Atlas Holds The Collection

 

A Jar Of Rocks

While at my parent's last night, my mother reminded me that she'd offered up their vintage Atlas jar of rocks if I wanted it. Who am I to say no?

Number 1, I love beachcombed rocks. Number 2, I love the vintage Atlas jar.  I did tell her though, I might feel a little guilty as the breakthrough from the kitchen to the porch wouldn't be the same. That jar has sat on the counter of the breakthrough for as long as I can remember.

I got over the guilt. We even squeezed in the rock Dad had brought back from the beach yesterday.

Nope. No guilt.

One lone shell, but lots of spotted rocks, and a swirly one.

The jar is just perfect with its blue tint and old weather handle.

I don't know why I'm so obsessed with things found beachcombing, but I am. Hands up if you're obsessed with beachcombing finds or things you have to stick in your pocket when on a walk. The other day on a field walk with the dog, I actually stuck fur in my pocket to show Gar. Deer fur or coyote fur, we couldn't decide which. I didn't save it though.

Back to the jar, in addition to the one lone shell, there was also one lone marble.

I have no idea how that got in there.

Snow Moon

I have to say, I've been pretty impressed with the Snow Moon. I hope you've all gotten a glimpse wherever you are. I was out again this morning at 6:30 in my pajamas trying to get a better shot. Let's suffice it to say, I'm definitely putting a tripod on the 'must have' list.

Before I bid you adieu, I'd just like to thank Alicia over at BelleMaisonEtMoi for being so kind to feature my print yesterday. It made me very happy to be included in the company of some really wonderful artists.

Adieu mon ami,

Work It Wednesday & The Snow Moon

Knowing that a lot of Mercantile Muse followers are also small business owners, Work it Wednesday is a way for me to share my experience as the owner and operator of my own Advertising/Public Relations/Marketing firm, Speakeasy, for nearly 18 years.  Those of you who aren’t business owners will find that a lot of Work It Wednesday information can be applied to you as an individual whether you’re trying to get a new job, negotiate a raise, pitch your project at work, trying to land a big contract. I’m sure a lot could be applied to situations on the home front as well, it’s just in the way you look at it.

Marketing 101, Part 2: Your Unique Product Benefit

Let’s be clear. Really clear. This is about you being able to understand and effectively communicate about what you sell and why people should buy from you; buy specifically from YOU.

It’s easy to say: “I sell romantic jewelry that I create with my own hands" or "I sell vintage housewares".  Here's an important point to let percolate........so do a lot of other people.

As you work at marketing your business, you need to consider what sets your product or service apart; what makes it stand out from the crowd.

The result of establishing ‘that special thing that you offer and no one else does in quite-the-same-way’, is referred to as a Unique Selling Proposition. However, that might be putting the cart before the horse. Before you can create a Unique Selling Proposition, you need to determine what the unique benefit that your product/service provides to your customers.

Let’s start at square one so you can figure out your Unique Product Benefit. Ask yourself a few questions:

*What is your product or service?

*What background do you have that adds value to your product?

*What does your product do for your customers?

*What is your product’s Unique Product Benefit?

Still not sure how to answer the above questions? Think about this example:

*What is your product or service?

Example: TUMS©, an antacid.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

*What does your product do for your customers?

Example: It stops acid indigestion.

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------

*What background (credentials, experience, awards, schooling, etc.) do you have that adds value to your product?

Example: TUMS© is formulated by scientists and doctors ( I don’t really know this, I’m just using as an example- though I hope it’s true.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

*What is your product’s Unique Product Benefit?

Example: It relieves discomfort making people feel better…. fast.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Does that make it clearer? 

Once you establish your Unique Product Benefit, you can move onto creating a Unique Selling Proposition which I’ll discuss next week. The Unique Selling Proposition is important to the marketing of your product or service because most of us aren’t in this ‘just for the fun of it’ (though that’s a nice bonus), but rather because we’re business owners who want to succeed and turn a profit. 

You are more than welcome to share your work on your Unique Product Benefit in the comments section. I think it would help everyone fine tune their UPB, as well as learn from each other.

(If you'd like to share this information in anyway, you may do so with proper credit to me and a link back to this post. Thank you. ©Pamela J. Bates)

The Beautiful Snow Moon

I did get away from my desk yesterday afternoon for another walk with the dog. I admit it, I had hopes that the Snow Moon would rise the way it had the day before. It just wasn't to be, but when I got up this morning and looked out my West window, there it was as big, bright and as orange as the sun.

Pajama girl scurried for her camera, slapped a coat and mittens on and went across to the field. I'll just tell you, I couldn't get the shot I wanted. Settings were off, need a tripod, it was freezing.......obviously there were numerous reasons. Regardless, it was awesome and these pictures don't even come close to capturing it. 

I'm including this really blurry one, just to give you a better idea of what it really looked like. Huge and amazing. 

Did anyone else see it this morning?

All for now.

See you on the flip side,

Take A Walk With Us

The Field: Part 1

I looked up from my desk at about 4:25 yesterday and realized it was still light! This is reason for celebration as far as I'm concerned.  I looked at the dog, he looked at me and before I could say 'do you want to go for a walk?', I had my wellies on and he was at the door.

Lo and behold, I'd been at my desk all day, and although I let Lucan in and out a few times, I didn't realize just how nice it was out. 51 degrees! Another reason for celebration. It's February and I didn't even need a coat and gloves. Just a sweatshirt. Talk about making a girl and her dog happy.

Off we went with the sun shining bright. We walked from one side of the field to the other. There was only snow at the bottom of each side. The oddest Winter ever, but I'll take it.



Part Two: The Sky

I had just taken the shot of the barn roof, walked a little further and found the snow heart and then I looked up. I gasped. The huge 'snow' moon was resting on the barn roof.

It was really something. I made Lucan sit for a minute just so I could take it in.

Simply breathtaking. 

Eventually I had to pull myself away, but there were still things to be seen.

This plane had a good view and was reflecting the sunset.

This plane was much higher, but its trail was also reflecting the sunset.

When we stopped at the little cemetery at the top of the field, I found this awesome lichen on the stone wall. The texture and the mustard colored bits were awesome.

Then I caught the moon one last time through the trees before we headed back across the street.

The snow moon is so bright, it woke me up for the second night in a row.

Sunset Meadows

As I peeled myself away from the sight of the moon, I turned as was greeted by the sun going down.

Lovely.

This morning after Gar started his truck, he came back in and said, "You should see the sunrise at the end of the road." So I stepped out and said I didn't see anything, to which he replied, "You have to go to the end of drive and look East." I did as instructed.

The sky was on fire.

It's not as warm today, but the sun is shining and it's nice enough for another walk in the field. That's what we're planning on here..........well, if I can rouse the dog from his nap on the couch.

Have a great Tuesday.  By the way, not a lot of entries in the giveaway so far.  You're all giving the current entrants a really good chance of winning. Just throwing that out there. Of course, they'd might prefer that I just clam up.

Tomorrow, the second installment of Marketing 101.

See you on the flip side,