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Creative Leisure News
2677 Ashley Ct.
Tremont, IL 61568
Phone: 309-925-5593
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Email: mike@clnonline.com
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Date:
July 1, 2002 TABLE OF CONTENTSCOMMENTARY: BUSINESS PROFILESThis issue of CLN contains our first Business Profile, in this case of Yaley Enterprises. We plan to feature one company per issue from now on because, until now, there has been no place where a company of any kind could really explain itself, its history, personnel, products or services, and so on. We often think we know all about a company, and we're often wrong. Think you know all about Yaley because the company has been around since the virtual beginning of the modern craft industry? I bet you don't.After this issue is replaced by the new current issue on July 15, the Profile of Yaley will remain in a new "Business Profile Archives". Over time we hope to amass enough companies to create a true reference guide of large and small, old and new manufacturers, service companies, distributors, retailers, etc. The Business Profile section was announced in our last issue and the response has been incredible. If you're interested in having your company profiled, call me at 309-925-5593 or email me.
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F&W PUBS BUYS KRAUSE PUBSThe media world keeps changing. Cincinnati-based F&W Publications executed a definitive agreement to purchase Krause Publications for about $120 million, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newspaper. The price includes $39 million in Krause debt; most of the remainder goes to Krause's 450 employees, because Krause was an employee-owned company. Each company will operate independently, spokespeople said.Krause is located in Iola, Wisconsin and publishes Michaels Create!, CNA, Arts & Crafts, Procrafter, and 42 other periodicals, most in the collectibles and outdoor fields. Krause's book division publishes 125+ titles, many craft-related, each year. There's a trade show division, too. Krause became particularly active in the craft industry when it purchased the craft book list from Chilton and CNA and Procrafter (then Craft Supply Magazine) from Hobby Publications. F&W's periodicals include Memory Magic, The Artist's Magazine, Decorative Artist's Workbook, Watercolor Magic, Writer's Digest, and publications for woodworkers and graphic designers. A division, North Light Books, publishes a variety of industry-related books. F&W itself was purchased earlier this year by an investment group led by Bill Reilly. Reilly is the former president of Primedia, a New York publishing conglomerate that publishes Crafts, Craftrends, Creating Keepsakes, Sew News, and other industry-related magazines. For more on the companies, visit www.krause.com and www.artistsnetwork.com.
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CRAFTS SOAR WHILE THE DOW SINKSShould we stop making/selling products and just invest in our industry's public companies? The uncertain economic recovery, looming federal deficits, some poor earnings reports, and scandals on Wall Street and in corporate boardrooms have caused the general stock market to be a miserable investment for the second quarter and the year to date.Meanwhile, investors have noticed that craft/sewing retailers are in sync with the country's post-Sept. 11 mood, have posted strong earnings reports, and have avoided any hint of accounting or CEO malfeasance: the result has been a remarkable surge in prices. Second Quarter: Jo-Ann's, +80.9% ... Rag Shops, +47.1% ... A.C. Moore, +24.1% ... Michaels, +3.2% ... Hancock, +2.9% ... Ames, -3.9% ... Wal-Mart, -10.3%. Collectively (our CLN Index), these stocks rose 11.1% for the quarter, while the Dow lost 11.2%. Note: Martha Stewart's insider trading problems, plus Kmart's bankruptcy, have caused her company's stock to sink 35.9% in the quarter. Six Months: Jo-Ann's, +311.3% ... Rag Shops, +111.9% ... A.C. Moore, +63.3% ... Hancock, +42.3 ... Michaels, +16.1% ... Wal-Mart, -5.8% ... Ames, -57.7%. Collectively, these stocks rose 35.5% while the Dow dropped 8.6% -- and Martha's stock dropped 32.0%.
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MICHAELS ANNOUNCES EXPANSION PLANSAt the recent annual meeting, the company announced it was expanding on its Village Crafts concept. The pilot store is in Prescott, Arizona. Apparently the initial results are encouraging enough so the company will open a store in Aberdeen, WA; Wenatche, WA; Chehalis, WA; Roseburg, OR; Ukiah, CA; Pocatello, ID; Rehoboth Beach, DE; and Rome, GA.Officials said the necessary population range for a Village Crafts store is 60,000 - 90,000. If the concept is successful and expanded, a number of independent retailers will face direct craft chain competition for the first time. The company is looking for each Village store to produce $1.6 - $2.2 million in sales the first year. The company also announced it was continuing with plans to open 65 regular Michaels stores this year. A traditional Michaels store, officials explained, needs a population area of 100,000+ and is generating sales of about $3 million annually.
