Lighted Willow Branches

Just in time for the holidays, we now offer Brown Lighted Willow Branches and White Lighted Willow Branches!  These lighted branches are available in two sizes.  The tall branches measure 39 inches tall and have 3 flexible branches with 96 lights.  The short branches measure 19 inches tall and have 5 flexible branches with 60 lights.  Both are for indoor use only and come with and AC adapter.

These lighted willow branches are excellent decorative elements that you can add to a mantel or a table display.  Add real curly willow branches to fill in the display and change it up with the seasons.  In the Winter and during the holidays, add fresh or artifical greens.  In the Spring, add pussy willow or forsythia.  In the Summer, add a few flags for a patriotic look.  In the Fall, add some bittersweet.  They really can be used all year long.

Here is a picture of the tall brown lighted willow branches on my mantel with some real curly willow branches filling in the Black Urn.  A simple design that freshens up the mantel with a festive holiday look.

You will have a lot of fun using your creativity to see how you can use these lighted willow branches to give a warm glow to someplace in your home.  Please share pictures with us at www.facebook.com/thetinbin.  We would love to show your pictures off on our blog!

Free Shipping!

FREE SHIPPING on any order over $100.00 - today only (11/29/2010)!  http://www.thetinbin.com/

Hot Crab Dip

From our 25th Anniversary Tin Bin Cookbook (celebrating 38 years this year!)

Hot Crab Dip

1 lb. crab meat
1 C. mayonnaise
12 oz. soft cream cheese
1 tsp. horseradish
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. grated onion

Combine ingredients; pour into a shallow baking dish or a deep-dish pie plate.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Serve with water crackers or thinly sliced baguette.

This would be a great appetizer for your Thankgiving feast.  Hope you all enjoy a blessed holiday!

NEW - Timberline Wooden Chandelier

Timberline Wooden Chandelier with Shades

This is one of our newest chandeliers - its design was inspired to provide better lighting over longer furnishings in your home, such as your dinning room table, your kitchen island, or even the pool table in the den.

While the recessed lighting in my kitchen provides ample task lighting, it does not provide an aesthetic value.  This light will provide both general room lighting and the needed task lighting at an island for preparing food and for children doing their homework.  Any one else re-thinking the light in their kitchen?

You can custom order this light to just about any color combination you can think of.

Come visit us at http://www.thetinbin.com/ and find the colonial lighting and home decor that you love - just in time to decorate for the holidays!

New Lamp Finials

We have the coolest Lamp Finials to dress up your Table Lamps.  From nautical to nature themes, these finials are sure to catch your eye.  With such a reasonable price point, they would make a unique gift.  Just top off any table lamp with a harp and shade with these great finials - a great addition to your home decor.

Come shop with us at http://www.thetinbin.com/.  It is so much fun to decorate for Fall - and we're already getting in holiday mode.  If you live nearby, please stop in to see us soon!

New Punched Tin Panels

 

Punched Tin Wheat Panel

In colonial times, punched tin panels were used on pie safes and cupboards to keep the air flowing in to cool fresh baked breads, pastries and desserts while keeping the bugs away from the delicious food. These days, these punched tin panels will provide a lovely accent in any piece of furniture, especially a pie safe. Maybe you have an antique that is missing some panels or maybe you dabble in furniture making. Either way, these punched tin panels are perfect to complete the job!

Come shop with us at http://www.thetinbin.com/ and click on Punched Tin Panels to order!

15% off Wooden Chandeliers

From now until August 29, we are having a 15% sale on all our wooden chandeliers.  Go to Wooden Chandeliers to browse through our selection of Lt. Moses Willard Wooden Chandeliers, Williamsburg Wooden Chandeliers or Yorktown Wooden Chandeliers.  Upon checkout, use coupon code WOOD to receive the discount on your order.

If you would like to pick up your order at our store, please Contact Us to receive an additional coupon code which will remove the shipping charges from your order.

