How to Set Yourself Apart with Artisan Gifts

Giving an artisan gift says something special about both the occasion and the people involved. These gifts are thoughtful and make a statement. Since each artisan piece is hand-crafted, the time and attention-to-detail needed to create the gift adds value and is part of what makes each one unique.

There’s an amazing variety of styles, colors, sizes and textures available with artisan work. Engraving can also add a beautiful touch for weddings, employee or executive milestone events, and engagements. And giving a gift of quality, beauty and true craftsmanship doesn’t have to be complicated. First consider, are you looking for formal, contemporary, elegant, or natural? Here are a few examples of artisan pieces we’ve included in our gift boxes for different occasions:

- A hand-forged corkscrew paired with black ceramic wine goblets for a wedding celebration in Napa Valley.

- Two ceramic shot glasses combined with a custom-made slicing knife (with limes added!), and hand-crafted cutting board, for a client’s new bar.

- A hand-crafted cheese cutter, and custom cutting board, complete with Chesapeake caramels, for the bride and groom who love the Bay and cooking together. This one also included a porcelain ring dish in the colors of the wedding.

Now consider the time needed to create a ceramic piece. While your gift may be important to you, an artist isn’t going to kiln fire only a few items. Their business requires batch work, which could be tens of pieces or hundreds, depending on the size of the kiln. Hand-crafted leather, forged metal and custom wood designs should get the same consideration. Yes, artists will be ramp-up for big event seasons, but these are hand-crafted items, so “stock” means different things to different artists.

As stylists and makers, we find and create beautiful gift combinations because we’ve taken the time to identify and work together with the artists. Most artists create multiple lines of work, which means we also have an array of options. However, in order to take advantage of these options, you’ll need to plan ahead:

- Which clients or guests should receive a premium gift?

- What is your budget for the gifts?

- Is there a theme or geographic location that’s meaningful to the recipient?

- Is there a vibe the gift should evoke?

- Is there a color theme connected to this event?

- When do you want clients to receive the gift?

The bottom line is, if you want to make a big impression with a client, then don’t leave their gift up to chance. It’s best to work a minimum of 90+ days ahead of the event delivery date – the bigger the season the more the lead time. Get the conversation going with your gift stylist early.

Planning ahead can pay off big dividends with clients and guests by providing an opportunity to set yourself apart, while your competition rushes to make magic out of the mundane items left on store shelves.

Simple Ways to Enhance Your Gift Box Photos

Pop of Color

A touch of color in accent pieces can go a long way to highlight the elements of your gift box. These extra items don’t have to be expensive, but they do need to attract the eye. They can also add a festive element to the artisan pieces they complement. Red berries or colorful tea towels, are two examples. I don’t pass up a chance to pick up accent pieces when I spot options out on the road. Even if the items are out of season, pick up a few and keep them stashed for the future. It never fails that some gift boxes need a dash of bright to complete the look.  

Dimension

Adding fullness, or dimension, can enhance the gift box items, especially if you have a few flat surfaces together. Pine cones or air plants for example, can attract the eye and make the flat surface more interesting in the photo. Even if the item is beautiful, if it’s a flat surface, you may lose the full effect without something to enhance its features.  

Zoom Zoom

We’ve had some fun, unique pieces in our gift boxes - like a pewter spinning top - that make for a cool close-up shot for social media or on the web. Photograph the unique pieces individually, outside the gift box, to add interesting diversity in your pictures.

Make sure the accent items you select match your company's personality – fun, elegant, festive, adventurous? If it’s really “you” then it will work.

Read more tips on how to make the most of your photo shoot. Or, see how we've integrated color and design accents into our gift boxes. 

Office Renovation: Lessons in the Purge & Pack

It’s late in the day and we’re staring at our huge filing cabinet and bookshelf (read: heavy), trying to figure out how to move them out of the office. Since this involves a flight of stairs, it’s not a trivial task. My husband is looking at me, but I can’t carry those huge things down steps! We’re now into week five of the renovation, which has gone slightly past the targeted one week I had planned.

