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Simple Ramblings From A Prim Cottage


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

What's in the name Challenge

 Karen over at My Colonial Home is hosting a challenge to tell the story of how your blog got it's name and why you started blogging.Anyone with a blog can join in the fun..I started my blog October 2010.I was visiting everyone (the lurker..smile..) way before then but decided I really wanted to be more of a part of the community and friendship.I loved how everyone shared ideas,invited you into their beautiful homes and as I found out later how much they care....So where did the name come from? Well back 18 years ago the country prim shops were more handmade and local folk artist, not mass produced like today.Pieces were original and very often one of a kind.I had always since childhood thought I would be a artist when I grew up.Life takes other turns but I still always had the creative person inside..I rented a old house then with a huge yard I started growing flowers and herbs to dry and took up candle making...
 The only way to get oils then was to order them from the herb and health food store.At the time I mainly just made things for family and friends.The lady I got the oils from wanted to start selling my wares and they took off...I loved to paint and sit in the yard and weave wreaths from the herbs and people started requesting them to.Hubby at the time did barn restorations and the people would tell him to take the old crocks and watering cans and such so I incorporated them into my business and got a stand at the farmers market.I needed a name for labels and such.At the time it was a very herbal business and I've always loved beeskeps and bumble bee's so Bumble Bee Lane was born...
 At the time no computer so I started getting calls from shops who had purchased my products and wanted to do wholesale.I started doing wholesale and shows and open houses for the holidays and branched into offering antiques and primitive wares.Hubby would make birdhouses,cupboards,wood boxes.I would paint old windows,shutters and ironing boards.The wholesale was booming but I was getting burned out because I didn't want my name on it unless it was me doing it so the only help I had was hubby.So at this point I thought if everyone else is buying from the shops I'll open my own shop.Bumble bee lane was born officially.I only did antiques,my items, and local consignors for furniture,dolls and such.Unfortunately all the family and friends who promised to help never followed through.Hubby still had to work full time and I needed to find antiques and make items plus did some wholesale so finding someone to trust to run the shop was always a challenge.So I decided to close the shop and go back to work for a few years.I have always kept the Bumble Bee Lane as my name and thought it only fit for my blog name,It's been with me over 18 years..smile...It's a ever changing story now I do fleamarkets and shows mainly just antiques and primitives. People just don't buy the hand dids and wares in our area with all the imports cheaper.They want the look but don't care about if it's quality.hand did or old.Me I like history and things the neighbor won't have..smile...I'm so glad I took the leap into blogging I found so many kindred spirits and people I can truely call friends...It seems like the same girls run in the circle and you really know them,occasionally a new person comes in and are warmly welcomed,the bad apples usually pack up fairly quickly and we don't have the drama that is on facebook.Blogging is a community of sharing our homes,ideas,friendships and occasionally hardships.You find yourself thinking of certain blogging friends regularly.Our poor hubby's even get to know oh your "blog" or "prim" friend..giggles...You send cards,gifts,emails,encouragement to these kindred spirits and never think twice.They are as close to you as your best friend.I would not trade this little community for the world....
Ok long winded I know.Really had no clue how to write this post.I guess it just came out..smile..Now click over to Karen's blog and join in.Warm Blessings!~Amy

27 comments:

Primitive Stars said...

Hello Amy, what a wonderful story on how your name came about, love the name by the way, Bubblebee Lane, really enjoy hearing your jouney. I agree on the faithful blogging friends who we share our everyday lives with, laugh, cry, it`s nice to know people out there still care. Enjoy the day, Blessings Francine.

cucki said...

hello dear, it is truly a great story to know about your blog..i love reading it so much..
have a lovely day xx

renee said...

Hi Amy,
I enjoyed reading your story on your blog. I do agree blogging is different than facebook. I am just trying to balance it all. Not easy, but I am forcing myself to not be on this contraption all the time.
I hope that you are doing well. Happy Wednesday.
Hugs,
Renee

My Colonial Home said...

Wow Amy, what an encouraging story...I love how your name evolved and how your business came about.
I have to agree with the paragraph about "occasionally a new person comes in and are warmly welcomed,the bad apples usually pack up fairly quickly and we don't have the drama that is on facebook". How true....we are a community of 'friends' who help each other whether it's by supporting their craft, helping them through hardships or 'just being there' for moral support.

Thanks for joining in and I hope more do...the list is growning. So come on over to My Colonial Home and join.

Karen

Penny said...

Good morning Amy! Loved learning how your blog name came about. "Bumble Bee Lane" conjures up thoughts a small country road with wildflowers all along it to me... a peaceful place outside of the hustle and bustle.....LOVE it!
I don't have a blog, but if I did I would probably try to find a name with "Hollow" in it. There's a small town we sometimes go through called Potter Hollow (we call it Potter Holler). I love that name, and it, too, sounds like a peaceful place to be!
TFS and have a great day!

Unknown said...

