I had let this blog stagnate, as, well, I have opinions on things. And my opinions on maintaining this blog were less than positive. Instead, I poured effort into Facebook, and, you know, making good food.
I logged into the account for other purposes, though, and decided, "what the hay, I'll check out the stats. Funny thing is, I'm getting more traffic now than I did when I was blogging regularly which tells me a few things. Traffic from web crawlers is up, but also traffic from people trying to find out more about Gunder Goods is up.
That's exciting.
I'm not entirely sure what niche I'll find for this blog to fill, or when I'll find time to write in my already over-packed schedule. I'll figure something out, though, I'm sure. My opinions on the value of this blog have suddenly changed.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Monday, October 10, 2011
This is where it tends to go downhill
It's been almost a month. This is the sentence that ends it all. Next thing you know it will be October, and my next post will be "Wow, has it been a year already?"
So let's get updated. the DIY/FFASF went just swimmingly. It was intense trying to get production done and get everything ready, but it was absolutely worth it. I like to think there was a lot of advertisement if not actual sales. This is what helps me sleep at night and not think I'm wasting my mid twenties with seventy-hour work weeks. Still though, sales were really good; Rust Belt was packed (with vendors and customers), and it was an amazing weekend. My only regret is that I was unable to actually make the Funky Ferndale Art Street Fair at all and barely made the DIY Fest due to being at Rust Belt all day.
The weeks since have been full of attempting to take care of the business side of things. You know, actually figuring out how much money I owe myself and then promptly trying to put it out of my mind. I've been doing a fair amount of test batches of new jams as well as fresh batches of old ones.
I do have (or hope to have) two new jellies for next weekend. As always, I need help naming them, and a free jar of your choice to the winners. First up is a cinnamon/ginger apple jelly that's been sweetened with a bit of honey. I'm thinking now that Black Cinn (a blackberry cinnamon jelly) is sold out, I might add this to the Cinn line (Red Cinn, Ginger Cinn) or perhaps take the pun a little deeper and just call it Forbidden Fruit. It is fantastic on a salt bagel. FAN TAS TIC. Let me tell you!
The other jelly actually needs a little work. Long story short, I think I miscalculated or mismeasured my test batch and then expected to need way less pectin than I ended up needing. I used everything I had (which I thought would be more than plenty), and still came up short. I prayed to the jam gods, but they - not being the jelly gods - denied my request and I'm left with a very thin jelly. I'm hoping to reprocess it this week and end up with a good product. All that said, it's a cran-apple jelly that tastes very similar to cranberry sauce; just in time for the holidays. Yes, I could call it Crapp, but I like to think you can think of something better.
So feel free to think of awesome names and leave *a* comment here or *a* comment over on the facebook page (and "like" it if you haven't already!)
Current lineup:
8oz
24 Carrot
All-American
Blimey!
Chip Off the Ol' Berry (only a couple jars left!)
Cham-WOW
Fuzz Buzz
Thank RhuBerry Much
Unnamed cran-apple jelly
Unnamed cinnamon ginger apple jelly
4oz
24 Carrot
All-American
Blimey!
Fuzz Buzz
Unnamed cran-apple jelly
Unnamed cinnamon ginger apple jelly
So let's get updated. the DIY/FFASF went just swimmingly. It was intense trying to get production done and get everything ready, but it was absolutely worth it. I like to think there was a lot of advertisement if not actual sales. This is what helps me sleep at night and not think I'm wasting my mid twenties with seventy-hour work weeks. Still though, sales were really good; Rust Belt was packed (with vendors and customers), and it was an amazing weekend. My only regret is that I was unable to actually make the Funky Ferndale Art Street Fair at all and barely made the DIY Fest due to being at Rust Belt all day.
The weeks since have been full of attempting to take care of the business side of things. You know, actually figuring out how much money I owe myself and then promptly trying to put it out of my mind. I've been doing a fair amount of test batches of new jams as well as fresh batches of old ones.
I do have (or hope to have) two new jellies for next weekend. As always, I need help naming them, and a free jar of your choice to the winners. First up is a cinnamon/ginger apple jelly that's been sweetened with a bit of honey. I'm thinking now that Black Cinn (a blackberry cinnamon jelly) is sold out, I might add this to the Cinn line (Red Cinn, Ginger Cinn) or perhaps take the pun a little deeper and just call it Forbidden Fruit. It is fantastic on a salt bagel. FAN TAS TIC. Let me tell you!
The other jelly actually needs a little work. Long story short, I think I miscalculated or mismeasured my test batch and then expected to need way less pectin than I ended up needing. I used everything I had (which I thought would be more than plenty), and still came up short. I prayed to the jam gods, but they - not being the jelly gods - denied my request and I'm left with a very thin jelly. I'm hoping to reprocess it this week and end up with a good product. All that said, it's a cran-apple jelly that tastes very similar to cranberry sauce; just in time for the holidays. Yes, I could call it Crapp, but I like to think you can think of something better.
