The Merchant’s Blog

Merchant’s Log February 24 http://www.thetreasuremerchants.com

4th entry

Evening,

There is something to be said for Market Day……..

Spending the day at the Bazaar was both exhausting and exhilarating. The sights, sounds and intoxicating aromas have so filled my senses that I know tonight, my dreams shall transport me once again to all the events and happenings of the day.

After making my purchases for the shop this morning, I rushed back to my tent to see a line of customers waiting to be let in. Sean had seen that they all had refreshments, and I shot him a grateful grin as I shuffled passed and into the back, with my arms loaded with treasures.

The day saw a myriad of cultures, some showing the very best of their wares, and others seeking to acquire them. Woven turbans and brightly colored robes flowed past me in shimmering elegance as dignitaries from some far off lands perused my offerings.

Small animals chirped from shoulders of others, pockets and pouches of spices were slung over arms or swinging from belts in a fragrant tour of the great tent. The sound of tinkling anklets and headdresses lent their musical embellishments to the atmosphere

I met many a kind person who lingered long over certain of my treasures, and soon the treasures were wrapped and packaged in tidy bundles for them to carry.

A lovely lady that had come to my shop for Moroccan tea glasses came by, and purchased several of my nutritious green tea mints and green tea bars. It was nice seeing her again. I gave her a sample of some tea for her to take home and enjoy with them.

An Indian Handmade Treasure Box went to it’s new owner, an Aladdin’s lamp Incense Burner, a Handmade Coin Purse from Peru, and a Baby Sweet Potato Ocarina all went to new homes rather early in the day.

Just as I was laying out more refreshments, a kind lady asked about the preserves. They are from “Armenia and considered the best”, I told her. She took the last of the Young Walnut and also some Blackberry. “How well they go with tea and toast”, I thought as my stomach rumbled in anticipation. I really do need to eat before these events. I reached for a green tea bar for sustenance.

I saw Ms. Van Buren again, For some reason I always feel so comforted when she is near. She spied the Shepherd Bells I had acquired and asked me about them. I excitedly related to her my personal history regarding the bells, and my discovery of this lot only today.

She asked to hear them, and I obliged. After one clear tone that rang through the noise of the marketplace, she knew why I loved them and had to have them as well. She purchased three of them in different sizes to hang together from her porch.

A merchant carrying a chest of jeweled and beaded garments approached to show me his wares. Indeed I have never seen such handiwork, utilizing beads, metal, bells and other fittings to dazzle the eye. And the colors!

I admit, I was smitten by their beauty and purchased almost all he carried, along with hand symbols and jewels for the body. I learned that all these were used in the art of Belly Dance, and was intrigued at the stories he told of the prowess of these elegant, nubile dancers.

I met a few of the fair traders I had been hearing so much about. It seems that they really do not use women and children as slaves in manufacturing their wares, and even give the poor souls a fair wage and healthier work conditions.

I shook hands with them and purchased many types of beautiful, handcrafted bags of all shapes and sizes. There were also Woven Scarves from the Island of Cristabel, Silver Jewelry from the Surin Mountains of Thailand, and Hand-woven Baskets from Kenya.

It felt good to support their mission, and I couldn’t help but think that father would be proud. His trade routes had been taking him farther and farther out in search of new and undiscovered treasures.

After being gone for months at a time, he would return with stories of the conditions of some of the villages he’d visited. He was outraged at the treatment of the workers, and often would stay longer just to help build better shelters and work to improve their environment before leaving.

I’m sure his presence alone must have brought them hope and dreams of future commerce and prosperity for their villages.

Yes, he would be proud to know there was a change coming, and we could really be a part of it.
I found myself closing my eyes to breathe a silent prayer, “God, please keep my father safe until he is found”.

I opened my eyes and into another pair. “Hello”………

Buzz: where can you find the products featured in the Bazaar?

Shop The Treasure Merchants at:
www.thetreasuremerchants.com

Copyright 2009, The Treasure Merchants, all rights reserved.

Merchant’s Log February 16 http://www.thetreasuremerchants.com

3rd Entry

Morning

The morning dawned bright and beautiful. There was an excitement in the air today, as it is with every ”Market” day. Showing my wares at the Bazaar is especially enjoyable to me, as it gives me a chance to get out of the shoppe and meet new faces, and take in all the sights and sounds of the hustle and bustle atmosphere of the “Great Marketplace”.

Merchants and traders from exotic cultures near and far would be gathering to display their wares and to offer trade. The many caravans would arrive heavy laden with treasures, and I hoped to acquire some for my shoppe.

