A brand new Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest “store” will be appearing on our website soon. We have some very exciting items to start out with, and I need your input to decide how much we should order. There will be t-shirts, note cards, calendars and tote bags in the store.
I’d like to know, to begin with, about your interest in the calendars and tote bags. The calendars will likely be priced at 1 for $20, 2 for $30 and 5 for $60 and the tote bags will likely be $15 each, 2 for $25.
Please comment to this post or email me privately ([email protected]) to let me know how many calendars and tote bags you think you will order. Think big here – holiday gifts for everyone in your office, perhaps?
The calendar features photos of all of the chimpanzees – some that will be familiar to blog readers and others that are exclusive to the calendar. Here’s a preview of the cover of the calendar, to give you an idea of the contents:
The t-shirts and tote bags will feature a design created by Kim, our wonderful volunteer graphic designer – it is a illustration rendered from a photo of Jody. We’re going through an awesome new company called So Tons Creative for the bags and t-shirts (more praise will be bestowed upon Cassie, co-owner of So Tons Creative) soon.
The tote bags are 100% organic cotton and the kind that are perfect for grocery shopping, so it makes sense to order enough to carry all of your groceries. You can help the environment by saying “neither” to paper or plastic and you can help the Cle Elum Seven while you’re at it!
Isle Dance says
I love it!
Do you think you’ll be able to offer 100% organic cotton? Or hemp?
Thanks bunches for all that you do.
:o)
Debbie says
Thank you for the calenders!!!! I was going to order a chimp calender from calenders.com however they also had calenders featuring chimps used in entertainment so I decided not to buy from then and emailed them asking them to not sell calenders that exploit chimps. I would purchase at least two of the calenders, at least 4 bags…and would buy the note pads when they come out for work. Great ideas/products!!!
Edie says
I would order one calendar, four bags, one T-shirt, and lots of notecards.
Other things that I would consider ordering – just for future reference: DVD’s of the movies you take, pocket calendars, golf t-shirts with a pocket logo, baseball caps, and scratch pads. Thanks!
patty clark says
I would love to purchase calendars from you. I prefer the size 8-1/2 by 11 as that is the size that fits best for the areas that I hang them. Also, I would buy note pads. I would purchase at least 10 calendars to begin with. So glad you are working to make all of this possible. Cannot thank all of you enough….Patty C.
Margaret and Karen says
To start with we would buy 2 calendars and 2 tote bags. I agree with Patty about the size of the calendars. THANKS.
Diana says
I meant to type 100% organic cotton – I’ll amend the post now. The ladies t-shirts will also be 100% organic cotton, and the mens’ are 70% recycled cotton, 30% acrylic (both with the Jody design).
The calendars are 8.5 x 11 (folded).
Debbie – that’s good that you contacted calendars.com about using calendars that exploit chimpanzees.
Oh, and I was planning on note cards, not note pads – the cards will be in packs of seven, of course. With options to buy a mixed pack with all of the chimpanzees or packs all with one individual.
I could look into note pads for the future.
Linda says
Hello Diana,
I would like to order 2 boxes of mixed note cards and one calendar.
Thanks for always requesting the voice of the people who love and do care about the chimpanzees.
Au revoir,
Linda
debbie metzler says
I think I’d get two calendar’s a probably a t-shirt. I’ve been thinking of getting one of the “98.76%” shirts but maybe I’ll wait for that pretty Jody design!
debbie metzler says
(sorry for all those typos — I meant “two calendars AND a t-shirt” — I should probably read things over before hitting “submit”… haha)
Diana says
I should have mentioned that one big reason we are setting up our own store is to be able to actually make some money from the merchandise. Cafe Press is wonderful in many ways, but CSNW gets VERY little of what people pay. We’ll keep the Cafe Press site up so that a variety of things can be purchased, and we’ll see how it all goes.
Cindy says
I would be interested in 5 calendars and 2 tote bags for sure. Do you need some help with packing and shipping?
Lorraine D. Gordon says
I would definetly order 2 calendars.
Shelly Knapp says
Oh this is so much fun!! First, I’m most likely to purchase just a few things in the beginning but I will be back for more and more. I’m sure I’ll get a calendar or two, a bag and note cards. Would LOVE the photo frame that Keith has with the slide show of the chimp photo’s if that becomes available (SO COOL). Would also like note pads and still have my eye on the original hoody – but the new design is really cool….don’t know if a hoody will be available with that one. Also – what about coffee cups – individual/respective photo’s of each of the chimps with the cup being the sanctuary colors instead of just white? I like the idea of the baseball hat with the new logo, too 🙂 Oh let’s face it, I love it all! 😉
Theresa says
What great news!! I want 2 calendars and 4 tote bags for grocery shopping. I love scratch pads so if you decide on having those available I will buy several of those too!