Amy,
Thank you so much for sharing your story! This is such a cool idea that I think I'm going to have to jump in on! Thanks for sharing! :)

bettyj said...

Enjoyed this post Amy. I have loved getting to know why people named their blogs. I too, agree with your phrase about the blogging community. If you need prayers you know they are there for you. Thanks for sharing. I am so glad Karen started this.

Robyn ♥ said...

I too am so glad Karen came up with this idea. It's so interesting to hear the story behind the name.
I agree that there is way more drama on Facebook. It's nice to go look at the pictures but here is where the stories are! :) TFS!

frontporchprims said...

Hi Amy. How great to get to know you better. Isn't it funny how a name can become part of your identity!! It's neat that your buisness came to you like that. Someday I dream of selling things to others to make them happy. For now, I am just practicing on my blog friends and family:) I am glad to have you as a blogging friend. You are such a great person with a big heart and lots of talent to share. -Steph-

Deppen homestead 1862 said...

hi, Amy
Enjoyed reading how you came up with the name & the story from then until now~ felt like I learned a bit more about you~
Great post~ as I always love a visit with you my blogging buddy~
smiles & hugs
Teresa

Holly said...

What a great story. Really enjoyed your post! -Holly

Theresa said...

Amy thank you for sharing your story with us. It was nice to learn the story behind your blog name. :0)

Pendleton Primitives said...

Morning Amy. I enjoyed your post. Funny about hubby and "blogging" friends :). I have been making and packaging the swaps and my hubs asks me, "now, who is this for? Which one is this?" And I catch him reading my blog comments :). I know I've started talking about a few of the ladies as of I've met them and he always looks puzzled. I don't get out much!
~Christina

Christine said...

Well it came out wonderfully, Amy not long winded but really honest and heartfelt!
Love your blog name and you are a great blog friend to know!
Blessings
Christine

cynthia lee designs said...

Hi Amy,
I loved reading about how your blog name came to be and I love coming by to visit you.
Great post!
hugs,
Cindy

Trace4J said...

Loved learning more about you Friend. I so agree.
I love all our blogging friends.
All so encouraging all the time.
JOY & HUGS
Trace


www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com

Marsha @ Tattered Chick said...

Hi Amy! So nice to get to know you a little better!! Blogging is wonderful, isn't it?!?! It's been, I've lost count, I think 4-1/2 years for me, and I'd be lost without it!!

I'm so behind on catching up with my blog reading and emails, as you know, this time of the year is busy, busy, busy!!!

xoxo

Cindi said...

Amy what a wonderful informative post. I love reading how everyone got their blog names. I too love this community of bloggers, so kind and so welcoming to new people. I think you posting the swaps really helps also. Thanks for all you do! Have a great day!
Be blessed,
Cindi

tj said...

...I love your story! And how on earth did I not know about you sooner?! I love the name too! :o)

...Thank you for sharing your story, I truly enjoyed it.

...I think of you often and hope all is going well. I agree about the blogging community, you couldn't ask for better. I bet my blogging friends cross my mind more in a day's time than my friends that live nearby. Weird, isn't it? Either way, I am blessed to know you and the others. Now I just need to get my hiney back to blogging! Poor ol' blog. *sigh* :o\

...Have a lovely evening Amy!

...Blessings :o)

~Sara said...

Loved your story Amy. Isn't it funny how when you sit down to write to your blogging friends that it either comes flowing out or it isn't meant to be.It is so fun getting to know everyone's story. Such a great blogging community.I especially love your swaps, can't wait for this new one ;) Blessings~Sara

Heather said...

Hello, Former Lurker...
Seems like we got the same start!I loved your post and hearing of your journey. I like your craftsmanship philosophy! I have been getting rid of my "junk" and purchasing handmade goods. It is like having mementos from our circle of friendship. I am so happy to know you! Thank you for taking the time to share!

Blessings,
Heather

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Wonderful post/story Amy!!!
Blogging friends are the best!!!
Thanks so much for telling us your history!
Prim Blessings
Robin

Primsue said...

Amy, I enjoyed your story and getting to know you better. I have followed your blog for quite a while and your posts are always a delight.
Blessings,
Sue

A Primitive Homestead said...

Thanks for sharing your story. Blessings!
Lara

TheCrankyCrow said...

What a sweet, endearing, post Amy....I learned bunches that I didn't know before. And, as one of those relative "newcomers" who has been warmly welcomed into the "community," I am grateful and amazed by this journey. You were one of the very first to so very warmly welcome me and I will always remember you with kindness for that. Thanks for sharing your story. I told Karen I would do this too, I just hope I find a few minutes uninterrupted to do it!! Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

Rugs and Pugs said...

Amy ~
What a great post. Thanks for sharing!
Hugs :)
Lauren

jody said...

just wanted to stop and say hi amy, you sure are doing a great job with the swap. i have never done one before and am just so busy with i dont know what... someday tho! enjoy your day amy!