SNEAK PEEK: We’re wild about our newest bird cards!

Our newest bird cards aren’t available on our website yet, but we couldn’t wait to give you a special preview:

If you’re attending the Wild Birds Unlimited® Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia, you’ll have the chance to preview not only these cards, but also our entire line of unique animal designs. We’re there Friday, June 29 through Sunday, July 1 — stop by and see us in booth #513.

And click here to see our “Feathers, Fins and Fur” collection at www.snailspacepaper.com. It includes all of our current bird cards, wraps and more, plus other great wildlife designs.

PRESS RELEASE: Snail’s Pace® artist Ashley M. Verkamp recognized as Indiana Artisan

St. Meinrad, IN - Abbey Press and Saint Meinrad Archabbey are proud to announce that staff artist Ashley M. Verkamp and her artwork for the company’s Snail’s Pace^® line have been admitted to the Indiana Artisan organization. Verkamp, a Ferdinand native, was among 76 artisans reviewed during the May jury session; only 18 were accepted.

Indiana Artisan is an economic development program launched in 2008 to help Hoosier artisans expand and promote their works and businesses. In 2010, the Indiana General Assembly passed a resolution naming the non-profit corporation the official organization for reviewing, recognizing and promoting Indiana’s highest quality art and food artisans. The group currently includes 223 artisans from 57 counties.

With this approval from Indiana Artisan, Verkamp’s original graphite, pen and ink and India ink wash work from the Snail’s Pace line may now carry the Indiana Artisan logo.

Verkamp views this designation as an honor and recognizes the influence being a native Hoosier has on her art. She says, “Here in Southern Indiana, I’m surrounded by so much rural beauty, and I spend a great deal of my time outdoors. This time spent in nature is reflected in my art and enriches a reserve of experience I draw from constantly in my creative work.”

The Snail’s Pace line is comprised of Verkamp’s nature-themed artwork and celebrates the artistry of God’s creation. The majority of the line’s paper products are printed at Abbey Press, the 145-year-old printing facility owned and operated by Saint Meinrad Archabbey.

Abbey Press General Manager and creator of the Snail’s Pace line, John Wilson, offers congratulations to Verkamp for her selection as an Indiana Artisan. “We are extremely proud of Ashley and pleased to see this recognition bestowed upon her,” says Wilson. “Not only does Ashley bring a set of breathtaking skills to the artistic table, she also brings a matching passion for the beauty of all God’s creation that has been valued for over 150 years by the monks of Saint Meinrad.”

With Verkamp’s acceptance to Indiana Artisan, she and Snail’s Pace will have the opportunity to exhibit during the Indiana Artisan Marketplace, the organization’s annual trade show. The event will be held April 5-7, 2013 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Exposition Hall.

One Bread, One Cup: Snail’s Pace can help you attend this popular Saint Meinrad program

In addition to preparing priests to serve the Church, Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology also has a strong commitment to youth ministry, and to those young people who are the “future” of the Church.

“One Bread, One Cup” is a five-day liturgical leadership conference for high school youth and the adults who minister to them. Conferences include catechesis, liturgical and spiritual formation and theological reflection; plus, opportunities for fellowship and fun with a community of their peers. At the end of the session, teens leave with a better understanding of, and appreciation for, the Benedictine balance of prayer, work and recreation.

Today marks opening day for the first of three sessions to be held this summer. Students converging on the Hill have worked hard to get here and enjoy the conference. Though some scholarships are available, many of the teens and their adult supporters rely on fundraising efforts to cover attendance fees.

We’ve told you before how our Snail’s Pace “All for the Church” fundraising program can benefit any group trying to raise money in a responsible fashion. But if you’re a Catholic school, church, or organization, you’re providing 100% support for the Church when you choose Snail’s Pace. And if you’re looking for ways to fund your next trip to “One Bread, One Cup,” Snail’s Pace is an especially appropriate choice!

Catholic groups earn up to 50% of the profits, and the remainder goes to support the ministries and good works (like “One Bread, One Cup”) of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, the owner of Snail’s Pace.

