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HoofPrints Newsletter
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September 11, 2014
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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 the company 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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TENSION - STRESS - PROBLEMS - ANXIETY - WORRIES - DESPAIR...
What gets rid of all these things? For many of us, it's time with our horse(s)...
To that end, HoofPrints has created a "magic" coffee mug that illustrates this fact. The Horse Woman's Disappearing Stress Mug is a white ceramic mug with a fun twist. It's imprinted all over with black, dreary words. Words that are all too familiar to most of us: TENSION, STRESS, PROBLEMS, TROUBLES, ANXIETY, etc. Fill the cup with hot liquid, and the most amazing thing happens. Those words dissolve away, revealing seven lovely scenes of women and their horses. As the cup cools, the words reappear. It works over and over again.
Like most of the products developed here at HoofPrints, this one has a story behind it. It was created by HoofPrints owner Gina Keesling (me), using mostly stock photos from online sources. I got down to the end and needed one more photo. Stock photos aren't free (royalties are paid to the photographer) and I'd already gone overboard on costs for a product that I wasn't even sure was going to work as planned. So frugal me... I went to my own photos, not anticipating finding anything. But then I found this one - I had forgotten all about it - a series of pictures I had son Jordan take a few years ago of me, my HAIR (yes... hair - I will get to that in a minute) and my horse, Allarista.
So, what's with the hair?? Several years ago I heard about Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that takes donated hair and makes hairpieces for children with medical conditions that cause hair loss. My hair was long, and on a whim I decided to have it all cut off to send to this worthy group. Now, I am getting older, and the grey is starting to get more numerous. I made a little decree... that as long as my hair was more blonde than grey (they don't use grey hair for the kids' wigs) I would continue to grow it out and donate it. I've done this a few times now, each time the grey advances a little more... and I think "Well, this is it. This will be the last time I am not too grey..." This last time before I went to get it cut, I decided I wanted to remember my non-too-grey locks with a photograph - hence the shot that's on this mug. It's the gal feeding the blaze-faced chestnut a treat.
To see a closeup of the mug in action click here (scroll down to the middle of the page). |
While you're at it... check out the Dog Lover's DISAPPEARING MUD MUG
it's HALF PRICE!
Even though it's fall, these days we've got the mud anyway. In celebration I created this 11 oz white ceramic mug with a fun twist. It's imprinted all over with muddy paw prints, and the words SMILE! IT'S ONLY MUD. Fill the cup with hot liquid, and the most amazing thing happens. The words & paw prints dissolve away, revealing a pack of smiling dogs. As the cup cools, the words & paw prints reappear. It works over and over again.
The lovely smiling dog photos were sent in by HoofPrints Facebook fans. When the muddy pawprints disappear you'll see:
Colene White's Freckles (a Border Collie)
Gina Hyatt's Marshfire Lily (a rescue Dalmatian)
Robi Heffington's Clinch (a Corgi)
Carrie (a rescued Red Tick Coonhound from The St Louis Senior Dog Project)
Caprice Madison's Brownie
Jeni Peck's Poudre
LeAnne Manning's Gus Gus (a rescue)
Ashley Moniz's Nattie (a rescue)
Susan Stevens-Clark's Mandy (a Rottweiler)
Tracy McDermott's Ginger (a rescue from Humane Society of SE Missouri)
Gina Keesling's Lucy (a Jack Russell Terrier)
Gina Keesling's Puppy-Girl (a Labrador Retriever)
To order click here
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Customer Favorite Mug: Coffee & Dog Hair -
I never leave home without them. This is one of my favorite products that tells it like it is.
As the owner (more like wait staff) of a mostly white, short haired Jack Russell Terrier, I can tell you that the "minimal shedding" description assigned to short haired dog breeds is a major myth. This 13 pound dog produces enough loose hair to totally fill the dryer lint trap every time I launder her bedding. She was a major contributor to the creepy hairball I found under my office chair (full story here) Never mind trying to keep it off your clothes - it sticks like glue and no manner of removal efforts will prevail. If you're going somewhere, and do manage to get the hair all off your clothes - the residual hair that's IN THE CAR will quickly take it's place. It's a losing battle and folks with a sense of humor just admit it and go on with their lives. Order the mug that proclaims you're one of us here.
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ANOTHER FAVORITE MUG
Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quite voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow."
 This quote by Mary Anne Radmacheralways resonated with me. I've had a clipping of it taped to my computer for many years - and always referred to it when I was having struggles with my super-sensitive horse that I just couldn't seem to get along with. (I wonder if she has the same thing taped up in her stall?)
