Is your skin not as clear as it used to be? Are you feeling fatigued? Did you just embark on a hike in the national forest? Are you about to backpack through Europe? Do you have a long day in the office and need a companion? I have a suggestion! A heartily backed one. DRINK SOME WATER! Most of us probably drink 20-40 oz of water per day, if we are lucky. We should really be drinking about half our body weight in water, or of course the standard suggestion of 64 oz. It's one of the most essential elements of life, if not the most. It nourishes our souls, it satiates an appetite we almost filled with Taco Bell (or maybe we did), it rejuvenates skin, and is overwhelmingly refreshing to your entire bodily system. I've heard many people say “I just don't like water.” Um, excuse me? You don't like the most nourishing element needed to sustain and foster every part of your body's system? That's a shame. And, look I get it, we're busy, and well... most of us are addicted to sugar, and thus crave sugary drinks that do not remotely resemble h2o. But let's get with the program!
That being said, here at the Branding Iron, we are always carrying around water bottles (spring, preferably) and our RTIC's or Yeti's (this is not a paid advertisement, although if you're listening – I will plug your company any day of the week). Those stainless steel drink containers of yours can also be customized here at our shop – email us for more info! But that isn't the point of today's post.
Today, I am here to tell you all about the fantastic company and product known as Liberty Bottleworks. Like I mentioned earlier, sometimes we are in a quick fix and we grab a plastic water bottle. While we are happy you are consuming your daily quota of h2o, we would much prefer you consider the environment as well. I won't bore you or guilt you about the animals dying around the world from all the plastic waste, that would just be a fear tactic, and that's not my style. Liberty Bottleworks has taken it upon themselves to create a recycled, aluminum, BPA free, American-made water bottle that identifies with your personality – with many different custom designs,. They are also made to sustain the environment and look cool on your hip or in your hand as you sustain yourself with the gift of life. We carry over 12 custom designs here in our shop, and of course because I'm a strong independent woman, my personal favorite is the Rosy the Riveter bottle.
We are pleased to carry the vessels of life here in our shop, and we hope you'll stop by and check out our selection or shop them online.
Also – if interested, feel free to email us or call us for more information about how you can customize your own design with Liberty Bottleworks for an individual or for groups!
Drink some agua!
Jenna
936-494-1144 or jenna@brandingirontx.com
The phrase “Come and Take It” is most often stylized with the classic cannon and star above it as a symbol of freedom and most importantly the right to bear arms. If someone or a power that be wants to get a hold of the weaponry/tools/whatever-you-
In terms of not knowing the meaning, I would beg to differ. Most people are informed of the Battle of Gonzales that took place in Gonzales, Texas on October 2, 1835. Mexican authorities had given the settlers of Gonzales a small cannon 4 years prior in order to help protect themselves from frequent Comanche raids. During this battle of the Texas Revolution, the political unrest with Mexico came to be such that they were now requesting to have the cannon back. So the then Texians flew their flag with the sign we've all come to widely recognize offering their battle cry, “Come and Take It.” However, the settlers of Gonzales were not the first to use this phrase. This phrase can be dated back to almost prehistoric times. King Leonidas I of Sparta in the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC, during the second Persian invasion of Greece used the phrase “molon labe” (“come and take them” when the Persians called for a surrender of arms).
This sign of courage and fighting for the right to freedom has been emblazoned on all sorts of apparel in the hundreds of years to follow the Battle of Gonzales. We are no exception here at the Branding Iron. The freedom and the courage to fight for it is laid within the walls of our business. We enjoy our hard fought American freedom, and we also enjoy our freedom in small business to promote our own ideals including the ones this great country was founded upon.
Come check out our Come and Take It apparel or shop it in the online store – we will be happy to have you either way.
Come and Take It,
Jenna
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If you're anything like me, then these words are either hazily familiar or totally nonexistent in your reverie. However, if you ask someone who is either from the UK or has lived a long, storied life then they would aptly tell you, “Well, that's just common hat sense, you silly bloke.” Those terms mentioned above are related to the art of hat-wearing. Yes, it's an art. And, as you may have guessed by now, I am here to tell you why.
