Happy Birthday America!

I’m always in search of a good piece of Red, White & Blue flair to show off my American pride- especially on the 4th of July!  Nothing caught my eye this year so in true Sharpie fashion, I took it upon myself to DIY the colors of the flag…  

Celebrate USA in with these DIY Sharpie Shades

In just about 5 minutes, you too can sport team USA and be the envy of all your friends!  All you will need to make these American flag Sharpie shades is:

• 1 White pair of sunglasses
• 1 Blue Sharpie paint marker
• 1 Red Sharpie paint marker
• Cotton swab
• Rubbing Alcohol

Steps

1. Start out by drawing an outline of half of a blue box on the left eye with a blue Sharpie paint marker.  Color in the “L” shape you’ve made while drawing star outlines as you go. 
2. Next,  draw red stripes with a red Sharpie paint marker across the remaining area.  If you are worried about drawing straight lines, just do as I did and cut thin strips of tape to lay across the rim.  This will also ensure that the white stripes are even with the red. 
3. Lastly, (this may not apply to everyone) if you smeared any red or blue marker onto the white space use a cotton swab to wipe of access ink.  Wet one side with Rubbing Alcohol then wipe off the paint, then dry that spot off with the other end of the cotton swab. 

TAH-DAH! You’re finished!  Now you are set to look Sharp(ie) & celebrate the holiday weekend with family, friends & fireworks!

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July!

 1. There are over 10 different greens to choose from among Sharpie markers, highlighters and pens! That’s a whole lot of green to uncap!  Celebrate Earth Day by sending notes to friends, family, & co-workers with tips on how to be eco-friendly everyday.  Write a letter to someone you know who practices a green lifestyle and celebrate their efforts!  Leave reminders around the house, at school & in the office to do simple things that make an impact:  Turn off the lights, conserve water, unplug electronics that you aren’t using, & of course recycle.

2. If you go through copious amounts of black Sharpie markers, this one’s for you:  Get your hands on a Stainless Steel Sharpie and you’ll be sleek, stylish, and eco-friendly!  The refillable barrel makes it easy to cut down on materials otherwise used to produce a brand new Sharpie marker – not to mention the gasoline that you’ll save cutting out those extra trips to the store. 

3. Use up the that Sharpie ink today & every day!  Sharpie has partnered up with Terracycle so that you can recycle your used Sharpie products & packaging.  Terracycle will UPCYCLE these materials to make an entirely new product! (Find out more, click here)

4. You can make a “#1 EARTH” foam finger to celebrate Earth Day using Sharpie Markers just like the one Stephen Colbert made!!!

5.  Boldly EXPRESS YOURSELF! Uncapping a Sharpie leads to creative explosions of the mind!  The best ideas start with a Sharpie and a piece of paper.  You could be the person who thinks up with the next life changing GREEN concept!

What are some of your reasons to UNCAP?

Happy Earth Day!

Easter is right around the corner and you know what that means… It is time for dyeing eggs!  While most stick to the standard “egg-plunging” technique, have you ever thought about taking a different approach to DIYing eggs? 

Wingdoodle, a blog featuring some incredible how-to’s,  recently colored foam eggs using Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers.  Take a peak at how Wingdoodle created beautiful art on these Easter eggs. 

DIYing Easter eggs with Sharpie is not just limited to foam eggs.  In fact, blogger AnaCraftyOne uses Sharpie markers to color real eggs.

To read Wingdoodle’s complete post click HERE. 

For AnaCraftyOne’s how-to instructions, click HERE.

I always forget the words to this poem. So next year I’ll write them on my shoe…IN SHARPIE!

Do you have your own version of this poem? Finish it in your own words!

Here are more VDay videos with Chicagoans expressing their thoughts on Valentine’s Day:

These videos got me thinking… Sometimes Oftentimes, when I want to express myself (vocally) the words just aren’t there.  I get nervous or my head is racing with 1,000 thoughts; I want to say them all and it just doesn’t come out how I had planned…I hate that!  You know earlier I had it down perfectly and then afterwards I’m left thinking, “Brain, how could you do this to me? Of course NOW you’re calm and collected.. Quit telling me all that I should have said ” …so frustrating.

While I may not always be the eloquent speaker I’d like to be, I take the good with the bad and to be honest, I can write one heck of a letter! The words just come to me!  Am I alone on this or can you relate?  Expressing my true thoughts and feelings is easier for me in this respect.  I’m not sure why but whatever the reason, the words just flow.  They flow from my brain through my hand, right onto the paper (obviously the process is more complicated but I’m not talking science here).

