Sharpie will be across the country, visiting 100 college campuses this Fall! At Follett bookstores across the US, Sharpie ambassadors will be present, decked out in neon tees, handing out coupons for Sharpie Highlighters, scribbling with Sharpie markers, and gearing you up for your 2010 Fall semester. Drop by and hang out with us for a bit!

Don’t forget to enter to win free textbooks for you and two friends online at Sharpie’s Facebook Fan Page – Click on the “Sweepstakes Tab” to enter!

Hop on over to the official Sharpie Blog for more info on Sharpie’s Right to Highlight Sweepstakes!

Thursday (8/19) & Friday 8(20)

• CENTRAL PIEDMONT COMMUNITY COLLEGE – CENTRAL CAMPUS
• CERRITOS COLLEGE
• UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-BERKELEY
• UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
• WAKE TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• WEBSTER UNIVERSITY

Thursday (8/26) & Friday (8/27)

• AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
• BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
• CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY-NORTHRIDGE
• CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY
• COLLEGE OF DuPAGE
• CUNY BERNARD M BARUCH COLLEGE
• DAYTONA STATE COLLEGE
• DES MOINES AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE  – ANKENY
• FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
• GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
• GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• INDIANA-PURDUE UNIVERSITY-FORT WAYNE
• IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE INDIANAPOLIS CAMPUS
• IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE LAFAYETTE CAMPUS
• IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE SOUTH BEND CAMPUS
• IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE TERRE HAUTE CAMPUS
• JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY
• MACOMB COMMUNITY COLLEGE – CENTER CAMPUS
• MARSHALL UNIVERSITY
• MCLENNAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• MIAMI DADE COLLEGE – KENDALL CAMPUS
• MIAMI UNIVERSITY-OXFORD
• NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY
• NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
• PALOMAR COLLEGE
• PHOENIX COLLEGE
• PURDUE UNIVERSITY
• RIO HONDO COLLEGE
• SADDLEBACK COLLEGE
• SAINT CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
• SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE
• SCOTTSDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• SEMINOLE STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA
• SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY-CARBONDALE
• ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE
• TALLAHASSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• THOMAS NELSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
• UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHAMPAIGN
• UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
• UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
• UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT LINCOLN
• UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA
• UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
• UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
• UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
• UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO
• UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA
• UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
• UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS EL PASO
• UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SAN ANTONIO
• VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

Thursday (9/2) & Friday (9/3)

• BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY – SACRAMENTO
• CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY AT DOMINGUEZ HILLS
• CENTRAL NEW MEXICO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN NEVADA
• ERIE COMMUNITY COLLEGE-NORTH CAMPUS
• FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE AT JACKSONVILLE – SOUTH CAMPUS
• GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
• GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
• GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• HUDSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• JACKSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
• KENT STATE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS
• LONE STAR COLLEGE – NORTH HARRIS
• MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY
• OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY
• ORANGE COAST COLLEGE
• QUEENS COLLEGE (CUNY)
• REGIS UNIVERSITY
• RUTGERS UNIVERSITY-CAMDEN
• ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY – QUEENS CAMPUS
• SUFFOLK COUNTY CC – AMMERMAN CAMPUS
• SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
• TARRANT COUNTY COLLEGE TRINITY RIVER CAMPUS
• THE CITY COLLEGE OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
• UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO – NORTH CAMPUS
• UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS – PAN AMERICAN
• WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN SAINT LOUIS
• WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY

Thursday (9/9) & Friday (9/10)

• BOSTON COLLEGE
• CINCINNATI STATE TECHNICAL & COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
• MOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS-AMHERST
• UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS-BOSTON
• UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – LA CROSSE

Thursday (9/23) & Friday (9/24)  

• CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY EAST BAY HAYWARD CAMPUS
• STANFORD UNIVERSITY
• UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI

Recently, The GAP in Beverly Hills (on Robertson Blvd.) asked our very own Sharpie Squad member, Man One (Alex Poli) to do a couple live painting events for them!  Man One has documented the event on his blog, ManOneWorld and on Flickr through pictures and video.  Special guest stars, Sharpie Paint Markers, the oh-so classic black Fine Point Sharpie (custom with Man One’s signature) and the always mighty Magnum Sharpie came in handy for the artist as he personalized tees, tanks and posters for Gap customers.

