Article: Turning Heads with Wooden Hats

I love the hats and enjoyed the article, but was shocked to see the use of US Postal tape used in the production. Don't imagine the USPS would be to happy to see their free tape used this way!

Like Mike, I also noticed Chris Ramsey's use of his tax credit in the form of postal tape. The idea of turning hats with a lathe is incredible. I would love to see more of his story.

Must be nice to be able to get this to use while shaping his hats. I have to beg my post office to get this for shipping my priority packages, as they don't furnish it anymore...since people were using it for other reasons than shipping...

Great story except for that picture.

I was commenting on the use of the official United States Postal Service Priority Mail packaging tape used by this gentleman to shape his hats with. It used to be available free from the post office for use to ship priority packages. They discontinued offering if for free because of those who used it for personal use instead of for what it was intended. It is not available for purchase, but once in awhile my favorite postal worker feels sorry for me with all the tape I go through and gives me a roll.

I was so irritated by his blatant mis-use of Priority Mail tape that I emailed at artist@knot-head.com and told him he should be ashamed of himself for trying to save a few bucks and here is his response.

As someone who personally sends out a lot of Priority mail boxes, I know how the PO used to give it out for free to use for packages but now they stopped because of so many people....and small businesses etc. misusing it. When I asked about it recently at my PO, they said they didn't even have any priority mail tape.

here is Mr. Ramsey's response to my email: (my email address has "yardsalequeen" in it, therefore his references to it.) What a great American artisan. He should be proud of himself.

Ms. Chris H_______ a.k.a. yardsalequeen,


What makes you think I stole this tape from the USPS?

Are you aware that this tape can be purchased along with numerous other materials from the USPS?

If you would like I can send you a copy of the receipt for the purchase of the tape. Just include your address with your next reply.

I’m not cheap as you have suggested by your comment of me to “save a few bucks” and I don’t appreciate your accusations or your naive attempt to scold me.

The US Postmaster is thrilled to have me as a customer and is very happy that I am advertising for the USPS. I had a meeting with him just last Friday afternoon. Why don’t you call him? His name is Charles Peters and he works in the Main PO in Somerset, KY.

My advice to you is:

Spend less time sticking your nose where it does not belong.
Don’t assume that everyone you read about is guilty of trying to save a few bucks by stealing from the Govt. (We have elected officials in Washington that do this for us.)

Get out of your single-wide trailer more often and not just once a week to see your therapist.

Spend a lot less time at yard sales. I know you feel “comfortable” and “feel like you belong there” but, Damn! “Yardsalequeen” in not a pretty title and it does have that “Proud to be a Redneck” feel to it.

Print off a copy of your message, my reply to your message, and take it to your next meeting with your psychiatrist. I’m sure he (or she) will strongly agree with me. It is time to “up” your medication. Do it for yourself. (Remember, a straight jacket can be very uncomfortable)

This next one is very important!

6. Find a man and get laid. I’m almost positive that you can find a man with no fewer than three teeth (even if two of his teeth are in his pocket) who you will probably have to pay to have sex with you.

7. Make sure you supply him with a set of complimentary nose plugs because I’m sure he will need them.

Oh, and one other thing. The next time you are out or are in between yard sales, please pick up a few tubes of Monistat for that nasty, reoccurring yeast infection of yours. I’ll even pay for it and ship the cash to you in a USPS box (which I purchased) and will tape up with USPS “Priority” tape (which I purchased).

I have thoroughly enjoyed your message and hope to hear from you again when you are properly medicated.

All my very best wishes

so needless-to-say his response to my email was EXTREMELY unprofessional, sexist, rude, etc etc. For all he knew about me, I could have been some 15 year old writing.

I'd be glad to forward the email to anyone who wants to see it. My email is in my profile.

I have a hard time believing that a business owner would write this kind of email. I find it more likely that someone is embellishing things and stretching the truth for their own purposes.

I know - it seems so ridiculous that a business person would say something like that in writing, on the internet. But he did - every word.

I was totally shocked when I got that email. Feel free to email me and I will forward it to you (along with my original email to him).

I have no reason to make this up or embellish it. I'm just someone who happened across this article in my Sunday newspaper reading - where they showed a picture with the tape being used.

And I'm someone who mails a lot of stuff thru the Post Office using Priority Mail and know their regulations on what is allowed and what is not. And using Priority Mail on stuff that is not priority mail is not allowed. And the tape is not sold on the USPS website.

I did realize that after I posted it, that the #'s on his list didn't come thru when I copied it and posted it here. So that is the only difference, in his email to me, there are the #'s on his list.

to get my email address just click on my name: "Me" to view my profile which has my email address.