Vintage Grapes and Ivy Glass Clock, Country French

Beautiful 12″ round distressed, French styled glass clock, featuring luscious wine grapes, climbing ivy, and delicate antique scrolling and flourishes. Can be mounted on a wall (ready for mounting) or displayed on an easel/clock stand for tabletop. Click here to see larger, and for purchasing information.

Country French Vintage Floral Art Tray, “Jardin de Roses”

This elegant little wooden decorative personal tray (eight inches square) was designed with Mother’s Day in mind, whether she’s eighteen or eighty.

Whether used as a small serving tray, a decorative accent or a tray to store small items such as jewelry or keys, it’s a piece you will always love.

Featuring our newest vintage pastiche, “Jardin de Roses” from our vintage gallery, the tray has a vintage Country French distressed feel. You can choose any image and we will customize the tray for you, and you can choose between black and natural wood finish. If you would like to order the tray as shown, just type “Jardin de Roses” in the empty field.

Click HERE to order, click the image to see full size.

Distressed, Vintage Style Glass Clock: Tulipes Francais

I finally got around to designing the kind of clock I’ve been wanting for our foyer–an authentic vintage French stylized clock with a beautiful floral design, banked with delicate vintage scrolls and flourishes. I just got it online this morning

12″ round glass wall clock. This is a Limited Edition clock, exclusive to Color Bakery. The artwork is adapted from an actual vintage French clock. This is the PERFECT gift for Mother’s Day. To see bigger, click the image. To purchase, click here.

Should artists use reps to sell their work?

Should artists use reps to sell their work? Only if they like the idea of watching their money swirl and disappear down the commode.

When my husband and I opened Color Bakery over five years ago, one of our main concerns was getting our products (custom decorative tiles, home decor accents, art gifts, art wearables) into stores–i.e., wholesaling. Yes, we had a website, but was it enough? It was a new site, we hadn’t been online long enough to properly promote it, so we worried that not very many people would find us. At the time, we assumed that most of our sales would ultimately come from bulk purchases from resellers–not consumers. We envisioned all different kinds of stores buying from us: art stores, art galleries, gift shops, flower shops, home decor furnishings, etc. Reselling to these stores, we reasoned, was where we would make the bulk of our income. Not from the end buyer/consumer. So we proceeded with those priorities in mind.

We did our homework, and researched our options carefully before diving in to the rep world.  We had a plan. First, we created two pricing tiers: one for retail, one for wholesale. We joined a large rep member organization that specialized in matching rep organizations with manufacturers (artists can be included with the manufacturer category). This organization required a hefty annual fee, but in return, they provided us with a huge list of possible rep matches for our product line. Some listings they provided were individual reps (what they call “road reps”), but most were corporate entities with large staffs and fancy showrooms in all major US cities. Since we had a relatively large and diverse product line, and had the ability to customize over fifty art images with over one hundred products, we were confident that our line was deep and versatile enough to attract these “creme de la creme” rep firms. The very best of these firms, we heard, were very judicious about who they took on. The product line, we were told, had to be exceptional for the best of these companies to even consider representing us. A little nervous about how we would rate with these big firms, we were nonetheless confident because the website was already beginning to generate some very nice sales, and word was rapidly spreading about us. The feedback we were getting online was wonderful, and we had great hopes for the reps.

We contacted the reps we felt were the best match for us, and spent hundreds–probably, more likely, thousands–of dollars in the manufacture of product samples they demanded. I designed a beautiful catalog and we had it professionally printed. Any kind of collateral promo material I was able to think of—sales sheets, price list, order form, business card, etc–I designed and redesigned until I was satisfied they employed a mix of easy utility and eye candy. I even made a video slideshow of our products. Along with expensive samples–like glass tiles–we sent some pretty impressive packages out to these rep groups in the hope that they would agree to take us on. And it paid off. They responded with great enthusiasm and complimented us on our artwork, unusual product line and customization capabilities. We were going to do great things, they assured us, because the product line was as beautiful as it was unusual.

We were quickly signed up by the top gift reps in the country. They demanded twenty percent off the wholesale (which left very little profit for us, but we hoped to make it up in bulk sales as well as name recognition potential), as well as huge showroom and show fees. Talking about show fees: having a rep group represent us at gift show at the Javits Center in New York City–along with all their other principals’ products–was over a thousand dollars, for example. And that didn’t include the cost of manufacturing and shipping product both ways, nor did it include breakage. It was worth the huge expense, my husband and I reasoned, so we wrote the checks and made sure they had everything they asked for.

Months went by. They sold next to nothing.

My husband and I scratched our heads. Were we doing something wrong? Or worse, was our line substandard? Was my art lousy? We talked about it candidly. If the internet sales was any indication, the answer to those questions was a resounding “no.” Our retail sales were booming and growing at a rapid clip. So what went wrong?