Elder Two Tier Wooden Chandelier

New Homespun Curtains and Accessories added to Website

We hope you visit our website soon - we have added a lot of new products in the past few weeks.  Most recently, we have expanded our selection of Homespun Curtains and Accessories which includes some great wrought iron curtain rods and tiebacks. 

Combine homespun valances with homespun tiers to create a charming cottage look to a kitchen window. Or try homespun curtain panels for an elegant, luxurious look in your living room or dining room. Think about using mini blinds in the bedroom for privacy, but add some homespun fishtail swags to dress up the window - especially for a tall or wide window.

Updating your windows with some fresh homspun curtains and wrought iron curtain rods and tiebacks can give a room a whole new look - even without changing the paint color.  Throw in some Braided Rugs or Hooked Rugs and Pillows to complete the look!

New Features on Website

Just wanted to let you know that there are some new features on our website making it easier than ever to share with friends on Facebook, Twitter or Blogger.  You can visit www.thetinbin.com/ and click on any product and use the add this button to share it across any number of social media outlets.  We would love for you to check it out and let some friends know about us.  The blogosphere is a wonderful place - we recently had a visit from someone who found us through a fellow blogger that mentioned us in her blog.  Thanks to Raggedy Angel!  Hope your summer is going well...

And one of my new favorite products to get you started on sharing - a basket designed by Linda Searcy...

Basket Tier

Lighting Your Home

The Tin Bin

How to Light your Home

Just as important as the details that moulding and paint color provide or the style of the room dictated by the furniture selected, lighting is a integral part of your overall home decor. Lighting that is thoughtful and well planned can really pull a room together.

There are three basic types of lighting:

General Lighting provides light to the room for visual assistance. This type of lighting includes Flushmount Lighting and Floor Lights. It also includes Wooden Chandeliers, Brass Chandeliers or Tin Chandeliers, especially when the chandelier is suspended over a table.

Task Lighting provides specific lighting to an area. Examples of task lighting Table Lamps which provide reading light to a desk or on an end table next to your favorite chair. It also includes our Tin Shade Lights which would provide task lighting over a kitchen sink or island.

Ambient Lighting can soften the mood or illuminate dark corners. Tin Lanterns & Accent Lights and Sconces are good examples of ambient lighting.This type of lighting is also perfect for featuring art and architecture.

Some tips that can help you choose your lighting wisely:

Do not use open bottomed fixtures in the middle of a room. These types of lights provide task lighting over a table, island or kitchen sink. You do not want to use them in a hallway since you will look up and see a bare bulb, creating a lot of glare.

Table lamps and floor lamps should have a distance from the bottom of the lampshade to the ground of about 36-47 inches. This height will prevent direct view of the lightbulb and will give ample reading light. You can use different sizes of harps to achieve the proper height.

A chandelier should be hung about 30" above the table. Too often, chandeliers are hung too high and seem disconnected from the table. For ceilings that are nine feet or more, a two-tier chandelier would work well to fill the space between the ceiling and the table.

Dimmer switches are terrific for dining room chandeliers in particular. You can dim the light to create a nice ambience when entertaining.

Selecting Outdoor Lighting for your Home and Landscape

Of course, lighting your home is important on the outside as well since a good lighting plan will add visual appeal and value to your home.

When ordering your Outdoor Lighting, it is important to select the proper size of light. Most home owners make the mistake of putting up a post light that is too small for either the post or for the home itself. Especially with two story homes, a post light needs to be sizable to make a statement - too small of a light will get lost in your landscape.

Remember that your outdoor lighting will appear about half the size when viewed from far away. Besides the all important post light, do you need hanging lights or wall lights? Again, don't be nervous about getting a light too large for either side of your door.

Consider having a few post lights if you have a very long driveway or consider adding garden lighting to accentuate that long path.

Outdoor lighting not only lets you enjoy your yard or deck at night, it also provides added security for your home. A well thought out lighting design can make a significant change to your landscape, making your home more beautiful!

