Who’s cutting back in hard economic times? Not MacPherson’s! In the now famous words of our illustrious customer John Wiseman from Searle/Artmax in Monterey, CA, “we refuse to participate in this recession!” The MacPherson’s 2009 Art Supply Sourcebook goes to press next week, and we’ll be mailing copies out starting on January 19th. This humongous catalog has more than 500 pages featuring 30,000 items from over 200 vendors, as well as the “Getting Started” section and our Helpful Hints. Watch your mailbox, and Happy New Year!
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Industry News
Highly respected industry veteran Tim Fallihee has announced his retirement from Pentel after 30 years with the company. The company has named Mike Cappadocia, the current Director of Sales, as Fallihee’s successor. Higgins Ink is in full production at Chartpak’s Leeds, MA facility. In less than a month’s time from the initial acquisition of Higgins Ink from Sanford Corporation, Higgins Ink manufacturing is 100% integrated and running full time. Chartpak purchased the Higgins brand as a part of its strategic expansion in the ink product line; to accelerate organizational competencies and ink production synergies; provide broader market access as well as position the Higgins, Koh-I-Noor and Pelikan brands to take…
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MacPherson’s European Brands Going Green!
Companies across the globe are stepping up their efforts to become more environmentally responsible in their practices and products. Leading the movement in the art supply industry have been several well known and trusted brands from Europe. In Italy, RGM has taken action by using varnishes on its wood-handled painting knives that are gentler to the environment. Italian easel maker MABEF has also taken environmental responsibility into their own hands in recent years, starting with the easel production process itself. 100% of all wood production scrap is recycled into wood pellets, which are used as environmentally friendly fuel to heat the company’s entire facilities. Since 2004, MABEF has been producing…
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The Last 2008 News from Golden
Golden Artist Colors closes 2008 with great momentum for 2009! New Fluid Acrylics The versatility of GOLDEN Fluid Acrylics continues to inspire artists everywhere. Building on the strength of this category, GOLDEN is introducing five new Fluid Acrylic colors that include two Fluid Historical colors and three Fluid Interference colors. Expanding the Fluid Historical offering, Viridian Green Hue and Van Dyke Brown Hue join the collection of six colors already in the line. As the next generation of Fluid Interference colors, Color Travel Interference colors shift dramatically when viewed at different angles, revealing not just one shift, but multiple tones between two points on a spectrum. For quick expansion of…
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Elmer’s December 2008 News
GOT GLUE? Check out MacPherson’s January SMIAB for new product introductions from Elmer’s: • Krazy Glue 4 Single Use Tubes/Color Change Formula. These popular single use tubes allow the user to have glue ready when it’s needed. The convenient plastic carrying case provides great mobility, as the tubes of Krazy Glue can be carried in a purse, briefcase, backpack or stored at home in the office, kitchen garage, basement or studio. Color Change Formula goes on purple and dries clear. It’s easy to use for goof-proof fixes and forms a strong and long lasting bond. • Krazy Glue 4 Single Use Tubes/All Purpose Gel. Same great packaging attributes as the…
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The First “STABILO Only” Store
Here is an interesting retail “field trip” report from Lisa Slauson, our intrepid global marathon runner and Exclusive Brands manager. She was recently in Japan where she caught a glimpse of the first STABILO store in the world, located in Osaka. According to Lisa, “The store was located in the most elegant and most high-end mall I have ever been to in Japan. STABILO was in there right along with Gucci, Coach, Tiffany’s, and Louis Vuitton to name a few.” The STABILO store-within-a-store is in the very front of the greater store. The greater store featured high-end stationery and household items offered by the Japanese distributor, Etranger di Costarica. Check out the flat…
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Industry News
ColArt USA has announced some pending personnel changes: Customer Service all-star Marlene Upchurch has decided to retire after a stellar 25 years with the company. She will be truly missed by all those who had the opportunity to work with her over the years and especially by those of us at MacPherson’s. We wish her all the best! Also Customer Service Manager extraordinaire Kathleen Slaski has resigned her position effective December 18th. She accomplished a great deal at ColArt and is leaving the Customer Service Department with an excellent foundation. We wish her and husband Erv all the best. Lyra: MacPherson’s is delighted to report that our E’ Brand Lyra Pencil, imported from Germany, will continued…
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New Items Report #219 “Heads Up”
We just published the latest New Items Report; you can check it out by clicking on this link: New Items Report #219. In the meantime, here’s a quick peek at some of the great new items: Odorless Turpenoid P.O.P. Counter Display from Martin F. Weber Artists’ favorite turpentine substitute for over 50 years, Odorless Turpenoid has the same painting properties and drying time as turpentine, but is free from the strong characteristic turpentine odor. It is compatible with oil colors as a painting vehicle, either alone or in mediums. Turpenoid is also excellent as a solvent or paint brush cleaner and for use in removing paint spots from clothing. The assortment includes…
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ColArt News: December 2008
As we begin 2009 ColArt would like to express sincere thanks for all your support during 2008. Faced with the challenges of the current economic conditions, we will all be seeking the strategies to not only survive, but thrive as well. Industry retail experts suggest a grassroots approach focusing on core product brands and ranges that insure consistent positive cash flow. Variety and diversity attract customers and stimulate interest, but the tried and true is what you take to the bank! ColArt’s current WBTS promotion focuses on essential core product savings providing high value to your customers with the margin necessary to drive your business. Take advantage of 60% discounts…
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Saddle Up for Louisville
Rev your engine, grab your helmet and get ready for the ride of your life! The NAMTA Foundation is once again offering an alternative method of travel to the NAMTA 2009 International Convention and Trade Show in Louisville – the motorcycle! With various starting points across the country, groups of riders will arrive in Louisville by May 6, 2009 to kick off the N.A.M.T.A. (Nocturnal Animals Meet Together Annually) party the night before show opening. The “Biker Bash” will be held at the popular night spot, City Block Live and all attendees will meet in the Fox Den, Louisville’s first and only ride through bar. “Saddle Up For Louisville” is…
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Red Hot Winsor Canvas Deal!
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Industry News
At Michaels, Carmen Vilceanu has been promoted to Category Director, Art Supplies. In related news, Nancy DeGeeter, former Senior Buyer at Mervyn’s in Hayward, CA has joined Michaels’ art department merchandising team as a Category Manager. Chris Wraight, former Managing Director at ColArt in England, is planning to retire from the company at the end of March 2009 to pursue personal interests. His current duties managing manufacturing in China will be taken over by Paul Aston, the worldwide group’s managing Director of Operations. Congratulations to Stacey Smith, Senior Buyer at Sam Flax in Atlanta, on the birth of her son Jarren Sailor Smith. Born on Thanksgiving day, and weighing 6.5…
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Price Increases 2009 – Addendum
MVSS – SideShow Collectibles There is an increase for the MVSS1201 and MVSS1202; the male and female Art S Buck Manikins are going up immediately at the supplier due to cost increases in Asia. Our retail will increase from $25.32 to $31.19 – a 18.82% rise, but we plan to hold the current price until 01/01/09. Walt Glazer at Speedball wants to clarify information that we previously published about Speedball’s February price increase. Here it is, in his own words: “Below is the price increase for Speedball, broken down by category. The overall increase is 5.0% effective February 1, 2009. Our first priority is to reduce cost through improved product…
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Video of the Month: Claymation Musings on the Meaning of Art
Kathy Brennan of Preston Art submitted this interesting animation. Who knows, it could have been created with VanAken Clay… Don’t forget you can post your comments. We welcome your thoughts!