I’ve discovered that renovation is like a giant puzzle. It’s tricky and everything has to keep moving in sync for all the pieces to fit into a pretty picture - on time. I love the managed chaos of coordinating pieces for gift boxes, but not so much for my own office revamp.

To be fair, my husband got all his assigned tasks done on time; ripping out carpet, replacing the flooring and painting the room. Check! The challenge was really mine in not having all the furniture ordered a month ahead of time. (Where we would have put all those huge boxes, I don’t know, but that’s not the point.) Maybe some of you can relate on the patience this requires? Searching, reading reviews, dimensions and specs, delivery date changes… Lots of painful administrative details.  

This process reminds me of that little traffic toy where you have to move the cars around to get your piece through the traffic jam. You need to be thinking three steps ahead on shredding, purging, packing. Yuk. Who likes to do this stuff?! We need to pitch stuff from the storage room, to then make room for containers to move from the office to storage. Hmm, that means buying storage containers, doesn’t it? Next, deciding what to discard, what to shred, and then what you don’t need immediate access to because it’s now out of the office. The list is long.

In the midst of all this, the business still runs. Products need to ship…by the way, has anyone seen the shipping tape, and where the heck did we move the bubble wrap? Oh vey. This is the not-so-glamorous stuff, between family vacations, new client appointments, and traveling to meet artists. In the end, I had to suck it up and do it. Period.

If you’re still wondering about the bookshelf and filing cabinet I mentioned, two nice gentlemen arrived with a piece of new furniture, and we gave them cash to move the old stuff for us. We saved our backs and they had weekend cash! Yay!

The office is now 95% done. (It WILL be done by August 31st!) We’re waiting on one last furniture piece to arrive (the original piece was delayed until Sept so I had to nix it and start looking again). It’s already so much more clean, crisp and bright in here, and I do believe one cannot call forth creativity and new ideas, if you’re surrounded by clutter. If that's the case for you, as you read this, I feel your pain, but stop procrastinating and let the purging and packing begin!  (If you're not sure, here's my earlier blog on how this got started.) 

Let's Get a Grip on This!

Customers ask us a lot about the different hardware options on our gift boxes, what to choose, what styles work best? First, there’s no “right” answer, go with what lights you up. If you’re not sure, then we can serve up a few things to consider here.

Selecting unique hardware for the gift boxes is the finishing touch, it helps set the overall vibe of the gift. It’s subtle, yet it adds style and is one more way to easily personalize the gift. And, it offers up more ways to use the box (see Clink Outside the Box for ideas) when the artisan pieces are removed and put to good use! 

Here are a few ways to think about it when you’re considering the hardware accessory:

For those who enjoy a bolder statement and a bigger impression, we use the rounded brushed nickel. With a bit more bulk to the handle, it makes a solid addition, especially on the black stain gift boxes.

If whimsical or more playful is the personality you want to give the box, we love the rounded twirl hardware. It adds a lighter, more carefree attitude to the gift.

When sleek, yet tasteful, is the name of the game, the pewter squares or long slender pewter hardware work well. The carved lines add interest to the piece, without being quite as bold as the rounded.

The long slender nickel, with etched lines is simple yet quite stylish. And, like its bolder rounded brushed nickel cousin, it looks great on the black stained boxes.

We offer all the options above on our gift boxes, and customers can indicate a different hardware piece than what they see on a box at Checkout (except the leather,  when available, is custom order). Simply indicate what you prefer in the “What Else Should We Know” area at Checkout. Otherwise, you can go with what we’ve selected for our hand-crafted beauties as shown in the photos.    

It All Began in Paris...

Looking around our office, it’s clear we are in a major state of upheaval as we dismantle furniture and pack up memorable bits and pieces in prep for our office makeover. Ironically, it occurs to me that the same thing is happening in our professional lives.

In addition to the complete makeover of our office, the other big change underway is that I’m transitioning from my full-time day job, into a part-time role, in order to focus more time on Red & Rugged.  This was a year in the making and it’s halfway to our ultimate goal.

