Deborah can't believe that in her guest blog post the other day, she forgot to mention the very best selling item from the new baby collection. It was none other than the rattles!
We do a lot of company contests around here. Deborah loves contests! So before the AmericasMart show, we all made predictions of what would be the best selling item category from the baby collection. Would it be First Curl Boxes, Nursery Hooks, Toddler Dishes...?
Well, the person who guessed rattles was none other than... Nancy! Nancy is our office manager. She also has a reputation around here. A reputation for winning what some consider to be more than her fair share of contests. But we won't be hatin' here. We're just congratulatin'. Yay Nancy!! :)
Here she is with her prize- a map of the new hospital!
Just kidding. We also like jokes around here.
Here she is with her real prize- a gift certificate to the University of Oregon Duck Store. Go Ducks!
-Jen
viernes, 25 de julio de 2008
miércoles, 23 de julio de 2008
A Great Show in Atlanta
Hi there! It's been a while since I've posted here. Sorry if you've been checking back, looking for something new. It's been a very busy time here at TW!
Today's post was written by my first guest blogger- none other than Deborah Chapman, TW owner. Last week she returned from the AmericasMart show in Atlanta, and she has a lot to share with you! Keep reading for show info and lots of great links to fun things online.
-Jen
Wow! What a show!
Last week we launched our new Crosby & Taylor Collections (Baby Line and American Stoneware) at AmericasMart in Atlanta.
Rosella (my high-school aged daughter) and Malina (the daughter of my office mate from grad school days at the U of O) joined me in our booth. Everyone loved talking with the girls and it seemed like they were born to sell pewter. I rewarded them with some great restaurant meals at Nava, Murphy’s, and The Flying Biscuit.
Rosella (l) and Malina (r) enjoying a meal at Nava.
Although many people felt that there were fewer buyers at the show (than in past summers), our ads led them right to our booth. We hardly stopped writing orders or talking throughout the show.
Most popular items were our new toddler dishes, our new American stoneware, and our measuring cups. The SuperPosts were also a huge hit. Oddly enough, even though the news is full of doom and gloom about the economy, our highest priced items are still our top-sellers.
Buyers were excited to hear that our Vineyard Spoons and Cups – on individual posts – and on the SuperPost – have been selected as a Paula’s Pick for her Christmas magazine. We believe that this will hit the newsstands next month. AmericasMart is putting in a new demonstration kitchen and there was a rumor circulating that Paula will be the guest cook at the January show. We have our fingers crossed!
An added bonus to doing a trade show is seeing our booth neighbors. We loved the new colors in Glenn’s Royal Palm Botanicals products and his disco music, of course. (But we missed his dance moves.) Ricky and Lucy, of Diane Markin, are every bit as cute as Lucy and Ricky were on our favorite old T.V. show!
Sandra, of Bryson Studios, delighted us with the news that she is expecting her first child in November. And Bonnie, from Sunblossom Solar Gifts, told me all about her upcoming trip to Beijing to cheer on her amazing son-in-law, Paul Schulte.
We were on sabbatical this year from Buyers Market but look forward to returning there – and to AmericasMart – in early 2009.
-Deborah
Photo of Paula Deen courtesy of pauladeen.com. Photo of Paul Schulte courtesy of paulschulte.com.
Today's post was written by my first guest blogger- none other than Deborah Chapman, TW owner. Last week she returned from the AmericasMart show in Atlanta, and she has a lot to share with you! Keep reading for show info and lots of great links to fun things online.
-Jen
Wow! What a show!
Last week we launched our new Crosby & Taylor Collections (Baby Line and American Stoneware) at AmericasMart in Atlanta.
Rosella (my high-school aged daughter) and Malina (the daughter of my office mate from grad school days at the U of O) joined me in our booth. Everyone loved talking with the girls and it seemed like they were born to sell pewter. I rewarded them with some great restaurant meals at Nava, Murphy’s, and The Flying Biscuit.
Rosella (l) and Malina (r) enjoying a meal at Nava.
Although many people felt that there were fewer buyers at the show (than in past summers), our ads led them right to our booth. We hardly stopped writing orders or talking throughout the show.
Most popular items were our new toddler dishes, our new American stoneware, and our measuring cups. The SuperPosts were also a huge hit. Oddly enough, even though the news is full of doom and gloom about the economy, our highest priced items are still our top-sellers.
Buyers were excited to hear that our Vineyard Spoons and Cups – on individual posts – and on the SuperPost – have been selected as a Paula’s Pick for her Christmas magazine. We believe that this will hit the newsstands next month. AmericasMart is putting in a new demonstration kitchen and there was a rumor circulating that Paula will be the guest cook at the January show. We have our fingers crossed!
An added bonus to doing a trade show is seeing our booth neighbors. We loved the new colors in Glenn’s Royal Palm Botanicals products and his disco music, of course. (But we missed his dance moves.) Ricky and Lucy, of Diane Markin, are every bit as cute as Lucy and Ricky were on our favorite old T.V. show!
Sandra, of Bryson Studios, delighted us with the news that she is expecting her first child in November. And Bonnie, from Sunblossom Solar Gifts, told me all about her upcoming trip to Beijing to cheer on her amazing son-in-law, Paul Schulte.
We were on sabbatical this year from Buyers Market but look forward to returning there – and to AmericasMart – in early 2009.
