Well, goodbye and good riddance to THAT decade. The past ten years have been difficult to say the least, with a few bright spots thrown in– like Mikayla coming into our lives and some truly great times with friends. But now with the start of a brand new decade I’m completely psyched to jump in, shake things up and start anew! While I’m happy to have my things available in places like Michaels and Target and a few other big box stores, what I really want is to get back into the independent gift market (my first love!) where I believe they truly understand and appreciate my art. I want to draw what YOU, my customers, want and what I want– just like I did at the very beginning of my career. I finally realize, after 35 years in this business, that I actually know what’s best when it comes to my designs, and I don’t need 23-year-old buyers (no offense, 23-year-old buyers) or focus groups (go ahead and be offended, focus groups) to tell me what I should be doing. Don’t get me wrong; I’m always open to advice and collaboration and outside ideas, but at this point I really feel like I understand what works and what doesn’t. And I don’t mean just going back and repeating the same old themes that were successful in the past. I’ll always love Scotties, cherries, and our “fried-egg-flowers,” (or FEFs as we call them here) and I’m sure I’ll still use them from time to time, but I really believe that it’s time to see what else I can come up with that people might want to see. And while I’ve got you here, let me ask you what would you like to see that is not available to you now? What kind of products are you interested in and where do you shop for those products? I’d like to see my things in a lot more catalogs and independent gift stores and specialty stores– what do you think? We’d LOVE to hear what you’re thinking and wishing (as long as you don’t wish for the magazine to come back– we’ve already discussed this, ladies.) Any constructive comments are welcome and believe me, we are all ears here at the studio. So go wild.
So, bring on the 20tens! We’re excited to get out there and make the world a cuter place!
~Mary
I really have enjoyed the paper dolls that were always in your magazine. Please do more of those- not necessarily the magnetic type- but just a book of new paperdolls from you! That would be lovely.
Dear Mary, I have been an admirer of your art work for decades. I love your whimsey, characters & happy color combinations. I send cards often that you have designed. “Home is in my mother’s eyes.”—my daughter & I have as a snowglobe 7 a poster.
I REALLY miss Anne Estelle, the doll designed by ~ Robert Tonner & all her detailed outfits….I never got to purchase one & now, I cannot find them. I have most, if not all, your books–love them—innocense & simplicity. Your daily calendar thrills me each day….Thanks for asking for comments….Nancy Lee
I just hope life continues to be GOOD and you follow your lifes dream as you have since age eleven…I enjoy all of your work and ideas…
Could this be the answer to my prayers? I’ve been haunting ebay to find one of the large crock pots – I LOVE them, the embossed design of the insert was beautiful, but so far I haven’t seen one.
I’m a big Arts and Craft fan as well, love to see some A/C themed pieces.
I am a “Queen” collector, so throw those in once in awhile please! I would like to see you do more fabric, quilt shop quality! I would buy every piece I saw!
Congrats on the new direction!
Mary, whatever you design/make, we buy . . cute never goes out of style! I love Martha Stewart for home decor but not for the “cute stuff” and cute is what makes a house a home and brings a smile! Been a fan of your for many years, since my children were in elementary school, they’re all in college now .. Thanks for all the good memories!
Dear Mary,
I have some of everything you’ve done, and would love to have some of all you will do! Good for you – follow your heart; YOU are the artist. More of your beautiful books for children; any textiles (more fabric, decorative textiles and wearable art); never forget the teapots & cups; dolls & paper doll sets; things for us artists (accessories for my studio?); rugs; I would love a ME chair!; stationary, cards, and more cards; OH…YOU decide!
One thing I would really love is a teaching book on illustrative art. I have been using you as an example in my classes for years, and would love a teaching aid to help the students understand the process.
Yes, it would be wonderful to find your art in more gift stores, or an entire ME store would be heaven!
I will continue to support you, your art and products whatever you decide.
Patti
I admired your work before I knew the artist’s name attached with it! Now I have a Mary Englebreit room (since our two grown sons have moved out) that everyone asks about. It’s very Mary and has touches of 50′s childhood items. No grandchildren yet, but I have a stash of ME nursery items I bought years ago that I adored! It was too late for my children but hopefully I’ll be able to set it up in my special room for my special little ones some day.
