SCARVES - Our Story on How we Got Started Selling them

After my Mom passed in June of 2001, I took over her "job" as vice president of the St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church's Rosary Altar Society.

Part of the duties included chairing the St. Patrick's Day card party. There are 15 -20 tables where the ladies play different card games, Pokeno or whatever.  Whomever finishes with the highest score gets a gift = "Table Prize".

So with that in mind I was constantly looking for an appropriate St. Patrick's gift to give the ladies.  One day when we were walking into a large store there was a lady outside selling scarves as a fund raiser for a Children's Hospital. 

Lo and Behold she had scarves with green shamrocks.  I thought I hit the lottery.  She agreed to sell them to me in bulk and she would bring them back with her the next time she came.  We went back several times but she was a no show.  The Christmas holidays came and still nothing. 

At this point I had me heart set on giving these scarves so I started an internet search.  That was so many years ago the internet was not the same as it is today and I came up empty handed. 

We were living on Long Island - just a 35 minute train ride to midtown Manhattan.  One day when we were in the city we came across a wholesale seller of the scarves.  I told them I needed 40 scarves and they sorta laughed and said their minimum order was $500.00.

Oh dear Lord, my balloon got so deflated.  We walked away to talk about it.  I explained to Gene that I had searched and searched the internet for these scarves and came up empty, so certainly we should be able to sell them on eBay. 

Needless to say we went back to them and came away with my 40 Shamrock scarves plus many, many more.  LOL

While we were still living there we would go to the warehouse in the Garment District of New York City. They would take me back into the storage area where I was able to pull packages right off the shelves. I was like a kid in a candy store.

 

That was 9 years ago and almost 2000 scarves ago.  Now I believe we have the largest selection of over 80 different designs on eBay and perhaps the Net. 

They are 13" x 60" and so light and silky for under a collar in spring and summer, but do offer warmth in the fall and winter when worn around the neck.  We also have some little 21" square neckerchiefs and 40" large squares / shawls.

We have had ladies use them as a belt / sash or as a head wrap or just over the shoulders to keep off the draft from an air conditioner or fan besides wearing them in the more traditional ways.  

The material is called stain stripe.  It is all polyester with a stripe of see through and an alternating stripe of satin.  The design is printed on the whole scarf.  I was also thrilled to learn they are made in Korea and are all brand new, not seconds with their little tag in tact.

There are so many designs  - animals; flowers; American flags; pink ribbons; red hats; music; Picasso; solid colors; all holidays; squares, swirls and many, many designs in every color imaginable.

The beauty of this fabric is that it comes out of the washer and dryer looking brand new.  

I am noticing on TV that scarves are really becoming popular again and do add so much versatility to just a few basic outfits. 

 All our scarf listings on eBay. 

Steve Taube (RIP) /Turquoise Artist Bad Boys Mine, Cripple Creek CO

In Oct. 2010 we were at a craft show in Palmer Lake, CO.  Across from us was the mother of a turquoise jeweler/ artist who wraps Cripple Creek turquoise in sterling silver. 

We really liked his work so when we got home we checked eBay and the only Cripple Creek stones I found were just nuggets and none that were wrapped.

Normally I am not looking for consignment items to sell, but this intrigued me.

Long story short, we met the jeweler at his home.  Steve Taube, gave us a complete tour and started by showing us the rough stone, the way it comes out of the mine. (Update - Steve is now deceased  - RIP)

Each time a rough rock is cut, ground and polished is like Christmas morning, opening a new present.

And the machines he uses to grind 

and polish the stones.

As we sat at the table he wrapped a nugget in 3 separate strands of sterling silver wire.

It is rumored that there is trouble at the mine and it is now closed for an indefinite amount of time.  Fortunately Steve has many pounds of the rock but once it is gone, who knows if or when there will be anymore.  

Steve's signature is the little loops at the top of all his pieces. 

He has a fantastic reputation and a following.  Here is a feedback we received from one of the pieces we sold on eBay."GOOORGEOUS turquoise! Exceptional Artist Piece, My 3rd from him Super Quick Ship "   

Why I Blog

Gene, Danna & Jimmy

In Oct. 2008 I Gene and I had the privilege to drive Danna & Jimmy Crawford (powersellingmom.com) from an eBay gathering in Hays, KS to Denver.  

In the 3 1/2 hours we were in the car Danna asked me if I blogged.  I gulped and said no,  not really - thinking what would I write about and who wants to read about me, or my stuff or my life?

Boy was I wrong.  

A blog can be many things and for me it is to promote our eBay listings by using keywords to get folks to the blog and then hopefully they will be curious enough to click on our logo that will take them to our listings. 

Griff and me

While we were in Kansas we met some very amazing eBayers, including Griff.  He did a review of one of my listings as a workshop to a room full of people.  

