The 2000 Republican National Convention pen is in-hand. I simply could not wait until October to introduce this one. It sells for $3.75 and don't wait, I am sure this is going to be a 'sell out'.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FLOAT ABOUT... © Copyright Sun/August 20, 2000 Bulletin
There is so much going on right now, I just couldn't wait until October to tell you! Consider this an interim bulletin between issues of Float About. I will make this brief.
Disney Update... direct from Eskesen. I have been told the reason we are not seeing pens in the Disney Stores is because they are 'sold out'! This fall we should find pens at Disney Stores in both New York and Chicago. Souvenir stands in Florida and California should also have inventory by autumn.
Peeps from collectors... Like many of us, Linda McCormick can really relate to Elizabeth Blondefield's experience at the Wax Museum. (Reported in issue #26) Linda and husband frequently park at a tourist site just long enough for one of them to run in and hit the gift shop. They refer to their hit-or-miss shopping style as 'drive-buys'.
Beverly Broadstone... lives in the Los Angeles area. Even so, it is still a surprise for her to see a celebrity. So she's driving along the freeway and spots Angelyne... the Billboard Queen!. Beverly reports that Angelyne is exactly as pictured in her billboards and float pens. What a hoot!
The latest on the Collectors Pen.... 52 collectors signed on. Unfortunately there was only room for 42. We are trying to squeeze an extra name or two on each pen. Artwork revisions and caption panels have been submitted to Eskesen. It's possible the pen will be ready in time for the next issue of Float About.
Not exactly water turned into wine... but the USPS has accomplished something almost as mysterious. I shipped a Priority package to Laurie W in California. The box contained 10 Disney pens, a handful of misc designs and an invoice. When Laurie opened the package she did not find any float pens or any paperwork. The original contents had been replaced by a brand new, still-in-the-wrapper, Jewish prayer shawl.
For those amateur or professional detectives that may be listening... how would you explain it? LW returned the box to me for examination. I deliver packages to the Post Office every day, except Sunday, to have them hand-canceled. The postmarks confirm that the box is definitely the one that I shipped to Laurie... only the contents have changed.
Replacement pens were sent to LW. The package was uninsured so any hopes of reimbursements are futile. I will certainly file a complaint. In the meantime, someone is still awaiting the delivery of their prayer shawl and I will never know what happened to the first set of float pens. I have but one more clue. The box has a stamp on it that indicates at some point the package was at the Los Angeles LAX airport. Do you have any theories?
We are upgrading to ... Roadrunner, a cable server, on Monday/September 21st. I am told it will not interrupt my current service. I just hope that is true.
Pens Past, Present and Future... the Float Aways category list is getting shorter by the minute. Many designs have already disappeared. Most of the pens that remain in this category have three or fewer pens remaining in inventory. This is your last chance to grab them before they are removed from the list. When issue #27 is released a new group of Float Aways will be presented.
All of the pens that publication in issue #26 ... have arrived. The
Hans Christian Andersen set of five is in.
CA/Los Angeles/LAX airport has also landed.
The Presidential Seal floats over the lawn of the White House in the newest DC addition.
The 'Three Stooges' set of five is back in stock (under the Celebrity category)
Brand new additions... All of these pens are under the New Arrivals category at the top of the pen list.
The 2000 Republican National
Convention pen is in-hand.
I simply could not wait until
October to introduce this one. It
sells for $3.75 and don't wait, I am
sure this is going to be a 'sell out'.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Harris Lindenfeld commissioned the Lindenfeld L2K pen for his annual family reunion. The four floating faces, (in Mt Rushmore fashion), belong to his father and three uncles. Lake Michigan provides the backdrop. The doorway that appears on the caption panel is the entrance to his parents' home in St Joseph, MI. Very personal, extremely unique... and delightfully humorous. Also in short supply!
A pink crock piled high with Boston Baked Beans floats over Beantown.
Two more crocks appear on each side of the window in the foreground.
Children in San Francisco find entertainment and knowledge at the Exploratorium.
The Future... is bright, but we have had a few rough spots. A series of wicked storms blew through Mansfield on Sunday, August 6th. We were saddened to lose our favorite maple tree, but at the same time very grateful we had only minor damages. The wood will not go to waste. Bill will eventually turn parts of the tree into beautiful wooden bowls and vases. The remainder will warm our house in the winter months. Even so, we will miss our old maple tree for a long time to come.
We are working around the clock to produce enough inventory to get us through the Yankee Peddler Festival in September. It takes place in Canal Fulton, Ohio at Clay's Park Resort. Three consecutive weekends of Colonial costumes, demonstrating and manning our craft booth. It is a fabulous event and even though it is really hard work it is well worth the effort. Our son will come in from Pittsburgh to assist us each weekend. It's a family affair.
If we survive Yankee we are determined to take an October vacation. Updates will follow. Cities still include San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. Not sure about any of the details yet. I need to hear from my brother before we can schedule. Issue #27 will certainly not be posted before the middle of October.
Until we meet again... wishing you a successful hunting season! Diana
