What is this Carolina Shop Hop?

You may have heard the buzz about a new event happening next month right here in the Upstate!

What is it?  You ask.  The first EVER Carolina Shop Hop for rubberstamping, scrapbooking & paper arts!

It will run from October 16 - 27 and has 11 stores in the Upstate and Western NC participating.

ALL shops will have free make & takes AND 20% off their crafting supplies!  WOW!

The organizers have compiled some gifts to give for those who visit 8 or more shops as well as those who visit all 11 in the 2 weeks!  YES!  FREE goodies!  Who doesn't like that???

The cost for a ticket is a mere $15.00.  With the ticket (which will be stamped at each store visited) there will also be a tote bag with the Carolina Shop Hop logo (to carry around all of those fabulous deals you will get at each store).

In an earlier post, I listed some of the extra things we will be doing for our 'Home Hoppers' (those who purchase their ticket from The Mercantile.)  These includes an entry into a special drawing JUST FOR 'HOME HOPPERS' for a $30 Mercantile Gift Certificate!

We are also having a tag contest, rules are available in an earlier post, or at the Mercantile.  (I just finished running off some more copies...)

New Class this Saturday (10/15)

Wire Knot Bracelet by Kathy Smiley

This Saturday, October 15, our wonderfully creative friend Kathy Smiley will be teaching this Wire Knot Bracelet class.  The class price is $25 and includes all of your supplies, even the Lentil Bead made by Kathy herself!  There will be a variety of lentils to choose from.

It is time to start thinking about making those extra special gifts for Christmas or birthdays... We also have a wonderful slate of paper-crafting classes on the calendar.  Check out our web site www.TheMercantileStore.com for the most up to date calendar. 

Bead Trunk Show/Sale -6/2010

We have another  

Bead Trunk Show and Sale 

going on at The Mercantile.

The selection includes several Agates, Jaspers, Fresh Water Pearls, Moonstone, Labradorite, Amethyst, Citrine, Onyx, Magnesite, Tiger Eye, Pendants, Links, Beads and more...

All selected items are 

25% off the marked prices 

through the end of the day on Saturday, July 10, 2010.

Sample Pics...

Here are some photos of the Flower Soft (tm) and some samples made by the company, Terri, one of our customers who is a friend-who-is-like-family and myself... this 'stuff' is SO much fun!

Enjoying vacation...

We are enjoying our vacation, but miss our customers/friends...
We will be back on Monday morning though (July 6)... ready to go!
Cindy is checking the email daily (mercantinc@aol.com) so, if you need anything desperately, let her know...
Looking forward to next week, see you then!

May Classes at The Mercantile

Class Schedule for May 2009
Classes listed are regular evening and weekend scheduled classes. Call now to reserve a space - Class spaces are limited - Check store for class descriptions
May 2 – Saturday – 8:30 – 10:30 AM – Wire Wrapping Basics – Cindy - $25

May 5 – Tuesday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM Crafting A-La-Carte - Open Have a class you want to take? Call and reserve this time.

May 7 – Thursday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Chain Bracelet – Terri - $10 + supplies used * NEW

May 9 – Saturday – 8:30 – 10:30 AM – Good Deed or Prayer Beads - Terri - $18 (Pewter – SS upgrade avail.)* NEW
3:00 – 5:00 PM – Critter Cards – Cindy - $18 * NEW

Happy Mother’s Day!!

May12- Tuesday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Stamp of the Month (March Flower Flourish stamp) Terri $18

May 14 – Thursday – 6:00 – 9:00 PM – Art Clay Silver Torch n Go – Cindy - $38

May 16 – Saturday – 8:30 – 10:30 AM – Stamp of the month (March Flower Flourish stamp) Terri $18
3:00 –5:00 PM-Woven Chain and Dragonfly Charm- Terri $20

May 19 – Tuesday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Rivoli Pendant – Cindy - $25 * NEW

May 21 – Thursday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Crafting A-La-Carte - Open Have a class you want to take? Call and reserve this time.

May 23 – Saturday – 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Fused Glass Jewelry – Angela Hendrix - $65
3:00-5:00 PM – Chain=2 0Maille – Terri - $20

May 26 – Tuesday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Crafting A-La-Carte - Open Have a class you want to take? Call and reserve this time.