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WAL-MART AT 40In 1962 a Ben Franklin retailer in Arkansas approached the corporate execs with an idea for an all-discount variety store. In one of the great mistakes in the history of American business, the shrewd execs pooh-poohed the idea. So the retailer did it on his own.The retailer, of course, was Sam Walton, who opened his first Wal-Mart in Rogers, Arkansas. Eight years later the company went public with annual sales of $44.2 million. Since then the stock has split 11 times; annual sales top $218 billion. The current store count is 1,614 Wal-Marts, 1,133 Supercenters, 509 Sam's Clubs, and 33 Neighborhood Markets in the U.S., plus stores in Argentina (11), Brazil (22), Canada (196), China (19), Germany (95), Korea (12), Mexico (570), Puerto Rico (17), and England (254), and current rumors have the discounter expanding into Russia. Wal-Mart employs more than 1.3 million people. At the recent annual stockholders meeting, execs reported plans to attract customers with deeper pockets; to appeal to younger, trend-oriented and style-conscious consumers; to continue strong same-store sales increases; to open 15-20 Neighborhood Markets and 180-185 Supercenters; and to expand the Sam's Club and International divisions. Wal-Mart execs said the only major inventory changes planned for the regular discount stores were increases in frozen convenience foods and fresh flowers. They did not say which departments would shrink to make room for the new additions. The Associated Press reported CEO Lee Scott also said Wal-Mart plans to increase profits by cutting costs via inventory control management and "other techniques." (Note: No doubt that will mean, in part, pressuring vendors to lower their prices.)
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ACCI SHOW: BUSINESS PREVIEWSome stats, thoughts, and predictions about the ACCI show July 19-21 in Rosemont, near Chicago's O'Hare airport:Preregistration numbers are up 10% over last year, and the buyers should be in a good mood. Retailers have had a much better year, to date, than a year ago. So they'll be attending with a more optimistic attitude and money in their pockets. Twenty-two classes are sold out. Preregistration is over, so if you haven't bought tickets for certain events, get them when you arrive in town. A key event: Christopher Lowell's Fri. seminar, 6-7 pm, "Seven Layers of Design". Tickets for ACCI members are $25, $55 for non-members. Another event expected to attract a big crowd is "Challenges Facing the Industry Today," with panelists Dave Bolen of Jo-Ann's, Brenda Lugannani of Michaels, Jim Bremer of The Tall Mouse, and Emma Gebo of Crafts & Frames. Floracraft 's Jim Scatena, 1st Vice Chair of the ACCI board, is the moderator. It's free -- your show badge is your ticket. The most innovative aspect of the show is the Interactive Zones, which promise to be very interactive. To see the schedule of events at each Zone, visit www.accicrafts.org/sitemap.htm and click on "Interactive Zones." Call 888-360-2224 or 740-452-4541, or visit www.accicrafts.org.
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ACCI NEW EXHIBITORS(Note: Here's a brief description and url address for companies exhibiting at ACCI for the first time. The first batch was published in our June 17th edition -- click on the CLN Archives button. The final batch will be published in our next issue.)CommCut International (#4636). Supplies for education, crafts, and quilting; www.commcut.com. Daisy D's Paper (#4436). Patterned papers for scrapbooking. www.daisydspaper.com; 801-447-9955. Dara (#4121). Candlemaking supplies, kits, and instructions. www.genwax.com. Del Rose Stamping (#4263). Stamps and supplies with a biblical theme. www.biblical.com; 877-587-0941. Dynamic Cleaning Technologies (#4114). Quick, power-driven paintbrush cleaning machine for industrial use. www.brushmate.com; 310-614-8918. Expression (#4529). Avant-garde, mixed-media magazine, encouraging creativity. www.expressionartmagazine.com. Family Treasures (booth #4429). Scrapbooking tools, materials, and ideas. www.familytreasures.com; 661-294-1330. Far and Away (#4435). U.S. die cuts, state tags; country kits; destination papers. www.farandawayscrapbooks.com; 509-340-0124. Faux Memories (#4266). Scrapbooking papers, faux-finish and solid; cut-outs. www.fauxmemories.com; 813-269-7946. Florists' Review (#4260). A monthly trade journal for the floral business, for all levels of professionals. www.floristsreview.com; 800-367-4708. Forever Yours (#5229). Scrapbooks, photo albums, binders, and supplies. www.impactenterprisesinc.com; 800-949-5349. Frame USA(#4257). Picture frames -- wood, metal, and plastic-- and do-it-yourself kits. www.frameusa.com; 800-577-5920. Generation Next Design (#4222). Embossed scrapbooking products. www.generationnextdesign.com; 801-292-1053. Griff's Shortcuts (#4933). Scrapbooking shortcuts, custom lasering. www.griffs-shortcuts.com; 989-894-5916, 989-891-9329. Heartstrings (#4332). Preprinted paper layerings for scrapbooking. www.thecalicofrog-hs.com; 574-825-1302. Hillcreek Designs (#4437). Hand dyed buttons with folk art finish, linen thread, hangers, patterns. www.hillcreekdesigns.com; 619-562-5799. Impulse Craft(#4115, 4116, 4117, 4118). Iron-on transfers: glitter, holographic, and beaded designs. www.impulsecraft.com; 800-267-1260. Intercorp (#4334). Gilder's Paste -- a collection of waxes, resins, and pigments -- for use on many different surfaces. www.gilderspaste.com; 800-532-6303. Jotters (#4255). Acid-free journals for scrapbookers to jot down their memories and page-layout ideas for later use. www.jotters.net; 877-568-8371. Joy of Stamping (#4328). Safe but powerful cleaning solutions for many purposes: stamps, brushes, etc. www.joyofstamping.com; 209-267-9134. JRM Chemical (#4221). Soil Moist -- polymer products for retaining water in the soil in planting, landscaping. www.soilmoist.com; 800-962-4010. KJ Krafts (#4533). Mosaic in a Minute kits for scrapbookers; easily make mosaics out of photos. www.kjkrafts.com; 877-221-7442. Kopp Design (#4635). Paper piecing patterns, ideas, and papers. www.koppdesign.com; 208-656-0734. Lazertran Inkjet (#4833). Transfer papers for artists; many applications, including on silk and polymer clay. www.lazertran.com; 800-245-7547. Li'l Davis Designs (#4202,-03,-04). Innovative laser-cut designs for scrapbooks. www.lildavisdesigns.com; 949-838-0344. Mary Jo's Hand Cream (#4729). Fisher Wildlife: pieces cast from original realistic carvings of birds. www.maryjoshandcream.com ; 508-385-2880. The Memory Cottage (#4256). Scrapbook supplies, info, and page samples. www.memorycottage.com; 954-442-6106. Memory Muse Designs(#4237). Papers and ideas for creative scrapbookers of all ages. www.memorymuse.com; 503-287-7952. O'Brien Systems (#5031). Point of sale, networking, and computing solutions for business. www.obriensolutions.com; 714-804-2589. Over the Edge Stickers (#5230). Sport and activity theme stickers. www.memoriesetc.com; 954-599-5556. Pageframe Designs (#4337). Pageframe is a frame designed specifically to hold and protect scrapbook layouts for display purposes. www.scrapbookframe.com; 877-553-7263. Paper Garden (#5129). Patterned papers and cardstock for scrapbooking and stamping. www.papergardeninc.com; 702-639-1956. Paper House Productions (#4829). Notecards, magnets, stickers, bookmarks, holiday items, invitations, etc. www.paperhouseproductions.com. Paper Wizard (#4231). Unique scrapbook page design kits. www.paperwiz.net; 909-597-9352. Patchwork Paper Design (#4733). Papers with a monochromatic look and a "quilted" feel. For scrapbooks, paper piecing, and card making. www.patchworkpaper.com; 480-515-0537. Pattie Wack Productions (#4840). Designer/tv host Pattie Donham's latest products, the PattieWack Boxmaker and accessories; craft projects, designer tips, & news. www.pattiewack.com; 805-963-7713. Penny Products (#4433). Color coordinated scrapbook papers, borders, stickers; easy techniques. www.pennyproductsinc.com; 866-307-3669. Pressed Petals (#4230). Pressed flowers; floral gifts and products; crafts and scrapbooks; wedding line. www.pressedpetals.com; 800-748-4656. Presto Craft (#4226). Wonderpress punch and emboss system for paper; patterns, kits, accessories. www.prestocraft.com; 888-671-7166.
