Road Trip

There're a lot of fun things about being the owner/artist (marketer/bookkeeper/shipper/secretary . . . .) of Bean Up The Nose Art.  One of the most delightful is getting to go on marketing road trips.  Here are how they work:

1)  Get in your silver Saturn Vue, with its "BE WHAT YOU ARE" license plate. 

2.  Make sure to take your great road trip dog, Gracie, with you.

3.  Bring your spiffy little marketing box full of sample goodies.

4.  Caffeinate yourself.  The Pacific Northwest is blessedly full of these kinds of drive-through coffee stands.  It is hard to believe that California does not have more of them.  A shout-out here to fabulous Java Hut in Fairfax and Petaluma . . . bringing them to the Bay Area.  Another shout out to the fabulous woman who worked at this particular stand -- who, when they ran out of dog treats (a key component of drive-through coffee stands . . . caffeine for you, and a treat for your dog), brought her own from home to give out to customers.  Now that's service!

   

5.  Drive to picturesque towns.  This trip, we hit a lot of spots in western Washington . . . including historic downtown Snohomish:

 

6.  Find the super cute store in town and show them your stuff.  (No photos here yet . . . that's a separate blog spot to come later.)  

7.  Stop along the way at parks and enjoy the autumn.

What's not to love about this job?!?!?!

Brick & Mortar Friends: The Star Store

Welcome to The Star Store: 

with three locations on fabulous:

The Star Store originated in 1919 as a general store, named after a brand of shoes:  STAR BRAND.  Tamar and husband Gene bought it in 1984 . . . when Tamar was seven months pregnant . . . with a vision to creating an updated contemporary mercantile and market.  And, as Tamar reports, "26 years later, here we are, blessed with our daughter Gena, and still in business!"

That's for sure.  Their three locations offer what they call "an eclectic collection of Food - Fashion - Fun."  We're not even covering the food part here (great natural, organic, and gourmet foods).  Just take a look at some of the Fashion and Fun: 

And lest you think it's all for the ladies, it's not.  They've got departments for kids and men, too:

And as if we didn't love The Star Store just for all of this . . . they also carry a great collection of cards and gifts (which include Beans . . . yay!!!)

A great big thanks to The Star Store for being one of our earliest, and most frequent, purchaser of Bean Up The Nose Art goodies.

And if you are indeed lucky enough to be up on Whidbey Island this weekend, you can also check out the "Uniquely Whidbey" business show on Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10 at Coupeville High School, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  FREE!  Check out all the participating Whidbey Island businesses . . . including MJC Copy and Stationery, which will feature Bean Up The Nose Art products in its display of how to turn YOUR art into products.

And if it fits your budget and priorities . . . remember to pledge it up during Bean Up The Nose Art's KUOW pledge challenge . . . noon hour . . . Sunday, Oct. 10.   THANKS!

Pledge Drive Challenge!!!

Here at Bean Up The Nose Art, we're great big fans of radio:  the medium through which you get to imagine your own pictures as you listen.  For example, there's not really a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than listening to a Giants game (GO GIANTS!!!!) on KNBR while you're drinking coffee, eating some chocolate, and working away on a new art project.

While Bean Up The Nose Art is up on Whidbey Island, KUOW -- Seattle's terrific public radio station -- is on pretty much 24/7.   And our very favorite show is "The Vinyl Cafe" -- most easily described as a Canadian "A Prairie Home Companion."  But better.  For one thing, the terrific host Stuart McLean WRITES BACK when you send him fan mail.  (Which we know from personal experience. And sorry, Garrison Keillor . . . we also know that you don't.)

So . . . in celebration of Bean Up The Nose Art's website launch, and in recognition of all the hours we've spent listening to KUOW while working on art, Bean Up The Nose Art now throws down to you this PLEDGE DRIVE CHALLENGE!!!!  

Are you ready?  

Here's how it works.

During the noon hour this Sunday, October 10 -- while "The Vinyl Cafe" airs -- Bean Up The Nose Art will match every dollar pledged (up to $1,000).   You can post here

(wait til Sunday at noon to take advantage of the challenge money!) or call in on Sunday:  866-677-5869, or 206-543-9595. 

We hope you'll play!!!!