Since HERBS is the first word in our name, I want to share how we got started selling them.
One Christmas about 12 years ago we were pretty poor and had no idea what to give everyone as gifts. I happened across an ad for a company that sold all the ingredients to make potpourri. One of the items was whole cloves. I was so impressed by the size and fragrance, I decided to try their other herbs, for our own use.
The next one we got was Bay Leaves. They were huge, actually the largest I had even seen.
We were doing craft shows at the time and started packaging them. To our surprise folks were very happy with them and started asking for more. We only added culinary herbs at 1st, because that is what I knew about, since I love to cook.
But because we were living in NM alot of people were asking for the herbs they have used for centuries for healing and well being. We sought out Mexican herb suppliers along with other suppliers of dried Botanicals too.
The shop was in our living room for a few years until there was no more room. In 1998 we opened a brick and mortar store with nearly 400 herbs, spices, healing herbs and Mexican herbs. In 2001 we sold and closed the store in order to move to New York.
The inventory is building again (up to 130) and the goal is to have them all listed on eBay by the 1st of October along with alot of potpourri ingredients, recipes and fragrance oils. As folks request certain herbs, we will be adding those too.
Most are packaged in 1 ounce packages and are so much fresher than what is bought commercially. When we sell them now at face to face meetings, we give a warning to use less than they normally would since they are so much more potent that what they are used to buying.
We are so grateful for those early beginnings and all the lessons our customers have taught us about the use and advantages of some things I never ever heard of.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
My eBay Story
We have been members since Feb. 1998 and just started with buying and selling a few things a year for the 1st few years. The 1st item that got us hooked was a set of (Pillsbury Dough Boy) Poppin' Fresh's Grandma and Grandpa. The set sold for $80.00 with a lot of bidding. We thought that was amazing and have been in awe of what people will buy (and more importantly - pay) ever since.
In 2002 I was chairlady of a card party at our church for St. Patricks Day. I had seen long scarves with shamrocks, in a store, and set out to find them, to give as prizes. After a lot of searching on the internet and on eBay, we determined there were none. We were living in NY at the time and stumbled upon a scarf supplier.
When I told them I needed 40 scarves on the one design, they sorta laughed and said all their product needs to be bought by the dozen and they have a $500 minimum order. WHAT!!!??
So we talked about it and thought that since we couldn't find them online after a very intense search, there could be a market for us.
We went back to the wholesaler and said we are ready to buy. They looked at us like we were nuts. Now we have over 85 designs and have sold 1000's of the scarves, both wholesale and retail. Even tho' there are other scarf sellers, I believe we have the largest selection in the retail market.
Since then we have added other product lines along the way including shoelaces, no headache sun visors and headbands.
When we left NY in 2005 we moved with many, many boxes from the home we inherited, with the anticipation of selling them on eBay over the next several years. So those one of a kind items are slowly being listed along with several other previously owned things we have gathered from here and there, including some of our own collections.
In March 2008 we became Powersellers and were able to attend eBay LIVE in Chicago in June.
In 2002 I was chairlady of a card party at our church for St. Patricks Day. I had seen long scarves with shamrocks, in a store, and set out to find them, to give as prizes. After a lot of searching on the internet and on eBay, we determined there were none. We were living in NY at the time and stumbled upon a scarf supplier.
When I told them I needed 40 scarves on the one design, they sorta laughed and said all their product needs to be bought by the dozen and they have a $500 minimum order. WHAT!!!??
So we talked about it and thought that since we couldn't find them online after a very intense search, there could be a market for us.
We went back to the wholesaler and said we are ready to buy. They looked at us like we were nuts. Now we have over 85 designs and have sold 1000's of the scarves, both wholesale and retail. Even tho' there are other scarf sellers, I believe we have the largest selection in the retail market.
Since then we have added other product lines along the way including shoelaces, no headache sun visors and headbands.
When we left NY in 2005 we moved with many, many boxes from the home we inherited, with the anticipation of selling them on eBay over the next several years. So those one of a kind items are slowly being listed along with several other previously owned things we have gathered from here and there, including some of our own collections.
In March 2008 we became Powersellers and were able to attend eBay LIVE in Chicago in June.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Organic pest control
Someone left a comment on one of my posts asking the question . . .
"how do I keep bugs from eating my basil?"
"how do I keep bugs from eating my basil?"
I'm an organic gardener and don't use chemicals in my garden, especially on herbs and vegetables.
There are several recipes that I've used to control pests, but the one that is very simple . . . a squirt of dishwashing liquid in a gallon of water (do not use Dawn or any other grease cutting dishwashing liquid). You can also add a teaspoon of cooking oil to make it stick to the leaves of the plant.
Something else I have learned is spray the plant with plain water with the spray nozzle on the hose . . . the spray of water will knock the bugs off the plant.
