JavaScript is disabled

This site requires JavaScript to work correctly, so you should enable JavaScript in your browser before you proceed.
In version 4 and higher browsers, JavaScript is enabled by default. However, it appears to be turned off in your browser.

This is often due to setting your browser Security settings too high. If you need help, check out our javascript help page.

August 2009

PRICELESS PICS

Let me seeeeeeee!! Then I and 5 others circled around the screen of a small digital camera to see the pictures from our girlfriends trip to Lake George, NY. A camping trip. A trip that had to be recorded otherwise we would never have believed it. Remember my girlfriend? The golden girl with all the best accessories (reference eidea from April 24, 2008)? Normally, I would say her idea of “roughing it” is staying at a Best Western. But about a month ago, she was coaxed into a camping trip by a very good looking, outdoorsy type. Like I said seeing is believing. Between the sunlight and extraneous heads and shoulders blocking the camera’s screen, it was hard to make the pictures out. Really??!! Was that her helping set up a pup tent in her True Religion jeans?” “Wait, wait is that her coming out of an outhouse with her CoCo Chanel sunglasses!! Priceless. “Get them printed, we can’t really see them.” “No way,” she shuddered as if watching a horror flick “this is the one and only viewing of these pics.” But isn’t that usually the case now a days. Even when we want to share the pictures with others, our pictures usually stay hidden on the memory cards of our cameras.

Did you know that 47% of all households own a least one digital camera, yet only 15% have a way to display those photos?

Avaline is now the resource for quality digital frames, offering 7”, 9” and 15”. The frames are real wooden frames with 128MB of internal memory (256MB on 15”), remote control, clock/calendar and programmable on/off, 1 year warranty. Best yet is easy transfer of files. Move images directly from your digital camera, MP3 Player, USB drive or memory card directly into the 128 MB of on board memory included in the frame. Need to acknowledge employees for their hard work or service? Instead of a plaque, give them a trophy, they’ll really appreciate. A digital frame makes an ideal gift and keepsake. It has a high perceived value and allows them to show off their achievement while showing off other prized memories (family, friends, trips). Makes a wonderful employee gift too for the holidays. After all, a picture on Santa’s lap shouldn’t be left unseen. It’s time to move those precious pictures out of your camera and back into your life. Engraving, screen printing, or pad printing available to customize a frame making it a memorable award or holiday gift which will always be on display.

To learn more about Avaline’s Digital Frames

Send your customers a holiday themed flier to suggest these as gifts (click here)

BUILD YOUR OWN

“Turn it just once!”, “Can you flatten it out, I want more surface area!”, “Pink inside, black outside, please”, “I want it to still be mooing!”. Holy Cow! I never realized how particular people were about their burgers! The theme this year for my husband’s birthday party was “Build Your Own Burger”. After organizing his 50th birthday party extravaganza last year, I thought, “piece of cake”. Just throw a bunch of burgers on the grill, cook to medium well and then let them go crazy with different cheeses/condiments/toppings. That thought came to a screeching halt in front of a hot charcoal grill. Instead my guests went crazy with “instructions” and my brother, who had graciously offered to “man” the grill, threw the spatula back at me after 15 minutes with a crazed look in his eyes, muttering something about Bobby Flay, my finicky friends and therapy under his breath.

Thinking back, I guess they had every right to be picky. They had to be if they were going to get what they wanted. Something they could be happy about. That’s what Avaline had in mind when we created our “Build Your Own Bag” program. We know how finicky customers can be about colors, zippers, pockets, handles, gussets, etc. So we say “let them build it” and sales will come. A custom bag made easy! Only 500 pieces! Pick from 4 basic styles (4” or 8” gusseted reusabale shopping bag, a basic tote, or a tradeshow tote). Choose a target PMS color. Almost any color is possible! Then add a zipper, side pockets, front pockets, inside pockets. Each bag has a large imprint area so after you’ve built your bag, you can build exposure too. And if your customer is grilling you about social responsibility and recycling – tell them it’s in the bag. The material is RPET – 100% recycled material. Hunger for satisfied clients? B.Y.O.B! Build Your Own Bag.

To learn more about Avaline’s RPET B.Y.O.B program

REELING IN THE BIG ONE

At 2:30 am Saturday morning, my husband and I set sail on a deep sea fishing expedition. My first time. We are fortunate enough to have a friend whose father invited us aboard his boat and along for the adventure. I knew it was going to be an experience when I realized it was just me, 5 men and 7 rods. The captain and other men took an immediate disliking to me when they realized that I had brought a banana on board. Who knew it was bad luck (an old fisherman’s tale)? I guess I’d have to prove myself. As soon as I disposed of “it”, we were off. Four hours later and 80 miles out, it was time to fish. SSShhhhrrrrr – the whurring sound of lines unreeling!! Holy mackeral didn’t we just get the lines in the water? Three lines all at once! I grabbed the rod closest to me and was shocked! This wasn’t going to be easy. “What’s on the end of this?! Moby Dick?!” “Just keep reeling!” yelled the boat’s mate. I had no idea what I was doing, but when I saw my fish swimming and flipping about in the water, what an adrenaline rush. Banana schmana! I pulled in a 20 lb mahi mahi, and of course I need to mention, the largest one of the three!

