Tonight Kate and I attended a private launch of Martha Stewart's new craft line. The EK Elite dealers were invited to this preview (which means we spend a lot of money with EK).
The security was quite intense. We first had to line up with the invitation we had been sent from EK. (There were no rolling bags allowed, so those had to be checked.) They then checked this ticket with our photo id and our CHA badge ticket to make sure we were this person. Then we had to turn in that ticket to get a ticket to go up the escalator to where the launch was. They checked the tickets at the escalator. Then we went up the escalator, where there was another check point for them to check us. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photos or video so we don't have anything to show you.
Her product line is quite large and covers paper crafting. There were punches, stamps, stickers, papers, albums, and paper crafting items and kits. This line will only be available at Michael's for its initial launch in May (guess how many retailers are happy about that decision!). Elite dealers can bring in the line in the fall. I'm guessing because of this decision that many independant retailers will not carry the line. I haven't decided yet what I am going to do. There will be much more product developed including seasonal items, and these will be available at independants at the same time as at Michael's.
So we got to see the products and then Martha came out and had the stage set up with a table like on her show. She introduced us to some of her staff who have been working on the craft line. Then she demoed some of the products. She is actually quite funny and very human - more so than I thought. She didn't know how to use everything perfectly which is the image you sometimes think of Martha. It was nice to see her showing the product line and talking with her staff about changes they needed to make to it as she was using it.
We then went over to the keynote speech and were shown all the many projects/books Martha has worked on in her life.
We are now back at the hotel working on the updates for today, and just found out that the memory card (which is only 2 weeks old!) is corrupt and are only able to get 1/2 the pictures off. Urg! We still have great product to show you, so stay tuned.
Michele and Kate.
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