News from the Bee

I have some of the new products for you! The Bee is Longaberger's big national convention where all the home consultant's are invited up to see new products and show ideas and big sales and hear news about the company. Awards are given out for sales and other recognitions, and folks always pass on info and pictures that they have taken while up there. I unfortunatly am unable to go this year, due to some sticky finances (remember, I'm still putting myself through college :) thankfully Longaberger helps me have some extra income)

This is the soup and sandwich plate which can be used for dips and chips/veggies, as well as that it interacts with the small crock, bowls, or just for kids who dislike their food to touch!

These are listed as $35 in the new wishlist.

The basket behind it is featured in the new Chestnut weave pattern. 

Napkin Rings

Peppermint inclusion candle

Small business card

(available until February)

2 Pie Server

Bread Carrier Basket (note the sealed lidded protector)

Cookie Platter (and in the background you can see the snowflake patterned mug, and the snowflake basket)

Oval Muffin Basket

Oval Diamond basket: combines a diamond shaped base with an oval top, as well as our new Chestnut color

Small Recipe basket

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(A MUST HAVE) This is the new muffin pan, it is unglazed on the bottom for even heating, but glazed in the woven traditions colors on the top for easy clean up! 

The bright colors are back! Mugs and bowls available

Autumn leaves Large market weave pattern (this weave pattern is available in other baskets as well) available september only! Features Merlot, Spice and Maple Leaf Yellow Weaving, Merlot lid available as well

Look for more updates in the coming days as I get the time to put it all up!

-Missy

News from Bee 1 *new products*

Hi everyone here's a sneak peek video from Longaberger from Bee 1, I'll have more info for you as the week progresses!

Liveblogging from the Bee!

Hey ya'll, just to  let you know, there will be live blogging from bee 1 via twitter!
go to:
http://twitter.com/gatheringbasket
If you're a twitter user, follow for updates, or just pop in and check it out!

Fox 28 visits Longaberger!

I'm watching a video right now from the Columbus Ohio Fox station. One of their fabulous reporters visits the Longaberger Factory. For those that may not be able to watch the video (like my mom) I'll do a little synopsis of what happens.

 He wove his very own berry basket in Rich Brown, tan and black (color weaves???) They also demo the brand new way of staining the weaves and splints by themselves PRIOR to weaving as opposed to after weaving. This system was designed by Longaberger employees and allows the colors to be way more vivid.
Johnny Diloretto takes a tour with Basket Maker Natalie, they stop by the Factory Store, they leave just absolutely LADEN with baskets, (seriously he's got them on his head!), they head over to the Homestead SHops at the homestead starting with the Kitchen area, even the camera guy gets some yummy snacks (peach salsa). Johnny tries some black rasberry and gold miner fudge, Rodney the camera guy has some caramel flavored fudge did you know they sell like 40,000 pounds of fudge?
They then talk about the Spring Fling, and the DASH FOR BASKETS! 
Crawford Barn is one of the largest barns in central ohio, and the hosts the Longaberger Barn Barbeque, (and all the sale items from the Homestead now) and the BBQ looks amazing!

You can view the video here

Homestead Opens for the Season

The Homestead opened for business yesterday March 20!

Some new changes this year:

For the first time EVER, make-a- basket will be PRE-STAINED! you can choose from warm and rich brown and a bunch of color trim strips and tack jackets! Preschedule 5 or more weavings and get a group rate!

in an effort to recycle some of the basket waste pieces, you can make a woven keepsake including, butterflies, flowers or a fish for just $5! 

Home consultants can now host a show in the Longaberger Family home with special perks!

The Crawford Barn will now have all of the sale merchandise from the Homestead store (expect prices 30-75% off)
new baskets at the Homestead with various trim colors!
The Longaberger Clothing store in Dresden has closed, all of the clothing can now be found int he Patio Shops

The Crawford Barn now has a BBQ restaurant
Hand dipped ice cream is BACK (with pizza too) all on the 2nd floor of the Crawford Barn
The bakery in the Homestead shop now hosts a starbucks

If you can’t say anything nice,

Well, I'm sure you know where the rest of that comment goes, I was raised on that quote, and I think more people need to remember it. Last week I posted about the Longaberger Layoffs and sent my wishes to those affected in Ohio, my sentiments are still true. I've been keeping up with the news in Ohio recently via the Zanesville Times Recorder. I am absolutely saddened at the horrible comments people have been leaving about the Longaberger Company and Tami.

