(With sugar and honey on the top!)
I’m keeping myself (waaaaay too) busy by going with 13 hives of bees this year, and setting up a charitable foundation so all honey profits go to Tom’s favorite charities.
In investigating honey containers, I found some new ones, so our theme-dressed bears now include large ones, and two small ones that are way too cute (not practical, but way too cute.) I need your input, but first — some background.
The “regular” bears hold 12 ounces; the giant bears hold 24. While they look the same as the 12 ounce, their size makes them rather formidable, so Tom’s Mom crocheted incredible hats to soften their image.
So the giants have hats and scarves, the regulars have scarves — what do I do with the 4 ounce baby bears, and 8 ounce adolescent bears?
I can make them graduation bears … what do you think? Any other ideas? And if you like graduation bears, what’s a reasonable price? (I’m thinking $9, $5, $4 and $2.50 for the 24, 12, 8 and 4 ounce bears.) Do I offer different color tassles and mortarboards? Other than the forthcoming foundation website, how else can I market them? Your thoughts please, and thank you!
March 21, 2010 at 6:14 pm |
Charlotte,
I think the prises sound good…(Have you checked them out at the grocery store?) Depending on how much work the graduating bears are, I think maybr black or white and maybe a color choice on the tassles? Anyway, looking forward to my HONEY!
You take care, and thank Ross for bringing them to me!
Thanks and God Bless YOU and your family!
Judy
March 21, 2010 at 11:06 pm |
Prices are probably reasonable. People also need to know that the money is going to charity.
The real question is can you have 50 of the little bears in Portage Northern colors (Brown / Orange) by June for me? I would love to give thee out to some of our friends and family for at Mitch’s graduation. What a different and unique idea and a great cause.
The Christams bears you sent to my family were a great surprise to my family and they all loved them (and the honey).
Might have to start thinking about dressing up the bears for all of the holidays…..
Glad to hear the bees will keep you busy and also bring back memories (and hopefully some new stories to share on the blog).
Take care,
John
March 21, 2010 at 11:55 pm |
I like the different tassles idea, I need to buy some honey for my family. Will need to talk to you next time we are out and about. Love the graduationg bears!
March 22, 2010 at 12:55 pm |
I like consistency in stuff so I’d vote for littler scarves for Tom’s littler honey bears. If they would be too small to knit, we could cut tiny strips of fleece fabric (doesn’t fray) and tie them on. Just my opinion.
And as for marketing, can you tie into any marketing that Loaves and Fishes may do in their quest for donations? I would think you’d need to stick with charitable organizations as doing anything in the traditional retail end would mean that someone else would want to make some profit and that seems like it would defeat your purpose.
Set up a booth in Schoolcraft on July 4th maybe? Lots of folks hanging around town that day. That would get your honey a little more visibility in the surrounding area.
March 23, 2010 at 9:25 am |
Since Easter is coming up, how about Holiday themed bears?
March 25, 2010 at 9:11 am |
Personally, I’m thinking $5 – $10 – $15 – $20 as (1) they are round numbers and (2) the proceeds go to charity, which works better in round numbers. Also, if you’d like to work out a bowling-themed bear (like with a little bowling shirt or something), I would be happy to take a few or several to Tom’s bowling team/league before the end of the year in April.
March 26, 2010 at 3:05 pm |
How do we make the little bears hold bowling balls?