By choosing All for the Church Fundraising, you’re directly supporting these worthwhile missions, while providing funds for your own group’s needs. On top of that, you’re also making an environmentally-responsible choice when you use Snail’s Pace.

All Snail’s Pace cards, wraps and other unique stationery items are produced in a manner that honors the principles of Catholic theology calling us to be stewards of our natural resources. And because so many Catholic schools have made ecology an important part of their curriculum, Snail’s Pace/All for the Church is a perfect complement to lesson plans that urge students to consider their personal and community’s impact on the environment.

With so many choices available, selecting the right fundraiser for your Catholic school, church or organization can seem a daunting task. Snail’s Pace/All for the Church seeks to make that decision easier by providing not just a program or product — but by providing a true partnership that benefits your group, our Archabbey, and all the people around the world the Catholic Church serves.

Are you a Catholic school, church, or group looking for a new way to raise funds for “One Bread, One Cup” or other needs? Click here to visit our fundraising website and learn even more about how our program can benefit you.

Handwritten Memories: What are Yours?

Though Memorial Day was originally begun as a way to honor American service members and commemorate those who died while on military service, the day has evolved into one of remembrance for all who’ve passed.

One of the best ways to remember a loved one is to spend some time with the mementos collected during his or her lifetime. Often, those mementos are of the handwritten variety.

A letter sent from a family member stationed far from home. An encouraging card written by your favorite teacher. A journal kept by a mom or sister when she was a young girl. A treasured family recipe written by the hand of the one who first prepared it. Little did your loved ones know when they touched pen to paper that they were creating keepsakes to be cherished by generations to come.

Tell us: what is your favorite handwritten keepsake? In celebration of this Memorial Day weekend, we invite you to use the comments section to share your own stories of handwritten mementos, and to honor the loved ones who provided such special memories.

What are your school’s fundraising plans for Fall 2012?

As this school year is winding down, it may seem odd to be contemplating next school year already. But now is the time that schools like yours are planning Fall 2012 fundraisers.

Why not make this the school year you reconsider cookie dough and candy fundraisers, and choose one that’s good for people and the planet? Our Snail’s Pace fundraising program is an easy, profitable and responsible way to make money for your group—here’s why:

• High-quality, eco-friendly products. Unlike high-calorie chocolate or poor-quality trinkets, our locally-made, environmentally- and socially responsible products are a good-for-you alternative—you raise not just funds, but also an awareness of the need to protect the health of the planet and the people on it.

• Fundraising your way. Online-only: Our most eco-friendly option—just add a Snail’s Pace logo/link to your group’s website and send a few emails! Catalog: Easy face-to-face selling! We supply all the materials your sellers will need for FREE: full-color catalogs, order forms and posters. Plus, additional online tools are available to help you reach every supporter.

• 50% profit bonus periods AND year-round earning. During scheduled two-week bonus periods (up to two per year), your group earns 50% profit on your sales. Plus, orders placed online during the rest of the year earn a 20% profit—with little extra work from you!

• Orders ship directly to your supporters. We’ve eliminated one of the most troublesome parts of product-based fundraising: sorting and delivering. We ship orders right to each supporter’s address—that means less work for you!

• Great incentives sellers of all ages will love. Sales made during the two-week bonus period qualify sellers to earn great incentives, including recycled paper notebooks, 100% organic cotton tees, and even a grand prize of $150 cash (see website for full details).

If you’re ready to schedule a fundraiser for next school year, visit our website to read more, watch our informative videos, or request a packet with free samples.

Earth Day, Arbor Day, Every Day

It’s a big week for the environment. The 42nd annual Earth Day was celebrated on April 22; and Arbor Day, a tradition since 1872, is coming up on April 27.

Communities across the country mark these occasions in various ways. Quick visits to www.earthday.org and www.arborday.org yield a multitude of ideas for getting involved in giving back to the earth.

These occasions are great calls to action, and get us all thinking about our own impact on the planet. But their greater call is the one that urges us to exercise environmental responsibility not only on “special days,” but every day.

We at Snail’s Pace have talked a lot about our environmental concerns and initiatives from day one. Environmental stewardship is one of the pillars of our company, and also a centuries-old tradition for our owners, the Benedictine monks of Saint Meinrad Archabbey.

