Time to make a scene.
Hi there
It’s time to make a scene. Oh yes! I would love to make a scene! I was bobbing about in a sea of emotions this morning, catching an angry wave, then being awash with sadness, only to surface and be hit by the next surge of frustration. Until I decided
THIS WILL NOT DO !!!!
The only way to get to shore and some semblance of serenity was to get with my hands and MAKE SOMETHING.
So I went up to my art room, rolled my sleeves up, and had a play with the new landscaping stamp/mask sets that Jazz and I have designed together.
I don’t want to show my entire hand here, because I want you to enjoy the reveal next week! But Cor. Don’t you love it when what was in your head actually works on paper !!! I have a feeling that you are going to fall in love with these. And as Saturday’s blog is about a New Technique, I thought I’d tell you about them. Ready for a tease?
It’s a combination concept. Tree stamps in combination with landscape masks. There are 5 scenescape masks altogether, and 5 little tree sets to go with them. All beautifully interchangeable of course.
I have put them through their paces; just need to make a few tweaks to the masks – and then we can go into production. There is a simple but oh-so-effective scene-building process, which I want to share with you next Sunday – It’s all about the colours and the moons …
I am going to launch them next Sunday 3-5pm, on our new Clarity Social TV. It’s the first Sunday of the month, which is when I have been doing TV for the last 15 or 16 years! Why break the habit of a lifetime ?! It’s going well actually, thanks to our totally talented Clarity team, and our lovely loyal friends and customers – you.
We have to live in the solution here; no point in crying over spilt milk. We’re a creative bunch to the core, and we want to keep making! We‘ve also got bills to pay, mouths to feed, customers to look after – and the Good Ship Clarity to keep afloat.
But I have a good feeling about it, I really do. You’ve got to admit, we’ve rallied pretty fast! We‘ve been a couple of steps away from streaming independently and doing LIVE online shopping for years actually – we just elected not to do it in deference to Create & Craft. I’m okay with that decision too.
Who knew, when we built our two social TV studios to be able to stream the SHAC from home and Clarity during Lockdown, that this would end up being our rescue package down the road! One of you good people said yesterday in one of the messages (I do read every single one, you know) that it was a good thing we had the cameras all set and good to go! Ain’t that the truth!! You see? You never know, do you.
Lights, camera – action. And we’re all about action at Clarity!
Love always,
Barb
45 thoughts on “Time to make a scene.”
Onward and upward for the good ship Clarity. BDP et al. Looking forward to shows.
I’m not surprised you feel the way you do it must be such an unsettling time for you all. As you say though you already have the cameras & lights so let the action begin. Really looking forward to next Sunday afternoon and the new create a scene sets look fantastic. Just remember, this too shall pass and every cloud has a silver lining in it somewhere. Take care and have a good weekend xxxx
I’ve had a fun day playing with these products too!
I’ve made a “scene“ but not as you know it ! 🤔
Take care
E xxx
It certainly was a fabulous idea Barb, and I think it saved a lot of us through covid.
My DT samples are winging their way to you, I just wished I had more time to play with these. They will be loved by everyone. A lorra lorra milage in these little sets.
What a horrendous day for me! but no one died so I’m grateful for that. Just means I’m six hours behind prepping and organising myself ready for my road trip to Kent to set up for our wonderful Clarity Christmas open day!
Love and strength to us all. Think we all need to travel gently just now.
Barb, you have the perfect team around you to embark on this next challenge and make a huge success of it. So many of us are upset about the C&C situation but watching you and Paul front Clarity TV is great because you have more time to demo. Can’t wait for next Sunday, these stamps look fab!
Hope you get some time to yourself this weekend.
Zara xx
Well Barbara, I truly believe that things happen for a reason and right now that’s looking right.
Loving these new stamps and masks. Can’t wait to have a proper play with them tomorrow.