I think it’s great to get more profit for the sanctuary by having your own store. After all, that’s why people buy items. They love the Cle Elum Seven!
Steph & Kurt says
I love the calendar idea! I would buy 10 calendars for the holidays, 1 tote bag, and would definitely be interested in the note cards too.
Audrey says
Oh my gosh ~ I would get at least 4 tote bags (I will use them to “wrap” my Christmas gifts in), at least 2 calendars, and at least 3 t-shirts. (Brian, if you are reading this, Merry Christmas) 🙂 Also, I would get several of the notecards and love the idea of the coffee mugs like Shelly described above. I think notepads would be great for stocking stuffers & to give the girls at the coffee stand who always ask me about the chimps (they all saw them on KOMO 4 news). 🙂
Gayle says
I would get two calendars, four tote bags, two t-shirts, and notepads if you get them. Also, have you thought of coffee mugs??? I would buy lots of those for sure.
Jill says
I would get tote bags for sure. I think I will steal Audrey’s idea and use them to “wrap” gifts. Why don’t I ever think of clever things like that? I would probably also get a shirt or two. Will they come in children’s sizes? I would love to give them to my nephews.
Sara says
Hi – I’m very interested in supporting your organization even though I am only able to do so in small ways. Last year I started making “donations” to organizations for holiday gifts, so I would be interested in anything that I could buy that shows the recipient what their gift goes toward. I would probably purchase a calendar or two and at least two tote bags. Although I’m all for gifts that are purposeful and don’t just sit around, having something for a child would be nice – a small stuffed chimp with a name of one of the seven, like a Beanie Baby, if you could do something like this inexpensively and be profitable for the organization.
Jeani Goodrich says
Diana, I think your ideas have really caught on and are inspiring a lot more!! I would like 3 bags to begin with as well as 4 calendars. I will probably buy more next month with another paycheck. I love Shelly’s ideas about other things that can go in the shop. I’m not sure about a stuffed chimp as far as cost is concerned but what about a coloring book with each of the chimps and their play area, or of several chimps playing, etc. I know I would buy at least 8 of those. If you included captions under the picture describing each chimp and the area as well as any pertinent information it could be read to them for learning also. I have a coloring book like this from the Audubon Society I can bring to show you if you would like.
Audrey says
Coloring Books are a great idea, Jeani!!! That would be so fun!! And I would want one of those for me!! 🙂
Shelly Knapp says
Wow, are we having fun or what!? 😉 What recession??? LOL!
Diane DePoe says
I would like to buy one calendar for now and will definitly buy more merchandise in the future.
Do you have a picture book available with stories about the Cle Elum Seven?
The Cle Elum Seven have touched my heart very deeply. Thank you for sharing your vision.
Shelly C/Hidden Valley LKake says
I sure wuld love to make a candle for the store , like the ones I made for Gorilla Haven Store but I would put the CSNW Logo on top of the tin and a band around the candle with pictures of the seven, Soy Wax is 100% vegetable byproduct, not a petroleum by-product. It is easier on people with breathing problems. Soy is a nenewable resource. Grown on American Soil. Supports our nation’s economy and farmers. Is water soluable, cleans up with soap and water. Non Toxic and no harmful carcinogenics. Produces 95% less soot than paraffin candles. Soy wax burn evenly and witha steady flame. Soy wax burns cooler than paraffin or gel.
I have about 39 scents ot this point and I just ordered a number one seller, guess what the name is ……Monkey Farts….The scent is a blrend of fresh bananas,kiwi,strwberries,pineapple, bubblegum and undertones of vanilla. They really say it is a number one seller! I cannot wait to smell that scent!
Anyway just un ideal….Hopefully I will be able to get back into my candle making soon, I fell yesderday so ended up in ER last night, I just want to bet better so I can make my candles before Christmas. If you have not seen them I posted the ones for Gorilla Haven on the Forum, they have pictures of Joe and Oliver all around them. It is up to you all now you just have to let me know, also PAWS in California want to carry them in their giftshop!
Good Night!
Jeani Goodrich says
Oh Shelly, Monkey Farts… How cool is that?!? Did you also know that you can use the melted wax as a hand cream? It makes the hands feel so good. Take a popsicle stick, dip it in the wax while the candle is burning and put it on you hand. Then just rub it around and in. The warmth feels good, too.
Shelly Knapp says
Shelly C – hope you’re resting well and healing quickly 🙂
Diana – my Mom asked me to post letting you know that she’ll buy a few bags as well.
Kathy Benson says
I would take a calander and a bag. How is everyone doing with all of the rain we have been having? Do they go out side?