We hope that this information was helpful to you and would welcome you to Contact Us with any questions or feel free to leave a comment!

New Tin Switchplates & Outlet Covers

We have added a new line of Tin Switchplates & Outlet Covers to our website.  These wall plates are handcrafted in Pennsylania and are dipped in an antiquing solution giving them an authentic patina.  Then they are dipped in a dull lacquer that prevents rusting and gives an extra layer of protection from fingerprint smudges.  This is a brand-new finish called Kettle Black that we hope you will enjoy.  These handmade switchplates and outlet covers will add some charm to the walls in your kitchen or bath, or wherever you would like to add some warmth!

We also continue to carry our very popular Punched Tin Switchplates & Outlet Covers which hand-punched right here in Lancaster County!  These wall plates are coated with an enamel finish which prevents rusting and fingerprint smudges.

Memorial Day Sale!

In celebration of Memorial Day, we are offering a 15% discount for any order over $500!  When you place your order online of $500 or more, 15% will be taken off of your order when you use coupon code Memorial. Coupon valid from today through June 6, 2010.  This is not an automatic promotion, so be sure to use the coupon code Memorial when checking out. You may feel free to share this coupon code with friends and relatives! We have added many more items to our online catalog, so check it out! We hope you enjoy browsing our website at www.thetinbin.com and have a safe and pleasant holiday!
Click http://www.thetinbin.com/ to place your order today!

A new light, a new dining room

Thanks to the McConnell's of Lebanon, Pennsylvania for sharing their latest home improvement project.  With a dining room to tackle, the couple decided to go bold with color and the result is exciting.  After picking out a new dining room table, the couple had to decide on a light.  They choose this chandelier to complete the look they desired.  Some paint, a new table, and a new light brought new life to their dining room.  I am willing to bet they eat more than two meals a year in this new room.  Enjoy your new room and thanks for sharing!

We are pretty excited about this new light.  It provides excellent task lighting over an island, or even a large desk or work station.  Previously, if a home owner had a large island, it would be necessary to decide in advance how many shade lights they would need to have ample lighting, and make sure that the electrician could install the proper amount of electrical boxes and the proper spacing in order to accommodate a few of our very popular tin shade lights.  Now, with this terrific light, you can have more than enough lighting with only one electrical box centered over your work area.  No more re-wires or multiple installations!  Just install this one light over your kitchen island and have plenty of that much needed task lighting!  Come visit us online soon...

Scherenschnittes

We just added a new line of scherenschnittes on our website.  Our scherenscnittes are great reproductions of Pennsylvania Dutch folkart. Scherenschnitte is a German word meaning "scissor cuts." The folkart of papercutting came to America in the 1700's by the German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania. These German people are known as the "Pennsylvania Dutch" probably because the word for German is "Deutsch." The Pennsylvania Dutch are known for a rich heritage of folkart including quilting, frakturs and scherenschnittes.

Colonial Floor Cloths

We have just added Colonial Floor Cloths to our website.  What do you think?  We have added some welcome mats but have many more things that we could add - table runners, placemats, chairpads and rugs.  Would you like to see more choices?  Do you have a floor cloth?  Have you ever made one?  Leave us a comment (which are moderated) and let us know your thoughts...