So feel free to think of awesome names and leave *a* comment here or *a* comment over on the facebook page (and "like" it if you haven't already!)
Current lineup:
8oz
24 Carrot
All-American
Blimey!
Chip Off the Ol' Berry (only a couple jars left!)
Cham-WOW
Fuzz Buzz
Thank RhuBerry Much
Unnamed cran-apple jelly
Unnamed cinnamon ginger apple jelly
4oz
24 Carrot
All-American
Blimey!
Fuzz Buzz
Unnamed cran-apple jelly
Unnamed cinnamon ginger apple jelly
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Contest winners and new names
Quick and dirty style
peach rum becomes Fuzz Buzz courtesy of Marti Carlson
apple pie becomes All-American courtesy of Margaret Yellin
carrot cake becomes 24 Carrots thanks to a namer who wishes to remain anonymous.
I'll try to get in touch soon about your free jars.
Current lineup:
8oz
24 Carrot
All-American
Blimey
Chip Off the Ol' Berry
Cham-WOW
Fuzz Buzz
Thank RhuBerry Much
Black Cinn
4oz
24 Carrot
All-American
Fuzz Buzz
peach rum becomes Fuzz Buzz courtesy of Marti Carlson
apple pie becomes All-American courtesy of Margaret Yellin
carrot cake becomes 24 Carrots thanks to a namer who wishes to remain anonymous.
I'll try to get in touch soon about your free jars.
Current lineup:
8oz
24 Carrot
All-American
Blimey
Chip Off the Ol' Berry
Cham-WOW
Fuzz Buzz
Thank RhuBerry Much
Black Cinn
4oz
24 Carrot
All-American
Fuzz Buzz
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
It will all be worth it
I don't think I've gotten to bed before 1 AM this week. Normally that's not an issue for me, but this is my first week back on the day shift. I should be out the door at 8:15.
I've been busy trying to get everything in order for this weekend. "What's this weekend?" you might ask. Ferndale is hosting two fairs: the DIY Street Fair and the Funky Ferndale Art Fair. If they're set up like last year, they're both on Nine Mile Road, one on the East side of Woodward and the other on the West side. The building I have a booth in (the Rust Belt Market) happens to be on the corner of Nine Mile and Woodward, so you can bet we'll get a lot of foot traffic flowing in. Rust Belt even has a booth at the DIY Fair showcasing items from market vendors, including a jar each of Cinnply Sublime and Cham-WOW. As such, the market has extra hours opening the doors on Friday evening and pushing back closing time on Saturday.
So I go from a admittedly slow Sunday last week, to three days that promise to be very busy. I'm trying to finish up the things I didn't get ready last week, and I'm not even doing that. I did paint a banner, though, and I have spent tonight making jam. A fresh batch of Carrot Cake is done and a new Apple Pie jam is currently processing. On top of that, I have a peach-rum jam that I wasn't able to label in time for market last week. I'm excited to bring new things for people to sample! With two new jams, I need two new names. Also, the name for Carrot Cake is up for review. That's three names, and if you don't know what that means, well, you're missing out. Submit a name here (or go ahead and like Gunder Goods on Facebook and leave a comment in the appropriate post), and if I choose your name, you'll get a free jar of jam on the house. It doesn't get much easier than that.
Stepping back a little, I didn't share much of last weekend at the market. We got up late, and were rushed to get in and set up on time, but barely made it. It was a long day, with it being as slow as it was. Friends were made with the vendors around us, and they promised things would be busier. Aside from the sales, it was a fantastic day to experience the market, get proverbial feet wet and sort out the "little things" like how to organize the booth. The only major problem came at the very end of the day when, on the way out the door, last items in hand, my favorite coffee mug fell to the ground and shattered. I've had the thing since high school (sophomore year?). A gift from my parents - probably due to my perpetual singleness. Alas, I'm going to try to glue it when I have fewer projects. Otherwise, I'll just have to find a new favorite mug. Rust Belt needs a mug vendor.
Maybe I'll do that next.
P.S. you have about 16 hours to submit suggestions for names. I'm behind on the contest and need the labels printed by tomorrow night. Have at it!
I've been busy trying to get everything in order for this weekend. "What's this weekend?" you might ask. Ferndale is hosting two fairs: the DIY Street Fair and the Funky Ferndale Art Fair. If they're set up like last year, they're both on Nine Mile Road, one on the East side of Woodward and the other on the West side. The building I have a booth in (the Rust Belt Market) happens to be on the corner of Nine Mile and Woodward, so you can bet we'll get a lot of foot traffic flowing in. Rust Belt even has a booth at the DIY Fair showcasing items from market vendors, including a jar each of Cinnply Sublime and Cham-WOW. As such, the market has extra hours opening the doors on Friday evening and pushing back closing time on Saturday.