So if you’re like me, take advantage of Valentine’s Day with the power of a pen (Sharpie pen of course) and paper.  Take the opportunity to tell the people in your life that you love them and why you love them.  Express yourself and don’t let the day go to waste, despite your love or hate for VDay.  I guarantee that you will enjoy it so much more if you express the love for those you care about.

Now let me end by asking you:   How do you express yourself?

No one says it quite like the gangster of love...

♥Check us out on Facebook

It’s Monday, you may not be in the brightest of moods…  You stayed up late last night celebrating the most popular non-national holiday of the year, your belt is a little tighter after eating endless amounts of seven-layer dip, on the way to the coffee machine people think you are talking to yourself, when you’re actually just reminding your feet “right, left, right, left…”  Frankly, your mind just isn’t quite working in full-force yet – which probably won’t kick in until Tuesday or Wednesday. 

Just to make your day a little bit more difficult to get through, here’s a reminder:  V-Day (or should I say D-Day) is right around the corner! The pressure is really on to get your that quality gift.  So what does this mean?  Are you excited or aggravated by this fact?  Maybe last week you were all for the lovey dovey holiday but as the pressure mounts are you beginning to change your mind?  Or maybe you absolutely hated the thought of hearts and candy last week and now that you have a date, you’re all for it!  Hey, I don’t know what your thoughts are…but that’s why I’m asking:

Valentine’s Day: Love it or Leave it?

Check out these brand new videos from our on-street Chicago interviews and see what people had to say:

Join the debate on Facebook !  Upload your videos, pictures & comments all before Sunday – VALENTINE’S DAY!

So you’ve heard!! – Sharpie is sponsoring a Valentine’s LOVE ♥ HATE Debate Feb. 1st thru 14th)!

For a quick recap, on Monday the conversation focused around whether or not you LOVE or HATE Valentine’s Day.  For the most part, I’m getting Lots O’ Love!  but believe me the numbers are there in terms of  Haters!  *I’ll fill you in on the official L vs H count later on!*  We also debuted the 1st set of several videos from interviews hosted on Chicago’s Maginificent Mile, featuring what people had to say about V-Day !  (You can still see Monday’s videos on Sharpie’s YouTube page, under the “Valentine’s Day -Love Hate Debate Playlist”

Now, onto Today’s topic…

      Today is all about the GIFTS!!

Valentine’s Day is different from other gift-giving holidays.  Let’s be honest, there is plenty of room for error here and sometimes our sweethearts hit the target right on, while other times we aren’t so fortunate and end up with a half eaten box of chocolates and a carnation. 

Check out our latest and greatest videos from our Michigan Ave interviews where we asked Chicagoans about their V-DAY gift giving experiences:

 So now that you’ve seen these vids., let’s get to talking!  Here are some topics that could stir up some debate! - However, if you have a topic of your own, go right ahead and start up the convo! 

• “OMG! BGE (best gift ever)!!”
• “You’ve got to be kidding…YouREALLY thought I would like this?!?”
• Back in the Day Valentine: FavoriteValentine’s Day memory from when you were little.
• Awkward V-Day!
• “I left blatantly obvious clues, but he/she just didn’t get the hint!”
• Homemade OR Store bought?  Which do you prefer?
• ONE-OF-A-KIND Valentine: What original Valentine’s Day gifts have you received and/or given?!  *(this could go both ways, good or bad )

As a reminder, here’s how the debate works…

Share your thoughts, stories & all the in between:

1. Make a video and upload it to YouTube (post a video response in the comment section) on: http://www.youtube.com/SharpieUS
2. Join Sharpie’s Fan page and leave your comments, videos and photos on our wall: http://www.facebook.com/Sharpie
3. Follow & share your thoughts on Twitter with @SharpieSusan! Don’t forget to add #SharpieDebate hashtag

♥ Check out SharpieUncapped for more!

Valentine’s Day… The infamous February 14th.  The holiday celebrated around the world to express love.  A  romantic, heart-felt, candy-filled day represented by hearts, exchanging Valentine’s and a cherub aiming his bow at love-seeking pedestrians.  You’d think that such a holiday would be cherished by everyone….right?!

