CabinHouse TradingPost

Legendary Jade & Stone!

Greetings,

CabinHouse TradingPost has entered into an agreement with Legendary Jade & Stone.  This agreement is to build a new website, manage marketing and sales, manage site listings, and more for Legendary Jade & Stone.  The new site's address is "legendaryjade.com", but is currently under maintenance.

CabinHouse TradingPost will continue to list "high-end" pieces of carved jade, beads, pendants, and more for the retail market.  The Legendary Jade site will display larger pieces for the carving and beading industry.  Australian Jade will also be highlighted within the updates for Michael Barlow's "Australian Greenstone", who is also a part of this affiliation.

Legendary Jade & Stone owns a mine in the Yukon Territories where the best AAA premium nephrite jade in the world is mined, by Roger Krichbaun of Gold Hill, Colorado.  Australian Jade or "Australian Greenstone" is mined on the property of Michael Barlow of New South Wales, Australia.

I am looking forward to bringing this alliance to the forefront of the jade market and to all my customers.  More blogs will follow with more detailed information concerning the best jade in the world!  Stay tuned!

Regards,
Gary Godfrey
CabinHouse TradingPost

Tucson 2008!

Greetings,

My journey to Tucson this winter was fabulous!  I met people from around the world and got to "hang" with some incredible miners (I will talk about them later).  Seventeen days of sales and fun was the experience!

I left Colorado with a full Trailblazer on the 29th of January.  Arriving on the 30th, I met up with my brother and friend, Bernie of GemsUSA, and began to unload and setup in our tent at the "Rock Our World" site of Rappa River Promotions just of the Frontage Road Highway alongside of Interstate 10.  The show began on Friday, the 1st of February.

Since Bernie couldn't be at the entire show, I ran to booth for most of the time.  I shared our space with my friend Roger, of "Legendary Jade & Stone", as well as my friend and partner, Michael Barlow, of "Australian Greenstone", from New South Wales, Australia.  We were surrounded by people from all over the world.

I met a new friend, Pingjing, aka "Zoe", who has lived in Tucson for only a couple of years to attend school.  She is from a village in Eastern China, just west of North Korea.  What an amazing person she is.  She has a truly wonderful "spirit"!  I enjoyed many conversations with her every day.  After meeting her I have decided that I am going to learn the language of "Chinese"!

I picked up some great mineral specimens of Azurite/Malachite as well as some Barite specimens from China mines.  I purchased these from a dealer known as "MAI", "Mining Art International".  These specimens can be found on the CabinHouse TradingPost website and soon the eBay Store.  I acquired other gifts and artifacts simply for friends and for myself.

Though my business is on the side of my "regular" job, I was fortunate enough to pay all expenses and more.  What a vacation!  The trip home was fabulous and the memories are great.  I will follow up with more posts as well as pics of the show, as well as information about the jade, etc.

Regards for now,
Gary Godfrey
CabinHouse TradingPost

Blue Sage Mineral Company, LLC Dissolution

Greetings,

Unfortunately, due to complications, Blue Sage Mineral Company, LLC has dissolved.  The website, as well as the weblog, have been removed from the web.

There are still rocks and minerals available via CabinHouse TradingPost listed under "Nevada Rough".  There are many other specimens which will soon be listed to our customers.

Though the "company" is no longer a "business entity", the relationship between the original members is still strong.  Exploration, prospecting, and mining will continue, though in a limited capacity.  The Photo Galleries have been left for your viewing enjoyment.

Regards,
Gary Godfrey
CabinHouse TradingPost

In Loving Memory!

Judy Bowersox
In Loving Memory

For the month of October, 2007, CabinHouse TradingPost will offer all net proceeds from sales to the "Judy Bowersox Memorial Fund" and to her surviving family.  Judy was a co-worker and very close friend.  She lived with her family at Glacier View Ranch, where she worked and served in the ministry she loved.  Survivors include her husband (also a close friend) along with three children, 15, 11, and 7.  Judy died suddenly at Glacier View Ranch, at the age of 42, September 17, 2007.  The funeral was held in Canon City, Colorado on Monday, September 24, 2007.

Judy was our Housekeeper as well as our operator of the Gift Shop and Summer Camp Store.  She loved the "camp kids" as much as her own.  She found great joy in her duties, including "merchandising" the stores with the gifts, trinkets, and souvenirs she so loved to find and purchase.  If you knew Judy as I, you would honestly say that your life became much the better for knowing her!  She will be loved and missed by all!

Gary Godfrey
CabinHouse TradingPost

Burma (Myanmar) Jade

I don't know much about the conflict going on in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma), but as I read news stories and listen to news reports, I understand that in the year 2007, it is ashame that oppression still exists in our world.  Between the terrorist factions and dictator regimes, it is apparent that evil has attained a foothold and is prepared to battle to the end.

