Day #4 of Demdaco Appreciation Week!

(found in China)
Demdaco Appreciation Week continues with another giveaway (see below!). Today I'd like to celebrate the account executives (the sales force - the people who sell the product to retailers) and the retailers. Both are super key to the success of the products and I'm incredibly grateful to them for their passion about the KRR line.

Demdaco has about 100 account executives throughout the US who sell the product to retailers all over the country (they are employees of Demdaco and sell all of the Demdaco product lines). Without their passion and commitment to the KRR line, it would be a bust. They have embraced the products and have sold it with much passion and success these last couple of years. I am incredibly grateful to them.

(They like to have fun, a few of the account execs with me on the right)
I've met many of them and let me just say that they are a group of people who know how to work hard, but they also play hard, too. They are hilarious! They connect with their retailers, they help with displays, they problem solve, and provide the very best customer service to their clients. These are passionate people that I feel lucky to have on my Demdaco team.

 
They are also so, so kind. Above is Lee, one of the account exes/sales force. He made me cry when we met - he told me a touching story of how selling the line to his retailers has boosted his own personal/family abundance. He thanked me. I thanked him. It was a lovefest for a few moments there. I think of him often. He reminds me that the people selling the line believe in it, they celebrate it, they market and sell and talk about it. Without their commitment, without their work, the products would simply not be in boutiques and stores. Super powerful....seriously grateful. It makes me think of the mutuality that is such a big part of Demdaco's culture and mission. Huge HUGE appreciation for all that they do! 
Isn't this a fantastic retail display? Thank you to the SQUARE NEST in Salt Lake City, UT!!!
At the same time, without retailers buying the line from the sales force, the line would be a flop. I thought it would be fun to highlight a few of the retailers who have supported the line with their fantastic displays. I've often highlighted many retail displays as you send them to me (you send them to me on facebook, on twitter, to my email - love!) and I'd like to share a bit more today as we continue to celebrate Demdaco and the team that make all of this possible. Our retailers are very much a part of that team! The photo above and the one directly below are from the SQUARE NEST in Salt Lake City, UT - I love love the way they've styled displayed the products!
 More creativity from the SQUARE NEST in Salt Lake City, UT.
I love retailers. I love that their boutiques and stores are often their big dream, their leap into what is possible. I love that they have so much to choose from and they are choosing the KRR products. I love that they take pride in displaying the products in fun, artistic ways. I love that they get into it!
 Big thanks to the ladies at Joyworks in Snohomish, WA for their continueed support from the beginning. I LOVE how they accent the products with paintbrushes strung together (so clever!)!
Another creative display from Joyworks - love this idea.
I love that retailers are the last stop for the products - the place where the products finally land and hopefully enter the heart of another, a customer looking for that perfect gift, either for themselves or another.
Amanda, co-owner of Creekside Gifts in Winchester, VA not only sells the products in her store but she decorates the walls of her home with them!
I love that they sometimes get so excited that they decorate their homes with the products! The photo above is a gorgeous display of family photos, and art on the wall. I heart lept when I saw this - so cool.
  Amanda and her Creekside Gifts team also do a great job at displaying the products. Thank you, Creekside Gifts! This display creates such an impact!
 Northwest Art Frame in Seattle, thank you for the awesomeness of your store display! Holy smokes!

What I also love about retailers is that they often keep up with things as they unfold, both in their lives in and in mine - while babies are born, while new art is made, while new product is introduced, while life shifts up and down for all of us. There is a meaningful community that forms when you start to feel like you are supporting (and being supported by) people and businesses that get you and embrace you as a friend.


 
I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with the retail team at Garden Gallery Iron Works in Woodburn, OR. I met their family, their customers, talked with their staff, spoke of the meaning behind my work, and hugged many many dear people who I knew understood me because they understood my art.  And that feels really special across all retailers - they are a HUGE part of the Demdaco team I can't thank them enough.

We're giving away a little something special everyday this week in honor of Demdaco Appreciation Week here on the blog. Feel free to enter each day's giveaways! We'll be picking winners next week, including the winner to the all expense paid trip with me (see Monday's post to enter that giveaway)!

For today's giveaway:
*One lucky commenter will win $50 to spend on whatever they wish in the online shop.
*Another lucky commenter will win an original painting by me!
*TWO WINNERS!!!

Giveaway rules:
* To enter the giveaway, leave a comment in this post. We're celebrating the good folks who sell the products and retail stores today, so tell us your favorite retail store in your area! Or not...tell us anything - we're easy peasy!
* Just one comment per person, please.
* We'll announce the winners soon.
* Go!

PS: If you haven't already, be sure to enter all the giveaways this week. We're offering a giveaway every day, including an original painting every single day! 
Giveaway #1: original painting all expense paid trip!
Giveaway #2: original painting $75 to spend on products
Giveaway #3: original painting $100 to spend on products