SWAG - Dallas Most Requested

[AustinStratFan]

LLB red marketing pick earrings.

And from Ian, "I get asked about this [lanyard] all the time!" Maybe something for the store.

ASF

[HRosebud]

YES, those are always very much in demand. I would sure love to have a new supply before our Houston LLB show July 5. :D

[Tasina]

Are you seriously thinking about it Mark? for ForGiven?

Martha asked me, and I answered "I don't think the Mrs. would let him". . but I think there would definitely be a demand. . . :)

I'd help sell them, just like before :D :D :D :D
what do you think?

[letsgetlonelyin]

I sure would be glad to go in on some promotional pics if an order got put together!

AMY

[AustinStratFan]

The very instant we have something official, I'll consider heading up both efforts...again...

Please feel free to ignore the rest of this unless you want to help make this happen.

~

NOW HEAR THIS, NOW HEAR THIS: HERE IS WHAT I NEED FROM THE FANS.

1. Prayer

2. Artist

3. Timely Action

4. Support

1 - Self Explanatory.

2 - ARTIST. I need a fan artist to be ready to take on doing camera-ready art - I'll look up the technical specs from the last order - and one other fan to make sure that me and the artist are not doing something stupid. That's just a regular business safeguard as far as I'm concerned.

Kellie F was GRACIOUS enough to sweat bullets for me last time...and I will take any assistance on this that I can. Sweat bullets? Yeah - we faked a portion of the design, and it turns out we guessed right. But we have zero time to doodle around with this.

3 - TIMELY ACTION INCLUDING ADVICE AND DECISIONS. We need four solid weeks if we're going to avoid those incredible shipping charges. That's four weeks at June 1 from my perspective to hit the July 4, 5, and 9 shows with these lanyards. I know, the rest of you are NOT under the same time pressure.

We are still very likely in the $5-6 per lanyard price at a minimum. The lanyard material, velcro and buckle are all petroleum based. :-( And it takes more petroluem to ship stuff back to the States.

Yes, unless someone can tell me I'm dumb, I plan the same design. Velcro safety break, disconnector buckle, and regular snap hook.

If you have a problem with that design, please let me know. There are cheaper ways to do this, clearly - but these turned out SPECTACULAR as far as I'm concerned, and I'd like to keep the quality and safety and overall appeal level up.

I will want some portion of this order to go to THE STORE - call me selfish. While I mentioned this to Ian at Dallas, and he was interested, I've not done anything else with the idea. Not knowing how that works, I'll reserve the order number as if it was like last time - somewhere in the 500 range, and I'll ask the manuf to save the art. If I can get to Ian, we'll see about running the order to 1000 - there's a price break; not a big one, but a price break nonetheless. Maybe that will allow us to chip away at the $5 each price.

And let's be open about this. Some portion of the price allows us to "gift" lanyards off to management - to give to Sony, to give to show promoters and venue owners. I'm sorry if that shocks you, but I'd like for it to be on the table. And, we'll have to figure out how to recover the costs of the picks too.

You know I will do my best to hold cost down.

I will advise everyone when I have more details...and dumb*** that I can sometimes be, I'll figure out some way to make this happen if there's interest.

4 - SUPPORT. I would very much appreciate a show of support for this project from each of the major parts of the family. I can speak for Austintacious somewhat. I can not speak for Houston, for SoCal, OBTB, OBTS and the rest of the fan family. The show of support will entail someone being point-person for their part of the team so that we can get these into peoples hands as a team event - perhaps in connection with a show.

You'll note that I already have offers to help make it happen, financially, and by hustling our merchandise at the shows. That's the spirit. That's what makes it happen. Newbies - here's your chance to really help the band, cuz nothing lights up peoples faces - particularly kids - like good swag does.

Last note.

I will do everything in my power to keep the quality UP and the cost DOWN. And I have no more intention of asking for pre-pay than I did last time. We're family - your word is good with me.

NOW LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!!!!!!!!