My steps were light and quick as I went by the shoppe to gather a few things, put the sign on the door “Meet me at the Bazaar” and headed down the main thoroughfare to where the “Great Marketplace” was being readied.

The main tent of the great Market was massive, as it held all the other smaller tents beneath it to shield the merchants and buyers from inclement weather and dust. Outside the main tent, brightly painted wagons were in place, opened in the back with an awning propped up for shade. Wares hanging, draped or stacked for best effect.

Inside, as I entered, such a myriad of heady scents tickled my nose. Incense braziers were puffing wafts of frankincense, myrrh and amber into the air. Baskets and barrels were being filled with grains, spices, and fruits. Freshly baked breads, pies and other delicacies filled the air with a warm “hearthy” goodness.

Tinkling bells and chimes lent a glittering sound to the ambience. Silken and velvet, beaded fabrics were artfully draped across tables and mannequins to show their fine workmanship.

My tent, or my” Bazaar”, as it is called. Is located beneath the main tent, in the corner of the “great marketplace”. I had asked Sean to bring my wagon on ahead this morning, and he was busily setting up the crates and barrels for display.

After everything was in place, there were a few minutes left before the throng of people gathering outside, would be allowed to enter. I took this opportunity to dash through the market to acquire the best pick of items for my shoppe.

I passed by a merchant with beautiful silken, mirrored and beaded pillow covers. They sparkled and glittered in their colorful arrangement. I learned that they were from India and were handmade. I could picture them all throughout my home as well as the shoppe, so I purchased some in every color.

Next, I came to a merchant selling fragrances for the bath and body in wonderful tropical fruit aromas.
I took a deep breath, imagined myself on a lush tropic island, and purchased some of each. As I carried them along, I felt my stomach ache in hunger for want of some real tropical fruit to eat!

And something curious… I came upon a merchant, placing some nuts in a bowl. The curious part was that he then poured a little water in the bowl, swirled it around a little, and foam and bubbles started to form!
“A natural soap from the earth that is grown on trees. Used since ancient times to cleanse the hair, body, and clothes without harmful additives.” he told me. They were called Soapnuts. I knew I must have them for my shoppe, as many of my customers have been asking me for something such as this to use. I made my purchase and turned to go back to my tent with my armload of treasures.

As I turned, I was surprised to see a merchant, selling, of all things, shepherd bells!
“Just like the one on my shoppe door” I mused. The hand hammered copper bells have such a true tone unlike any other bell. They say that the sound can be heard from one valley to the next.
I felt a pang of loss as I remembered my father, who had placed our bell atop the door the day we opened the new shoppe. Such a simple thing, but he beamed with pride every time that bell rang as another customer walked through our door. It signified the success that had made our move to a larger location imminent.

I roused myself from the memory and shook my head to clear it. “Well, he’ll come back, they’ll find him, I know it”. I had to continue to remain strong for him.
I lifted my chin, gave the man what I owed him, and took his entire collection of bells!
Perhaps this was my own way of assuring myself of success. Success in my merchant friends finding my father, presumed lost at sea these many months. Whatever the case, I now had shepherd bells in three sizes! Now it was my turn to beam with pride all the way back to my tent.

Oh, customers waiting!………………..

Buzz: where can you find the products featured in the Bazaar?

Shop The Treasure Merchants at:http://www.thetreasuremerchants.com

Copyright 2009, The Treasure Merchants, all rights reserved.

Merchant’s Log: February 10 http://www.thetreasuremerchants.com

Evening

Second Entry

A glorious day it was indeed! The merchant brig I had seen earlier on the horizon brought wonderful new treasures! It was like Christmas unwrapping each precious one and placing them, just so, around the shop.
I was visited by several neighbors today, out enjoying the spring like weather. They came into the shop laughing and smiling, and brought with them such an infectious mood that I found myself smiling incessantly back at them.

One dear lady, a lovely blonde woman, asked if I carried artisan teas. I had just the thing!
I had been brewing some Mighty Leaf vanilla bean tea, and offered her a cup. The delight on her kind face was such a pleasure to see. Her daughter was with her, and remarked that it was her birthday today. The kind lady sneaked a pack of Victorian era Scatter Garden flower seeds, and asked to purchase them when the young girl looked away.

I handed her the package covertly, “Thank you Ms. Van Buren, it was a pleasure”.
And indeed it was, as I saw her give the seeds to her just outside on the bench, and the young girl was delighted. “It’s nice to see young people interested in Gardening” I thought to myself, what a lovely, thoughtful gift.

