Daily Grommet
While traveling home from a family reunion in Florida, Jim spotted a very cool feature story in The Sunday New York Times.
This story - Matching Innovators with Shoppers – is about a website started by an awesome couple of women that endorse what they call “nice companies” – ones with well-made products and impeccable service.
We sure hope they will decide to endorse our company!
After all, we really do think we are a nice company. We certainly treat each other well here and we sure like to be nice to our customers! We have been in business for nearly 25 years so we figure we must have been nice to at least a handful of people out there!
We know that we have well-made products. After all, we painstakingly make each one by hand and we stand by them year after year.
Impeccable service? We’ve got that covered! Our customer service team is led by dear Nancy (our Mrs. July) who knows our products inside and out – after nearly 10 years here.
We will keep you posted – but cross your fingers that we will be picked.
lunes, 30 de agosto de 2010
domingo, 29 de agosto de 2010
Personal Gift Assistant
Like any mom who owns her own business, I tend to wear a lot of hats. A friend of mine recently gave me a new hat.
When I’m wearing this hat, I am his Personal Gift Assistant. This friend seems to get invited to a lot of weddings and he likes to get some assistance in picking just the right wedding gift.
Here’s what he does:
He e-mails me a description of the couple (who, of course, I never know).
I look it over – give it some thought – and then…presto! I make a suggestion.
Here is an example of a description he might send me:
-They both love hiking and anything to do with the outdoors.
-They would like to do more cooking but don’t have a lot of experience since neither of them had families who did much home-cooking.
-They have a recently remodeled kitchen with lots of counter space.
My suggestion:
-Dragonfly Measuring Spoons on a Pewter Post - $79
My reasons:
They like the outdoors so it seems like dragonflies would be a great tie-in to that passion.
Cooks – both new and seasoned – need access to good measuring utensils.
They have room on their counter for the measuring spoon storage post. (If they didn’t have much room, I would have suggested our wall-mounted version.)
*NOTE: If his budget was higher – or if she was going in with someone on her gift – I would have suggested the Dragonfly Measuring Cups.
If you’d love to select a gift from our company – but not sure what to choose…just send us an e-mail – and one of us will put on the Personal Gift Assistant hat and help you out!
When I’m wearing this hat, I am his Personal Gift Assistant. This friend seems to get invited to a lot of weddings and he likes to get some assistance in picking just the right wedding gift.
Here’s what he does:
He e-mails me a description of the couple (who, of course, I never know).
I look it over – give it some thought – and then…presto! I make a suggestion.
Here is an example of a description he might send me:
-They both love hiking and anything to do with the outdoors.
-They would like to do more cooking but don’t have a lot of experience since neither of them had families who did much home-cooking.
-They have a recently remodeled kitchen with lots of counter space.
My suggestion:
-Dragonfly Measuring Spoons on a Pewter Post - $79
My reasons:
They like the outdoors so it seems like dragonflies would be a great tie-in to that passion.
Cooks – both new and seasoned – need access to good measuring utensils.
They have room on their counter for the measuring spoon storage post. (If they didn’t have much room, I would have suggested our wall-mounted version.)
*NOTE: If his budget was higher – or if she was going in with someone on her gift – I would have suggested the Dragonfly Measuring Cups.
If you’d love to select a gift from our company – but not sure what to choose…just send us an e-mail – and one of us will put on the Personal Gift Assistant hat and help you out!
martes, 24 de agosto de 2010
Empty Nest Knocking at my Door!
Let me admit it right now. Our future empty nest is now less than 12 months away and I am really getting worried!
For the past 29 years we have been getting kids up for school, making Valentine’s Day cards, dying Easter eggs, and checking over homework. Our 4 kids have been the ones that have pulled me away from work when I have been in the design studio for too many hours. They have been the ones that made me rush to pack up the booth after a show and jump the first flight home.
Our baby girl is starting her senior year of high school. I’m already wondering who is going to keep my life in balance when she leaves. For many people this is not a problem. They put in 8 hours of work and they head home. But for the self-employed, there are no such defined boundaries. My kids have been my boundaries.
I guess I have a year to plan ahead. Until then, it’s full-steam ahead on balancing the needs of our new line of Christmas ornaments with the joys of hanging out with my senior daughter and our exchange student.
For the past 29 years we have been getting kids up for school, making Valentine’s Day cards, dying Easter eggs, and checking over homework. Our 4 kids have been the ones that have pulled me away from work when I have been in the design studio for too many hours. They have been the ones that made me rush to pack up the booth after a show and jump the first flight home.
Our baby girl is starting her senior year of high school. I’m already wondering who is going to keep my life in balance when she leaves. For many people this is not a problem. They put in 8 hours of work and they head home. But for the self-employed, there are no such defined boundaries. My kids have been my boundaries.