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ACCI NEW PRODUCTSBlumenthal Lansing (booth #1117). There are three additional groups to the Favorite Findings button/embellishment program: A Scrapbookers theme group with flatbacks, charms, matte buttons, and appliques; Stick- on & Iron- on Appliques also in scrapbook themes; and a line of "tweener-inspired" buttons, flatbacks, and beads ... A Button Shank Remover easily removes the shank for a smooth back for use in craft and scrapbook projects ... Thanks to a new licensing agreement with Mary Engelbreit, there are three-dimensional, hand painted buttons. 201-935-6220; www.buttonsplus.com.Fairfield Processing (#104). The Critter Craft line is a line of kits allowing kids to make cuddly, plush animals in three easy steps with no sewing required. There are three groups of kits -- North Wood, Safari, and Barnyard, and each kit comes with an illustrated storybook written and illustrated by doll designer Elinor Peace Bailey. Complete instructions in English, Spanish, and French. The program is supported by its own website, www.crittercrafts.com, and a kids' club. 800-243-0989; www.poly-fil.com. Mountain Mist/Stearns. Print-Fab is an iron-on stabilizer for ink-jet printers, allowing consumers to print on the fabrics of their choice for creating quilting stencils, applique designs, and printing photographs. Six sheets, each of which can be used many times, per package. Suggested retail: $9.99. 513-948-5252 or 800-345-7150; www.stearnstextiles.com. Personal Stamp Exchange (PSX) (#328). Forty new rubber stamps and 24 new sticker designs ... The Design A Card kit line has six new themes ... Arnold Grummer's and PSX have partnered to create four new Designer Card Value Kits. Each kit contains everything needed to create six fast and fabulous cards using Arnold Grummer's papercasting molds coordinated with PSX Design stickers ... Twenty-four colors of Shimmering Pearls and five colors of Shimmering Stardream papers will also be featured. All new items ready for immediate delivery. The new 2002-2003 catalog will also be available www.psxdesign.com; 707-588-8058. Prym Dritz (#2015). The Quilt By Numbers kit line is designed for retailers who don't carry fabric to cash in on the growing interest in quilting. Each of the 8 kits contains all the necessary fabric to make a wall hanging, pillow, etc. A full-size patten is printed on special GridGrip paper which allows quilting novices an easy 1-2-3 operation; and complete instructions. 800-255-7796; www.dritz.com. Reynolds Consumer Products (#1621). New assortments of Ultra Foil Variety Packs. Each package contains three 8-1/2" x 12" sheets of four vibrant, complementary colors for scrapbooking, rubber stamping, home decor, and general craft usage. The booth will feature ongoing demos, tips, and techniques. 866-471-4434; www.reynoldscrafts.com. S&S Worldwide (#1005). Gee-Perz! is an 18-SKU line of kits with enough supplies for at least four kids aged 7+ to each make the same project. Great for parties, groups, etc. Each kit also includes a disposable tablecover for easy cleanup. Very attractive packaging, including a collectible, reusable plastic box. The line is supported by a kids club and a website, www.geeperz.com. Suggested retail is $17.99 to $24.99. 877-573-7182; www.ssww.com. (Note: For more new products, click on the "CLN Archives" button and read the June issues. The next issue of Creative Leisure News will be the last issue before ACCI. Any exhibitor unveiling new products is welcome to send info to mike@clnonline.com or to 2677 Ashley Ct., Tremont, IL 61568. The deadline is Friday, July 12.)