Love and hugs. Xxxxx
I am loving Clarity TV. I rarely watched c&c as there were too many interruptions for me. Now it’s like having more visits to the SHAC. Onwards and definitely upwards. Well done Barb & team for embracing the enforced changes. Xx
These are fabulous to play with. I will be ordering the remaining sets as soon as they are on the website. Looking forward to the craft along on Thursday too. I have ordered the remaining ingredients ready to go.
I also think the resent changes to the craft clubs in the discount & points were well timed, as now building up Clarity crafting community is even more important.
Your on line workshops had the perfect timing also & I can recommend signing up for the new one as a must.
Add you Clarity TV & I am sure you’re on a winner.
Long live Clarity & the team , the best craft company.
Hello Barbara hardly surprising you feel like that but you are amazing and with a fantastic team I am sure it will come right in the end. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best and to thank you for all you do for us , your customers. love and hugs Suexxx
These all look really great Barbara and I want to tune in, where do I find you please? Hope you are all well and so pleased we can still watch all things Clarity. Stay well all, Linda xxx
Hi Linda..Thank you for the lovely comments. The shows can be found on our Facebook pages or Claritystamp Youtube … David. claritystamp.com
Hi!!
These look very promising!! Can’t wait to see what’s on offer and might have to spend more money!! Keep going and adapting!!!
Best wishes to you all!
These sets look fantastic! I’ll look forward to next Sunday.
We’re keeping the faith and supporting you however we can. Down the road it will become clear that only good will come of events.
Have a good restful Sunday. Xx
Am loving the taster I’ve got with the new sets – right up my street!! So looking forward to seeing what you’ve done with them too.
All this shows that none of us ever know what’s around the next corner, but I sense that this is a challenge that will take Clarity on into the next phase and beyond xx
I’m much preferring how it is now, with the face book lives etc, loved Hochanda not so keen on C&C but it was what it was for many years. Technology has come so far since the beginning of shopping telly, and I really think the direct selling is the way forward, no one taking a cut, you show what you want when you want and charge what you need to!
I purchased over last weekend and delivery was good and arrived in a few days so thanks so much, having followed you from very early on before shopping tv, keep doing what your doing you’re all amazing.
The afternoon of the first Sunday of the month is sacrosanct in our house for Clarity, it was the one weekend I didn’t listen to Johnny Walker live as you classed, alas due to his health he finishes tomorrow. But hopefully the good ship Clarity will go on and on, and these are really down my street and reminiscent of the early backgrounds. I’ll thank you and Jazz for them now.
Quite understand how you are feeling. It’s been a shock. New stamps look interesting and I look forward to the shows next Sunday.
Take care.
Love Clarity tv. Always watched the tv shows but never purchased through C&C always direct from Clarity. I’m so happy at the moment with all the tv shows plus the Shac onwards and upwards.xx
I agree with Lisa G, I am loving Clarity TV and rarely watched C&C lately unless you were on Barbara.
You keep going and we will do our best to support you.
Lots of love and hugs,
Linda x
Just re-watched the latest shows. You looked unlike your usual self and if I could have conjured up a cloned Paul and sent him to help you I would have done. You did a grand job without him though.
Seeing the forthcoming stamps my heart sank to my boots ‘cos every time I decide not to buy so much you come up with another “must have”. Oh well, I really don’t need more shoes or another dress, and crafting is so much more satisfying.
Looking forward to Sunday.
I am so glad you are looking on the positive. Wishing you all the best.
Looking forward to next Sunday to see the launch of the latest Clarity concept.
The Shac was the dress rehearsal for the situation now and I don’t know about you, but often things happen without you realising why you are doing something and then you realise and say “now I know why that happened”. I’m a great believer in the Universe.
I’m enjoying Clarity tv, I’m trying to use my stamps more but doesn’t come naturally in that I have to keep it simple ! Been trying out the abstract layout die, flowers and infusion papers today. Went to use the travel one and the die has done a runner but come up with something else for grandson’s birthday on 31st. Couldn’t do Halloween for him again ! Backtick to the abstract layout, I’ve stamped out all the flowers, followed the design on the front for now, just got to colour them and then put card together. Fingers crossed or I might make my own scene – a stamping of the foot one!