-Deborah
Photo of Paula Deen courtesy of pauladeen.com. Photo of Paul Schulte courtesy of paulschulte.com.
jueves, 3 de julio de 2008
Perfect Potato Salad
Ahhh, the fourth of July is coming right up at the end of the week. I can hardly wait to celebrate my rights as an American by eating a lot of food that is not necessarily good for me.
I know most Americans will be putting away a pound or two of potato salad. What could be more American? Ok, I know, I know- hot dogs and apple pie. I don't know about you, but I don't need much help with hot dogs, and it's much too hot for me to even think about baking apple pie. But the perfect potato salad- now that takes a bit of know-how.
So I turn to that American institution, the venerable "Joy of Cooking." One thing I like about this book is that it tells me why I need to do something. This greatly increases the chances that I will actually do whatever it is. (By personality, I am generally a direction follower, but sometimes you need to know why in a recipe, or you might take a shortcut or make a substitution that just doesn't work. Everyone does it. Admit it- you have.)
For example, Joy says to use waxy potatoes, rather than russets or other baking potatoes. Why? Waxy ones hold their shape better once they are cooked, and won't crumble when you slice or dice them. Red Bliss and Yellow Finn are good choices, as are any new (baby) potatoes.
The following is a wonderful basic recipe. It's great as-is, or it can be dressed up a bit with your favorite add-ins. There must be as many varieties of potato salad as there are cooks. You can throw in some pickle relish, black olives, crumbled crisp cooked bacon, mint, pimientos, whole-grain mustard, halved cherry tomatoes, or hard boiled eggs. Now me, I really like hard-boiled eggs. However, I have a husband who eats just about anything, yet acts as though you are killing him if you so much as ask him to be in the same house with a hard-boiled egg. Sigh. I am long-suffering.
American Potato Salad
2 lbs. red or other waxy potatoes
1 med. celery stalk, diced
2 Tbsp. finely snipped fresh chives, or 2 scallions minced, or 2 Tbsp. minced red onion
1/4 c. minced fresh parsley (You can probably substitute dried here, but I really recommend the fresh.)
3/4 to 1 c. mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. milk or red wine vinegar
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1. Bring the potatoes to a boil in a large pot with enough salted water to cover. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until the potatoes are fork-tender, 20-25 min. Drain, peel if desired, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
2. In a medium bowl, toss the potatoes with the diced celery, chives, scallions, or red onions, and the parsley.
3. Stir together the mayo and milk or vinegar. Add the mayo mixture to the warm potato mixture and toss gently to coat. Season with salt and ground black pepper.
See how simple that is? You can do that. And you should. It's so good.
Here's my own little public service announcement- I have heard that the fourth of July is when the most dogs run away every year, frightened by fireworks. So please make sure your animals are in a safe place. For more info, see the SPCA website here.
Have a great and safe holiday, everyone!
I know most Americans will be putting away a pound or two of potato salad. What could be more American? Ok, I know, I know- hot dogs and apple pie. I don't know about you, but I don't need much help with hot dogs, and it's much too hot for me to even think about baking apple pie. But the perfect potato salad- now that takes a bit of know-how.
So I turn to that American institution, the venerable "Joy of Cooking." One thing I like about this book is that it tells me why I need to do something. This greatly increases the chances that I will actually do whatever it is. (By personality, I am generally a direction follower, but sometimes you need to know why in a recipe, or you might take a shortcut or make a substitution that just doesn't work. Everyone does it. Admit it- you have.)
For example, Joy says to use waxy potatoes, rather than russets or other baking potatoes. Why? Waxy ones hold their shape better once they are cooked, and won't crumble when you slice or dice them. Red Bliss and Yellow Finn are good choices, as are any new (baby) potatoes.
The following is a wonderful basic recipe. It's great as-is, or it can be dressed up a bit with your favorite add-ins. There must be as many varieties of potato salad as there are cooks. You can throw in some pickle relish, black olives, crumbled crisp cooked bacon, mint, pimientos, whole-grain mustard, halved cherry tomatoes, or hard boiled eggs. Now me, I really like hard-boiled eggs. However, I have a husband who eats just about anything, yet acts as though you are killing him if you so much as ask him to be in the same house with a hard-boiled egg. Sigh. I am long-suffering.
American Potato Salad
2 lbs. red or other waxy potatoes
1 med. celery stalk, diced
2 Tbsp. finely snipped fresh chives, or 2 scallions minced, or 2 Tbsp. minced red onion
1/4 c. minced fresh parsley (You can probably substitute dried here, but I really recommend the fresh.)
3/4 to 1 c. mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. milk or red wine vinegar
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1. Bring the potatoes to a boil in a large pot with enough salted water to cover. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until the potatoes are fork-tender, 20-25 min. Drain, peel if desired, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
2. In a medium bowl, toss the potatoes with the diced celery, chives, scallions, or red onions, and the parsley.
3. Stir together the mayo and milk or vinegar. Add the mayo mixture to the warm potato mixture and toss gently to coat. Season with salt and ground black pepper.
See how simple that is? You can do that. And you should. It's so good.
Here's my own little public service announcement- I have heard that the fourth of July is when the most dogs run away every year, frightened by fireworks. So please make sure your animals are in a safe place. For more info, see the SPCA website here.
Have a great and safe holiday, everyone!
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