ChemArt Blog

Customer News

We thought you might enjoy a little blog segment about some things going on for a number of our customers. 

• The Texas State Capitol released their 14^th ornament in 2009 replicating the distinctive doorknobs in the capitol building.  To view this and some of their past ornaments, take a look at their website!
• The Preservation Society of Newport released their newest ornament in 2009 representing the gates of one of the infamous Newport mansions.  Check it out here!
• The Timber Ridge School also released its latest ornament in 2009.  Once again the picture used as the focal point of the ornament was contributed by Mort Künstler, one of America’s greatest historical artists.  To view this ornament as well as past ones, take a look at their website here!
• We recently completed a webinar on successful fundraising with an annual Christmas ornament program featuring Troy Newbraugh, the Director of Development for the above-mentioned Timber Ridge School.  We have made it available on the website for those of you who missed it, or liked it so much you want to see it again!  It contains some great information and ideas to help anyone interested in starting a program, or another perspective for our current customers.  Many thanks, Troy!

If you would like us to announce your organization’s news, work with us on a customer success story, or learn more about us and what we do, feel free to contact us at marketing@chemart.com.

(for those who don’t know, that’s the Council for Advancement and Support of Education/National Association of Independent Schools)?  Whew, that was a mouthful….

First of all the show couldn’t have been in a better place, NYC!  We were in the heart of the theater district at the Marriot Marquis NYC.  By day I was talking to development/advancement directors and by night I was trying to get a role in a Broadway play.  Who knew that you had to prepare for such a thing?!

Although I didn’t make it on stage to act out my lifelong dream of staring in a Broadway musical, I did get to see one.  I saw HAIR at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre and it was almost as amazing as the free continental breakfast at the CASE NAIS Conference!  Just think endless tables of coffee, juice, danish, breads and last but not least, miniature bagels.  YUM! 

Our product definitely stood out amongst the sea of database management companies, marketing firms, etc.   All the people that I paid to stop by our booth did and to my surprise they brought some friends.   In the famous words of Murdock from the A-Team, “I love it when a good plan comes together”.    

Here’s the problem I heard at the Conference from Independent Schools:  They are going through some of the same challenges that many organizations are facing like budget cuts, decreased private/corporate donations and limited resources.   With all that going on, developing a unique way to increase donor retention, bring on new donors and raise funds is more important than ever. 

The solution:  An annual collectible program!  It’s a unique way to get donors, employees and the general public invested to the point where they can’t live without the next collectible in the series.  Trust me, we’ve seen it happen but if you want to read about it check out the Timber Ridge School  case study on our website, www.chemart.com.  Their ornaments have reached the point where they are selling on E-Bay for millions…ok not millions but definitely in the hundreds…   

The long and short of my trip to NYC is that I am NOT going to star on Broadway, however I was able to reach out to many Independent Schools and offer a solution to some of the challenges they are facing this year! 

Enough about what I got out of my trip.  I am calling out to all Independent Schools who attended…  Besides the breakfast, which I already mentioned above, what was your highlight and what did you learn from the fabulous sessions this year?

We’re a happy little company, making ornaments year round.  Who wouldn’t be?   Featured on the Travel Channel program, Made in America, we were described as “putting smiles on the faces of people we didn’t even know.”  And it’s true. 

Image the pride of a donor when recognized for gift that made something possible.  Image the heartfelt thanks of a family forever changed because of the outpouring of community support.  Image the sense of celebration when an awareness campaign allows a community to save a piece of history. 

I realized that what we make becomes part of everyone’s history.  When that collectible Christmas ornament goes on the tree, it blends in with the other pieces that are either special like Aunt Mary’s Victorian heart that she gave the family many years ago, or the craft paper ornament that’s been on the tree since we were kids.  Many times the custom ornaments we produce are annual editions that become the centerpiece of continuing history – like Honolulu City Lights, Timber Ridge School, and Ferdinand Historical Society.

I think everyone who has a tree has at least one item Christmas ornament that is special to them.  I actually have 3:

•  An old plastic candy filled gas pump that was my brother’s when he was 4 or 5.  Even to this day, it goes on the tree, and every time he sees it, he remembers the gas station my uncle had when we were kids.
• A lavish mouth-blown, hand painted ornament inspired by the Village Street and Steps in Auvers…” that brings back memories of travels through Europe to see as many Van Goghs as possible.
• Mr. Peanut ornament – the iconic figure from Planters Peanut once headquartered in my home town.  Every Saturday when my mom took us downtown, Mr. Peanut was standing on the square giving out samples.  I loved him!!!!!!

History’s a funny little thing.  It happens around us every day and we don’t even realize it.  Forget about the geopolitical issues, or the social commentaries of the day.  The family has its own history that shares cherished memories, special occasions, and even silly crazes we all went through. 

How lucky can I be to be part of that?  Sometimes, it’s just knowing that sharing these keepsakes with someone could brighten their day.  Sometimes, it’s knowing that using a collectible ornament as a solution to an issue can energize an entire community. And sometimes it ‘s what was so aptly said; “putting smiles on the faces of people we done even know.” 

What’s put a smile on your face lately?