HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I have wanted to get this newsletter posted to the website but, I have been hanging back a bit because of the venture we have undertaken!  I have been forced [by Cindi and my husband, Ralph] to literally keep my mouth zippered until things were finalized and settled!! 

Well; that has happened and we are so happy to be able to make this announcement and BIG change for 2011!!

First; let me ask a question…what is the biggest investment in my technique?  What is the most expensive tool we use, and it is something we cannot substitute?  Yes….my brushes!  As I have always talked about in my seminars; you cannot cut corners, right? You need a quality brush that can handle the rough technique I refer to as “rouging”.  It cannot be a synthetic bristle like nylon; it has to have a natural hair base.

If you know me as a person, and as a teacher; you know I feel deeply that everything happens for a reason.  I base my entire career on these exact words.  We are placed in locations and are given I refer to as “gifts”, and it is up to us to use them, and benefit from them.  I was given the gift of teaching.  I feel so adamantly that I was meant to share my technique with as many people that I could meet either in a classroom or at a convention!  I was just given another “gift”. 

Mary Owens Designs is working with Princeton Art and Brush Co. and would like to introduce Mary’s signature Round Blenders as well as many other shapes and sizes!   A new brush for “Rouging” offering results that will amaze you at a great affordable price.  I happened to get introduced to these brushes and fell in love with the shape and type of brush it is; a Pointed Round Blender Brush!  What is unique is the shape of the brush and the tip which comes to a point! It is a natural hair blend, and right now; comes in just a few sizes.  My wheels started turning and I was given 2 sizes to experiment with.  I took these brushes and started to play with them on a sample that I was working on.  Amazing results!!  This has led me to several months of experimenting and testing to see how this discovery would stand the ultimate test!  I have been “off the circuit” from December til the first weekend in February, which will start our year on the road again!  This has given me the chance to put these brushes through their paces and in working with Princeton, we have come up with a selection that is still being developed.  Watch for promotions and specials!!  We will be advertising pricing for students, shops and teachers, and my certified teachers.

We have a special “blurb” that will be posted to the website.  Cindi, Ralph and I have been in close contact with the company and everything is set to roll out during the month of February! 

This is going to change my rouging technique so much for the better I feel because of two main issues.  First is the technique!  Because of the shape of the brush, it will be easier to maneuver over the surface you wish to rouge.  You will need fewer brushes to achieve the desired effect!  The expense of the brush is considerably less.  A great quality brush, well-constructed, and the backing of a reputable company that has been in the business for years!  We are looking forward to a great relationship with Princeton.  If you have been in any of my classes you know that I loan all my tools to students! These brushes are already in the pouches I distribute in my classes and I have taught several “test” seminars with the new line of brushes with wonderful results!!  I asked participants for feedback as they were using the brushes in class and we take their comments very seriously.

We are going to be producing a short video that we will post to the website to demonstrate how these brushes will perform!  Hold the brush comfortably on its side, place the point in the crevice or tightest area you will be rouging in, then literally buff the color away in a circular motion to graduate the  rouging from the darkest value out to the lightest!  You will still use your Liner and Scumblers to set color where you want it to be the darkest, but, the blending will be so much easier!

Watch for the video shortly, there will be a detailed information section much like this newsletter posted to the website also.

Before closing, I would like to announce the addition of our grandson Brad to our work force!  Lynn has left the business and is doing really well.  We miss her a lot!  Brad is in charge of shipping and receiving now, so if you call or email us, you will know who you are talking to!

Thank you for visiting our website!  I look forward to hearing from you and possibly seeing you at convention or a seminar somewhere!  Have a wonderful season and if you are like we are here, we are looking forward to Spring!

Love, and God Bless,

Mary, Cindi, Ralph, and Brad!