July 4 Newsletter Header
HoofPrints Newsletter
April 16, 2015

EVEN MORE ITEMS ADDED to HALF PRICE SALE!
Clutter busting continues at HoofPrints

My efforts to clear the warehouse (and my 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 website/flyer. And the rest have got to go! Only one of each available so act fast if you see something you like. The image shown here is what was available at the time this newsletter was sent. All prices on this page are at least 50% off retail. The red SALE! tag doesn't show if a product has size or color options. Don't know why. Don't know how to fix it...

*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. 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. Now that Christmas is past, I've marked them way down now to sweeten the deal.

Half Price JEWELRY is 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.

Half Price Books & Magazine Back Issues here 
This represents a major turning point for HoofPrints owner Gina Keesling. This 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. 

The Closeouts Page is here
It features overstocks, items that are being phased out - still lots of good deals to be had there, too

Carrot orange t-shirt

I TRAIN HORSES... To Eat Carrots T-shirt only $6.95! 

 

Years ago, after I introduced the hooded sweatshirt with this phrase, I had many requests for a T with the same logo. Finding good ladies shirts at wholesale pricing in ORANGE is a taller order than most would suspect. My own wardrobe is chock full of all manner of ladies t-shirts that I've gotten in as samples over the years. None of them passed my tests with flying colors. Either they were cut way too small, or were too short, or the sleeves were too tight (I HATE that - being restricted around the armpits). The ones that passed my "comfort test" were not very feminine - they just looked like men's shirts with skinnier collars and smaller sizing. It really was quite a dilemma. The ones I liked the most had limited color selection - and orange was out of the question, unless I wanted "safety orange" which is too gaudy for the effect I was trying to achieve. Then, as luck would have it, I got a spring catalog from a vendor who I'd previously not purchased from - their styles are very fashionable - young and hip - but most are in junior (read: TINY) sizes that we normal women can't hope to fit into. But this time was different - they have this wonderful soft ORANGE t-shirt - feminine cut, comfortable AND in sensible WOMENS sizes! I could hardly believe my good fortune. The fabric is soft, fashionable shade of orange - AND it launders great with no special care (I tested it myself). It's a cotton/poly blend that comes out of the dryer the same size it was when it went in! The manufacturer discontinued the original orange heather fabric, and replaced it with a similar shade of orange that's not got the heather affect. In order to get the older shirts sold so that all sizes on the shelf match, I am offering the heather version at the unheard-of CHEAP PRICE of just $6.95! I only have these available in Medium and XL. To order click here.

Carrot ad

I TRAIN HORSES...

The rest of the story: 

Now, these shirts were designed with a tiny bit of sarcasm... as a joke for those of us who want to train our horses using non-forceful methods (treats) and who occasionally encounter less-than-stellar results. It's a whole 'nother story, but I personally found myself a bit lost after I decided to swear off using the option of punishment when working with my horses. I can't always get the results I am hoping for, but I CAN, ALWAYS get them to eat a carrot. It's a lighthearted way of looking at the learning process (both mine and theirs).

A while back I received this email from a newsletter subscriber:

quotation mark left Dear Gina, I have a story to share:

There is a local horse rescue that we help out by fostering cases that need more one on one attention than the rescue can reasonably provide. As I'm sure you know, abused horses need to re-learn to trust the humans around them.  One of the common traits of abused horses is that they refuse treats like horse cookies, apples and carrots - either because they are unfamiliar or because they associate them with past abuse.

The other night, my wife Sue was all excited: "Steve, Lil'Bit took a cookie from me!!"   

She already has one of your "I train horses to eat carrots" sweatshirts and t-shirts.  I got it as a joke at Christmas.  She's serious about it though.  Her next goal is to get this little abused horse to eat apples and carrots."

Thanks to Steve for sharing this lovely story. I am sure, with Sue's kindness and patience, that Lil'Bit will indeed learn to eat carrots! I hope to post an update soon.

 


Pink farrier night shirt
REVISITING AN OLD FAVORITE: 
When I ran out of these, I had people begging for them...
and it was such a disappointment to not be able to fill their orders. Farriers, bless their hearts, would see it in the catalog - and make a mental note to buy one for their sweetie for Valentine's Day, or birthday, or just because... with their next order of invoice pads or other business supplies. We'd had it for years and it was always available - then the manufacturer discontinued the lovely lavender color I'd been using. And we couldn't find a replacement. After two years of looking I found this v-neck t-shirt dress (night shirt) that's even better than our original! It's softer (100% cotton) and more feminine. We revised the artwork so that it works around the neckline for an integrated look. Color is called raspberry, but it's more like a dark (not bright) pink.
It's screenprinted with little horse and farrier logos along with phrases unique to only farrier households:

* How many horses did you do today?

 * How did you get that bruise/cut/burn?

 * I promise I won't kick you.

 * Hoof smoke makes your hair smell good.

 * No horsing around tonight.

 * Do you want me to rub your back, again?

 * It's too bad toothpaste won't remove that blue nail residue from your lips.

 * Really, I don't mind the smell of thrush on your hands.

 * You're not putting me in cross-ties!

 * Did you eat beans for lunch or work on an abcessed foot?

 * Gee, do you think that toenail will fall off?

 * Settle down or I'll twitch you.


