Wednesday’s blog – and something new!!
Hi there.
Thanks for popping in. Wednesday’s blog is something new, right? Well, to be fair, we’re always working on new designs! At any given moment, there will be at least a dozen stampsets, a bunch of stencils, a collection of Groovi plates and a few dies in the pipeline. And that doesn’t even include all the new products that are already complete, neatly stacked and waiting for launch day! Presenting on TV requires that we bring new things to market pretty much every time we rock up!
This coming Friday, for example, I’m showcasing a super collection of new stamps on Create & Craft. 9am and 1pm. And Paul is on TV tomorrow too, at 1pm and 5pm. But he’ll be reviewing and showing off our Groovi Easy Layout Collection. Why not something new? Well, let me explain….
Next week is our 31st birthday in business. We will be celebrating in style on TV with loads on newness! The show stopper this year is an absolutely superb Floral Alphabet, designed by none other than Linda Williams. It has been many, many months in the planning, designing, making, cleaning etc etc etc. So we know that this large ticket Collection is going to be launched next Friday at 6pm. We also know that most Groovi parchers will want it. So it would be remiss of us if we were to tempt you with another new design the week before. Do you get me? These are all considerations for us when planning TV.
Speaking of new, I spent a couple of happy hours this morning, putting some new stencils through their paces. These are a new idea, called Leafy Overlay Stencils. They are SO COOL!!!!
This is how it works. I give Jazz a sketch, a rough idea of the concept and the size. Jazz then translates what I sketched into Adobe, a design program. We both stare at the screen for ages, adjusting and tweaking. Then Jazz sends the file to Lisa, who mocks up the prototypes for me. Then I put said prototypes through their paces, making sure they do what I have in my mind’s eye. This was what I was doing this morning.
Here’s a Gel press print I pulled. See the overlay technique? Now I need figure out how I did it!! Next step is to perfect it, so I can show you how it works! It’s an adventure! These are 8×8 inch.
In the meantime, we will launch the smaller 6×6 inch stencils on telly next week, and we’ll stick to ink and brushes to start with! 😂 😂 😂 😂 . The safer, cleaner, simpler option! It looks like sheer chiffon, doesn’t it? Well, that was the idea behind these Leafy Overlay Stencils. I love them!
Once I’ve tested the stencils, made sure they work, I call Paul and we discuss when to launch, and how many we want made. He actions that – and we have lift-off. In the meantime, Jazz or Lisa design a product insert, and get a product code off Pete. Every product has its own unique code and barcode. Now it‘s over to Jilly. She then makes sure we have everything in stock, raw materials, packaging, paper, mask material that we need to complete. Once we know we have everything, then we can pencil a release date. At this point, the design file gets sent to the specific manufacturing department with quantities and dates. In this case, Lisa makes all our stencils, so she’ll be on it like a car bonnet tomorrow! Jilly sends the first batch straight to the Design team, so they can get on with the art samples. Unless I am excited about something and want to slot it into a TV show last minute! Like these stencils !!! Then there’s not enough time for the DT turnaround, and I just run with it.
Then it’s full steam ahead on production. That’s the process at work. That’s how we roll.
Now multiply that 20 times. And that’s what’s going on at Clarity every single day. I don’t even realise just how prolific we are until I sit and list it all. Team. Team. Team. That’s the operative word here.
Teamwork makes the Dream work.
I love that I can have an idea in the morning, and it’s an actual product by the afternoon. All under our roof, all created by our little team. Proud? Not much!! I remember being up in London at a Design Office once, and on the wall there was a slogan which said something like this:
Ideas are just that: Ideas. Even the ones that are good are worthless – until they are made into something.
We may be a small company, we may not be empire builders. But you’ll never find a nicer bunch of creatives and team players.
The NEW 6×6 inch Leafy Overlay stencils will be released on Sunday 1st September. £14.99 for a pack of 3.
Love always,
Barb x x x
23 thoughts on “Wednesday’s blog – and something new!!”
See you’re at it again! Producing items that I love! Don’t think I’ll be able to sit on my hands this time!! haha. may the dream team keep going!xxx
These are just my cup of tea! Love them . Such a fantastic company so pleased I discovered Clarity about twenty years ago not long after I started even crafting. The team sounds like a well oiled machine . Looking forward to seeing what you and the design team come up with
ooh these are beautiful. I will no doubt be adding them to my wishlist. Can’t wait to see what you do with them and the DT’s inspiration.