These days it seems to apply more and more - to work challenges, family challenges, and health challenges. And I am reminded of when this mug first came to be a few years ago...I had just finished up the artwork and sent it off to the mug printer. I logged onto Facebook and saw an update from a friend, announcing that she'd arrived home from having a "brain zap" for a cancerous tumor, and was feeling pretty good, considering. This gal owned a busy boarding stable, and put on public events there. She also took care of her aging mother who needed quite a bit of attention. I followed her journey through this illness, and kept her in my prayers. But what she didn't know is what an inspiration she'd been to me. Throughout her various treatments, she did her best to be in the barn with her horses, in spite of feeling so sick and weak. When the doctors told her not to ride, instead she hung out with the riders at her barn's events, photographing them and sharing their pictures online with an encouraging word. And, a few days after her "brain zap" she posted on Facebook that she'd just come in from a nice ride on her Haflinger pony. Wow. My friend is gone to Heaven now, but there's not a day that goes by that I don't think of her.
So, this one's for all you courageous women out there who "try again tomorrow" no matter what your difficulty at hand. This 16 oz. heavy ceramic mug is a great reminder to keep trying - either for yourself or a friend. Order here.
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This one's for FARRIERS:
Below are a few phrases that farriers may be hearing this summer. We've assembled these & more on a collection of hilarious t-shirts.
Things Not to Say to a Hot, Tired Farrier T-SHIRTS - $19.95 here The MUG (makes a great gift!) is only $9.95 here
All it takes to be a farrier is a strong back and a weak mind! He won't stand for me either, but your ad said you were a professional Can you come back? We are home now. Let me get my twitch before we get started. Sooo, when you're finished, do I have to wait an hour before I can ride him/her? My horse hates men. Yep, I put that stuff on their feet right before you got here. Every time we turn him out he throws a shoe. That don't look that hard! Isn't it great to be outside all day? Let me call my neighbors and their 5 kids. They have never seen a horse shod before. It sure is HOT! I used to shoe, and I can tell right away if you're doing a good job. Do those nails hurt him? He's normally gentle as a kitten, but it is the first time I have had a halter on him. Honestly, I DO clean his feet I haven't ever picked up his feet, but he seems real gentle. Can you put these shoes on good and tight so that they won't come off? My vet said for you to call him and he will tell you how to shoe my horse. He kicked the last farrier just like he kicked you. He's never been that bad!! What did you do? The last guy I had won't come any more. Can you come today? I left them out in the field because it was such a nice day. So, how much does your chiropracter run you a month? Sorry - that's my cell phone. I won't let it ring under this colt's nose again. He never does that for me. My horse doesn't kick. ...well he has never kicked before. Are you busy TODAY? Can you make his foot smaller? This is the first time he has EVER lost a shoe. Since he's a colt, will you charge me half price? I used to shoe my own horses, but I could never get the angles right. Do you think you could take a little more off that back foot? My horse is lame. You must have cut him too short. Let me help you clear out a place to work, I've been meaning to get out here and straighten up this old barn... That's not the way the farrier did it back where I come from. Can you save all the hoof trimmings for my dog? Boy, you must have a strong back to bend over all day like that. He's just trying to swat the flies off you. These shoes have been on for only 12 weeks, and they are getting loose.
WARNING - Copyrighted material! We don't mind if others enjoy our humorous quotes - but please include proper credit if you choose to pass this along... �Gina Keesling - www.farriersgreetingcards.com
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2015 Farrier Organizer & Organizer Refill
This is a complete system designed specifically for farriers
Comes with snap closure binder, made of sturdy, leather-look vinyl. Added features include a clear vinyl sleeve for your small items, plus some additional pockets in the back to contain the rest of your papers. Measures 8" x 10" x 2"
and includes these items, all designed specifically for farriers:
 Sturdy Binder w/snap closure Weekly Planner
Client List
Weekly Expense Tracker
Invoice Book
From the Farrier Note Pad
Late Notice Book
Appointment Cards
Pen and Calculator
(Once you have the binder, each year after you only need to buy the refill) To order, click here |
FARRIERS: Get your invoices at the OLD PRICE!I announced before that we use a local printer for our 2-part carbonless farrier invoice pads and he'd absorbed the increase in paper costs for a lot longer than he should have. He warned me that there was going to have to be an adjustment... you know - like having to pass on the increased price of shoes, nails, and shipping - after you finally sit down and realize how much more they are costing you vs how much the customer is paying for shoeing;you've given yourself a PAY CUT by not raising prices as materials increase? Anyway, that's what happened here, too.
The official increase took effect with the last catalog. However, we've held the old price ($9.00 per pad) on invoice pad ASSORTMENTS. With the assortment option, you get to choose the "A" or "B" body style, but WE pick the logos that you get. If it's important that your invoices match your business cards, then this might not be for you. But if you're wanting to save money, then here's a way to do it. The price is $40. for 5 pads - which is a savings of $1.00 per pad! To order, click here and scroll down to the yellow box
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Clutter busting continues at HoofPrints
My efforts to clear the warehouse (and my house- house) of accumulated oddball products continues to gain momentum. I've written about it before. The point continues to be, sometimes the space becomes more valuable than the items that are occupying it. So this is where most places say... "our loss is your gain!" Well, check out this super-cheap stuff and BUY IT. And your gain will be my gain, too. Because I need that space on the shelf.
