A Rainy Adventure in Tampa/St. Petersburg
Last week it was off to Tampa, Florida, where I, and Alex Perruzzi, our VP of Licensing, appeared on the Home Shopping Network. We were there to promote some of our terrific crafting tools and supplies, including our ‘Today’s Special’ Star Burst Punch Collection. This box of four fantastic tools let you punch around the edge of a page, both narrow and deeply, on the corners, and all over the page with die-cut precision. Our first time-slot was from midnight to two AM and the following day, we appeared for a good part of the afternoon. Our flight, which was scheduled for later that evening, was canceled due to stormy weather, which gave us some time to do a bit of exploring. We drove across Tampa Bay to nearby St. Petersburg, where we found a very unique book store called Haslam’s, a multi-generational business that carries both new and used books. It is known as Florida’s greatest rainy-day attraction and guess what? It was raining!
1 On the Home Shopping Network, the featured 'Today's Special' was our Star Burst Punch Collection.
2 This great set of punches is only available at HSN for $49.95.
3 This is a glossary of what the very versatile Star Burst Punch Collection can do. You can edge punch, corner punch, deep edge punch, and punch all over the page.
4 These great projects were made with the punches and our pearl embellishments.
5 These cupcake picks are adorned with designs from the Star Burst Punches and our pearl embellishments.
6 Lenore Bremner, one of our crafters, made a lot of these projects. She designed a lovely tribute to her daughter, Tyler.
7 We offered this Halloween option for the 'Today's Special' autoship. There are 3 sets of punches slated for autoship and I was thrilled that 75% of the customers who called signed up for it.
8 Here I am with Alex and Callie Northagen, our launch host at the midnight hour. We were selling our 24-pack of glitter, glittering glue, and glitter clean-up cloth - SOLD OUT!!!
9 The kitchen set with cakes and cookies decorated using the Cricut Cake machine. The pom-poms were made using our Pom-Pom Party Packs.
10 After TV, we did some exploring. Haslam's Book Store, Florida's largest, is located at 2025 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg.
11 Over 300,000 books in stock has grown to more than 500,000!
12 Haslam's was started more than 75 years ago during the Great Depression by John and Mary Haslam, who were both avid readers.
13 They wanted to provide other readers with used magazines and books at bargain prices.
14 This is Suzanne Haslam Hinst. She is the granddaughter of the founders, making her the third generation.
15 And Suzanne's daughter, Heather Conley, makes this a fourth generation business.
16 I was very impressed with the layout and the great variety of subjects available.
17 A wonderful selection of archaeological books
18 This is Emily Dickinson, who is quite shy, just like the author.
19 And this is Tom Clancy slinking around the store like a character in an espionage thriller.
20 While Teacup, the star of the store, greets every customer who comes through the door.
21 Including me! The gentleman is Ray Hinst, Suzanne's husband.
22 A large metaphysical section to help answer questions such as, 'What is there?' and 'What is it like?'
23 Of course, I checked to see if they had any of my books on their shelves - Arranging Flowers from 1999 and Great American Wreaths from 1996.
24 Last year's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts was prominently displayed with other books about sewing.
25 Next, to the Cookbook Center - Perhaps you remember the Martha Stewart Cookbook - Collected Recipes for Every Day from 1995?
26 Or Good Things for Easy Entertaining from 2003? Entertaining, my very first book from 1982, is behind it.
27 Hors d'Oeuvres, from 1984, was rereleased in soft cover with an updated photo.
28 Martha Stewart Cupcakes came out in 2009 and spent 11 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list!
29 Seeing all of my books displayed here gave me a great idea!
30 I got out my pen and started to autograph each copy!
31 The owners were very pleased to see me doing this.
32 I also greeted some regular customers.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
I would love advice on how to clean and preserve a treasured family herloom - my husband was cleaning out his deceased parents' home and found his father's Navy uniforms from his service in World War II. We have several uniform blouses, without tags, so we are not completely sure of the fabric. Also given their age, and the sentimental value to us, we would love to have them cleaned but are afraid of hurting the fabric. Any advice would be well appreciated!!
Posted by: Patricia MacRae | April 5th, 2011 at 1:32 am
You have visited my area twice and I have missed you both times! I've been a fan of you and your products for quite some time now. I'm always pushing your stuff on my family and friends. You were at the Home Depot in Pinellas Park that is across the street from my home. This past summer, I painted my walls with your paint and bought your line of curtains on almost all my windows. I'm a new home owner and was thrilled to get the chance to splurge on all things Martha!