Griff recommended that we use a mannequin to display our ladies scarves.  That mannequin has become our logo and hopefully our brand. 

Picking a subject that is keyword rich is the secret I use to be visible on the 1st page of a Google, Yahoo or Bing search. 

A restaurant that was on the Food Network - Diners, Drive-In and Dives that we ate at in Chicago

 One easy way to get started is to do reviews of businesses in a community or city that will bring locals to the blog looking for a review of that business. 

Guest interview on eBay Radio with Griff & Lee 12/7/10 

Please email me at HerbsCraftsGifts@aol.com with a link to your blog so I can become a follower. 

One tool to help promote your blog is EntreCard. I will be demonstrating EntreCard in a Webinar, for the members of
Virtual Online Learning, on Jan. 13, 2011.  Membership goes up on 1/1/11 so join now and save $50.00.

Join my new Yahoo group / message board, I just created for new and experienced bloggers.  Blogging 101 and Beyond

Try it- blogging can be alot of fun and you can meet alot of new, interesting people along the journey.

Now that it is Cool our Herbs and Spices are Relisted

 

The cool weather is upon us and our herbs and spices are relisted and will be safe to ship without alot of heat to harm them.

Now is the time to start collecting items to put in those holiday gift baskets.  How about a themed basket?  Here is a list of suggestions - Gift Basket suggestions
 
Don't forget:-
* Because of our concern for the environment  and excess waste, all our herbs and spices are packaged in small bags rather than glass or plastic bottles, so all those glass bottles can be recycled.
* All bags are heat-sealed in a smoke free & pet free kitchen.
* Typically the shelf life of herbs or spices is 1 year. It is recommended they be replaced annually to have the most flavor.
* Most cooks do not use large quantities so at these prices it is more economical to buy in smaller quantities & not have to throw away a lot of old, stale herbs that have lost their flavor and in some cases, color.
* Don't let our low prices fool you, it is not unusual for herbs and spices to be marked up several 1000's of percent in the grocery stores.  Our herbs and spices are all high quality. and since we buy in bulk and repackage into smaller packages and we can pass the savings on.
* Besides using these herbs and spices in your own kitchen they make perfect gifts for a friends, relatives, teachers or in  gift baskets. 
* We sell Culinary, Mexican/Alternative Herbs, Yerbas and Remedios. 

List of Herbs and Spices

Spanish to Engish Herbs / Yerbas Remedios Names

 We have been in the herb and spice business for over 13 years and have over 150 different Culinary (cooking), dried botanicals and Mexican healing herbs and spices in our inventory. This is just a list of translations and not a complete list of our entire inventory with some of the Herbs and Spices used by New Mexicans and other Hispanics.

As always please consult a doctor before using any alternative healing

 Alucema - Lavender =  Infections; sleep aid. Boil some in water ½ hour before kids bedtime. Will quiet them right down.

Albahacar - Basil = Digestion; good luck.

Anis - Anise Seed = Gas; digestion; cramps; stomach weakness.

Anis Estrella - Anise / Star =  For new born babies when they can't stop crying.
Axocopaque - Wintergreen

Azafran (Mexican Saffron) - Safflower =  Used in cooking to add reddish color, very little taste - Spanish rice

Barbas de Elote - Corn Silk = Lungs; circulation

Boldo Boldo Leaves =  - Liver; scars (face); cramps.

Canela - Cinnamon = Digestion; can be used as a tea after strong emotions

Cola de Caballo - Shave Grass / Horsetail = Lungs; menopause; diarrhea

Confrey - Comfrey –  Bones; muscular pain; arthritis.

Endeldo - Dill =  Internal pain

Epazote – Removes gas from gaseous foods. Add to pot of beans ½ hour before they are finished cooking. Good in gaseous veggies too. It is the same enzyme used in Bean-o!
Epazote de Comer - Mexican Tea =  Removes gas when cooked in food (lst 30 minutes); worms; parasites.

Estiafate - Mugwort = Stomach ache

Eucalipto - Eucalyptus =  asthma; cough

Gobernadora -  Chaparral = Clean the system; helps with urination.
Gordolobo - Mullein Flowers =Cough

Hinojo -  Fennel = Gas; indigestion; cramps

Hojasen - Senna = Liver; parasites

Jamaica - Hibiscus =  Lungs; stomach; fever. Great added to lemonade to make it pink and give it a kick. Especially yummy with lavender added in too.

Manrubio - Horehound = Cough; cold

Manzanilla - Chamomile =  Stomach; to start menstruation

Mejorana -  Marjoram = Circulation; gas.

