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The Tip is 'Shop where it's easy' I recently searched for a product online and for decided to include Made in USA in my search string. I was surprised to see all kinds of Made in USA products. These ranged from hand tools Made in USA to mountain bikes Made in USA. Why had I not thought of this before? Now, whenever I'm shopping online, the first thing I do is add 'USA Made' or 'Made in USA' to my search string. This website now makes searching for American made products even easier. It has thousands of US made products all being sold by the small American manufacturer. These Made in America companies employ over 40 MILLION Americans. If we buy more from them they will employ more of us. More Americans employed is a good thing. Watch our video which tells the complete story about how we all benefit when American products are purchased. This site has products like American made apparel. As an example, in the clothing category you are directly connected to all kinds of American apparel and accessories including: handbags made in USA, fabric made in USA, made in USA hats, made in USA clothing brands, Made in USA wallets and Made in USA watches. One of my favorite Made in America Secrets categories is grocery and gourmet foods. These Made in USA products range from jams and jellies to chips and salsa. One of my favorites is specialty marshmallows. I purchased some of these last Christmas and used them as stocking stuffers. My grandchildren loved them. There are thousands of wonderful Made in America products offered on Made in America Secrets. Use our PREV|NEXT button to cycle through a few or use our search to find exactly what you are looking for. Using our site is fun and educates you about the many great American made companies. Buying Tip Continued - Read more on Made in America Products by Ocken Bit and Spur A long line of horsemen and women preceded us. We have had the privilege of pursuing our dreams, but also had ingrained in us a work ethic to make those dreams a beautiful reality. OUR BUSINESS Our business began as an adventure to learn something we were passionate about--quality cowboy gear. We were awarded a Cooperative Teacher Creativity Grant from the Lilly Foundation (Yes, we are also educators--we pursued this passion of ours to refresh ourselves and learn something new!) to study bit and spur making. We originally had no intention of building a business, we just wanted to make our own spurs, bits, and buckles, we wanted to have a creative outlet. It was also a tribute to the past, as Jay's Great Uncle was a silversmith in Chicago, and his Great- Great Grandfather was a watch maker. We had also grown very tired of the box stores and products that were stamped out with no human hands ever touching them, and no heart going into how they were made. We traveled to Alberta, Canada to work with Vernon Lynes, a bit and spur maker. The unexpected taught us a lot. We came back and built our own studio/ shop. Then began to build the gear. I wanted to learn more about the engraving, so I went to Alpine, Texas and worked with the most outstanding Teacher I have EVER had-Johnny Weyerts. It was wonderful! Check out his site: www.engravinginstruction.com Since then we have worked hard and played hard in our shop. Forming a business was not what we initially planned, but the unexpected can lead down amazing paths. We continue to travel foward together. We would again like to thank our families for the years of teaching and support they have given us. We would like to thank those customers who took a risk in having us build their gear in the beginning! (Brian Nielson, Jennifer and Al Andrews, Gerry Hostetler, Josh and Rosie Ziegler, Keith Fritcha, and Joann Snyder) We would also like to thank Jennifer Ocken for the photography--the ones on this site that are outstanding were taken by her--the others I attempted, thus I will be sticking to the engraving. Jennifer@ockenphotography.com I must not forget to thank the difficult horses, who made my life miserable, but who were better teachers than the well- behaved school horses who raised no problems. Alois Podhaisky, director of the Spanish Riding School, 1939 WHO WE ARE Jay and his family have raised and shown horses for several generations. He has benefitted greatly from the knowledge base of his parents. Jay began shoeing horses at the age of 14 apprenticing under Tom Beard. He attended Ball State University and earned a degree in Industrial Technology through his hard work shoeing. IBHA was a big part of Jay's youth. He was the IBHA Youth Supreme Champion in 1991. He enjoyed great success in IHSA during his years at Ball State. He is an Industrial Technology Educator for Whitko Community School Corporation during the school year. During his off time, he is a part-time farrier, as well as the bit and spur maker in our shop. His knowledge base of metal and horses gives him an edge in this profession. He is extremely particular about his work and a perfectionist- which makes him a tough boss! Gotta love him! Generations of knowledge about horses have been passed on to me as well. I showed growing up, and sold those horses to help pay for my college education. While at BSU, I also enjoyed success through IHSA. GO BSET! I graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. I currently am an Educator for Huntington County Community School Corporation. I am enthralled with the artistic energy that comes from engraving and designing! It is a great life to do the things you love on a daily basis! Jay and I met while competing on the Ball State Equestrian Team. We have three children and enjoy watching their love of horses bloom and riding skills continue to develop. |
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