History of Floorcloths The floorcloth is actually an art form dating the whole way back to fifteenth century France! Originally made from the sails of ships, floorcloths served as wall hangings and table runners, but when the English discovered their functional value, they quickly extended the art form to rugs. By the 1800's floorcloths were being widely used to insulate floors of the less wealthy, and were often made in diamond patterns that imitated more expensive marble flooring. And of course, it wasn't long before floorcloths made their way overseas and into the homes of some very well known Americans. It is recorded that George Washington purchased one from Robert and Co. in 1796 at a cost of $14.82. We also know that Thomas Jefferson owned at least two, one in the dining room and a rather large, green one in the great hall of the Presidential Mansion, because he wanted to bring the outdoors indoors. Use and Care of Floorcloths Upon receiving your floorcloth be sure (if necessary) to allow it to warm to room temperature before unrolling. Sweep the floor free of any debris before laying your floorcloth down. They are designed to lay flat on smooth hard surfaces, so watch out for any protruding nail heads, etc. that could put strain on the floorcloth from underneath. If used on brick or ceramic tile floors, the piece will dip slightly into the grooves over time. If this is not desired a thin rubber mat may be used underneath for added support. Our floorcloths have a non skid backing applied and is painted over to prevent debris from sticking to the back. The non skid backing remains effective on many smooth floor surfaces, however a non skid tape or mat may be used if necessary. To clean, just sweep and damp mop as you would the rest of your floor. If the side of your floorcloth is ever scraped or any other damage occurs, simply touch up with water based paint and brush it over lightly with a water base polyurethane.

Artichoke Dip

One of my favorite appetizers to take to a party:

Artichoke Dip
1 C mayonnaise
1 C shredded mozzarella cheese
1 C parmesan cheese
1 to 2 coves of minced garlic
1 small chopped onion
1 T chives or parsley
16 oz can of artichoke hearts (not marinated)

Drain and chop artichokes.  Combine all ingredients.  Place in shallow casserole or deep-dish pie plate.  Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.  Serve with crackers or a French baguette.

New Treenware!

We have been busy adding new products to our website again!  We have greatly expanded our line of Treenware.

This great Farmhouse Bowl would look great with a piece from our collection of Primitive Glassware and your favorite candle and some botanicals.  We love the simple look of some artichokes, pomegranates and some pine cones.

The word "treen" comes from the middle English and means "wooden."  Treen is distinctively different than other pieces made from wood such as furniture or cabinetry in that it is a name for small handmade household items such as bowls or spoons. Our collection of "treenware" is made from a resin and is treated with a primitive patina giving it the look of an antique.  It is for decorative use only and is not suitable for any food service.

Farmhouse Kitchen

Rebecca Hitt Martin's photo of her kitchen looks like it leaped off the pages of Early American Life.  With a beautiful farmhouse table in the center of the room with mix and match chairs and our tin chandelier - what a great look!  Rebecca has lovingly displayed collections of yellow ware, baskets and mason jars.

We thank Rebecca Hitt Martin for sharing with us.  Would you take time to share with us as well?  We would love to have some more pictures of our products in the home.  You can go to our page on Facebook and post a message on our wall and before you hit share, click on the attach photo icon and upload your photo.

15% off Preorder Sale

We are getting ready to fill our retail shop and online website with some Spring!  We are offering a 15% discount off of any of the products in the following categories: Seasonal - Spring, Summer and Easter, Florals and Greenery, Primitive Baskets, Primitive Glassware, and Candles, Reed Diffusers and Botanicals.  The sale begins on January 18, 2010 and ends on January 24, 2010.  Upon checkout, you will need to type "preorder" into the apply coupon box and hit go.  The shopping cart will automatically deduct the discount.

To be clear, this is a "preorder" sale - we DO NOT have most of these products in stock.  We will be placing our orders for Spring and wanted to give you the chance to preorder and take advantage of these savings.  Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.  Your payment will be processed immediately.

Have fun shopping and think SPRING!

Luther Rabbit

Peanut Soup

The first time I ever had Peanut Soup, I was a little girl of about 8 years of age visiting Colonial Williamsburg.  We ate at the King's Arms Tavern.  Here is a recipe for this wonderful soup from our out of print 25th Anniversary Tin Bin Cookbook (printed in 1997).  Maybe we should do another cookbook?

Peanut Soup
1 med onion
2 stalks celery
2 sticks butter
1/2 C flour
3 qt. chicken broth
3 C creamy peanut butter
1 pt. milk
1 pt. half and half
salt and pepper to taste

Mince onion and chop celery and saute in butter until tender; add flour and stir to make a smooth paste. Slowly add broth while stirring and bring to a boil; add peanut butter and stir.  Reduce heat and add warmed milk and half and half.  Stir and heat about 3 minutes.  Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Chop peanuts or chives to garnish top.  Serves 12 to 14.