May 28 – Thursday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Birthday Cards – Cindy - $18

May 30 – Saturday – 8:30 – 10:30 AM – Inchies and Twinchies – Terri - $18
3:00 – 5:00 PM – Rivoli Pendant – Cindy – $25 * NEW

***Price of classes includes all supplies, unless otherwise noted. Where needed, written instructions are also included. All instructions written by the staff at The Mercantile are copyrighted – all rights reserved.
*** Check our web site for class descriptions. When a Crafting A-La-Carte has been reserved, we are making every effort to post the chosen topic on the calendar listing of the web site.
*Crafting A-La-Carte: Students can pick the time they would like to take the class and the topic.
Tuesdays or Thursdays daytime for 1 – 4 students
9:00 – 11:00AM or 2:00 – 4:00PM
Also available a series of Tuesday or Thursday evenings, 7:00 – 9:00, for 1 – 6 students
Check calendar for dates.
Classes available include beading, stamping and paper crafting classes.
Check store for our listing of over 200 classes.
Prices vary depending on the class (starting at $18 – all supplies included unless otherwise noted).
24 hour advanced notice required.
The first person to reserve a date/time picks the topic. (Some dates have already been reserved.)
Great party idea! Unique gift idea!

NEW Coffee Flavors!

We have gotten some new flavors of coffee for you... Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Georgia Pecan and Dutch Chocolate. All of these, plus our other coffees are available whole bean or ground to order, in 1/4, 1/2 or full pound bags.

A few notes

This is a photo of DragonBen's garden at Grandma & DeeDa's house... As you can see, it is greening up nicely. The daffodils are the miniature ones that bloom later than the standard ones do.
First of all, the weather was so nasty on Saturday that we will be extending the hours of the Make & Take on Tuesday into the early evening for those of you who did not want to venture out.
The Make & Take is greeting cards and benefits the Pendleton/Clemson Relay For Life.
Secondly, we have a new array of wind chimes just in, as well as adorable rain gauges (and we've been having measureable rain too!!!). New Melissa & Doug toys along with new Folkmanis puppets. Our array of First Communion & Confirmation gifts is growing.
Next weekend (April 4 & 5) is Historic Pendleton's Spring Jubilee out on the green. The Pendleton District Commission (Jo McConnell in particular) has gone the extra mile again to bring in a wonderful array of artisans and crafts people to the green for this show that has had regional and national recognition. The show is rain or shine. Hope to see you then... we will be open both Saturday & Sunday of Jubilee. Come visit our beautiful historic town and find out what we have to offer.
And last, but by no means least, we will be having a Bead Trunk Show beginning the week after Spring Jubilee. I hand-picked so many beautiful beads... hope to see you then. Dates will be posted as soon as we finalize them...

Special Store Hours September 7th!

On Sunday, September 7th, 2008, we will be open from 1 - 4 PM.

This is in conjunction with the Greenville Rubber Stamp and Paper Arts Festival this weekend at the Carolia First Center in Greenville, SC.

So, if you arre interested in rubber stamping and you'll be near the upstate of South Carolina, stop by to see us and also stop by the festival.

It's Our Birthday!

Today is the 20th birthday of the Mercantile.

We did not have a ribbon-cutting 20 years ago, so we decided to have one today. Pendleton Mayor Carol Burdette (a former employee) spoke briefly and did the honors of cutting the ribbon. We also had lots of goodies to eat and a Birthday Card Make & Take.

Thank you to all who joined us so far today, friends, family and strangers as well!

Thank you to all of our friends and customers who have supported us these last 20 years, we look forward to many more.

September 2008 class schedule

Well, we have September's schedule ready. Some of the classes are already starting to fill spaces.
Please give us a call (864-646-9431) if you would like us to save you a space, or you can email us at mercantinc@aol.com

Class Schedule for September 2008
Classes listed are regular evening and weekend scheduled classes.

Call now to reserve a space - Class spaces are limited - Check store or web site for class descriptions

September 2 – Tuesday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Quilted Cards – Cindy - $20

September 4 – Thursday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Stone & Chain Bracelet – Terri - $40 – NEW

September 6 & 7 – Saturday & Sunday – Rubber Stamp & Paper Arts Festival in Greenville – Store open both days

September 9 – Tuesday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Crafting A-La-Carte - *price varies

September 11 – Thursday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Multi-Strand Mania – Terri - $10 + supplies used

September 13 – Saturday – 8:30 – 10:30 Am – Quilted Cards – Cindy - $20
3:00 – 5:00 –PM – Cards for the Men in Your Life – Terri - $18

September 16 – Tuesday – Crafting A-La-Carte - *price varies

September 18 – Thursday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Stamp of the Months Cards (Aug. - Floral Branch) – Terri - $18 (students need to bring the stamp for this class)

September 20 – Saturday – 8:30 – 10:30 AM – Stamp of the Month Cards (Aug. – Floral Branch) – Terri - $18 (students need to bring the stamp for this class)
3:00 – 5:00 PM – Wire Wrapping Basics – Cindy - $25

September 23 – Tuesday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Wire Wrap Bracelet – Cindy - $25

September 25 – Thursday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Crafting A-La-Carte - *price varies

September 27 – Saturday – 8:30 – 10:30 AM – Multi-Strand Mania – Terri - $10 + supplies used
3:00 – 5:00 PM – Holiday Cards – Cindy - $18

September 30 – Tuesday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Crafting A-La-Carte - *price varies

***Price of classes includes all supplies, unless otherwise noted. Where needed, written instructions are also included. All instructions written by the staff at The Mercantile are copyrighted – all rights reserved.

*** Check our web site for class descriptions. When a Crafting A-La-Carte has been reserved, we are making every effort to post the chosen topic on the calendar listing of the web site.

*Crafting A-La-Carte: Students can pick the time they would like to take the class and the topic.
Tuesdays or Thursdays daytime for 1 – 4 students
9:00 – 11:00AM or 2:00 – 4:00PM
Also available a series of Tuesday or Thursday evenings, 7:00 – 9:00, for 1 – 6 students,
check calendar for dates.
Classes available include beading, stamping and paper crafting classes.
Check store for our listing of over 200 classes.
Prices vary depending on the class (starting at $18 – all supplies included unless otherwise noted).
24 hour advanced notice required.
The first person to reserve a date/time picks the topic. (Some dates have already been reserved.)
Great party idea! Unique gift idea!

Has it really been 20 years?

This is a copy of the press release we just sent out. And the photos are of the store before Connie & Bill did all their work to get it in shape.

The Mercantile will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Saturday, August 23rd, beginning at 10AM with a ribbon cutting by Pendleton Mayor Carol Burdette. The celebration will continue throughout the day at the store, located at 149 East Queen Street in Pendleton, with light refreshments. What began as a small gift shop, started by Bill & Connie Earl on August 23, 1988 has grown to include two of their daughters (Terri Earl Brooks and Cindy Earl Higgins). The selection of gifts, old-fashioned candy, and gourmet coffee beans has been joined by Melissa & Doug toys, Folkmanis Puppets and Soy Bean Oil candles from Pawley’s Island. Beyond that, there is also a large selection of rubber stamps, papers and beads along with the tools and supplies needed to create with them. Terri and Cindy have brought with them their creative talents and offer a full calendar of over 200 creative classes in rubber-stamping, beading and paper crafts.

We hope you can join us on the 23rd for our celebration.

August 2008

Her it is - the August class schedule for the Mercantile!

Class Schedule for August 2008
Classes listed are regular evening and weekend scheduled classes.

Call now to reserve a space - Class spaces are limited - Check store or web site for class descriptions



August 2 – Saturday – 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Art Clay Silver – Project II – Cindy -50

August 5 – Tuesday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Crafting A-La-Carte – price varies*

August 7 – Thursday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Crafting A-La-Carte – price varies* (Spiral Rope Bracelet $18)

August 9 – Saturday – 8:30 – 10:30 AM – Wire Wrapping Basics – Cindy - $25
3:00 – 5:00 PM – All Occasion Cards – Terri - $18 – NEW

August 12 – Tuesday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Iris Folding – Cindy - $18 – NEW

August 14 – Thursday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Crafting A-La-Carte – price varies*

August 16 – Saturday – 8:30 – 10:30 AM – Iris Folding – Cindy - $18 – NEW

August 19 – Tuesday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Crafting A-La-Carte – price varies*