The key is to keep the leaves clean and check your plants often.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
My Introduction
I hope with this blog to start conversations on many subjects. We have alot of areas of interest and life experiences. Between the 2 of us we have 6 grown children and 5 grandchildren scattered all over the country.
Long Island, NY is where I was born and raised and moved to NM in the mid 60's. For the most part we stayed there until 2001 (with only 2 1/2 years in Las Vegas, NV) My is husband is from Central, NM. In 2001 we moved back to the old home to take care of my ailing mother, with all intentions of staying for a long time. But she had other plans and passed, while in a nurning home, 3 1/2 months after we got there. We stayed for another couple of years when we finally decided NY was not for us. It was a hard decision as to where to move to, since we could go anywhere. Even considered Mexico fo a time. When my son said they were have a baby here in Colorado, we knew immediately that was where we wanted to be.
So here we are. To keep ourselves from sitting around and watching alot of TV we are eBaying alot of things we find at yard sales or estate sales including many, many things from the old home in New York.
We also do craft shows, fairs and our newest venture is the local flea market every weekend. Not only do we sell some of the new things we sell on eBay, and all the culinary herbs and spices along with dried botanicals and healing herbs, we also write names on rice and make rice charms for necklaces, key chains, charm bracelets and cell phones.
Among othere things we like do do is some gardening, cooking /canning (making jams)/ freezing the summer produce to enjoy in the winter. We belong to the Knights of Columbus (DH is 4th degree honor guard); the red hat society and we are thinking about joining a senior club, but really don't have the time.
Two days a week we babysit the grandson who is responsible for us being here. What a joy and. every time he is here is a real trip. Last week the notable comment was - He was eating a Pecot (combination peach and apricot) and I asked if he liked it. He is not quite 4 yet and his immediate response was - Yes I like the pecot - it is very nutritious. ( I gulped and choked back a laugh).
Anything in italiacs will be the subject of a future post - so please come back and look for it.
Long Island, NY is where I was born and raised and moved to NM in the mid 60's. For the most part we stayed there until 2001 (with only 2 1/2 years in Las Vegas, NV) My is husband is from Central, NM. In 2001 we moved back to the old home to take care of my ailing mother, with all intentions of staying for a long time. But she had other plans and passed, while in a nurning home, 3 1/2 months after we got there. We stayed for another couple of years when we finally decided NY was not for us. It was a hard decision as to where to move to, since we could go anywhere. Even considered Mexico fo a time. When my son said they were have a baby here in Colorado, we knew immediately that was where we wanted to be.
So here we are. To keep ourselves from sitting around and watching alot of TV we are eBaying alot of things we find at yard sales or estate sales including many, many things from the old home in New York.
We also do craft shows, fairs and our newest venture is the local flea market every weekend. Not only do we sell some of the new things we sell on eBay, and all the culinary herbs and spices along with dried botanicals and healing herbs, we also write names on rice and make rice charms for necklaces, key chains, charm bracelets and cell phones.
Among othere things we like do do is some gardening, cooking /canning (making jams)/ freezing the summer produce to enjoy in the winter. We belong to the Knights of Columbus (DH is 4th degree honor guard); the red hat society and we are thinking about joining a senior club, but really don't have the time.
Two days a week we babysit the grandson who is responsible for us being here. What a joy and. every time he is here is a real trip. Last week the notable comment was - He was eating a Pecot (combination peach and apricot) and I asked if he liked it. He is not quite 4 yet and his immediate response was - Yes I like the pecot - it is very nutritious. ( I gulped and choked back a laugh).
Anything in italiacs will be the subject of a future post - so please come back and look for it.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Screening with container plants
Container gardens can add a green privacy screen to a balcony or an open area.
A trellis gives vines a structure to grow on and stakes added to the bottom of the trellis help support it on the outside of the planting box. Trellises and stakes should be attached to the containers with galvanized bolts.
Water-sealed redwood and cedar are good choices for planter boxes. To help them last longer, line boxes with landscape fabric which has the added benefit of preventing soil from washing out the drainage holes. After the fabric is in place, add a mixture of half potting soil and half compost. Fill the box to within 10" from the rim.
Select a fast-growing evergreen vine to cover the trellis. Once you've selected a vine, remove it carefully from the nursery container, and place the back of the stake supporting the vine against the trellis. Cut away the plant ties from the support stake, and disentangle the vine. Tie each stem to the trellis, fanning out the stems as you go.
If you like, add other plants to your container for additional color and interest. Make sure the additions have growing requirements similar to those of the vine.
A trellis gives vines a structure to grow on and stakes added to the bottom of the trellis help support it on the outside of the planting box. Trellises and stakes should be attached to the containers with galvanized bolts.
