http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/ en jon@themercantileshops.com Copyright 2010 2010-07-14T02:09:52+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/vermont-natural-coatings/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/vermont-natural-coatings/#When:15:42:26Z You no longer have to choose between a wood finish that is high quality, professional grade and green. Vermont Natural Coatings uses local resources and Vermont craftsmanship to create our premium products. No other products in their class are as safe for the environment and manufactured using environmentally sustainable processes. Whey proteins are the naturally durable ingredient that makes our products different and better. Whey is a by-product of cheese-making, and Hardwick is in the heart of Vermont’s dairy farming industry. We harvest this renewable resource from farms to make a durable coating that is virtually odor free, gets great coverage, and dries quickly to get you to your next project. Across America 2010-07-13T15:42:26+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/chair-city-wayside-furniture-co/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/chair-city-wayside-furniture-co/#When:02:37:28Z Ralph Curcio and William Lehtinen began Chair City Wayside Furniture Company in 1938. Three generations later the company is still owned by the same families and is in its original location. Located in Gardner, Massachusetts, the company is one of the last remaining chair makers in “Chair City” and is one of the few remaining makers of its type in the country. Today, Leonard Curcio still weaves the fiber rush seats and manages sales in their factory showroom. Across America 2010-07-05T02:37:28+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/bradford-mercantile-custom-homespun/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/bradford-mercantile-custom-homespun/#When:17:26:43Z Bradford Mercantile works with a privately owned fabric and sewing shop in North Carolina to custom make our homespun bedding, tablecloths, and window decor. Across America 2010-03-17T17:26:43+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/arnev-products/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/arnev-products/#When:02:42:19Z Arnev Products, Inc. is a Keshena, Wisconsin based manufacturing company, founded in 1989 that specializes in decorative wall and floor electrical covers. Bradford Mercantile sells Arnev's "The Big Switchover" line of punched switch plates in just about any outlet, switch, GFI, decora, and gang combination you can think of. Across America 2010-03-01T02:42:19+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/natural-form-sleep-systems/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/natural-form-sleep-systems/#When:23:53:15Z Roger Budz opened his Natural Form showroom in Warren, Rhode Island in 2009.  Located at 488 Main Street, his showroom is currently one of only a select few around the country, and the only one in southern New England for this fantastic product.  This mattress system is the most comfortable bed we have ever slept on - and we mean it.  We were first introduced to the sleep system when we stayed at a Hilton Garden Inn.  Needless to say, we are so happy to use these mattresses for our shop's bedding displays.  So - come in and lay a spell! Customers of Bradford Mercantile get a $50 gift certificate to the shop when they purchase any Natural Form or Equinox Sleep System from Roger's Warren showroom. Showroom Location:Natural Form Sleep Systems488 Main StreetWarren, RI 02885 Showroom Phone Number:(401) 237-4757 (Store)(401) 323-4688 (Mobile) Showroom E-mail Address:roger@naturalformri.com Showroom Web Site:http://www.naturalformri.com Across America 2010-02-27T23:53:15+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/cuddledown/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/cuddledown/#When:19:45:26Z Cuddledown is a family owned company committed to making and selling the finest in home furnishings. The quality of our products, combined with our devotion to great customer service, makes us the premiere source for all things cozy. We got our start in 1973 by making just one product: our trademark down comforters. At first, we sold down comforters directly to our friends. These were the days of the first energy crisis and high oil prices made heating your home very expensive. Down comforters were new to New Englanders, but it didn't take long for people to catch on to just how cozy and efficient they are. This specially crafted bedding allows people to turn down the heat at night — even in the coldest Maine winters. Our friends discovered the centuries-old European tradition of sleeping under a down comforter; a soft and light "puff" with luxurious comfort that makes getting out of bed in the morning a new challenge. Cuddledown comforters became so popular, we thought people in other parts of the country would enjoy them, too. So we took out advertisements in magazines. Our catalog was born, and we opened a small shop in Yarmouth, Maine, to use as the base for catalog operations. Now, we not only offer a wide selection of synthetic and down comforters, we also offer synthetic and down pillows and featherbeds, all made in our Portland, Maine, factory. Our down bedding is handcrafted with the finest down and fabric available. Every step of the process is completed with detailed care, and the quality is checked to assure that only the finest products are produced for our customers. At Cuddledown, we work with the raw materials and quality check the entire manufacturing process, so you can rest assured that your down comforter, down pillow, and down featherbed will perform to our highest standards while exceeding your expectations. Manufacturing Story We work hard to maintain relationships with the finest textile mills and down suppliers from around the world. We visit our suppliers' establishments throughout the year to ensure that quality is up to Cuddledown's high standards. We also use independent laboratories