As a "rockologist" (a term given to me by a local pastor of a church where I recently gave a presentation on rocks, minerals, and geology), my interest was originally spurned towards the events in Myanmar because of its region being the source of the greatest "jadeite" in the world; Burma Jade.  As a rock and mineral dealer I am unclear as to how the turmoil, which has been evident for some time but has progressed to its current status, will effect the availability of this absolutely beautiful, translucent gem.

To speak of jadeite in this manner, is to recognize the rarity of Type A Burma Jade.  Jade is mined and collected in vast quantities, but Type A, translucent, gem quality jadeite is rare and rightly so.  Not only does it occur in a small percentage of mined material, but the translucent, gem quality that is so highly prized among collectors, is a rarity in itself.  So would I be so bold as to say that with the escalation of events in Myanmar contribute to the rarity of availability of this prized gemstone?  Will the price for this gem jump to extremes?  For the sake of reputable collectors, I hope not.  I hope and pray for an end to the corruption and violence.  I will commit to daily reading and following the headlines concerning this challenge of pro-democracy versus oppression and tyranny.

As a person who believes in the rights of freedom for all in this world, I have begun to take a look at the battles within our world of good and evil.  Unfortunately, I don't believe that the people of "rights and freedom" will ever succeed in overcoming the "forces of evil" under the current nature of this world.  But the "forces of good" can rise to the occasion to always keep the "forces of evil" "in check" to minimize its effect upon the people of this world.  Not until a new day dawns and a new earth is formed, will we see the end of dehumanizing behavior from our fellow man.

Click here to read a great story about the history and events in Myanmar!

You may view specimens of "Type A" Burma Jade at the CabinHouse TradingPost website!

Gary Godfrey
CabinHouse TradingPost

Upgrades, Changes, and New Additions!

Greetings!

Latest news is that there will be some new pages of information on the store site.  There will also be equipment and supplies, as well as "How To" information!

New Pages:
The "Shipping and Returns" page and the "Privacy Notice" page will be combined into one page, "Store Policies".  A new page, "Lapidary Equipment, Supplies, & Tips" will be created, along with a page called "Weblogs", and a page called, "Testimonials".  Information pages introducing listings of "California Jade", "Yukon Jade", and "Burma Jade" will be created as well.

The "Store Policies" page will include information about "shipping and returns", "privacy notice", and more.  The "Lapidary Equipment, Supplies, & Tips" page will be a "window" into tumbling products and supplies, along with tumbling mix for the hobbyist and the professional alike.  There will also be lapidary tips and instructions.  The Jade pages will be "windows" into listings of premium material and specimens.

Promotions:
Coupons and periodic sales promotion should soon become a "mainstay" of the store.  I am always seeking new ways and ideas to promote great materials.

Service:
As always, the service will continue to be the best.  Competitive pricing, premium materials and specimens, the best information, the fastest delivery, and the best satisfaction are still the objectives.

Behind the Scenes:
There is always much to do in the area of web maintenance, inventory balancing, acquisitions, and follow up.  What is necessary just to stay "with the curve" when it comes to "search engine optimization" with companies like Google, can be hours spent in itself.  Cutting or having materials cut for "slabs" to sale is ongoing.  Keeping an inventory of supply for ready availability is a full-time job.

Summary:
I wouldn't do it all if I didn't truly love the hobby, business, and the people I meet.  Geology is the "nature" I truly enjoy.  I must admit, this adventure since CabinHouse TradingPost came into existence, has been enlightening as well as an "experience".  I am here to stay!

Regards,
Gary "Grizz" Godfrey
gary@cabinhousetradingpost.com

Late Spring Update from CabinHouse TradingPost!

Greetings!

Long time, no blogs?  Yes, it's true, I have been slacking.  Actually, slacking is not correct; I have been "overwhelmed" with busy-ness.

Current:
As I have mentioned before, I have a full-time position with Glacier View Ranch, a Christian retreat and conference center, as well as a provider and host of summer camps.  As "Director of Operations", I have responsibility over all facilities, staff, and even have involvement with "on call" duties.  I operate CabinHouse TradingPost and all its aspects, as well as manage the business and activities of Blue Sage Mineral Company, LLC (you can read current news at the "weblog site").  So yes, I am busy, especially in the Spring!

Stores
The eBay store, CabinHouse TradingPost, is open with approximately thirty plus listings along with occasional auctions.  Store items are predominately items and lapidary materials which don't quite have a place in the web store.  Listings are slowly coming back on-line in both areas.