It’s time to bait customers. Sometimes the purchase of a big ticket item needs a bit of an incentive, especially in this economy. Avaline’s new digital picture frames can help you hook them. Dealers for cars and SUVs, motor homes, trips, cruises, outdoor pools, decks, and of course boats. Entice customers with one of our digtial frames. Capturing all the memories and adventures that will follow from the purchase of one of those “big fish”, a digital frame makes an ideal thank you gift and keepsake. We have 7”, 9” and 15” frames. The frames are real wooden frames with on board memory, remote control, clock/calendar and programmable on/off, 1 year warranty and easy transfer of files. Move images directly from your digital camera, MP3 Player, USB drive or memory card directly into the on board memory included in the frame. Want to reel in a big one too? Cast this idea out to your customers. Suggest these frames to banks too for anyone opening up a new account over a certain amount. It’s time banks started making a splash as well. They are a great way to keep your services on display.

P.S. Later in the day, my catch was trumped when one of the men reeled in a 55 lb. yellow fin tuna. See the pic above!

Avaline is the resource for Digital Picture frames. To learn more about them

CHOICES

My friends and I are coordinating an end-of-summer bash – a Hawaiian luau with grass skirts, leis, Hawaiian punch (the naughty kind), and of course pig. To give our party a purpose, my girlfriend came up with the idea to do a 50/50, donating whatever we collect to the American Cancer Society. So we decided to meet over dinner to discuss party details. It was a new chi chi restaurant not too far from my home and I had heard good things about it. Wow! Our mouths started to water. The menu looked impressive - large tablet size, leather bound, the restaurant’s name in gold foil – you know the kind. Bummer!!!! That was misleading. The menu had about as many selections as a yes/no multiple choice question. I don’t know if you feel the same way but, I want to open a menu and flip through it like a novel. I want to have to ask the waiter to come back several times because I still haven’t decided. I want choices! I wanted to leave. “Nooooooo”, begged my girlfriend, “we have to get this organized, think of the donation we might be able to pull together.” Ok.

Luckily if you have a client looking for fundraising options, Avaline gives you CHOICES. Especially for Breast Cancer Awareness. Think Pink. We have everything from smaller stock items that are great for large crowds/outdoor events or banquets to more impressive items for larger donation “thank you’s” or website donation gifts. For example our stock Declaration Rings or Bracelets (Hope, Courage or Survivor). They’re hip and chic, cost only 1.20 (P) and will inspire any walk- a -thon or race participant. Check out our Pink Spirit Umbrella. With your message, this gift will continue your hard work and awareness efforts long after the original donation by becoming a walking billboard. Distributing information? One of our Pink Poly Envelopes will help keep information, policies, procedures, medical instructions, support information neat and organized. They’re on EQP until 9/30/09. We also have stock Pink Ribbon Zipper Pulls and Lapel Pins, this familiar awareness ribbon has become an icon for Breast Cancer Awareness – no frills or fluff -- it can stand alone. Or look at our great Pink Fleece Blanket which can really help you “spread” the importance of breast cancer awareness. And more! Take a look at all of our Breast Cancer Awareness items. Choices, Choices, Choices. You’ll certainly make a great choice when you choose Avaline.

To learn more about all of Avaline’s Pink Breast Cancer Awareness items

A “SECURITY” CARD

“Thank goodness for the faint Afro Brazilian music that was being piped into the lobby of MoMA (Museum of Modern Art in NYC). You could say it was “calming the savage beast”. I and 175+ other museum members had been waiting patiently on line for 45 minutes for admittance into the 2009 Brazilian Film Exhibition. I was zoning to the music when a disturbance started to unfold. Mmmmm okay this could be interesting. To my right was a couple disputing with security. Apparently the woman lost her ID somewhere in the sea of hundreds of mingling members. It made me think, “I’m sure she isn’t the only one who’s lost an ID. Wouldn’t it make sense for the museum to mail out logoed lanyards included with the member’s ID for these events?” It is, after all, harder to lose something that is around your neck. Problem solved! However, their problem wasn’t solved. At least not that night. Despite her Oscar winning performance, rivaling that of Meryl Streep (tears and all), security stood their ground and denied them re-entry without their museum ID card.

Museums, tradeshows, security, government officials/offices, medical, hotels, fundraising, students, factory workers, military, airport personnel, concerts & events, sports, clubs, retail staff, employee or visitor access, lanyards make the ideal “security” for identification cards. The event, venue, office, building, concert, company logo is screened onto brightly colored polyester material. Hanging around a member’s neck, lanyards are and always will be an extremely visible message. With our eco friendly lanyards, the message can be socially responsible as well. Free from harmful substances, they are produced entirely from PLA, a material derived from easily renewable corn. You choose the color, all ribbons are custom dyed. 500 eco friendly lanyards at 5/8” are only 1.70 R. So keep identification from walking away, just equip those members, volunteers or employees with a durable and dependable and not easily misplaced lanyard. After all, no one wants to miss a fabulous soiree!!”

To learn more about Avaline’s Lanyards