Shelly C/Hidden Valley Lake, CA says
Jeani I have to tell you I have the softest hands in the world, when I make candles I rub the eoy wax all over my hands and arms, it si the best. Hopefully by next year I will be selling soy ;lotion bars and soy lipbalm. The soy lotion bars are the s=best you make them in the form of a soapbar, but it is soy lotion and then yoy can just run ut al iver your bodym I tried one years ago and could never find the secreat recipe….well now I have it so I am goignt to hopefully start making them before Christmas, When I go to work woth a box of candles, it could be 300, they are gone that same day! I love making my soy oriducts beause I love soy! Good Night ! ShellyC
Michelle Coburn says
I like the idea of all these items, but one idea I think would be great would be recipe cards/book/list of all the foods they like and perhaps recipes. It is so fun hearing about what kinds of foods each enjoys, and it would be a fun item to have available, perhaps with pictures and stories of each eating what they love. Heck, you could make a children’s book out of it, and include recipes for kids to make, plus educate them about the plight of the great apes and what they can do to help….all at the same time! I’m never one to throw an idea out there I’m not willing to help on, so let me know if you need help, will assist in any way I can! You could list it as a teacher’s resource and really expand on it as an educational module for the schools. They could fund raise, etc. as part of their school project!
Katie G says
Such a wonderful calander cover you all made a great choice, our sweet Jody. She usually has her camera face on for just such an
occasion, she has many a surprise for the good folks who tend to
her needs. Does our little boy feel better now? Yes, I would like to
purchase 5 calandars and 2 bags (for now). Wouldn’t it be sweet to
see the girls and Buritto, as small stuffed Chimpanzee’s. Here is
Jamie, arms in second position with her TuTu flowing behind as
she tworls and leaps up and over the man in the moon as only she
knows how to do. Buritto must be a meat cutter, they seem to love
throwing things, getting the attention of the girls, having them stand
in awh of his man-ness. You know it would be very costly, to do
all seven, however priceless to the collector!!! God Blesses each
of you for the fine work your doing, Could you give us some ideas
about a Christmas Party. I would like to know if the chimps will
open presents on Christmas Day, since I have to account for the
postal service to deliver.
Brian says
I would buy 1 tote bag to start (I’ve got oodles from PAWS already!), and I’m considering buying 12 calendars as gifts. Any chance there’d be an additional discount for an order of 10 or more?
Michelle Coburn says
Yes, I would get calendars, too. I wouldn’t mind seeing other t shirt designs coming along, too. Just to give people a choice. Why not have a t shirt design contest? I’d actually try and come up with something too!
Jeani Goodrich says
Katie G Are you in the Seattle area? We are putting together an enrichment party on Dec 13th for Christmas. We’d love to have you. For that matter anyone else in the Seattle area email me at [email protected] for more information.
Diana says
I love all of this enthusiasm for the new merchandise and the great ideas for future stuff to sell. It’s been a bit of work just to get the cards, calendars, bags and t-shirts ordered, the packaging materials purchased and the on-line store “stocked.” I can tell it will be worth it from the eagerness to shop!
I don’t think we’ll be adding to many new things in the near future, with the exception of some “art cards.” I’d love to carry a bunch of other stuff, but we have to start somewhat small and see how things go, and make sure we can ship everything that we carry! We will also keep our Cafe Press store available for people who want mugs and other items that we won’t be selling on our own. And I’ve offered that Shelly can have a page on the forum to tell people about her soy candles, post photos, provide people with info on how to purchase them, etc. Hopefully some day we’ll be able to carry a wider variety of items.
I love the cookbook idea, Michelle! Jeani is working on compiling recipes – check out this forum thread for more info: https://chimpsnw.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=90
I’m hopeful that some of our volunteers who work in the chimp house might also be interested in helping with filling orders (I have my eye on a corner of the new shed for merchandise storage).
Oh, and I was just looking at the numbers, and I don’t think we can go any lower on the calendars – I hope you still consider buying 12, Brian!
Shelly C/Hidden Valley Lake, CA says
If I were working and making my usual income I would buy many, If I could get my candles selling maybe I could buy a few, So I will have to settle for 1 of each , just for me, from me with love! Thank You Diana!
Shelly C/Hidden Valley Lake, CA says
Diana one question, can I if people from the blog order candles, and they would perfer the candle with the CSNW theme, like the Gorilla Haven Candles, for gifts for Christmas, would that be okay, I can put the CSNW logo on tht lid of the tin with website , address and name and than make a 1 1/2 inch band to go around the candle with pictures of the seven I can do that, I will try and set up a page on the forum tomarrow, I am getting new meds tonight so hopefully they work and I will feel good enough to at least get the logos and strips doens so I can show you the proof! Anyone with comments on this I would appreciate it, if you want to buy candles for Christmas gifts would you rather them be with CSNW logo and oictures ( like the ones I made for Gorilla Haven) or with my logo? Thanks Shelly C