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Those Forwarded Email Jokes

May 15th, 2008
This joke was forwarded to me by my step-mom. I hope you will read it all the way to the end.

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.
When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.
When he was close enough, he called out, ‘Excuse me, where are we?’
‘This is Heaven, sir,’ the man answered.
‘Wow! Would you happen to have some water?’ the man asked.
‘Of course, sir. Come right in, and I’ll have some ice water brought right up.’
The man gestured, and the gate began to open.
‘Can my friend,’ gesturing toward his dog, ‘come in, too?’ the traveler asked.
‘I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t accept pets.’
The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.
After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.
‘Excuse me!’ he called to the man. ‘Do you have any water?’ ‘Yeah, sure, there’s a pump over there, come on in.’ ‘How about my friend here?’ the traveler gestured to the dog. ‘There should be a bowl by the pump.’ They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.
When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.
‘What do you call this place?’ the traveler asked.
‘This is Heaven,’ he answered.
‘Well, that’s confusing,’ the traveler said. ‘The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.’
‘Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That’s hell.’
‘Doesn’t it make you mad for them to use your name like that?’

‘No, we’re just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.’ :)
Soooo….
Sometimes, we wonder why friends keep forwarding jokes to us without writing a word.
Maybe this will explain.
When you are very busy, but still want to keep in touch, guess what you do? You forward jokes.
When you have nothing to say, but still want to keep contact, you forward jokes.
When you have something to say, but don’t know what, and don’t know how, you forward jokes.
Also to let you know that you are still remembered, you are still important, you are still loved, you are still cared for, guess what you get?
A forwarded joke.

So, next time if you get a joke, don’t think that you’ve been sent just another forwarded joke, but that you’ve been thought of today and your friend on the other end of your computer wanted to send you a smile.

You are all welcome @ my water bowl anytime!


Keep Rebates in the USA - Buy Handmade!

May 6th, 2008

Is your email box filling up with messages about our $600 tax rebate checks? I have recently recieved so many different emails about this subject I just had to write about too.

There’s the one about all the countries that will benefit when you buy gas, fruits, vegetables, cars, computers and so. There’s the one about how this money is simply a loan on your 2009 taxes. Another one has a picture of a 5 dollar bill that says “good for one gallon of gas”.5dollarbill.jpg
There is also the one with the laughing kitty (that one scared me). And I am sure there will be many more to come.

One major theme throughout these emails is the need and desire we have to keep our money in the US. This is more difficult then one might realize. Making light of it is fun for emails, but seriously, how can you help keep more of the money you spend in the US?

The easiest way I can think of is to buy handmade things. I know, of course I would say that as owner of HandmadeCatalog.com and it is on my mind all of the time. But in this case, it matters not if you shop our website or a craft fair or your local weekend in-house boutique. When you buy from a crafter, you are helping some of our money stay in this country. Sure, some of the crafter’s supplies are not from the US but the labor involved is all American. Look a little harder and you will find things that are 100% US Made, like wooden furniture, clothing, jewelry and more.

So when you are forwarding those funny emails about our rebate checks to your friends, include an extra note - ask them to buy handmade - every little bit helps!

Let me know your thoughts!

Pam Wylie
HandmadeCatalog.com


Local Business is Great Role Model for Crafters

April 30th, 2008

This Lake Havasu City Crafter Does Business Right.

Life in the desert is hard, it is hot, dry and the wind blows all the time. What really makes life hard in the desert is the lack of good job opportunity. We only have one factory in town that is not boat related. Our tiny population creates few financial or legal opportunities. Decent paying jobs are coveted and held on to once obtained. When we moved here, I tried to find a good job for a long, long time. I was a controller in Los Angeles, never out of work, always making good money. Needless to say, I left all of that back in LA.

When a good job opens up around here, it usually goes to a friend or relative of the business owner. At first this irritated me, but the longer I live here the more I understand the way the town works and as in any small town, you need to pay your dues to become part of the community. We are lucky that our website business allows us eek out a living and stay here. Many have packed up and left, including my neighbor. Business owners in town are having it tough too. Many of our restaurants and small shops have gone out of business this year. To make a living in a desert community is very difficult, but to sustain a successful craft business in this town is incredibly difficult. As our community struggles with the nation’s economic downturn, a bright crafting star continues to shine, Havasu Quilts!

I was looking for some quilt patterns online and came across the Havasu Quilts website. Wow, a quilter in Havasu, how cool is that? I called Karen and we chatted about her business and life in the desert. I found out that Karen is a very professional business person and she runs the online part of her business by the book. Her website is simple but easy to use and she regularly sends a emailed newsletter. It is just a great online business model for anyone selling crafts online.

