sellers in online businesses got their names for their websites. I know that mine evolved out of where we use to live.
In 1990, we moved to a small rural town about 25 miles outside Baltimore into what was a converted ice house. The house that we rented for 14 years was much like the one in the top picture. It was a ice house in it's former farm life and sometime along the way, it was converted into a house.
From what I recall of the history of the farm that it was on, the farm was established in 1905 with a grand mansion, a carriage house, barn and an ice house. I'm sure that many, many other out buildings existed on the property at some point, but with time and neglect they weren't in existence in 1990.
The house we lived in, and I can't believe that I don't have a full picture of the darn thing, was made into a split level. The original ice house side had 24" stone walls on the bottom, with a clapboard shingled second story. That side was completed sometime during the Great Depression as some family member ran onto hard luck and needed a place to live. The other side of the house was added sometime in the 50's to make the house a split level.
We had a concrete kitchen floor over the pit area, which is a prominent feature of ice houses, shown in the second picture and below the kitchen area, there was a sub basement with a wooden floor and below that was an area we called "the pit". The pit would be used to store ice that was skimmed off a river but most likely a pond to aid in keeping perishable foods fresh...remember this was before the days of refrigeration, when the refrig was very accurately called the icebox.
The sub basement of the house has some history of it's own. When the second half of the home was added in the early 50's being the practical, scared Americans that the family was at the time, they created a bomb shelter under that concrete kitchen floor. It was amazing to me to see just what level of preparedness, that those hardy farm folk would go to.
Anyway, when I started selling online on ebay, I needed a name, so I came up with IceHouseCrafts. I now use that name for everything...my etsy, my ebay, artfire, my website and my blog. I know somewhat quirky but it works for me. I'd love to hear how everybody else came up with their business names.
very interesting on how you got your name..I want to see the inside now..;) love old houses..;)guess I will have to do an entry on how I got my name.;)
ReplyDeleteHi Dee,
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post. Was the Family House still standing when you were living in The Ice House?
We have a small icebox that we refinished that we use as a coffe table.
Are you painting today?
Neat story. Maria :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the story, Dee! I always love hearing a bit of history.
ReplyDeleteI worked under my real name for about 8 years. With the coming of internet selling, I decided to go with a DBA and since I paint and cut my own wood, Paintspots and Splinters was born!!
fascinating---I love history, especially when it relates to America.I can imagine the residents fearing the 'bomb' and practicing hiding out in the 'pit'. I also see the old ice house residents out on the pond, cutting ice to preserve their precious produce and meats for the long cold winter. Our home has history of only us, so it is special to us. But our little town has lots of history. Back to 1838, the days of our Indian predecessors. There was an Indian trading post here, right on the river. We live right on the Skunk River, but we are on a bluff so in no danger of the annual flooding. Thanks for the stimulating post. ★Linda★
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, and thanks for the wealth of info you left on my post, alot to take in for sure:)
ReplyDeleteP.s. that 3 out of 5 yrs. to show a profit until you can claim expenses, does that mean you can't deduct any expenses for 3 yrs, and only then if you've made a profit for those 3 yrs??
ReplyDeleteTHANKS:)
ReplyDeleteGreat story and a great house to live in.
ReplyDeleteGina,
ReplyDeleteIt was very functional inside for a house...nothing special. I wish it had the character that older houses have but it didn't.
D
Pat,
ReplyDeleteThe mansion is still standing on Belfast. It has a central oak stairway, sliding pocket doors, built in bookcases, gorgeous floor to ceiling windows and a catwalk on the top of the roof. The house is really in need of restoration, but the family that owns the property isn't interested in spending the money that is necessary to do so. They let the carriage house fall down while we were there.
Yes, I did get some painting done today.
D
Maria,
ReplyDeleteThanks. I always think it's interesting how people come up with their business names.
D
Vicky,
ReplyDeleteAhhh...paint and splinters...I have both all over sometimes!
D
Linda,
ReplyDeleteYes, I could see them too. I remember as a school girl in elementary school practicing bomb drills, getting under our desks with our hands over our heads til the all clear was sounded. It just struck me as odd to have a bomb shelter in your home though, but I guess it was better to be prepared.
The Indian trading post sounds cool...Do they do any archeological digging for artifacts in that area? I'm sure there would be a few arrowheads and such to be found. Glad that you aren't in a flood plain.
D
Carmen,
ReplyDeleteYou are more than welcome. I remember feeling overwhelmed at first too with all the business stuff.
D
Rose,
ReplyDeleteThanks. It was a neat house although it had lots of creepy crawlers...we found a black snake or two and not outside either....eeek! Oh and really, really huge wolf spiders! Double eek!
D
Hi Dee,
ReplyDeleteGreat story! I enjoyed reading all about how you came up with your business name. What an interesting house to have lived in... I just love the stories of history, thanks for sharing one of yours!
~Trina
My husband came up with my trading name 'Enchanted Things..." dont ask me how, he just blurted it out and that is what it was...Ive traded under it from when I first started peddling my decoupage wares in the 90's, from around 1996 right up till now......with my vintage wares and hand made primitives...
ReplyDeletehttp://enchantedthingsprimitives.com
and so goes the 'Enchanted Moments' blog..........Suzanne.
Trina,
ReplyDeleteThe house was neat...we just went by the driveway today. Almost wanted to go down the lane to see it but decided against it. A new house was being built in the next pasture...too bad as it was secluded and peaceful. We had the kind of neighbors you had to yell to, to be able to say hello. I loved it!
D
Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteI love looking at your blog. Such nice pictures that you share. That was so sweet of your hubby to help out like that. Mine is a big help with making things, schlepping to the shows, and such but not too creative otherwise.
D
Great history Dee! It works:) You know how I came to my store name... teehee:)
ReplyDeleteDee,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story to tell about the name of your business!
Thanks for listing my give away on your side bar. I so appreciate your support!
Enjoy your day!
Barb
So I'm not the only one that wonders about names. Every single time I come across a prim name, I always wonder where it came from.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the history of your home. That is very fascinating, I love hearing these stories! I really love ice boxes... more for their history than their actual look. Can you imagine having to lug ice around?? Makes you appreciate the modern convenience of our fridge!!
I wish I had some really neat story for my name "Berry Homespun Primitives" but it's pretty boring. Berry because that's my last name and I love working with homespun more than any other thing. I wish I had an awesome story like yours! =]