Just about at that place where I'm ready for the next Seminar! Duluth was an absolute blast, not only personally but also business-wise.
1. I totally changed the display and braved getting a second booth. Worked perfectly. My friend Joanne helped me run the display. We were a good team.
2. I also decided to ring in the Massed Ensemble. This made me more exhausted but it was fun and I got to ring under both David Weck and John Behnke. David is a new acquaintance but I've "known" John for a while and it was nice to work under him as a ringer. Both have a wonderful sense of humor.
3. I followed the advice of a few people: I brought my computer and a printer, I put out the reading session music so people could look at it, I started using a credit card phone reader.
There were pluses and minuses to the last. Mostly because the exhibit area was in a concrete room it was hard to get phone reception.
When I went back to work on Monday the 2nd, I needed to put together 4 reading sessions worth of music. Hopefully it'll sell. I won't know until next week.
Then this coming Monday, the 16th, I drive to National Seminar in Cincinnati. I working on getting things set up now.
Handbell Wall
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
June 6, 2012
Six plus six equals 12. That's what I woke up thinking today. Go figure. Definitely not a "war" baby. But then, aren't we all?
So, we decided to rent 20' this year at both the Area 7 and Cincinnati Festivals. Last night while I listened to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, I worked out how I was going to organize our products on 5 tables. I still need to do it physically. Usually, I've tried to have 24' of tables with 16' of tables on both sides. I have to decide exactly what I'm going to bring. Thankfully we have a few friends who keep giving us ideas. It does help having suggestions.
May was a quiet month. The Permanently Out of Print sale went...so-so. Not as well as I'd like. There are so many interesting changes to do to the store and the collection..display-wise. As I get to understanding what works and what doesn't, changes get made and new things get added.
So, we decided to rent 20' this year at both the Area 7 and Cincinnati Festivals. Last night while I listened to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, I worked out how I was going to organize our products on 5 tables. I still need to do it physically. Usually, I've tried to have 24' of tables with 16' of tables on both sides. I have to decide exactly what I'm going to bring. Thankfully we have a few friends who keep giving us ideas. It does help having suggestions.
May was a quiet month. The Permanently Out of Print sale went...so-so. Not as well as I'd like. There are so many interesting changes to do to the store and the collection..display-wise. As I get to understanding what works and what doesn't, changes get made and new things get added.
Friday, May 11, 2012
May 11, 2012
I'm trying to update our system. It's kind of frustrating. I need someone around me who understands all this mess.
Oh well. May 17 - June 16th we are going to have a Permanently Out of Print Sale. All POP music will be 15% off. Funny thing about this music is that some of it is quite good but you know it was published 20-30 years ago...or it's been republished for 3-5 octaves and nobody wants to talk about the 3 octave or 2 octave versions.
And of course, styles have changed. So 3 octave music that was written absolutely melodically is considered "too open" for today. Norm and I keep on thinking, well, maybe ensembles should play them. So, we did have a good reach last year. We're going to try it again this year.
Also, I'm thinking about Christmas in July. Kind of selling some of our gifts at a reduced price for a couple of weeks.
Oh well. May 17 - June 16th we are going to have a Permanently Out of Print Sale. All POP music will be 15% off. Funny thing about this music is that some of it is quite good but you know it was published 20-30 years ago...or it's been republished for 3-5 octaves and nobody wants to talk about the 3 octave or 2 octave versions.
And of course, styles have changed. So 3 octave music that was written absolutely melodically is considered "too open" for today. Norm and I keep on thinking, well, maybe ensembles should play them. So, we did have a good reach last year. We're going to try it again this year.
Also, I'm thinking about Christmas in July. Kind of selling some of our gifts at a reduced price for a couple of weeks.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
April 24, 2012
Heeyyyyy!! I had a blast at Ely. It was the first time I've ever attended a class on "How to Teach New Ringers". Venita MacGorman gave us ideas and taught about 8 people how to ring. Her ideas are very specific and are in the beginning of first Basics book she co-wrote with her daughter Erin. I'm ready for Fall!!!! Then she talked through both books and now I understand how to use the 2nd book. Yes!!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
April 17, 2012
Well, April is more normal now. Weather wise of course. I haven't heard how the High School Handbell Happening went. KidsRing will have 50 some persons. It will be wonderful. Norma is looking forward to her Spring Ring and I just touched base with Tina for the Director's Seminar in Ely Ia. They're planning on 25.
I've talked with friends who have various handbell programs happening. Aldersgate UMC in St. Louis Park, MN on April 22nd at 4:00 pm is one of Carol's annual outings. They have 4 handbell choirs and a huge variety of music. Plus the congregation is so friendly and welcoming. Bell Fantasia is coming to Burnsville Performing Arts Center April 27. I'm planning on going to that as well. St. Olaf College Handbell Choir, Bells of the Lakes, and Northern Lights Ringers will be performing.
I've realized that I (Carol) get the most fun out of talking with people and groups and creating an entry for the Bell Folk and Stuff page on our website. April featured Katherine Jordahl Larson. May will feature Julie Stitts. I also enjoy the people who come into the store and talk about their needs and brainstorm with Norm and I. I learn alot as well as explain a bit too.
I think one of our (all handbell ringers/directors/composers) best assets is each other. I think we should talk with each other and work through ideas. It's amazing what others do.
