On Friday, Heather was describing her progress with Virtual Jewelry, a product line she was developing for Still Waters Arts. In the past few months, she had found and exploited way to put colorful design transfers on the bare skin, making them into a kind of sensual jewelry.
She had placed orders with a production house for test quantities of designs and graphic elements. Production was simple because the CAD designs went straight to a computer that turned them into silk-screen stencils.
Saul, as vice president and marketing leader, reported progress with trade-marking the product and with negotiations for long-term protection of the concept. Sigrid Sorenson, treasurer, described the financial side of product development and the current business.
“We need some kind of a test run, Anne,” Heather said. “I´m so high on this, but I can´t be sure anyone else will be. We need to try this out on some people.”
“You want a focus group.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Try this,” said Saul, “let´s have a New Year´s party.”
“How does that help?” Anne wanted to know.
“New Year´s Day is a Tuesday. We could have people here for five days. All we have to do is set it up so that all they wear is Virtual Jewelry.”
“Who do we ask?”
“You asked for an idea, not a plan. Anyone else?”
Heather said, “We need people who won´t run out and tell the world about this. We don´t want to tip off any competition or imitators. Who we ask is important. Can´t just invite the Kappa Kappa Gammas and the Phi Delts.”
“They´d have a heart attack the minute you took off your shirt, Heather,” Mary laughed, “I can just see it ... But, I´ve got an idea.”
“So?” Saul asked.
“Simple. We ask our folks.”
“You´re crazy,” Alex said. “Mine would never come.”
“Well, let´s see. I think mine would. Who else?”
The guesses were that perhaps four sets of parents would agree to spend a rather wild New Year´s with them.
“Don´t forget Sarah and Steve. I´ll bet they come,” Sigrid said.
“Maybe Dan and Consuela,” Mary added. They were her cousin and his girlfriend.
“Let´s give it a try, Saul,” Anne said.
oOo.
Heather and Alex held a day of training for four new Still Waters Graphics franchises that would sell the Life Studies and erotic stationery lines. They hired a room in a local hotel and set up the equipment. Each new franchise sent two representatives, one male, one female.
They quickly explained the business aspects. Life Studies were nude sketches of Anne and Mary made by students at the university. Anne had bought the rights to them and Still Waters Graphics sold low-cost reproductions for college students as room decorations.
Still Waters Stationery used computer graphics to take a live nude photo and turn it into stylized stationery for their college customers. Alex and Tom had found ways to make their high-end computer printers turn out quality reproductions of all their products in a variety of formats.
When the business aspects were covered, Heather began on the techniques for making the stationery.
“Probably the most important thing is to make sure the customer feels comfortable,” Heather said. “Not everyone who wants erotic stationery is ready to take their clothes off in front of a stranger.”
Alex commented, “We´ve had a number of customers who insist on same-sex operators. That´s why there are two of you from each location. But you also have to be prepared for the unexpected.”
“Like the football hero who gets his clothes off and makes a pass at you,” Heather said.
“Or a woman who tries to entrap you,” said Alex.
“That´s how I got him,” Heather smiled. “But he´s right, it is a problem. Always have someone else in the store, close by. Whenever you can, leave the door open. Set up the posing room so you can do that.”
“What about people who want their stuff fully clothed?” one man asked.
“Do what they ask. Charge the same price,” said Alex.
They discussed the special problems presented by African-American customers, requiring special techniques to adjust their coloring and obtain the necessary outlines.
“What about special requests?”
“You´ll get them quite frequently. When you do, simply charge time and materials extra. Anything interesting, send to us,” Alex said. “Some of our best designs were suggested by customers who looked at what we´re doing in a different way. Heather, here, is one of them.”
“And don´t be surprised or flustered,” Heather said. “One day, Alex had a customer who wanted a special order, but wouldn´t say what. He took her into the posing room and she hopped up on the table, lifted her skirt and her knees and made him do a set of stationery of her pussy.”
“It was surprising, but not especially exciting,” Alex said. “A little like doing mug shots.”
The trainees went away and began reporting a steady stream of orders.
oOo.
Once there was a supply of Virtual Jewelry on hand, Heather made a practice of wearing nothing else, changing her ornaments every day or so. Usually, she covered her torso from her belly to her breasts, occasionally decorated her legs. When she could get someone to help, she put transfers on her back, as well. She was careful not to wear Virtual Jewelry where it could be seen through her clothes. But at home, she was a moving mass of changing color and design.
More and more, the other women began using Virtual Jewelry for fun and effect. Anne grumbled about having to wash off her “VeeJays” before going to the gym to swim.