All I can say is WOW...GOSH...and OH MY!!! The last 3 weeks have probably been the hardest and the longest that I have experienced in my life....I have faced quite a bit of adversity in my business life and in my personal life. I felt like I had ice water thrown in my face...in more than one way. I also had quite a wake up call. I am not the type of person who likes to bring my problems to the table in my business life, so I will not go there...it is not in my character...but I will say that I had to make some tough decisions and I had to get my priorities in order. When it all came right down to it I was ORDERED to take a vacation from my doctor. My stress level was through the roof.....it wasn't looking good at all......I have always worked...worked...and then worded some more....because BAD GIRLS is my baby....I started it from nothing and I have seen it grow and flourish....but work was getting the best of me too....and it slammed me when I least expected it. Being a kit club owner is not easy....we dont get many breaks...well...I take that back...seriously...we dont get breaks at all....we turn over new designs every month...and when you think you can rest, you are dead wrong...you move to the next month. So....how to make this work??? Well....I am probably going to restructure things so that I dont have so much all at once...but figure it out I must because when I was faced with shut down due to my medical condition it really tore me apart. So....my doctor told me to take a vacation....relax...heal myself or be faced with another type of healing...the way I dont believe in...for those of you who know me well...I hate drugs...I only believe in holistic healing...so did it work??? Yes! I am much better after the vacation....only now I have to figure out how to keep my stress level down....and I will...because art is an integral part of my life and I can't imagine my life without BAD GIRLS.
I must share something though.....it is no wonder why a lot of kit clubs out there go out of business...and I want to so humbly offer all of my peers out there who venture into this business huge kudos...but I reveled in the fact that so many of them last only a couple of years...and it is usually always the same reason why they must fold...it is really rough...it truly is the hardest job I have ever done. So, I want to ask for patience and understanding too. As far as I know, BAD GIRLS is the only kit club out there that gives you full instruction and technique tutorial with your kit for FREE!!!! I love teaching and I wouldn't have it any other way, but please know girlies...it is a lot of work. While I will always deliver to you girls, I also want everyone to understand that I am human...I will falter every now and then I am sure...but like this last lesson taught me...I cannot sacrifice my health for my work...I am no good to you either if I don't have my health. So, please know...that I AM accountable....I have never not delivered anything that has been paid for.....and I will say that I have never charged anyone for directions to anything...so please if I am late...know that it will go up...I will answer the call.
With all this being said....on a positive note...I have a lot more coming very soon. It was impossible for me to transition to a new Design Team immediately. This was not on purpose, nor something that I saw coming, but we worked very hard to begin the search for new team members immediately. We have a new team of amazing artists starting in September!!! Bad Girls goal is still to make a change in the industry, and our team is going to be bringing you inspiratioin in the form of what has NEVER been done in a kit club EVER BEFORE!!!! It is going to be amazing ladies....you just wait!
I also have a new Team Coordinator for Project 52. She is working very closely with me in bringing on a new team of 10 seperate amazing artists that will be bringing you inspiration via that channel also....so it seems to me that you are going to be getting a lot of fabulous art inspiration here at BAD GIRLS!!!!
I have said it before, and I will say it again....
Rome wasn't built in a day. I always knew that if I was going to reach for the stars that it wasn't going to happen overnight. As I move through month after month, I grow....I learn.....I pay attention to what my customer wants and what is going to make them grow artistically...and I am more than positive that I will continue to reinvent myself as the years go by...I am only certain of one thing for sure.....BAD GIRLS will always be here...no matter what diversity I am hit with...I am strong...I will work through it....I will keep my head raised with pride for the company that I love and believe in.
Now.....for the update after me being gone for a while....
I have updated the July classes completely....I hope you girls enjoy putting this GORGEOUS album together....it is truly one of my all time favorites.....
And NO...the dang album is NOT going to fit into that tiny bag.....what were they thinking??? LOL....but you just wait til you read what I am using mine for...I think you girls are going to love it!
The August kits were also some of my favorites and while they were completely sold out, I was just informed by my wherehouse manager that we found one of each art kit...so if you have to have one, HURRY!!!!! You can purchase them in THE SHOPPES.
I do have good news....we have been hard at work here for the past few months seeking out antique dealers who can offer us authentic vintage goods in mass quantity. We continue to seek this out weekly on a worldwide basis, and we have had much success. Due to this success we are able to increase our Auto Ship. So, if you have been waiting, you will probably be added to our September shipment. If you would like to be added to Auto Ship to recieve our monthly Feature Kit please send an email to: [email protected] and put "Auto Ship" in the subject line.
August's Feature Kit is so perfect....I fell in love with the amazing new papers from 7 Gypsies....so european in their feel...yet playful at the same time...and look at the cute little bird cage!!!! OMG.....just wait to see what I created with it!!!! Here is the gorgeous kit....
"LES RUES DE PARIS"
All of this months Specialty Art Kits feature lots of Antique goodies and such pretty art supplies....take a peek!!!!!
"FRENCH QUARTER"
It is hard to tell by the photo, but the letters from Prima....they are sprinkled with the most heavenly chunky crystals....so pretty!!!!!
"DRAWING ROOM"
This beautiful kit not only comes with a beautiful calendar album so you can get a jump start on 2010, but it also has the brand new Prima flowes and gorgeous antique bobbins with thier orininal wool thread....imagine hand stitching on your pages for your new calendar!
"HOMESPUN MEMORIES"
Besides all the antique goodies in this kit and the plethora of ribbons Prima flowers, my favorite part of this kit has to be the GORGEOUS seersucker fabrics and whimsical wool felt beads...gosh are they pretty and talk about inspiring!!!!
"DREAM WEAVER"
Dream Weaver has the most heavenly antiques...an old timeworn key, milk cap from way back in the day, vintage baubles....oh my!!! and take a look at all the pretty flowers....stamps, rub ons, etc....an artist's dream for sure!
This month we also have a few more kits to make your creating more fun...we have stamps from one of my favorite funky manufacturers...BAM POP! The bubbles are perfect for all your fun journaling and that frame!!! So classic...yet a funky twist...I love it!
"FUNKY STAMPS"
And...the Binderie has become one of my all time favorites...and it will come in handy for creating all of your own albums. It punches through so many things...and makes creating a sheer pleasure...and to make it even more fun we have added a package of Primas amazing mulberry collage paper....a treat for sure....pure eye candy!
"PRESS RELEASE"
"RIBBONS GALORE"
For my girls who can't get enough colour or ribbon...what a treat! :)
See you tomorrow with more news from BAD GIRLS!
xoxo
Wendy
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