Why hasn't the web site been updated lately?!?

Almost two weeks ago on a Monday, we upgraded our entire computer system. We're talking the whole shebang - a new server plus new operating system for all the computers and a major upgrade on our inventory/invoicing software system.

***Warning!! Personal opinions stated below; also includes Computer Geek-Speak***
For those of you who don't know, Bracker's is a Mac-based company. I started off as a Mac graphic design geek (my first computer was an Apple IIc in elementary school). I quickly fell in love with Aldus Pagemaker 2, and then when Adobe bought out Aldus, I further fell in love with all things Adobe (Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, etc.). About 8 or 9 years ago, when we decided to computerize our store, the Mac operating system was light years ahead of Windows 3.whatever. Considering that I was the only computer-savvy person at Bracker's, I knew that I had to pick something that would be as easy-to-use as possible. At this time in my life, I was not as anti-Microsoft as I am now, so I *did* consider Windows systems. But I found a great Mac-based software system called M.Y.O.B. which actually does stand for Mind Your Own Business. It was a simple, yet elegant entry-level program that worked for all our needs.

Skip ahead a couple of years and we've completely outgrown M.Y.O.B. and I'm looking for a new software solution. Again, I considered Windows...but not too much this time because my anti-Microsoft sentiment had grown by leaps and bounds... and again I found an awesome program that was just right for us. Big Business is a program that has continued to grow with us. It's a lot more expensive than the $100 or so M.Y.O.B., but it has greatly expanded functionality and the company provides AMAZING customer service (Spencer, if you're reading this: thank you, thank you, thank you!). So we've been cruising along on Mac OS 9 and Big Business 3 for several years. In the meantime, Mac introduced OS X and Big Business introduced versions 4 AND 5. But we stayed with the existing setup because it was working well for us and we had very, very few glitches with the system. But Spencer and his crack team of software developers kept introducing really cool new features with each upgrade. I finally realized I could no longer live without these new features and so I convinced Mom and Cindy to take the plunge. But, upgrading to the new Big Business also meant upgrading to Mac OS X (or "Tiger" as the latest version is known). We decided to go one step further with the XServe technology. This was a good thing, too - there are many snazzy new features in the operating system.

So, two Mondays ago, we installed the new hardware and software. It's running very smoothly, but there's still a LOT of adjusting that has to happen with such a major upgrade. All of our custom forms (invoices, orders, etc.) had to be tweaked or rebuilt because of new stuff. Email, browser cookies, passwords, and bookmarks had to be converted and reorganized. Computers had to be relocated. Printer drivers needed to be reinstalled. And so on. But, the more time I spend doing a little computer house cleaning now, the more efficient everyone will be for a LONG time after.

Anyway, that's the sorta-long version of why there haven't been any web updates lately. We'll get back to it soon, I promise. If you have a suggestion for what I need to update next, leave a comment here and I'll get to it next.

Teacher's catalog at press!

For 5 weeks I have been working at home on a 40page "Teacher Essentials" catalog which was finalized and turned over to the printer on Monday. This is not our full catalog, (which is still in progress and becoming more and more massive in scope). This catalog was designed specifically for teachers with only the most popular, most requested, and most teacher-friendly information and products. We will be sending it with school orders as soon as it is back from the printer (expected in 2-3 weeks). We will also be calling school districts to request permission to send large quantities of the catalog for distribution to their art teachers through interschool mail. More information will be posted when we get the catalogs in!

NEW PRODUCT - Frost Cone 6 Moist Clay

Laguna spent nearly two years developing and testing a special new Cone 5 - 6 range porcelain they call "Frost." The responses during the testing included several comments like, "super white, super translucent and throws like a dream!"

Laguna is putting out a lot of magazine ads this summer to announce their new clay. We will be ordering a bunch at the end of this month, which should arrive sometime in the second week of August. Pre-order this clay now to reserve some for yourself!

Minor Web Site Update on a Busy Saturday

I spent a little time today uploading a couple of item pictures I had overlooked in the past. The new pics are mostly in the Miscellaneous Tools section - things like rolling pins, thickness strips, and the Lil Chizler (shown at right), plus most of the Laguna banding wheel pictures (for some reason I don't have pictures of the 12" diameter banding wheels - have to take pictures soon). I also updated the prices on some of the miscellaneous tools - minor price increase on a couple and a few actually decreased in price!

It was a busy day at work today (although Saturdays are almost always busy), but it is so much fun to see both beginners and experienced potters so excited about their art. Some of the customers were downright giddy and mentioned it's like being a kid in a toy store. It's days like this that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside because I'm not the only one "infected" by the pottery bug! Have a great weekend and make lots of pots!

Web Site Update - AMACO Velvets

Updating the web site with extra information and adding new products seems like a never-ending process. Every once in a while, we start carrying a new product and for some reason I completely miss adding it to our web site. That's what happened with the new AMACO bright reds, oranges, and yellow Velvet Underglazes. I really thought I had added them to the web site, but I was talking on the phone to a customer about them yesterday and realized I hadn't. Big oops! So, that's what I've been working on today. While I was getting the new colors added, I decided to also add extra information about them that is very helpful to tons of potters. I made the short description of the glazes (viewable from the list of multiple items) easier to understand and the long description (viewable when you click on the item link or thumbnail picture) now includes the glaze series description text from the AMACO catalog, as well as a couple of comments that Bracker's thinks are important.

In addition to that, I created a new page that includes the full description plus the color variation chart that describes how the Velvets look when you fire them hotter than Cone 06 to 04. A link to this chart is available in each Velvet Underglaze item long description or you can view it now by clicking on this blog entry link.

Technically, I'm still working on updating the Velvets. By the time on this posting, I've updated all of the pints and about half of the 2 ounce jars. I should be finished with the rest of the 2 ounce jars by the end of the day. Enjoy!

P.S. The glaze chip in this entry is the new AMACO V 387 Bright Red, fired at Cone 05 on a white earthenware clay body.

Staff Changes

Scott Ledbetter has been the Warehouse Manager at Bracker's for a long time, but he recently decided that it's time for him to move on. He and his girlfriend, Kathy, are moving to the Kansas City area because Kathy will be teaching art in one of the KC school districts starting this fall. Scott's final day at Bracker's will most likely be sometime in September or October. He will definitely be missed at Bracker's.

We recently hired THREE new employees. Lou is a former Navy man, most recently stationed in New Orleans. Marlin lives in Tonganoxie (a small town very close to Lawrence) and was frustrated with commuting into KC for his most recent job. Both Lou and Marlin started at Bracker's almost a month ago. They will share general warehouse duties as well as UPS and small package shipping and receiving duties. Seth started this morning. He will be our primary delivery driver, which will allow us to offer even more delivery options, such as Saturday deliveries.

Bracker's First Blog Entry

Welcome to Bracker's Blog! Bracker's staff will use the blog to post a wide variety of things: current events, news, web site updates, art fair dates, technical info and tips, new product announcements, and whatever else we can think of. Feel free to leave comments on any and all of our blog entries. If you have a topic that you'd like us to address in the blog, you may also email us. For example, if you have a show opening you'd like to see included, we'd be more than happy to write about it. :-)