#AbbottTuesday & #SPIThursday - new blog features

Rest assured that I hate hashtags as much as you do.  However, I will admit begrudgingly that sometimes they serve a purpose.  If pushed hard enough, I might even admit that sometimes they are funny.

But that's not the point of this post.

In an effort to be relevant to the half-dozen people who ever look at my blog, I'm launching 2 new features starting in April - Abbott Tuesdays & SPI Thursdays - to highlight items from each line that you may have overlooked.  In case it isn't obvious, Abbott items will be featured on Tuesdays and SPI items will appear on Thursdays.  Even though today is Tuesday, it is not yet April so the first Abbott post will be next Tuesday.

Over the years, you may have seen SPI at market and stopped to admire the mermaid console table (below) or marvel at the manatee sculpture before remembering that your store is in a mountain resort or in the hipster part of town, making it unlikely you will sell many of these pieces.

SPI Thursday will encourage you to look more carefully at the line.  You are very likely to find merchandise that blends seamlessly into your mix - and increases your sales.

Similarly, Abbott's offerings are so extensive that it's easy to overlook some quirky, cool items that can make your store stand out and have your customers telling their friends they have to come shop with you.  Don't underestimate the power of peer pressure to grow your business!

Coir doormat from Abbott (cat not included)

I'm planning other new content for the blog, as well, but these 2 ideas are the easiest to implement so they get to go first.

Stay tuned!

The fresh style of Rendezvous Kitchen

Now that we are approaching the season when house guests flock to the beach and the bay, you can offer your customers a personable and functional gift to thank their hosts and hostesses - tea towels from Rendezvous Kitchen.

The company designs and manufactures premium hand-printed kitchen linens.  You can choose from their catalog of stock images and quotes (in your choice of 8 ink colors) or you can create your own for a product that is unique to your shop.

There are 3 product categories:

• Flour sack tea towels (pictured above) are made from 100% organic cotton, measure 30" x 30" and come wrapped in twine for instant gift-giving appeal.
• Dinner napkin sets (pictured below) of 100% linen are packaged in sets of 4 - again wrapped in twine to make it an appealing gesture of gratitude.
• Wine bags in 100% organic linen (pictured below) are packaged with a gift tag.

Rendezvous Kitchen uses a unique printing process in which the ink is baked into the towels after printing - making sure they are both machine-washable & fade-resistant.  You can even bleach them! 

The screen printing is completely free of chemicals and toxins, so your eco-conscious customers can buy without reservations.

Custom designs are welcome and encouraged (examples below).  You can celebrate your pride in your business, your community, your city or offer unique quotes that your customer will love.  Print your custom coordinates, logos, images or quotes on any of the products.

 

All products are made to order, and custom items may take up to 2 weeks. All designs are available in your choice of ink colors: black, grey, kraft, navy, turquoise, crimson, blush or forest green.

 

You can also be confident that you are offering a product entirely Made in the USA.  All items are designs produced by a husband-and-wife team in the Seattle area.