[mamacitaRuth]

Mark, you can COUNT ON ME for whatever you need! Art (?), ordering, researching, whatever...AND, if you need my Kelly for anything along the artistic lines, I can be VERY persuasive in getting her assistance. (I don't think she has time to be the principal artist, but she could be a good backup and for advice!) Lanyards? YES! Keep the formula intact. They have survived shows very well and are good quality. $5, even $6-$8 is not too much to pay for one of these. Picks for earrings? I would help pay for these as well. All good ideas, Mark. Just let me know!

[HRosebud]

Oh gosh... I hope I can ask this without putting a damper on Mark's OBVIOUS enthusiasm... (love you for that, Brother). Please don't be mad at me, I just want to make sure I am understanding the idea correctly. :rolleyes:

I jumped in when the mention of promo guitar picks came up, because I love (and need) items we can freely hand out to fans at shows. But the lanyards would be just for "us" right? We couldn't buy very many to hand out to fans at that price, obviously, and can't sell them or we'll get thrown out of venues. Hopefully I'm confused? Let me know!

Again... I really love the picks, sign me up if you need help there!!

[j9]

I can help you any way you need me to, Mark. Just let me know. I know a few east coast people who would like one.

[mamacitaRuth]

Oh gosh... I hope I can ask this without putting a damper on Mark's OBVIOUS enthusiasm... (love you for that, Brother). Please don't be mad at me, I just want to make sure I am understanding the idea correctly. :rolleyes:

I jumped in when the mention of promo guitar picks came up, because I love (and need) items we can freely hand out to fans at shows. But the lanyards would be just for "us" right? We couldn't buy very many to hand out to fans at that price, obviously, and can't sell them or we'll get thrown out of venues. Hopefully I'm confused? Let me know!

Again... I really love the picks, sign me up if you need help there!!

I hope Mark will jump in, Heather, 'cause I was a little confused, too. I think the lanyards are (were) intended for Street Team only(?), but when he said Ian "had asked" for them --- made me wonder who would be the recipients? I'm guessing we would only want Street Team to be wearing these??

[AustinStratFan]

Good catch, everyone, and why I called it a temper tantrum.

I was not writing clearly...

I am not proposing for us to fund a production run of lanyards to be given away. I'm saying I'll find a way to pay for the minimum run of 500, but to do that, I need team agreement to help get them sold a little faster than last time, or I need to get them into the store (that's why Ian), or some combination of the above.

I am stating an opinion that the only way to get picks is for us to fund a production run.

My apologies for "crossing the streams" and being unclear.

Read on if you are still interested in one or both projects.

~

Let's take this offline since we need to gather lots more info.

We need to get us some pricing on promotional picks - I'll check with Kevin and Gigi to see about how the original run was done.

I need to see how the the store / merch works - anyone who has put something into the store - help us out here, but I'm going to contact Ian too.

My private email is still my screen name here. Use that email.

Send me an email with your email address with subject PICKS if you are interested in that project.

Send me an email with your email address with subject LANYARDS if you are interested in that project.

Simple, huh? :-)

We'll start two new threads here - subjects as above - to continue to gather interest and participation and share our offline progress if that sounds OK to everyone. But we don't start those threads until I have Kevin's agreement that we can proceed, please.

PS: Tasina, your memory is spot on. But...I can do an adequate job of begging when I need to. (wink and smile)

PPS: You are wonderful to call it "enthusiasm" Heather. You've lots of experience reading my ... notes. We both know it was not...but we'll leave it so described. (LOL)

[HRosebud]

Thank you for the re-write, Mark... NOW I see what you're up to. ;) I'm off to email you now!

[AustinStratFan]

Amy and Tasina, if you'd like to be added on to the emails I've got running, email me on walsh.m@sbcglobal.net.

We've got art, and it is time to see what the team thinks before I go begging for funding.