Whether you are interested buying or selling crafts, take a look at Havasu Quilts website, sign up for the newsletter and take note of her selling techniques.

You won’t find Karen’s products on our website but you will find some wonderful quilts by very successful quilters! Be sure to visit Long Meadow Farms Quilts, Bears Den Farm Crafts, Tis the Season Quilted Gifts, just to name a few.

Have a crafty day!
 


Wanted: Cinco de Mayo Crafts, Gifts and Decor

April 26th, 2008

Cinco de Mayo CraftsI used to be a LA woman and being from Southern California, Cinco de Mayo was always a popular holiday. This year I went surfing for some Cinco de Mayo crafts on the net. I did find a few things, as listed below, but was surprised to see that our crafters haven’t listed anything for this holiday yet - so this is a shout out to all our members - let’s see some crafts for Cinco de Mayo!

Here are some links to a few of the Cinco de Mayo crafts I did find interesting:

The Mini Sombrero - an easy craft that is fun to make for ages 5 and up
The Hot Pepper Paper Craft - easy for ages 2 and up

I will add some more when I find them. Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I did find some great Cinco de May mexican food recipes at the food network website: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/et_hd_cinco_de_mayo/text/0,,FOOD_9833_60500,00.html?nl=fn_042808_2

 


Back Pain Relief?

April 11th, 2008

Dear Crafters, this inquiry came in on 4.11.08 - if you can help, just send me an email and I will forward Kathy’s contact info…

I am looking for a body wrap you heat in the microwave to ease pain. I have one that has a Grandma’s Garden tag - hopefully you can help me find another. Kathy


My Favorite Programmer

April 2nd, 2008

I just thought I would gve a little shout to Julian, the programmer and technical support for HandmadeCatalog.com. Julian hangs out in San Francisco and we have never met face to face, but without him, our website just would not be the same.
I found Julian on the Internet while searching for someone to help with HandmadeCatalog, way back in 2006. Since then he has helped me with all of my websites. He is one of the most honest programmers I have ever met. If you need help with your website or need a new website, call Julian, you won’t be disappointed.
Visit www.Crunch42.com for all of your programming needs!


WANTED: SHELF SITTERS

March 28th, 2008

Hi All, I just received this request from one of our customers - Do any of you want to respond? If so, just send me an email. Thanks! Pam@HandmadeCatalog.com

Here’s the request:

I’m looking for the little old woman and little old man dolls that sit on a country or rustic style bench. They are dressed in old time clothes and shoes and remind me of the ma and pa kettle days.  I’ve looked everywhere for them. Do you happen to make them or know where I can find them? 


Cooking Craftsman Creates Classy Cutting Boards

March 26th, 2008

Today post is easy. I welcome Dennis, our newest Pro Member.

Appalachian Craftsmen

Dennis has been busy in the kitchen and in the woodshop. So far, they have listed some very handsome cutting boards. Made with tough hardwoods and brilliant designs, these cutting boards are really a cut above (sorry, couldn’t resist). My husband wanted one immediately (he’s the cook in our house too). These are very high quality cutting boards, who would want one?

Handmade Cutting Boards by Appalachian Craftsmen

These cutting boards make a great Mother’s Day or Father’s Day presents too. Why not pick up a couple?

Shop at Appalachian Craftsmen now. 

 


Craft Supplies at our Ebay Store

March 25th, 2008

Maybe some of you would be interested in our craft supplies that are on auction at our ebay store. Click here for our listings

  My items on eBay


How to Set Up a Craft Show Booth

March 24th, 2008

I know many of our members sell their crafts at shows and fairs. I have done this before as well and found it a lot of work and quite expensive but still had a great time and made some money too.

Craft fairs are very competitive now and you need to perfect your booth to optimize sales.

How to Set up a Craft Show BoothHere are some links to some blogs, page and websites that I think make for some excellent help in setting up a money making craft booth:

The Wham Spot - Here is a great article about how to set your booth properly. The idea of
having a featured item is dead on! These tips will really help your sales increase. 

AboutUs - A great article about Craft Booth Etiquette - your personality is critical too!

EHow - Here are some very basic tips but none the less critical.

Borsheimarts - Fellow Professional Crafter shares first hand experience with booth setup. A must visit site, very helpful and honest tips.

Do you have some tips for a craft booth or craft fair? Please share them here or send me an email so I can publish them.

Have a crafty day!
Pam

 


 


 

 


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