Pictures from Ladies Night

 Our happy staff!

 

Charlette entertaining our guests.

The fun didn't even end in the parking lot!

MORE ABOUT SPECIALS, EVENTS, AND PROMOS, OH MY!

Hello friends.

I felt the need to update the blog entry from the other day.  A couple of fun things have been added to our schedule for December and the link I posted for American Express support of small business was incorrect.

American Express has extended the offer for a $25 dollar statement credit if you use your card at a small business during the entire month of December!!.  I can tell you that Small Business Saturday was a wonderful benefit to our small business.  I also admire American Express for stating that they don't really care what method you use to pay, just consider doing your shopping with a small business.  If you are a small business  who has not accepted American Express in the past, please consider doing business with the company.  The monthly fee may be a bit higher but lets support those businesses who are willing to work for us!  Google Search American Express Small Business Saturday for the link to register your card and receive the rebate.

As you read through the rest of this entry please note the addition of a local author holding a book signing on December 11.  I am currently reading  the book and loving it!  Great Gift idea too.


Woman's Self Defense Seminar December 1  6:30 pm
Free! No cost to attend this valuable seminar presented by Sharon Kluth of Maryland Safe Defense. The seminar is sponsored by Mazzella -Investigative Solutions in an effort to promote women's safety. Join us for an informative evening learning self defense techniques and tips on protecting yourself.

There is No Cost to attend this valuable presentation. Covenant Cottage will serve snacks and soft drinks.


December 11    2 pm to 5 pm

Santa Visits Covenant Cottage  AND a book signing by local author, Loris Nebbia, for her new book, Solomon's Puzzle.
Santa  and Loris Nebbia  both  arrive  at 2 pm on Saturday December 11-  Loris Nebbia's novel, Solomon's Puzzle, was just released.  I know you will enjoy meeting Loris and hearing about how the local community was instrumental in the creation of her debut novel. 
Join us for cookies and a visit with Santa! Bring the family for a beautiful photo opportunity. As always, there is no charge to visit with Santa! He is always happy to see you! Delicious Cookies will be waiting for you!


December 13 - Jewelry Shopping Event!!! Monday Evening 4:30 to 8:30 pm


For all your jewelry shopping needs, we have gathered independent jewelry designers and independent jewelry business owners to set up in our store for an evening focused on jewelry!! Everyone loves to receive a gift of jewelry and we will make it easy for you to shop with lots of choices.

Refreshments will be served. Stop on your way home from work and finish your gift shopping.


************************************************************************
Does the big shopping mall offer you free gift wrapping? 
 We DO!



Does the big box store offer you a cup of coffee or tea to enjoy while you browse? We DO!



Does the mega chain discount retailer stand behind their product? Our vendors stand behind their products and so do we.



Stop the rat race and SHOP LOCAL.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

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SPECIALS, EVENTS, AND PROMOS! OH MY!

November/December Events and News

Dear Friends

Taking a minute to update you on the weekend specials and upcoming events at Covenant Cottage.  Now that we have eaten our turkey and possibly shopped the Black Friday Deals (even on Thursday), its time to get down to  buying those special unique gifts for your family and friends.  To help you, we are offering many discounts this weekend and more fun events in the upcoming weeks. 

Did you see that American Express is offering a $25 dollar statement credit to you if you shop at an independent business or restaurant on Saturday, November 27?   What a great way to support your local  business and yourself at the same time.  All that is required is that you register your card with American Express and use it for $25 or more on Saturday!  OH and did I mention that Covenant Cottage has always accepted American Express???  I  appreciate American Express lending support to small business.  Lets start the new Small Business Saturday promotion off in a big way.  We will have specials just for this day!  Here's the link for more information on the American Express program http://www.smallbusinesssaturday.com%c2%a0/;    NOTE:  The american express program has been extended for the month of December!  Please continue to support your local small businesses and restaurants

 Big Weekend Specials

Friday  through Sunday November 26 to November 28

 10% off the following  store products

Christmas cards  - boxed and singles

Polish Pottery

Natural Life

Jim Shore - Heartwood Creek

Beanpod Candles

Boyds Bears

Ornaments - special buy  -  purchase 4 ornaments get the 5th ornament for free!

Self Defense Seminar  December 1           Woman's 6:30 pm 

Free! No cost to attend this valuable seminar presented by Sharon Kluth of Maryland Safe Defense.  The seminar is sponsored by Mazzella -Investigative Solutions in an effort to promote women's safety.  Join us for an informative evening  learning self defense techniques and  tips on protecting yourself. 
There is No Cost to attend this valuable presentation.  Covenant Cottage will serve snacks and soft drinks. 

December 11     Santa Visits Covenant Cottage

Santa arrives at 2 pm on Saturday December 11

Join us for cookies and a visit with Santa!  Bring the family for a beautiful photo opportunity.  As always, there is no charge to visit with Santa!  He is always happy to see you!   Delicious Cookies will be waiting for you! 

