Coleen McIntyre has been painting and drawing since childhood. On walls, paper, appliances, etc., using anything she could get her hands on.  Especiallyif it had color. Finger-painting, actually, is where it all began.

After finishing high school in New Jersey where she grew up, Coleen graduated college from  The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA with a BFA in Illustration. She then began fine tuning her artwork with watercolor,  a medium she fell in love with. She then moved to gouache, ink, and other mediums in conjunction with the watercolor if the painting calls for it.

Coleen really loved New Jersey and Philadelphia, but  just couldn’t find the inspiration she needed for her artwork on the east coast.  She took a few road trips across the US, eventually settling in Portland, Oregon, surrounding herself with magical scenery from the lush Oregon Coast to the beautiful, eclectic city of Portland. There, she opened an art studio, Faerie Tales Studio, in 2000 and began a small wholesale business selling prints, cards, magnets, and the like.

Coleen states, “I derive most  inspiration from folk tales, other children’s books, songs, and dreams. In these times of much chaos and anger I find peace in the surreal, fantasy world and the wonderful nature which surrounds us. I tend to focus my artwork on the natural and mystical aspects of life.” Goops Unlimited is proud to call Coleen McIntyre part of the Goops team!

The world has begun facing unbelievable challenges. And here at Goops, we are not exempt from those challenges. However, as every new challenge comes our way, or as I like to call them “opportunities,” we face an all-new beginning.

At Goops Unlimited, we are face these challenges with determination, and with dedication. We have many new and wonderful ideas planned which will benefit families in finding options to address good manners. We strive to teach the joy of living and meeting our challenges by full knowing our own self-worth. By our own actions, we set an example for all those we come into contact with.

Determination is very important to accomplish any task. However, it is your attitude that pulls you though life. Determination and Perseverance.

Gelett Burgess wrote of Perseverance:

“Tony started bright and early, cleaning up his room.
Soon he found he had to stop and make a little broom.

So then he went into the yard to get a little stick.
But the garden needed weeding, so he set about it quick.

He then found a wagon he intended to repair,
so he went into the cellar for a hammer that’s up there.

He’d just begun to build a box, when it was time for dinner.
And that’s why Tony’s father called his son, a good beginner.”

And to learn good manners, and practice good behavior, why… that’s a good finisher.

Enjoy the rest of this year, and always hold your head up high. We can make it if we try!

Barbara Ross
Founder, Goops Unlimited

The role of a Grandparent is to help complete the child. Our unconditional love and time to give undivided attention gives children a sense of love and security – and helps strengthen the bond between parent and child as well.

We can share our lives with our grandchildren! They can live the stories we have to tell them… because no one else will. Sharing our struggles and dreams – our hardships and joys – go great lengths in interesting a child, and exciting him or her to learn more about what happened “before me.” Sharing of yourself establishes roots. It helps bring understanding to the past & the future. By learning about others, children begin to understand and respect the cycle of life.

Most children have 4 Grandparents (and sometimes even more today!) to help them understand life. We need to help them find the confidence they deserve – and to be there when they have questions about who they are. Children soon begin to learn the challenges in each generation are quite similar – regardless of the era.  The same priorities for behavior are required, and the same poor choices result in the same disappointments. I feel sharing life’s stories with children helps them to make good choices and understand the importance that respect deserves in life.

Grandparents can set an amazing example by role modeling polite behavior in their daily lives, and enforcing the wishes of parents when grandchildren are in their care. (Mom and Dad’s rules apply at Grandma’s too!) If all the important players in a child’s life set all the appropriate examples… consistency becomes the best teacher.

Our love completes our grandchildren – and our stories are treasured by them. Imagine the stories they’ll tell their grandchildren!

- Barbara Ross

With the help of our brilliant new staff artist, Janie Berry, Goops Unlimited is pleased to be soon offering what we call, “Five Minute Life Lessons for Kids.” The series of activities for parents/teachers/mentors to do with their children only further strengthens our commitment to bringing families closer together.

A lesson your kids will love to learn

In five minutes, your kids can walk away from a fun activity with a new outlook on life! Offering lessons in everything from telling time, to learning how to make decisions, “Five Minute Life Lessons for Kids” will be a welcome addition to your existing collection.

Goops Unlimited is pleased to announce our newly designed website has been launched this past week. In addition, we are in the process of making the final adjustments to Family Academy…  Have you heard?

Family Academy

Family Academy is a web-portal community housing the world’s best experts in family, parenting, and education. With a world class faculty, Family Academy will offer content in the form of videos, audio interviews, articles and much much more. Please be sure to visit the Goops website and click on Family Academy for more information.

This is that time of year again. Families spending time with one another, sharing stories, making each other laugh; what a beautiful time of year. With the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, Goops Unlimited wants to do our best in making your shopping an easy experience.

We will be offering a Holiday promotion running from October 15th through December 15th, 2008. You will receive 20% off of each of our three main books, Goops And How To Be Them, A Treasury of Goops, or Goop Tales. Make the most of this holiday special and share the joy of the Goops with your loved ones.

Exciting things are happening here at Goops Unlimited – and soon enough we will be able to share with you ALL of the exciting details. We are preparing to launch a new product line, as well as a series of classes and informative lessons. Please stat tuned to our website and newsletter for the most recent updates.

Also, Nicholas Beatty, a long time employee of Goops Unlimited, is leaving for UC Berkeley to participate in a week long research project on Gelett Burgess at the Bancroft Library. The library, we’ve just learned, is closing until next year. The Bancroft Collection contains all of Mr. Burgess’ journals and notes pertaining to the creation of his Goops books.

Please check back often. We love to keep in touch with our readers!

In honor of the Mothers we love, Goops Unlimited is offering a special Mother’s Day promotion. The entire Goops collection, Goops and How to Be Them, A Treasury of Goops, and Goop Tales: Alphabetically Told, are available for purchase in a package price of $35.00. (A savings of $15.00)

Share your love for your mother this year with a gift of The Goops. For over 100-years, Goops have been delighting families, and sharing the importance of manners and polite behavior.