Made in America Monday: Room and Board

It's Made in America Monday, where I feature a company that is producing (or selling) products that are made within the United States. Although you can find wonderful things made in other countries, I think sometimes we overlook the craftsmen and products that are being produced just around the corner.

So with the familiar slogan "Think Global, Act Local" in mind, I give you Made in America Monday.

From their website:

"As a Minnesota-based, privately owned company, we've been designing home furnishings for more than 30 years. Reflected in every piece of our assortment, you'll see the principles that have guided us from the very beginning. 

"As you browse our collection you will find beautiful, thoughtful designs. You will find natural materials shaped, welded and woven by dedicated craftspeople across the United States. And you will find all these things at an exceptional value. But most importantly, we hope you find inspiration. Because helping you create your ideal home is the cornerstone of our business. You are the reason we do what we love."

Find a store near you.

Or shop online.

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Dorothy St. James writes the White House Gardener Mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. Flowerbed of State is the first book in the series. Be sure to grab your copy while they're still available! Visit with Dorothy on the web or at Facebook. Or follow her on Twitter.

Praise for FLOWERBED OF STATE:
"Credible characters, a fast-paced plot, and a light look at political life in Washington, D.C., will delight cozy fans." ~ Publishers Weekly

"This spunky new romantic suspense series is an obvious pick for readers who enjoy Julie Hyzy's "White House Chef" series (Buffalo West Wing), but also think of gardening mystery series such as Rosemary Harris's (Slugfest)." ~ Library Journal

Order Flowerbed of State from your favorite bookseller. 

IT'S HERE! IT'S FINALLY HERE!

The Scarlet Pepper!

  Order The Scarlet Pepper from your favorite bookseller today!

Made in America Monday: Lincolnton Furniture Co.

It's Made in America Monday, where I feature a company that is producing (or selling) products that are made within the United States. Although you can find wonderful things made in other countries, I think sometimes we overlook the craftsmen and products that are being produced just around the corner.

So with the familiar slogan "Think Global, Act Local" in mind, I give you Made in America Monday.

The Lincolnton Furniture Company, North Carolina

A Dream Reborn: 

From 4/8/2011 Charleston Post & Courier's "N.C. Furniture Company's Revival Has Global Message:"

"When Bruce Cochrane’s family furniture company became an empty factory, he wouldn’t drive by the building, even though it was just a short ride from home. There were just too many memories of what was, and what he was sure would never be again.

"Five generations of Cochranes had been furniture makers, starting with his great-great-grandfather, William, who built church pews in the 1850s. By the mid-1990s, though, the long, proud family tradition appeared to be at an end."

First opened in 1905, the furniture company grew. In 1986, the family-owned company employed more than 1,000. Then in 1996, the business was sold and all operations were moved overseas.

From the website:  "Today, Bruce Cochrane has joined with Bruce Hric and Phillip Null to start Lincolnton Furniture.

"Lincolnton Furniture began taking orders in October 2011 and shipping of solid wood bedroom and dining furniture will begin in January 2012. It is the continuance of the Cochrane family manufacturing and selling furniture for six generations."

Where to buy: http://www.lincolntonfurnitureco.com/where-to-buy.html

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Dorothy St. James writes the White House Gardener Mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. Flowerbed of State is the first book in the series. Be sure to grab your copy while they're still available! Visit with Dorothy on the web or at Facebook. Or follow her on Twitter.

Praise for FLOWERBED OF STATE:
"Credible characters, a fast-paced plot, and a light look at political life in Washington, D.C., will delight cozy fans." ~ Publishers Weekly

"This spunky new romantic suspense series is an obvious pick for readers who enjoy Julie Hyzy's "White House Chef" series (Buffalo West Wing), but also think of gardening mystery series such as Rosemary Harris's (Slugfest)." ~ Library Journal

Order Flowerbed of State from your favorite bookseller. 

Order The Scarlet Pepper from your favorite bookseller.