December 13 -  Jewelry Shopping Event!!!    Monday Evening  4:30 to 8:30 pm

For all your jewelry shopping needs, we have gathered  independent jewelry designers and independent jewelry business owners to set up in our store for an evening focused on jewelry!!  Everyone loves to receive a gift of jewelry and we will make it easy for you to shop with lots of choices 

Refreshments will be served.    Stop on your way home from work and finish your gift shopping.



Does the big shopping mall offer you free gift wrapping?  We DO! 

Does the big box store offer you a cup of coffee or tea to enjoy while you browse?  We DO!

Does the mega chain discount retailer stand behind their product?  Our vendors stand behind their products and so do we.

Stop the rat race and SHOP LOCAL.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! 

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Have you heard your first Christmas song yet?  Any stores grabbing your eye with exciting new holiday themed displays?  Covenant Cottage is still dressed for fall but we are slowly bringing out the seasons finest.  The Jim Shore Heartwood Creek figures are already on display.  This line often becomes limited, so if you are a collector or need a seasonal piece for a gift, don't delay in checking out the selection.  Soon we will be decking the halls with twinkling lights and hanging ornaments on the trees.  By early November we will be ready to help you take home a good dose of holiday spirit when you stop by.  Ladies Night is Friday, November 19th from 5 to 10 pm.  Great sales, great food, and great times.  Please plan on stopping by.  It's the most wonderful time of the year! Enjoy!

It's Still About Community

We are just hours away from the launch of our new website.  As a retailer, I can tell you that this is one of the most exciting days in my gift selling career.  This past fall, I launched an Ebay store and  posted between 20 and 30 items at a time.  It was fascinating to me to watch the power of the internet as people from across the country came upon our site and purchased to their hearts desire.We did the Ebay happy dance each time an item was ordered and paid for.    We are now starting to see a surge of returning customers to the ebay  store.  I was happy with how ebay worked but there was one catch.  Ebay charges some pretty hefty fees if the item sells.  The listing is very reasonable, but in order to make enough to justify the ebay seller fees, I would have to sell an awful lot of gifts and accessories.  The next reasonable step seemed to be an online independent presence, our own website with e-commerce possibility.  Unfortunately, I do not speak fluent HTML language which was needed too hook the shopping cart to the website.  I am a big fan of  PayPal, so I wanted to offer that as the primary payment with other credit cards also being accepted.  I contracted with a web designer for this part and today our site will be going live with the addition of the shopping cart feature.  We have added many products that were not on the ebay listings, and will be adding more each day. 
While I certainly do not want this to be a substitute for an actual visit to our shop, ( you just can't replicate the good friendly down home charm on the internet!), it can solve some issues for many people.  My family lives out of state and can't always get into the store to shop.  Some customers/friends have moved away and we still would like to be their gift shop of choice! This is a way that they can stay in touch with us  and purchase the products that they love.
In the end it still is all about community.  It's what we were all about when we began this adventure six years ago, and it still is.  If you shop online with us, we won't be able to offer you that cup of coffee, but we will be just as committed to the relationship we built with you.  How we do business may evolve and change but our commitment to you, our customers, our friends,  and the surrounding businesses and community remains our primary focus.  www.shopcovenantcottage.com 

Fall News from Covenant Cottage

September 20, 2010


Hello Friends and Neighbors
Today is an absolutely gorgeous fall day. Have you been motivated yet to begin the fall yard work and decorating? After such extreme heat this summer, I know most are glad for a break in the weather. Fall always makes me think of new beginnings. Chores I didn't get to during the summer due to vacations and company cry out to be tackled. Life seems to take on some energy. Kids are back to the school routine, leaving moms and dads a short time to do errands by themselves. I am invigorated and eager to start each day. Whether you share my love of the fall season or not, we are working hard to bring you the best in gifts and home decor for the season. New purses, table linens, lotions, collectibles, and yummy fall candles wait for you at Covenant Cottage. We continue to strive to bring you more USA made products. The coffee is always ready at Covenant Cottage. Come on by for a visit.

Covenant Cottage and Country Feed

Present the Annual Fall Fest

Saturday October 2, 2010

Our annual all day long event features food, fun and sale pricing.

Come on down and enjoy the day. Pit Beef, barbecue, baked goods, and sodas to fill your tummy

Friends, fun, and great times to fill your soul!

Sale pricing throughout both stores to help you stay on your budget.

Door prizes, drawings and more.

Ladies Only Shopping Evening

Our most popular event of the year! Wine and Cheese, appetizers, desserts and coffee. What more could you want? Oh yeah, SALE PRICING on just about everything in the store. No Children please. This is an adults only event for the ladies.

Friday November 19, 2010

5 pm to 10 pm

CLASSES AND GROUPS


I have received sporadic requests for knitting or crocheting classes. While I am happy to provide this service, I do need a minimum of 4 students in order to hold the class. If you and some friends are interested in learning a new skill, please contact me (410-923-3324) to discuss the options. I can teach the following types of skills this fall.

