How It All Began

It all started when Sharon made a Rhythm Bead Necklace as a birthday present for a friend. She made a few more as gifts for other friends, and when she joined a trail riding club not long after, everyone admired Zephyr's necklace. Folks started asking if they could buy one for their horse. Of course, she said "sure!"

And Then...

She decided to start marketing her product both online and locally, to provide an extra source of income to support Zephyr in the manner to which he had become accustomed. She placed Classified Ads on several internet sites, and also posted a note about it on HorseCity.com's Bulletin Boards. (She would like to thank all her Board Buddies; their emotional support, product orders, and referrals helped get her new business off the ground!)

A couple local tack shops asked if they could sell pre-made necklaces on consignment, and also requested dog collars. Friends helped think of other ideas to expand the product line; it is still expanding!

Meet Zephyr

The photo at right is of Sharon's 10-year-old Arabian / Rocky Mountain Horse gelding, Zephyr's Elegant Gift. Zephyr means "Gentle Breeze Out of the West" and she truly feels that he is a gift that was borne to her on the wind - and not by chance.

When she was thinking of what to name my new business, she realized that her horse's name was perfect!

Incidentally, although Zephyr was sold to her as a non-gaited horse, he has developed a lovely foxtrot under saddle. No gimmicks or gadgets, just lots of walking to develop those 4-beat muscles.

Email:

orders@ZEGifts.com - this account is checked several times daily.

Street Address and Phone Number:

We are located in beautiful Central Maine, USA. For various reasons, however, we are not listing our address and phone number on this site. If and when we get a PO Box, and purchase a dedicated business phone line, we will list them here. For now, please rest assured that we check our email regularly, usually several times a day, and will respond to your inquiry as quickly as possible.

October 8 , 2007:

Well, this year is going fast. The ride season went well... 225 miles of competition in three months, including a Top Ten finish. Check out pages 4 and 5 of the Stories section for those adventures. Some of the things I've been involved in are going strong... like my new job... and other things have stagnated, like the Maine Equestrian Trails Alliance. The 2007 Hot Toddy Hustle went off without a hitch but I won't be doing it again.

Please note that although my products have been sold at the MA Equine Affaire for the last few years, this year Running Bear is not having a booth. I have been unable to find a vendor who has room for my products this year, although I am working on plans to have my own booth next year. I will be there this year from Thursday to Sunday, but recreationally!

March 15, 2007: It's gonna be a busy year! I'm working full time at a new job with a 1-hour 1-way commute, running ZEGifts, getting ready for this year's Hot Toddy Hustle, and also volunteering with the Maine Equestrian Trails Alliance, the Great Pond Mountain Land Trust, and the Maine Mounted Search And Rescue group. In addition, I hope to condition enough to compete in more distance rides than I have for the last couple years, including MAYBE... JUST MAYBE... our first 100. WOWEE, am I nuts? Your patience is appreciated, I'm doing the best I can.

October 29, 2006: Coming in time for Christmas... brass sleigh bells! Also brass chime bells (softer sound, very pleasant) and other styles including the strident-sounding clamshell bells that we used to carry. Finally, several styles of chromed brass bells may be available, we just need to do some testing first. Email for more information on either type.

October 29, 2006:

Zephyr moved home recently. So recently that we're still finishing his run-in shelter. We need your vote for a farm name... email us to suggest your favorite name!

Click here for a picture from Zephyr's paddock in the woods to give you some ideas. The 8-acre property has lots of pine, cedar, and apple trees... lots of rocks... lots of deer... a really great stream/creek/brook with a brand new bridge over it that Zephyr thinks was built just for him (he won't let us see him cross anywhere else) ... and maybe an acre of fenceable grass that isn't fenced yet. Choices so far include:

Cedar Creek Farm
Apple Creek Farm
Serenity Spring Farm
Deer Run Farm
Bridgewater Farm

Stonybrook Farm is OUT because it already exists near here. Also, no names involving Zephyr's name... my business is named after him, my home doesn't have to be! Finally, I don't TEND to like names that end in "Acres" but maybe that's only because I haven't heard the right idea yet.

August 19 , 2006: Thank you for your patience, the Hot Toddy Hustle 30/50 went well and I'm ready to get back to work!

June 4 , 2006: I am adding new pendants and necklace styles this week. At the same time I'm combining the four pages of necklaces into only two, and doing some other backend (programming code) cleanup. This process will probably not be without bugs, so if you find something that doesn't work the way it should, please let me know.