I guess I have a year to plan ahead. Until then, it’s full-steam ahead on balancing the needs of our new line of Christmas ornaments with the joys of hanging out with my senior daughter and our exchange student.
domingo, 22 de agosto de 2010
Something Different
Earlier this month I was in Florida for a family gathering. Jim went off with his brothers to golf, leaving me some time on my own. I headed over to the Jacksonville Town Centre – which is one of the most enormous retail shopping areas I have EVER encountered. I thought I would look for something fun and different to bring back to our 17 year old and to my neighbor – who is a bit younger than me but is creeping up on another birthday.
Without being a Debbie-downer I have to admit I was sorely disappointed. Every single store was one that I could shop at back home. It used to be really fun to travel and discover independent little shops carrying local products that you couldn’t get in your hometown.
I had to turn this negative experience into a positive one. I got a cold drink and sat down and thought. Here is what I took away from my attempted shopping experience: I realized that I was just all the more proud to be the owner of an American company that still produces products that can’t be found in every chain store. In fact, we don’t even sell to any chain stores!
When you get frustrated with seeing the same things everywhere, remember that there are still companies like ours. We go to work everyday to design and produce beautiful things that will enhance your everyday life - and will last more than a lifetime.
Our tagline: the joy of timeless goods
Without being a Debbie-downer I have to admit I was sorely disappointed. Every single store was one that I could shop at back home. It used to be really fun to travel and discover independent little shops carrying local products that you couldn’t get in your hometown.
I had to turn this negative experience into a positive one. I got a cold drink and sat down and thought. Here is what I took away from my attempted shopping experience: I realized that I was just all the more proud to be the owner of an American company that still produces products that can’t be found in every chain store. In fact, we don’t even sell to any chain stores!
When you get frustrated with seeing the same things everywhere, remember that there are still companies like ours. We go to work everyday to design and produce beautiful things that will enhance your everyday life - and will last more than a lifetime.
Our tagline: the joy of timeless goods
jueves, 19 de agosto de 2010
August is flying by!
How can it possibly be August? Why does summer always fly by so fast?
I always seem to be one month behind.
Quick! Quick! I must talk about Miss July - actually that would be Mrs. July!
We are all about celebrating around here and one of our favorite things to celebrate is actually not a thing at all - but a person! Last month we celebrated Nancy - our own Mrs. July.
Nancy is closing in on 10 years here. The only people who have spent more time with me - than Mrs. July - are my parents, my siblings, my spouse, and my children. That's it!
Nancy is not related in anyway and yet, somehow, she has managed to work alongside me for nearly 10 years. That, in itself, is something to celebrate.
Nancy came to me as a community college student sporting a tiny little skirt (about which I still tease her) and a big ol' grin. She had just moved here from Arizona and was ready to become an Oregonian.
I guess she figured the best way to do that would be to work for an Oregon company. I fell for her immediately.
And now, here she is my Operations Manager!
Around here, Nancy is known as "She who knows it all!". She remembers everything and everybody. You can ask her about anything we have made in the past 10 or so - years and she will most likely be able to tell you:
-what the heck it is and what it's used for
-how much you paid for it
-when we stopped making it - if it's been discontinued
-on and on and on
She's super smart. She's funny. She's caring.
She has been listening to NPR and Fresh Air for so many years that she can talk about pretty much anything or everything.
She is a devoted wife and adoring mother AND, best of all, she is also an expectant mother!
We can't wait to meet the future little Nancy (or Violet or Eleanor or whatever other name she and Matt pick).
She is the daughter, the sister, the wife, the mother, the employee you are all looking for.
I'm sorry but she is taken! We sure are lucky.
Give her a call when you want to know more about our products. She will proudly tell you all about them! Thanks, Nancy, for being you!
I always seem to be one month behind.
Quick! Quick! I must talk about Miss July - actually that would be Mrs. July!
We are all about celebrating around here and one of our favorite things to celebrate is actually not a thing at all - but a person! Last month we celebrated Nancy - our own Mrs. July.
Nancy is closing in on 10 years here. The only people who have spent more time with me - than Mrs. July - are my parents, my siblings, my spouse, and my children. That's it!
Nancy is not related in anyway and yet, somehow, she has managed to work alongside me for nearly 10 years. That, in itself, is something to celebrate.
Nancy came to me as a community college student sporting a tiny little skirt (about which I still tease her) and a big ol' grin. She had just moved here from Arizona and was ready to become an Oregonian.
I guess she figured the best way to do that would be to work for an Oregon company. I fell for her immediately.
And now, here she is my Operations Manager!
Around here, Nancy is known as "She who knows it all!". She remembers everything and everybody. You can ask her about anything we have made in the past 10 or so - years and she will most likely be able to tell you:
-what the heck it is and what it's used for
-how much you paid for it
-when we stopped making it - if it's been discontinued
-on and on and on
She's super smart. She's funny. She's caring.
She has been listening to NPR and Fresh Air for so many years that she can talk about pretty much anything or everything.
She is a devoted wife and adoring mother AND, best of all, she is also an expectant mother!
We can't wait to meet the future little Nancy (or Violet or Eleanor or whatever other name she and Matt pick).
