Four Days to Collage Mania – Timely Tips Given With a Smile
Tope 1 by Sylvia Weir
In memory of my mother and my cousin, who both died of cancer
There are always questions about Collage Mania and how it works. That’s good. Here are a few tips to make YOUR shopping experience more enjoyable during Collage Mania, May 5 – 7:
1. Repeat after me: It’s just Virginia. In order for 100% of the money raised to go directly to the American Cancer Society, I field the requests, keep track of what’s available, upload Acquired updates, respond to requests for artwork, and monitor who has donated what. I will be over-caffeinated and pumped up to raise some money for the ACS!! So please join me in bringing a sense of humor and a big bag of patience to Collage Mania, May 5 – 7.
2. REFRESH is your best friend. Use it often to update your screen. And of course, as more people are on the system, everything slows down so you may not see updates right away. See the last sentence in #1.
3. Opening and Closing Times. We have an official clock, thanks to Karen Stiehl Osborn, so there should be no confusion about when Collage Mania is open, when the minimum donation changes, etc. All the times are specified in the DIRECTIONS. Of special note is that the $80 minimum donation continues on until 9:59 a.m. Tuesday, May 6. At 10 a.m. Tuesday it switches to a $40 minimum donation. I will be on the computer all three days as much as humanly possible and always when there is a steady stream of requests.
Faith by K. Velis Turan
In honor of my Dad, William Velis and my Best Friend, Lisa Turan
4. Collage Materials. I’m glad someone (thank you, Michelle!) thought of this. If you are an overseas buyer (welcome!) and have any concern about whether the materials of the collage you are considering are organic and subject to your custom’s scrutiny, contact the artist now. Ditto if you are just curious about the collage materials. If there is no link to the artist, send me the request for information before May 5 and I will forward it on to the artist.
5. Requests for Collages. Did I mention the DIRECTIONS? Send me a request May 5 – 7 with the required information and you go to the top of the list. Requests without page numbers, collage names, and/or artist’s names slow down the whole process. Tell me (for example) if you want everything on your list, any three that are available from your list, or two from a list of five in priority order. It’s pretty simple if you follow the DIRECTIONS. You can work on your shopping list now since all collages are available for viewing. I wish everyone could add their top choices to their art collection, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out. Flexibility is good.
New Dawn by Frieda Oxenham
In Memory of Amanda
6. Payment. Payment is by credit card directly to the American Cancer Society through Fiberart For A Cause. Use only the link provided in the DIRECTIONS and, remember, the payment will say it is to the Forest Lake Relay For Life. This is correct as it is my family’s Relay For Life of which my sister is chair. You will receive an automatic electronic receipt from the ACS. Adding even $1 more to the requested minimum donation will make a difference, but add a little more only if you are able to do so. We are not into guilt.
7. Receiving your collage. Karen Stiehl Osborn is preparing 161 messages to artists. After Collage Mania closes, she will send your name and e-mail to the artist who will contact you to make shipping arrangements. It will take awhile to double-check everything. But if you haven’t heard from your artist by May 14, please let me know and I will follow-up.
The Feather by Susan Sanborn North
8. Well, that’s enough bossy-boots for one day. If you have any other questions about Collage Mania, do ask as it is probably something lots of other people would like to know.
9. Enjoy studying the collages during Preview and I hope you will join us for this three-day art extravaganza beginning May 5. Our goal is to raise at least $20,000 for the American Cancer Society.