to test our down, making sure that the fill power is at least the quality that we say it is, if not higher. The fabric we use in our manufacturing process is also scrutinized for optimal quality. Since we fill each pillow, comforter, or featherbed by hand, our expert stitchers inspect every inch of our fabrics for defects. All of our synthetic and down bedding is made with downpoof fabric, guaranteed not to leak any down, feathers, or our plush synthetic fill. And all of the downproof fabric we use is Certified Eco-friendly by Oeko-Tex. This means that it has been rigorously tested to be free of all chemicals harmful to you and your family. All of our manufactured synthetic and down bedding is handcrafted for quality and comfort that lasts. Each comforter has box-stitch construction so that the filling is always evenly distributed and there are never any cold spots. Featherbeds are made with baffle box construction so the plush synthetic or supporting feathery down fill is allowed to fluff up to create a cozy nest for you. All synthetic and down bedding is double-stitched to prevent any fill from leaking and every aspect of our bedding is backed by our Cuddledown Guarantee. Across America 2010-02-21T19:45:26+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/bonnie-fisher/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/bonnie-fisher/#When:19:59:48Z Bonnie's paintings evoke wonder of simpler times. Her vibrant use of color and sense of scale bring her paintings to life. All of Bradford Mercantile's Bonnie Fisher framed prints are Made In America. Across America 2010-02-10T19:59:48+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/jill-oflannery/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/jill-oflannery/#When:19:54:20Z Jill O’Flannery received artistic encouragement from her father who was also an artist. Her works feature stunningly candid facial expressions caught in time with unconventional perspectives on room settings or background landscapes that add dimension and intrigue. All of Bradford Mercantile's Jill O'Flannery framed prints are Made In America. Across America 2010-02-10T19:54:20+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/ron-schmidt-loose-leashes/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/ron-schmidt-loose-leashes/#When:19:34:37Z A note from Ron: My love of photography started with an old Yoshika that Uncle Russ gave me for Christmas. I remember my first photo shoot at age 10 – a wildlife exploration around my suburban New Jersey neighborhood. That day, I took my first animal photos – of city squirrels and of my dog, Nicki. Over the years, my interest in photography grew and I attended the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. After graduation, I spent a number of years in New York City assisting high profile fashion and celebrity photographers. While working with supermodels was exciting, I was drawn to more conceptual photography and branched out on my own in 1999. I found my niche creating unique images with dogs that started with a holiday image I created with my dog, Indy. At times I am still that 10-year-old boy – peering through my lens at a dog, waiting to capture that perfect moment on film (but now, I have a way better camera). I truly enjoy the creative process of sketching out an image and the production work involved from prop building to casting the perfect dog. The most exciting part of the work I do is the end result, seeing that sketch come to life and become a reality that I created. All of Bradford Mercantile's Ron Schmidt framed prints are Made In America. Across America 2010-02-10T19:34:37+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/van-amber-publishers/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/van-amber-publishers/#When:19:26:57Z Dear Valued Customer, Our Great Depression Cookbooks are very unique, unlike any other cookbook.  We receive phone calls almost daily from people who love them and want to share them with family and friends.  The appeal seems to be the nostalgia of heartwarming memories told in the words of those who survived those desperate times.  Some stories are heartbreaking, some are hilarious, but all provide a rich historical account of the trials endured in homes across the country during the poorest time in the history of our nation.  The creativity and solid purpose families meeting these challenges delight and amaze our readers, providing entertainment along with lessons for today. Our books came about as a result of how deeply impressed my mother (author, Rita Van Amber) was with the way her mother held their family together, body and soul, during those hard times.  As a child of 10 she witnessed her mother facing daily hardships with a positive, encouraging attitude, maintaining the morale of her husband and children.  As stated by many who lived through those days, "We didn't know we were poor." My mother desired to document for all time the courage and grit displayed by these families through collecting their personal stories and memories.  This documentation had to be in the form of a cookbook because feeding the family was the harshest challenge they faced, and their creativity in meeting this challenge resulted in our most treasured "comfort food" recipes today.  My mother asked me (her daughter) to join her in this project as my Home Economics background provided necessary expertise.  We completed the first volume in 1986, printed enough copies for family and friends and thought that was the end of it.  It was just the beginning.  Twenty years and 250,000 copies later we have 5 volumes and a full time business.  My husband (a Graphic Arts instructor) has taken an early retirement to apply his knowledge in paginating and printing the books.  And our talented daughters-in-law help with our cover design, making this a three generation project. This is our story, told to you with the desire that it will help readers appreciate the historical and inspirational value of our Great Depression Cookbooks.  And with the hope that your family stories might be sent our way to be documented in future books. Sincerely, Janet PaskeCo-author & Publisher  Across America 2010-02-09T19:26:57+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/legacy-publishing/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/legacy-publishing/#When:19:48:41Z Legacy Publishing Group grew out of a small family book manufacturing business when David Dunn, the family's father, decided to paste pretty pictures onto old and unused book covers. This happenstance became a success and a whole new business! David Dunn's children, Mary Pat, Pamela, and Cathleen, were the first company employees which has grown into a successful gift company with over 100 designs selling all over the world. Dunn & Company still manufactures many of Legacy's Products, and Mary Pat's husband keeps production on track. Cathy's husband, Carlos is CEO and handles much of the business end of things and Tim, Pam's husband, is National Sales Manager and General Counsel (that's fancy-speak for lawyer!) (Adapted from Legacy's web site.) Across America 2009-11-21T19:48:41+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/liberty-star-candles/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/liberty-star-candles/#When:16:34:54Z Future description Across America 2009-08-26T16:34:54+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/sassy-primitives/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/sassy-primitives/#When:02:35:59Z It all began back in 1999 when Wendy was inspired by her two twins Caitlynn & Cody, full of mischief, and always by her side. She wondered how she could enjoy her kids without sacrificing her love for candles and her sassy style of home decor. The idea came to her to create a hurricane style candle, which had "a candle inside a candle" concept. What started out by simply making candles for her, family and friends soon turned into a full-time business. She started out in a small 8X10 space in her husband's shop. Candle artisan Wendy Patchett handcrafts the entire Sassy Primitives Candle Collection. Made with only the finest waxes and oils; our exclusive series of handcrafted candles will bring a warm light, captivating scent, and an inviting atmosphere for any home. Across America 2009-08-17T02:35:59+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/blue-smoke-salsa/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/blue-smoke-salsa/#When:05:32:13Z Robin Hildebrand first developed her salsa recipe in the 1980's. She used finely chopped vegetables from her backyard's garden. Her family and friends encouraged her to start a business, to which she agreed, seeing an opportunity to spend more time at home with her children. In 1993, she started her business in the first ever commercial kitchen that West Virginia approved in a residential basement. After one year, she was able to leave her full time job and devote all of her time to her children and her growing business. Now located in its third location on the Main Street in Ansted, West Virginia, Blue Smoke Salsa has grown from 40 jars a day to 2000 jars a day. It is still very much a family business and Robin is still actively involved with every aspect of it. Her employees are allowed to bring their children to work if necessary and she has been known to close up shop if there is a snow day. She believes that happy people excel in their work and this is evidenced by the fact that her newest employee has been with the company for 6 years. Shopkeeper Terry began selling Blue Smoke Salsa at Bradford Mercantile after trying some of Robin's salsa. Normally she does not like salsa, but the flavorful mild convinced her that there was salsa out there that was not too spicy and just right! (There are of course other flavors as well that are all worth trying.) Bring Blue Smoke Salsa to your next cook out and your guests will be impressed. Not only is it great salsa, it supports a small American business. Accolades Winner of the V Americas Food and Beverage Trade Show's Best Salsa in the Western Hemisphere, 2002 Placed third in the 2002 Governor's Conference "Stars of the Industry" Tourism Award competition 2004 Fiery Food Challenge Award winner - won second place, beating out 320 other entries National Geographic Traveler - Top place to visit in West Virginia Across America 2009-08-16T05:32:13+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/caromal-colours-country-living-artisans-collection/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/caromal-colours-country-living-artisans-collection/#When:20:43:24Z This miracle paint system (as we like to call it) is perfect for gilding, distressing, plaster, glazing and stenciling. It is a polymer based paint that is so thick you can turn the can upside down! Because of the paint's unique chemistry, it simplifies decorative painting and provides a lasting finish. If you have ever tried to refinish your kitchen or bath cabinetry (like we have) it is likely you were overwhelmed with sanding, priming, and painting with less than stellar results. Forget sanding or priming or a finish that won't last! By partnering with Country Living magazine, Caromal Colours is able to bring their expertise to your home in an easy to reproduce package. Believe us, we have a piece in the shop that shows the before and after effortlessly completed by Shopkeeper Terry's husband Andy. Caromal Colours is a paint studio started by artisan Carol. She got her start in decorative paint finishing, and took her business full time completing commissions throughout the country and with many high profile clients. She was able to establish a permanent studio and launch her own product lines in 2007. We are happy for Carol's success because her talent and expertise brought us this product! Bradford Mercantile sells Caromal Colours paint because we believe it is a high quality product that will give you years of enjoyment. We sell the entire product line and encourage you to breathe new life into old things today! Across America 