Praise for THE SCARLET PEPPER:

"The second story in this series does not disappoint.... Once you start to read this story you will have a hard time putting it down. Can't wait for volume three." ~ reader review from JudiOH

"The Scarlett Pepper is the second book in The White House Gardener Mystery series. And a very enjoyable addition it is....Looking forward to reading the next book to she how Casey and Jack handle becoming "better friends", if Casey can begin to get closure on her parents deaths when she was a child and of course being a dog lover, looking forward to more tidbits on the First Dog." ~ reader review from F. Yoder

Made in America Monday: Farmhouse Yarns

It's Made in America Monday, where I feature a company that is producing (or selling) products that are made within the United States. Although you can find wonderful things made in other countries, I think sometimes we overlook the craftsmen and products that are being produced just around the corner.

So with the familiar slogan "Think Global, Act Local" in mind, I give you Made in America Monday.

This week's company is Farmhouse Yarns.

They sell wool, bamboo, cotton, alpaca yarns (just to name a few).

From their website: "Farmhouse Yarns are hand-dyed in America, and we buy much of our wool directly from American farmers.  Many are small, family farms with twenty or fewer sheep: farms that find it very difficult to compete in a global economy where foreign fibers have taken hold and driven down prices.  Farmhouse Yarns, LLC™ provides local farmers with a valuable market for their wool.  Fleeces are inspected and chosen by hand for quality, then the resulting yarns are hand-dyed to bring you the most beautiful high quality American yarns available.  We offer our yarns to fine shops all across America, so be sure to browse our retailer listing for a shop near you."

Find a retailer near you.

Do you have any suggestions for future Made in America posts? Please provide any thoughts/ideas you might have in the comment section. I'd love to feature the product and give you credit for sending it.

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Dorothy St. James writes the White House Gardener Mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. Flowerbed of State is the first book in the series. Be sure to grab your copy while they're still available! Visit with Dorothy on the web or at Facebook. Or follow her on Twitter.

Praise for FLOWERBED OF STATE:
"Credible characters, a fast-paced plot, and a light look at political life in Washington, D.C., will delight cozy fans." ~ Publishers Weekly

"This spunky new romantic suspense series is an obvious pick for readers who enjoy Julie Hyzy's "White House Chef" series (Buffalo West Wing), but also think of gardening mystery series such as Rosemary Harris's (Slugfest)." ~ Library Journal

Order Flowerbed of State from your favorite bookseller. 

Look for The Scarlet Pepper in April 2012. Pre-order your copy today!

Made in America Monday: the Chevy Volt

It's Made in America Monday, where I feature a company that is producing (or selling) products that are made within the United States. Although you can find wonderful things made in other countries, I think sometimes we overlook the craftsmen and products that are being produced just around the corner.

So with the familiar slogan "Think Global, Act Local" in mind, I give you Made in America Monday.

Okay....this is my DREAM CAR. (Of the moment.) I admit it, I'm a techno geek. I love gadgets, and I've long been a fan of the electric car. I might have shed an angry tear when GM trashed the EV1. I might have even said I'd never buy another GM.

But they've returned with the Chevy Volt. And they're promising to redeem themselves with this "car of the future."

Made in the Hamtramch Assembly Plant in Hamtramck, Michigan, the Volt is primarily an electric car. It has a gas backup just to keep us from feeling nervous on our road trips.

The Details:

Electric MPG equivalent: ~90

Gas only MPG: ~35

Cost: ~$35,000+ (sighs)

Since it's President's Day, perhaps the patriotic thing for me to do is to go buy one.

Happy

Do you have any suggestions for future Made in America posts, please provide it in the comment section. I'd love to feature the product and give you credit for sending it.

**********************************

Dorothy St. James writes the White House Gardener Mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. Flowerbed of State is the first book in the series. Be sure to grab your copy while they're still available! Visit with Dorothy on the web or at Facebook. Or follow her on Twitter.

