AT IT.
9. WE YELL AT THE BARTENDER, WHO WE BELIEVE CHEATED US BY GIVING US JUST LEMONADE, BUT THAT'S JUST BECAUSE WE CAN NO LONGER TASTE THE GIN.
10. WE THINK WE ARE IN BED, BUT OUR PILLOW FEELS STRANGELY LIKE THE KITCHEN FLOOR (or the mop?)
11. WE FAIL TO NOTICE THAT THE TOILET LID'S DOWN WHEN WE SIT ON IT.
12. WE TAKE OUR SHOES OFF BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT'S THEIR FAULT THAT WE'RE HAVING PROBLEMS WALKING STRAIGHT.

So, ladies...which one are YOU?!
I'll admit to being #1 most of the time. (And that is ALL I'll admit to...)
And NO, I shall not divulge which of my friends dance badly, get mean when they drink, or get 'lovey' when they drink. They know who they are....AND they know my secrets.

TeaLand

Grabbed these little goodies yesterday at a rummage sale and a thrift shop...
They may not look like much YET, but those few items will be joined by quite a few others, some imagination & muscle, and become a whimsical Holiday window display for one of my friends' shops. Her tea shop on Whidbey Island is fabulous, and this year I get to go over and help her with her Holiday displays! One of which is her front window.

Admittedly, it's a small area - her tables for tea service sit at the windows, so only a small area has been designated 'Display Space'. She built a cabinet to fit right up to windowsill height, and her mom, the Fabulous Miss Leslie, does a marvelous job merchandising it all year long. When Dori and I began talking about me coming over to help out, I had a brainstorm about that area when she mentioned her train.

So how do the teapots from thrift stores fit into this????

We will be stacking, gluing, painting and embellishing all things tea to creat 'Tea Land'. Trees, buildings, water towers, walkways...a veritable village of Tea-ness. With a mirrored tray as a pond in the center of the oval train track, and the train loaded up with teabags, spoons, sweets, etc. Hanging from the ceiling will be silver spoons, wired to gether to make 'snowflakes'.

Sweet, whimsical, inspirational. A great way to express what she is all about in a new way. And a really fun way for me to spend the day with the bunch of creative, wonderful women who work at Island Tea Company. Yes, we will most likely drink tea. Lots of tea. But I'm bringing wine, too!!!

Yeah, you got it - that little song is running thru your head right now, isn't it? Um....no. Not THAT tea song. Little teapot you may be, but we have written new lyrics to the classic 'Toyland' tune....

'Tea Land, Tea Land, Wonderful sugar and cream land...
Once you pass its borders, you will never want java again....'
(That is very nearly heresey, here in Starbucks land.....)

GirlFRIEND...

For the second year in a row, I am excited to be presenting a Holiday Decorating seminar at the Willows Lodge 'Girlfriends' Weekend' event in November. This event is sponsored and presented by the Woodinville Wine Divas (and so, of course, I fit right in!!!!). Last year we had 50 enthusiastic attendees, four Holiday themed displays to inspire, helpful tips & information to share, and a WHOLE lotta' fun! And those sweet women were generous with their glowing reviews, so I am thrilled to be asked to return this year. I have great products to share, fabulous ideas for infusing your holiday decor with your own creative touches, a special friend will join me and we will have treats for all!

If you are in the Seattle area, call soon to reserve your spot for this weekend of fun & friendship in the luxurious surroundings of the four star Willows Lodge. Click here to see other fabulous presentations, activities, and awesome wine & food planned for the lucky girls who participate!

Girlfriends' Weekend
Holiday Decorating & Entertaining
November 17 - 19, 2006
Willows Lodge Inn & Spa
Woodinville, Washington
425.424.3900