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HoofPrints Newsletter
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August 19, 2012
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ABOUT THE COMPANY AND THIS NEWSLETTERFarriers Greeting Cards was started by Gina Keesling in 1986 (in a very small way) to provide helpful promotional materials for farrier husband Rob. Along the way we became HoofPrints.com, too, adding a selection of fun horse and dog products geared toward women of a certain age. This newsletter is emailed to subscribers a few times a month, depending on how often I have something to share. Watch for special sales, interesting stories, uplifting quotes and more.
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 NEW CLOSEOUT #1: Lightweight French Terry Summer Jacket
I know you're asking - "what the heck is FRENCH TERRY?" Well, french terry cloth is a variety of terry (or toweling) fabric, which is identified by its uncut looped pile. French terry cloth only has the highly absorbent looped pile on one side of the fabric; the other side is flat and smooth. It can be woven from different kinds of threads and can be stretch or non-stretch. French terry cloth is used primarily for sportswear, casual clothing and infant clothing. More info here.
We found this cute cadet collar jacket and embroidered it with our own "loose horse" logo. This jacket is softly shaped for a classic feminine fit. It's got lots of great details; back locker patch, ribbed side inserts, pockets, brass tone zipper. A great lightweight jacket to keep on hand when a sweatshirt is too heavy.
I personally think this is a wonderful, sturdy but lightweight thing to grab to throw on if it's a little chilly, without the bother of pulling a sweatshirt over your head. And no hood to get in the way. But it didn't sell very well. I am not sure if it's the actual style of jacket, the color, or the embroidery logo that we chose. We've put it on sale ($10.00 OFF) here.
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CLOSEOUT #2 Barefoot HoofPrint Necklace Few things get horse folks as fired up these days as the shoes vs barefoot debate. Almost every day I get someone requesting more barefoot products. What I can't really figure out, is why the ones we do have don't sell that well. Maybe it's hard to notice them in with all the other shoeing-oriented products? In business cards we have #BC34, #BC25, #BC23, #BC5 on the second page of business cards are #BC39 - which can be ANY photo desired, #BC7 (horses are barefoot), & #BC12. Then we have a page of business cards exclusively for American Hoof Association members here. Invoice logo #5 here shows the hoof well enough that a farrier could use it to make notes for explanation/reference. Custom invoice logos have 3 barefoot choices shown here . Sleeveless t-shirt here is embroidered with our 3 (bare) feet logo, as is the cap here, along with the trimming tools logo on #TCTT. #NPFOOT also has the detailed diagrams of 3 views of the hoof/pastern here. There are all manner of barefoot hoof depictions on our educational pages here. All our hoof models are unshod, as well as the foundered and normal anatomy charts here. Horses Leave HoofPrints on Your Heart products here all depict a barefoot hoofprint that I went to considerable effort to attain (story about that with photos here) The pewter pendant on braided leather cord (shown) is on sale here.
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CLOSEOUT #3 Tao of Equus Engraved Wood Picture Frame and Keepsake Box This wood box is made in USA, and laser engraved with Linda Kohanov's Tao of Equus interlocking horse logo. Inside the lid is a frame for your own picture (Linda and her horse Rasa are shown in the example) We've marked it down by $10.00 here. Here's an excerpt from The Tao of Equus Book that explains the logo: "Know the yang, but keep to the yin." Philosopher Lao-tzu's quote applies to modern life as much as it did 2,500 years ago. "Taoism is best known in popular culture for the 'yin-yang' circle, it's 2 interlocking tadpole like symbols representing the balance of opposites in the universe & in the human psyche: white & black, creation & destruction, male & female, conscious & unconscious, sound & silence, doing something & doing nothing. To the relentlessly assertive, patriarchal Western mind, the Taoist picture of reality at first appears contrary to everything we believe because it asks us to consider the opposite of our normal inclinations." -page 38 -The Tao of Equus
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CLOSEOUT #4 Pewter Horse Heart Pendant on Deerskin ThongSilver Prices kept going up, and up what at first was a real hassle,turned out to be a good thing! The silver market has been volatile for the past few years, and it keeps getting worse. It's very bad for us; we print a catalog with prices based on what the manufacturer has told us - the the cost for materials skyrockets - as then does our cost on silver jewelry. To this point, I've just bit the bullet and absorbed the difference - rather than have to tell folks that the price they see printed in the catalog is not really the price... but this approach is really hard on profits. As much as I love to see you all get the cool products that you want, I need to make some money while I am at it to keep the lights on, etc. So, what's the GOOD thing about silver prices going through the roof? It's caused jewelry makers to explore other options for materials. An unremarkable sterling silver chain now costs triple what it used to - instead of that we can offer you this pewter horse heart pendant on an incredibly soft deerskin thong for UNDER $20! Pewter looks just like silver, it's made of an alloy of metals; mostly tin, with copper and other components. Previously pewter contained lead, but modern pewter used to make jewelry is lead-free. The necklace shown here is handmade for us in Colorado, USA. The deerskin strap is adjustable with a sliding bead, the ends are fringed and knotted for a very cool effect down the back of your neck. Up front are two matching accent beads, and a weighty heart embossed with primitive running horses and a life spiral. We've got it on sale here.
