Have you ever worried about [...]]]> Is it possible for a fabric to change your life? The makers of Crypton fabric think so because it is engineered to be different than any other textile solutions in the world.  Crypton is the only textile solution offering permanent stain, moisture, mildew, bacteria and odor-resistant protection.

In honor of Earth Day 2011, we wanted to take a moment to honor the efforts of companies that have embraced their role as a corporate member of our communities and are committed to doing their part to sustain and improve the environment. We are proud at Fleet Plummer to carry [...]]]>  

In honor of Earth Day 2011, we wanted to take a moment to honor the efforts of companies that have embraced their role as a corporate member of our communities and are committed to doing their part to sustain and improve the environment. We are proud at Fleet Plummer to carry products from brands that strive to innovate solutions that are environmentally friendly.

Tropitone makes casual furniture that is both beautiful and durable, much like the planet on which we live. One of their primary goals in designing and manufacturing their products is to support future generations by attaining sustainability through the preservation of natural resources. Tropitone continually strives to make products that use materials and processes that minimize negative environmental impact, conserve energy and natural resources, and improve safety for customers, communities and employees. As part of their commitment to sustaining and improving the environment, Tropitone has nurtured a comprehensive Continuous Improvement culture enabling them to look to the future through a green lens.

There’s only a few folks behind the scenes at Blackwater Folk Art. They don’t have aspirations at being a mega-business, only to make their mark as a “made in the USA”, homegrown kind of company. Growing up, Pam Mitchell, the artist and driving force of Blackwater Folk Art, was part of an extended family of simple people that loved the outdoors, gardening and creating something from nothing. For the first decade or so of business, they concentrated mostly on making birdhouses and birdfeeders out of cypress lumber milled locally, but with a series of hurricanes that struck their Floridian part of paradise, their world was turned upside down. With those storms came an abundance of raw material that just absolutely cried out to be turned into something fun and functional. Today, many years later, Blackwater Folk Art helps provide livelihoods for a number of local families that salvage old warehouses, barns and delapidated buildings in order to provide the recycled metal they use to craft their goods.

Vapur is committed to raising awareness about the global water crisis and empowering people to make a difference through their own purposeful drinking choices. At Vapur®, they believe that clean tap water is the best drinking water for you, your community and the planet, so they have set out to make tap water infinitely portable, readily available and ethically sustainable. Since toting a bulky reusable water bottle can be a hassle (especially when empty), they designed the ultra-durable Vapur Anti-Bottle™ to “fold-and-go” anywhere – easily fitting into pockets, purses and packs. From design and manufacturing, to shipping and distribution, right through to consumer use, the environment is considered throughout each step of the Vapur life cycle. The flexible Anti-Bottle uses less energy to make and transport than rigid bottles. Manufactured in the United States, Vapur is lightweight and ships flat, providing dual environmental benefits – up to 5 times more bottles per shipment container means fewer trucks on the road, lower fuel consumption and reduced carbon emissions. The packaging has been designed to minimize paper, glue and scrap and is printed with soy ink on wind powered presses. Vapur is even a member of the 1% For The Planet program, giving a portion of all Vapur sales to water-related causes. It’s no wonder Vapur was awarded the 2010 FPA Silver Award for Sustainability & Environmental Achievement.

Inspired by the beauty and mystique of the rainforest, Jambu™ Footwear is designed to guide you in style and comfort on your next personal journey – at home or across the globe. Because conserving our environment is important, Jambu™ shoes use partially recycled rubber outsoles, animal friendly materials available in Vegan collection, recycled and recyclable packaging. If you’re looking for a great quality shoe, you’ve found it at Jambu. They stand true to their features of versatility, comfort, and eco-design. For the eco-conscious, these are a must have.

PANDORA’s mission is to inspire women to express their individuality through the stories they have to tell – a personal collection of special moments that makes them who they are. In 2000, Pandora created a way to celebrate these unforgettable moments with the [...]]]>

PANDORA’s mission is to inspire women to express their individuality through the stories they have to tell – a personal collection of special moments that makes them who they are. In 2000, Pandora created a way to celebrate these unforgettable moments with the lauch of their unique charm bracelet concept. Creating your own personal bracelet or beginning one for someone else to tell their story is as easy as a few simple steps.