I would love to see more Christmas cards available. Everyone knows to expect an ME Christmas card from me every year, but they are harder and harder to find. I especially love the ones with Santas on them. I love the detail in their attire! So many of the ME Christmas ornaments are very heavy and are hard to hang on the tree. I have sooooo much in ME Christmas decorations and books already but would love to see a line of Christmas dinnerware to serve my Christmas dinner on! Not over-decorated, but sutble and cute.
I agree that it would be great to see items to decorate the bathroom and bedroom. Like someone already said, my sister and I can spot an ME item a mile away and get so excited. I look forward to spotting more of those items soon!
I’m so sad that I was never able to get to any of the ME Stores. It was a dream of mine! We are planning a summer vacation and that was going to be one of my destinations–find an ME store, now! I probably would have gone crazy stepping into a store FULL of ME things. Thank you Mary for inspiring so many of us with your talent!
I sold many of your products in my store for over 11 years. They made my small gift and card shop a destination store for many of my loyal customers. I truly enjoyed their excitement and enthusiasm over finding such an assortment of your unique products. For that reason, every rep carrying anything with your name on it found their way to my shop. Seeing first hand what sold and what did not over all that time, I know the primary attraction was always quality. As many of the comments have noted, your style is unique regardless of the topic. Insuring that your designs are transferred into only select, well made products should be the primary focus.
As also mentioned, I agree that artists who are oversold quickly lose favor and their following. I glad you’re stepping back and reevaluating.
I have always LOVED all of your designs.
Living in England its very hard to find anything of yours,thank goodness for Amazon, as thats how i have managed to buy your Books!.
So i would like to see your products available over here!!.
I would love a Home furnishing range..how about wallpaper, Fabric by the metre…toiletries with your wonderful patterns… in fact how about a whole range of Shops Mary??!!!..they would go down a storm over here…..??
Love Julie x
I am in the market for a couple of new kitchen rugs and and haven’t been able to find any ME rugs. Do you make them? I’d love to see a half round rug, and a rectangular rug added to your kitchen items! I’ve got lots of ME accessories (the black border with red cherries items) and a rug or two to complement would be perfect!
Hi Mary,
I love just about anything you do even though I miss the magazine. I was passing them on to some good friends and unfortunately I only have 2 issues left. I have several of your books and I will always keep them. Last year I found a magazine called “Where Women Create” and was pleasantly surprised to see you featured in it.
I enjoy just about anything you do but more ceramic items would be nice. I did buy some things of yours at Micheal’s and I am saving those to give to a co-worker as a gift since she loves cherries. Good luck in all of your future projects. Take care and good luck in your future projects.
Judy Haas
Cincinnati, Ohio
Mary:
My mother (a St. Louis native) my sister and I are all huge fans. Each of us have an element of your art somewhere in our homes, because without you… it’s just not home. I’m excited to hear about you returning to your roots and await anxiously your humorous work. My own suggestions… well I’d LOVE to see anything cupcake related or themed for my sister. I’m a fan of “She who laughs last” and the go wild drawing above suits my style, but please continue to include “seasons” in your artwork from time to time. My mom’s old school and loves your cherries and scotties, but would love to see update versions with maybe a 50′s twist… like the old movie theater lobbies and the “Mary” take on the old “let all go to the lobby” commercials. Congratulations on your success and I sincerely hope for continued success this decade.
I would love to see some gift books or holiday books,…and what about an on-line magazine? I love your work, Mary. Have loved it since the beginning.
BooHoo,no magazine! I’ve wished for it, all the while glad I saved nearly every issue. Now, I’ll get over it, and enjoy everything I DO find. I have purchased and enjoyed many of your “finer” things, but I love the dollar bin too! There was a time that a dollar was all I had to spend. Go where your heart takes you! I’ve never been disappointed. I just want to tag along!
I miss your wonderful store at the Galeria! I love my ME dinneware, and would love to see more.
I really miss your store!!