First, let's get to know those terms. (And those terms are only brushing the brim of your hat).
Milliner. This term is often referred to as a Maker of women's hats. Historically though, it referred to a typically female shopkeeper who produced and imported a variety of outfitting goods for men, women, and children alike. Today, it has evolved to describe a person who is in the business of designing, producing, trimming, or selling hats for a predominantly female clientele. At the Branding Iron, we have a retail store that is primarily geared toward men, but many of our items crossover and are equally appeasing to our female clientele. We also do custom ordering and can provide a more feminine fit for the ladies who come through our store. You can just call us the moonlighting milliners of Downtown Conroe.
Haberdashery. An uncommon term used in America to describe a men's store selling accessories like hats, belts, ties, watches, etc. Here at the Branding Iron, we just so happen to have a few items like that for the men. While we have mentioned items that cross over into fair use for everyone in the household, we pride ourselves in having a men's boutique (dudetique?) that gives the the guys something to get excited about as they meander the streets of Downtown Conroe on a Saturday afternoon, or any day of the week for that matter.
As you see in the feature photo, the baseball cap alone has seen a broad evolution throughout the years. And as it continues to evolve, we are hip to the groove when it comes to keeping the latest fashion in our store. At any given time, we have 20 hats on display and are able to accommodate your customized ideas. We carry a variety of snap back, adjustable hats, among other various fits at competitive prices.
One thing we have learned here in our own haberdashery of Downtown Conroe is that folk are picky about their hats. Reasonably so. We understand how pivotal a hat can be, whether it's for protection in your job, to fulfill a utilitarian purpose of keeping your hair out of your eyes, or simply because you have a statement to make, and that's why we believe in keeping the fine folk of Conroe and surrounding areas fitted with the best lid possible.
I leave you with a word from the owner,
“A hat is a billboard to your soul. It is an expression of who you are, what you like, what you believe. It gives you a feeling about who you are or what you want to be. Different hats for different days, depending on what you are doing and what you would like to express.”
I tip my hat to you,
Jenna at the Branding Iron
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Montgomery County is credited for being the birthplace of the Texan flag. Although the flag's designation dates back to 1839, the official recognition came over 150 years later in 1997, as documented in H.R. No. 1123 Resolution by the Texas House of Representatives of the 75th Texas Legislature. Dr. Charles B. Stewart of Montgomery County is credited as the creator of the original Lone Star Flag. Its full history is on display at the Montgomery County Heritage Museum in Conroe. Although the flag was not necessarily created in Conroe, its close affiliation and commemoration thereafter is nestled in the heart of Conroe.
It should come as no surprise to our faithful followers that we care about patriotism and honoring our roots. As such, we think it is important to share the symbolism of the Lone Star Flag and how that relates to our business practices and the type of products we carry in our shop. First and foremost, the red represents the bloodshed by the men and women who fought for our not only for our country but for our republic and subsequently our state. The white represents the purity of Texan pride and its heart for friendly values, commerce, and trade. The blue represents the valor of our ancestors in battles for our country. And last but certainly not least is the solo white star, which can be seen as its ode to being an independent republic at one point. As such, we honor our veterans and we support independent, local business practices and hope to bring patriotism, cheer, and commerce to our valued customers.
In respect to our great state and being seated in the middle of its birthplace, we have created a unique shirt with a design crafted in-house to bring to your house. You can shop our Texas tee online. In honor of Go Texan Day this weekend, we hope you'll consider our states' values next time you see that beautiful banner waving in the wind.
Cheers,
Jenna
We aren't talking about power tools this time, but we are talking about that distinguished edge that is made prominent with our nifty man tools that we carry at the Branding Iron. One of our favorite things about our business is the relationships we are able to build. Some of the most special relationships we have are with the local Makers. These are our local artisans and friends. They are the lifeblood of a unique business like ours, as we proudly display and sell the goods and those nifty tools they have crafted with their hardworking hands. Today we would like to feature two products from one of our favorite Makers – Chad Hawkins. He is a good friend of the family here at Branding Iron and an enthusiastic supporter of everything we aim to accomplish.