We’ve both been thinking a lot about where we are in our careers and the next season of lives, especially since our kids are grown and gone, and we are both (thankfully) healthy. As I share in the About Us page, the call of the entrepreneur has been a steady beat in the background of my noisy life and my husband has been a craftsman since the day I met him. Even so, this change hasn’t happened without thought and careful planning.

The tipping point came last spring, on our first vacation abroad together – ever! We stayed 10 glorious days Paris last May and it was a magical, life-changing event. Time had suddenly become more valuable, as had flexibility and the freedom to do something different. We were both missing the creative element in our lives. We began talking about what we loved to do, where we enjoyed spending time, this business, our future, and what we wanted the next years to look like. Did we want to clock in and out for the next ten years? No can do. Immediately, I started talking about next steps and asking about options at work. (We were already in the midst of change at work, and thankfully leadership supports entrepreneurs in their midst.)

Someone asked me the other week if this was scary? Um, yes! Not gonna lie. However, to quote other successful entrepreneurs, “What got you here, won’t get you there.” A steady diet of the same thing isn’t going to elevate our business, accelerate growth, or spark the energy and creativity we need. And the “same old” isn’t going to attract the life we envisioned while day dreaming in Luxembourg Gardens. That comes from within and requires courage. So here we are.

In another week, when we open the new world headquarters of Red & Rugged (okay, our office), it’s all because my “rugged” half and I embraced the calling we felt on the streets of Paris and took the bold steps to move forward. We encourage you to do the same in your world. Open some new doors, close a few old ones, let’s see where we go!   

Marketing: The Magic & Mayhem of Year One

As we round the bend to close out our first year, we’re reflecting on the marketing decision points we’ve had along the way. As expected, some things have gone well, some not-so-much, and a few we’ll just have to wait and see. 

Investing in our website (web lessons here) and a professional photographer (photo lessons here) are two of the best decisions we’ve made.  As an online product company, the web is the first place people come to check things out, and it better look good!

Learning the timeline for advanced planning with a photographer, a full season ahead, took us some time. You need the best marketing photos at the right moment! Initially, we felt like we were always realizing it a season behind (An image of a gerbil wheel comes to my mind.). We had the gift box content, but the photos, and therefore web postings, were not in sync. Planning ahead is a real thing with an online product business. That can’t be emphasized enough. My gut says there’s more for us to fine tune on this front. 

Carrying sample hand-crafted, wood boxes into appointments can be a bit daunting, which means we needed the added marketing tool of sleek over-sized postcards. Approximately eight months in, we finally got them ordered through MOO. In some ways, this was the right time. It gave us time to learn what worked best in the gift boxes, and which boxes to feature. One could argue we should have bit-the-bullet and run with what we had sooner. Either way, we’ll be adding more glossy pieces soon, as the visual aspect is so important in our business. 

In addition to the postcards, we also have stickers that are applied during the wrapping of each gift box. And if you haven’t noticed on the gift boxes themselves, each box has our logo – either fire branded or laser cut - on one side. We keep our logo in front of customers in what we hope are subtle yet fun ways. 

While it’s a nice gesture to participate in Silent Auctions, one needs to understand the audience and come to terms with it being a true donation, not marketing. If the organizations’ clients don’t have an appreciation for artisan, hand-crafted items, odds are good they won’t see the real value in our work. Know thy audience! 

In terms of digital marketing, we are still processing all the options and challenges of the social platforms. We’ve taken to heart some of the best virtual, digital advisers (I.e. James Wedmore, Jenna Kutcher, Amy Porterfield) and engaged on the platforms (Instagram: @red.rugged or pinterest: redandrugged) where we feel most comfortable, and frankly can keep up (mostly…) consistently. Another work-in-progress. 

I’ll just say, it ain’t easy, and this is only one piece of the bigger puzzle of running a business. It’s all a reminder that starting a small business is hard, and time consuming. You better love it and have a real passion for the journey! That’s what makes it all worthwhile.
 