From everyday recycling efforts, to the conversion of crop and pastureland into forest with the planting of more than 220, 000 trees, to the use of 100% PCW-recycled paper manufactured with windpower in our products. The Archabbey, Abbey Press and Snail’s Pace have made a commitment to operate in a way that is respectful and protective of Creation. And this commitment is one that is ongoing, continually evolving and expanding.

Last year, we even purchased Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset 100% of the electricity used at Saint Meinrad Archabbey and Abbey Press, including that used in the production of Snail’s Pace paper goods. This purchase directly supports wind farm projects and encourages the development of the nation’s windpower resources, while helping to avoid the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The annual purchase for Abbey Press alone is equivalent to taking 217 passenger vehicles off the road for a year!

We’re continually seeking ways to make our business practices as environmentally friendly as possible. At Snail’s Pace, we celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day every day!

So, tell us: did you join in your local community’s Earth Day festivities? Will you plant a tree for Arbor Day? And what are the “every day” ways you show your care and concern for the environment?

It’s Our 2nd Blog-iversary!

Another year down — our Snail’s Pace blog is two years old! We want to thank everyone who takes the time to visit here. And we hope you’ve enjoyed reading our posts as much as we’ve enjoyed writing them.

From time to time, we like to use this space to tell you about our products. But the main goal of our blog is to provide a community for the sharing of information, ideas and inspiration.

With that in mind, here are our top five posts from the past year, ones that are favorites of yours and ours:

• Artist Ashley M. Verkamp Welcomes You to Her Sustainably Built Home. In this guest post, our Snail’s Pace Artist/Designer talks about her decision to build a sustainable, eco-friendly straw bale house, and in a corresponding video, invites readers to take a video tour of her home.

• Teaching Children Simple Ways to Pray. Featuring wisdom from an Abbey Press/One Caring Place publication, this blog post provides an invaluable lesson to parents: teaching their children the importance of prayer—not only how to do it, but how to make time for it.

• True Beauty: Form or Function? A guest blog entry from Kyle T. Kramer, who is the director of graduate ministry programs at Saint Meinrad, runs an organic fruit and vegetable farm, and is the author of A Time to Plant: Life Lessons in Work, Prayer, and Dirt (Ave Maria Press, 2010).

• A Simple, Cherished Christmas Story. John Wilson, General Manager of Abbey Press and originator of Snail’s Pace, shares a beloved Christmas story told by his mother, Henrietta Coudret Klenck.

• Behind the Design: The Art of Appreciation. This post from January marks National Thank You Month. Snail’s Pace Artist/Designer Ashley M. Verkamp reflects on the path she takes to creating a Thank You card and shows two new designs.

Thank you again for continuing to support our blog! We invite you to look back through our archives for your own personal favorites and share them with your friends. And we’re always interested in your thoughts — use the comments section below to let us know what we can do to make our blog even better, and offer suggestions for posts you’d like to see.

Visit us at NCEA 2012: find out how our fundraising program gives 100% to the Church

We’re in Boston for the National Catholic Educational Association Convention & Expo today through Friday. It’s our second year attending, and we’re looking forward to another chance to let attendees know about our fundraising program—one that’s “All for the Church” and supportive of the Catholic teachings regarding environmental stewardship.

We’ve told you before how our Snail’s Pace fundraising program can benefit any group trying to raise money in a responsible fashion. But if you’re a Catholic school, church, or organization, you’re providing 100% support for the Church when you choose Snail’s Pace.

With our All for the Church Fundraising Program, 100% of funds raised stays within the Catholic Church. Catholic groups earn up to 50% of the profits, and the remainder goes to support the ministries of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, the owner of Snail’s Pace.

Saint Meinrad Archabbey operates a nationally recognized School of Theology where priests, permanent deacons and lay ministers are educated and learn to guide followers in Christian faith and society. Additionally, the Archabbey hosts One Bread, One Cup, a liturgical leadership conference for young adults, presents retreats throughout the year on a variety of topics, and participates in a variety of other good works.