I really feel that in this time, it is important to support the company to its fullest extent. By supporting Longaberger in our daily actions, and words, we can help take Longaberger to new heights. To achieve more fully the dreams that Dave and the Longaberger family as a whole have for the company. By supporting Longaberger we will be able to create more jobs and recall some of the workers who have been laid off to return them to their place as weavers, managers, or wherever they were in the Longaberger company. 

Comments like several of the ones expressed by readers of the Zanesville Times Recorder are not helping anyone. It is completely unnecessary to bash anyone in the company, and the blame cannot be extended to any one person. The commenter hmk01 responds to "Tami bashing" well, I liked the way it was put:

Which of you has had that responsibilty? Which of you has had to make those very tough decisions? I know I have not, and I not only admire and respect Tami for the sacrifices she has made to ensure she continues to support the community, but I applaud her as well.

This is true, and it's also important to realize that Tami can't be everywhere at once, certain day to day operations and decisions will be made by her management staff. Reports will be to her, but the company is just too big for her to manage on her own.

Postive Gal, a former Longaberger employee also had very wise words, she points out that it's not only folks from Ohio that know the full story who read words put online. The words that are put online can't be taken back, words are a reflection of your thoughts, and what you say lead people to make judgments about you. It's important to remember this fact when writing anything, what will your audience think? Positive Gal also says "I had the privilege of working for Dave, he too struggled" any company leader has to make hard decisions in times of trouble, Longaberger included. 

For me, I'm going to hold forward with Janieface's comment:

For those of you who have lost your job, we are your store front. The consultants show and sale your hand crafted work. We need to try harder in these hard times.

– Janie Face

 I'm going to do my best, to see that Longaberger succeeds, because I love Longaberger, and I love America. I love everyone I've met that has been connected with the Longaberger company and I'm sure I'd love their families if I met them. I'm doing my part, I'm being the storefront for the weavers, I'm showing their hard work to everyone I can, and expressing my basket love to everyone that comes across my site. 

To the people who aren't: Keep it to yourself, and off the internet.

Will you BEE there?

For all the consultants in the audience I give you

Bee promotion video:

I get to go!!!! yay!

And tell ya what, I'm so excited about the bee that I want to do a Bee themed giveaway, I'm currently looking for sponsors who might be interested in working with me for this endeavor so if you know anyone who'd be interested please have them contact me, I'd like to do this in Sometime between June and Early-Mid July so that's plenty of time to plan, I want to do this right!

C Ya there!

-Missy

Longaberger on the road

I'm from northern Virginia, which is a little over 6 hours away from the Homestead (or if you have a crazy driver, it's around 5) which means I've been there every year since my mother began selling (2001-ish) as she takes a bus trip up (which is SO much fun!) in the fall.

Being so close to the homestead is often something that I take for granted, what about all the folks from crazy far away? They can't just take a day trip up to the Homestead if they want to. How do they experience Longaberger in a different way?

Well- Longaberger comes to you!

Longaberger does several basket shows throughout the year, as well as coming together with other businesses like Boyds Bears and Yankee Candle to do a big show.

The next basket festivals will be:

- Yankee Candle Festival- South Deerfield, MA- May 14-17

- Boyds Bear Country Festival- Gettysburg, PA- August 27-30

At these events you have the opportunity to:

- Make A Basket (SO MUCH FUN)- you'll work with your own personal basketmaker (who area ll SUPER nice) to weave your very own basket that is special to the event (the Yankee Candle Festival is weaving a candle basket)

- Factory Store- shop for retired Longaberger Baskets, Pottery and wrought iron products and get a first hand look at them.

- Homestead At Home Store- Home Decor, clothing, collectibles, gifts and accessories for your event basket (the Boyds basket last year was natural weave with brown trim and teddy bear tacks) All of this stuff will coordinate and show your love for Baskets.