Here’s a look at some of my fav pictures from the event but be sure to check out all the rest on ManOneWorld and on Man One’s Flickr page!

Gotta love a good graffiti artist –  Way to Uncap What’s Inside Man One!

What’s Sharpie up to over-seas?  Check out this current UK promotion!

This year, Sharpie is one of London Fashion Weekend’s official sponsors and we’re giving one lucky winner and a friend a fashion-filled weekend to remember!

Sharpie will be treating the lucky winner to two Gold tickets to London Fashion Weekend on Sunday 26^th September, which includes an exclusive catwalk ticket and a goodie bag packed with all your style essentials.  The winner will also spend one night, including breakfast, at the oh-so swanky Guoman’s The Cumberland hotel on Park Lane. To top it off , this winning fashionista will receive more Sharpie swag than they’ll know what to do with!

By filling out and submitting a questionnaire, the chosen GRAND prize winner of this fashion fabulosity will win to two Gold tickets to London Fashion Weekend on Sunday September 26th.  In addition, the prize includes an exclusive fashion week pass, a fabulous goody bag packed with all your style essentials, one night’s accommodation with breakfast at the swanky Guoman Hotel The Cumberland, and  £100 to spend on the latest trends plus bunch of Sharpie goodies to design DIY fashion masterpieces!

What an amazing opportunity!  I hope we can bring this to the states!

Gotta love the personal touch!

oo La La!

Check out London Fashion Weekend on Facebook!

Break out your daisy dukes, grab a cowboy hat and saddle up – Sharpie’s headed to Nashville!

Sharpie is teaming up with an all-star country line-up this Tuesday, June 22nd for “NASHVILLE RISING: A Benefit Concert for Flood Recovery” at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena!  Spearheaded by country sensations Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, all proceeds from this star-studded concert will benefit The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, which is working to address flood relief and recovery in Middle Tennessee.  

Performances by: Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Montgomery Gentry, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Julie Roberts, Blake Shelton, Michael W. Smith, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, ZZ Top

Sharpie goin’ country

During rehearsals, a massive Sharpie Autograph Wall will be set up backstage for all the performers, special guests and celebs to sign.  On the day of the event, the Sharpie Autograph Wall will be opened up to the public so that they can check out their fav. country stars’ signatures and even sign themselves! 

NASHVILLE RISING Sharpie Autograph Wall

For every autograph signed on the wall, Newell Rubbermaid and Sharpie, Paper Mate & EXPO brands will donate $1, up $10,000 to the cause.  We will also be donating a year’s supply of school supplies to Kingston, a local Nashville school, to help in their rebuilding efforts caused by the flood.

Want to help out but can’t make it to NASHVILLE RISING? 

Not a problem! Text RISING to 501501 to donate $10 to flood relief at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Click HERE for details.

I’ll follow up with and update & pics from the event so stay tuned for more! In the mean time, check out www.nashvillerising.org for more info, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, how to donate to the flood relief, check out the celebs & learn about all of the event’s sponsors. 

Feels good to help someone out, doesn’t it!

Need a chance to let loose & have a little fun?  Looking to give back in a postiive way? 

  … the opportunity is right here!

Literacy Chicago invites you to attend their annual fundraising event, The Well-Read Affair, in support of adult literacy programs taking place on February 25^th!  Join L.C.  in the penthouse ballroom of Hotel 71 for an evening of music, cocktails and hors d’oeurves, accompanied by a silent auction in which attendees will bid on a host of custom bookmarks hand designed with Sharpie markers by artists and celebrities!

Get your ticket here!

