Our Trip to the Longaberger Factory Store

Yes, we finally made it the new Factory Store at the Longaberger Homestead, and it is HUGE.   If you’ve ever been to the factory for a tour, then you know that you walk down this large mezanian that overlooks the weaving floor below.  On either side you could look over the railing and watch the weavers on either side of the walkway.  Well, now about half of the weaving floor is the Factory Store.

It’s like the Sam’s Club or Costco for Longaberger.  They do have some basket and pottery seconds,  but there are also baskets and pottery for sale that are not seconds.  The ones that are first quality are discounted a bit, and the seconds are offered at a better discount.  The first quality items are all retired, of course, but you can get some seconds from the current line.  And don’t forget the protectors, liners, wrought iron, tie-ons, and fabric.  Whew!

 If you go and plan to see the other attractions at the Homestead (and you should), give yourself a whole day.  From the Homeshow Experience to the Crawford Barn, you won’t run out of things to see and do.  And don’t forget your wallet and to take your favorite basket for signing.  Monday through Saturday, you’ll find at least one member of the Longaberger family at the Homestead signing baskets.  We found three on this trip.

 My daughter was thrilled as now her Kiddie Purse is signed by four family members.  She’s already planning the next trip back.  Wonder how she’s gonna get there?  LOL

Here are a few pictures that we took along the way.  There first one is in Dresden at the World’s Largest Market Basket.  Ummm…no it’s not as crooked as it looks (Oops).

 

 

This One is for the Serious Longaberger Collector

Longaberger 1981 Medium Hamper Basket:

Just what you’ve been looking for–one of the Early treasures from Longaberger.  This 1981 Longaberger Hamper is for the true Longaberger Collector.   The Medium Hamper was available from 1979-1986 as a part of the regular line of baskets, and then it was re-introduced from 1986-1990 as a Hostess Only basket. 

It features a beautiful woven lid which is attached by two leather straps and has a square cut knob in the front center.   Penciled on the bottom of the basket are the weaver’s initials, BSS, and the year 1981.  (Longaberger did not start marking their baskets with a logo until 1982 so there is no logo.) 

Now let’s talk a bit about the condition of the basket.  For being over 25 years old, it is in remarkable condition with only a few chipped weaves and normal aging.  Most of the affected weaves are on the left side of the basket towards the back (please see picture below). 

Your basket will come with the following items:  a dark green, home made liner, custom lace garter with market basket decoration, and an aftermarket plastic protector from Aimee’s of Dresden.  Please remember this basket preceeds the days of Longaberger liners and protectors. 

Condition:  Please see description
Measurements:  12″ x 12.25″ x 16.25″
Stain Color:  Dark 

Horizon of Hope Website

For those of you that don’t know yet, Longaberger now has a website for Horizon of Hope with information regarding this very special program and projects that it supports.   There is also information about this year’s baskets, Pink Week and a few inspirational stories.

 

The 2007 Horizon of Hope Baskets to support Breast Cancer Awareness and the American Cancer society will be available in July.

 www.HorizonofHope.com

June 2007

Introducing….

Our New Blog Yep, we’ve started a blog. It’s a great place to park (archive) our old newsletters and keep interested readers up to date on new and restocked items.Here’s what you’ll find on the blog: Archived Newsletters, Our Guides, Updates on Newly Listed and Restocked Items, Past Recipes, and a Few Random Thoughts. Here’s what you won’t find on the blog: Coupon Codes (these are only for our newsletter subscribers); Sneak Peeks at upcoming sales and new merchandise. The monthly newsletters won’t be posted to the blog until the end of the month. So you still get first dibs on the really good stuff. Please take a minute to check it out. The BLOG…

The Votes are In!

And the Winners Are….. In last month’s newsletter, we gave our subscribers the opportunity to vote for two of our store categories for this month’s sale. And the winners are…..(drum roll please) …#1. Longaberger Pottery #2. Longaberger Liners All of the items in these two categories have been marked down by 10% for the month of June. If you would like to vote for next month’s sale categories, please email us at lorid@porch-swing- memories.com or use the contact link provided below. The choices are as follows: * Retired Longaberger Baskets * Longaberger Pottery * Foundry / Wrought Iron * Liners * Lids / WoodCrafts * Candles (Longaberger and Calico Candles) * Amish Baskets * Amish Quilts & Rugs * Folding Star Potholders * NA Noel Amish Art Prints Cast Your Vote

May Girl’s Trip…

Yoder’s Quilt Auction & Flea Market If you’ve never been to a quilt auction or flea market, you really should go. For a couple of years now my daughter, mom, sister(s), and I have gone up to the Yoder’s Amish Quilt Auction and Flea Market in Clare, Michigan. Most of the quilts are “jaw droppingly” beautiful, and even though I was determined not to buy anything this year…Well, I ended up with a queen sized Barn Raising Log Cabin quilt that was made by a friend’s cousin. The Rest of the Story…

Calico Candles Are Here!

Yummy Candles Don’t eat them! These great looking and smelling candles are created by Kim the top Chef and Candle Maker at the Calico Candle Company in New York. Kim was a chef for 12 years before she applied her love for the culinary arts to candle making.Her company uses real food to create the molds used in the candles. Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter for your 25% off coupon code. Calico Candles….

Sneak Peek
Here are a few new items that will be added to the website this month. Amish Barn Raising Log Cabin Queen Quilt Longaberger Blue Dahlia Queen Comforter Retired Longaberger Salt and Pepper Shakers Longaberger Crisco Cookie Basket w/ Lanam Lid Website Home…

New All-American Pottery in Time for the 4th of July

Newly Added Pottery:

Longaberger All-American Large Mixing Bowl:Longaberger introduced the first piece of All-American pottery in 1998.  It was made to compliment the All American basket collection which began in 1988 and was completed in 2002.  Each piece of All-American pottery is made of Vitrified pottery just like the Woven Traditions collection, but instead of having the usual pattern it has a special Red Ribbon Swirl and Blue Star Accent.

The All-American Large Mixing Bowl was sold from 1999-2001 and is sure to become one of the most sought after pieces of Longaberger Collectible Pottery.

Condition:  Excellent / Displayed (One mark noted in bottom)
Pattern:  All American AA
Measurements:  10″ diameter

*Made in the USA  

Other All-American Pottery: 

1. 8 x 8 Baking Dish 
2. Large Pitcher
3. Pint Crock

We’ve also added a nice assortment of Salt and Pepper Shakers, a Classic Blue Batter Bowl a Butternut Milk Pitcher, and 2 Large Loaf Dishes.