By choosing All for the Church Fundraising, you’re directly supporting these worthwhile missions, while providing funds for your own group’s needs. On top of that, you’re also making an environmentally-responsible choice when you use Snail’s Pace.

All Snail’s Pace cards, wraps and other unique stationery items are produced in a manner that honors the principles of Catholic theology calling us to be stewards of our natural resources. And because so many Catholic schools have made ecology an important part of their curriculum, Snail’s Pace/All for the Church is a perfect complement to lesson plans that urge students to consider their personal and community’s impact on the environment.

With so many choices available, selecting the right fundraiser for your Catholic school, church or organization can seem a daunting task. Snail’s Pace/All for the Church seeks to make that decision easier by providing not just a program or product — but by providing a true partnership that benefits your group, our Archabbey, and all the people around the world the Catholic Church serves.

Are you a Catholic school, church, or group looking for a new way to raise funds? Click here to visit our fundraising website and learn even more about how our program can benefit you.

And if you’re attending the NCEA Convention & Expo, we hope you’ll stop by our booth (#B1035) to meet our team, learn about our program, and pick up free samples of our products.

We’re having an Easter Scavenger Hunt!

You’ll want to keep an eye on our Facebook page later today. Why? Because we’re having an Easter Scavenger Hunt!

We’ll post a list of items that you’ll need to hunt for at www.snailspacepaper.com — each item will be found on one of our products (may be more than one correct answer for each item). First person to reply to the Facebook post with the correct item numbers for each one found, wins!

The prize: a BIG discount coupon code to be used on our website! (Our admin will send a message to the winner via Facebook with the prize info.)

Happy hunting!

Behind the Design: It All Starts with a Brainstorm

In honor of the Spring 2013 brainstorming sessions happening this week, Snail’s Pace artist Ashley M. Verkamp offers us a glimpse of the preparation and planning that take place before the design work begins.

Now that we’re well into March, my attention here at Snail’s Pace has shifted gears. For the past month, I’ve gladly retired my artistic tools to a secluded corner in my office in exchange for stacks of new reference materials and hours spent perusing color trends. And thank goodness!

Yes, It’s always rewarding to finish designing a season’s worth of new product, but after months of grueling work, the life-giving spring from which a person’s creativity flows can become little more than a slow drip. If you would have asked me how I was feeling this time last month, in the midst of finishing design work for next Christmas, I would have told you I felt like a lone and dusty tumbleweed rolling through parched desert sands.

So, when it was time for me to take a breather and go about gathering new sources of inspiration for our upcoming Spring 2013 brainstorm meeting this week, I couldn’t wait!

Ultimately, this can be one of the most rewarding aspects of the creative process, and for me it’s an opportunity to unwind and get excited about design again. In truth, it’s wonderful to embark on a creative treasure hunt for new inspiration. I soak it in as I pore through stacks of design magazines, stationery blogs, and daily inspiration websites like a wide-eyed kid, and it becomes exciting to once again collect reference images featuring new products, design themes and color.

A walk through the woods or a stroll around the Abbey grounds can be nothing short of magical. The world around me begins to unfold from a new perspective, and the patterns in nature reveal themselves in unexpected ways. Slowly then, the well of creativity begins to fill again and the much-needed shift in focus becomes an enjoyable time of preparation for the next round in product planning.

In addition, and just as importantly, it’s also a time to review which products seem to be doing well and examine the elements that aren’t working for us. This means there is much research to be done by scrutinizing what we hope to accomplish with the next season’s product.

All in all, it’s a team effort between our creative group and merchandising force to meet in brainstorming sessions and set the next round of product design into motion. Considering that we are now planning for our spring season, we will look at card categories like love, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Graduation, Irish and Sacraments. I know for me, keeping these things in mind also seems to lend a sense of focus and purpose to my creative research.

Ultimately, we hope that our Spring 2013 brainstorm meeting will be a successful one. And in case you’re curious, here are some things I’ve been looking at while diving into the creative brainstorming process!

Pinterest – Snail’s Pace Spring ‘13 Brainstorm Board

Inspiration Websites:

Oh So Beautiful Paper
From Up North
Graphic-Exchange