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The Tip is 'Where They're Proud' I recently saw an ad in our local newspaper for a big box home improvement store. Their newspaper ad had USA made products and American flags all over it. Several weeks later, I checked the ad again and sure enough they were still advertising their American made products. It was obvious they are proud to carry products Made in America. Their competitors made no mention of things Made in America. I have been to this store and asked what products are made in the USA? A clerk told me they primarily carry imports. Obviously they are not proud. I now realize you can buy many Made in the USA building supplies, including tools Made in USA and appliances Made in USA., in stores that are proud to carry brands Made in the USA. Here is another example of a store proudly carrying products Made in the USA. I was shopping for men's shoes in a local department store when I tried on three different pairs of shoes. I couldn't decide which pair I wanted so I went out on a limb and asked the clerk, "Are these shoes imports?" The salesman said "yes they are" so I asked, "Do you have any Made in America shoes like these?". To my surprise he said, with GREAT PRIDE, "yes sir, we have a whole line of Made In USA shoes". He brought me the same color and style with the Made in USA label. These Made in America shoes were less expensive, came with a better warranty, and were more comfortable. Looking for companies that are PROUD is simple and can have a great impact on our country. I encourage you to try this some time- just ask. You will love it when you realize you are making a difference that all of us will benefit from. With your help America will be ours again and that is a good thing. Buying Tip Continued - Read more on Made in America Products by Sweet Harvest Farms I have been an artist longer than I can remember. Painting on anything that didn't move, my first piece of artwork was a painting I did, of on all places, my dad's army boots! It would be some time before people put the name shabby or primitive on this type of work . After marrying in 1983 and moving to Pennsylvania, my love of oils turned to acrylics when I fell in love with the Folk Art that was so prevalent in this part of the US. I was already doing shows and markets when a move, years later, to Florida afforded me the opportunity to open my own boutique. I offered Folk Art, Antiques, Vintage, Primitive Dolls and Handmade Soap (or at least what I thought was handmade soap). Always being the perfectionist and wanting to give my customers only the best, I found the soap and other bath and body products I carried was not as nurturing, hydrating or pure as I thought they should be. Using my medical knowledge (was in the medical field for years), I then set off on the quest to find out how to make my own all natural soap, lotion, lip balms and more. What I found were products laden with chemicals and preservatives. What touches your skin is eventually absorbed into your blood stream. That's a bit scary! Many soaps that are sold as Handmade are actually produced in huge warehouses. These soap blocks are shipped in large quantities that anyone can re-melt, mix with scent, color, blend them with synthetic Glycerin, and call them Glycerin Soaps or even Handmade soap. The problem with this is you don't know if the Glycerin they are using is derived from plants or bio-diesel fuel! Yes, bio-diesel fuel! ! ! I use the tried and true cold process method of making soap - entirely from scratch with certified organic oils that your skin actually craves. This process retains 100% of the natural soap glycerin produced by this method so adding synthetic glycerin or plant glycerin is not necessary! My products will never contain chemicals or preservatives of any kind. I still do my research at least once a week to keep up with the latest information on what I can do to make my bath and body products better, safe and relevant. I am always developing and testing new recipes for future products to offer so check back often! When it comes to my vintage finds, I still keep my eyes peeled for the unique and unusual. Saturday mornings are spent looking for cast off goodies at Estate and Tag Sales so you never know what I might be posting for sale on my website from one week to the next. I stay busy! We all pitch in here at the Jennings household from measuring oils, pouring, the making, cutting, wrapping and shipping. Everything we do is very hands on for quality control and superb customer service. I welcome your suggestions, points of view and, yes, even constructive criticism. It keeps me on my toes and allows me to grow! Your patronage is always appreciated. You are my business! |
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