SalesNotes

(MX) Montana Black Marker Status Update

There are still developmental delays with the Montana Black Marker line with some of the skus, which has kept the launch in delay. Particularly, the 8mm markers, 15mm markers, 10 of the 20 200ml Paint colors, and the silver 25ml refill ink.  Montana is not sure when these will be ready yet, but as soon as we have more information we will update.

As for the rest of the items - 10mm markers, 10 of the 20 200ml Paint colors, the rest of the 25ml refill inks, the empty markers, and nibs will be able to ship to arrive to us around mid-May.  The plan is to make these available as soon as possible.  As for assortments that are ordered, these will hold until we get the rest of the line in stock, unless the rep or retailer requests otherwise.  Lisa ex. 6620

(LQ) Liquitex Sets & Mediums

To update my Jan posting, we're still seeing lots of shortages/delays on the delivery of these items from Colart.

Some items have been shipping this week and last week and we will hopefully be receiving these in soon:

LQ101037, LQ1041002, LQ121072, LQ121804, LQ5004, LQ5008, LQ5016, LQ5104, LQ5108, LQ5116, LQ5208, LQ5304, LQ5304, LQ5316, LQ5320251, LQ5321, LQ5322, LQ5408. LQ5508, LQ5620, LQ5708, LQ6208, LQ6216, LQ6304, LQ7504, LQ7508, LQ9108

 

These items we are either still waiting for a solid eta, or we're expecting them early April or later:

LQ101038, LQ101042, LQ104016, LQ107008, LQ108099, asst SB colors, LQ5120, LQ5216, LQ5308, LQ5332, LQ5708 (later PO's), LQ6008, LQ6132, LQ6308, LQ6408, LQ6508, LQ6608, LQ6808, LQ6908, LQ7408, LQ7416, LQ7604, LQ7608, LQ7616, LQ7632, LQ8916

thanks, Joanne x6607

(RF) R&F Encaustics - eta to our DC's

An update on the eta to our DC's -  we are expecting these to ship to us the second week of March, so look for the line to be in stock in late March.

thanks, Joanne x6607

WILLIAMSBURG - 18 NEW COLORS!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JUST IN FROM GOLDEN:

The mission of Williamsburg is to provide painters with the best quality pigments that serve as a connection to the past while continually expanding the depth and scope of the colors painters depend on.

In keeping with that tradition, we are very proud to introduce 2 old favorites that had been discontinued in the past, 3 additions to families of pigments that help round out their spectrum of hues and 13 French Earth Colors from the oldest operating mine and pigment supplier in France.

Two Much Beloved Colors Return - Indanthrone Blue and Green Gold

New Single Pigment Colors - Expanding and Deepening The Color Ranges - Mars Orange Deep, Cobalt Green, Cadmium Purple

Introducing French Earth Colors: The thirteen new French Earth Colors will expand and provide more depth within our offerings of natural earths coming from regions with historical importance, especially in terms of European art history. They will appeal to painters seeking a broader palette of historical materials; those who want to feel more connected to specific regions and traditions. At the same time, we believe the French Earth colors are attractive to many modern painters who appreciate that natural earths provide a type of texture and physical presence, as well as a subtlety of color caused by the unique mix of impurities each mining region possesses; something that synthetic iron oxides simply do not and cannot provide.

Appearing in our DCs the end of May. Watch for further details!

- beasleyx2406

 

 

 

Youtube Channels for Montana, STABILO, and Letraset!

Just a reminder that there are Youtube channels with great video resources for Montana, STABILO, and Letraset!  Check them out!  Lisa ex. 6620

http://www.youtube.com/user/LetrasetVids/videos

http://www.youtube.com/user/montanacans1/videos

http://www.youtube.com/user/STABILOchannel/videos

(MVCW) The Crafter's Workshop stencil Video Demos



The Crafter’s Workshop - Beautiful templates & stencils for Art Journals, Mixed-Media, Collages, Paper Arts, Surface Design, Scrapbooking, Cardmaking, Home décor and more!! 

Available in hundreds of styles in sizes 12"x12", 6"x6" and 8.5"x10" letter templates.

Use both the positive AND negative space with paints, inks, pens, sprays, even clay.

CLICK HERE for Video Demos of great Stencil ideas!!

 

Annalee x6647

Art Alternatives Canvas News

New Canvas Lines Launching in 2012:


Premium Canvas:   An expanded line of 21 Studio sizes (8x8 - 36x48) and 27 Gallery sizes (8x8 - 60x72) will be launching in May at NAMTA.  The canvases feature a dense double woven cotton canvas which provides a tight evenly-stretched surface that is less susceptible to temperature and moisture fluctuations and better able to protect the integrity of the paint film over time.  The canvas has folded corners and is back-stapled to heavy weight pine stretcher bars.

Artist Linen Canvas: Available in 11 Studio sizes (8x10 - 30x40) and 10 Gallery sizes (8x10 - 36x48), this linen canvas has a medium-texture and is 7oz pre-primed and 13-14oz after priming.  Like the Premium line, the canvas has folded corners and is back-stapled to heavy weight pine stretcher bars. It is suitable for use with all painting media.

Studio and Gallery Canvas Upcoming Changes:

Spec Changes: Over the past couple of years, we've implemented strict quality standards for our canvas during each step of production and even installed our own full-time QC inspectors at each of our factories.  Based on inspections we've done in our warehouses, these efforts seem to be reducing the overall rate of defective canvas by 20-30%.  While significant, I realize that this doesn't mean much when you are still seeing defective canvas. Since warpage continues to be the #1 issue, we're looking to make some major changes which you will hear more about and begin to see over the next several months, including the possibility of using a denser wood such as pine for the Studio and Gallery canvas, particularly on the larger sizes.

