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HoofPrints Newsletter
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October 6, 2014
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I survived to make another! Presenting the 2015 Blacksmith Calendar
Thanks to everyone who stuck with me last year as I wrung my hands through this one. It's always a little scary to take on a project after someone else who has done it well. I was able to keep moving forward, thanks to all the encouragement and help along the way. The last two pages were the hardest (NOT shown above) - there was an extra spread after December. Here's some of what I came up with:
 "In reviewing hundreds of images from a variety of sources, I was stunned at the similarities of the faces - century old and modern came to look the same. Last year was my first year to attempt to repeat what my friend Gill started over 13 years ago; I am so appreciative of all the kind and encouraging words offered to me by the blacksmithing community. And I am honored at the confidence placed in my abilities by folks I've never met. As I spent hours looking at all these old pictures, it seemed even the men and women in the pictures were cheering me on, too, as I endeavored to share their legacies. Shown on the left is Bill Miller of Rochester, Washington. Bill's a longtime horseshoer, and a Farriers' Greeting Cards customer since our beginning. He started shoeing horses in 1947 and continues doing so to this very day. Bill graciously loaned me his entire collection of vintage photos for consideration on this calendar project. Next to him is an unknown blacksmith, a lookalike for sure, from a hundred year old postcard. The 2015 calendar is at the printer now, and should be printed and shipping very soon. I'm celebrating the completion of this project by putting select calendar back issues on sale for just $1.99! This is a limited time offer, so don't wait to order. Details on all the calendars are here.
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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 |
Sometimes cheaper IS better:
I always felt a little guilty that the Farriers Traveling Desk I was selling cost almost $50.
The manufacturer changed the design recently and I didn't like it at all. Which turned out to be a good thing as I found a nice replacement that's HALF the money.
FARRIERS:
this one's for YOU...
Do you have papers blowing all around the cab of your truck? Do you use the hood or tailgate as a desk when writing out invoices? Do you go digging through the glove box looking for a pen? Can't find a business card to write the next appointment on? This solves it ALL!
This slim profile storage clipboard doubles as a desk on the road! It holds a substantial stack of 8.5" x 11" paper (pictured here with the American Farriers Journal Supplies and Services Directory and room to spare!) Outside, the high-tension rubberized clip keeps a grip on your current paperwork, inside, a velcro document belt secures the whole stack. Left hand inside is outfitted with mesh pockets to corral small items like business cards, pens, checkbook, etc. It's constructed of sturdy fiberboard that's covered with black water-resistant vinyl and reinforced with metal on corners and edges for durability. There's a keyhole slot on the back to hang it up if you're so inclined AND the latch mechanism includes a key lock for security. Outside dimensions are 12.5" tall x 9.75" wide x 2.25" thick. Example products pictured are NOT included. To order click here
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A great gift for any rider
- to help her stay safe & connected.
Pewter Medallions are a confidence boosting bit of bling, and the Treat Pouch is not just for treats. There's a separate zippered compartment that is perfect for a cell phone, money, keys, etc.
This handy little bag made me rethink the idea of carrying a regular purse.
When I first hatched the scheme to take Bailey to dog class, I had some logistical problems to work out. This dog had been on 3 car rides in her life (that I know of) One to get dumped here, 2&3 were to and from the clinic to be spayed. So, her history of enjoying a ride in a vehicle is not so good. My car is a 2-door with leather seats, so that option was out - I was afraid she'd scratch them with her toenails. Second choice was my son's pickup truck (also leather seats) but enough room on passenger floorboard for her to sit comfortably. When I did a "test run" which consisted of yet another trip to the vet for the required vaccinations to attend class -
it did NOT go well. She was afraid to get in. Coaxing didn't help (although it DID cause our other dog Puppy-Girl to try and get in - which only added to the confusion as I tried to keep her OUT) I didn't anticipate all this happening, and had an appointment, so as the clock ticked, I ended up picking up her 60+ lb frame and stuffing her into the truck. She promptly dashed to the driver's side floorboard - where she could, oh,
stomp on the accelerator. I tried to push her back to the other side when I got in, but seeing the open door caused her to push just as hard to get out - which she did. And so it went. Must've looked like some kind of Chinese Fire Drill involving a dog. (with apologies for using what wikipedia is saying is "racially offensive slang")
Seeing that this had potentially disastrous consequences safety-wise, I recruited my son to DRIVE US to the vet - while I used both hands to HOLD THE DOG on her side of the truck. I knew then that setting off alone with this rowdy dog to a weekly class in a neighboring town was going to be a challenge.
I couldn't have done it without the Treat Pouch. This handy little number let me keep my phone, keys, driver's license, etc. in a slim hands-free pouch around my waist - so I could wrestle the dog as needed. The added bonus is the separate compartment for the actual treats. It's got a magnetic closure (so no distracting velcro sound when opening) and is separated from the other compartment by a water-resistant barrier (so my phone doesn't smell like salami) Fortunately, everything worked out OK, the rest of the dog class story is here.
 Also included in the Rider's Care Package are the Protect this Horse and Rider MedallionsSince my office and warehouse are here on the farm in central Indiana, there are some weeks that I never leave the place. But I get to vacation "vicariously" via friends like Cherri. Shown here is Cherri's horse Gilbert - he's wearing a PROTECT THIS HORSE medallion on his bridle. Cherri is gracious enough to share her awesome trail ride pictures with her Facebook friends, and from the looks of some of those challenging trails, she and Gilbert certainly needed their medallions!
These Pewter Medallions from Sweet Bird Studio are made in USA. Sweet Bird's stuff is awesome, and I have fawned over it for a long time, but she works in sterling silver mostly, and with found objects, antique imprinted tin, stones, baubles, etc - so her stuff is expensive AND one of a kind. More appropriate for an upscale boutique where customers can see in person than for catalog sales. So, I was delighted to learn that these hand-stamped PROTECT THIS RIDER (and HORSE) medallions are being produced in pewter. This is a great little company and I am proud to support them. To order the Rider's Care Package (or the Medallions separately) click here
In the words of Sweet Bird Studio owner Nancy Anderson: "Stand for something. Release the brakes. Be your own hero. Tell kids they have the power to change the world. Go outside and get dirty. Rethink the idea of cool. Remember when cool meant different? Turn off the cell phone and have a conversation with the person next to you. Legalize freedom by causing a riot in your soul. Write your own eulogy. NOW live it. And when you're going through hell, keep going. Via Con Dios..." -Nancy
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SPRING CLEANING - (now SUMMER cleaning) continues at Farriers
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.
NEW is Half Price PRINTS 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. 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 hereALL newsletters are 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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American Farriers Journal Supplies & Services Directory 1�
WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. Shipping charges apply.
To order click here
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TUFF CHIX GLOVES
"Best. Gloves. Ever!" ~HoofPrints customer testimonial. More info here
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Mule & Donkey items
Check out this brass longear charm and more here |
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Equine ER Book
See this and more books about people helping animals here |
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Don't Look Back
That's Not Where You're Going - Inspirational Necklace only $14.95 here |
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HoofPrints
BARN BLADE
Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly
Order here
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This Hug's For You
Equine Sympathy Cards 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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MANURE MOVERS
OF AMERICA - sweatshirt and sign available 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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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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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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