I've talked with friends who have various handbell programs happening. Aldersgate UMC in St. Louis Park, MN on April 22nd at 4:00 pm is one of Carol's annual outings. They have 4 handbell choirs and a huge variety of music. Plus the congregation is so friendly and welcoming. Bell Fantasia is coming to Burnsville Performing Arts Center April 27. I'm planning on going to that as well. St. Olaf College Handbell Choir, Bells of the Lakes, and Northern Lights Ringers will be performing.
I've realized that I (Carol) get the most fun out of talking with people and groups and creating an entry for the Bell Folk and Stuff page on our website. April featured Katherine Jordahl Larson. May will feature Julie Stitts. I also enjoy the people who come into the store and talk about their needs and brainstorm with Norm and I. I learn alot as well as explain a bit too.
I think one of our (all handbell ringers/directors/composers) best assets is each other. I think we should talk with each other and work through ideas. It's amazing what others do.
Monday, March 19, 2012
March 19, 2012
Ha!! The day before Spring meterologically, mid-Summer in reality. Not complaining, it's just weird.
So, since I wrote last, we had a display at Anthornis in Plymouth, MN and at BellFest in Arden Hills, MN. It's amazing what sells and what doesn't and then go someplace else and something totally different sells. It's a complete mystery I think. Wouldn't it be nice to have a van so I can bring more???? ha!!
Anyhoo! Here in Area 7 we have High School Handbell Happening on April 14th in St. Cloud, KidsRing on April 28th in Plymouth. On April 21st in Eau Claire is Western WI Spring Ring thanks to Norma Lionberger.
I actually found a Director's Seminar in Eastern Iowa on April 21st. And I'm going to display there. I'll finally meet Vernita MacGorman. That'll be a priviledge. Then nothing until end of June...sigh. I like driving around and meeting new people. I was kind of thinking about seeing if a group of people from Bismarck or Mandan ND would want a late summer reading session in their area. I'll have to figure out who to call.
Anyway.. keep ringing. Did you know there's a kazillion "helps" out there? Call us up?
Carol
So, since I wrote last, we had a display at Anthornis in Plymouth, MN and at BellFest in Arden Hills, MN. It's amazing what sells and what doesn't and then go someplace else and something totally different sells. It's a complete mystery I think. Wouldn't it be nice to have a van so I can bring more???? ha!!
Anyhoo! Here in Area 7 we have High School Handbell Happening on April 14th in St. Cloud, KidsRing on April 28th in Plymouth. On April 21st in Eau Claire is Western WI Spring Ring thanks to Norma Lionberger.
I actually found a Director's Seminar in Eastern Iowa on April 21st. And I'm going to display there. I'll finally meet Vernita MacGorman. That'll be a priviledge. Then nothing until end of June...sigh. I like driving around and meeting new people. I was kind of thinking about seeing if a group of people from Bismarck or Mandan ND would want a late summer reading session in their area. I'll have to figure out who to call.
Anyway.. keep ringing. Did you know there's a kazillion "helps" out there? Call us up?
Carol
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
February 1, 2012
Do you know it has officially been 2 full years since Norm and I became Heitz Handbells and Music?
Truthfully? It has been very difficult getting out of the "hole". We are climbing out. Feels great!!! :)
For the year 2010, my personal goal for our company was adding onto our customer base. I knew Norm had lost customers due, in large part to his medical issues and the resulting inabilities to keep up service.
We were so incredibly busy with moving into a store space and setting that up and then learning Quickbooks and cataloguing the music and inventorying!!! Ooof. At the same time we were working on setting up a website which was open to the public in November of 2010.
My goal for 2011 was to double the amount of money we made in 2010. We started pushing ourselves to go to workshops and festivals. We constantly worked to improve our displays. We increased our inventory radically. Quickbooks was a constant in the improvement realm. Inventorying and reworking and improving the website was also a constant job.
It is now February 1st 2012. It took me a month to figure out what my goal for the company is for 2012. I'll tell you next year :) BTW, we more than doubled 2010's intake last year. And our website is slowly catching on. I'm still trying to get descriptions finished. It's just that it is the last job of a long list of jobs. As usual, the most important thing needs to be accomplished first.
We are finally stable enough to get into Sue Nelson's KidzRing books thanks to "encouragement" from a customer. They are very doable for extreme beginner's, boomwhacker situations, senior citizens groups, persons with disabilities. Call us for more info.
Have a great month, Carol and Norm
Truthfully? It has been very difficult getting out of the "hole". We are climbing out. Feels great!!! :)
For the year 2010, my personal goal for our company was adding onto our customer base. I knew Norm had lost customers due, in large part to his medical issues and the resulting inabilities to keep up service.
We were so incredibly busy with moving into a store space and setting that up and then learning Quickbooks and cataloguing the music and inventorying!!! Ooof. At the same time we were working on setting up a website which was open to the public in November of 2010.
My goal for 2011 was to double the amount of money we made in 2010. We started pushing ourselves to go to workshops and festivals. We constantly worked to improve our displays. We increased our inventory radically. Quickbooks was a constant in the improvement realm. Inventorying and reworking and improving the website was also a constant job.
It is now February 1st 2012. It took me a month to figure out what my goal for the company is for 2012. I'll tell you next year :) BTW, we more than doubled 2010's intake last year. And our website is slowly catching on. I'm still trying to get descriptions finished. It's just that it is the last job of a long list of jobs. As usual, the most important thing needs to be accomplished first.
We are finally stable enough to get into Sue Nelson's KidzRing books thanks to "encouragement" from a customer. They are very doable for extreme beginner's, boomwhacker situations, senior citizens groups, persons with disabilities. Call us for more info.
Have a great month, Carol and Norm
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