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CLOSEOUT #5 Women Riders Who Could - And Did BookLife Stories of Top Level Equestriennes This is a compilation of stories about horsewomen we've all heard of and admired. It's an inspirational blend of adversity, struggles, setbacks and triumphs. In case you ever thought that those successful women in the horse world were privileged and without troubles.. this is a book you should read. You'll feel a lot better about your own dysfunctions and be inspired to persevere. Without being sordid, Kitaj has included details about each - struggles with confidence, alcoholism, learning disabilities, relationships, finances, health, injuries and more... that help you fully appreciate their tremendous accomplishments. Contained in the pages are the stories of many greats: Trainer Linda Tellington-Jones, Endurance Rider Valerie Kanavy, Cutting Horse Champion Lindy Burch, Jockey Julie Krone, Olympic Jumper Kathy Kusner, Three-Day Eventer Carol Kozlowski, Reining Horse Competitor Roberta McCarty, Rodeo Trick Rider Karen Womack Vold, Barrel Racer Sharon Camarillo, Creator of Centered Riding Sally Swift, Sally Swift Protegee Lucille Bump, Olymic Jumper Anne Kursinski, and Olympic Dressage Coach Jane Savoie. To order, click here.
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CLOSEOUT #6 Clicker Training For Your Horse BookIn this remarkable book, author Alexandra Kurland shows you how and why to use techniques of positive reinforcement and shaping, with a horse. She leads you through the new methodology of clicker training step by step, so that you can do it for yourself. And she makes one of the biggest benefits crystal-clear: Clicker training is not just effective: it's FUN! No matter where you begin, or what happened in the past, you and your horse can learn to work more smoothly together and enjoy each other more. Step-by-step instructions are profusely illustrated with black and white photos. To order click here
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THE BAD NEWS - CLOSEOUT #7 Prayer at Valley ForgeThis one's a victim of shipping charges and damage problems. I've ranted before about shipping charges ( here). Though previously I've previously refrained from ranting about UPS damage claims. If there is glass breakage on a framed picture - no matter how well packed and protected - UPS denies the claim. We have to do extra paperwork, the package and it's damage has to be inspected (a huge inconvenience to both us and the customer) before we are (possibly) reimbursed for the damage. Another problem is dimensional weight - where large packages (even if they are not heavy) are billed at a higher rate. So - when we got word from the folks at Friberg publishing that they'd done away with ALL pictures that were framed under glass, I was not surprised. They replaced the above picture with a version that has a slightly larger image but NO mat at all (it's mounted on board and coated with protective coating). The frame is wider, but it's not as nice, and the overall size of the picture is smaller - not as impressive. And the price is $35. higher. It's just not going to work for our catalog this time. We've got a few of the old style left on the shelf, once they're gone we will not be getting any more. To order, click here.
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CLOSEOUT #8 The Best Way to Avoid Housework Is to LIVE OUTSIDEI think most of us suspected this might be the case. Sandra Blacksmith knew it way back in 1900 when she was quoted saying this. When we posted Sandra's phrase on our Facebook page, several of our fans confessed that they'd not heard the quote, but had already been living by it for years! It's perfect for this heavy white mug - a great way to start your day - right before you GO OUTSIDE! To order, click here
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Unique Sterling Silver Jewelry on CLOSEOUT This Entwined Heart Necklace is just beautiful - the craftsmanship is awesome - It's 3D and is carved on both side - the chain feeds through the center of the heart. They are heavy, and have a very expensive feel to them. We've marked them down for quick sale - only one pair of earrings left so hurry if you're interested. Please note that the necklace is on a 16" chain - NOT the customary 18" - so it fits more like a choker. See all our closeouts here
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ANOTHER UPDATE -
COFFEE & DOG HAIR - I Never Leave Home Without Them - MUG
Last newsletter saw us backpedaling - we debuted this cool new mug - sold out of the first shipment - and were told by the manufacturer that no more would be available until October. So we contacted the folks who were waiting, made the announcement in the newsletter and on the website, and lo and behold, once we got all that squared away, we received the shipment that we'd ordered - the one that wasn't supposed to come for 6 weeks! So - we DO have these in stock for immediate shipment now - you can order here here.
