Espresso Yo’self

Pumpkins, spice lattes, and apple cider cocktails are back on the menu as we adjust to work attire sans flip-flops. We’re getting back in the swing preparing for the adventures of autumn. Between updating our home decor, travel, and family commitments, things can get frazzled around the edges if we’re not careful. Let’s temper the fall frenzy while we take care of business by keeping artisan inspiration close at hand. Of course, we have ideas…

Your Secret Stash of Summer - Collect your note cards, photographs, and mementos in a luxurious gift box for a bit of inspiration. When your mood needs a boost, the fun memories are close at hand. The visual display makes them easy to enjoy and share the vibes with visitors.

Espresso Yo’self - Level up your beverage cup when your daily agenda warrants a wake-up call. A unique pattern or a special glaze could be just what you need to perk up a meeting.

Post-Its with Panache - Upgrade your post-its to something with a little more panache. With the colorful graphics and variety of these Little Notes (non stick), to-do’s and requests appear with a festive flair instead of presenting as a pesky reminder.

Re-imagine the To-Go Cup - Breathe deep and relax in the rocking chair, catch up on reading on the window seat or take the office on the road. Look for alternatives to the traditional travel cup, like this hand-thrown ceramic mug that sports a cork lid. No spills, whether your goal is to explore or escape. The lid also keeps your morning java from spilling on that important client folder.

Ride the Wave Into September Celebrations

A few more weekends remain to soak up the sun and take a dip by the water's edge. After a season of hosting happy hours by the beach, patio parties under the summer sky, and floating festivities, your party invite is on everyone's wish list. To finish the season strong, we're sharing a few of our favorite casual yet stylish moments to inspire you, with the help of our friends in the Red & Rugged community. (A hat tip to all who shared photos.)

Here's to riding the waves into a new season of celebrations.

• Table for two? Treat yourself to the easy and elegant style of serving boards as you watch the sunset by the water.

• Sip a flute of your favorite sparkling as you lounge lakeside.

• The door is always open to welcome friends.

• An invitation to mingle with guests is in full bloom on this colorful patio.

• Keep the festive mood rolling by mixing treats and textures on the bar cart.

• Whether it’s shaken not stirred or Margaritaville, a happy hour on the deck, amid fresh flowers and lush greens, is music to our ears.

Cottage Charm

When we envision cottage charm, we see alcoves dotted with family gems like carved figurines, engraved keepsakes, and heirloom clocks. We find a photo in an antique picture frame next to a hand-painted treasure. Stepping outside, the gardens and gathering spaces continue the sentiment of delicious details. Reading nooks tucked away in the gardens, porch swings and oversized rocking chairs on the screened-in porch are a few of our favorites. The long days of summer invite us to claim our restful hideaways. Blend the character of old with a hint of new, the antique metals with rich wood, and the vintage with vivid colors to craft your escape.

Create your inspiring enclave:

Follow the pebbled path to an old metal bench and surround yourself with natural color. A new spot for your morning coffee.

Add treasures like a small hand-painted birdhouse to mirror the feeders and fountains in the garden.

Pair a vintage table with a handcrafted serving board to savor the sweets in the summer breeze.

Sneak away on an afternoon break to claim your seat among the wildflowers.

Rolling Residences Add a New Twist to Home Design

Summer vacations are hot on our heels, and modern-day "mobile" homes (#vanlife) are headed toward scenic destinations. As our lifestyles intersect with travel and workations, sports vans and pop-tops are equipped with accessories and custom pieces that add a new twist to artisan home design.

Originally, handcrafted cutting boards began as a kitchen essential for food prep, then evolved into serving boards for home entertainment. Next, what started as a kitchen tool morphed into an option for countertops. The beauty of natural wood gained popularity in kitchen remodels and interior design.

Now, as remote workstations become the norm, vans, RVs, and buses are retrofitted for extended living. That same cutting board concept has taken another turn. This time we're making dual use cutting boards used for meal prep and as custom sink covers, part of custom van conversions. The cutting board continues to have practical use and adds the style of rich wood grain to an already upgraded interior.

Part of the fun of artisan craftsmanship is seeing the different ways a design is used in beautiful and functional forms. The pictures below start in our workshop (left) as the custom cutting board sink cover is made and ends in the “kitchen” of the camper van. Also, a customer’s kitchen countertop, made of individual pieces of rough-cut lumber, is shown on the far right.

This is an example of craftsmanship and creativity leading to three different products (cutting board, kitchen countertop, and van kitchen accessory). There’s a similar look and feel for all, however, each is used in a unique way. We love when our customers take our contemporary artisan pieces and create their own design ideas. You never know where the creative road will take you.

Wildflowers and Wishful Thinking

We’re exploring colorful and curious combinations this month that exude a note of cheer. How can we sip our morning brew with fresh blooms and artful treasures that make us smile? Let’s celebrate the season with bold tulip colors, a dash of creativity, and artisan plates and cups. While friends hurry to buy their springtime delights, you can find new ways to enjoy the festive pieces you have on hand.

