Tag Archives: Skipjack Publishing

Spreading Wings

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Thank you to all of my wonderful customers {dear friends} for helping me put Burton on the map during the spring Texas Antiques Show!  Each show just keeps getting better.  Karaoke Night and White Linen Night were both huge successes.  Karaoke Night felt like a scene from a Reese Witherspoon movie, as I watched guests approach The Coop carrying their lawn chairs and coolers to listen to Karaoke singers in the back yard.  The community did not disappoint on White Linen Night either.  Loved seeing the crowd dressed in white enjoying Libby Koch, Bad Girl BBQ and of course all the talented artists who participated.

It was an exhilarating and exhausting three weeks.

Now that I have had time to catch my breath, I am ready to take on new and exciting things at The Coop!  The past few months I’ve been exploring high quality and light hearted items that compliment our “Industrial, Vintage and Homestead Goods” core products.  I promise to never stray too far from our core, but would also like to

be delight and frolicsome, I want to be improbable beautiful and afraid of nothing as though I had wings.

Have you ever felt like an underdog?

I confess that I often feel like the underdog as I forge my way in a secret town.  The underdog is a role that many entrepreneurs can identify with.  We march to our own beat and take the path least traveled.  Part of my mission at Flown The Coop is to promote fellow entrepreneurs and underdogs. I wholeheartedly believe everyone can achieve a dream by hard work, persistence, determination and being flexible to market trends.  It also helps when your small business community focuses on discovering ways to support each other.

I am so proud of the variety of talented people featured at The Coop.  Our vendors are dear friends who are chasing a dream and the majority of them are local folks.  We currently offer tee shirts designed by Sugar Pie Tees and Display,  Pamela Fagan Hutchins fiction and nonfiction books, artwork by Humble Donkey Studio, Lazy Bee Honey and honey jams, lavender products by Lacey Farms and sugar scrubs by Massage Therapy by Emily (my daughter).

In May The Coop will add jewelry created by Anastasia Gregoire.  Anastasia designs jewelry from vintage silver platters.  Stayed tuned on our Facebook Page for details!

New to The Coop: Boomtown Coffee is now sold at The Coop in one pound bags of whole been blends {Ethiopian Amaro Gayo and the very popular Darkness blend}.  You can now buy THE coffee voted number one in Houston at The Coop!  {EEKS!}  Jeff and I made Boomtown part of our daily routine when we lived in the Houston Heights.  Our son, Hayden, roasts coffee and is a barista for Boomtown.  We love this company and are thrilled to bring the Boom to Burton! #BringmetoBurton #BringtheBoomtoBurton 🙂

Items Just for the FUN

I am open to any idea that will make our customers smile!  A few months ago my daughter texted me a picture of novelty socks that she insisted we carry at The Coop.  So I did.  The first weekend we sold ten pairs.  SO FUN!!!!  I love watching people read the socks.  Most of them supports my sassy side.

When you stop doing things for fun you might as well be dead. ~ Hemingway

Spreading my wings

Despite my love for The Coop and my beloved secret town of Burton, I need to fly free from time to time.  In May I will hit the road for a buying trip to Ohio.  I have several stops planned along the way and will see my favorite pickers once I’m in Ohio.  I hope to bring back amazing Industrial and Vintage finds.  You can follow my journey on our Facebook Page and Instagram.

Contact me if you would like me to hunt for something specific for you!  The Coop will be open while I’m on the road.  But please call or check our FB and Instagram for possible closings.

That’s the scoop on The Coop!  I’m excited to spread my wings with new ideas, products and an upcoming road trip.  Hope you have something zesty to pursue!  I’d love to hear about your adventures.

Dedicated to those who can’t be caged,

~ Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky!

 

 

The Year of Joy

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In January I declared 2015 to be the year of living Wholeheartedly.  Every year seems to have a focus and a Pinterest Board to match.  I learned this year to accept myself.  I am a dreamer, a risk taker and persistent; character traits that at one time I believed to be construed as selfish.  Now I know that I can’t run from who I am.  These themes run through all the yearly boards I create.  Here’s one of my favorite pins from Living Wholeheartedly 2015…

2016 The Year Of Joy

I am declaring 2016 the year of JOY!  A Pinterest Board The Year Of Joy 2016 has been created.  For something more tangible, I’ve also started a Joy Jar.

It is empty now.  I hope to fill it with moments of joy that I can read next December, an idea I’ve seen posted to Facebook several times in the past few weeks.  Wonder what I’ll discover about myself in the Year of Joy?

A moment of joy

I already have a moment of joy to put in my jar.  Yesterday I stopped into Branded Boutique, a cute little boutique in Brenham, Texas.  I was looking for a new outfit for our Christmas picture.  I’m not exactly a fashionista, but I don’t want to look frumpy for our Christmas card.  I left with a gift for myself that just made me smile!  {Please don’t judge, I know “things” aren’t supposed to make you happy.}

Every Gen.U.Ine FREE spirit needs a pair of Living Your Dream boots!