First of all, I REALLY miss the magazine. I have every issue and cherish them. I have been a fan for decades now. I have over a dozen watches, a set of dishes, 6 or 7 of the Robert Tonner dolls, dozens of figurines, teapots, etc. I decorate an entire tree just in ME for Christmas. I like the idea of paper napkins for seasons; I really liked the papertowels you did for Bounty (?) I am a Scottie dog fan (own two and also 2 Westies), so terrier related items are loved. I agree with previous comment – I adored the annual Christmas how-to and recipe books. How about more craft books – quilting and crocheting, maybe. (I have the 2 hardcover X stitch books). How about doing another embroidery card for Bernina!! How about drinking glasses? Frames for eyeglasses (I took one of your “cheater” glasses (with the scotties) and had “real” glasses made out of them! Of course, I love the cards, although I am having a tough time finding individual greeting cards – birthday, Halloween, get well, etc. Used to find them at Barnes & NOble, but the one closest to me (and I live out in the boonies) does not carry very many. I have yet to find any ME at Target. I guess I’m not cruising the aisles closely enough. Michael’s little things make super nothings day gifts and stocking stuffers.
Thanx for the good times, Mary. I have used your things to decorate my house because it is hard to be sad when you surround yourself with ME cheer. And I couldn’t agree more at greeting the new year. 2009 was one of the worst of my life.
Follow your muse, Mary. Life is too short to be distracted by the uninteresting. Since you are asking about hints, how about a line of drawing supplies? Your gift books are always a hit, too.
Keep up your creativity, we all enjoy the ride.
Would love more paperdolls! One of the best parts of Home Companion was the paperdolls — telling my daughter how I loved Betsey McCall and then sharing Ann Estelle with her. I miss the caustic wit delivered by sweet characters — so just “Snap Out of It!” Many hugs —-
Thanks, Mary, for who you are. Your artwork is delightful and I enjoy everything you do. I, personally, would like for you to expand your online store. I have made numerous purchases and especially love your handbags. A couple of my favorites I have purchased twice knowing that the purse would “wear out.” They are great conversation starters as people recognize your designs and want to know where I purchased the decorative handbag. Thanks!!!!
Good Grief! Got a few replies on this didn’t you! How about a deck of playing cards?? I would love that! More push pins for bulletin boards…plastic cherries, a scotty, flower & house for instance. Funny how some people are asking for things you’ve already done. Could the clothes for your 8″ ME doll be more reasonable?…probably not. I scrapbook too & my room is all ME. An Indy fan for years…Jan
Mary,
I just loved your calendar, ” This is the Life”.
I spend several weeks each summer at the beach and always bring a “quilt project” with me. I think the images from the calendar would translate into great fabric and a quilt pattern. My favorite image in the whole calendar is the month of December. The nautical santa would make a fabulous Christmas house flag.
I also like the updated approach you have on the “craftsman/arts and crafts” period of design. It also could be made into a fabric line and quilt pattern.
I wish I only had a fraction of the creative thoughts you have.
Artfully yours,
Gwen
Mary,
I guess it’s the Italian in me that loves all your ‘breitly’ colored stuff! I like anything you make and whatever you come up with will be fun! I’ve been a teacher and some of my coteachers have made ME the theme of their classroom. They have taken your pictures and blown them up with a projector and made them into bulletin boards. The children loved them and so did we other teachers. One teacher had a rather unusual, unusable corner in her classroom and so we found some old chairs, painted them red, bot some cheap bowls and filled them with cherries, and guess what the words were on the wall above all this crazy conglomeration?! It was a real conversation piece and it definitely caught people’s attention… another teacher from a different school had done it and had used it as a job chart, which was where I got the idea from. I hope this isn’t violating your copyrights. If it is, I want to hear from you. My sister, my mom, my 2 sis-in-laws and myself all love and appreciate your work. It’s such a breath of fresh air from all the garbage that’s out there… thanks.
An ME fan from Saskatchewan, Canada
I love your cards, note paper and other paper products. I am a crafter and love to create using your fabrics.
Bring on new designs but please don’t abandon the old favorites completely.