Lift your spirits with sprigs of color. Place flowers arranged in an old whiskey bottle on the bar, tie a colorful ribbon around a glass vase full of daisies, or add stems nestled in a champagne flute to your beverage station.

Feature your plates for more than just dining. Show off your hand-painted wares as a focal point for your cocktail cabinet.

Brighten the garden path or the fish pond with a ceramic vase brimming with florals from your garden or local market.

Combine a cheerful cup with a bloom and bunny to create your hoppy place. A cutting board turned on its end makes a beautiful wood backdrop.

Pair wildflowers with the rich wood grain of a handcrafted box. Display your flowers in unique vases and add them to your handmade box. Here, a bit of birch bark wraps natural texture around a mini glass vase. Changing the greens and flowers in your box of treasures invites you to get lost in your favorite field of flowers each time you admire your collection.

How to nurture your indoor garden

Colorful ceramic pots are mixed in an eclectic style soaking up the sun on our window sills. It's a soothing space that radiates energy as we carry on with work and life. We're choosing patterns, textures, and materials that mirror our lush green environment and infuse a sense of calm. Our design and decor preferences are changing as we explore new ways to visually connect with nature.

The trends show that we're creating more genuine spaces around us that display confidence and offer a clear reflection of who we are. Gone are the days of homogenized design. "Biophilic design" or "the love of living things" made the Pinterest Predicts trends report. And "biophilic architecture" landed as the leading search term. 

Green garners the limelight. It's not just our green plants that are popular. The color green owns the spotlight this year, with virtually all of the paint companies selecting some hue of green as their 2022 color. (ECOS paints chose Everlasting Sage, Benjamin Moore picked October Mist, and Sherwin-Williams named Evergreen Fog.)

The arrival of staircase gardens and plant-filled nooks express our individual style while creating space to rejuvenate and replenish our minds. See @hiltoncarter on Instagram for examples.

Fabrics, paint colors, and wallcoverings display playful patterns and bold illustrations of foliage, wildlife, and florals across our kitchens, workspaces, and bathrooms. Velvet has regained popularity for its luxurious feel and rich colors. Visit @thejungalow on Instagram for examples.

The attraction to earthy designs by way of warm wood grain, leather, and rough clay textures highlights our desire for natural finishes. 

Turns out, we're giving new meaning to "living rooms."

Raise your glass to romance

Some years we overlook the days designated for romance. What’s at the heart of this? Let’s be honest; it can feel like work to orchestrate events for a calendar-assigned day. Instead, we love the idea of creating small heartfelt moments to fan the flame all month long. These mini-moments feel easier to accomplish and sprinkle the love around. Sounds like a sweetheart deal, right?

We’re here to help you be “mine” ful of different ways to surprise someone as their not-so-secret admirer:

• A flirtatious flicker - Dim the lights with the glow of candles (amber, sandlewood, bougie) to set the mood.

• Romance in full bloom - Skip the usual bouquet. Share fresh florals in a custom box matched with treats in an artisan cup. Give gifts that last and remind them of you long after the day.

• Sip with your sweetheart - Celebrate the evening with a gorgeous pair of handcrafted wine goblets as unique as your loved one. These keep the love flowing all year long.

• Lavender love - Soak up the sensation of calm and quiet at the end of a beautiful evening with a gift of natural lavender detox soap.

• Date night tasting menu - Create decadent dessert trays or passion fruit plates to spice up the meal. Have fun with the napkins and skewer sticks too. Natural wood holders make a beautiful frame when serving up the details of a romantic evening.

Welcome Gifts: Create an Atmosphere of Anticipation

Scenic trails, cozy blankets, and crackling campfires are what we imagine when we’re dreaming of a weekend getaway. The door swings open, you step inside, exhale, and leave your worries behind. There’s a gorgeous view to enjoy as you embrace the cabin comforts and anticipate the weekend ahead. A beautiful gift box is there waiting for you. It’s an unexpected surprise, an invitation to explore new tastes and treasures. Each element inside the gift box hints at the excitement to come. Isn’t this the way all weekends should begin?

The way we welcome our guests sets the mood for an entire experience, whether it’s the start of a relaxing retreat or a thank-you to lifelong friends in your wedding party. Here are three ideas to inspire your gifts as you welcome friends, family, and guests.

The flair of local flavors - Highlight local artisans from the region with savory treats made by small businesses. It could be the scent of pine, cinnamon spice, or palo santo candles paired with snacks like caramels, chocolates, or pretzels made by a family business. A sample beverage from a nearby brewery, coffee beans, or a sip of spirits (bonus for a catchy name or creative label) is another way to spice up your gifts.

Bring back memories - Include at least one piece that lives beyond the sips and snacks as a joyful reminder of the experience. It could be engraved wood coasters, a festive pin, distinct ceramic cups, or a handwoven towel. Give your gifts in a handcrafted wood gift box to leave a lasting impression.