What’s behind the smile?

As I was purchasing these amazing new boots, I mentioned to the adorable shop owners how perfect these boots were for me to wear at Flown The Coop.  I learned a little bit about these sisters who run the the family owned boutique and shared a little bit about The Coop.  It was fun to talk shop with other entrepreneurs and kindred spirits.

Various social media platforms and this blog allow me share these experiences, and the fellow dreamers and risk takers I meet.  This is what truly makes my heart soar and is behind the smile!  I’ve discovered that I LOVE cross promoting other small businesses.

Cross promoting

I learned the importance of cross promoting in 2008 when I had the privilege of hanging out with early adapters who led by example.  My best friends; Michele Savoldi, owner of Columbus Impressions and Kelly Blanton, co owner of Sugar Pie Tees built their businesses by sharing themselves and the businesses they admire.

The success of Flown The Coop can be contributed to the many people who share their experiences at The Coop!  I appreciate all the friends of Flown The Coop who posted to Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.  Looking back through Visitors Posts on Facebook and Photos Of You on Instagram testifies!  Every post ads to my joy!  THANK YOU!!!!!!!  

I also appreciate the kindred entrepreneurs who understand cross promoting.  Businesses that have a large following can do so much in helping small businesses!  I have some great friends in the Roundtropolis who get it…

This year I was totally blown away by a few.

One day Tara Royer Steele, from the famous Royers Pie Haven and Royer’s Round Top Cafe, came to visit The Coop.  I had never officially met Tara, but recognized her when her precious family stopped in.  I enjoyed chatting briefly and watching her son carry their purchases to the car.  So sweet!  Not long after they left I noticed @thepiequeen post to Instagram.  That weekend a few people shopped The Coop because they saw Tara’s post.  I’m not sure if she knew how that simple act of kindness made my day!

I’m blessed to have cross promoting friends in and around Burton.  Here’s a few:

  • Abbey Road is a natural promoter.  Her recent Where The Back Roads End article is spot on!
  • Denise Withington, the Kountry Chick Karaoke & DJ has been a great promoter!
  • Beverly Martines, owner of Bel Solé B&B, has shared all the many uniques finds she has purchased from The Coop.
  • Pamela and Eric Hutchins of Skipjack Publishing are promoting rock stars!
  • Theresa Cano, owner of Garden Antqs Vintage, is a master of cross promoting our friends in the junker world.  I’ve appreciated her posts about Flown The Coop!

Burton has a hard working team at The Burton Chamber Of Commerce who are continually looking for ways to promote other businesses.  I’ve been blessed by these ladies who continually promote Burton on their business pages.

 Act of kindness

Local businesses count on your support.  It is an act of kindness to choose to shop small and local anytime of the year.  Go a step further and tell your friends about your shopping small experiences on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  I promise your time sharing will not go unnoticed and will be appreciated!

My first Joy Jar memory is a moment of joy shopping at Branded Boutique.  I met sisters pursuing their dreams and left with an awesome pair of boots.  That shopping small experience got me thinking about the importance of cross promoting.  I am so blessed to have friends who continually promote The Coop.  Thank God they embrace my dreams, risk taking and persistence wholeheartedly as well.  🙂

May your joy overflow

Photo cred: Homegrown Hospitality

Happy Holidays!

~Tiffany

And the bird fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky!

Rocking Around The Coop

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Getting in the spirit

This year is my first year to decorate The Coop for Christmas.  Sadly, I don’t normally enjoy decorating for the holidays.  It’s just not the same since Jeff and I flew the coop, becoming empty nesters.

I forced myself to start thinking about it in October, already feeling behind the retail schedule.  Saying a little prayer for creativity, I started pinning ideas on Pinterst.  One pin led to another, and then the Christmas spirit took me by surprised.  I was actually looking forward to transforming The Coop with my new ideas.

During the same time, I was putting together our first Christmas At The Coop scheduled on December 6th, 11am – 5pm.  Planning a party is one of my all time favorite things to do.  I am really excited for all the creative people who will be joining the celebration.  The special guests include Pamela Fagan Hutchins (author), John Lowery (artist), T-Roy Miller (musician) and my son Hayden Eckhardt (barista & coffee roaster with Boomtown Coffee)!

A few of my favorite things

I had an idea of how I wanted to incorporate our existing Vintage * Industrial * Homestead goods with a Christmas selection that focused on shopping small.

First I placed orders with my favorite entrepreneurs, procuring an assortment of great gift ideas including tees, bracelet charms, candles, bags, pillow,etc.  Then I stocked up on our local homestead goods, Lazy Bee Honey and Honey jams and Lacey Farms Lavender.

