Some things never go as planned!
Hi there....
As you know, we had big plans for July. Melissa, Robin and I had plane and hotel reservations and had also registered for a big event put on by a rep-group in Las Vegas. A week before we were to leave (9 days actually) I got a nasty bug. Melissa worked all week so I could get over it, but by the weekend I decided that still not feeling great, and having a lot of pressure in my ears, I really didn't want to fly. Robin and Melissa went without me, and looking back, I have decided I made the right decision. Some issues at the hotel, and the entire set-up would have been a nightmare for anyone who was not 100%...and I was not 100%. I also stayed home the three days I would have been in Las Vegas as we had already publicized that we would be closed those days. I am feeling fine now and everything is getting back to normal.
Our expectations of the event, and the actual experience at the event were not the same. I think we missed something along the way. We have been going to trade shows for over 25 years, and maybe we were expecting too much....or something different. There were vendors that we buy from and a few that were new to us. The days Robin and Melissa were there were filled with classes presented by vendors. Some we were very familiar with and a few that were new to us. As with all things....some teachers were totally prepared and others were not. Since the girls came home Wednesday night, they did not attend the 'order writing' days Thursday and Friday. We are not sure what they missed, but we do know that some of the vendors only came for those days. Even when we went to the shows of days gone by....I never wrote orders at the shows. I came home with notes and tons of catalogues and went through everything and placed orders then. Melissa and I did go over everything they brought back and placed orders that are now in process. Unfortunately, there were some companies that they did not see...those that came only for the order-writing part of the event. Now we know!
Looking ahead...the organizers sent out a questionaire which was great and should help them for any future events. You know we were honest.....no holds barred! We were clear that part of our problem was that we missed two full days that were order writing. I don't know how we would deal with that differently as I certainly don't want to keep the store closed...three days was a long time for us....a week would not work for us. A lot of our issues were with the venue. Granted...we are not gamblers or smokers so there were two strikes! Things like the rooms not being ready when they arrived at 8pm (and were told the rooms would be ready at 10pm)...with absolutely no place to wait other than the casino, did not get things off to a good start. When you went from class to class and had to wait...no seating except in class. Robin and Melissa walked 5 miles in one day, never leaving the hotel....pretty crazy. The hotel rooms were fine, but this is not Las Vegas of yester-year! Bottled water was $5 to$7.....and those were not gallons!!!! Of course, it was July and 119 degrees outside, so leaving the hotel to go to different restaurants was out of the question. The questionaire did have lots of questions about different hotel possibilities in the future....would we pay more...different cities...so we will see what comes of it all. We were a hard no on returning to Las Vegas at that hotel, and maybe even to Las Vegas at all.
Was anything good???? Yes!!!! Melissa was able to meet with a company owner that will be teaching at Stamp Escape. We had never met her before, although we buy from her, so it was a good time for her to learn all about our event. We were also approached by a teacher who has taught before and would like to come back. No promises were made, but it was nice to know that the teachers enjoy coming. Now that I am fully functioning (??), Stamp Escape is my priority. Speaking of Stamp Escape 2025, we are already half full, so if you are planning to attend, please print and fill out your form, (www.catsmeowstamps.com) and at least send a deposit. We MUST have both your registration form and your deposit to hold your spot!! We look forward to seeing you there in April of 2025!
We are getting through that weird time in summer when new product availability is poor! We are past spring and the early holidays...and summer....well it is summer. Then we order for fall and winter which always feels weird because it is HOT out. Maybe we should add a holiday in there somewhere!
We hope everyone is safe with all of the fires in California and the other west coast states. So far, so good here! Take care....stop by or call! We love hearing from you.
What's New?
As you know from last month, we got the beautiful Fuschia collection from Memory Box. There were a few items that were back-ordered, and those have come in....we have the humming bird and the chickadees! They are perfect with the adorable nest die. We also have an order on the way that has Christmas themed dies. (Yes, Christmas!)
We have received a couple of Christmas 12x12 paper pads that are very nice. Perfect if you like a variety of backgrounds for your cards or albums.
We have two new collections from Graphic 45 on order...due about 8/15. One is fall and the other is Christmas. We also have a Halloween theme collection on order.
As you know, we only order about every three or four months from Lavinia (in Wales). We received a large order of stamps and their packaged paper collections. We are looking for a place to display everything as this is the most Lavinia we have had at one time...and it needs its' own space!
We understand OLO's are shipping soon so we should have fill-ins on our new colors a well as all of the originals.
For those that were waiting for Art Glitter Dries Clear Glue....it arrived today in 10oz. 4oz, and 2oz along with the pins and tips....whatever you need, we have it.
We also have filled in all of our store brand Sticky Paws adhesives. We have 1/8", 1/4", 1/2" in double sided adhesive, We have foam dots in white and black and large rolls of foam tape in white and black.....all are at great prices!!!
If there is something special you are looking for, call or email and we will see if we can help! We greatly appreciate those of you who call with orders and love seeing you in person. It means a lot to us that you did not order from someone online!