Hi Mary, You are very blessed with faithful followers that have shared a ton of wonderful ideas with you. My vote is for you to create more linens, dishes and bathroom items.
I have been collecting your wonderfulness since 1987 and look forward to many more years!
Thank you for being wise & returning to the market place that made you what you are today!
Go get’em Mary!
I would truly love to see a art instruction books and maybe art supplies for up and coming artists, such as elementary school age. We need to teach our children our crafts so that they can teach their future children. What a legacy for them.
Mary,
Like most here, I have collected everything ME that I can. My house is full of your artistic whimsy.
I would love more home decor and what about things for the car? Floor mats, seat covers, etc.
Anything you make, I want.
Thanks so much for soliciting our ideas.
I’d love to see more fabrics – for garments, quilts and home decorating (window covering and upholstery). Some of the early fabrics were very low thread count, so I’d like to see more durable wovens. They don’t have to be all prints — solids in coordinating colors are great too! How about some quilted prints? And some patterns for simple “Mary-er” jackets? let me know if you need anything! I’d love to help!
I read each and every one of the comments readers have made. I started my love of all things ME with calenders and greeting cards. Over the years I have acquired ME fabric, candles, soap, tins, journals, magazines, mugs, figurines, and books (there are probably other items that I can’t remember at the moment). Truthfully, there are just so many items a person needs or has room for, and I prefer to buy items I love that are quality made and will last for a long time. Many of the gift stores and card shops that I bought your merchandise from have closed. The items I have seen in Michael’s and Target, mostly in the $1.00 bin, do not interest me because they are not of good quality.
As a sixty-something retiree,I have enjoyed crafts of all sorts since I was a child and finally have the time to work at them. I currently am most interested in sewing home decor, machine and hand embroidery, and quilting. I would love to see some ME designs digitized for sale to home embroiderers, quilt designs, as well as some red work and applique design hand embroidery. I am a retired nursery school teacher and collect children’s books. I would love to see children’s books with ME illustrations.
I echo the comments of some of the writers who encouraged you to do more beach theme and Christmas illustrations. I collect and use teapots and would enjoy some with your illustrations.
Whatever you choose to do in the future, I hope it reflects the things that you are currently finding interesting. I’m sure you don’t want to be trapped in a chair of bowlies forever and many of the people who will encourage you to design items that suit their particular tastes will not actually buy them, nor will anyone else.
I did spring for a ME tin with safety pins inside last week at the checkout counter. I have enough safety pins to build a bridge to Portugal, but I couldn’t bear seeing an ME tin in the “reduced bin.” It is now in my traveling sewing project tote with thread and needles inside so I can take it with me everywhere.
I think the point is, if you are happy designing an item, your fans will buy it, and you will enlarge your market.
I love the ideas of the dolls and clothes.
I would have as much (or more) fun with them than my granddaughters.
Mary, hello from the banks of the beautiful Bow. Living in Banff, Canada I am starved for another magazine such as yours. Once a Publisher for the local newspaper I certainly understand the enormous costs relating to the print industry. That said it has been my experience that Quality does sell. How about bringing your magazine back on a quarterly basis? Subscription cost the same, but less expense. Just a thought. Another suggestion might be a monthly subscription via email focusing on how-to related subjects involving fabric, paint, design, art – you name it.
Mary, you are an extremely creative person and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Sincerely Sandra
I have loved your art for many years. But times have changed, and as much as we love what used to be, we must face the here and now. I suggest you look at what is selling these days. I would love to see a ME Licensed Cricut Cartridge for the Provocraft diecutting machine. Cricut Cartridges sell like crazy, even in this economy. Go for it!
What a lot of passionate fans you have (& these are just the ones who’ve written in)! Your instincts are correct; back to basics. Meeting you in Orlando gave me that encouragement. Seeing your stuff in Target makes me cry; you were always so ‘special,’ so unique. Please don’t be like Thomas Kincade who now is so run-of-the-mill. I’ve treasured my ‘finds’over the years: the checker set, the scottie wall clock, etc. and this year’s desk calendar with the illustrated quotes harkens back to the ‘old’ days…Follow your heart and we will gladly follow you! Lovingly, Betsy
After reading (most of) the letters above, I found quite a few comments that hit my very thoughts and some that I wanted to say..”Where have you been?” Someone obviously is new to ME products and haven’t seen your greeting cards that have been out there for years!! I buy one or more every time I see a different one and also have my favorites that I buy over again.