The Half Price Page is here - check this often as they're one-of-a-kind things that will sell quickly and be replaced with whatever else starts to get on my nerves. I am currently going through a large stash of samples* - so many wonderful things, it's hard to choose just a handful for the catalog. And the rest have got to go! Only one of each available so act fast if you see something you like.
*A note about the samples - Someone made a comment on the HoofPrints Facebook page that the samples are free to me and implied should thus be priced accordingly. Just to set the record straight - I pay for almost every sample I acquire. Occasionally an author or publisher will send me a book unsolicited, but I prefer to buy these anonymously so if I review and don't think it is a good fit for the product line, I don't feel guilty about not including it.
Half Price PRINTS are here - there are a lot of lovely prints languishing in drawers here that really should be hanging on folks' walls making them smile and beautifying their homes. Summer is NOT the time that people are inclined for "nesting" - that usually happens during the colder months when everyone's inside. But fall/winter is busy season here and I don't encourage print sales then - I don't have the extra time it takes to wrap these carefully for safe delivery. I've marked them way down now to sweeten the deal.
ALSO New is Half Price JEWELRY here- The more I got to digging, the more I found. Jewelry doesn't take up much room - suffice to say there is a LOT of lovely stuff that needs to find a new home. Then there's that whole problem I have with the beads. It's getting worse. Stay tuned for details on that.
Newest is Half Price Books & Magazine Back Issues hereThis treasure trove of magazine back issues has been lovingly collected and hoarded for many, many years. It's getting to be a space problem, keeping them all stored AND due to the sheer volume of them, along with my busy schedule, they rarely get any attention. But even now, as I go through them to write sales descriptions, I am feeling sad at the prospect of letting go of this vast collection of pictures and articles about all the things I love - Horses, Dogs, Farriery and Blacksmithing, The West, Pretty Western Clothes and Jewelry, Awesome Country Homes, Recipes for Hearty Food, Healthy Living, Spirituality and more. I'll do my best to mention the content that stands out to me in the descriptions. Prices on these back issues reflect the fact that I am still very much in love with them, however they are at or below what the publishers are charging. The current sales list is small, but I'll be adding more as I am able; going through these is a slow process, as you can imagine, I get sidetracked frequently by all the fascinating content that lead me to hoard these in the first place.
Our Closeouts Page is here - it features items that are being phased out - still lots of good deals to be had there, too.
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Here's what we talked about last time
Last newsletter is here ALL newsletters are here
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WHAT'S HALF PRICE?
Farrier & Horsey
AIR FRESHENERS!
Farrier Air Fresheners include Money, Leather, and Sport Fresh here
Horse Woman's Air Fresheners include Leather, Hay, and Carrot here
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3rd in the Series!
I Make Horse Calls, More Horse Calls & Call Dr Tebow - She Makes Horse Calls (new) Books about living a dream with horses here |
AMAZING DOG FACTS
AND TRIVIA tells us that this plaque is from the Charles Bridge in Prague (circa 1357) It's become popular to rub the dog to ensure that a spouse will remain faithful. Look how shiny the dog is in the picture above, he's been polished by years of visitor's hands rubbing. Order the book with the full story here
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Mule & Donkey items
Check out this brass longear charm and more here |
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The Natural Superiority of Mules
Brand new updated second edition covers everything you ever wanted to know about mules. Order here
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Horsey Zipper Pulls
A great way to dress up any vest, jacket, sweatshirt, or purse. Order here
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This Hug's For You
Equine Sympathy Cards here |
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BOOKMARKS
~ 50% OFF! ~
A Rider's Prayer, A Dog Lover's Prayer & Use Your Talents Bookmarks just 99� here
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Copper HoofPrint Bracelets in 7 colors!
Hand tied right here at HoofPrints - see them all here
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A CRAPPY MUG!
Same sh*t different day
mug here
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MADE IN USA!
Nifty little wood box has a lid that fits so neatly that it's virtually invisible when closed. A real deal at only $19.95 here
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Embroidered Farrier Garments are most accurate and detailed available
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WHAT'S NEW?
Farrier Book
Millwater's Farriery here
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MANURE MOVERS
OF AMERICA - sweatshirt and sign available here |
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Look Professional
On The Job
Sturdy cotton golf shirts look and feel great! See our complete selection here
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RIDER'S CARE PACKAGE
Save $10 on these best-selling items - makes a super thoughtful gift!
order here
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HoofPrints
BARN BLADE
Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly Order here |
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WHAT'S ON SALE?
MORE stuff 50% OFF
Won't You Fix My Horse, Too?
vintage art print $9.95 here
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Message
I love hearing from 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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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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