A Sign of the Times?

A recent article from US News about “17 Ways Consumers Are Changing” got a discussion started among the staff about current spending habits. What we all agreed on is that we’re a bit more frugal, are less willing to impulse buy, and are focusing on spending money on things that make us happy well beyond the fleeting “shopping fix” feeling.

The trend has been emerging over the past few years. ETSY and DIY sites have grown exponentially, and that growth stems from the notion that shoppers want something special, something personal. You don’t get comments about a sweater from Target, but you do for a sweater from Anthropologie or a unique ‘find’ from ETSY. Of course your purchasing power is 3:1 for Target sweaters, but the Anthro sweater will be a closet staple long after the Target sweater has been forgotten.

Today’s consumers still want to shop (or at least the ones I’ve talked to), they just want to make sure that the purchase means more than it did a few years ago. They want to pay with cash/debit rather than credit. This may be part of why wall decals are really taking off as an alternative to standard artwork. Words, quotes, and phrases tend to move people. They reinforce a message; make people think, smile, or both. They reinforce what you want to be or want to do, and are a personal affirmation to yourself and to your family. They are affordable, removable, and are easy to install. They are a perfect compliment to how we’re beginning to live today as we shed excess clutter along with economy that is also doing a little housecleaning. Wall decals convey a more long term connection than any mass produced print found in a store, and that longer term commitment is what consumers seem to be looking for today.

That's Fontastic!

A funny thing happens to people who start working for Trading Phrases. People start recognizing fonts, or at least start noticing if something would be easy to work with or would be (now how do they put that… oh yes, now I remember) pure swoopy font hell.

Those pretty scrolly, scripty fonts that I love working with make our production crew whisper mutinous oaths. Plain text (boring in my opinion) fonts make them practically giddy. And the cutting machines also have their own ‘issues’. Just try to cut Passions Conflict font without the machine skip a letter or two out of spite. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

I’m working on a compromise font for a lot of my designs lately. Poetica is a fairly plain font, with Roman alternative capitals that add a bit of flair. I still haven’t given up the swoopy scripts entirely; I’m just trying to mix things up. However, if you start seeing nothing but plain text designs in the coming months please send help—the crew will have probably will have me locked in the storeroom far from my precious scripty fonts!

Swooshes, Scrolls, and Swoops—whatever you call them, they’re here!

I’m excited about our latest scroll designs. I love a fun, unexpected graphic impact on my walls. These scrolls are a nice change from the lettering designs that are so prevalent in our designs. These are great accents for over a door, accenting a window, a topper for a collage of frames, or just about anywhere. I’m planning on adding a few above the cabinets in my kitchen, and am going to dress up an old boring a cabinet with a few well placed scrolls. Now, what colors to choose?...

New Colors Are Coming!

The nagging, whining, and constant cajoling has finally paid off! Hot off the presses (or cutters, in our case) are 14 new colors from our supplier, Oracal. We haven’t seen them yet, but we anticipate a sage green, an olive, a teal, persimmon, a few more flavors of pink/magenta and more. We’ll get them available just as soon as they arrive, so keep watch on the color sample page for the latest update. 62 colors–Whew!

So for those that really can’t find the perfect color in the mix of 62 choices, we have the ability to cut most of the designs in a ‘reverse weed’ order. What this means to the design perfectionist (and you know you are!) is that you can use the design as the perfect single use stencil for a precise color match. Of course the beauty of the vinyl medium is that it is quicker and easier than paint, but the reverse technique is prefect for that hand painted look.

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Why yes, wall decals ARE removable!

We often get questions about how easy vinyl wall decals are to remove. Our designs are made of a type of thin vinyl that is removable without leaving a residue behind. These peel and stick designs are easy to put up, and look great until you're ready to take them down. The removable designs are a great alternative to paint or stencils, which can only be covered rather than removed.

The decals work well in apartments, dorm rooms, as seasonal or holiday decor. They are also an elegant touch for weddings and events. Cover an ancient tile back-splash with some of our tile cover-ups for a fresh take on an old space. Our beautiful matte finish means that the design mimics the look of paint, and an entire design can be installed faster than stenciling on a single word--no mess, no fumes, and no brushes to clean. When you're ready to remove the design, a little heat from a hairdryer loosens the adhesive, and then it's a matter of gently picking at a corner until you get a solid piece to peel off. We can even provide a sample of the vinyl for a quick surface (or color) test.

Vinyl decals are inexpensive, easy to install, and make a fun personal statement. What do your walls have to say about you?