- Longaberger Family members- members of the Longaberger family will attend each event and you can meet them ask them to sign your favorite basket, they're all SUPER nice and it's kinda fun to collect their signatures.

- Basket giveaways, partner tours, special activities and more!

If you are close to the Homestead, don't forget about the Spring Fling, March 27-28 and April 3-4 Games prizes and sales, Longaberger will also be rolling out prestained make a baskets, you don't have to bring them home naked anymore 

To Find out more about basket festivals go here

You never know you might see me there!

-Missy

American Made Products Are Important.

Everyone knows the economy bites right now. If you're not affected then chances are someone you know is. I certainly am lol.

Buying American Made goods like Longaberger helps put money back in the pockets of Americans. The wages these Americans get will be spent in the American economy, which will increase jobs in America. Jobs for you, your kids, and your grandkids. It is estimated that every american manufacturing position produces 3-5 other jobs in America (according to the "hold message" I just heard on the phone with Longaberger). 

Longaberger Baskets and the new line of American Home Pottery are hand made with care and love and skill here in America. Every item that Longaberger makes in America are featured with an American Flag next to the item:

When you see this logo you know that Longaberger is providing jobs for your fellow Americans up in Ohio, as well as your fabulous consultant friends (like me!)

Those who have been up to the Homestead and met some of the weavers and workers up at Longaberger know that they are some awesome people. Unfortunatly even Longaberger has been affected by these troubled times and have faced major layoffs and paycuts (Tami Longaberger cut her own wages by 15%) And my heart goes out to the Longaberger employees affected. It makes me glad to know that the product that I help sell, helps those wonderful Ohio people keep their jobs and feed their families. 

This isn't to guilt anyone into buying anything, I just wanted to say it, because I think it's important to know. 

If you'd like more information on the layoffs, you can check out the Columbus Dispatch Newspaper

-Missy

One Day Only Sale: Good things come in three's

Hey ya'll

Another one day only sale February 25th 

Choose from 3 Harvest Weave Baskets, pick one, or take them all for 40% off

Shop online at MyShop

BIIG SALE!!!!! (the exclamation points add emphasis)

Ok so the March Promotional packet just came out from Longaberger, with awesomeness there is going to be a big sale tomorrow at the factory store.


For those that don't know the Factory Store is basically an attic of Longaberger stuff (in fact it used to be called the attic) You never know what you're going to find in the Factory Store, it's usually retired things or items that aren't in catalogs anymore that Longaberger made a few too many of. (For example, right now they have Traditional Red dessert bowls for $9 and 3qt Roasters for $24.95) There is a lot of great fabric items (totes, purses, curtains) as well as baskets, pottery, liners, and protectors that aren't around any more, you can find stuff that's a lot cheaper than it would be on Ebay.

For those that are on the east coast, the Factory Store is an actual place at the Homestead, and you can go and pick up low cost liners baskets and what not in person, (it's pretty awesome)
Along with the Factory Store, there is also the Homestead Online which has a great deal of Longaberger related products but they are like Longaberger dips and sauces and dried flowers and home decorating items, things that look great with baskets!
OK So the sale right? Basically it's a 2 for $10 sale starting tomorrow (February 20th) at 7AM check it out early so you get first dibs on colors and designs that are left!

You can get to the Factory Store AND Homestead Online by heading to myshop and on the left hand side is a link that says "factory store and Homestead online"

See ya at 7AM!

-Missy

Latte Mug One Day Only Sale!

Hi Everyone, just got news of a new one day sale! Latte Mugs are buy one get one free as an ONLINE EXCLUSIVE February 18 2009

Also: just as a reminder, the Little Flag Basket is only available for 3 more days (until February 16 2009) be sure to get one while you still can!

The Latte mugs are ONLY available February 18 at www.longaberger.com/melissaisaacs

The Flag basket can be added to show orders or ordered online at myshop

-Happy Shopping

Missy

Collectors Club Gathering- Camp Collectors Club

Hi ya'll, I have some information for you about Camp Collectors club which is an event held in April for collectors club members. The Gathering theme is Camp Collectors Club and they'll be participating in traditional activities along. Last year's theme was a Hoedown, which looks like it was a LOT of fun! It's held up at the Homestead on April 25th and there is some awesome stuff available for Club Members ONLY!

