OT - Joe Miller is one heck of a nice guy!!!

[Ysabel Kid]

Joe was kind enough to send my cat, Stripes, a care package this week. Him and his wife do excellent work!!!



And just to prove it's me...



Here's Stripes going into his new favorite spot...



Here he is enjoying it...



And here he is making fun of the jealous dog!!!



Thanks Joe & Elaine!!!

[J Miller]

You're welcome. Glad Stripes like it.

Joe & Elaine

[Rusty]

Well Joe it looks like you've found your calling.

[mescalero1]

Si mon

[rjohns94]

kewl,

[Nath]

Thats neat Joe and Elaine

Nath.

[Terry Murbach]

GOOD GO JOE !!! I LIKE THAT BUT SAT HERE FOR A WHILE LOOKING AT IT AND WONDERING, WHAT THE DEVIL IS THAT ?? THEN THE PUDDY TAT SHOWED ME.

[dr walker]

Your dog looks like he may be a lil jealous.

[madman4570]

That was very nice of Joe and Elaine! They are great people. Well Done.

[Mokwaw]

Joe,
You and Elaine should consign some of those at the local pet stores, if you haven't already. Those are very cool and kind of unique.

[O.S.O.K.]

I came up with an idea/product some 10 years ago that I called the "pup tent" which was just a small free-standing tent for your dog - meant to be a take-a-long for trips that was packable. Couldn't really patent the idea as its somewhat too obvious - just an difference in application of an existing product. This was before ebay if I recall - at least, I had no idea how to market it over the internet at the time, otherwise I would have set up a page and such. I had a supplier (American Tent Co. IIRC) to make them.

That is cool Joe! The cat seems to really like it too. Well done! You should offer one for dogs too and set up a mercantile web site! Its not that hard and doesn't cost much to get started.

[J Miller]

mod71alaska,
For confusing times such as that we make animal neutral tents as well.

Terry,
When my wife displays them at craft shows we have one of those Furreal animated kitties we put in them.
( http://www.hasbro.com/furreal/en_US/ ) Lots of folks have no idea what these little tents are for.

Furreal kitty in tent.JPG

Mokwaw,
We've sold these on the internet, at craft shows and given some away. Tried to put them on consignment here in Springfield but the pet shops wouldn't do it.
Been thinking of setting up our own web page for these and my cylinder bags as well as some of the other craft items my wife makes. But we are about as computer smart as a cow pie.

Joe

[J Miller]

O.S.O.K.,

You posted while I was doing mine. My wife makes two basic sizes of tents like those, and one that looks like an indian teepee.

A mercantile web site is exactly what we've been thinking about.
If someone could help us set one up it would be great.

Joe

[Hobie]

Joe,

It is very, very simple. Your only downfall might be your connection speed. That can be overcome. A very simple single or two page site could be created with products, contact/order info, etc. You probably have space given by your ISP to host it. Here's one I did and handed it off to the owners... http://www.combatgi.com

[Halfbreed]

How much you asking for your "Kit Tent" (as opposed to "pup-tent")?

[vancelw]

Come one Joe, tell the truth. You HAD to give that #8 tent away

I bet the number 24 tents sell like hotcakes. (It's the only thing a cat of stature would sleep in )

I had to go check the house when I first saw those pictures. I thought someone had stolen my cat! However, if it had been MY cat in there, you had better check the #8 for a buried treasure of #2


All kidding aside, you sure do meet the nicest people on this forum.

[J Miller]

Halfbreed,
The tents sell for $25 at most of the craft shows around here for now. Shipping runs around $7-8, depending where they are going.

vancelw,
Have not made a #24 as I do not remember a fabric with that number, but it is an idea. We think we have seen it though and am going to check it out.
Certain fabrics and designs and prints or logos are copyrighted and therefore the fabric companies cannot print and sell the designs. Some of the fabrics are also copyrighted for home use only and one is not allowed to make things for resale with them.

J & E

[vancelw]

Have not made a #24 as I do not remember a fabric with that number, but it is an idea. We think we have seen it though and am going to check it out.
Certain fabrics and designs and prints or logos are copyrighted and therefore the fabric companies cannot print and sell the designs. Some of the fabrics are also copyrighted for home use only and one is not allowed to make things for resale with them.

J & E

My wife like to make fleece pajama pants out of different material to give the the kids and their friends. She has sent me on more than one quest when I have been visiting neighboring towns, looking for that certain elusive pattern.

This is not 24 country around here. The souvenir stuff I have is usually purchased on clearance sale, which works for me, or I have to find it when we are visiting the wife's folks up in the OH/MI/IN corner.

[gamekeeper]

Joe Miller is one heck of a nice guy!!! Yup I agree to that!

Joe does Elaine make them in Cammo material for Huntin' Cats ?

[J Miller]

vancelw,

Wifie went to do some errands and stopped by WalMart. Found some #24 material. Said it was the last couple yards. Then found out they are gonna eliminate the fabric dept when they remodel the store in the near future.

game keeper,
Yep, we got camo for huntin kitties too.

Joe

[pokey]

And just to prove it's me...

classic pic.

[O.S.O.K.]

Joe, when I started my business I muddled through it and it worked out fine. You should upgrade to a faster ISP service - this can be deducted as a business expense. You can set up an LLC through Legal Zoom or similar - this will remove you from the business (remove your personal assets, etc.) but it will require paying quarterly state taxes... some just ignore this at that start and eat the cost of the faster service, etc., and don't charge taxes for in-state sale - which isn't legally kosher, but its done... and then after you get sales up, you form the LLC.

I would suggest having Hobie guide you through the web page creation - I did mine through Yahoo's service - that wasn't very hard at all - you just need some pics ready and have an idea of the layout you need.

For payment, the easiest thing woudl be paypal (which I detest) but its not hard to get a visa/mc credit card account sent up as well - you do this through a service and they give you everything needed.

Its a lot, I know, but none of it is too complicated, just a lot of uncomplicated... if that makes sense.

Then, after you get all set-up, I recommend that you do the on-line marketing stuff - where you're web page pops-up when somebody does a search for "cat bed" or "cat cage", etc. - otherwise, you're site will be so far down the list they will never see it....

Hope that helps.

[Modoc ED]

Bump to the top page

[Modoc ED]

It's back.

[JohndeFresno]

Great piece of work, Joe!
And congratulations on your new moccasins, Kid!

[RIHMFIRE]

very cool Joe....
but ya need to add another 8 on that pup tent!

[kimwcook]

The professor is a nice guy and I'm sure the wife is too, just never met her. I really hope you get your website going as it may be a way to get out of Illinois and somewhere you really want to be.