Hope you’re feeling in a better mind space now, try and have a Sunday off….
X
Dear Barbara ,if I could give you a hug I would and wish had some words that could help .If I lived near you I would volunteer even to make the tea or tidy the ink pads !
Some years ago we were hit badly by the recession and thought all was lost .But we decided to just keep doing what we do best with integrity and be true to ourselves and that wasn’t about money .
Clarity has always had that ethos and it shows .
I used to watch you on C+C and enjoyed the demos so much but there were occasions when you released new items and the programme was not recorded .I am thrilled you are now doing your own TV and I can watch on u tube and practise along with you .May this door that has closed for you open many more and may everything for you and the Clarity family blossom gently .Take care .
Carmel x
Dear Barbara,
So many well wishes for you, Dave and Clarity , can I add mine too. Most things happen for a reason and this definitely has. Your shows are fantastic. GO CLARITY! Take care.hugs from Australia.
Yay for Clarity TV! I’ll have to do some catching up later as I need to clear my new allotment before I have my surgery and am out of action physically for a little while.
I remember the first time I heard of Clarity was at a little craft club where Eileen showed me your stamp catalogue. Then I saw you do your magic at a craft show in Farnborough. Then your first show on TV … so this will be the next chapter in your story, and I’m looking forward to it!!!
When the going gets tough, the tough gets going! And they don’t come much tougher than Barbara, Dave and Team Clarity! You pull together to create the right solution at the right time to move ever upwards and onwards! If one door closes, you work hard together to make sure at least one more opens! Clarity has always been about innovation, imagination and inspiration – and not just with the unbeatable products you produce, but also with how the company operates and, most importantly, interacts with the wider Clarity Community. Not just a loyal customer base but an ever growing group who craft together, care together, and share together, in a real friendship. A true Community that you have created, Barbara. So Clarity TV was a natural progression allowing us to continue to craft and share together, and to be able to support Clarity on its journey. Let’s all travel gently together, and enjoy the journey our bus driver takes us on!
We are all loving the programmes Barbara. We understood that telly sales had to be fast paced etc, but they way it is presented now is kinder and gentle. People are captivated by the demos and the learning. I have seen so much lovely and positive feedback and it is heartening indeed.
I admire the way you have rolled up your sleeves, picked up your tools and got work in order to move forward. You have many people in your corner. xx
Can fully understand your feelings first thing this morning – its been a difficult & strange few weeks with uncertainty of what was going to happen but now you have the answer that you were not wanting to hear but at least you can make plans to overcome it.
The sneaky peek of the new stamp & mask sets sound as if they were a hit with the DT so look forward to seeing what you have lined up for us next Sunday. Might just have some birthday money to spend by then so won’t have to decide what needs to go in my basket !!
I would love to know how to successfully build a scene! All my attempts so far have been rubbish, a process to follow is just what I need.🤓 I’m sure I’ll find that the stamp sets are a ‘must have’ too.😂
I’m really enjoying Clarity TV’s selly telly, it’s great that you’re able to go into more detail on the demos and your idea to link the product to the video is a great one, as is making the ‘ingredients’ list available to download. It’s more chatty and friendly too – lovely!
Well done Barbara and team Clarity!
Jane x 🌸🌼🌺
Clarity will survive well with so many creatives involved and the desire and team commitment on-going. You don’t need another business to assist as you have proven you can stand alone.
I’m thrilled that Clarity is doing more of my favourite style – creating scenes, but my bank manager may be less excited!
Go Team Clarity!
Well, I only watched “selly telly” for the demos anyway and then ordered direct from companies (mostly Clarity!) so from a selfish point of view, I like the new way of feeding my addiction!!! So Barb – you will be nominated for “Best TV Presenter” now!!! Onwards and upwards for the good ship Clarity………..
