Gift ideas for co-workers, friends or for those who are difficult to buy for

I would have to say that John and I are free thinkers. If it can be thought, it can be created.

This has demonstrated itself to us many times over by repeat buyers asking us to make things that no-one else will look at.


So, in saying that, this is the time of year when bosses, supervisor's and co-workers start to think about what they can give to each other as a decent gift. I know, because I was there. It is difficult to buy for someone you don't really know. Sure, you work with them every day but do you really know them? Well, I have to say that through our experience people love to see their name or initials on items they receive. Pictured are just a few of the items that seem to receive the most accolades from buyers.

Personalized leather book marks - $7.50

For the boss that has everything - wouldn't you gain brownie points giving him/her this all- leather monogrammed magnetic money clip.

Personalized Magnetic Money Clip - $25.00 (major brownie points earned here)

Or..., for your friends/co-workers that will be enjoying their holidays in the sun and/or away from the office.... I do sense a tad of jealousy here... it can't be helped because I wish I were there too :D!!

A Personalized Leather Luggage Tag - $15.00

OR...., for a more practical gift.... for friends and/or co-workers that will be commuting to their family's homes over the holidays, one of our personalized leather key chains.

Personalized Leather Key chain - $10.00

Nothing is better, in our opinion, than a personalized gift. It shows that you had the foresight to think ahead of time to plan for a unique and personal gift.

Thanks for stopping by. Visit our shop for more gift ideas.

Anne & John

Life's good moments - if only for us!

It was one of those days when I was in a bitchy type of mood. I didn't want to ask anyone for help because I knew it wasn't coming too soon.

I started to pick things up and within minutes the rest of the family followed. Amanda, my oldest, cleaned the family room - muttering annoyances about her younger sister under her breathe. John, my HD, cleaned the filing cabinets, did dishes, made lunch and maintained harmony as he always does. Renee my youngest helped her dad for as long as she could and finally disappeared to my bed for rest. (she was after all taken to the ER for a high fever ..., the night before). To my great surprise everyone chipped in without any harsh words or encouragement.

Exhausted from a few days of hysteria, John and I sat on the couch and relaxed a tad. The door bell rang and I answered it.
What appeared to be "Carrot top" and "Clarence Williams III" of mod squad, were at my door donning there best, MIB outfits, stood there smiling at me.

"Hi, I must tell you I was at the hospital last night", and *cough, cough*" With my daughter who coughed up blood. I wouldn't get too close if I were you."

Both "Carrot top" and "Clarence" backed away from my door - gingerly handing me one of their cards with a picture of their huuuuugeee headquarters in Utah.

Carrot top - " I am sorry to hear that. Is there something we can do for you?"

Uumm, I am thinking to myself. Well I am pretty hungry and 123 Chinese food sounds really nice. I bit my tongue. "Thank you but we're good."

Carrot top - "If there are any questions you have for us?"

Uummm, well yes...., I'm thinking. Do you know Donny and Marie?

Although I kid I do appreciate there mission although it is not my belief.
In the minutes to follow, soaked with fatigue and full of levity John, in a rather giddy demeanour states, "This is John" tapping his right foot and then tapping his right, "this is Jack, his evil brother, the tripper".
Funny how exhaustion makes one giddy about nonsensical things. With tears of laughter running down our cheeks I called out to Amanda, our oldest daughter.

Me - "Amanda, didn't you name your feet in grade school?"

Amanda - "It was my shoes. And I named them Eddie and Marvin."(Now we're talking to a girl that just received high honours in her studies.)

John introduced John and Jack to Amanda using his cane.
Don't you find that the more idiotic the topic the funnier sometimes it seems.

This was one of those moments that no matter what someone said the questions, "Do you know Donny and Marie? cropped up in the conversation.

I guess although it was one of those moments where you had to be there. It was one of those moments that were meant to help lift our spirits. I think everyone should have them once in a while - no matter how lame.

May you laugh at least once a day.

Anne ^i^

A very special anniversary gift

About two months ago I had the great pleasure of chatting with a wonderful lady named, Meredith, about a special gift she wanted us to make for her husband for their anniversary. This gift took a great deal of planning from both us and her. She wanted us to create a unique watch band that had a carved exterior and a sentimental inscription on the interior.

Alone the carved exterior or the inscription interior were not a challenge. But combined it drew many obstacles. We had to take the assembly, functionality and doable possibilities into consideration as well as making it look aesthetically pleasing. The swirl design on the exterior has a special meaning, something only the buyer and her husband can identify with. So we had to replicate it as close as possible to the diagram she sent us.

The interior, was to be created just like one of our "For your eyes only" wristbands. However the text needed to be situated so as not to be hidden by the whip stitched edging or the buckle holes she wanted on the finished watch band.

As John and I often do, we sat in the evening and stared at the unfinished article and brainstormed. Will this work..., maybe but no.., this has to change. This went on for some time until we were both satisfied with the outcome. The watch face that the buyer sent us had to be fitted on the band before any holes or dying could take place. John meticulously measured and re-measured it until it was flawless. My task was to fit 62 characters of text onto the interior band keeping in mind the buckle placement and holes for both lacing and buckle.

I must say we did have several sleepless nights thinking about the process.

When all was said and done, we were able to deliver what she wanted.

With the clink of wine glasses together John and I toasted ourselves for another job well done.

We sent the watch to Meredith sometime ago and have not heard from her since. Her anniversary date in coming up soon, John and I would like to extend our best wishes to her and her husband on their anniversary.

This entire watch band was hand cut, hand stamped and carved entirely by John and I. If you would like us to create something similar to this we invite you to visit our shop or contact us.

Pricing available upon request.

If you can think it, it can be made. Our shops at Etsy and Artfire

Anne and John