August 21 – Thursday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Multi-strand Mania – Terri - $10+ supplies used – NEW

August 23 – Saturday – The Mercantile’s 20th Anniversary Celebration

August 26 – Tuesday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Crafting A-La-Carte – price varies*

August 28 – Thursday – 7:00 – 9:00 PM – Stamp of the Month Cards (July - Pets are…) – T - $18

August 30 – Saturday – 8:30 – 10:30 AM – Special Occasion Cards – Terri – NEW
3:00 – 5:00 PM – Wire Wrap Bracelet – Cindy - $25 – NEW






***Price of classes includes all supplies, unless otherwise noted. Where needed, written instructions are also included. All instructions written by the staff at The Mercantile are copyrighted – all rights reserved.

*** Check our web site for class descriptions. When a Crafting A-La-Carte has been reserved, we are making every effort to post the chosen topic on the calendar listing of the web site.



*Crafting A-La-Carte: Students can pick the time they would like to take the class and the topic.
Tuesdays or Thursdays daytime for 1 – 4 students
9:00 – 11:00AM or 2:00 – 4:00PM
Also available a series of Tuesday or Thursday evenings, 7:00 – 9:00, for 1 – 6 students
Check calendar for dates.
Classes available include beading, stamping and paper crafting classes.
Check store (or our web site) for our listing of over 200 classes.
Prices vary depending on the class (starting at $18 – all supplies included unless otherwise noted).
24 hour advanced notice required.
The first person to reserve a date/time picks the topic. (Some dates have already been reserved.)
Great party idea! Unique gift idea!


The Mercantile, Inc. – 149 E. Queen Street, Pendleton, SC 29670 (864) 646-9431 mercantinc@aol.com, http://www.themercantilestore.com/

Cards on the Web

Cards that our very own Cindy designed have been posted on the website of one of our suppliers.

Whenever Cindy teaches the Quilted Cards class, she designs some new pieces. The technique comes from a traditional Japanese Doll making technique but substitutes Kimono fabrics with Washi (Japanese paper). Hanko Designs is our supplier for kits and beautiful Washi. One day, at the encouragement of our sales rep, Cindy sent some photos to Hanko Designs. A few days later they asked if it was OK to put them on their web site, with acknowledgement that they were from The Mercantile. Cindy said yes. Jump forward several weeks and they are now on their site (along with dozens of other beautiful samples)! Click the link above, then click on the retail web site. Once there, click on the card samples link near the top of the page. Cindy's samples are #12.

We carry the Washi Paper Quilting Kits here at The Mercantile, as well as a selection of Washi and card stock to mount them on.

A little more about the store...

Since I am posting this from home, I only have a few photos of class samples on my computer. This is a photo of my Copper Chain Necklace.

At The Mercantile we offer a wide array of creative classes. When Terri joined Mom & Dad at the store 13 years ago, she brought along her rubber stamping expertise. She had designed and manufactured her own line of decorative rubber stamps in England while living there. Thus started the classes. Over the years there have been technique calsses as well as project classes. When I joined the three of them 8 1/2 years ago, I was asked to fill in for a few of the Basic Rubber Stamping classes while Terri was on Maternity leave.

We now offer around 200 different classes in Rubber Stamping, Paper Crafting (including paper folding and Bookbinding, among others), and beading. The vast majority of our classes are taught by Terri and myself. We do have a few 'guest' instructors like Angela Hendrix, an extremely talented fused glass artist from Anderson, SC and Jo Hoffacker, another extremely talented local glass artist who specializes in bead making.

The Mercantile is not just about creativity. Mom & Dad started the store with the idea of it resembling an old-time country store, complete with bulk candy, candles and coffee beans. Most of the giftware at the very beginning was consignment from local crafters. After a while, other items were added, including Folkmanis Puppets and Melissa & Doug toys, Willow Tree figures and a selection of nativities. We also offer garden accents, Lang mugs and bread warmers from Seneca Ceramics. The bread warmers include a custom Pendleton, SC piece designed by Terri. On the shelves you will also find my Ebonyware Porcelain pottery.

The sample pot of coffee is always on so come on in and see what we have to offer.

Check our web site for more information www.TheMercantileStore.com