I miss your magazine too, and have every one since the premier issue, and I never cut anything out of them either.
I have dedicated my guest room with all ME style decor and products. I especially love(d) to see all your decorating ideas and got ideas from all of them over the years, and they helped me put together my ME room. The only thing missing that I’m hoping you’ll create is art/products with strawberries. I do love the cherries, but my spare room is also dedicated to my only sister that I lost 8 yrs ago and she was an avid collector/lover of strawberries. I have since become more of a fan and although I don’t want to overdo the theme, I would love to add something strawberry from Mary Engelbreit to the room. I don’t craft as much as I’d like, working a busy full time job and coming home to a crazy, full house, but I try to find the time, and also use your books for craft projects for my program I work at (I am an Activity Director for an Adult Day program).
I like the cute things that Michael’s carries, but have not seen any at Target, and my fabric store does not carry your line.
There’s one more thing I’ve been looking for for my kitchen: a write on/wipe off memo board in a variety of ME designs. My kitchen is a vintage farmhouse style and I have decorated it with vintage finds from the 30′s and 40′s, and the colors are yellow/gold, orangey reds & greens, with a fruit design and some chickens thrown in here & there. My cabinets are all white or oak finish.
Hope you can come up with some ideas for these…
maybe even a strawberry design for the kitchen/memo board?!
I so wanted to come to the workshops, but couldn’t get the time off, maybe next year.
I’ll keep watching the newsletter for new things! Thanks Mary, and don’t change TOO much!
Where to begin? – I have enjoyed so many of your products and they always make me smile!
I would love to see tablecloths, address book(s), more wall art, and perhaps some pajamas!
Follow your heart, Mary, you know what it is that makes you happy and so….we will be happy too.
To have your magazine in my home again would be a dream come true; until then, just know how much joy and love you bring to our lives. You are indeed a blessing…….Thank you, Paula
Mary thank you for sharing your talent with us, it has been such a huge blessing. My “life” is decorated with ME cheer which began oh so many years ago, but I never grow tired of it! It’s fun to read all the things people don’t know you’ve done! I sleep in nightgowns purchased at Mervyn’s (I learned to over buy Ü), I have an ME bath, kitchen, and family room, desk/office accessories, and on and on! I love being able to go to Michael’s and get ME stuff for $1, but I also love the “good” stuff (please make sure it’s quality, somethings we paid big $$$ for didn’t hold up well). I miss your store at Fashion Island NB, CA still! Miss having a ME watch to wear (it broke). Would love to see dishes (in porcelain or something that won’t chip so easy as the canisters do), door matts, plant pots and garden stones again, mail box, bedding, bath towels, and wipe off menu board would be nice. LOVE the primary colors the best! But trust you’ll come up with amazing things as you always have! Abundant Blessings!
I love fun socks and haven’t seen ME socks yet. I am also grieving right now. I know there are quotation books and children’s books. What about an inspirational book with ME’s artowrk?
I’d love to see machine embroidery designs available for all formats, nice quality children’s clothes or patterns, and another dollhouse and miniature furniture would be wonderful! I also would like to see retro design items that could work in the kitchen, bathroom, office and bedrooms. I like a clean, contemporary look or the retro 40′s to 50′s look. It would be nice to have an inexpensive set of melamine dishes too. Now that I have two granddaughters, it would be nice to give them ME dolls they could really play with.
I look forward to whatever you come up with!