Water-sealed redwood and cedar are good choices for planter boxes. To help them last longer, line boxes with landscape fabric which has the added benefit of preventing soil from washing out the drainage holes. After the fabric is in place, add a mixture of half potting soil and half compost. Fill the box to within 10" from the rim.
Select a fast-growing evergreen vine to cover the trellis. Once you've selected a vine, remove it carefully from the nursery container, and place the back of the stake supporting the vine against the trellis. Cut away the plant ties from the support stake, and disentangle the vine. Tie each stem to the trellis, fanning out the stems as you go.
If you like, add other plants to your container for additional color and interest. Make sure the additions have growing requirements similar to those of the vine.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Disney to close Pleasure Island nightclubs
 | PLEASURE ISLAND NIGHTCLUBS CLOSING SEPTEMBER 28, 2008 |
After nearly 20 years in operation, Disney's Pleasure Island is undergoing a major overhaul, including the closure of the Adventurer's Club, Comedy Warehouse, 8 Traxx, Motion, Mannequins and BET Sound Stage . . . The Rock 'n' Roll Beach Club closed as of February 3, 2008.
Pleasure Island is a section of the Walt Disney World Resort within the Downtown Disney shopping, dining and entertainment district. Pleasure Island officially opened May 1, 1989, and will officially close on September 27, 2008.
From 1990 through New Year's Eve 2005, Pleasure Island celebrated New Year's Eve with a fireworks show every night at midnight.
On June 27, 2008, the Walt Disney World Resort announced that over the next two years, Disney will replace all of Pleasure Island's nightclubs with new stores and restaurants.
Disney denied rumors that the changes are due to a drop in attendance at Pleasure Island, stating instead that the company is responding to guest feedback asking for more family friendly experiences.
Although it has been a very long time since I have visited Walt Disney World, there was a time when JR and I visited at least twice a month. As annual passholders of Walt Disney World, we wanted to get our money's worth . . . and we did!
Since JR passed away, I have not had the desire to visit and I had no idea that the concept of "every night is New Year's Eve" had been abandoned. Pleasure Island had to be the most festive party atmosphere I ever experienced.
Mannequins was my favorite dance club and many fond memories came back to me when I read that it still exists . . . at least until September of this year. Being the dance music freak that I am and a huge lover of dance clubs, Mannequins was the ultimate place to dance, enjoy music and be entertained.
The name "mannequins" set the scene for live mannequins staged throughout the club. One minute you would swear they were a mannequin and the next minute they would come to life, complete with a spotlight on them as they danced to the music. At least that was how it was back in the day when we partied there quite often.
Pleasure Island was also the home of one of my all time favorite restaurants on the Disney property . . . Fireworks Factory, which has been long gone. The comfort food served there was among the best that I have ever had . . . BBQ pork ribs that would fall off the bone, the best fresh cornbread ever and the most to die for brownie hot fudge sundae ever. Even if we were visiting on a budget and brought food from the grocery store to eat, we had to visit Fireworks Factory at least for dessert and coffee.
While most of my memories are on video and in my head, I know I have a ton of photos from Pleasure Island that I will scan and post. It brought tears to my eyes to think the place that holds such beautiful memories of awesome times JR and I shared will only be a memory after September.
I'm sure the new stores and restaurants will be as spectacular as everything else on the Disney property, but will not have the memories of those awesome days gone by . . .
If you can visit before it closes and you have never experienced Pleasure Island and the eccentric nightclubs, experience it before they are gone . . . even though every night is no longer New Year's Eve.
Disney's Grand Floridian Hotel turned 20
Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian Hotel turned 20 on July 1.
It is one of my favorite places in the world!
I'll post some photos of the Grand Floridian Hotel
from my vast photo collection from Walt Disney World.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Ready for hurricane season?
As a widow and still getting used to being alone and having the responsibility of everything on my shoulders, the hurricane season is a dreaded time.
Even the fierce afternoon storms are sometimes too much for me as the lightening cracks and winds whip around giving the illusion of all hell breaking loose out there.
Although anxiety sets in and I work myself into a panic . . . that is just me since I am a chronic worry wart . . . I am prepared and that is the most important thing to remember as we are well into the hurricane season.
I wrote an article on hurricane preparedness at Helium . . . click here to go to the article.
Let's pray for a mild season . . .
Even the fierce afternoon storms are sometimes too much for me as the lightening cracks and winds whip around giving the illusion of all hell breaking loose out there.
Although anxiety sets in and I work myself into a panic . . . that is just me since I am a chronic worry wart . . . I am prepared and that is the most important thing to remember as we are well into the hurricane season.
I wrote an article on hurricane preparedness at Helium . . . click here to go to the article.
Let's pray for a mild season . . .
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