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RECAP - From the last newsletter
Here's what we talked about last time:
New girly horse sculptures from Enesco here
Blacksmith Calendar IN STOCK now here
What to do if you encounter a down hawk here
Advice about posting pictures on the internet here
Books to help riders manage fear - excerpt here
Rustic Wood BLACKSMITH SHOP sign here
Sleeping Angel Puppy on CLOSEOUT here
Man's Best Friend Framed Stamp Print sale here
Lorenzo Horse Training Book hereGina's disaster of minor proportions story here
Good selection Farrier Textbooks here
Horsewoman's Hair Control hereNEW Breyer Pink Horses hereI Train Horses to Eat Carrots Hoodie sold out at mfr - we have some left here Horsewoman's Balm saves hands hereRevisiting a favorite: The Horse Boy book herePAST NEWSLETTERS - see what you missed!
To catch up on the news, click here
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WHAT'S NEW?
Wood Blacksmith Sign
See this and all our signs here |
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WHAT'S NEW?
Breyer Pink Stablemate
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WHAT'S NEW?
Hold Your Horses T
See our T-shirt selection here! |
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CHECK IT OUT!
SALE on Summer T's
BIG sale on Cool Summer weight Horsey T-shirts less than $10 each here! |
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WHAT'S NEW?
~ for Horsewomen ~
Horsewoman's Long Tall List of Things to Do here
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WHAT'S NEW?
A Big Little Life
A memoir of a joyful dog named Trixie here |
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WHAT'S ON SALE?
Horse & Buggy Days
Framed Blacksmith print by Paul Detlefsen here |
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WHAT'S NEW?
Horse Coaster Set
Wood Framed Ceramic Horse Sense Coasters here |
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WHAT'S NEW?
A Dog's Journey
Sequel to best-seller A Dog's Purpose here |
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WHAT'S NEW?
Spiritual Book
Desiderata for Horse Lovers makes a great gift! order here |
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WHAT'S NEW?
~ Christian Book ~
The Invisible Woman - When Only God Sees here |
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WHAT'S NEW!
Underwater Dogs
Order your 2013 calendar here |
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FREE with every order
Inspirational Bookmark
Features inspirational verses & photo of author Tom Moates. See it here |
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Message
We LOVE hearing from our customers. You can contact HoofPrints owner Gina Keesling via email at gina@hoofprints.com |
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Find us on facebook
Be sure to LIKE our facebook page - it's where we announce special sales, breaking news and everything else we find interesting. To see it go here |
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Our Current Catalog
Request your copy of HoofPrints Spring Catalog by clicking here |
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Share our emails
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Viral marketing... it sounds bad, doesn't it?
You can ask my husband - a frequent topic around here is that of forwarded emails - and the psychology behind them - just WHAT prompts people to decide; "I am going to send this to everyone I know!".
We receive a lot of them. Some are pretty good, and others are dumb. Dumb in a myriad of ways... Alarmist email rumors that have been around forever - that folks keep sending "just in case it's true" Pictures of someone's butt (or worse) - don't even get me started about the firecracker butt - but at least that one was timely when it showed up around July 4. Christian messages that are uplifting - until you get to the end and you're threatened "if you're not ashamed that you love Jesus, forward this - if you are, then delete." Pictures of cute puppies and kittens (awww)
I enjoy writing these newsletters - and sharing all this stuff with you all. But the fact is, it's also a way to help us stay connected with customers and sell products during the time between catalog mailings (which is only once a year) So I really, really like it when someone new stumbles upon the newsletter and is excited to "discover" our company and the products we offer.
In all my efforts to make the newsletter interesting and forward-worthy - it never occurred to me to JUST ASK you all to send it! Duh. Sometimes the obvious is elusive, I guess. So here goes - my request to ask you to forward our email newsletter to your horsey friends. All we ask is that you please be judicious and only send to folks who might be interested. Otherwise we are no better than the "firecracker butt". Click to get started. (please note - using this form does NOT subscribe anyone to our list - it is a one-time only forward)
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