thermofax screens are back in the shop & giving back! :)

Hey gang, I know it was a bit of an extended break from Thermofax screens being listed in the shop and I appreciate all your patience while Jackie and I tended to life.

But we are back and so are the screens! :)

(Like the new shop banner?)

The shop is fully stocked again for all your Thermofax screen pleasure. I think that taking a break from running the shop is always a good thing because it allows me to really assess what's working and what isn't.

There are a couple of small changes that I'd like to point out:

1. We still have LOTS of awesome Ready-to-Print screens but the category has shrunk down to the ones that are selling the best. It will be easier to manage and prevent us from standing in the middle of our studios hunting for that print out that we haven't used in a while like crazy women. And of course, we are looking forward to working with you to create custom screens of your own artwork - I always love seeing what you all are doing! :)

2. I have a limited paint color selection at the moment. The most populars like black and white are out of stock. I've gotten word that our beloved Simply Screen may not be made anymore so I'm working on getting more in stock but it will be a bit. In the meantime, there are still plenty of cool colors in the shop for you to fling paint at will!

3. Shipping prices have creeped. I know, I know. Bugs me too. I did my best to minimize it but the USPS is hiking their prices again and I have to follow suit. Know that I gnashed my teeth and said unladly like words when I found out.

4. I'm going to slowly be adding different things beyond Thermofax Screens to the shop over the course of the next year. Right now you'll notice The Written Sketchbook online class, the Secret Keeper Owl pattern and some of my smaller textile art pieces. Everything in the shop is tidied into categories so if these things don't interest you and you are ninja focused on Thermofax screens (which I so don't blame you), just look at the right hand sidebar of the shop's home page and you can click the category you want to only see those listings.

And now to the part that I'm most excited about...did you notice in my new shop banner where it lists what the shop carries it says, "GIVING BACK BY SUPPORTING CHARITY"? Yeah, I figured you did, you are all a smart bunch. :)

I've been thinking a lot about gratitude lately. Gratitude for a good life, for being an artist but most of all for being part of the art community. When I think about the way you all welcome me into your homes via blog or facebook or online instruction, well. I get all choked up to be honest.

And because I feel so fortunate, I've decided that it's time to pay it forward.

I'm instituting a giveback program in the shop. 15% of all Thermofax screen sales will be donated to charity. The charity will change every two months and I'll list the current recipient in the shop announcement (which appears just below the shop's banner on the shop home page.)

I'm a firm believer that the world changes not by big leaps and bounds but rather by tiny helping hands and one inch at a time. I'm feeling such peace at the idea of helping things move toward that goal.

Want to know who the first charity is? Thought you might. 15% of  Thermofax screen sales from January 25 - March 31, 2013 will be donated to charity:water.

It is entirely unfathomable to me in this day and age that ONE BILLION people still do not have clean water sources. And watch this video because there are heartbreaking elements to this situation that you may not have considered before (I know I hadn't, I was shocked).

They have many more videos on their YouTube channel.

I'm thrilled to play even a very small role in changing this - and with your help as well! So that's what's going on with the shop and the exciting new giving back program and I think that you'll love it as much as I do! :)

If you know of a charity that you think I should consider, please leave me a comment. I can't promise it will make it into rotation but I'd love to know about it! :)

Happy Printing everyone!!!