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MUSINGS ON THE BEHEMOTH CALLED WAL-MART1.Years ago when I was the Editor/Asst. Publisher of Craftrends, a relatively small glue manufacturer called to say goodbye, and to apologize. He was liquidating and wouldn't be paying his bill for advertising in the magazine. "It's my own fault," he explained. "I said yes to Wal-Mart once too often. I moved a lot of goods, but I didn't make any money."2. Over the years I've heard countless vendors complain bitterly that Wal-Mart was forcing them to adapt UPC codes, EDI, and other technological innovations. Ultimately, those mandates have made those vendors far more efficient. 3.In 1996, Wal-Mart broke new ground in vendor relations by forcing vendors to pay markdown costs. Once upon a time, it was the retailer's responsibility to sell what he'd bought. 4. Sam Walton always had a fabric department, even his original Ben Franklin store, because he believed sewing supplies attracted "my kind of customer." 5. Sam's wife, Helen, was an avid crafter and Wal-Mart opened three Helen's Creative Crafts stores. I think they were profitable, but not as good a return on investment as regular Wal-Mart stores, so the company abandoned the idea and sold the stores to Michaels. 6. Crafts and sewing remain in Wal-Mart's inventory, despite a lower turnover rate than many other departments, because they score high on customer destination studies -- many customers visit Wal-Mart specifically for crafts/sewing. So the department may not turn over as often as soft drinks, but Wal-Mart execs know they wouldn't sell as many cartons of Coke if they didn't have a craft/sewing department. 7. Wal-Mart continues to pressure vendors to reduce their sku's and the size of the displays. That won't change. 8.It's ironic retired CEO David Glass is now the owner of the Kansas City Royals baseball team. For years Glass had the power of Wal-Mart behind him, and wiped out numerous little shops. Now he's the little guy trying to compete against the Yankees and other teams which have far more money to pay good players. 9. I don't like what Wal-Mart has done to Main Street in Small Town America. But if anyone is to blame, it's the consumer. 10. The bottom line: Wal-Mart remains entirely focused on shareholder value, which means getting the right products on the shelves as cheaply and as efficiently as possible. Sam may be gone, but his vision remains, unaltered. And nobody does it better.
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EMAIL: NEEDLEWORK SHOWS(Note: The following letter was sent by a longtime needlework retailer.)I'm a member of INRG and have attended the Charlotte show since my first year as a retailer, many years ago. I remember when, before the show opened on the first day, the foyer was crammed with people and the line snaked out the door and around the block. When the doors opened, the roar of the crowd was deafening. Now, the roar is barely a whisper, if that. I've also attended the Nashville INRG show every year, and have seen it grow into a show both exhibitors and shops are clamoring to attend. In looking back in the show books, which I've saved for reference, I see that over the past four years, Nashville is up by 60 exhibitors and there's a long list of others waiting to get in each year. Charlotte, however, (anticipating 2002 exhibitors from the most current list I have) is down by 93 over the same period of time, and space is obviously going begging. There are nearly 100 exhibitors that attended last year who are not returning, and less than half that number of new exhibitors to take their place. I've heard from three shopowner friends who've decided not to go this year, and I'm sure there are many more. I'm visiting friends in the area as well as attending the show, but if I hadn't committed to these arrangements, I'd give serious thought to staying home this year. As it is, this will probably be my last year attending the Charlotte show. Last year I did not buy from a single new exhibitor; all my purchases were from companies I normally deal with, so everything I bought I would have gotten anyway. I expect this is likely to be the case again, giving me no reason to return, as the classes have little to offer and the networking I do with other shops is accomplished on an ongoing basis by phone during the year. Although I'm not totally in favor of INRG and TNNA merging into one organization, I believe they should have at least one show together. Also last year, a questionnaire was sent to exhibitors asking what could be done to improve the show. I spoke to some of them there about their suggestions. The one that really stuck with me, and made the most sense, was so very simple: "Ask the shopowners what they want -- and then GIVE IT TO THEM!" It made me realize I'd never even been asked seriously what I wanted. I love this industry and am so saddened by the current state of affairs. What can I, as an individual, do to bring about change? How can I get the INRG board to get together with TNNA directly and make the necessary changes? (Note: Please feel free to comment on this letter. Is the situation not as gloomy as this retailer suggests? If it is, what do you suggest be done to improve the situation? Email your thoughts -- on or off the record -- to mike@clnonline.com.)
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RANDOM NOTES, RANDOM THOUGHTS1. The sale of Krause is not a sign the company fell on hard times. Employee Stock Ownership Plans work like this: Employees are given stock in the company as their retirement package. Once a year an independent auditor looks over the books and determines the value of a share of stock. When an employee retires or quits, the stock is sold back to the company.This was the case at PJS Publications, which published Crafts, Craftrends, and other magazines. PJS was so successful, the stock's value rose so high that janitors were retiring as millionaires. And when an employee retires, the company has to buy back the stock. See the potential cash flow problem? If an ESOP company is too successful, it has to be sold. Jerry Constantino, the former president of PJS, predicted to me two years ago that Krause would have to be sold. He was right. 2. Reminder to vendors: If you've read the retailer interviews at the ACCI site, www.accicrafts.org, you know many buyers are still eager to tweak their fall/holiday inventory; they want to know if, in fact, new products are ready for immediate delivery. So if your new lines are ready, make signs saying that and stick them in appropriate places in your booth.
