With today's inflation, who wouldn't mind saving a little extra?
Check out the selection of items now on clearance. You'll find everything from makeup brush rolls to crayon rolls. It's all 40% off with no coupon code needed. The discount is shown right on the page. Just add to your shopping cart and check out whenever you're ready.
Happy (discounted) shopping!
]]>Honestly, the air popper drives me a little batty. Popcorn used to go flying everywhere, landing on the floor, and all over the kitchen counter top. I used to keep a small towel in reserve to cover the air popper and direct popcorn into the bowl.
The decision to try something different came from a cold and wet weekend afternoon at home. It had been raining the entire day so my family didn't want to go anywhere. We decided to turn that Saturday into a family movie night. My daughter assigned herself responsible for making the hot chocolate. We also ordered pizza, but decided on some popcorn too.
Well, I quickly made up my mind to sew up a reusable popcorn bag for us to try out. I stuck it in the microwave to see if the popcorn bag would make some air-popped popcorn, except without the mess and fuss. It worked perfectly!
The instructions are super simple. To make a fresh bag of microwave popcorn, just pour up to one half a cup of popcorn kernels into the bottom of the bag. Pull the flap over the top and lay it flat in the microwave. Set your microwave for two to three minutes, or until the popping slows. The little flap will keep your popcorn from escaping.
Once the microwave is done, just pull the popcorn bag out and start eating. If you’d like, add some salt or other seasoning.
It works perfectly. Neither your reusable popcorn bag or popcorn will burn. Just hot, freshly popped popcorn ready to eat.
Plus, the bag has a gusset (structured) bottom so you don't need to dirty an extra bowl. This means it instantly transforms into a bowl of its own.
My son loves dinosaurs so thinks this one is the best:
]]>The biggest request I received during years of attending arts and crafts fairs was eyeglass cases. People wanted a soft case to keep sunglasses in the car or reading glasses in their purse. As a lifelong glasses wearer myself (since seven years old), this was a need I was so happy to fill.
The eyeglass cases are made with a soft cotton fabric and a a couple of inside layers to provide structure. I also added a button/loop slip to make sure your glasses don't fall out and get lost.
My Creative Activity Wallets are also now available for sale. These wallets were inspired by my daughter who loves to draw and scribble. I've lost track of the number of times I scrambled to find paper and a crayon or two when we were out and about. So, I started experimenting with different designs and styles until these little wallets were born. Each one comes fully supplied and ready to be used which means one less thing to worry about. It has crayons, colored pencils, paper, chalk, and stickers inside - everything needed for your little one's creative inspiration
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How does it work? The carbon impact of every shipped order is calculated and then an equal amount is donated to verified emission reduction projects
How much will I need to pay? There is absolutely no additional cost for any of EcoHip's customers. There will be no increase in product or shipping costs to fund this initiative. It's only one more reason to shop with EcoHip.
I'm really excited to be able to offer this, especially as online shopping becomes a greater part of the retail world. I truly believe if we all work together, we can make the world a better place and carbon-offsetting is another way for us all to do so.
- Natalie
]]>EcoHip gift cards come in increments of $10 all the way up to $100 so there's a gift card to suit every budget. Select one for a birthday or another for Christmas to customize even further.
Just select the amount, add to your shopping cart, and checkout. You'll be directed to enter the recipient's email address.
Once the transaction is complete, they'll receive a gift message and a unique claim code. Your giftee can then browse and window shop to their heart's content before picking out the perfect EcoHip product.
EcoHip gift cards have no expiration date and are perfect for any last minute gift-giving needs. Or if you're a procrastinator (like me!)l
]]>I've baked up a quick batch for some badly needed comfort food or to just satisfy my chocolate-fueled sweet tooth. Friends and family have asked me to bring some to birthday parties and holiday gatherings. However, that's not what made this particular cookie recipe so special for me. You see, almost every time I've made them, my daughter was either helping or keeping me company while I've worked. For many years, she would stand in our learning tower while we worked together. She's outgrown the learning tower now but still measures the flour and pours the vanilla extract.
A few tweaks have been made to the original recipe over the years but it's still very close to what appears in the original cookbook. So, I'm presenting my chocolate chip cookie recipe to you.
A couple notes:
* If you can find them. Tropical Source chocolate chips are amazing. Even if you don't have any on hand, I've tried these with many different brands and it's tasted great every time.
* The cooling time is important as these can dry out or harden if left on the cookie sheet longer than is listed.
Ingredients:
1 cup white flour (I use unbleached)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup chocolate chips plus a few extra
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil (a little full)
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. black strap molasses
Steps:
1. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick spray.
3. In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Add salt and sugar. Stir until well combined. Mix in chocolate chips.
4. In a smaller separate bowl, combine vanilla, maple syrup, and black strap molasses together with a fork or small whisk.
5. Add oil and stir until well combined.
6. Add wet ingredients to dry. Stir until well combined. Just a few quick strokes should do it. Do not over-mix.
7. Drop small spoonfuls onto the baking sheet and press down slightly to flatten.
8. Bake for ten minutes.
9. Cool on the baking sheet for one minute. Any longer and they tend to dry out. Transfer to a cooling rack.
10. Eat!
Makes approximately 16-18 small cookies.
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Did you know there are over 30 million episodes on Apple Podcasts? Some other podcast factoids I discovered:
Well, I certainly listen to podcasts at home and use my phone to listen. The rest, well, let's say I can beat those averages.
Since so many of us are still spending a great deal of time at home, here's a list of some of my favorite podcast shows.
The Gone Cold Podcast is a true crime podcast featuring unsolved cases throughout the state of Texas. The host, Vince, has a wonderful Texas drawl , which he uses to speak for the lost and missing.