Some of the Swag available ONLY at Camp Collectors Club:
(click images to make them larger)

(Lady Bug Make a Basket- included in Registration Cost)

(Charter Member exclusive RED birdhouse, Boat Basket, Lady bug make a basket, Backpack basket, and the bag that Lunch comes in, a Lady bug Fabric Backpack!)

If you're interested, contact me for information on Collectors Club Registration!

-Missy

Super Top Secret Sale

Hey Everyone, boy have I got some news for you!

Starting tomorrow and lasting ONLY until February 16th Longabeerger is introducing a Little Flag Basket, to honor our 44 presidents of these united states! AWESOME!!! This basket will ONLY be available for a little over 2 weeks so you'd best order one soon!! This basket is the same size as the Little Market or the Home office 10th anniversary basket from a few years ago. The cost is $44 dollars because we've had 44 presidents! This basket is available on Home Show orders, Catalog sales, as well as through MyShop! I really think this basket is cute, but that's possibly because the little market is one of my FAVORITE baskets!

-Missy

Dresden Village IGA Destroyed in Fire

Hey Ya'll
Had a news article sent to me telling of the Fire which occurred Thursday morning. The Dresden Village IGA was the only Grocery store in Dresden and the building had been providing it's services for nearly 50 years, first as an A&P then as the IGA. The building was once owned by Dave Longaberger, but was sold to the Vansickle family in the 80's.

Three local fire departments helped battle the blaze, dropping local reservoir levels to the point that authorities almost had to close local schools to ease demands on the supply. No foul play is suspected, accidental causes  are being looked into but haven't been yet determined.

Tami Longaberger was saddened by the loss to the community, she worked as a teenager as a cashier and stock girl with her Aunts and Father, Dave Longaberger.

Thankfully no one was injured, but the community has lost a very important building both in its pantries and its hearts.

-Missy

Longaberger update video

Video Recap
The company sent out an update last week about new updates, in case your computer can't load it (like my mom's, due to bad connection speed) I'll review it.

The video starts out with Tami and Rachel talking about the Longaberger Foundation, the charitable organization started by Dave which is now headed by Rachel, The idea behind the Longaberger Foundation is the quote by Dave Longaberger that "the American Dream isn't just about getting, but giving as well"
Tami chimes in with the fact that there will now be "Made In America Pottery"
David Near designed it, the average time for design is six monthis, this pottery was designed in 3 weeks. because it is so important to honor the craftspersons in this country. He wanted this pottery to have the same strength as Longaberger baskets. This is supposed to be dinnerware that is an heirloom piece that can be passed down and will last. The pottery was designed by a cake basket given to Tammy by Grandma Bonnie woven by J.W. Longaberger. It features the fancy braid trim and 3 tacks on the handles for sturdiness. The braid is featured as the trim of the new pottery and under the mug handle are the 3 tacks, just like JW used.

One of the actual potter designer's name is Joe Geist, a fourth generation potter of 20 years. Twine was actually rewoven in the braid pattern and used in the mold for the new pottery. It is inspected after every step to ensure that this will be a quality line full of meaning as well as beauty. Each detail represents one aspect of the Longaberger story.

Longaberger Heart and Home
Tami tells the story of her first year in Fort Hood texas and emphasizes the point that the Longaberger Spirit isn't all about sales, it's about building the relationships that will foster them.


Inauguration Basket

Longaberger believes in america, in it's promise and it's greatness, the Inaugural basket this year, is a favorite of Meryl Stout, every 4 years since 1989 Longaberger has made an Inaugural Basket, to celebrate the country's democratic process, and the freedom and right to vote. The basket is shaped as a folded flag which is a great respect to our american military members.

(By the way, my favorite part is the fact that Tom is in the video, He's one of Tami's cats, he always finds a way to get extra attention at the Luncheons at Echsman Meadows (Tami's House))

For Those of you who aren't consultants and don't have access to the video, we have been instructed to share it with you, you can access it here

-Missy