By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward, Secretary of State

A few months ago I wrote a piece about how manufacturers are not continueing their video series. Not all have quit, but, many have. Why, is the question I must ask myself. I understand that a great deal of money goes into making and producing video, especially when you are adding craft projects, the problem I see is that they don’t see a direct monetary result from these videos. Maybe if they did a better job of marketing them, and creating a buzz, they would see more of a direct monetary benefit.  I can think of many ways these manufacturers could not only see the monetary value of keeping these video series going, but, how they could incorporate more of a buzz for their customers.

Sizzix has a line of videos that are quite basic, but, show that they are taking iniative and producing good high quality videos that their customers can benefit from. If you are a Sizzix machine owner, you know how fun and easy they are to use, and the videos that Sizzix has put together shows the ease of use.

Now, if Sizzix would come out with more idea videos and create a group around this type of video series, they might just see how beneficial this line of video is for them and their customers.

To see videos from Sizzix, click here.

Look at the various direct mail marketing and advertising opportunities that are available to you. You can create solo direct mail letters, newsletters, free-standing inserts, postcards and brochures. If you have an inhouse list of customers, that list should be your first target. When a customer gives their personal information to you for a mailing list, they are essentially asking you to send them coupons, offers, and info pieces from time to time. What better list to send your direct mail to than those who are already shopping at your store. An inhouse list already has a built in trust in you and your services.

Creating the direct mail piece can be as simple as creating a scrapbooking page/layout with all the detailed information regarding sales for the month, freebies, classes, etc. Take that original and copy it, cut into postcard size pieces, adhere the postage and mail. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you would like.

Find A Resource That Does It All For You

With direct mail, you can specifically target neighborhood homes surrounding your business. It’s best to target homes within three to 10 miles of your business, while targeting at least 50,000 homes or more. At about 3 to 4 cents per home, direct mail marketing is extremely affordable, as opposed to solo direct mail campaigns, which usually cost between 50 cents to $1 per home.

Sales reps are prepared to help you plan the most effective direct mail marketing campaigns, and customize advertising solutions for your business. When you add up the costs of artwork, printing, mailing labels and postage, it can be a greater advantage to use direct mail magazines, cooperative direct mail or a combination of both. Direct mail magazines typically mail to 50,000 homes per targeted mailing area, so you can select the best ones that will work for your business.

Some offer pre-designed postcard formats, proper graphics, special offers and mailing lists to targeted demographics and zip codes. Benefits include complimentary marketing and advertising consultation services with vivid full-color printing on high-quality glossy paper stocks, professional photography, expertly designed layouts and a complete array of comprehensive high-quality resources at an extremely affordable price.

How do you know where to find Design Team Calls?

* Look through Magaziness, Newsletters, E-mails
* Google Search
* Use outdated sites….CobWeb sites
* Visit up-to-date sites that publish Design Calls

There are many other ways, like going to all the different forums and looking them up one by one. This may be the route to go if you are only interested in getting on one team in particular, but, if you just want to try your luck or get your feet wet on a design team and then get picky you should have a plan.

What should that plan be? Know what you are good at, know your style, know your limitations and challenge yourself to not set limits that stifle your growth. I have been doing research for years on scrapbooking and home business tips among other things, and one thing I know from personal experience and from watching friends to design for the top scrapbooking companies, is that you really need to organize yourself, and be willing to pull a few all nighters if needs be.

I have hired design team members, hired writers, artists, and been these people myself…I have been the writer, been the design team member, and artist. I have also hired and congratulated many of women who have aspired to the same goals.

“When a thing has been said and said well, have no scruple. Take it and copy it.” by Anatole France.

Allow your customers or classes to ScrapLift Ideas from in-store displays, online and print newsletters, advertisements and other forms where you show off your layouts and class projects. Customers love being able to find great ideas, and easily take that idea home to use in thier own scrapbooks.

Have a preprinted list available at the check out counter or online in a newsletter or in pdf format so your readers and visitors can take advantage of the ScrapLifting project.

I love ScrapLifting!! I find inspiration in all kinds of craft projects, scrapbooking projects, magazine ads, craft projects, online advertisements, books, and the list goes on…