The karma of kind words - Take the time to include a personal note. Jot a few words on the back of a scenic postcard from the area and include a second one for them to share, leave your message on a beautiful hand-illustrated card, or add heartfelt thanks inside the day’s itinerary. You might be surprised at how many times these notes get pinned to a corkboard at home, used as bookmarks, posted in the office, or shown proudly on a refrigerator. Your words are appreciated, take the time to say something from the heart.

The magic happens when you infuse your personal style throughout the gift experience and create an atmosphere of anticipation for what’s to come.

If you’d like ideas on how to reuse these beautiful gift boxes you can get a copy of our free guide here. These deluxe wood boxes can be found on our Specialty Series page.

There's Nothing Like Watching Their Faces Light Up

We watched her smile, slowly turning the gift box around to admire it from every angle. When it turned to the front and she saw the engraving, she gasped with surprise and delight. There’s nothing like watching their faces light up when you give a memorable gift. We rarely get to see the reaction first-hand when a gift box is opened. It’s usually shipped to destinations far and wide or delivered for a reveal at a later time. We hear about the excitement in texts or phone calls (sometimes both!) from those who send the gifts. In this instance, we were fortunate to be there for the experience - and how fun! Do you get stuck deciding what to give that’s meaningful and unique? Do you wrestle with how to leave a lasting impression? If so, we’ve got some ideas and inspiration to help make your selection easy.

Personalization is what makes a gift unique; it’s the gorgeous wood grain, the artisan elements, and the craftsmanship that makes the gift recipient feel special. In the case of this gift box, the venue is perched high in the Catskill Mountains, surrounded by cabins and firepits and an incredible view. With that setting in mind, we selected long matches for their campfires and ceramic tumblers with an earthy glaze pattern that inspires thoughts of mountain peaks and walking paths. Tucked inside is a mini ceramic air plant pot with an artful design that reflects the distant mountains, and a candle fills the air with a woodsy aroma. Engraving is another way to personalize a gift. Imagine an inspirational quote, a favorite music lyric, or in this example, a logo etched in the wood for a finishing touch. This gift box is made from natural hardwoods (black walnut, and white maple) right down to the beveled handles. The entire design is with the customer in mind. While it may be easy to grab generic, off-the-shelf items, if the recipient doesn’t remember you (and never uses your gift), you’ve missed an opportunity. Or worse, you’ve made the wrong impression. A personalized gift sends the message that they’re important to you.

Is it a gift they’ll love each time they use it? That’s the goal of a memorable gift. Is it a handcrafted beauty, distinct in style? Is it reusable? Does it reflect the texture of natural materials? Consider these ideas, and light up someone’s day with your gifts. We encourage you to take a few moments to determine the impression you’d like to make. Then, we invite you to shop our Gift Box Collection, Specialty Series, and the Marketplace to make your memorable gift selection. It feels amazing to receive a gift like this, and it feels pretty darn good to give one too.

Simple Steps to Sending Your Best Client Gifts

Updated: August 28, 2023

This is the second in a two-part blog series. The first post helps you define your intention and clarify the impression you want to make with your gifts. In this post, we share ideas and examples to help you achieve that impression.

When you decide to give artisan gifts that speak to value and quality, you have several memorable options. Are you celebrating long-term clients? Are you thanking colleagues for a valuable referral? Is your customer buying an exquisite property? Perhaps special guests are staying at your luxurious resort?

Regardless of your industry, here's a sample of different ideas and questions to make gift decisions easy and leave a lasting impression.

Memorable gifts come in various sizes and shapes; they don't have to be a specific size to leave a meaningful impression. For example, a popular piece we created is our custom doorstop. The doorstop idea is unique, and they are beautifully crafted and packaged. It is distinct for clients, and we receive a lot of positive feedback. And, what a great way to literally and figuratively open doors to conversation. Custom wood coasters or small cutting boards for the bar or kitchen are also excellent options.

A creative combination. Another option is a combination of elements. We recommend a group of three pieces that blend different textures. It could be a handcrafted wood coaster paired with a ceramic cup (cocktails), a tall, elegant glass (for celebrations), or a mug (casual conversation around the table), along with a stylish handwoven towel (kitchen or bar).

Passion and personality. A custom gift box is a meaningful way to highlight a client, colleague, or friend’s passions and share a story. A theme could be one of adventure, cooking, whiskey lovers, or simple elegance. Maybe a place or location has particular relevance? Is the mood you want to create about quietly sipping a beverage by the fire or a colorful conversation around the kitchen table? We typically have 4-6 pieces with unique textures inside a box, so there's room to be creative. Plus, you can add a personal note with our custom gift tags that are part of each gift box package.

A Bonus. You may want to go the extra step of engraving to make a gift more personalized. Cutting boards, wood coasters, and artisan gift boxes all have the potential to be engraved. An initial, the last name, date, logo, or a meaningful quote (that's short) can all work. Keep in mind that engraving adds time to the process, so allow space in your timeline.

Artisan is all about the feels. It's the feel of the wood, the beauty of the rich grain pattern, a ceramic cup with its kiln-fired glaze, and the touch of textures in handwoven materials. You're giving pieces of art that elevate work and play and last long after the wine and flowers are gone.