Choosing Your Bracelet

To begin, you will need to choose your bracelet size and type. Pandora offers styles in 14k gold, sterling silver or leather string and a choice of clasps including the standard lobster clasp and the Pandora clasp. The Pandora clasp actually closes your bracelet seamlessly and looks like another bead on your bracelet. To determine the best bracelet length, measure tightly around the broadest part of your wrist and ad 1inch to that measurement. This will ensure that the bracelet is not too tight and will allow room for charms to fit on the bracelet. Then find the closest bracelet size to your measurement.

Choosing Your Clips

Each bracelet features a unique threading system and two ‘notches’ where a special kind of bead called a ‘clip’ can clasp on. Once you’ve added these two clips, your bracelet is divided into three equal segments. This keeps your beads from sliding on the bracelet by keeping them in place in their section. If you like your bracelet a little less full, the clips will help keep the beads dispersed around your bracelet rather than gathering all together.

Choose Your Beads

And now for the truly fun part, chose your beads to make it your own. Every bead is equipped with interior threads allowing you to twist individual beads onto any bracelet segment in the order you desire. Each one must be ‘screwed’ or ‘twisted’ on. When taking your bracelet on or off, this prevents the beads from sliding off. A fabulous array of beads gives you endless options for designing your Pandora creation.  There are literally hundreds of charms made from a variety of precious stones, pearls, enamel, murano glass and wood to choose from. There is surely at least one charm for that “unforgettable moment.”

Add Accessories

You can also add some accessories to your bracelet such as spacers and safety chains. Spacers are smaller, thin charms that can be used to fill in the gaps of two different sized beads or highlight beads that need to stand out a bit more. Spacers are not threaded and will slide freely along your bracelet. The decorative safety chain adds a little visual appeal as well as protection. An elegant and practical Pandora safety chain is available in a variety of styles and will keep your beads, spacers, charms, and other jewelry in place in the event the bracelet or necklace unclasps accidentally.

You can start by adding just a few beads and then add to it over time to commemorate special occasions and memories. With very little effort you can have your own Pandora bracelet creation as unique as the woman who created it!

1. Price: Grills range [...]]]> As barbeque season quickly approaches, many homeowners may find that they are in the market for a new barbeque grill.  With so many models and features, it can be difficult to know where to start.  As a Weber grill master dealer, here are 5 considerations we feel are most important:

1. Price: Grills range from about $149 and up, so it really depends on your budget. If you’re buying a gas grill, keep in mind the propane tank is rarely included anymore, so you’ll need to add on at least $20 to the price depending on the size of your tank. Considering your budget beforehand will help narrow down the options.

2. Size: What food do you like to grill and how many people are generally around your table? If you entertain often and cook 25 burgers at a time, you’ll need a larger surface area than if you use the grill to cook occasionally for yourself. The general rule of thumb is that 400 square inches of primary grilling surface is adequate for the average cook. This will allow you plenty of room when you are cooking for a crowd, yet not overwhelming when you are simply cooking for your family. Look for extra shelves, warming racks, and side burners to make your cooking even more convenient. Additionally, consider the amount of space you have at home for the grill.  Do you have room to leave your new grill in one place or do you have to move it to a storage place after usage?

3. Material: The body of a quality grill should be made of heavy-duty material such as stainless steel or aluminum. Both materials make the convection process necessary for grilling possible and also protect against rust. A good rule of thumb: The more stainless steel you have, the more expensive the grill is. This is true for both the inside of the grill and the outside.

4. Grates: Under extreme heat, the material of many grates can chip off onto your food, so it’s important to make sure the cooking grates, the surface on which the food is cooked, are durable.

5. Features: Many grills these days come loaded with all kinds of fancy features. These include:

• Stainless steel (Usually the longest-lasting option, may carry a lifetime warranty)
• Porcelain-coated cast iron (The next best option after stainless, usually thick & good for searing meat)
• Porcelain-coated steel (Will typically last as long as porcelain-coated cast iron, but not as good for searing)
• Cast Iron (More commonly used for charcoal grills, cast iron must be constantly covered with oil to protect it from rusting)
• Chrome-plated steel (Usually the least expensive and shortest-lasting material)
• Side Burners: Allows you to cook complementary dishes
• Sear Burners: For those who like rotisserie cooking
• Smokers: Designed to slow burn wood chips for infused flavors
• Infrared Technology: Employs convection cooking, using less gas and keeping the meat juicier
• Baffle System: Prevents food from falling onto the burners, helping to keep your grill clean

Making your outdoor cooking experience sizzle all comes down to knowing what to look for in a quality barbecue.  If you still have questions, the staff at Fleet Plummer can help guide you through your decision making process. And remember, at Fleet Plummer we deliver, install and service everything we sell!