To order click here 

Great Horses Sympathy Card
Never underestimate how meaningful a sympathy card can be.
Last week, I posted the above card on HoofPrints Facebook page. Shortly a comment appeared from one of my husband's former horseshoeing clients:
quotation mark left
This is the card you sent me when I lost my beloved RifRaf. The pic of the horse on the card looks so much like him. It is hanging still on the front of my refrigerator. It really meant a lot to me when you sent it. Seeing it here still brings tears. I still miss him so much. No matter if human or animal, when they pass, the love never ends, we just learn to deal with the loss in our heart. Rif still comes to visit now and then. I know when I find a white feather or a few white hairs in the barn."   
Great Horses Framed Verse 2013
HHA Rifraf was an Arabian Gelding who did look a lot like the horse in the picture. He was 34 when he died in 2011. He lived a long and happy life with Betty, who loved him dearly.
 
Shown at left is the very first version of the new Special Edition Great Horses Framed Verse. I had several feet of this lovely (and discontinued) embossed horse frame that I'd been saving for a special occasion.
It's available, customized with the wording of your choice, while supplies
last.

The original idea for the framed verse was borne out of a real tragedy. I had a customer call, wanting one of our  Great Horses sympathy cards as a framed piece. Her horse, along with several others, had perished in a terrible barn fire. Her grief was obviously still overwhelming at the time of her call; she wept as she told the heartbreaking story.

I didn't offer that particular design framed, and it required special matting to fit the frame that she was wanting. I figured out a way to incorporate the ghosted horse image from the back of the card into the picture, and print 3 lines of custom information in the resulting space.

The product of these efforts is a stunning tribute to any horse - a lovely, relevant verse combined with an ethereal photograph of an obviously old horse bathed in heavenly light, set off with personal information of the beloved deceased. Click here to order the custom framed verse. We also have a full selection of equine sympathy cards here.
 
Why doesn't HoofPrints carry more USA made products?
The fact is; this perceived lack is MY FAULT for failing to designate which items are, indeed, MADE IN USA. 
This latest project is my attempt to rectify that problem. It's something I've been wanting to do for a long time, but when I set up the all-new website last summer, I was in the throes of overwhelm. It was hard enough to learn how to set up product listings using the new system. My aging brain just couldn't seem to retain all the multiple steps required to get each product and it's pictures onto the site. Getting up from my chair to check product packaging to validate country of origin would initiate a disaster of minor proportions - as I would TOTALLY FORGET what I was doing, and what the next step was. After several rounds of this frustration, I learned that my best course of action was to keep my butt parked in the chair - and to stay the course, working on one product, then the next, so as to repeat the steps sequentially without interruption. Otherwise I was NEVER going to get done.

Happily, the repetition of entering hundreds and hundreds of products finally did create some new neural pathways in my brain - and I can add/edit products successfully without taking all day (usually). So I've embarked on the arduous task of verifying the country of manufacture on ALL the HoofPrints products. The page that showcases them is here. I've gotten a good start, but what you see now is only a FRACTION of the American Made items. I will keep adding as time permits. You can still find them all in their respective categories, too, and each will have the MADE IN USA designator logo with it so you can see at a glance that your purchase is supporting domestic workers. 
In This Issue
Here's what we talked about last time
What Did I Miss? graphic
Last newsletter is  here   
ALL newsletters are here
Farrier Imposter on
A GOLF SHIRT

Edwin Landseer's "Shoeing The Bay Mare" image makes an appearance in embroidery on a sturdy, professional looking golf shirt here
GINA'S BLOG
Fun on the Farm

read the latest happenings in the Keesling household, involving construction, destruction, remodeling adventures and general wreckage here
MADE IN USA
Horse Woman's Balm
Horsewoman's Balm
A great product that DOES WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO!
Order here
MADE IN USA
Wood Blacksmith Sign
Wood Blacksmith Shop Sign
See this and all our signs here
MADE IN USA:
DC Metals Steel Cross Pendant

This makes a great gift for a man, but it's not too big for a woman to wear, either. To order click here
MADE IN USA
Secret Box
Horse Secret Box
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
MADE IN USA
Horsewoman's Note Pad

Horse Woman's LONG TALL LIST of things to do here
MADE IN USA:
A CRAPPY MUG!
Same Sh*t Mug
Same sh*t different day
mug here
MADE IN USA
Riding for a Cure
Cure pin
See HoofPrints breast cancer awareness products here
MADE IN USA
Pony Girl Charms
Pony Girl Earrings
Tiny steling silver riders only $19.95 per pair here
PRINTED IN USA
Dog Business Card
Dog Business Card
New business card for dog lovers HALF PRICE to shelter workers and volunteers here 
MADE IN USA
Tooled Leather Bracelet

Features braided rawhide, engraved heart and fancy buckle. Only $19.95 here 
HALF PRICE AND PRINTED IN USA: "Pharaoh's Horses"
Pharaoh's Horses with type
20x26 Print with history and trivia article included is available here
PRINTED IN USA:
This Hug's For You

Equine Sympathy Cards here
Copper HoofPrint Bracelets in 7 colors!
Copper HoofPrint Pony Bead Bracelets - colors
Hand tied right here at HoofPrints - see them all here
Message
Gina Keesling with Clydesdale
I love hearing from customers. You can contact HoofPrints owner Gina Keesling via email at [email protected]
 
Find us on facebook
facebook logo
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
 
Rob shoeing Rocky
ABOUT THE COMPANY AND THIS NEWSLETTER
Farriers 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.
Share our emails
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)