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MISCELLANEOUS NEWSCONDOLENCES. Our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Michele Covey, who lost her battle with cancer. Michele has been in the industry for ten years at VIP Rubber Stamps and most recently at Stampendous. If friends want to send condolences to the family, they can send them to Colleen Verardi, Stampendous, 1240 N. Red Gum, Anaheim, CA 92806.SILK SHOW. The vendors in the temporary exhibits were generally very unhappy with the traffic. Apparently the most crowded booth/room was on the "gift" floor, where Monica Lewinsky was selling her line of purses made by Louisiana artisans using home dec fabrics. Prices range from $24 to $190. SENDING PRAYERS. Our sincere best wishes to one of the industry's best -- Georgia Feazel who's fighting cancer. Send cards to Georgia at 2718 So. Burke, Pasadena, TX 77502. FIRE. Our best to industry veteran Bill Neu, now living in Flagstaff at the edge of a burning national forest. "We are ok, but have friends and clients who have lost their homes in the Show Low area. We are beginning to move some stuff into town to a daughter's house. Situation is the same as where the fires are, and it will take nothing to get fires started here. Everything is so dry and fires spread in a heartbeat. The winds blow almost every day. The current fire is almost 500 square miles and over 300,000 acres. Still NO rain in the forecast. The stories are truly sad. Retirees who have built wonderful log cabin retirement homes now have nothing." ELECTION. New officers of the Society of Decorative Painters: Carolyn Bacon, vp/president-elect ... Sue Bowers, treasurer ... Bobbie Campbell, Peggy Harris, Megan Touloumes, board members at large ... Sandy Braun, Phyllis Gibbs, and Arlene Linton, nominating committee members. Remaining in office are Prudy Vannier, president ... Ann Johnson, recording secretary ... Pat Castillo-Hughes, Pat Marker, Sheila Rouse, board members at large ... Betsy Edwards and Ann Foster, nominating committee members. MERGER. Victoria Paper has merged with Savoir Faire, located at 40 Leveroni Ct., Novato, CA 94949. Call 415-884-8090 or visit www.savoir.faire.com. NEW COMPANY. Industry veterans Jan Mollet Evans and Arline Lowenthal formed Marketing Research for the Creative Industry (MRCI) to conduct market research for clients. Services include qualitative research (i.e., focus groups) and standard quantitative studies. Jan served as pr director for Plaid, a consultant to the U.S. Army craft program and many industry companies, the founding editor and later publisher of Craftrends and its consumer magazine group, and is the Retail Editor for CNA magazine. As president of her own company, Arline has conducted research for such companies as AT&T, Hallmark, and Duncan. Contact Jan at 760-738-1724 or MoreThanWords@cox.net. TRENDS. Binney & Smith is opening a Crayola store in Maryland. No word on how area retailers, who sell Binney & Smith products, feel about the new competition from a vendor. TV. The 7th series of Needlearts Studio with Shay Pendray will be uplinked July 28. Shay has recently returned from Japan where she studied with the renowned Kiju Fukuda, "a living national treasure of Japanese Embroidery." Call your local station and ask for the series. REMINDER. The Home Sewing Assn., the Embroidery Software Protection Coalition, the Professional Assn. Of Custom Clothiers, and Sew America! are now in new quarters at 494 Eighth Avenue, Ste. 802, New York, NY 10001-1806. The phones remain the same. Call 212-714-1633; fax 212-714-1655; the sites are www.sewing.org; www.embroideryprotection.org; www.paccprofessionals.org; and www.sewamerica.org (still under construction). CALENDAR. The Society of Craft Designers annual Educational Seminar is Sept. 25-28 in Schaumburg, IL, near Chicago's O'Hare airport. This year's seminar is "Designing for the Ages". Call 740-452-4541; email scd@offinger.com; or visit www.craftdesigners.org.