A young couple stopped by the shop today, a fireman and his wife. They loved the Castelbel Home fragrance from Portugal. They were so in love with each other too, it was evident in their every movement! I recommended to them the chocolate and wine pairing set, as well, for the upcoming day of celebration of St. Valentine.

I met a young man who purchased a recording of music from Vietnam for his lovely wife, and another kind lady who purchased one for her daughter’s birthday. I gift wrapped it for her with love and attention, as that is my favorite occupation, and sent it off with her.

Let’s see, an African coil basket, a Chinese theatrical and Arabic music for a gentleman, olive oil soap and rose water for another couple, English Rose bath gel for a beautiful young lady, a set of Moroccan tea glasses, Venezuela dark chocolate, more English rose……….

Yes, I would say it was a glorious day!

I am just closing up shop now. The day flew by with so many interesting guests. It’s late, so I am taking the shorter route home. As I blow out the candle by the door, I look around in the fading light.
Sounds of laughter from the day remain, fragrances all mingled in a happy combination, and as I look, I spy the special package still on the shelf.

Hmm, the mysterious “Stranger” never arrived.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring?…………………….

Buzz: Where can you find the products featured in the Treasure Merchants shop?

Shop The Treasure Merchants at: http://www.thetreasuremerchants.com

Copyright 2009, The Treasure Merchants, all rights reserved.

Merchant’s Log: February10 http://www.thetreasuremerchants.com

Morning

First Entry.

The Storms must have raged through the night, for as I made my way across the docks through the early morning fog, I could see that the mooring lines had come loose from their fittings, driftwood and other debris had crowded up against the docksides.

I made a mental note to myself to help clean up the mess before the next merchant ship arrived,
But for now, a hot cup of coffee was calling me.

I climbed the wood plank, zig zag steps up to the first landing and paused to take a breath. I was carrying a special package today, one long awaited for, and did not want to risk dropping it.
As I carefully checked the bundle beneath my cape, I caught the faint whiff of deep dark chocolate escape the pouch.
Not just any chocolate. A rare variety from the Ivory Coast that had come on the evening tide, brought by a merchant ship rarely seen in these parts.
As my thoughts wandered to where he had come from, and what adventures had been his, I tucked the precious parcel back inside, and began the climb up the next set of stairs.

I could see the shutters to the shop first through the fog, followed by the quaint round front door, with it’s time ravaged bell fixed atop. I made another mental note to myself to get a new bell soon, though this one still rang true, and frankly, shepherd bells are hard to find these days.

I put my package down on the front bench, smelling the Lavender in the window boxes as I did so.
Ah, (deep breath) I will never tire of that fragrance!
I straightened the “Treasure Merchants” sign that had blown askew in the storm, broke off a few sprigs of rosemary and tucked it into my shirt pocket, and opened the door.

I made my way straight to the french coffee percolator. I measured out a few teaspoons of my favorite Blessed Bean coffee, (Sumatra, if you must know), and while it perked and dripped, I busied myself in readying the shop for opening.

I threw the shutters wide, and breathed in the ocean air. From here, overlooking the vast blue sea, we can see for miles in all directions. The air is crisp and clear up here and full of surprises.
(Sometimes I can smell the spices from the merchant ships from miles off).
On the horizon I could see a ship, a merchant brig whose colors I well knew. The gulls had already started to gather on the docks, and the longshoremen were busy at their preparations.

As the morning fog slowly burned away, I could see that the storm had indeed passed.
We were in for a gloriously sunny day.
The coffee’s aroma was filling the shop, and as I arranged the special fragrant soaps from England, and Portugal, straightened the spicy incense from India, and took in all the sparkling treasures that filled each nook and cranny, my thoughts went back to the chocolate.

I carefully opened the Pouch of fair trade chocolate (another plus, I thought) and inhaled the heady dark scent. A stamp in the brick read “Theo”.
Tucked inside the cambric fabric was a cryptic note that simply read “Hold for stranger”.

“Hold for stranger?” how odd, I thought. Virtually everyone in these parts is a stranger or traveler or some such. So many come and go in this “portal to the world” that I can barely keep track of all the visiting faces. This ship or that with it’s exotic passengers and colorful Sea Captains.
Oh well, I folded the cambric gently back around the brick of decadence, and put it on the shelf for safe keeping.

Whoever this “stranger” was, I would meet him soon enough…………………..

Buzz: Where can you find the products featured in the Treasure Merchants shop?

Shop The Treasure Merchants at:
http://www.thetreasuremerchants.com

Copyright by “The Treasure Merchants” 2009, all rights reserved.