Dear Barbara, Paul and the Clarity Team,
I am so sorry you, the Clarity team, the C&C presenters (etc) and other craft businesses are going through this turmoil.
I have to say that I have been extremely impressed with the way you have adapted to the situation. You have thought of your customers, who purchased from C&C, and honoured their orders – which is so generous and kind. You have set up Clarity Crafts TV, which I am enjoying immensely! In addition, us customers have also been introduces to some amazing new products too!
I am looking forward to the Christmas Open Day and the Workshop in November! Stay strong and remember that you have a loyal customer base as well as so many friends, who you mention on TV, who all want you to continue successfully in the crafting community.
Best wishes,
Wanda
Oh my goodness, now I will have to be expanding more into Clarity stamps & masks from mainly Groovi! Nothing I love better than scene building! I think I’m heading for a new adventure and lots more Clarity Crafts TV! You’ve got this!
I’m so full of admiration of the good ship Clarity, and the way this unfortunate situation has been dealt with. No dithering, more, right, off we go! Such positivity is SO refreshing! Please keep doing what you do so well! Xx
Ditto what Ken said.
You, Dave and all the Team are amazing.
Along with so many others here, I am so sorry that you, everyone at Clarity, all those working at Creat and Craft and their suppliers are going through such a tough time. Your Blog and your actions following this have been a real ray of sunshine in a lot of gloom. I’ve enjoyed your informative Blogs, Clarity TV and your new ideas and made some happy purchases.
I hope that what you’re doing goes well and will see you and Clarity in a better place now and in the future.
You are inspirational for Art, Craft and how to deal with and try to overcome adversity. You’re making lots of lovely Lemonade.xxx
Looking forward to these new stamps, not great at scene building so will learn lots I am sure. Loving the Clarity Tv demos. I know that it’s not what you were expecting but the reduced travelling must be a positive, trying to look on the Bright side. Now that’s me with an ear worm all day
Hi Barb and Dave and all the Clarity team. I certainly think Clarity has led the way in trying to weather this turmoil. I am loving Clarity TV and the fact that I can go back and watch it any time is a huge bonus, especially as I can sneakily watch it on my phone while doing the day job ;-). Keep it going, I think it is a lifeline for many crafters. Looking forward to next weeks shows. Take care everyone and sending hugs to everyone, including all the presenters and staff and suppliers from C&C. Bx
love your forward thinking and can’t wait to see this new release next week! definitely something right up my street. So pleased I found you Barbara 20 years ago you have certainly tried to keep me sane. if you watched Michael Moseley’s Just One Thing, you know it’s the right thing for all of us, so Thank You Barbara for being you! xx
Such a sad time for everyone. I would never have expected C&C to go out of business. Thank you for the information on your blog, I have watched you ever since I first saw you all the years ago at a Craft Exhibition at the NEC. Your following will increase after what has happened. Crafters will be looking at the internet to see where they can get inspiration and products, now C&C are no longer around. I know there are no craft shops where I live!
Clarity will survive, you have a fantastic team and brilliant designers. I love watching your demos and seeing what they come up with using your products. xx
Hello im not happy and of course angry as finding out that create and craft not on air and I had a order of the surprise diamond craft that was paid for well before that is was of air and have watch habby maker I’m sorry that hobby maker is not my cup of tea as they don’t really show of make crafts much mostly is talk talk so I’m hoping that create and craft be back can’t be with out as they should have ask all member if abt create and craft to go or stay they should have people’s vote it and also fight for the create and craft to stay on live shows
Your faithfully
Hang in there Barbara – you’re doing great! Remember to stop and smell the roses and hug a cat 🐈
Who knew that all those years ago when lockdown started that the SHAC would prepare you for days such as this…..
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Looking forward to the open days!
Hi barb,
COVID was awful but has a silver lining as now with c&c gone you are all ready set up to roll. Have these amazing stamps and masks, watched the demos and the more relaxed approach and thumbs up. Take time for yourself, I hope you have a good break at Christmas.