Here’s a sneak peak of some of the bookmarks that will be up for bid:

6 words made famous by the great James Earl Jones (another noteworthy performance as Mr. Mertle in "The Sandlot")

Marc Brown's fav book (side 1)

Your everyday Aardvarks (Marc Brown, side 2)

Webster put the actress' picture under "H-O-T"

What's Scarlett Jo.'s fav? The Pokey Little Puppy! (side 2)

Bookmark created by Zac Efron. Mick Jagger anyone?

Literacy Chicago is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the literacy skills of Chicago-area adults and families.  Their programs and services range from free classes in reading and math, to GED prep, one-on-one tutoring in Adult Basic Literacy and English as a Second Language and more.

 Visit Literacy Chicago online for more information about The Well-Read Affair, to purchase your tickets, and learn about all of their programs, as well as other events and volunteer opportunities.    

 The Well-Read Affair

Click here to purchase tickets.

A few more pics just for fun:

A whole lotta Sharpie goin' on (What Elvis would have said)

Sharpie provided lots of markers used to create the bookmakrs that will be up for bid at Literacy Chicago's Well-Read Affair!

Sharpie, with Paper Mate and EXPO is proud to announce a new partnership with TerraCycle, the pioneering upcycling company that finds new ways to repurpose otherwise throwaway items.  Terracycle has become quite popular producing a range of products, including bird feeders, planters and pouches made from recycled materials like used soda bottles and juice boxes.   In fact, you’ve probablly seen some of Terracycle’s stuff before!  Either of there look familiar? 

We are super excited about this particular partnership because we’re launching it off in a way that helps the environment AND your community!  In doing so we’ve created the world’s first UPCYCLING program for used pens, markers and other writing instruments, which in turn, raises funds for schools, charities and non-profits nationwide.  I mean, seriously…how many pens do have you tossed in a lifetime? – Well now you can pitch in and throw (toss, pitch, throw -get it! funny no?) your used pens, markers, etc.. towards good use!

What does the launch of the partnership entail, you ask?

In participating locales, where writing instruments are used most – primarily large corporations and schools -collection centers called “Writing Instrument Brigades” will be set up.  At these collection centers, bring in all your used product and for every writing instrument collected two cents will be donated to the school, community group, charity or non-profit organization of that Brigade’s choice.  Overall, the collection efforts will reduce landfill proliferation, educate and inspire consumers to get involved, and provice much needed funding to schools nad non-profits nationwide.

How the BRIGADE works:

The free program is available to any individual or group and is easy to operate.  Simply sign up with Terracycle (www.terracycle.net) to establish your Brigade location, then select the school, charity or non-profit group to which you want the collection funds to be directed.  Each Brigade prints a pre-paid shipping label from Terracycle’s website to ship the collected writing instruments to Terracycle for upcycling into new products.

This is a, (to quote the great Tony the Tiger) “GRRRRREAT,” simple and easy way for organizations and individuals, alike to help the environment and local communities.

*Make it easy for yourself and collect at your desk, then bring a whole bunch of used Sharpie, EXPO and Papermate markers, pens and pencils to the larger Brigade all at once!  See how quickly 2 CENTS adds up! –Here’s mine! (I used Sharpie markers to DIY a white paint can)!

Fill 'er UP!

For more information on the Writing Instruments Brigade head on over to www.sharpie.com!

After all he's done for you...how could you!? Give him the second chance he deserves - UPCYCLE style!

Most likely, you have had your tree up and decorated for some time now, right? Yeah, me too.. but I had an idea after throwing a Sharpie DIY holiday party with some co-workers, where we customized and designed holiday gift wrap, cards, boxes, ornaments and more.  Ornaments, being the biggest hit, got me thinking that this would make for a fun activity to do with friends and family on a day like Christmas!

What you’ll need:

1. Plain ornaments (Matte-style work best)
2. A sleigh-full of Sharpie permanent markers

Take this in whatever direction you feel like!  If you’re a group of artists, go to town and get all artsy on the ornaments.  If you all have little to no artistic talent, scribble down favorite holiday memories, funny stories or write each other’s character traits on the ornaments (hah that one could get interesting!)  Whatever you decide make it fun! With Sharpie markers and your imagination, the direction you take it is completely up to you!

