Of snow and thoughts on fear of setting up an account with Friendly Spirit

Unrelated topics - snow storms and reflections on the fears some seem to have about opening an account on my website- I wanted to post on the latter, but the former is on my mind!

We're in the beginning, I think, of round two of the Big Snowstorm of 2010 here in Ohio... the East Coast (from whence I came) is getting it much worse, so I am not about to complain. Just reflecting on how the power these days seems to go out, and stay out, more often than it did when I lived back East.

Even if the electricity manages to last through this bought of snow (it did fine through Round #1) I anticipate that the weight of the snow has got to do something to the connection to the internet at some point. Not a huge problem except that means I can't receive orders or process them until it's back on... we'll see how she goes.

Meanwhile, about setting up accounts -- much like "why don't people use discount coupons?" I find it puzzling when repeat customers don't set up accounts. It makes it easier to fill out the information to ship to stuff. There's nothing about credit cards or ss# or any of that personal stuff I wouldn't share with my own mother. Perhaps they think I'm a huge conglomerate (5'6, 140 pounds.. is that really THAT huge?) or that I'll bombard them with e-mails....

Actually, this blog is taking the place of most e-mails sent out to customers, aside from order confirmations which are all automatic. So, no, setting up the account just means you log in if you can remember your user name and password, and your bill to ship to info is all filled out.

I've also started adding those who have accounts to the special list of those who get a 10% discount, just for logging in (unless they have a wholesale account -- sorry, no double dipping!)...

Now, I could start on asking how come people who want to get wholesale won't open an account, even though the instructions explain you have to have an account, or I can't set you up as a wholesaler...

Perhaps there's the idea that I'm trying to lure people in to set up an account so I can collect information that will do something for me in a capitalist manner. Maybe there is something I could 'collect' but I simply am not sophisticated to know what it is.

There's really nothing evil in my intent to ask folks to set up an account - as far as I know, the account itself doesn't give me any information about people that I don't already get when an order is placed without an account (name, e-mail and shipping address).

And frankly, though I love doing business with my customers, I'm just not that into them...(I don't collect or sell info - as stated somewhere on my FAQ section).

Enough..time to go stare outside at the snow.

Coupons to start off the month!

Here's some coupons ...30% off cards, 20% off round mini bookplates and 10% off mugs... what a deal! Good until February 10th at midnight! Use this coupon: ZAZZLEVDAY10


You'll never find a cup of tea by friendlyspirit

Mini Bookplates

Elegant Monogrammed Notecard by Nanas_Alley

Almost February!

It's almost a new month!

That means this month's coupon will be running out... so for those coupon clippers out there, you can get 10% off of rectangular bookplates by typing in BLOGJAN2010 at check-out on Friendly Spirit's shop ... for a view of ALL products see here...


And there are new round mini bookplates coming up...the first one is this design, using graphics from The Original Mother Goose, provided by OldBookArt.com

Girl reading to Doll by friendlyspirit

Have You Done Your Valentine's Shopping?

Here are a few ideas... most of these can be personalized...
Valentine Mugs and Shirts for Booklovers!

Love Owls

CA shoppers go here UK shoppers go here AU shoppers go here NZ shoppers go here


Send Chocolate



CA shoppers go here UK shoppers go here AU shoppers go here NZ shoppers go here

I love Books


CA shoppers go here UK shoppers go here AU shoppers go here NZ shoppers go here
Anti-Valentine (or love) Mug


CA shoppers go here UK shoppers go here AU shoppers go here NZ shoppers go here


Reading is Sexy


CA shoppers go here UK shoppers go here shoppers go here NZ shoppers go here

I love books morphing mug


CA shopppers go here UK shoppers go here AU shoppers go here NZ shoppers go here

More Valentines for Booklovers stuff here

History of Antioch Bookplate Company

How lovely! I "accidentally" came across a piece freshly written about the history of Antioch bookplates, something near and dear to my heart.

Go here ! Read and enjoy!