Goodbye to the Troll and Squatter Space!

There are days when the glamour of crafting beautiful gift boxes fades into the background and I feel more like a troll working under a bridge. These are the times when I’m typing away, surrounded by boxes piled high with packing peanuts, tape, and layers of bubble wrap stacked everywhere. If you're cranking out quality work in your own less-than-glamorous space, fear not, you're not alone. Like me, you may reach a point where the troll's time is up and a redesign is in order. 

I joke with my husband that somehow his workshop rivals the Taj Mahal and my office feels more like a squatter place. How did that happen? It seems crafting gift boxes out of a slab of wood takes only the best of tools…followed by good lighting, then jigs, a humidifier, more tools, then…. (read the earlier workshop transition blog). My content work takes a laptop and iPhone mostly, which doesn’t require fancy space to be functional, I must admit, although I did just have to upgrade my iPhone, if that counts?

On the shelves around me, where picture frames and my favorite books were once visible, now rests hardware accessories and ceramics for me to admire and “think about.” Yes, one has to think about ceramics. I like to look at new pieces and mull over the possibilities. Rows of inventory line the shelves too. We had to add another table so I could spread out the gift box line and consider those possibilities. (Some people think gardening is therapeutic, I like fussing with gift boxes and ceramic pieces.)
 
In my need to clear out space and evict clutter from my life recently, my plants took the hit.  I used to have a four-stalk corn plant in front of my office window, until I whacked it down to two stalks for more space and light. It does look better, albeit much smaller.  

Even the revered Garth Brooks’ shelf now shares the stage! My cherished 8 x 10 close-up concert photo, with his arms spread above as he’s rising from the stage (in the Garthzilla 90’s) now looks like he’s open armed and embracing several new artist ceramic pieces! (I can hear him singing, “Standing Outside the Fire?!...life is not tried, it is merely survived, if you’re standing outside the fire!”) I like to think Garth would approve of this entrepreneurial effort and the cool selection in front of him.  

I hear experts call this the “messy” stuff. Heck, I call it the messy stuff! But alas, enough is enough. We’ll start the transition from squatter office to professional space here soon. As we close out our first year, the time has arrived for an upgrade; carpet out, hardwood in, fresh paint, and some over sized rough cut lumber for shelving. Stay tuned, pics and such coming here and in the newsletter (follow us on Instagram to watch the progress more closely @red.rugged.). 
 

even Garth brooks now shares the stage with new ceramic pieces

When Small Details Make a Big Impression

Creating a special gift box doesn't have to be complicated, however, it does need to be thoughtful. It's all about attention to detail, and taking advantage of the opportunity to weave in a story. Are the gifts for those who love to cook? Is the event at a vineyard? Do they love a special activity or place (mountains, lake, beach, city)? Is it to promote a favorite beverage or new bar opening (spoiler alert: alcohol not included)? Are the gifts to celebrate a new home? 

The ceramic styles, colors, gift tag design, artisan additions and finishing touches can all paint a picture and set the right mood for a gift box. Simple things like using leather ties instead of ribbon, unique wrapping paper, or changing the hardware to whimsical vs. sturdy. These are the details that go a long way in creating a special moment for each gift box unveiling....  

Now Boarding...How Cutting Boards Serve Up a First-Class Gift

Updated April 6, 2022

If you’re tired, dare we say “bored,” of traditional gifts, welcome a new friend to the neighborhood with a new look, and make it a block party! A chopping block kind of occasion.

The standard cutting board has a fresh, new gifting style, thanks to the finishes, wood, and tools now available. Even color combinations can vary depending on the wood, adding a deep, rich appearance that highlights the artisan appeal. Red oak, mahogany, and maple are a few of the woods we use but take your pick. 

If you want to add a personal touch, pair your cutting board with a unique accessory that matches a specific style or passion. 

If cooking is a favorite pastime, a veggie chopper (or cheese cutter), matched with a cutting board is a thoughtful option for crunch time decisions. 

