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The Tip is 'Keep eyes open' After reading an article about items made in America I thought about how many times I make purchases without thinking. I'm usually focused on budget and needs. Prior to reading this article on made in the USA products, I rarely thought about the importance of buying made in USA products. This helps create jobs in our country. Now I keep my eyes open and I am surprised how easy it is to find American products. It only takes a few seconds to look. Now I make a point when I am shopping to search for made in America brands. By doing so, I'm able to identify more and more what products are made in America. Even with my eyes open to made in USA I can get discouraged. Sometimes store clerks don't know the country of origin which can be frustrating. If this happens use your eyes to find the origin information yourself. Look at the labels and when you find a Made in USA product tell the clerk so the next time they are asked they will know. Also, when the label is not easily seen I use the other made in America buying tips to help me find made in USA. If the store doesn't carry what you are looking for, use Made in America Secrets to find it and tell the manager about your experience at their store. When enough people are asking for made in the USA products, more stores will begin to carry products that are made here. This technique does work. I also pick and choose the stores I visit. I do this because I have found that some stores are made in America friendly while others are not. Keep your eyes open for the made in USA label and pretty soon you will be able to identify which products are made in the USA. Buying Tip Continued - Read more on Made in America Products by Head n Home Greetings hat lovers. My name is Gary Watrous and I started this adventure called Head ?N Home in the early 1970's. With an investment of $20 in leather and $20 in leather working tools I began making belts, wallets, and purses and selling them from the back of my 1963 Chevy station wagon. I must have been doing something right as my artwork was received with a rewarding enthusiasm. Sometime in the mid 70's, I created a leather hat for my own wear, loved it, and never looked back. Hats quickly became my sole artistic focus and calling. Mostly self taught while learning in the schooI of hard knocks, I have also had the good fortune to have had tremendous support and advice from many talented hat professionals and knowledgeable individuals over the years. I have also had the good fortune to have a creative and supportive family, many of whom have chosen to join me as the demand for my handmade hat designs has grown. I would like to introduce them to you (in no particular order). Garth's First HatGarth Watrous Garth Watrous My son Garth was born into the leather world. He was always part of the creative and business side of this home business. Working with me summers and weekends through his teens, Garth has always been interested in all sides of the business. After graduating from San Diego State University, he returned with an enthusiasm that has proven rewarding in so many ways. If I am the heart of Head ?N Home, Garth is now the head of Head ?N Home. Lee Watrous Lee Watrous My brother Lee started with me in the mid 1980's. Always with an eye to what's selling, Lee's designs have become the meat and potatoes of our line. Lee's business acumen has and continues to be a valuable resource for us as well. I look forward daily to seeing what Lee's eye to the functional combined with his artistic ability will bring to our proverbial hat rack. Ronia Grillos Ronia Grillos The fireball of energy that is my sister Ronia is an inspiration and motivator for us all. If there is a demanding job to be done, she can always be counted on. On the creative side, her floral and feather designs add color and femininity to our line. I also rely on her artistic vision in designing display and marketing to show our hats in the very best light. Heather Watrous Heather Watrous Some would say my greatest creation, my daughter Heather has brought in an exciting and new perspective on hat design. Fresh out with a degree in art from San Francisco State University, Heather's unique visions bring in the young, the brave and the bold. It is always a treat to see the new designs she brings to the table. Gary and Merry-Lee with Horses Merry-Lee Rae (Watrous) My wife of the last 23 years, Merry-Lee is a world renowned cloisonn? artist. Our meeting as neighbors at an art festival blossomed into a true love and a dynamic collaboration. Always my mentor and supporter, Merry-Lee has recently begun to contribute her artistic talents to the leather medium, and gratefully to our hats in particular. Her innovative designs and metal work make up an impressive part of both our Steampunk and Ashbury brands. Her 40 years of artistic creations bring into play an amazing addition to this new (for her) medium. Merry-Lee's cloisonn? can be viewed at www.merryleerae.com I am a lucky man to have such a family of supporters. I also believe that you, the hat lover, benefits from this talented group every time you search for that perfect piece of art to become the topper of your attire. Enjoy Gary Hatman Watrous |
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