I have been a “Mary” fan FOREVER and can remember the excitement my daughter had in finding the first ME magazine and subscribing to it for me as a special gift (she was a whopping 20 years old). Every birthday, anniversary, holiday, “just because you are loved”, has been celebrated with a ME gift. My 30th birthday was magically celebrated with Mary gifts, then my 40th and recently, my 50th! I bought my first set of ME dishes from The Bon and the next two sets from the ME store in Atlanta. In fact, I was like a kid in a candy store knowing that I could fly to Atlanta for a conference a day early and shop in the real deal. My heart breaks as I try to find independent stores that carry ME merchandise. Those favorite stores that carried it in the past have sadly gone out of business. I have searched for it on the internet and have not found what I was searching for. Anything you could do to make it more accessible, either through a website (no offense to your website, but there is not much selection there if you are looking for kitchen towels and giftware or cookie jars or my favorite, my 12 settings of silverware….) or catalogs would be much appreciated. I even ordered from the Atlanta store without seeing the items when a good friend’s home burned and I wanted to replace some of her Mary Englebreit treasures.
Tell me where I can find it and I will go there – give me more of the “Recipe for Happiness” kinds of items – the kitchen towels and utensils and mixing bowls. I love the Christmas ornaments and I think I have received every mug that has ever been made, but give me something I can use and proudly say, “this was created by my all time favorite artist, Mary Englebreit”
PS – I have every one of the children’s tea sets and many of the magnetic paperdolls – I love playing with my granddaughters and they know ME from across a crowded room. Did I mention I have made quilts with ME fabrics? Know that I love ME products, but I have always felt an affinity for “Mary” the person because she has always made me feel like she was a real person and I was welcome in her world!
Hi Mary,
I do miss your magazine – especially the chance to meet many of my favorite artists like Becky Kelly and Joan Walsh Anglund. And I LOVE the peek at artists studios. So books that focus on these subjects would be great.
My favorite ME saying is “TO IMAGINE IS EVERYTHING”. I have it on a ME plaque in my studio.
I think the direction you should go is very different than the past. Though have tons of ME merchandise: teapots, dolls, stuffed animals, stationary items. What I would like to see is items like ME would use to decorate her home. Maybe you could work with Midwest of Cannon Falls. They do a lot of repro stuff from the 1950′s. Sorry but the craftsman/art nouveau did not appeal to me at all. I would buy higher end items – for example I would like a couple of nice clocks for my family room and living room that have a whimsical element but that don’t scream ME. That is the problem for me. I LOVE ME! But now it is confined to my kitchen, which is lots of ME (Recipe for Happiness) or my sewing/quilt studio.
My favorite things to decorate my home with are eclectic/eccentric/whimsical things like Christmas pyramids, old toys, Noah’s Arks – child sewing machines. Things that are subtle conversation pieces and especially things that amuse my grandkids (not toys for them but to make my home seem warmer and more inviting). I look through your books and I see lots of things I would love to have (or something similar).
So Mary – inspire us to find our passion and to imagine. I LOVE “Go Wild” with the fantastic balloon hat. I want one (I want a print – but I also want a balloon hat like that – lol).
I know you have faced many challenges and changes the last several years. I truly hope you are in a good place now. Please know how much comfort your art, your books, your magazine, and the even the ME knick knacks have given me.
Love & Hugs,
Cheree
I would love to see your magazine come back, in some form. I miss it terribly, especially the wonderful Artist’s Studios!
I, too, miss your magazine but have every copy and have reread them many times. They are ensconced in your beautiful magazine holders and surely brighten the corner where they are….right next to many of your books. Just two days ago I received your book, Home Sweet Home, and I see something different every time I go through it. How thrilling to find several items in the photos that I also have….a wall clock, a teapot, a Valentine decoration, etc.
I take many of my old magazines to the recycling center and one day, as I was unloading my bags, I spotted a pile of your magazines in the far corner of this huge dump box. I knew I had to rescue them so went to find the manager, which fortunately, was a woman and together, with the help of a long pole and finally a rake, we laborously pulled them to the edge and carefully hauled them up the side of the box. By that time we were laughing so hard we could hardly function but we saved the magazines and I have shared them with several friends.
Just wanted you to know how far we’ll go to save all things “Mary”. Keep up the good work…I love it all. My nearest Michael’s is two hours away but when I can get there I really load up. A favorite is a small suitcase that says “Snap Out of It”…too cute.