These are some of the ornaments that my co-workers and I made.  As you can see, some are more detailed than others and they all still look great!

Ornaments made with Sharpie!

Close up!

Lookin' good Ornies! (we're on a nickname basis)

Sticking with the ornament theme, you may remember these bells from back in the day or maybe your kids are at that age now and have brought them home from school.  I actually made these when I was in grade school and thought since I’m older, actually have control over my hands and have legible handwriting, I could take a second stab at this..

Every time a bell rings...

What you’ll need:

1. Small terra-cotta flowerpots (found at any craft store)
2. Tiny bells (also at craft stores)
3. Ribbon
4. A slew of Sharpie markers (I used a combo of Sharpie Water-Based Paint markers and good ol’ fashioned Sharpie Permanent Markers(not pictured))

Materials

Color the pots any color you’d like – and be sure to color a little on the inside too so that you don’t see any clay from an outside view (I had a ton of silver, red, blue and black, hence the color scheme – even Sharpie employees run low own product from time to time).  After coloring, embellish however you’d like!  When finished, thread the ribbon through the drainage hole to make a loop for hanging, then loop another ribbon inside the pot and attach a bell.  Now, start obnoxiously ringing your bells (heehee)!

These are the ones that I made…

O Christmas Tree

Draw your fav mascot or go with a college theme like this! (Rock Chalk)

Anchors away!

Lights. CAMERA. Action.

Now, just for fun I wanted to include this…   When I was out to lunch the other day with a coworker, the restaurant we went to decorated their tree with Sharpie-made ornaments!  In a timeless and classic style, employees names were handwritten on ornaments in metallic gold Sharpie.  Take a look..

Don't mind my brown gloves!

Oo I like the lighting in this one!

Sideways stocking

The Tree! Can you spot the ornaments?!

So what do you think?

How did you decorate for the holidays?  Post your pictures at www.Facebook.com/Sharpie, leave your name, favorite holiday memory, as well as how you used Sharpie markers this year! I’d like to write up a blog post and feature your Sharpie creations!  Can’t wait to see the pictures and hear how you celebrated!

Unwrap What’s Inside!

Happy Holidays!!

Embarrassing as it may be, I took a wonderful piece of wisdom away from one of “the Girls Next Door,” Bridget Marquardt.  While it has nothing to do with romping around the Playboy mansion with Hef, it does relate to taking pride in your work.  You see, in one episode, Bridget explained that when giving a present, she finds the importance in not only the present itself but the overall presentation as well (aka the wrapping)!

As a victim of receiving unappealing gift-wrap, (ie: a brown paper bag with “Happy Birthday” written boldly in green Sharpie over the grocery store name) I fully believe in this concept.  You should always take pride in anything and everything that you associate yourself with and put your name on.  “Lazy” gift wrapping doesn’t send the message you want (unless you plan to leave it on someone’s front door step in flames - wink, wink) nor does it reflect positively on you, the gifter!  Something like grocer gift-wrap tells me, you either A) Forgot B) Did this in the car C) Don’t care all too much about me or D) All of the above.  It may seem to be asking a lot but it really isn’t difficult to put a little creativity, personality, at least some ♥ into wrapping a present! 

Before you scoff at me, here is a perfect example of simple and thoughtful wrapping that has been created by a veteran to the Sharpie Blog, Brian Graves.  Brian was previously featured for his Sharpie art work at the J Bar in Chicago in a post entitled, “BIG Sharpie Art.”  Today, however Brian shares his take on gift wrapping… 

Attending a benefit this month, Champagne Wrap-ture 2009, this BIG artist designed his own wrapping on faux alligator paper from a local paper store with just 2 Sharpie Chisel Tip Permanent Markers!  Overlapping different quotes about France, champagne and style, Graves created this beautiful presentation to house a bottle of champagne. (Thank you for sharing  Brian!) Take a closer look..

