Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Christmas Shopping at Main Street Market

Birdhouses are a perfect Christmas gift for the birdwatcher on your Christmas list. Brightly colored and functional, our birdhouses will add color to your yard over the winter, provide a roosting space for the birds during the winter months, and will invite birds to nest in your yard in the spring. SeedsNBeans has moved our winter sales to the Manitowoc Main Street Market, located on 8th Street in Manitowoc. The market is open on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm through December 17th. It will be closed December 24th and 31st, but will reopen on January 7th. Stop by to see our latest work and pick up a gift or two. Give us a call or send an email to order a pound of our holiday blend coffee. SeedsNBeans coffee is an excellent holiday gift for any coffee drinker on your list. Or, pick some up to serve to your holiday guests with your favorite Christmas cookies!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

New Birdhouses!


They're unique and gorgeous! They could be inhabited by finches, nuthatches, wrens, or other small birds. They would make excellent gifts for any bird lover.

They are made from reclaimed cedar, and decorated with a reclaimed hinge and drawer pull (both purchased from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore). Each one is unique thanks to natural variations in the cedar pieces used (some have curvy edges on the roof), and also thanks to a unique nature scene decorating the front of each house. The nature scene (clipped from a magazine) is glued down and covered with several layers of a clear finish to protect it from the weather. It is recommended that an additional layer of clear finish be brushed or sprayed on each year to prolong the beauty of the birdhouse.

How can you purchase one of these beauties? Shop on Etsy, stop by the market to see us on Saturday mornings, or stop by the house! Special orders are welcome!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Why Would I Want to Encourage Bats to Live in MY Yard?

We've been surprised at the interest in and popularity of bat houses at the market this summer. We started out with a couple, sold out, and have since made more, in several sizes and designs. We've found that when it comes to bat houses, there are two reactions: "Bat houses! Cool, I've been wanting to put one of those up!" Or, "Bat houses? YUCK! Who wants bats around, anyway?"

I have to admit, I'm not terribly fond of bats. They're just kind of creepy. However, they are very beneficial creatures to have around. According to Bat Conservation International, they are important pest controllers, pollinators, seed dispersers. Believe it or not, a single brown bat can eat as many as 1,000 mosquito-sized insects in just one hour! Imagine how many of the little pests a whole colony of bats could take care of in an evening!

A lot of people are concerned about the risk of disease from exposure to bats, rabies in particular. However, since rabies can only be spread by direct contact with an infected animal (generally from bites), the risk is very minimal. Children should be taught never to handle any wild animal.

For more information on bats, bat conservation, and installing a bat house, visit Bat Conservation International. They also have guidelines for safe and humane bat exclusion. Help the bats! Put up a bat house on your property today! Our bat houses are built according to guidelines provided by Bat Conservation International.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

To market, to market . . . with coffee!

New bat houses and a limited supply of two special flavors of coffee are on display at the market today! South American blend is a blend of coffee from Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala. Strawberry Creme Delight is a special flavor that smells heavenly and would taste great with strawberry pancakes or strawberry shortcake. Get yours before it's gone! Only $12 per pound of delicious freshly-roasted beans!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Visit us at the Market!



Today was the first day for SeedsNBeans at the Two Rivers Farmers Market!
Birdhouses, birdfeeders, squirrel feeders, bat houses, planters, chairs, and tables, oh my!

We hope to have our coffee available at the market in the next week or two. Stop by and see us on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, and on Wednesdays from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm.