Patriotic Acquisition

Speaking of USA made, this has been one of our biggest challenges in buying.

We all agree that supporting US made is the responsible thing to do, especially when our nation's unemployment rate is soaring day by day. Not only does buying US manufactured goods result in revenue and employment retention in our country, it also results in elevated end user prices which is any retailer's concern. 

So here is my dilemma: How can I be sure that you, my customer, will value domestic production enough to pay 10-20% more at the register? I can't, but I like this guy's take on the issue....

Thom Conroy sums up the the results of this purchasing philosophy quite simply:

Positive economic results of domestic purchasing aside, most US made products represent higher quality and customer satisfaction. I would rather provide my customer with quality merchandise that I know will retain it's value for for longer than to offer something that, due to inferior quality, will within a short time end up in the landfill....another big issue for us at Orange Tree.

So until later, Orange Tree will continue to be red, white and blue + Green!

Day 2 & 3 NYIGF

We worked very hard to find more US made/handmade/eco-friendly items to bring back to Orange Tree. Here is a sampling of some of the lines we will be adding:
This beautiful sleepwear/loungewear line is US made in California from fine cotton with satin accents. These are so good looking you can wear them anywhere!

Soulartherapy.com

These are the most wonderful gifts for any occasion and any age or gender. "Blessed" candles and Eau de Toilette in bottles reminding us of our blessings. Each jar/spray bottle of fragrances "Charity, Faith, Grace, Reverence, Glory, and Devotion" has a blessing imprinted on the back and a sterling silver cross on the packaging. The sprays are gender neutral (especially FAITH) and come with a sterling silver cross with a chain. 

And did I mention US made!???!

New York Day 1

It was a big day in the big apple for us today. We managed to navigate two floors of Handmade work and have found some great additions to our present lines.


Finally got our BaaBaazuzu orders placed and we will have some fingerless gloves, mittens and scarves to use yet this winter season!

And Kaley got to meet her beloved blog friend Michelle Allen. We ordered some great, whimsical clocks! She also turned us on to awesome popcorn...more later!



Peanut butter/white chocolate drizzle! Oh my Lord!!!

Painted Frames

Here is a new technique that I developed and love! These are large scale frames that hold up to 8 x 10 photo or artwork and make a BIG statement on a wall.


This particular piece holds a print of one of our favorite artist, Andrew Daniels. Overall measurement is approximately 24 x 26.

This next frame is great with an added phrase using my ceramic letter beads. Whimsical and fun, this too holds an 8 x 10 photo although I also have 4 x 6 sizes. Frames can be custom designed to go with your decor, deep and rich, or bright and cheery.




One more unique frame is in the store holding a sepia tone photo and it looks so cool. Warm browns, umber and deep turquoise blue with gold accent band. Great color combination for an 8 x 10 photo.

New York here we come!!!

Today is really busy for the OT executives (doesn't that sound so official?). I have socks to deliver the the Center for the Homeless thanks to those of you who participated in Warm Hearts/Warm Toes, and packing as we prepare to head off to New York City tomorrow on our first buying trip of the season! Whoohoo! that means great new merchandise in the store very soon!

Kaley and I will be spending two days at the New York International Gift Fair for which we have spent the last month planning our strategy to visit the vendors that we know you will love. We will be visiting presently established accounts and many new artists who we can't wait to share with you!

So, stay tuned and I will give you a little show from New York starting tomorrow!

Warm Hearts/Warm Toes

Please share the gift of warmth with others at Orange Tree. Beginning Monday, January 19th, as part of our OFF THE WALL sale, Orange Tree will be collecting socks to deliver to Hope Rescue Mission and The Center for the Homeless in South Bend. Just stop in the store anytime Monday-Friday from 10:00-6:00 and you will find our collection boxes. Your donation is worth a 5% discount on your purchase that day in addition to our 25% sale of merchandise OFF THE WALL!

Just one small way of sharing warmth!

Welcome Home from Iraq!

This cube trunk was created for a young man for his birthday. His mom contacted me a couple of months ago and we have had a few sit down chats to review photos and thoughts on how I could incorporate the most special things to him on the piece. What you see is one of the most personal pieces that I have ever made. It includes his zodiac sign, his pet, his favorite teams, and his troop from Iraq. Happy Birthday! Welcome home, and thank you for serving your country!

More Custom Trunks!

I love working with people to create a really unique gift and these trunks are the pinnacle of unique! The large trunk was created as a Christmas gift from a husband to his wife! HOW SWEET IS THAT??? We worked together passing ideas back and forth via email for a month, then he came to the studio to approve the charcoal layout before I started the actual carving, painting and ceramic embellishing. We included their kids' birthdays on the calendar on the top, their nationalities were represented on the end panels, and their lakehouse was depicted on what is considered to be the front of the trunk. Merry Christmas Alyson! May your trunk bring you many years of joy!

Snow, Snow, GO! GO! GO!!!!

UGH! I am thoroughly done with winter and yes, I KNOW, it has just settled in for a long stay! But thanks to Old Man Winter, we are continuing our Off The Wall sale through next week! YAY! I knew you would be happy about that. So for all of you who have hibernated this week, get ready to get off the couch, out of your sweats, and join the real world for some great savings next week! We will see you then...Stay warm:)

Off The Wall!

You thought we were a little unique at Orange Tree, well now we're proving that we are truly "Off the Wall" unique! Announcing the first annual Off The Wall event at Orange Tree beginning Monday, January 12 and continuing through January 17th. EVERYTHING on the walls will be marked 25% off!!! This sale includes rarely discounted pieces by Chris Roberts Antieau, David Scherer, Alec Reid, Andrew Daniels, Noel Daas, and much more. Even Jamie's pieces are discounted "off the wall"!!!

Stop in early to see the discounted prices presently displayed and remember "first come first serve" since many of these items are one-of-a kind and the same actual pieces will not be represented again by Orange Tree.

We are excited to open up space for new merchandise on order. It will be a great winter at Orange Tree so stop in for a citrus"y" time!

Happy New Year!!!!

Many thanks to those of you who shopped Orange Tree for the holidays. We were exceptionally busy wrapping literally hundreds of gifts and tying many bows for our wonderful customers. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for shopping locally during these extraordinary economic times. We appreciate your loyalty and patronage.

All of us at Orange Tree wish you the happiest and most blessed 2009!