Frugal Chariots

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June 2, 2003
Entry: "Phoenix"

This photograph of my phoenix is significantly cooler than the phoenix itself.

Note the duct tape. The camera's point of view in this case would be impossible for actual customers to replicate, unless they actually jumped into the window display. The bird faces a wall, and from the street only his back is visible. So this picture isn't really representational of the end product. But still cool. And certainly representational of the road to the end product.

Three more weeks until the Harry Potter thing. Customers are starting to get into the hype and all. Right now 207 of the 600 copies we've ordered are spoken for.

Replies: 5 comments

Cool! The only thing I will ask for is COLOR. We need to see the full shiny brilliance (1/3 of the books are already sold? That must be quite a boon for your bookstore).

Posted by Remi @ 06/02/2003 10:33 PM EST

A boon indeed. Harry Potter is like a whole extra holiday for us. I knew we were going to have to advertise it all over the store, which is why I did the phoenix window... it's an effort to make the event feel less packaged and commercial. As much as we want to say to people "buy it here! buy it here!" it's nice to actually celebrate the book too. If that makes any sense.

Posted by Elizabeth @ 06/03/2003 08:29 AM EST

The above comment makes more sense if you've seen the window and know that in addition to the large red shiny phoenix it includes a rocking chair, lamp, stacks of books, and old chest, goblets, some owl puppets... lotsa dark fabric... cozy like.

Posted by Elizabeth @ 06/03/2003 08:31 AM EST

I think I understand. Instead of your store acting like a queen bee's nipple (do bees have nipples?) squirting the corporate prefab phenomena into the waiting mouths of the ravenous drones, who have been waiting for said prefab phenomena for three years, you are trying to humanize it a little. You don't call your books 'product', at least, not in front of anyone who doesn't work at the store.

Posted by Remi @ 06/03/2003 01:04 PM EST

Yes.

Posted by Elizabeth @ 06/04/2003 08:00 AM EST

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