The reps took very little to no time to learn the line, and the many possibilities that go hand-in-hand with our kind of unprecedented (and singular) customization. The abysmal sales from the reps confounded us, and not just because our website was bringing in a substantial amount of orders from enthused customers around the globe. It was the downright lazy mentality of the many reps. Please let me explain: there’s pretty much nothing we can’t print on our products–whether it’s my own original art (the lion’s share of our sales) or that of the masters like Van Gogh or Klimt. Further, we can even customize an exclusive product line for any given store. For example, we can custom manufacture a beautiful photo of a Martha’s Vineyard scene, do a lovely font treatment and print it on any of our products.  Therefore, tourist gift shops in Cape Cod, for example, would actually be able to design their own exclusive product line to their own personal specifications. To our utter amazement, the possibilities—a color-soaked dreamscape on ceramic tile, a Klimt on a glass cutting board, a vintage art pastiche on a keyhook, an Alphonse Mucha jewelry box–eluded them. Instead, the sales reps wanted two things: a very low price point (no more than ten or fifteen dollars wholesale, even if the store they called on sold Faberge Eggs) and they wanted to plop the product down on the counter without any explanations or discussion of possibilities or options. We wondered if they even took the time to look at what we did or visit our website. They certainly never asked us meaningful questions about our capabilities or special services. All they cared about was low price points and paper sales sheets for each item so they wouldn’t have to explain anything to the store owner. In time, we began to understand that these were symptoms of a much bigger problem.

The reps themselves seemed to live in an altogether different time, a time before the internet existed. For example, the idea of showing a video sideshow to a customer instead of the paper brochures to which they were married, terrifed them. Carrying a laptop instead of a brochure was just as alien to them as emailing, instead of faxing, their orders. It was like Maxwell Smart showing up on the set of Seinfeld.  In time, I learned the internet was an anathema to them; they hated it, feared it, and avoided it with universal vigilance.

Long gone are the days when artists, small manufacturers and crafters badly needed reps to get their name out to a large-scale audience. In their glory days, reps alone held the keys to big visibility and the potential for lucrative sales because there was no other way for the artist to garner recognition on their own. The internet has changed all that by handing the back the power where it belongs–to the artists themselves. Because this power dynamic has changed, today’s reps are like Steve McQueen in “The Blob”, frantically running from a huge, unstoppable force which very few try to harness. Trade show attendance shrinks dramatically every year; store owners can find new products by Googling; artists can reach millions with their website. Who, then, needs reps? Theirs is an industry whose time has come and gone. They are dinosaurs sucking in their last gasp of oxygen; they are standing in front of a tidal wave with three big W’s emblazoned on its crest. Few of the rep groups we dealt with had their own ‘net presence; and, instead of using our own web site as a the sales tool it might have been, they avoided it like a rabbi at a luau.

This is not to say that, somewhere, there are rep firms that do well for those they represent. Perhaps there are. This is also not to say that there are zero benefits to hitching one’s wagon to a rep group. There may be exceptions to every rule, and perhaps the home decor/gift industry is unique. However, from my own experience as well as the experience of other artists and small manufacturers who experienced similar experiences we did, reps today will sign you up, tell you how wonderful your product line is, and suck you out of every dollar they can get before you catch on. The truth of it is, they will take their fees and free product without ever intending to take your line around and sell it. Their real goal is to grab as much as they can, hold onto you for six months to a year, at which time they will turn you over when new, unwitting replacements are in place. We know this to be true, we know it wasn’t just us because we’ve spoken to dozens of other artists and manufacturers who had the same exact experience we did. By the time you pay for samples, showroom fees, show fees, marketing materials, etc., you’ll be lucky if you break even and don’t declare bankruptcy. Misrepresentation–rather, let’s call it for what it is–lying– is the only way reps can stay in business in the age of of the internet.

You may wonder if we discontinued wholesaling. Not at all. In fact, we sell to many stores across the country, and some in Europe, too. They find us online. Every day.

Vintage art, vintage wine, vintage tile.

Here are five art pieces–made especially for tile printing— with a distinctive “vintage” flavor, both in style and subject–they celebrate wine. To make them, I used antique, turn of the century vintage fruit images and adapted them in a custom pastiche.

Since many of our customers use tiles for kitchen backsplashes, they especially enjoy a wine theme–which goes with everything, even modern kitchens. (Note: these images can be adapted for rectangular murals and backsplashes, they need not be square). These pieces look especially beautiful printed on tumbled stone (porcelain or marble), but they also work surprisingly well on glass tiles. They also make great decorative accents, too, such as single tiles for coaster sets, or accent tiles in countertops, and a framed wall arrangement is would be fabulous for this vintage wine series as well. Not to mention lovely trivets.