Menta -  Peppermint = Aids digestion; stomach ache

Mostaza Amarilla - Mustard/Yellow

Nuez Moscada - Nutmeg =  Appetites

Pasiflora - Passion Flowers =  Best herb for sleep

Poleo -  PennyRoyal = Colds; stomach ache

Romero - Rosemary = Menopause; head ache; asthma; chronic colds
Rosa de Castilla -  Rose Buds = Skin; baby cramps; help to relax. Luxurious as a pampering cup of tea.

Ruda - Rue = Head ache; ear

Salvia - Sage =  Menopause; digestion

Sauco - Elder Flowers = Skin conditions; lung infections

Siete Azahares - Seven Blossoms = Siete Azahares - Nerves; sleep aid

Tila - Linden Flowers = Nerves; cough; asthma

Yerba Buena - Spearmint = Stomach ache

Zarzaparrilla - Sarsaparilla = Veneral disease

Scarves and Scarf Clips / Holders

Scarves are becoming popular again as a fashion accessory.  One outfit can be changed dramatically with the addition of different scarves. Going from the office to dinner?  Try a solid during the day and a more playful one in the evening!

Or even make a statement with your scarf like the red one for Heart awareness day or month; pink ribbon ones for Breast Cancer Awareness and support; all the different holidays, singers / musicians love the musical ones, and on and on.

The scarf clips just slides up and snaps closed, so there is no bulky knot.  I think it depends on the outfit on whether it is tied or has a holder.

Our polyester satin striped scarves are soft like silk, machine washable and come out of the dryer looking better than new.

What is satin striped? The design is printed on cloth that is strips of smooth satin and a strip of see thru fabric.

I love to wear a scarf under the collar of a jacket or blouse or doubled up under a coat.  Wool makes me itch but these are just as toasty and not as bulky. 

See all 90+ scarf designs and 15+ clips / holders 

Proud member of Virtual Online Learning 

Ken Buck; Peggy Littleton and Larry Liston

L - R Larry Liston; Peggy Littleton; Gene; Me; Ken Buck

First thing you need to know is that for political signs, we have a prime corner on a fairly busy street.  Since we have lived here we have allowed political signs, after we give permission.

This year it has been alittle different.  During the primary we TV watchers were subjected to continuous negative campaigns.  We really believe that a candidate should and must tout what they intend to do, not what the oppositions shortcomings are.  

I have been in retail for may years and am curious when advertising turned around and started mentioning the competition.  Why anyone would mention the opponents names is beyond me!

So during the primary we pulled signs for anyone doing negative campaigning.  Now for the general election - his sign reappeared so we pulled it again.  

Then out of the clear blue sky another sign appeared for another candidate who we have never met, or gave permission too.

So what else does one do but gripe on Facebook.  LOL.  

There was all sorts of responses and lo and behold the door bell rang tonight and there stood all 3 of them - Ken Buck for US Senate, Peggy Littleton running for County Commission and Larry Liston our State Rep. 

They were on a tight schedule but just had to stop by and clear the air.  To say we are impressed is a huge understatement.  For them to take the time to visit us and chat for even just a few minutes is humbling.  

Not only we will put up their signs again, we will also be putting one up for John Suthers- our Attorney General running for reelection.

New Shipment of RUBBER DUCKIES Almost wordless Wed.

 And they are all sooooooooo cute. Vote for your favorite. The ahhh ones are last.

Monsters

 

 

 

Robots

 

Hairdresser

Get Well

Scarecrows (use for place setting on Thanksgiving)

Excersise - love the weightlifter (big muscles small head!)

Transportation

s

Fairies

 See all our ducks for the holidays including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, patriotic and lots more. Perfect gifts, for a desk top, stocking stuffer, float in pool or hot tub, gift tie etc. 

Where to buy our ducks

Some Sights at Colorado State Fair, Pueblo, CO 2010

Some of the people, food and sights at the fair. 

 

Our booth

Matt Meister / Weatherman from KRDO-TV  13

 

Best food at the fair - Chan's Chicken on a Stick

Monster Trucks had 2 shows. 

Batman was there protecting everyone  LOL!!

The Wendy's Girl and a frosty passing out coupons. 

 and a street juggler, too. 

World's Largest Carved Watermelon Centerpiece Sept. 2010

 Chef Daniel Bartlett conceived the idea of creating a 16 foot high, carved watermelon centerpiece.  Several chefs carved 500 watermelons for many days, the last batch being done at the fair.  They are submitting documentation to be considered for a world record!!

 

We were lucky,  it was almost next to our Personalized Rice Necklace booth, so I kept dashing over there to check out their progress.  

The pictures speak for themselves!!

The frame was back-filled with watermelons and the spaces filled in with ruffled Kale. 

An eggplant with a summer squash. 

They constructed it on a Friday and had to take it down on Sunday.  I was sad to see it go.  Every time I looked at it, I saw something more amazing.