At the end of the last market season, which you can read about below, you might remember I bought a vintage camping trailer. Well, with Bell and Whistle in danger of losing its kitchen access, it’s time to do something with that trailer! Specifically, it’s time to turn it into the kitchen I always meant it to be someday. It’s going to be a dedicated gluten free kitchen, which means that after it’s finished, Bell and Whistle will only be making gluten free goods- but don’t worry. I’m hard at work turning your favorite wheat flour recipes into non-wheat versions! I will still be doing vegan desserts as well, and will be expanding the ice cream side of the business. I’ve also decided to make the kitchen peanut free, to help further protect customers with allergies.

To help me raise funds for this project, I’ve turned to Kickstarter.com. What is Kickstarter? Well, it’s a funding platform made mostly for artists and entrepreneurs, those who might have trouble obtaining traditional financing (since I can’t even seem to adequately explain my plan to my insurance company without confusion, I thought a bank would probably be worse). It’s made to be project-specific. Creators apply with a project in mind, they post what they’re doing and pick a funding goal and a date to make that goal by. Backers pledge money toward that goal using their Amazon accounts, and if at the end of that time period the goal is reached, the creator gets the money! But they ONLY get it if the goal is reached, meaning backers don’t wind up half-financing projects that are impossible to complete.

Backers aren’t expected to just give out of the goodness of their hearts, either. Creators develop a series of rewards for giving at certain levels, just like if you were to pledge money to public broadcasting. The rewards for this pledge drive are pretty cool, so check them out!

My goal is to raise $6500 by March 31st. This is the minimum I need to convert the trailer into a commercial kitchen. Please- do what you can. Every dollar counts. And thank you.

Hello everyone, and thanks for a great first year for Bell and Whistle! It was a good time, a tiring time, and a real education in the ins and outs of running any business, no matter how small. You’ve gotten used to seeing two of us at the market, but for next year there will just be one- Becky Savage is going back to college to finish a second degree, and so Louisa Smith is taking over as sole proprietor.

2011 will bring changes for Bell and Whistle- expect to see more candies, a lot more ice cream, and more gluten free and vegan items. You can also expect to see a very unique market stall! I’ve purchased a vintage camper- a 1961 Ionia-A-Home 10 foot travel trailer- and will be converting it into a mobile market stall. Here’s what it looks like now:

…but by the time anyone sees it in person, it will be thoroughly revamped! I hope the mobility the trailer will give me will help me to do more markets. You may also notice that the website has been revamped to compliment this new look for the business.

During the off season, I’ll be pursuing wholesale opportunities, and will let everybody know when Bell and Whistle products are available at local businesses. Please keep in mind that I am available for catering and for special orders, though an order minimum can apply.

Have a good off season, and I’ll see you when the markets reopen in May of 2011!

Thanks to those of you who stopped by on the 25th for Bell and Whistle’s first market sale! The surprise hit was our lavender macarons- expect to see more of those at future market dates, as well as some more unusual flavors. Stop by next week for some free samples!