You may purchase these art pieces on any of our products, and we will custom make them for you. (The image names and numbers can be found in our Vintage Art Gallery on Color Bakery). To order any of these images on any of our products, just type the image name in the blank field (i.e., “Merlot”, “Chardonnay”, etc). If you have any questions, please post to me here or contact us via email.

Slave Girl’s Consent, Redux

This almost goth, moody art piece–of a blood red rose– was removed from the Color Bakery lineup a couple of years ago, even though it was a consistently good seller. The problem was, I just didn’t like the way it printed–it printed too dark. Yes, it’s a dark image, but the printing lost its subtlety and I just wasn’t happy with it.

I reworked the image and did some test prints (including test tiles) and am very happy with how it printed. We’ve had some requests for this piece over the years and I am glad to be able to bring it back. Look for it in the Chimera Gallery soon.

8 x 10 glass tiles- they are here.

We’ve long wanted to offer 8 x 10 glass tiles, but they are not readily available in too many places. Beautiful rectangular glass, these glass tiles take ink so beautifully that the colors just sing. Seriously..I have never seen glass take ink like these do. They are showstoppers. They make beautiful accent pieces that can transform any space. Shown: art from our Stained Glass Gallery.

Put them in frames, in easels, or buy a series and artfully arrange them on a wall. They also make the kind of gift that will blow people away. I tried the best I could to take a good photo–but it just doesn’t do it justice. They are amazing. No kidding. Click the image to purchase this glass with any art image you prefer and we’ll make it custom for you. Or click here.

Large Wooden Serving Tray with Custom Tile Mural

Our customers kept asking for larger serving trays and they particularly wanted wood instead of metal or cast iron. This beautiful domed tray takes a custom ceramic tile or glass tile mural, and has delicate sloped handles for easy carrying. A beautiful decorative piece or functional art for serving. Shown- “Fly by Night” from our Chimera Gallery.

I happen to love ceramic tiles, but this tray is particularly stunning with glass tiles. As with all Color Bakery products, choose from all the images on our site for your custom tray.

To purchase or learn more, click here or click image.

Twitter Contest: Retweet for free Giclee Art Print

Use Twitter? Follow Color Bakery (@ColorBakery) and retweet Color Bakery tweets to win a free Giclee Art Print, 8.5″ x 11″, any image of your choice. (Visit Color Bakery to see all the art gallery choices. Click “select art” from the top navigation menu to view all the galleries). Whether you love stained glass, art nouveau, vintage, dreamscapes, zodiac art, florals or butterflies, Twitter your way to a beautiful free signed print from Color Bakery. Check out our “Dreamscape Series”, our signature collection and our best sellers.

Each giclee inkjet print on 8.5″ x 11″ glossy premium paper. Signed by artist.

Retweet any Color Bakery product or promo tweets ten times and get your free print. Contact us for more information! Limited offer. Ends April 30.

Twerms for Twitterers

Twitter has rapidly become the third largest social network on the web. With only 140 characters allowed for each “Tweet”, users have begun to create their own language to get across their thoughts as  quickly and efficiently as they can. As “Google” is now also a verb as well as the name of a company, those of us who “tweet” often find ourselves wanting a quick term or expression that sums up the experience with a minimum of words.

For your pleasure, here are some of my own suggestions for possible linguistic additions for Twitter:

Redtweet (verb) When you type too many characters in TweetDeck and are forced to delete when the dialog box turns red

Twinching, Twinch (adverb, verb) The act of forcibly shrinking 150 characters into 140 by aggressive editing.

Lonetweet (verb) When your followers only get to see one side of your conversation

Quotweetion (noun)  Non sequitur quotations seemingly apropos of nothing

Ingratitwit (noun) ungracious Twitterer

Tweetbagger (noun) Twitterer who’s more interested in collecting followers than in actually engaging them

Tweetvoidance (noun) tweeting when you really should be paying your bills, tending kids or working

Sensitweet (adj) Description of one who unfollows you because you didn’t follow them within ten minutes

Tweetasite (noun) Spammer

Tweet Envy (noun) a tweet so good you wish you had typed it yourself

Twittiful (adj) The emotion felt by the Twitterer who accidentally tweets very embarassing DMs publicly

Twitness (noun)  Someone who saw a ghostly Tweet that was somehow never seen again by anyone else

Twiccan (noun) Twitterer who is also Wiccan

Twidow (noun) Lonely wife of incessantly Tweeting hubby

Twillow (noun) Twitterer who enjoys nature

Twilting, Twilt (adverb, verb) The act of falling asleep while tweeting

Twimp (noun) hesitant, overly anxious-to-please Twitterer

Twince (verb) What you do after you’ve tweeted something you regret

Twicked (adj) A mean tweet

Twizard (noun) A Twitter user whose knowledge of the software and protocol is faultless.