What you need to recreate this beautiful gift-wrap:  

1. Assorted Sharpies (black plus another color works well)
2. Plain paper
3. Ribbon
4. Literacy (you’ve made it this far so guess what…)

With these same materials here are a few other inspirations created by our very own Phil Ginnodo (Associate Creative Director). Thanks Phil!

And so, if I may ask one thing of you, my Sharpie enthusiasts, this holiday season pleeease don’t be THAT person gifting poorly wrapped presents.  After all the hard work you put into choosing the perfect present why stop short?  Wrap that baby up and let it stand out as the envy of all the other gifts!

How are you adding a personal touch to gift wrap this season?

UNWRAP what’s inside this Holiday with Sharpie!

www.SharpieUncapped.com

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Back away from the cheese.  Favre, stay put in Minnesota.  I’ve got something better for you…

Sharpie Accent Highlighters!

Alex Koeppler, Leader, Brand Marketing Sharpie, ( @sharpie_AplusK ) sent this picture of some friends dressed up for Halloween in Wisconsin.  These lovely ladies were defintely the HIGHLIGHT of the party

Which got me thinking…

How do YOU use your Sharpie Accent Highlighters?   

• To Highlight important sentences while reading? 
• To Emphasize notes from class?
• To Check items off a list?
• To Stress important dates?
• To Create new art work?

Maybe you use several colors in different ways/for different things? 

The possibilities are endless – Share your favorite ways to use Sharpie Accent Highlighters!

Find the entire Sharpie Accent collection at www.Sharpie.com

Looking At North Forty One West Eighty Seven Milky Way Galaxy Solar System Earth Northern Hemi America United States of America Illinois Chicago Six One Six North Rush Street Six Zero Six One One Exact Point You Are Looking At North Forty One West Eighty Seven Milky Way Galaxy Solar System Earth Northern Hemi North America The Lovely United States of America Illinois The Corrupt City of Chicago Six One Six North Rush Street Six Zero Six One

No, this is not gibberish and don’t worry, we haven’t lost our minds over here at Sharpie either.  These words are in fact a work of Sharpie art and the newest permanent fixture at Jbar, a well-known Chicago hotspot neighboring The James Hotel. 

“Everything inspires me.  Some artists paint pictures and shapes, I paint using words.  Words create images in my head, but I like the way words look when they are placed next to and on top of each other, taking on a form of its own.”  “My technique allows the viewer to think simple letters form complex words, serving to create language as a form of art.”

-Brian Graves

Local Chicago artist, Brian Graves made his Sharpie mark on the bar’s walls with Jgrooves I & II and Jposition I & II, installations from the Jbar Project.  For this project, Graves drew inspiration from different areas, including famous one-liners from popular club songs that have been fixated into his own mind.  The words above are from a portion of the installation, stating the precise location of Jbar itself; beginning with outer space progressing to its exact coordinates on Earth.

*I would like to take this moment to thank you, Mr. Graves, for cursing me with the musical mash-up that is repeating in my head, consisting of Madonna’s Hey Mr Dj, U2’s She Moves in Mysterious Ways, Tina Turner’s Proud Mary and P!nk’s intellectually stimulating, Get this Party Started.*

Graves focuses on the development of self-taught expression of both feeling and emotion in his own form of abstract painting. Letters, words, everyday expressions and emotion combine and collide with color and texture through layers of acrylics, oils, pastels and yes, Sharpie markers!

Artist Brian Graves (second from left) and friends at Jbar

Trust me when I say that you need to see more of Brian Graves’ artwork. Absolutely incredible!  BigArtChicago <— Check it out

Hey, why not see his work up close and personal?!  Grab a cab and jet on over to the JBar at The James.

*A BIG thanks goes out to Raul Ruiz, Sharpie Highlighters Brand Manager for suggesting Brian’s Jbar project for the Sharpie Blog.  Follow Raul on Twitter! (He has a great profile pic)