Alex's Crosses

My son Alex, my best repeat customer!

Every year he has me make several crosses for him to give as gifts. He designs them, draws up a sketch and has me create and fine tune the piece.

Not this year.

Oh, he designed and drew up sketches. But, he wanted to be the one making. So, he asked if I would teach him how to weave, and I did gladly!

So here's my proud Mama moment, My Son Made These!
I hammered out the frames for him and he did the weaving, and wrapping.


Brass with a bead filled base - I helped a little more with this one, he wanted to learn wire weaving not bead weaving lol


He wasn't content to just weave the cross for this one he also wrapped chain around the halo and wrapped beads to the chain, paying special attention to the sizes of the beads to create a pattern for a scalloped edge. I almost forgot to add, he even LOS'd it!!


This one is my personal fav. Again, I did the bead work for him - I love that detail!


This one started out a very simple cross with a couple beads in her favorite color. By the time he had finished with the others he started to feel a little badly that they were ornate and this one wasn't. Back to the design table, he dressed it up a little bit, adding swags of chain. The beads free sliding on the chain are mood beads. All week they were a pretty bluish green, I set the cross on the anvil while I snapped some quick pics and this is what I got lol Please don't hold the color change against him :)

Thanks for stopping by, taking a peek at our hand crafted Christmas goodness, and sharing in my proud Mama moment!
See you next time!
Dana

we interrupt our handmade Christmas for a note on customer service...

Those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile may remember my Dear Alan post on the umm virtues of customer service.

Today I find myself in the same position, but this time with Fire Mountain Gems. Can we say an entirely different experience?!

Check this out....
Dear Dana,
Thank you for your email. We sincerely apologize the package we sent you was shipped via USPS to your physical address which may cause the package to be returned as "No Mail Receptacle". We have initiated a correction order for a replacement package to be sent. Your order confirmation number is xxxxx (cause you don't need to know that lol). We have also noted your account that in the future all Best Way Select orders need to be shipped via FedEx Ground if shipping to your physical address.

This package will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail with a signature required, courtesy of Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. You will receive an automated email containing shipping and tracking information when the package is picked up. This shipping method generally arrives within 3 – 5 days; however it can take up to 14 days from the date of shipment.

The order invoice you receive will state 'Amount Billed'. This notation is needed for our internal accounting purposes. Please be assured that you have not been charged a second time for these items.

We look forward to serving you in the future. If you should have any further questions or comments, please feel free to reply to this email. You may also contact us via Live Chat by clicking the button below or contact one of our friendly Customer Service Representatives at 1-800-423-2319 during regular business hours.

Best Regards,

Tamara
e-Service Contact Center
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Not only did they get MY name right, but THEY initiated the correction and took steps to prevent it from happening a second time. I NEED to put them on my Christmas card list :) at least Tamara. And Wal Mart could take a page from their book on customer service, because that's how you do it! Kudos to Tamara and Fire Mountain Gems!

Til next time!
Dana

Countdown to Christmas

It's official! The countdown to Christmas has begun! Paige's final for 3D design is in it's final stages of creation which took us to the Dollar Tree for a few filler items she needed. It's going to be so pretty! She's had it hanging in her room as she's worked on it and all I can think is - that really needs to hang in front of the fireplace! :)

As I was saying we went shopping and I found some cute items for my great nephews and niece. It kind of changes the direction I was going but I really like the whole idea. Look for that post next week!

This weeks post is a pin I just stumbled onto while carousing Pinterest. Food stuffs are always an appreciated gift, after all "nothin says lovin like goodies from the oven" but these days that oven can be of the microwave variety.

Source: blog.gopromos.com via Dana on Pinterest

Love the marketing idea for this as well - did you notice? The pin is for a printer who can customize your mug to say whatever you like! Clever!

If you want that brownie in a mug to be 100% hand made (you know me and hand made!) my friend Christine of BackBay Pottery has some ....

Source: etsy.com via Dana on Pinterest

Or Nancy and Mike's mugs over at HillTop Pottery....

Source: etsy.com via Dana on Pinterest

As does Diana of Crop Circle Clay....

Source: etsy.com via Dana on Pinterest

Or maybe you prefer a Vintage flair....
My friend Jean of Jean's Vintage Kitchen has this great set you may be interested in. Can't you just see the fudge sauce being poured over the brownies from that awesome pitcher? Yum!

Source: etsy.com via Dana on Pinterest

Or maybe CKs Vintage mugs appeal to you.....

Source: etsy.com via Dana on Pinterest

There are many wonderful potters and vintage sellers on Etsy all of whom would love to help you create that tasty little treat for your friends and family.
I could easily list off a dozen or so of my favs and I hope to be able to show off all their goodies to you at some point as they are all deserving of a spot light.
Til then, thanks for stopping by and we'll see you next time!
Dana