I really love seeing the antiques and tag sale finds that you use to decorate your home with (LOOOOVED seeing your Christmas decorations!). I have a craft booth and find that re-working old things is much more cost-effective than making new. (too bad) And I would love to see more free sewing patterns for oh-so-cute items. Really, so many of the things you have made available are so inspiring! Just keep being true to yourself, and I bet we will like it!
OK, one other thing…I would love to see more craft items – specially seeing Mary E in the digital world, even on something like Scrapblog. I would love to see you work with a diecutting company, like Quickutz, and make checkerboard, cherry, and anything else wonderful you can dream up. Paper, ribbon, and other great things I’ve seen you incorporate in your much missed magazine!!! Thanks!
Oh…how I’ve waited to hear this!! Can I tell you how excited I was to see the Xmas items in Michael’s this past season!! I acted like a lunatic!
I’ve been collecting Mary E items for at least a couple decades now, I was fortunate to have some items stashed before I got married and started my family. But I miss and crave the fix I would get by buying and finding Mary E items for my home.
I have dishes and prints, cards I’ve framed, book ends and plates, flatware….and its all mixed with other items so my house doesn’t scream “Mary E!!” But I would love to see more home dec items come back, linens and figurines, magnets and books. I’d love to have items I can keep and treasure and display. More throws, pillows, and rugs – I bought my mom the most gorgeous run w/ a cottage on it and want one too!
I would love to see cards come back and more new Mary E that comes back into my daily life.
I would buy my items from local specialty stores and on-line. Lately, eBay has been my main refuge and Michael’s – I’m always checking to see what they have. I’m so happy just to think more merchandise will be coming and I can hardly wait!
I have followed your career for many many years and have always loved your work.
I would like to see a line of furnishing – cubboards, curio cabinets, hutchs and maybe some beautiful beds? How about sheets and towels?
I think it is wonderful that you willing to try new things! Have fun!
Like everyone else, I really miss the magazine. I especially enjoyed reading the articles about artists and articles on interior decorating. Maybe you could feature artists online, with photos, as part of your website. Online magazines are becoming more popular.
As I write this tears are filling my eyes. My mom has always enjoyed your creativity and products but in recent years I have found myself collecting your things for myself. I have been through some difficult times and have found your cheerful themes and designs very uplifting and encouraging. I was sad to see the magazine go but am anticipating welcome surprises in the future. I do enjoy your products at Michael’s (they make great stocking stuffers). The cherry socks were darling and I would have bought them to wear myself. I wish I could find your fabrics more readily. I have collected your tea cups, tea pots, tins, cards, books, ornaments, fabric, a clock, magazines, I have a print signed by you, a watch, make up bag, stationary, note pads, sticky notes, dish towels, bags, the list goes on. I would never want to see your black and white and red (and other breit colors dissappear-keep some classics available for those who may have missed them) but I always enjoy seeing what you have come up with. I have decorated my sewing room with your theme and my mom calls the room “enchanting”. I make my own ME things like quilts, button bracelets, pincushions, bags, purses, etc. I wanted to make seat covers and a steering wheel cover for my car! I have Christmas decorations “Mary” style for my kitchen copied from an old magazine article that I love. And I decorate my kitchen with Mary whenever I need a boost. Your work always brings a smile to my lips and I thank God for creative people like you!!! I can’t say enough.
Mary – Your blog is Spot On! I remember when I used to find your creations in clever, lovingly tended gift stores – it was a treasure hunt! My ME items were the unexpected. And while I love being able to pick up some quick ME flair at the traditional store – it just doesn’t feel special. Getting old, is getting old – but the years have a way of giving back our old genuine self without concern of what everybody says – leaving a new reinvigorated confidence – best to you in new decade!
Mary, I love your journals. I use them for diaries, sermon notebooks, prayer records, working on my own writing – I really love them.
Also, I would like to see more home decorating items, like wallpaper and fabric, etc.
I currently have to purchase all your items online from your store, because I cannot find any stores in my area (Swansea, IL, right across the river from you).