She is the daughter, the sister, the wife, the mother, the employee you are all looking for.
I'm sorry but she is taken! We sure are lucky.
Give her a call when you want to know more about our products. She will proudly tell you all about them! Thanks, Nancy, for being you!
jueves, 12 de agosto de 2010
Christmas in August!
We are clearing out our shelves to make room for new Christmas Products!
This is your chance to get some great deals on many items in our current Christmas line:
See our sets here!
You can see the pieces Oliver is holding here!
All of our Ornaments can be seen here!
These specials are good through the end of August.
*Remember that we always offer free shipping on orders of $50 or more.
Look for our new Christmas products in early October!
This is your chance to get some great deals on many items in our current Christmas line:
See our sets here!
You can see the pieces Oliver is holding here!
All of our Ornaments can be seen here!
These specials are good through the end of August.
*Remember that we always offer free shipping on orders of $50 or more.
Look for our new Christmas products in early October!
domingo, 8 de agosto de 2010
Blackberry Season in Oregon
The Blackberry is our State Flower. I don’t think too many of us Oregonians care about the flower but we get pretty excited about the berries!
Blackberries grow all over Oregon. In fact, they’re actually a bit of a weed. They grow where you want them but they also grow where you don’t want them – and they are virtually impossible to get rid of. They thrive on both sides of alleys, they scramble over tool sheds, they crawl through your vegetable garden.
The solution? Just keep picking the berries and be happy!
Last night I made Chicken with Oregon Blackberries.
It was loosely based on a Moroccan recipe. Who knew they had blackberries in Morocco?! – considering it would be hard to find a climate more different than ours.
Chicken with Oregon Blackberries
½ cup dry white wine (measured with your Crosby & Taylor Pewter Measuring Cups – of course!)
1 T. olive oil
4 lbs. bone-in chicken pieces (breasts and/or thighs)
3 T. combination of fresh thyme, rosemary, & basil
(or ½ tsp. of each, dried)
2 tsp. sweet Hungarian paprika
salt & pepper to taste
½ cup chicken stock
2 T. light brown sugar
2 T. mashed blackberries
2 garlic cloves – smashed and minced
2 T. white vinegar
1 tsp. olive oil
½ cup whole blackberries for garnish
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Pour ¼ cup wine into a large glass or porcelain baking dish.
-Rub chicken pieces with olive oil and arrange in the dish, skin side up.
-Sprinkle liberally with herbs and paprika. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
-Bake for 35 minutes, adding the ¼ cup wine and then the chicken stock to the pan as the juices evaporate.
-Occasionally baste chicken.
-While chicken is baking, combine brown sugar with mashed berries, garlic, vinegar, and remaining ½ tsp. paprika.
-Spoon this mixture over the chicken and continue cooking for 10 minutes, basting occasionally until the juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a fork.
-Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and keep warm.
-Pour the cooking juices into a saucepan and boil over moderate heat until reduced to half (about 2 minutes).
-Season with salt and pepper and spoon over the chicken.
-Garnish with whole blackberries and enjoy.
Blackberries grow all over Oregon. In fact, they’re actually a bit of a weed. They grow where you want them but they also grow where you don’t want them – and they are virtually impossible to get rid of. They thrive on both sides of alleys, they scramble over tool sheds, they crawl through your vegetable garden.
The solution? Just keep picking the berries and be happy!
Last night I made Chicken with Oregon Blackberries.
It was loosely based on a Moroccan recipe. Who knew they had blackberries in Morocco?! – considering it would be hard to find a climate more different than ours.
Chicken with Oregon Blackberries
½ cup dry white wine (measured with your Crosby & Taylor Pewter Measuring Cups – of course!)
1 T. olive oil
4 lbs. bone-in chicken pieces (breasts and/or thighs)
3 T. combination of fresh thyme, rosemary, & basil
(or ½ tsp. of each, dried)
2 tsp. sweet Hungarian paprika
salt & pepper to taste
½ cup chicken stock
2 T. light brown sugar
2 T. mashed blackberries
2 garlic cloves – smashed and minced
2 T. white vinegar
1 tsp. olive oil
½ cup whole blackberries for garnish
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Pour ¼ cup wine into a large glass or porcelain baking dish.
-Rub chicken pieces with olive oil and arrange in the dish, skin side up.
-Sprinkle liberally with herbs and paprika. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
-Bake for 35 minutes, adding the ¼ cup wine and then the chicken stock to the pan as the juices evaporate.
-Occasionally baste chicken.
-While chicken is baking, combine brown sugar with mashed berries, garlic, vinegar, and remaining ½ tsp. paprika.
-Spoon this mixture over the chicken and continue cooking for 10 minutes, basting occasionally until the juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a fork.
-Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and keep warm.
-Pour the cooking juices into a saucepan and boil over moderate heat until reduced to half (about 2 minutes).
-Season with salt and pepper and spoon over the chicken.
-Garnish with whole blackberries and enjoy.
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