February 21, 2006: Click here for details about the Hot Toddy Hustle 30/50!

February 1, 2006:

Now that ZEGifts is well-established as THE premier source for Rhythm Bead Necklaces, and a reliable source for discount Carousel/Skito items, I can let you in on my little secret. I just do this on the evenings and weekends!

I wanted to fill you all in on this because you've been such loyal customers and I wanted to tell you why your emails are frequently answered at 5:30am Eastern, and why sometimes it takes me a week or two to catch up when orders get stacked a couple dozen deep. This may not be what brings in most of my 'bacon' but it's where I spend a lot of my thoughts and energy! Soooo many late nights in front of the TV stringing 6 necklaces at a time. And yes, almost all of the time it is just me, my husband is color-blind and I can't find reliable cheap labor. *chuckle*

Because of all the big changes over the last year (wedding, new house, etc), Zephyr's training and conditioning has been neglected. As of this month I have committed to working with him on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and every Saturday and Sunday. I am also working to clear a summer pasture for him here at the house, which will save me time commuting between home and the boarding barn.

So the real news here is that for the forseeable future, ZEGifts will be open after I get home from work on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (6pm Eastern until I can't hold my eyes open anymore), and off and on during the day on Saturdays and Sundays. Whenever I can, I will still reply to emails before I leave for work in the mornings.

In conclusion, thank you for your business, your loyalty, and the many friendships I have gained through ZEGifts. Despite my change of schedule you can count on me doing this for many years to come and with exactly the level of reliability, friendly service, and product quality that you have come to expect.

November 2005 - Equine Affaire - W. Springfield, MA: Running Bear sold out of rhythm bead necklaces in less than 3 days AGAIN! I really need to send her MORE MORE MORE next year! Teddy and I thank you for your business.

August 2005: All moved in! Thanks again for your patience and loyalty.

July 2005: We're buying our very first house! I sound like a broken record... but... patience please!?

May 2005: The wedding was wonderful, thank you for your patience!

November 2004 - Equine Affaire - W. Springfield, MA: Thank you to everyone who purchased ZEGifts rhythm beads at the Running Bear Farm booth. Teddy and I appreciate your business, especially those of you who return each and every year!

July 2004: Zephyr's first parade went well: Video

November 2003 - Equine Affaire - W. Springfield, MA:

Zephyr was at the 2003 Equine Affaire in West Springfield, MA from Nov. 7-9 ... he was ridden in Liz Graves' clinics for gaited horses. Click here for the story, and here for the video.

During the clinics, Liz discussed the benefits of Rhythm Bead Necklaces (for all horses, not just gaited ones). Rhythm Beads were available at the Running Bear Farm booth in the Better Living Center, but only for the first two out of the four days... they sold out FAST!

2009 Old Dominion - "Poor Bastard" Award

2009 ECTRA Annual Banquet - Gift Certificate for Raffle

2008 Leverett 25 - Ride Awards

2007 Hot Toddy Hustle I & II 30/60 Endurance Rides - Founder and Ride Manager; Completion Awards; Placement Awards

2007 PNHA Horseman's Extravaganza - Raffle Items

2006 Hot Toddy Hustle 25/50 Endurance Ride - Founder and Ride Manager; Completion Awards; Placement Awards

2005 Peace Point 50/100 2-day Endurance Ride - Awards for "Rookie Horse" at each distance on each day

2005 Over The Mountain Ride Fundraising Raffle, Grafton, NY

2004 Wolverine Endurance and CTR Ride and Clinic - Gift Certificates for "Best Scoring Grade Horse: 35-mile CTR" and "First-Finishing Grade Horse: 50-mile Endurance"

2004 "Turkey Trot" Trail Ride and Competitive Mounted Orienteering, Five Flags Arabian Horse Association- Gift Certificate

2004 Heart of Texas Endurance Ride - Gift Certificate

2004 Hidden Brook 25-mile Competitive Trail Ride - Reserve Grand Champion award

2004 Children's Miracle Network Pony Rides, Bangor, ME

2003 Crooked River 30/60 Ride and Drive Competitive Trail Ride - Completion and Grand Champion awards

2003 NBHA Missouri State Championships - Prizes and Raffles

2002 Fundraiser: STB Rescue, Knowlton Corner Farm, Farmington, ME