Well, apparently not!  While it may seem like everyone is seeing red and pink lately there has been a lot of back and forth regarding whether to love or hate Valentine’s Day.  This controversial topic has inspired Sharpie to host its own debate and find out where YOU stand on the issue.  Maybe you’re that gal who LOVES LOVE and enjoys getting wrapped up in all the Valentine’s Day  hoopla?  Or maybe you’re the kind of guy who claims Valentine’s Day is a greeting card manufactured holiday?!  Whoever you are, whatever side you take,  we want to know!  Express yourself and let your voice be heard!   Be a part of Sharpie’s first ever

 Love-Hate Debate!

HOW IT WORKS!

Share YOUR OPINION February 1st through 14th!  Tell us if you Love or Hate Valentine’s Day by:

1. Make a video and uploading it to YouTube (post a video response in the comment section) on: http://www.youtube.com/SharpieUS
2. Join Sharpie’s Fan page and leave your comments and photos on our wall: http://www.facebook.com/Sharpie
3. Follow the discussion on Twitter and respond directly to @SharpieSusan with a #SharpieDebate hashtag

Need some inspiration?  To kick things off we took our question to Chicago’s Magnificent Mile to find out what people had to say about Valentine’s Day!  Check out the first series of videos to see what was said!  Come back throughout the next two weeks to see more of what Chicagoans had to say on this hot topic:

We will be posting more Michigan Ave. interviews and sharing your uploaded videos and pics February 1st through February 14th so check back every day to see what’s new!

Check out SharpieUncapped for more details tied to the debate!

Now that we are winding down the holidays and approaching the new year, how about starting off 2010 on the right foot!  It’s important to organize all of your decorations, ornaments, lights, etc. so things don’t get lost or forgotten.  This part of the holidays can be so A-N-N-O-Y-I-N-G…Annoying!   However, it has to be done at some point and what better time than now?!  While you may feel like putting this off, keep telling yourself that you’ll be happy you got it out of the way now and next year finding things and unpacking will be that much easier!

Gather up boxes that you can neatly and carefully pack everything up into.  Here’s a tip: Re-organize storage bins to maximize space and re-use the gift boxes from the holidays instead of buying new ones to store your things in (Pictured below: a shirt box, a box that came with a mug and one large mailing box).

Label your boxes with the coordinating items inside and when putting away, arrange them so that labels are easily seen and organized for your convenience when you take them out next year! 

If you pack smart now you’ll be able to spend more time later doing the things you really love with family and friends!

Some holiday items to consider organizing to keep you ahead of the pack:

• Special plates & dishes
• Ribbons and Bows
• Wrapping Paper
• Greeting Cards & Gift Tags
• Indoor/Outdoor Lights
• Indoor/Outdoor Decorations
• Fragile Ornaments
• Kid-made Ornaments
• Garland
• Wreaths
• Tree
• Tree Skirt

Any questions? Ask away! 

How do you use Sharpie markers to stay organized?  Leave your comments here or on Sharpie’s Facebook page!

In sales, relationships are everything. So you can imagine how important the little touches are when it comes to keeping those relationships on solid footing.  

January is a big sales month in the world of office supplies. That’s because businesses are starting off the year with new budgets and money to spend.  To get their sales team excited about the big season, Staples thought it would be fun to kick it off with a “design your own greeting card” contest using Sharpie.  The winner would have their design made into note cards that they could send to customers as a personalized follow up or thank you note in appreciation for their business.

The Staples team was inspired.  Entries came pouring in.  In the end, Staples’ own Scott Baker from Staples’ New Cumberland, PA office took home the grand prize.   Here’s his awesome entry:

Say "Thank You" with this Sharpie Balloon Notecard, designed by Scott Baker, New Cumberland, PA

Here’s how Scott created the card and why he loves Sharpie markers:

What was your inspiration? 

I wanted to use as many colors as possible and tried to think of something that people would associate with multiple brilliant colors. I chose the hot air balloon because you can use a multitude of colors and patterns and it would not look too busy.

What products did you use?

The Sharpie 12 pack fine assorted markers, the Sharpie pen, and the Paper Mate Biodegradable mechanical pencil.

Tell us why you love Sharpie.

Their products are always top of the line, when you use one of their pens or markers you know its not going to dry out.

What is your favorite Sharpie marker & why?

I like Sharpie markers for their vivid colors and smooth flow.

Check out some of the other entries and get inspired!

Sharpie Mushroom by Chris Shamoun, Englewood, NJ

Sharpie World by Cathy Burley, La Mirada, CA

Sharpie Stars by Susan Brandon, Novi, MI

Sharpie Santa Easy Button by Chris Pappas, Maitland, FL