Carton Quantities: During inventory inspections in our warehouses of the larger sizes of Art Alternatives Studio and Gallery canvas, we found that about 5% of the defective canvas was stained, due to the way the canvases are lined up in the box.  In order to prevent dents or punctures during shipping, the face of the canvases are always turned in, away from the carton sides.  To prevent indents and marks, we also line up canvases so that the faces of 2 canvases are together and the backs of 2 canvases are together.  However, when there is an odd # of canvas pieces in a case, one canvas surface will be directly against the stretcher bars of another.  In all cases, this 5th canvas is the one we found to be stained, caused by the cross bracing of the other canvas.  To prevent this, we are adjusting the carton quantities of all Studio and Gallery canvases to even numbers.  In general, the carton qty for larger sizes will decrease from 5 to 4, while the smaller sizes will increase from 5 to 6.  Sizes already packed in cartons of 10 will not change. The first order with these new carton quantities will arrive in Reno in mid-March and in Elgin and Suwannee soon after. The warehouses will rotate our inventory but there will be a period of time during which you may receive cartons containing different quantities of the same item.  You will only be billed for the exact number that is shipped.  Once the first affected PO’s arrive, a comment will be added to each affected item that will alert you on OEX as well as one packing slips and invoices that we are in the process of making this transition and that there may be a difference between the qty ordered and received. - Lisa D x 6635

Art Alternatives Canvas News – New Items and Quality Control Updates

Launching in 2012:

 

 

 

 

Premium Canvas: After a substantial delay due to quality concerns, Art Alternatives will be launching a Premium canvas line at NAMTA in Orlando.  One of the great features about this line is the dense double woven cotton canvas which provides a tight evenly-stretched surface that is less susceptible to temperature and moisture fluctuations and better able to protect the integrity of the paint film over time. Not many factories use a canvas as densely woven or heavy weight as this and even fewer know how to properly prime it.  The original (rejected) shipment was primed with a gesso that would have been great for a lighter weight canvas; however, it was not able to penetrate or bond with the tighter weave of the Premium canvas, making it susceptible to peeling.  That problem has been resolved and we're finally ready to launch the line which has been expanded to include 21 Studio sizes (8x8 - 36x48) and 27 Gallery sizes (8x8 - 60x72). 

 

 

 

 

 

Linen Canvas: To round out our line of canvas offerings, we will be launching a line of white acrylic primed artist-quality Linen canvas at NAMTA.  It will be available in 11 Studio sizes (8x10 - 30x40) and 10 Gallery sizes (8x10 - 36x48).  The linen has a medium-texture and is 7oz pre-primed and 13-14oz after priming.  Like the Premium line, the canvas has folded corners and is back-stapled to heavy weight pine stretcher bars. 

Studio and Gallery Canvas Quality Improvements: 

Spec Changes: Over the past couple of years, we've implemented strict quality standards for our canvas during each step of production and even installed our own full-time QC inspectors at each factory.  Based on inspections we've done in our warehouses, these efforts seem to be reducing the overall rate of defective canvas by 20-30%.  While significant, I realize that this doesn't mean much when you are still seeing defective canvas. Since warpage continues to be the #1 issue, we're looking to make some major changes which you will hear more about and begin to see over the next several months, including the possibility of using a denser wood such as pine for the Studio and Gallery canvas, particularly on the larger sizes. 

Carton Pack Changes: During inventory inspections in our warehouses of the larger sizes of Art Alternatives Studio and Gallery canvas, we found that about 5% of the defective canvas was stained, due to the way the canvases are lined up in the box.  In order to prevent dents or punctures during shipping, the face of the canvases are always turned in, away from the carton sides.  To prevent indents and marks, we also line up canvases so that the faces of 2 canvases are together and the backs of 2 canvases are together.  However, when there is an odd # of canvas pieces in a case, one canvas surface will be directly against the stretcher bars of another.  In all cases, this 5th canvas is the one we found to be stained, caused by the cross bracing of the other canvas.  To prevent this, we are adjusting the carton quantities of all Studio and Gallery canvases to even numbers.  In general, the carton qty for larger sizes will decrease from 5 to 4, while the smaller sizes will increase from 5 to 6.  Sizes already packed in cartons of 10 will not change. The first order with these new carton quantities will arrive in Reno in mid-March and in Elgin and Suwannee soon after. The warehouses will rotate our inventory but there will be a period of time during which you may receive cartons containing different quantities of the same item.  You will only be billed for the exact number that is shipped.  Once the first affected PO’s arrive, a comment will be added to each affected item that will alert you on OEX as well as one packing slips and invoices that we are in the process of making this transition and that there may be a difference between the qty ordered and received.

 

 

AV Activa Hearty Clay 1.75 oz Phased Out

Due to sourcing difficulties Activa will not be able to supply the 1.75 oz package of Hearty Clay in all colors until further notice.  Hearty Clay 5.25 oz package AV1300 white is available and is in stock in all DC's.  We have phased out items AV1301-AV1305 in our system but once they become available again they will be reactivated.  JD x6621

Spring Pricer Ships Next Week

Sorry for the delay, folks, we had a few data issues that put the Spring 2012 Pricer behind schedule. The Pricers are expected to ship next week. ~Amy

SA Sharpie Brush Marker Display -Promo Price Correction

The Sharpie Brush Marker Display, shipping in March and featured in the Spring Buyer's Guide, was published with the incorrect discount. The correct drop ship discount is 57.5%, bringing the net to $123.62.

-Eunice x6648