Those leaves look amazing! It’s really interesting to know a bit about your design process; talk about teamwork. I guess you’ll have to put my name on a set please!
See you on to on Friday.
Zara
Liking the look of the leafy stencils. Just my cup of tea!
You are an amazing lady with an amazing team.
Thank you for explaining how your Dream Team work and how it all comes together. Only trouble is I’m exhausted just sitting reading your blog however, I can’t wait to see all the new goodies, I just hope my recorder can cope with more hours of TV tips and tricks. I shall have to go clear a cupboard to see how much room I can make 🤣🤣
Wow, having gathered a number of Clarity stencils over the years it is only recently that I have been brave to use more than one on a project. Having watched Eileen create her masterpieces at the open day both this year and last I have taken the plunge so no doubt these new ones will be wending their way into my basket. Love the prints you have done with the 8×8 ones. They would look great as cushion covers or pictures on the wall. I will be watching the shows on Friday to see what great ideas you come up with. The Clarity team are definitely a team to be proud of xx
It was really interesting to read about the process of producing a new product. Thank you.
I love these new stencils. I can already see an Eileen Godwin type design in my mind.
WOW I like those, the 2 way overlay stencils are brilliant. What a beautiful effect they give, very classy! I’ve just purchased my first 8 clarity stencil brushes, distress oxides and archival ink pads.
I have always been so nervous of using stencils and ink, but as a direct result of watching Eileen Godwin at the Clarity Open Days i was absolutely hooked. So these stencils are going to be a must… definitely on my wish list. xXx
That’s beautiful!
The new Groovi designs sound interesting – looking forward to seeing them!
Finished my embroidery projects at last – gosh they took a long time but I am pleased with the results!
Take care and remember to stop and smell the roses!!! xxx
Just beautiful and clever, that brain of yours is amazing! So is your Team looking forward to the launch.
Phew! That was an exhausting but lovely read. They do look like chiffon to, I was thinking they’d look good on a scarf ! Look forward to seeing them in the ‘flesh’. X
Oh my goodness – overlay stencils! I cannot wait to see these beauties in action! You have always come up with winning ideas, Barb, and you certainly have THE Dream Team to put those ideas into action and make something very special. Thank you for sharing with us the creative process that Team Clarity go through to produce a Clarity launch – you say you are a small company, but you have big ideas and amazingly talented members of a very big hearted Team. Creative, talented, inspirational and quality – quality team members that work very hard to produce quality products. And it is very much appreciated by an ever growing community of happy Clarity crafters!
Teamwork makes the dream work! These new stencils look brilliant! I love how responsive Clarity is as a company, both in terms of setting up new products and in picking up what customers are asking for. Here’s to the next 31 years!!
Oh dear I like the look of these although I’m not really a stencil person .Think these will be heading my way.x
These stencils look absolutely fabulous and just my cup of tea. Perhaps stamps to follow.
Clarity products for me are the best in the business and the whole team are simply wonderful, generous and friendly. Here’s to another 31 years plus.
Blessings xxx
Looks like another big spend is imminent. I have a length of silk long enough to make a couple of scarves, and fabric paints which will work well with the leaf stencils.
Interesting to read about the Clarity process from idea to finished product. You sure do have an amazing team.
Looking forward to the up-coming shows.
Safe travels to TV land.
These stencils look brilliant, my wish list grows longer. Great to read about the Clarity process new idea’s to product. Looking forward to the shows xx
Really interesting to hear about the design process and how team Clarity come together to produce your fabulous products. 👏👏
I love layering stencils, and the look of these is fab! Just unpacked my sale goodies yesterday and need to play with those before I order any more!!!
Love, love, love those stencils – will be treating myself to a birthday gift to myself as I am celebrating today! Good to know all the behind the scenes work that goes on.
These stencils are going to be very popular. I agree with what Ken said in his message, you all are a Dream Team and I think I have been following you for nearly 31 years.
Take care.
Hello Barb, no doubt about it, you have done it again. I am sure these are just going to be so popular. Love your painty sample. Can’t wait to see what you do with them. You have the dream team all around you, from the ones at work to the design team. Take care everyone. Bx