Latest Additions:
New to the CabinHouse TradingPost is California Jade (read the "blog")!  This is a "must try" and a "must have" material.  Some rough parcels, but mostly slabs for those who have no wish to cut their own.  What you see in the store is a fraction of what is on standby to list.  Great polishing material from a secret location in Northern California.  CabinHouse TradingPost has "exclusive" distribution from the miner of this material.  Along with the lapidary variety, some "Botryoidal" specimens are also available.

Travel Activity:
In April, I got to fly to Nevada for four days.  I had an opportunity to view and walk the land in which Blue Sage Mineral Company, LLC is exploring, prospecting, mining, and securing for future hopes.  Blue Sage #1 is yielding some very nice opalite material.  Other areas of exploration are currently in the process of establishing claims.

For now I hope this will suffice.  My floors and tables are lined up with items to begin new listings, so please be patient and keep coming back to see what is new!

Regards,
Gary Godfrey
gary@cabinhousetradingpost.com

Maintaining an eBay Store!

Greetings,

I have several listings ending tonight.  These include, Fire Agate, Sodalite, Black Opal from Honduras, Marra Mamba Tiger Eye from Australia, and some "pinback" collectables.  So far, prices seem to be holding up.

EBay is a great marketplace.  But sometimes, buyers get a "really" good deal.  My eBay Store is a compliment to my website, CabinHouse TradingPost.  It is almost a "necessary" evil, if you don't mind me saying.

Having the store and the website, are great, but the work involved in creating listings, can become overwhelming at times.  But maybe you should take a look and see what you think?
CabinHouse TradingPost eBay Store!

You can visit the CabinHouse TradingPost website by following the link in the column to the left!

Regards,
G Linward Godfrey

Upcoming Listings at CabinHouse TradingPost!

Greetings Friends and Customers,

February is proving to be a good month for sales.  Buyers, whether hobbiests or business producers and resalers, have frequented the web store regularly.  Traffic on the site has picked up considerably as well as sales.

As may have been prevously mentioned, CabinHouse TradingPost is primarily a "web direct" marketer of Cutting Rough, Mineral Specimens, Cabochons, Fossils, and Native American Jewelry; the primary focus being "rocks and minerals".  This being said, my home business is always open to a local market, which I advertise to via a local circulation.  There are many, many items available not listed on the website or the eBay Store.

Speaking of the eBay Store, I love the forum and the number of buyers you can market to.  But the downside for me is keeping up with the need to have enough items listed on average to maintain enough of a profit margin to make the fees and costs worth having the venue.  Now don't get me wrong.  The eBay Store provision is great!  It offers a lot for what you pay for.  It is just a challenge for me to keep up with the need to be somewhat profitable on a monthly basis.

Today, Sunday, February 11. 2007, there were several new listings uploaded to the CabinHouse TradingPost website.  The best I can do with a very busy schedule is list a few items here and a few items there.  Todays listing include the following:

Transvaal Jade
From Transvaal, South Africa, this material is a massive "grossular garnet" rather than a "jade".  It has a hardness of between 6.5 to 7 on the MOHS scale.  It will produce some awesome cabochons for jewelry or wire wrap as well as ornaments and spheres.  Some of the green areas of the rock demonstrate a "gem" look!  Beautiful material!

Website Future Listings:
Rhodonite - approximately 20 lbs
Transvaal Jade Slabs - cut for convenience to the lapidary cabber
Lemon Mist Jasper - a beautiful yellow tone from Sonora, Mexico
Blue Sage Gem Opal Chrysocolla - per pound rocks containing the Nevada "green opal" as well as unusual matrix.
Geodes and Nodules - large quantity of Brazilian and Mexican agate
Polished Agate and Thunderegg Halves
Much More!

Regards,
Gary Godfrey
CabinHouse TradingPost

Such is the Rock Business!

Greetings Friends and Customers!

CabinHouse TradingPost is looking forward to a very good spring, summer and fall!  Sales over the Christmas period were off more than usual.  But a lot of time is going into new developments and acquisitions.

I should be receiving some Fossil Mammoth Bone soon!  Can't wait to see!  Also, some more larimar should be coming available.  I am surprised by the larimar.  It sells in cycles just as lapis does.  There are many more minerals I have yet to list on the website.

The eBay Store, CabinHouse TradingPost, is slowly building back up.  I am hoping to fill the store with many, many cabochons made by Bernardo of Hermasillo, Mexico.  I have many agate specimens and more to list.

When you run a web business and are trying to open up a local market, it is very time consuming, especially when you work a full time job.  When you add developing another company, Blue Sage Mineral Company, LLC, it is very time consuming.

It has been a while since my last post.  I just wanted to let my customers and future customers know that I am an honest business man doing an honest day's business.  I attempt to acquire the best, at the best price, for the best jewelry artists, cutters and collectors.  I have hobbiests as well as business people in mind.

Thanks for visiting and reading!

Regards,
Gary Godfrey
CabinHouse TradingPost