The Shaker Shoppe, Inc.
pegrail2
The Shaker Shoppe, Inc. Newsletter
"THE PEGRAIL"         volume 2                               May 2010 
 
In This Issue
THE UBIQUITOUS SHAKER BOX
OUR "MISSION" TO SHAKE THINGS UP
WEBSITE SALE
DIRECTIONS & HOURS 
OUR WEBSITE LINK
OUR WEBSITE 
SHOWROOM SALE SPECIALS
WEBSITE SALE 
OUR WEBSITE LINK
Join Our Mailing List 
To the Reader, 
 
Welcome to volume two of our newsletter, "THE PEGRAIL," we have garnered many helpful suggestions and comments from volume one in March, and were thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed our first issue!
 
Our goal is to keep this newsletter short, sweet and to the point. We also aim to keep it informative. If you know of someone that might also like to read this newsletter it would be greatly appreciated if you would forward it to them using the convenient Forward email link at the bottom of the newsletter and encourage them to join our mailing list.
 
Thank you in advance for your time in perusing this issue!
The Ubiquitous Shaker Box...
The story revealed! 
A beautiful stack of 8 oval Shaker boxes. These boxes are sold individually with prices ranging from $39 to $119 each. We have a wonderful selection on hand!
box stack 2
 
Ok, you have seen them in our showroom, you can often spot them at arts & craft shows, some have even seen them dancing on the mantle in the movie "Beatlejuice." They are crafted in the most vibrant colors and in some of the finest woods, but what were they for?
 
Well here is your answer...In colonial times, before the advent of the myriad of packaging options that we enjoy today, various sized wooden boxes called "Pantry Boxes" were the predecessor to todays cardboard box. These boxes were produced by colonial craftsmen to store dry good type products such as flour, seeds, sugar...even items like buttons & sewing supplies.
 
Before the Shakers came along, most pantry boxes were round with a rather crude lap joint to close the loop. The Shakers took this simple item and greatly improved it. They were the first known to craft these boxes in the oval shape and to also incorporate the "swallowtail" or "finger" pattern to replace the crude lap joint on the earlier designs. In addition, the Shakers crafted these boxes in graduated sizes from very tiny to
very large.
 
These improvements that the Shakers made were not just for show, but for specific functions. The "swallowtail" or "finger" pattern allowed the wood the box was made of to expand and contract with humidity changes without the joint buckling, or cracking which often occurred on the earlier pantry boxes.
The shape & sizes that the Shakers made these boxes also served an ingenious purpose. They mass produced these boxes and sold them to the outside "world", the various sizes allowed the boxes to "nest" or stack inside each other, and the oval shape allowed them to load a wagon more efficiently when they packed them up to deliver to their buyers.
 
Today the Oval Shaker Box remains just as useful. We have had clients use them for desk and dresser top organizers, stacked sets for center pieces on a table, sewing supply organizers, even filled with chocolates for a valentine!
 
We have hundreds of these Shaker Boxes for sale in our showroom, plan a trip soon to see the variety that is available. They make wonderful gifts and can be inscribed with your thoughts or wishes for the recipient, truly a gift that will endure.
Our "MISSION" to shake things up every once in a while... 
Another  custom request fulfilled. 

 

This magnificent Mission Style bed was recently crafted in a Queen size to match some other pieces in a client's set. We built this bed out of quarter-sawn white oak and stained it to match the balance of the client's other pieces.
mission bed
 
 While our first love will always be SHAKER, we are often asked by clients if we do custom work or work in other styles. The short answer is yes, we have done so many times for many years.
 
It has been very common for a client that knows first-hand the quality level of our work, to ask us to mimic a piece offered from another manufacturer, or even to craft a piece that they have seen in a magazine. There have also been occasions when a line of furniture from another manufacturer has been discontinued and a client needs us to complete a piece for their set.
 
A few years back there was even an instance where we duplicated a cherished family heirloom for a client...too many daughters, only one heirloom...we expertly reproduced the original and each daughter was given one of the reproductions to keep the peace!
 
We are able to work in just about any wood available and our expert finisher can match any color or finish under the sun. If you can dream it we can craft it.
 
 
This wonderful chest was crafted to serve as a nightstand for the bed above. The Mission style door and drawer pulls are solid brass and were sourced from one of our suppliers to match the client's other pieces.
mission stand 2
 
If you would ever like to explore the possibility of having us craft a custom piece for you just give us a call. The process is much easier than you think. Just gather up your photos or magazine clippings of what it is you are looking for and bring them in for a quote. This month's newsletter includes a 20% OFF coupon for custom or special orders!
 
Online Showroom Sale....
If you can't get to our Showroom we will bring it to you! 
 

mayshowroom 
 Our website is currently featuring a Sale section that describes many of the pieces that are currently on display and Sale Priced!
 
 You can shop from the comfort of your own home or office and be among the first to take advantage of some great deals.
 
We set this up for those of you that cannot make it to Lititz to see in person what we currently have on display that has been discounted in price. Many of these pieces have just been placed into the showroom after being completed...all are in perfect shape and ready to ship or deliver.
 
We have recently added a shopping cart feature to the website, you can purchase with confidence online, as our site offers secure, encrypted transactions. You are also welcome to phone in your orders by calling the numbers listed.
 
 
 
 
Thanks once again for your time reading this newsletter, feel free to contact us with any suggestions or areas that you would like to see addressed in future issues. Please plan a trip to our Showroom or website soon, we would love to show you what we have been working on! Please encourage anyone that you think might be interested in receiving this newsletter to join our mailing list.
 
Sincerely,
 

Tom Rossman
The Shaker Shoppe, Inc.
                       
20% OFF.......Any Special Order over $1000
 
 
Now through June...any order placed over $1000.00  will be discounted 20% Off of the Standard Price! If you have been contemplating a purchase but have not seen what you have been looking for in our showroom, you can order it now in the wood & finish you desire at a discounted price! Even custom orders! 
  
 
 
 
 
Offer expires June 30th, 2010  Offer applies to furniture orders only, kitchens & built-ins are not included. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers or be applied to previous purchases. Discount does not apply to any added costs that may be required for shipping & delivery fees.