Posted by: Christopher Nason | April 5th, 2011 at 7:00 am
Martha, you weren't far from my brother while down in FL. He is a deputy in Pinellas County. If I'd known you were going, he could have run over, (actually, he would have driven), and bought one of those signed books of yours for me. He's a good brother.
I really like the "kitchen" in the background of the set in pictures 1 and 9.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | April 5th, 2011 at 7:23 am
I am looking for your vegetable garden book - the thin one, hardcover...a friend lent it to me and I can't find it anywhere...love that book...will keep looking..great blog!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | April 5th, 2011 at 8:10 am
So thoughtful and generous to sign the store's copies of your books. It was a great idea!
Posted by: Margaret in Maine | April 5th, 2011 at 9:18 am
Hi Martha,
What a wonderful thing to do by signing all of your books at that great book store. I would love to have a copy of your first book from 1982. I have collected over the years the majority of your books and have had the privilege of meeting and having you sign your Wedding book in 1995 in Ottawa, Ontario. Thank you for the many years of crafting, baking and sewing projects and inspirational ideas.
Posted by: Lisa | April 5th, 2011 at 9:31 am
Hi Martha, You and Alex sure did have a delightful time down there in Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida even though the weather was wet and windy just like here in the Puget Sound area. It's still that way here right now and is supposed to be sunny(?) on Friday and Saturday-sure hope so. Your presence on HSN was terrific! Loved seeing all of you fantastic craft products and the sales went very well. That wonderful bookstore, Haslam's, was a great place for you and Alex to explore. That's the biggest one I've ever seen! Loved seeing so many of your beautiful books and I am so lucky to have most of them! How thoughtful of you to sign your books that were in that lovely bookstore and you are so friendly to the customers who were there, also! Those 3 kitties in the Haslam's Bookstore are so charming! Once again these were fabulous photos that you shared with us! Speaking of kitties, have to see what Francesca and Sharkey are doing with Bartok on today's Daily Wag. Have a great day! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | April 5th, 2011 at 10:17 am
Hi Martha,
I’m really impressed with the size of Haslam’s and I wonder why I never heard of them. See what I mean – I need you to come to Florida to let me know what’s here! Anyway, we could have stopped in the last time we went to Tampa.
~
I watched every session of you and Alex on HSN and I think Alex is a great little seller and demonstrator. He really knows how to use your craft products and is a veritable whiz with his demos. I actually wanted everything but could not commit to buy because I don’t have a lot of time for crafting. NikkiInStitches on Twitter said I should buy now and maybe later on I would have time for them – that is what she did. Oh well, it probably won’t be the last time I goofed up. I also thought it was really nice of you to autograph those books for unsuspecting buyers. Maybe one will visit this blog and let you know he or she bought one. Maybe Gloria’s brother will drive over and get one for her, if he hurries!
~
I have your beautiful Hors D’oeuvres Handbook from 1999 and now that I’ve finally tasted goat cheese, I’ll be making those tea sandwiches on page 319 with my fresh chive and store bought watercress! Trish
~
P.S. to iowacowgirl Appreciated and all is forgiven!
Posted by: Trish | April 5th, 2011 at 10:37 am
That was the book store I grew up with! It is wonderful. I love that they have cats.
Posted by: Kristina | April 5th, 2011 at 11:51 am
Patricia,
It may be worthwhile to ask at a local museum about conservators in your area. The cleaning of such fabrics is best left to the professionals (please don't attempt that yourself or try dry cleaning). If a conservator can't be found, I'd consider foregoing the cleaning and focus on conservation (acid free tissue, etc.) Or choose a favorite piece and have it archivally mounted by a framer in a shadow box. Good luck!
Posted by: Jen | April 5th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
How fun and gracious of you to sign the books!
Posted by: sherey | April 5th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
I tape the Martha Stewart shows with my DVR while I am work during the week. Yesterday I watched the April 1st episode & whomever had the idea of playing an April Fool's prank on Joey was the most original. I have never seen that young man so beside himself & have replayed the program several times just to have a chuckle. The show never seems to amaze me. I have several VCR tapes that I still review for seasonal recipes & gardening. No one like MARTHA. God Bless!!