Beginner knitting

Beginner crocheting

Needle felting

Punch needle embroidery


I have a list of teachers that can teach more advanced classes

So let me know your interests and we will do our best to hold the class that you want


Clubs/ groups


Wednesday morning Bible Study

Meets at 10 am led by Carolyn Cooper All are welcome


The Cottage Hookers continue to meet each and every Friday morning. We are still attracting new members to this creative knitting and crocheting group, so don't be shy about being the new kid on the block. By the time you leave the first meeting you will feel like family.

Friday mornings 11 am to 12:30 pm.



HAP - Ever wondered where all the beautiful handcrafted knit and crocheted items come from. (no I don't make them all myself!) The Cottage Hooker group participates in a charity called Homemade Afghans to Thank our Armed Forces Project. Started by Deborah Starabin- Armstrong, the group is now nationwide and sends homemade afghans to the wounded in military hospitals. More information is available at www.rectangles6x9.org The items in Covenant Cottage are made by the members of HAP to raise funds for the mailing costs associated with mailing the afghans to the hospitals.

NEW WEB SITE WITH ON LINE SHOPPING!

Can’t make it to the store? Want to recommend us to out of town friends? Our new website now includes online shopping. Many of your favorite Covenant Cottage items are available from the comfort of your own home. Reasonable shipping and fast service.

Please visit us at http://www.shopcovenantcottage.com/


In the store or on the web we hope to see you soon! There's something for everyone at the cottage.

Photos from Gambrills Fall Festival

Covenant Cottage participated in the first annual Gambrills Fall Festival.  Due to unpleasant weather, only a  few adventurous souls came out to share in the fun times at the First Annual Gambrills Fall Festival.  But spirits were bright and we made the best of the day.  Next year- no rain and 70 degrees! 

Gambrills Fall Festival

Despite the weather (what's a little rain to the truly dedicated) a lot of fun times were shared today at the first annual Gambrills Fall Festival.  The plan was to include the business community with the schools and families in the area to help raise money for two local schools.  Planning began late summer and we were all ready for the festivities.  But, after many days without rain, and with no rain in the forecast in the near future, apparently today was the day for rain.  And it did.  Although we kept hearing that the weather service was calling for it to end by mid day, it rained throughout the whole event.  But here is the cool part.  The vendors who showed up to support the community had a great time.  Everyone shared business cards and stories.  We walked around and visited with each other.  The wonderful parents and children who were volunteering to make the event successful for the school needs, shopped and strolled through the vendor area.  Almost every vendor told at least one of us organizers how well it was planned and how they hope it will be an annual event.  Dillons bus company donated transportation from the parking area to the festival.  Kauffman's Restaurant employees worked tirelessly to set up, cook the delicious food, and support all the vendors needs.  The bands played great music all day long.  It makes me think that if they only thing missing from today was sunshine, we surely had a successful day.  The spirit of community was alive and well in Gambrills today.

All Kinds of Movement

When all is quiet, I like to shake things up in a literal way by moving things around. For those who have shopped in the store, you know there is an almost endless supply of stuff to move. So, summer being what it is and not the biggest retailing season, when you come in next time, if you cannot find what you are looking for, please ask us for help. We are here to make your visit enjoyable and stress free.

Did you get your coupon? This is our slogan for August although we started the promotion on July 22. Plenty of items in the store for you to chose from. Great new items and all your old favorites. Don't miss this chance to save some money and get what you want. If you did not receive your coupon, we probably don't have your email address or have it incorrectly. Call the store or better yet stop in and update our records. We don't want you to miss out on all the great events and promotions coming up this fall.

There's something for everyone at Covenant Cottage. See you soon!

Fabulous Summer Sale- 3 more days

The Summer Sale is in full swing. The sale goes through Saturday July 10th. Many specials and discounts on in stock merchandise. It's hot outside but we have cool sale specials going on in the store. Don't miss it!

One of my favorite comments

About every day or so, someone will enter the store and exclaim "I never knew this store was here!" This is usually followed by additional comments about how they live nearby and drive past all the time. Some variations are, "I shop at Country Feed next door and just thought this was part of the feed store". OR my all time personal favorite "Is this stuff for sale?"

What ever the comment or question, I am always glad that they have discovered our little hidden gem of a shop. We have been in our current location for three wonderful years. This space has enabled us to enlarge our departments and gave us space to store off season merchandise and overstock product. In addition, and most importantly, it has given us the chance to meet even more of our neighbors and become increasingly involved in the community. From our Seasonal Sales to the open house days held along with Country Feed and Garden, our lives have been enriched by the people we serve. Both reliable, returning customers and new friends, who still have the surprise on their faces from finding a true country store, enable us to live the mission of bringing quality affordable gifts and decor to the neighborhood. Every day is a new adventure and God is unfailing in his support. And yes, dear customer, this stuff is for sale.