In case you haven't noticed or taken a look at our Instagram (@brandingirontx), we are a shop that caters to the Manly Man. Although we have a multitude of built to last products for any style a man has, our grooming products for beards are a staple. We believe in strong hearts and full beards. Those full beards need attention to detail in order to keep up with the lumberjacks. They also need to be tangle-free and coiffed to perfection. With a beard comb, that is possible! Luckily, our friend Chad has the same vision for beards all across Texas. He created a unique beard comb (they come in multiple sizes). Not only can you comb your beard and keep it soft, you can also pop open a cold one with its built-in bottle opener feature. Personally impressed with the sleek design and utilitarian approach, I was eager to chat with Chad for a moment about his product to glean more insight into its production. He shared some pro tips with me. As always, we are happy to hear about sustainable products. And the beard comb is just that. Coming from recycled stainless steel, the steel's design is cut with a laser, painted, and taken through a finishing process to make it smooth and easy to use. We love Chad's work and are happy to encourage others to enjoy it as well.
After you are finished combing your beard and drinking your beer, you might start to feel a bit restless. That's okay, and we understand. We understand so much so that we carry Chad's “fidget gadget.” It's essentially the modern equivalent of a worry stone. Its effective design allows you to spin it with any of your digits and keep your mind and hands stimulated long enough for you to drink the rest of those beers sitting there in the refrigerator. Or, if you are not quite of age, you can take it with you to school and it is sure to help you focus as you take that nerve-wracking exam. We think it's pretty cool, and again we think it's even cooler that the bearings held within the brass protector are locally sourced. We are always excited to know that our economy and its resources are being used to a fuller potential.
That full potential starts with you, and we hope you'll come by soon and check out some of these awesome products and that you'll take them home with you.
Stay sustainable,
Jenna at the Branding Iron
It is one of our distinct honors to partner with local Makers and companies who Hand Design their products with careful attention to detail. Today we are featuring one of those companies – a company rich with American history. Duluth Pack is one of the brands we carry at the Branding Iron. We have several of their uniquely designed packs here in the store, and one of our favorite best-sellers is the Bison Leather Traveler's Portfolio. Its design, durability, and style appeal are a few of the merits we appreciate.
With humble beginnings in 1882, Duluth Pack has paved its own way in a marketplace often riddled with imposters of quality. Their proven track record of satisfied customers and glaring profitability give us the assurance we need to sell their products with full confidence. We are tightly held to the lifestyle of keeping it local, keeping it ethical, and bringing it to a small town near you, and we trust that Duluth Pack also maintains this ideal. Duluth caught an interesting break in 1917 when they moved from their original location and began selling their packs to Abercrombie and Fitch. With this momentum, their production increased and they became more widespread to national and local vendors, like us. As the decades shifted and took on new development, i.e. air travel, so did the design of the products. A century later, and they are still producing high quality products.
One recent development worth mentioning was their opportunity to create packs for the popular band, Maroon 5. This is what Keath Krueger and Adam Levine have in common; they both carry Duluth packs! As featured in the headlining photo of this blog, you find our owner and chief product scout sporting the Traveler's Portfolio. Its tested durability and high quality Bison Leather as its casing gives it the perfect edge for the savvy businessman. Its boast-worthy nature also includes a lifetime warranty, with a hand-signed tag on the inside of the bag featuring the Maker who individually crafted the briefcase. When that businessman pulls out his notes at an executive board meeting, other members are likely to snap their heads in awe as they admire the artisan quality stitched throughout this high quality bag.
We hope to keep inspiring our readers to think inside the American marketplace and to join wholeheartedly in our vision for small business – the patriotic symbol of our belief in hard work, the entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to quality.
