Home Party Pocketboards

I attended a friend's Partylite event this weekend and learned a great new tip for consultants:  She bought trendy three-ring binders at the back to school sales, making sure they had a clear vinyl pocket on each flap, and then cut off the rings.  Voila!  Great pocket-boards to hand out at home parties so each attendee has a surface on which to fill out their order form.  They're flat for easy packing too, and (obviously) recyclable.

Chance and Claire in a Beverage Basket!

 Happy 4th of July, America!

 

Americana ~ July 4th, 2012

Today I got to use my Americana Small Oval Muffin Basket with Cornflower Blue Liner for the very first time!  I made a star-shaped cranberry orange quickbread cake in my Woven Traditions Star dish.  It inverted perfectly.  

I glazed my dessert with raspberry jam and dusted with blue rock sugar to take to a work barbecue and block party.  Everyone loved the presentation!  No one will ever know just how easy it was to make.  The swinging handles on the basket also made my dessert easy to transport.  I love having special serving pieces to celebrate holidays. 

How have you been able to use your Woven Traditions pottery in an innovative way?  Please share your tips in the comments below.

Tapiocha Cheese Souffle

I made a childhood favorite of mine for a holiday potluck this season. This was not just any potluck--it was a group of foodies that were home Chefs, with a capital "C." So of course I paid attention to presentation by using my Longaberger Baskets & Woven Traditions Pottery.

I make this entree so often that I posted it to my personal blog some time ago. For the recipe, go here.

Ascention Lutheran Holiday Boutique

I started as a consultant in October of 2010, so I did several boutiques last year before I had even recieved my samples. Over the course of the year, I bought little bits of merchandise to have on hand for cash-and-carry markets. But I haven't had much money to pay in booth fees this season, so I ended up doing only a single boutique that I registered for weeks ago. This particular one was 30 miles away from my home, so it turned out to be a significant investment in gas and time as well.

I used half the 8' table for Longaberger sales, and half for my handmade craft items. I expected to have internet access since I'd emailed the organizer about it when I registered. The organizer never got back to me, and when I arrived, there was no wireless, leaving my table emptier than I would have liked.

I had a selection of price points, from a $10 picture frame or vase to a $50 9x13 baking dish, and not one item sold. The show was in Thousand Oaks, an upscale valley suburb, and held at a church with attached private school, so I thought their base would be sizeable. But the traffic was minimal. I did have several people who'd heard of Longaberger, and I gave away my business card, so I'm hoping to get traffic on the web or phone calls. But in all my hurry to load the car, I forgot to put out a mailing list sign-up sheet. I think I was a bit out of practice since I hadn't had a booth in so long.

What do you consider a reasonable booth fee? Do you do shows where a percentage of sales goes back to the house? Which time of year is best for you sales-wise? Do you do cash-&-carry or just give out catalogs? I'm still learning and would love to hear the experience of other consultants, so please comment on the blog or on my facebook page!

Baby New Potato, Homegrown Rosemary, Fresh Ground Nutmeg, Cheddar, & Parmesean Quiche

Here's what I've been using my Longaberger bakeware for lately: Baby New Potato, Homegrown Rosemary, Fresh Ground Nutmeg, Cheddar, Parmesean Quiche. Yummy! I love one-dish meals....

Dreams Live Here Tour 2011 in Ontario, CA

Hello, my name is Ellen, and I'm an addict. Today I met Tami Longaberger! If you don't know (how could you not!) she's the CEO of The Longaberger Company, and daughter of its late founder Dave Longaberger.

I journeyed to Ontario, CA, about an hour and a half from my house, for the Dreams Live Here Tour 2011. It was held in a lovely banquet room, and featured talks by Longaberger staff, motivational speeches by National Sales Leaders, as well as a basketmaking demo from a Longaberger artisan. Add to that tips & tricks for fall & holiday entertaining, gifts, and decorating from a sales leader, and photos and signings with Tami were just the icing on the cake! Plus, there was FREE SHIPPING on all orders placed there. Needless to say, I came in with my wallet and walked out without it. But I got sales credit for all purchases I made, as well as the 25% discount, and free shipping, so I couldn't resist a few special gifts to myself.

I walked away with the Dreams Live Here Basket, which benefits Joplin, MO reconstruction and cleanup from the May 2011 hurricane. It's woven in the Crimson Hill weave of heather gray, crimson red, and golden yellow. i know it will have a long life in my home. And best of all, it's now signed by Tami!

(the National Sales Leader who introduced Tami as a speaker)

(Claire was tired out by the crowd!)

(Tami speaking--my apologies for the awful camera)

(Tami and I together)

(a beatiful display of fall items)

(A grouping of Holiday 2011 items: I love the way the Santa Belly Tall Tissue basket is used as a base for a "tree" sprig of fir.)

(A special Horizon of Hope display)

(The delicate Collectors Club items on display)

(A Masters Studio basket)

(My favorite Collectors Club items--especially the Gourd!)