Sometimes, I think Product Showcase could be more accurately termed Problem-Solving Showcase. No matter how much planning we put into creating a beautiful space, something ends up going wrong or getting left out. This year, a large wall facing our Product Runway was completely blank. That's not something our Consultants expect from the showcase, so we put Josh and Leslie on the case. They worked all day and created a gorgeous design — but not without some trouble along the way. Luckily, we can learn from their trials, because the same tricks that work in Product Showcase will often work at home. ...[read more]

We're finally here in Milwaukee, but instead of hitting Riverwalk or a Brewers game, we spent yesterday setting the table. Each year, we style several themed tablescapes for Product Showcase. We admit, they can get a little over the top (last year we had a tabletop Christmas tree that reached over seven feet), but that's the point. Our Consultants don't travel hundreds of miles to learn to fold a linen square. They come to be inspired. Think of Product Showcase as our version of couture fashion — it's the best of the best, and, while it may not all be strictly practical, it's full of ideas on incorporating creativity into daily life. ...[read more]

The next week and a half is the busiest of our year here at Willow House — thousands of our Consultants (the hard-working people who hand-sell our products and keep us all employed) gather together for our National Convention. This year, we’re going to Milwaukee — home of Riverwalk (above), the Brewers, fantastic shopping and restaurants — and, next week, site of zillions of people waiting to see our new line of products and our new catalog. It’s a lot of fun, a lot of work ... and a lot of pressure. ...[read more]

As Willow House’s product copywriter, I spend a long time getting to know our products, from the idea stage to production to post-production. But the first time I really “meet” a new product is during Product Naming.   When you’re buying nail polish and you realize it has a crazy name (if you wear OPI you know what I’m talking about), you probably ask yourself, “What kind of person has a job naming nail polish colors?” Well, that kind of person is me. ...[read more]

Not to knock Manolos, but we think Sex and the City is worth watching as much for its amazing sets as for its famous fashion risks. The new movie, SATC II, is no exception — the scenes set in Abu Dahbi were especially over the top. I liked the lavish Arab scenes, but my favorite set was Carrie and Big’s New York apartment. ...[read more]