Cheers,
Jenna at the Branding Iron
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We all have those stomping grounds we grew up on, and while growing up I often heard the refrain, “Man, I can't wait to get out of here.” I said it a few times myself, well into my early twenties. I've come and gone, and I've come back. There's certainly a wistfulness in my heart to travel far and wide at all times, but I'm also pressed to find the beauty in small town living whilst contributing to economy building activities and engaging my native people who often isolate themselves after a long day at the office. It's what I do anywhere I go – I seek out the local pulse in order to contribute to the everyday market (more on those journeys later). Which brings me back to the realization I had about 2 years ago. The realization that I often lamented my life in a conservative small town simply because I needed SOMETHING to complain about. Upon closer consideration, I also realized life has always been cozy and full of opportunities to engage the community, and I have always done that, but sometimes the system just gets ya down. Reasonably so.
In the past two decades, the world market has quite literally exploded. There are multiple avenues to create, produce, and outsource. Globalization is a term often thrown around loosely, and at its most base definition it means a revolution in communications, specifically the Internet browser. At the click of a button, you can order multiple items at minimal cost due to cheaper means of production. Without delving into the geopolitical realm, it boils down to maintaining a sense of national pride. Sure, you could have three of the same item (cheaply made) for the price of one well-made, lasting item. The value of production is key. That value is not only about the quality of the product but the quality of a nation. It's all well and good to promote fair trade among the nations, but when mass production comes into play, so does compromise. We seek to eliminate that compromise.
We know it's not easy to compete in a global market. While we do not discredit the broad reach of such measures, we are tightly held to the lifestyle of keeping it local, keeping it ethical, and bringing it to a small town near you!
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The luster in these stories we like to share is grounded in a sense of national pride and the entrepreneurial spirit. A pride we often take for granted – the pioneers before us knew the value of a dollar and the work it cost to produce it. That same spirit of grit is alive within the walls of our small business, and the many small businesses within our community. The difference starts in your hometown. As the popular Florida Georgia Line song goes, “May we all get to grow up in our red, white, and blue little town.” Part of growing up in a town that hasn't fully forgotten the value of individuals producing goods for the consumer with integrity and cost effectiveness is getting to know your customer. The Personableness we believe in. We find that this Personableness translates to inspire others in their individual success. And collectively, this is where we have a restored sense of national pride For The People.
Along with these Values we mentioned, we also believe in our Duties as responsible citizens. Teddy Roosevelt gave a speech in 1910 at Sorbonne in Paris, wherein he described an age of citizens more conscious of their rights than of their duties. What a timely word over a century later in 2017. These Duties generalized are to contribute to the local economy, maintain a solid work ethic, build a foundation for materialism in order to grow to the loftier ideals – a higher sense of self, so to speak. So, we say: work hard, join our cause for more locally sustainable products, shop local, keep growing, and do your research!
]]>Hello, online world! We begin our blog today, as we wrap up a bustling 2016. We are excited for what's in store (quite literally) in the New Year - we hope to continue to satisfy our customers' wants and needs as we deliver hand-picked, quality products for you to enjoy.
We sit here today, nestled in the heart of Downtown Conroe – a hub that has been growing and thriving for many a decade but has reached a point of decided growth in these past 5 years specifically. Businesses are beginning and maintaining growth around us constantly, and we could not be more stoked about it! Which brings us to the story behind the Branding Iron – A Small Business, with a Big Heart, that has served Montgomery County for 12 plus years!
They started out with screen printing and embroidery, and have constantly evolved to better server their Customers! Recently, Branding Iron had an incredible opportunity to move to Downtown Conroe. The move ignited their existing passion for all things Conroe, and they began to expand, with a Vision of making Downtown Conroe an Amazing destination for All. Branding Iron continues to help collaborate and build brands with various companies and organizations. They are now also collaborating with numerous Makers to sell locally made products out of their store. This directly impacts local economies, helping them support their neighbors in a unique way.
So, browse around the online store and let us know if you, our Valued Customer, have any questions, or if there is something you would like to see at the Branding Iron. Stay tuned, for there will surely be plenty to be excited about as 2017 comes into focus.
-The Team at the Branding Iron