Wreaths, Garland & Candle Rings

We just added Wreaths, Garland & Candle Rings to our website.  This beautiful 18" Wreath features pine, pomanders and pinecones.  We think it is just beautiful.  So pop over and check out all the great things we just added to the website.  And keep up to date with us on Facebook and Twitter!

New Florals & Greenery

We just added some new Florals & Greenery to our website.  Although Spring is around the corner, and was the inspiration behind the additions, we just couldn't resist showing this adorable Pocket Back Basket and Christmas Pine Spray.

Yes, I know that Christmas is over but I don't have all the decorations put away at home.  We have started stripping down the store and making some Spring displays, although we do have Christmas all year round in our "Hearth Room."

So, who is ready for Spring?

New Hooked Rugs and Pillows

We have just added some new Hooked Rugs and Pillows to our website.  If you like the one pictured, you can see it here.

Rug hooking began in North America around the mid 1800's on the eastern seaboard of New England.  Housewives would use scraps of wool from making clothes or blankets and would cut them into narrow strips.  The strips of wool would be dyed and would be hooked onto empty burlap feedbags.  It was a great way to create inexpensive floor coverings providing warmth.  Rug hooking flourished into an art form with many intricate motifs being created with artistic flair.

Bread Pudding Recipe

Another recipe from our out of print 25th Anniversary Cookbook (published in 1997 in loving memory of James Dale Lutton - co-founder of The Tin Bin):

12 slices bread
 1 1/2 C sugar
2 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 C milk
4 eggs
sprinkle cinnamon
raisins (if desired)

Cube bread into baking dish.  In a bowl, mix eggs, milk, vanilla and sugar.  Pour over bread cubes.  Add raisins if desired.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.  Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.  Serve with whipped cream.

Thanks to Jo Ann Lutton for all the great recipes, for being a great mom and for the opportunity to join the "family business."

Primitive Glassware

We have a new line of Primitive Glassware on our website.  These pieces are beautiful, hand-blown bubble glassware made in the old world style making each one unique and imperfect.

Use for potpourri and candles, fruits or pomanders, florals or any collection you want to display.

This particular Vase with Candle Plate is great to display botanicals or a miniature holiday scene in the bottom, while leaving room to burn your favorite candle on top.  It is offered in a variety of sizes - this being the 12" size that would hold about a 4" candle.

Come and see us soon or visit us online at www.thetinbin.com!

Updated Website

We are so excited with the recent update to our website.  We hope you take the time to check it out and we would love to hear your comments.  Of note, you can now make a Wish List of items you would like to purchase.  As you make your purchases over a period of time, the wish list keeps track so you can get everything you wished for.  You can also make a Gift Registry - perfect for your wedding or house warming events.

So, please take a peek and come back here and leave us a comment.  We really appreciate your feedback!

www.thetinbin.com

Frakturs by Susan Daul

On our website at www.thetinbin.com, we have a terrific collection of printed Frakturs, an artistic folk art stylized by the Pennsylvania Dutch.  We feature the work of Susan Soloway Daul, who has been drawing and painting since her early childhood.  "Old things" have fascinated Susan all of her life, as she fondly remembers accompanying her parents to visit homesteads of many of our founding fathers and countless antique shops searching for treasures from our past. Susan's Folk Art has taken many forms over the past 20 years, as she has used various media including wood and clay, usually incorporating animals into her pieces in some way.

It was a natural progression for Susan's focus to fall on the Fraktur, as their inspirational verses, charming use of animals and beautiful combinations of color proved irresistible from the first time she saw one. Initially given as gifts to special friends and family, Susan's creations have quickly become desirable to collectors as appreciation for her Fraktur has spread far and wide, finding their place in various Museum Shops throughout the country, including Colonial Williamsburg, The American Folk Art Museum, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, to name a few.