One other true crime podcast I can't suggest enough is Southern Fried True Crime.The show describes itself as "exploring the dark underbelly of the true south" and it delivers with historical tidbits and cultural insights.
Business Wars is a part of the Wondery network and I look forward to each new episode. Some are stand-alone while others are in a five or six part series. Coke versus Pepsi. Nintendo goes to war against Sony.
Lindsay Graham hosts American Elections: Wicked Game which explores every U.S election from George Washington's all the way up to 2016. This historical podcast shows just how political politics has always been.
American History Tellers is another great historical podcast hosted by Lindsay Graham. This podcast has a similar format to Business Wars with multi-part series exploring different parts of American History. Prohibition, the Great Depression, the National Park System, and many other events are laid out in detail. This podcast is just fantastic and one I highly suggest.
Curious how haunted places become haunted? Haunted Places tells the legends, myths, and tales behind different haunted places, from old castles to historic hotels.
Check some of them out and let me know what you think? Have any good podcast suggestions? Share in the comments and let me know. I'm constantly looking for new podcasts.
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I'm no exception to that statistic. Unless the resolution is to eat more chocolate, I'd fail too, so that's why my list of resolutions looks like this:
Instead, January is a month to pause and reflect, to consider what I learned in the previous year. Has a particular color grown more popular? Less? Are elephants the new sloth? Is paisley back in style yet?!?!
I also spend time reflecting on new product ideas, almost entirely based upon customer feedback and suggestions. For example, the travel jewelry rolls came about from talking with in-person customers at some local art markets. The reversible coffee cozy was inspired by the friend who introduced me to iced coffee.
Last year, I also:
Most of the above took place in the last three months of 2019 which made it a dizzying time for me as well. January remained much the same while I took in an unusually high number of custom requests and worked to regrow inventory stock. Now, February is here and it's time to set some goals and explain how I'll accomplish them.
1. Redesign the home page. This one is already in progress. I've been experimenting with the look and feel for over a week now and hope to have something ready within the next month.
2. Add more navigation. This has already started. More links and more ways to filter and search are coming.
3. Launch two new products. I've spent a couple evenings working on one of them and am still trying to decide what the other will be. A horrible picture of my pattern design is below:
4. Improve photography. This one makes my list every year. Product photography is a skill that doesn't come naturally to me.
5. Learn more about SEO. I think this one will be like product photography and will be on the list year after year. The rules will always be changing and it's my job to keep up with it.
6. Enjoy myself!! It's repetitive to say but I love what I do. My work day starts at 5:30 AM (no, that isn't an exaggeration) while my family is sleeping. Every morning, without fail, I'm ready to go with a mental to-do list in my head. It's fun!
Later this year, it'll be time to check-in and review progress on this list. We'll see how I'm doing then...
]]>As has happened many times over the years, the knitting needles led to another EcoHip product. After a couple weeks and a whole bunch of experimenting, the new interchangeable knitting needle case is now available.
It includes two rows of pockets and contains organic cotton batting for structure:
The number and size of pockets (twenty in total) means knitting needle case can be used for straights, double points, or crochet hooks. There is also room for knitting notions such as a thread cutter too. Smaller items, such as a row counter or cable needle, will fit in the attached zippered pouch.
When not in use, it folds up into a small case with a hook and loop closure. There are plenty to choose from, in a mix of color and styles.
Well, except for the pink and gray one. That's mine:
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Wow.
A few items, horrible pictures, and a vague dream of growing a business via my trusty sewing machine. There were absolutely no long-term plans other than to keep plugging away and to learn as I go.
Since then, EcoHip has participated in a number of craft fairs and farmer's markets. I've done a few house parties, dipped my toes in consignment, and experimented with wholesale. Products have been added and dropped. Fabrics have come and gone.
Some of my ideas were a success (checkbook covers) while others flopped (consignment). But, that's business.
However, In all those years, EcoHip has never had its own web site with shopping capabilities. Have you seen the meme on Facebook or Instagram?
She believed she could so she did.
Well, that wasn't me. I walked to the water's edge, checked the termperature, and decided to try again another day. After all, SEO is confusing and web site design is even worse. The truth was, I had lots of excuses and none of them were any good.
After nine years in business, it's time. Heck, it's overdue.
So, I'm learning and growing again. SEO isn't as hard as I thought it would be. There are tools to help create web sites. Most of all, I'm reminded why I love what I do so much. Speaking with customers, choosing fabrics, and laboring at the sewing machine - it all keeps me going. I'm lucky enough to say that I truly and honestly love what I do.
For now, products are being added as quick as I can get them up. Like always, ideas kicking around in my head are being turned into new items. I hope to get those product lines up shortly. There are blog posts partially written, pictures taken, and a to-do list that keeps growing.
For now, here's a bad picture of picture of what kept me busy this week:
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Want to make your own? This dishcloth tutorial is quick and easy to knit. You can make one in an evening while watching TV.
Supplies:
Guage is 18 sts = 4 inches
Approximate finished size is 8" square
Cast on three stitches.
Row 1 &2: K3
Row 3: K2, YO, K to end of row
Repeat row 3 until you have 45 stitches.
First decrease row: K1, K2Tog, YO, K2Tog, K to end of row.
Repeat decrease row until 3 stitches remain.
Knit 2 rows.
Bind off row: Slip 1 stitch from left needle to right needle, k2tog, bind off slipped stitch, pull yarn through last stitch to finish.
Weave in ends.
That's it!. One knitted dishcloth made and ready to use.
Just toss in the wash and dryer when needed. Your dishcloth will last for a very long time.
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