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BUSINESS PROFILE: YALEY ENTERPRISESYaley Enterprises has roots back to 1937, when Tom Yaley Sr.'s great grandfather founded Paragon Wax Refining Company. Paragon manufactured 50+ kinds of wax for everything from conditioning skis to creating automobile tires.In the late 1960s, "flower children" began visiting Paragon's San Francisco refinery asking for wax and other supplies for making candles. This gave Tom an idea, and in 1969, he launched Yaley Enterprises, which produced candle making wax, molds, wicking, and a small assortment of coloring and scent blocks. The products were an immediate hit with the local community, and nationwide distribution began the following year. His wife Patty soon joined him, and has been a positive force in moving the company forward. Today, Yaley Enterprises sells to chain stores, independents, distributors, and professional crafters. The product line expands constantly to reflect current trends and to respond to requests from consumers and customers. Yaley's enormous array of waxes now includes specialty, high-luster premium waxes formulated for a slow, smokeless burn; popular beeswax; Creme Wax; Gel Wax; an FDA-approved Sealing Wax; and the newest additions, Soy and Crystallizing Wax. Other products include 200+ molds and a large assortment of scents and dyes, decals, books, kits, and more. Yaley also produces premium-quality products for creating decorative and boutique-style soaps. The Soapsations line includes coconut and glycerine soap bases, reusable molds, dyes and scents, bath crystals, body oil, fizzer base, decals, and books. Last year, Yaley purchased industry veteran Deep Flex, and began offering its molds for use with plaster, resin, candy, candles, and soaps. Also included in the product line are casting mediums from plaster to polyester resin. Yaley's 30+ years of industry experience has earned the company a reputation for quality products, customer service, and for its reliability, professionalism, and sound business practices. Sales in the last four years have topped all its previous years, and 2001 marked its best year ever. Tom credits much of this success to son Tom Yaley, Jr., who joined the company in 1999, and whose business cards now read "President in Training." This year promises to be strong, too, with the launching of a consumer magazine ad campaign, the publication of a new color catalog, and the addition of Michelle Yaley to the staff. Michelle, whose duties include introducing new scents to the product line, describes herself as the "nose" for the business, and her business card reads "Michelle Yaley, Daughter of Tom, Sr., Sister of Tom, Jr., Creative Mind." ROLODEX: Yaley Enterprises, 7664 Avianca Dr. Redding, CA 96002. 800-95YALEY (800-959-2539); 530-365-5252; fax: 530-365-6483; email: info@yaley.com; visit www.yaley.com. (Note: Companies interested in being profiled in a future issue of Creative Leisure News, then having the Profile remain in a special "Archives" on the CLN website, should call Mike Hartnett at 309-925-5593 or email mike@clnonline.com.)
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THE CREATIVE NETWORK: JOB OPENINGSTo see a sampling of the current job openings and to contact The Creative Network, click on the "Jobs" button in the left hand column.
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THE CLN RETAIL INDEXA. C. Moore (ACMR). Last*: 47.35 ... Change**: +7.72Ames (AMES). Last*: 0.11 ... Change**: +0.01 Hancock Fabrics (HKF). Last*: 18.58 ... Change**: +0.56 Jo-Ann Stores (JAS.A) [a]. Last*: 29.20 ... Change**: +2.15 Michaels (MIK). Last*: 39.00 ... Change**: -3.65 Rag Shops (RAGS). Last*: 5.53 ... Change**: -0.17 Wal-Mart (WMT). Last*: 55.01... Change**: -1.94 CLN Retail Index. Last*: 194.78 ... Change**: +2.5% Dow Jones Index. Last*: 9,243.26 ... Change**: -2.8% *June 28 ** from June 14 [a] voting share Prices are exclusive of dividends
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WORDS OF WISDOM(Emailed from a friend)1. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings." 2. There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness. 3. People who want to share their religious views almost never want you to share yours. 4. When God, who created the entire universe, decides to deliver a message to humanity, He will not use as His messenger a person on cable TV with a bad hairstyle. 5. You should not confuse your career with your life. 6. No matter what happens, somebody will find a way to take it too seriously. 7. When trouble arises, there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that individual is crazy. 8. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. 9. The most powerful force in the universe is gossip. 10. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment. 11. A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.
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REMINDERS1. Paid subscribers are invited to have their website evaluated by Lynn Carlisle of Carlisle Communications. She'll check the site and provide a confidential assessment and suggestions for improvement. Just email mike@clnonline.com or ljc@carlislecommunications.com.2. If you want a hard-copy of this issue, click on "Printer Friendly version". 3. If your company is a paid subscriber, everyone in the main office is welcome to register, free. 4. If you want to recommend CLN to a friend, use the "Tell Your Friends" box on the home page. 5. Creative Leisure News is published on the first and third Mondays of each month. Your next issue will be Monday, July 15.
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