Posted by: Judy Stamper | April 5th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Hi Martha,
I so wish I still worked at HSN so I could have met you. My brother use to be a host on there:) I hope you had tons of fun even though the weather wasn't the greatest. I've never heard of the bookstore you went to, my husband probably knows it...he was born and raised there. I'll check it out soon
Posted by: Rene' @ bargain hoot | April 5th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
Grew up in St. Pete and am so glad you found Haslam's bookstore. It is a gem. Now if I could get them to move to Maine.
Posted by: star | April 5th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
My Mom and I love your high quality punches - and thanks to this blog post, I've ordered the Star Burst punches for her for Mother's Day.
I love that you signed the books in that wonderful bookstore!
Posted by: Pamela Priest | April 5th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Good job on the SOLD OUT packages. But we should know they would sell.
Thanks for showing us the bookstore. I hope we always can/should/will have bookstores and better yet ones with cats.
Posted by: Margie | April 5th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
How gracious of you to autograph each of your books at Haslams! Would love to see a future blog post with slide show of all your book covers.
Posted by: Charlotte | April 5th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
Hi Miss Martha!
I am soooo sick!!! My daughter is getting married, she has your book and everything, and my sister and I gave her a bridal tea and did all the cooking ourselves from recipes, even picked out material and made the table covers (with help from a friend)... but I was so busy and anxious that I DIDN"T TAKE PICTURES!! I am just beside myself!!! I just can't believe that we didn't take pictures!! My daughter's wedding tea, we did it ourselves, and I could have sent to you on top of everything to enter your contest!! I am just kicking myself!!!
But, on the bright side, she loves your bridal book and some of her wedding gifts on her registry were Martha Stewart recommended!!
Thanks so much!
Lynn
Posted by: Lynn | April 5th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
Ahhhhh.....missed you again! I missed you when you were at my school - Ringling School of Art and Design and now missed you a skip away in Tampa. Really was nice of you to sign those books - I have many of them!
Posted by: Cheryl Jones | April 5th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
That is so sweet that you autographed the books. Imagine the delight their future owners will get when they see your autograph! How exciting.
Posted by: Deborah @ Old Dominion Concierge, LLC | April 5th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
Oh Martha,you are amazing!!!!
Posted by: shirley taylor | April 5th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
I love that you took the time to meet Teacup, Tom Clancy, and Emily Dickinson. I think I could make a nice little home for myself in a bookstore like Haslam’s! Thanks for sharing
Posted by: Kimberly In Seattle | April 5th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
How fun that you autographed those books!
Oh to be a fly on the wall when some happy shoppers find that!
Posted by: April | April 6th, 2011 at 4:11 am
So thoughtful and generous to sign the store's copies of your books. It was a great idea!
Posted by: Brian Smith | April 6th, 2011 at 11:59 am
Love love your craft product and amazing books
Best of luck and success
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | April 6th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Martha, what fun you are!
Posted by: me | April 6th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
This and previous blog entry fun fun fun
Love nature but prefer viewing pics of peoplove to hear from you personally one day
Posted by: Joan Strauss | April 6th, 2011 at 10:57 pm
Overlooked mentioning: I have 3 cats too!!!!
Posted by: Joan Strauss | April 6th, 2011 at 11:03 pm
I think the world was pleased to see you autograph your books on a rainy day in Florida
Posted by: ann | April 7th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Hi Martha!
I am always impressed of you..i want to buy your autographed book right away! if only i live in Florida. God bless you always!
Posted by: Kathleen | April 7th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
I love the Pom Poms hanging! I plan on making a bunch of these for my friend's wedding shower next month! So easy to make and fun to look at!
Posted by: Allyson | April 8th, 2011 at 11:17 pm
Yes Martha, I still have this book. I stood in line for you to sign that book, here in NYC all those many yrs. ago. I still use this book, it has wonderful recipes.
Posted by: Nanahuff | April 10th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Hi Martha,
What a treat to have you visit a St Pete treasure. My son has worked at Haslam's bookstore for years but was home with me dodging tornadoes the day of your visit. I know they were delighted to have you stop by!
Posted by: Beth | April 11th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Come back soon! I assure you, it doesn't rain here all the time.
Posted by: David Benson | May 19th, 2011 at 1:38 am