Thanks, ASF

[mmmbopnmommy]

Count me in on t ehPICKS!! I loved the other ones--even tho I never got even ONE! :(
So tell me what to do, and I'll see what I can manage!!LOL
But I'd LOVE to get my hands on a bunch to make into earrings!! LOL

[Amor]

Hey Mark,
I'm interested in helping. I PMd you. So just let me know what I can do in Florida.
Orale'

[Tasina]

Rita and AMor,

Not sure if you heard from anyone about the picks. . so far what I know is, there was a group of loopies who paypaled their contributions and they were ordered last month so that we could receive them by July 1st.

Not sure if they'll do a second order so you can keep an eye out for further info. if they do. .

not sure what's happening with the lanyards but I'm sure we'll hear soon.

[Tasina]

OMG!! My picks arrived today and I'm SOOOO GLAD I jumped on ordering when the request came up!! thank you Thank You THANK YOU!!!I l love 'em!

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/EEVLWYS/Forgivenpicks013.jpg

[Belle]

My picks arrived Wed! Muchas gracias, Heather and the gang. :D

[chevy818271]

Just want to say hi, and to let you all know am here
god bless from tio Lupe

[mamacitaRuth]

Hey Lupe! Good to see you here!!

[AustinStratFan]

Tio Lupe!

I'm so glad to see you here! Hope to see you here in Austin next week?

Mark

[RosieJeanne]

OK, So how can a lonely loopie way on the other side of the country get a few? I pay, I'll work, I'll beg.... Whatever it takes! Where's the lanyards?

[Rh Onda]

And how can a Loopie in the middle of the country get a few????

[mamacitaRuth]

OK, So how can a lonely loopie way on the other side of the country get a few? I pay, I'll work, I'll beg.... Whatever it takes! Where's the lanyards?

The lanyard project, I think, is stalled temporarily...Mark's baby. As for the pics, PM me, Rosie and Rhonda....We'll work out the details of "slave labor"....BWAHHHHH! :p

[AustinStratFan]

Actually, I got distracted and headed in a slightly different direction.

Tell me what you think about this...

[velvetsky0222]

ASF - I sent you an email about getting one or 2 possibly more. Talk to me manito! LOL.

[Amor]

Thanks to Laurieboop, I ordered some medallions for the Council Bluffs concert 8/2. I am interested in getting some pics - anyone? :confused: :confused:

Please PM on how...want them for the concert. :)

[velvetsky0222]

Not sure if more pics are available. You might want to contact HRosebud to see if another order will be made.:cool:

[Tasina]

sorry you missed the original call for ordering picks Amore. . they are really great. I gave some out at the Jay Leno show, including three to John Melendez. . we got shows galore up here and so. cal, so I'm pretty happy I got in on the order. . like VS said, you can check to see if there will be another order . .

Mamacita, thanks for taking care of the loopies :)

[RosieJeanne]

Count me in for some, too- if you order more....

[mmmbopnmommy]

Actually, I got distracted and headed in a slightly different direction.

Tell me what you think about this...
I'm curious Mark--- what is tis a picture of??? I must have missed where you tell what this is. LOL Looks interesting though. Really kool!!! :rolleyes:
Hey...what happened to the picture??? Well, it's in your post 5 or 6 above this one...LOL

[HRosebud]

To those who have been asking ... I am going to start a new thread today for getting in on the 2nd order of FORGIVEN PICKS. Please look for it, and sign up if you would like to have some!

[NaNeeBee]

Actually, I got distracted and headed in a slightly different direction.

Tell me what you think about this...
That looks cool. Is that a sticker on a cell phone or something?

[AustinStratFan]

No, laser engraved LLB logo on a 1GB USB drive...

but I **love** your description!

[M6L24M86]

If there is one thing I need... it's another flash drive! And that one is pretty cool!!!

[AustinStratFan]

Mary Lou has 20 USB drives with her... :-)

[AustinStratFan]

Okay, East Coast Team:

20 USB drives with Amy Whalen...just find her at the shows.

Everybody else...

$15 plus postage. Probably best if you email me on this address. I'd prefer not Paypal for a couple reasons - but by all means let's talk.

Better picture at:

(when I can get it FTPd to the fansite, I'll edit this - or I'll email you the picture directly) GRRR