Letters. I love 'em. And I get all kinds here at the office ... and I mean all kinds. Many of them thank us for the magazine, just as many offer suggestions for articles. We have requests for publicity, similar to one that I recently received from the people at Gaynors, in Farmington Hills, Ml, asking for a mention of their show/educational seminar planned for Aug. 8 (the program is scheduled at the Holiday Inn-Southfield, and promises clinics on silk and linen wrap, nail tips, pedicures, nail painting and jewelry. Call (313) 855-0033 for more details.).

We also receive requests for product information, and a variety of "I know the product is out there but I can't seem to find it" letters.

An example is a correspondence I received from a G. Macomb, New York, NY, trying to find a supplier of plastic nails tips. Not just any tips, but tips "at least 3/4" and long." She adds, "All women do not have the model type hands and I feel that somebody must of thought of this and produced a tip of this size." Attention, manufacturers and suppliers in New York: The address is P.O. Box 463, New York, NY 10163.

But of all the letters that have come into the magazine office of late, my personal favorites have been anonymous ... reflecting a somewhat madcap sense of humor. Allow me:

Dear Editor,

I really like your magazine and its informative articles. I've learned a lot about the nail industry and plan to enter it someday with some new products. Do you know, has any one else done video nails? What about little pots and pans that housewives can get glued onto their fingernails? What about acrylic nails shaped exactly like MX missiles, complete with insignias and optional silos to go around the fingers? Signed: More Ideas Than Money

Or how about this one . ..

Dear Editor,

Is there any way that you've heard of to make money off fingernail clippings? I've been saving them, trying to think up some kind of money-making scheme. Like the pet rock or something. I've got bags of this stuff, but I can't seem to come up with a real good idea. Maybe I should do just donate them to a kindergarten for craft time, but I just thought there might be some way to make money off this stuff.-Signed: Worried About Wasting My Time.

As I said, I get all kinds of letters ... all kinds. But in the words of that immortal statesman and modern day philosopher who may or may not be remembered thanks to late night televisions reruns ..." Remember, keep those cards and letters."

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.