2009-08-15T20:43:24+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/gooseberry-patch-cookbooks/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/gooseberry-patch-cookbooks/#When:20:42:15Z Next door neighbors Jo Ann and Vickie started Gooseberry Patch out of a love of collecting antiques, gardening, and country decorating. Originally a mail order business, Gooseberry Patch allowed Jo Ann And Vickie to keep watch over their kids from their kitchen table office. Their "little" business grew to include a retail location with kitchenware, candles, and of course their now famous cookbooks. Shopkeeper Terry fell in love with Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks because they remind her of all the wonderful recipes and dishes people would bring to potluck church suppers, ladies club meetings, and other events she misses attending back in Illinois. She has never made anything that wasn't a hit and has given copies to her daughter and nieces. The stories and tips included in every book are not only fun to read but are incredibly informative. Across America 2009-08-15T20:42:15+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/evan-scent-candles/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/evan-scent-candles/#When:20:41:59Z Handmade in Gauley Bridge, West Virginia, Evan Scent candles and potpourri are fun, colorful, and wonderfully scented additions to your home. Get the scent of fresh oatmeal cookies or banana nut bread without even turning on the oven or dirtying the dishes! Candles and Tarts Bradford Mercantile sells the following candles and tarts: Short Pillar - Approximately 4" dia and 3 1/2" tall. Tall Pillar - Approximately 4" dia and 5" tall. Bits and Pieces - An attractive 16 oz jar filled with bits and pieces of your favorite scent for your tart warmer. These candles look great set inside a glass surround or on a pillar stand. Several scents have some sort of 'extra' such as a dried apple, orange, or cinnamon sticks. Potpourri Sold in "scoops" (approximately 2/3 cup) so you can purchase as much or as little as you need. Fill the bottom of your pillar surround with the same or a complimentary scent. Made with rose hips and other botanical ingredients, Evan Scent potpourri mixtures not only smell great, they look great too! Across America 2009-08-15T20:41:59+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/irvins-country-tinware/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/irvins-country-tinware/#When:20:41:24Z Irvin started crafting lighting almost 40 years ago. His first piece was a tinware lantern fashioned from an old stovepipe. The company still hand crafts every fixture, many of which are made using tools that date back 100 years or more.  Irvin's has grown over the years, but is still located on the original Pennsylvania Mount Pleasant Mills farm it was started on. All Irvin's Country Tinware fixtures have a 5 year guarantee. Across America 2009-08-15T20:41:24+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/kimscrafts/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/kimscrafts/#When:20:40:50Z KimsCrafts began in 1989 by a single designer at a kitchen table. Today, there are many more stencilers at many more tables producing the same quality product that was envisioned 20 years ago. Process Beginning with a durable, fine-grained, gray roofing slate, stencilers apply as many as sixteen layers of paint to achieve exceptionally detailed designs.  As a handmade product, slates vary slightly, but all meet exacting standards for clarity and crispness. Each slate is coated in a weather-resistant UV sealer and is strung with natural rawhide lacing. Across America 2009-08-15T20:40:50+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/scrub-your-butt-soap-soap-company/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/scrub-your-butt-soap-soap-company/#When:20:39:11Z Reading a magazine on one of her many many late nights, Shopkeeper Terry could barely contain her laughter when she read about Scrub Your Butt Soaps. Besides being a fantastic soap product free from synthetic ingredients, Scrub Your Butt Soaps are fun! Their premium soaps come with a premium laugh. With names like "Fresh Picked Hand Wash" and "Prim & Proper Body Wash," the labels are sure to delight anyone that gets the opportunity to read them. They make perfect gifts and are equally perfect lathered on your own skin. We use their hand wash in our shop and are certain that you will be pleased with any of their products. Across America 2009-08-15T20:39:11+00:00 http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/valley-forge-flags-heritage-series/ http://bradfordmercantile.com/mia/valley-forge-flags-heritage-series/#When:20:38:31Z Valley Forge Flag Company began in 1882 as a burlap-bag business. By World War I they were making surplus items including U.S. flags. The company has evolved throughout the past four generations. Since the second World War, Valley Forge U.S. flags have been carried in many historic conflicts and graced the coffins of our deceased. They have draped caskets of American Presidents, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon Baines Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, and John F. Kennedy and have led troops at Normandy and in the Pacific. Made in the U.S.A. Each Valley Forge Flag is made entirely of domestic materials and is constructed using only U.S. facilities and labor. Valley Forge is a founding member of the Flag Manufacturers' Association of America (FMAA). Members of the FMAA certify that their flags are 100% made in the U.S.A. from weaving to finishing. Heritage Series Bradford Mercantile offers Valley Forge's Heritage Series. Heritage Series' flags are hand-crafted and antiqued using a patented process. Constructed of select American cotton weavings, they are meticulously dyed and flown with solid brass grommets. Whether it is a 50-star flag, 13-star flag, or bunting, Heritage Series' flags fly outside any home, colonial or modern, old or new, with the utmost pride. Across America 2009-08-15T20:38:31+00:00