Praise for FLOWERBED OF STATE:
"Credible characters, a fast-paced plot, and a light look at political life in Washington, D.C., will delight cozy fans." ~ Publishers Weekly

"This spunky new romantic suspense series is an obvious pick for readers who enjoy Julie Hyzy's "White House Chef" series (Buffalo West Wing), but also think of gardening mystery series such as Rosemary Harris's (Slugfest)." ~ Library Journal

Order Flowerbed of State from your favorite bookseller. 

Look for The Scarlet Pepper in April 2012. Pre-order your copy today!

Made in America Monday: American Apparel

It's Made in America Monday, where I feature a company that is producing (or selling) products that are made within the United States. Although you can find wonderful things made in other countries, I think sometimes we overlook the craftsmen and products that are being produced just around the corner.

So with the familiar slogan "Think Global, Act Local" in mind, I give you Made in America Monday.


Continuing with the clothing theme from last week...

This week I'm featuring American Apparel a business located in downtown LA, California.

From their website: "American Apparel is a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor and retailer, based in downtown Los Angeles, California. We currently employ approximately 10,000 people globally (about 5,000 in LA), and operate more than 285 retail stores in 20 countries.

Within our business model, knitting, dyeing, cutting, sewing, photography, marketing, distribution and design all happen in the company's facilities in Los Angeles. The company operates the largest garment factory in the United States, at a time when most apparel production has moved offshore. With our recently opened stores in China, we are now selling Made in USA clothing in the largest consumer market in the world.

American Apparel leverages art, design and technology to advance the business process, while continuing to pioneer industry standards of social and environmental responsibility in the workplace."


Want to learn more? You can tour their LA, California factory online: http://www.americanapparel.net/factorytour.html

If you have any suggestions for future Made in America posts, please provide it in the comment section. I'd love to feature the product and give you credit for suggesting it.

Made in America Monday: All Amercian Clothing Co

It's Made in America Monday, where I feature a company that is producing (or selling) products that are made within the United States. Although you can find wonderful things made in other countries, I think sometimes we overlook the craftsmen and products that are being produced just around the corner.

So with the familiar slogan "Think Global, Act Local" in mind, I give you the second Made in America Monday. I hope you enjoy it.

The All American Clothing Company founded in 2002 is based out of Ohio. The company produces jeans, pants, shorts, shirts, and outerwear for men and women.

From their website:

"All American Clothing Co. competes in an industry that is considered to be 97% foreign made. Thus we receive emails on a daily basis asking if we are truly in the top 3% of USA Made apparel manufactures. Patrons constantly question us about raw goods and labor. I certainly cannot fault buyers for asking.... but the truth is we are one of the few that can legally claim to be USA Made. We exceed the Federal Trade Commissions strictest of rules. The backing offered by Made in USA Certified™ consistently helps us to satisfy our patrons that we are being honest, compliant and well within the FTC Act's conditions/rules. USA Made products and jobs are important and Made in USA Certified™ helps us to give comfort to the patrons that they are getting a genuine USA Made product."

~~Lawson Nickol, Co-Founder

"It's halftime America..." Great Superbowl Ad!

Made in America Monday

This is the first in a new series that I'm starting called Made in America Monday, where I feature a company that is producing (or selling) products that are made within the United States. Although you can find wonderful things made in other countries, I think sometimes we overlook the craftsmen and products that are being produced just around the corner.

So with the familiar slogan "Think Global, Act Local" in mind, I give you the first Made in America Monday. I hope you enjoy it.

What's better than chocolate? Hand-crafted chocolate. That's what!

"Sweeteeth creates artisan chocolates using traditional, handcrafted techniques. Our operation in North Charleston, South Carolina, is devoted to the small-batch production of finely crafted chocolate bars and bon-bons, with an emphasis on high-quality chocolate couverture and innovative flavor pairings."

You can order their chocolates online at http://shop.sweeteethchocolate.com/  or look for their products at a store near you: http://sweeteethchocolate.com/shop-local

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Hint. Hint.