So I go from a admittedly slow Sunday last week, to three days that promise to be very busy. I'm trying to finish up the things I didn't get ready last week, and I'm not even doing that. I did paint a banner, though, and I have spent tonight making jam. A fresh batch of Carrot Cake is done and a new Apple Pie jam is currently processing. On top of that, I have a peach-rum jam that I wasn't able to label in time for market last week. I'm excited to bring new things for people to sample! With two new jams, I need two new names. Also, the name for Carrot Cake is up for review. That's three names, and if you don't know what that means, well, you're missing out. Submit a name here (or go ahead and like Gunder Goods on Facebook and leave a comment in the appropriate post), and if I choose your name, you'll get a free jar of jam on the house. It doesn't get much easier than that.
Stepping back a little, I didn't share much of last weekend at the market. We got up late, and were rushed to get in and set up on time, but barely made it. It was a long day, with it being as slow as it was. Friends were made with the vendors around us, and they promised things would be busier. Aside from the sales, it was a fantastic day to experience the market, get proverbial feet wet and sort out the "little things" like how to organize the booth. The only major problem came at the very end of the day when, on the way out the door, last items in hand, my favorite coffee mug fell to the ground and shattered. I've had the thing since high school (sophomore year?). A gift from my parents - probably due to my perpetual singleness. Alas, I'm going to try to glue it when I have fewer projects. Otherwise, I'll just have to find a new favorite mug. Rust Belt needs a mug vendor.
Maybe I'll do that next.
P.S. you have about 16 hours to submit suggestions for names. I'm behind on the contest and need the labels printed by tomorrow night. Have at it!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
So it's five in the morning
Just a reminder, I'm going to be at market tomorrow. Have some details.
"When?" you might ask.
Oh, in about six hours. Rather, the market opens in six hours at 11AM. I have to be set up by 10:45. I'll get a few quick hours of sleep and then head on over. Nearly everything's already packed up in the car, so I just have to grab a couple things and head two miles down the road to Rust Belt Market and set up shop. I and/or someone resembling/representing me will be there the entire time the market is open from 11AM until 7PM.
If you're unfamiliar with Rust Belt, check the link above, but, really, all you need to know is that it's like a super awesome weekly indoor art fair.
So if you like jam, or you like me, or you like just being generally awesome, stop by, hang out, get some samples and browse the market. You'll find something you want, unless you don't like cool things. Then you won't.
Wish me sleep.
"When?" you might ask.
Oh, in about six hours. Rather, the market opens in six hours at 11AM. I have to be set up by 10:45. I'll get a few quick hours of sleep and then head on over. Nearly everything's already packed up in the car, so I just have to grab a couple things and head two miles down the road to Rust Belt Market and set up shop. I and/or someone resembling/representing me will be there the entire time the market is open from 11AM until 7PM.
If you're unfamiliar with Rust Belt, check the link above, but, really, all you need to know is that it's like a super awesome weekly indoor art fair.
So if you like jam, or you like me, or you like just being generally awesome, stop by, hang out, get some samples and browse the market. You'll find something you want, unless you don't like cool things. Then you won't.
Wish me sleep.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Too much to do
It looks like I'm officially going to be at a market tomorrow! I'll be at Rust Belt Market Sunday; it's open from 11-7. I have way too many things to do to be blogging, but here I am, letting you know where you can buy my jam without creepily stalking me to my house.
I was hoping to offer sandwiches tomorrow in some form, but it just doesn't look like I'll have the time to get it done. Hopefully next week. Or, hopefully not because I will have sold out of jam and can't reasonably make enough in the next week while working my traditional job. If I do offer them, I think I'm going to have to offer them as a DIY project - a 2oz Dixie cup of peanut butter, one of jelly, a couple slices of bread and a knife. But, hey, that's the law.
So, in the next two hours, I have to get everything else squared away. Then about twelve hours of work before crashing for a few and heading to the market. Wish me luck!
I was hoping to offer sandwiches tomorrow in some form, but it just doesn't look like I'll have the time to get it done. Hopefully next week. Or, hopefully not because I will have sold out of jam and can't reasonably make enough in the next week while working my traditional job. If I do offer them, I think I'm going to have to offer them as a DIY project - a 2oz Dixie cup of peanut butter, one of jelly, a couple slices of bread and a knife. But, hey, that's the law.
So, in the next two hours, I have to get everything else squared away. Then about twelve hours of work before crashing for a few and heading to the market. Wish me luck!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
That was quick.
I just sold the last Mulled in Michigan, so that's off the block. I learned a little bit about mulberries when I made this jam. First off, they're a pain to pick, but I've heard of a different way I'll try next season. The funniest thing about them is that the seeds don't suspend in the jam like other berries. They all floated to the top! Next time around I'll probably strain off the seeds. I like them, but if I can't evenly distribute them, the jam isn't how I want it to be. Other than the seeds, I really enjoyed the jam and will definitely plan on making more next season. If you didn't get a jar, you'll just have to wait!
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