For folks who love the taste of limes, we pair our handcrafted boards with an iron-forged slicing knife to keep it dicey. (Given our #ruggedstyle we like to use a strip of leather to tie pieces together.)

Small is mighty, despite what some may say. Having a compact cutting board handy for quick jobs like slicing lemons, onions or cherry tomatoes is perfect. It’s still big enough to be useful, yet small enough to tuck away. Custom edging can make a big difference too, creating a sleeker look.

In terms of maintenance, a splash of Howard Cutting Board Oil will do the trick every three to four months to keep it looking spectacular. Beautiful and easy! (Any of the cutting boards shown above can be added to our gift boxes using the Custom page form.) 

The good news is that custom tools and wood options have elevated the old idea of a cutting board. There’s no need to be a chip off the old block anymore.

My Brain is Full! And Other Issues to Consider When Launching Your Website

I’m no stranger to adding content to the back end of a website, and I consider myself fairly technically astute in this effort. When I launched my first start up years ago, the outsourced web team I hired handed over content management to me on Dreamweaver. At that time, my only connection to Dreamweaver was a song from the 70’s! I had no idea what I was getting into (sometimes it’s better not to know.)  Now, with all the new widgets and plug-ins, I was more optimistic about launching our site in this new age where content and design were said to be so much easier. 

Before I share our pain points, I will say that the best decision we’ve made was to invest time and money into our website. It has paid off in spades, especially since we’re an online business, no physical store front. The first place our customers and artists look is here, on our site, to see how “real” we are. And the results have been solid!

If you’re struggling with decisions around a new business website, here are four points to consider:

First, the question you have to ask yourself, even if you can figure out the technical piece, is how long will it take you and where else should you be applying your true talents – assuming you’re not a coder? For us, I choose to contact a former colleague and have him lead the effort to integrate the technical elements, such as Stripe and Mailchimp, with our website platform, Squarespace. I only have so much patience for the technical details, and then I’m done. Although I was actively involved, he researched and helped implement all of the technical elements – from financial processes to product pages. This allowed us internally to work on gift box designs, identify artists, plan content, marketing outreach. Remember, once the site is up, you have to be consistently adding content, this is just the beginning. When this stage was completed, the content management was handed back over to me to fully manage.

Next, let me just say that the idea of “plug-ins” is quite the misnomer. Don’t buy into that myth if web content isn’t a world you’ve lived in before. For example, Mailchimp is more complicated than it might first appear. It always seemed like the marketing pop-ups that started on Squarespace administrative pages, somehow mysteriously ended up over in Mailchimp for editing. It was a game of hide-and-go-seek for a while. And newsletters are a whole other topic. 

As user friendly as Squarespace is, product pages have several parts to them in terms of details, pricing, forms. Figuring out the content for each takes thoughtful persistence (the nicest way I can say it). I lost track of the number of calls I had with our very patient tech guy, when I blurted out, “my brain is full!” I just couldn’t absorb anymore information that evening. Knowing your limits is important. And because we had allowed enough planning time, I really did hang up the phone and try again another day.

It is true that the financial processes, including customer orders and transferring funds, is much easier and less expensive than the old days of renting machines and uploading daily sales (am I dating myself here?). That said, you still need to understand how invoicing, third party apps like PayPal, Square, and an online payment system (Stripe, for us) all connect into your bank account. It’s not rocket science; however, it takes time to figure it out.

You see the trend I hope, that "time" is mentioned in multiple places here. My best advice is to allow at least a month of consistent planning around how the site will work: What are the main navigation headers? Where do they link? What’s the flow of the site? What content will be where? Then allow 3+ months to roll up your sleeves, get the pages up and running, content added and tested, (prior to going live) - and then another month to find and fix bugs, post launch. Yes, this is in addition to all the other tasks on your plate. (I talk about other pre-launch challenges here. And specifically about prep for photo shoots here.) Persist, friend, and give your website priority attention! In the end, it will be an incredibly valuable tool when customers come calling.