Qvc Picks Idaho Goods To Showcase Eight Panhandle Products Make Cut For June Broadcast

Nadine McCann never imagined that the birdhouses she makes and gives to friends as gifts would be marketed on national television.

The Lewiston, Idaho, woman took one of her birdhouses - which is crafted in the form of a country cabin - and pitched it to representatives from QVC in Boise earlier this month.

“We kind of went down there on a whim, not knowing what to expect,” McCann said. “Now something that started as a family hobby could turn out to be something more.”

McCann’s product, which has never been commercially distributed, was one of 20 chosen for a national broadcast on QVC. The home shopping network is touring the country, choosing 20 products from each state to sell on-air.

About 150 Idaho entrepreneurs were in Boise on March 4 to pitch their products to QVC. The Idaho broadcast will take place on June 28 from an as-yet-unchosen location in Idaho.

Eight of the entrepreneurs selected are from North Idaho. Marble Mountain is a Post Falls company that makes a decorative arch inlaid with dried flowers. Watercolors All in One, also from Post Falls, sells kits for refinishing furniture without stripping it. From Sandpoint, Despina Jewelry’s bear with heart pin and Slateworks natural slate flower vase were selected.

From Hayden Lake, a gourmet smoker wood chip created by New Directions Inc., was chosen. A set of two ergonomic design backsavers from Backsaver Systems, Inc., in Moscow, also was selected. Huckleberry dipped pretzels and almond bark made by Sleeping Bear Ranch in Priest River also made the cut.

This is the second time QVC has crossed the country, looking for products to sell.

“We expect it to be a good launching pad for our business,” said Robert Pedersen, who with his wife Kathy, created the refinishing without stripping kit. “QVC will take us nationwide.”

, DataTimes