This month we are introducing local talent into The Coop.  We now carry a local author, Pamela Fagan Hutchins with Skipjack Publishing.  We met Pamela and her husband this past fall at our Karaoke Night at The Coop.  Pamela didn’t miss a beat and sang two songs that evening.  John Lowery, a local artist, has been popping into The Coop since we opened in March.  It took me by surprise the day he stopped by to ask if we would display his Engelbrecht Longhorn prints in The Coop.  Of course we would!!!!  You can meet both Pamela and John on December 6th during Christmas At The Coop.

Taking time to create 

Making a list of projects I had pinned, I decided Jeff and I would create a few of our own Christmas decorations {another first}.  Jeff used his new plasma cutter to make wonderful galvanized Christmas ornaments.  He also hand crafted a mantel and some church pews with galvanized embellishments.  I created paper ornaments, paper chains, forced paper whites into canning jars and chalk boards with messages of Christmas cheer.  My friend Carolyn spent an afternoon crafting at The Coop to help me get it all done.

A vision realized

I waited until the Sunday before Thanksgiving to transform The Coop.  The weather was finally cool the day I insisted on pulling everything out for a complete re-do.  It was fun to rearrange and add the Christmas collection to our Vintage and Industrial design.

My excitement ignited when Jeff hung my chalk boards with messages of Christmas cheer.  It was one of those moments when you realize a vision exactly how you had hoped it would be.  We were rocking around The Coop as we added the Christmas trees!

I am proud that The Coop has become an unique shopping experience with Vintage * Industrial * Homestead Goods, and fun gift ideas for the holidays!  The best part is that you can feel good that you are supporting local businesses, local talent and my entrepreneurial friends.

Even Maggie Magenta got dolled up for the holidays!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can honestly say that I am in the Christmas spirit.  I can’t wait to share it with you!

Here’s a sneak peak… check out our Christmas 2015 album on Facebook for more pics!

What is your favorite part of getting in the holiday spirit?  Will you be rocking around the Christmas Tree?  I’d love to see you ideas, hear your traditions and what you are looking for when you shop for your loved ones.

May your days be Merry & Bright,

~Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky!

Christmas At The Coop

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It’s hard to believe that we are celebrating our first anniversary of life in Burton, Texas!  Jeff and I moved into our Burton home a few days prior to Thanksgiving 2014.  It has been a very full year of making memories, realizing our dreams and becoming apart of an amazing community.

Christmas At The Coop

December 6th 11am – 5pm

I have thoroughly enjoyed planning our very first gen.u.ine Christmas At The Coop!  Here’s what you can expect on Dec 6th…

From the beginning, I envisioned featuring homestead goods at The Coop.  It has been a joy procuring local products, such as honey and honey jams from Lazy Bee Honey and lavender from Lacey Farms.  I am confident you will find unique gifts from our mixture of vintage and industrial home goods, along with our hand crafted items and fun tee designs.

I dream of filling The Coop with live music.  It was a goose bump kind of moment when my friend Abbey Road helped me book T-Roy Miller for an acoustic jam from 11am – 2pm. Not sure how we got so lucky! T-Roy’s guitar picking is mesmerizing and will definitely put us in the holiday spirit! Check out his web site http://www.t-roymiller.com/ and this video: https://youtu.be/7KGIu4-iQuE! If you weren’t in the holiday spirit yet, you will be now!

Where the backroads end, Burton is a homestead for creative and talented people!  I am thrilled to be hosting two very talented individuals whom I have had the privilege to become friends.

Pamela Fagan Hutchins, author and co-owner of Skipjack Publishingwill be joining us for a book signing.  I recently completed her Kate Annalise trilogy and couldn’t put the books down.  Her books will make great gifts, especially signed by the author!

 

Local artist, John Lowery has chosen The Coop to exclusively display his Engelbrecht Longhorn.  The original painting is quite large at 50″x50″ and depicts a typical scene if you drive down Engelbrecht drive between 390 and Post Oak Road.  You will be able to meet John and purchase one of his prints for the art lovers on your gift list.

Be sure to get there early!

11am – 1pm Boomtown Coffee, voted reader’s choice 3 years in a row, will be in the house!  My son, Hayden Eckhardt will be using his mad barista skills to serve java and espresso drinks.  Bags of freshly roasted coffee will be available to purchase as well.  The perfect hostess gift for your upcoming gatherings.

Make it a day!

Burton’s Heritage Society has planned a Tannenbaum Tour and Christmas at the Depot. Tour our local businesses and vote for your favorite Christmas tree, have your photo taken with Santa and enjoy the holiday spirit in our magical little town!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make it a tradition

December 4th – 6th small towns throughout the Roundtropolis area will be celebrating the holiday season.  So, book a B&B and make a weekend of it!  We hope that slowing down for a country Christmas will become your annual tradition.

Stay updated on the event HERE!

Happy Holidays!  ~ Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky!