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.