Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Prepping for Portland

Sorry for the silence of the last couple days, but we've had a pretty intense work schedule as we slam through a massive production run of tankards, getting ready for my annual sales trip to Portland.


Here are some of the steps necessary to make our product.

The tankard sides, taped on the back and ready to glue.


Body, glued up (the surgical hosing keeps it together while the glue dries).


A pile of glued-up tankards.


Gluing on the bottoms.



Bottoms glued on and drying.



Crookeds and spirals, cut but not glued.


Gluing crookeds.


Gluing spirals.


Crookeds and spirals, drying.


After the tankards are sanded, we glue on handles.


The house is always in chaos this time of year.


Preparing to shoot the exterior coating.


First shot of varnish, on.


Interior coat on and drying.


Anyway, these are just some of the steps preparatory to my trip.

And my goodness, we're tired. Most of the shop work falls on Don, and my hardworking husband concludes each day covered with sweat and sawdust and varnish spray.

And his job isn't finished after I leave for Portland. We have two more customers needing a total of 275 more pieces within the next month, so the work continues.

But we're grateful for it. As the saying goes, it beats the alternative!

UPDATE: Several readers have inquired about purchasing a tankard. With the exception of this show in Portland, we are now exclusively wholesale. However we plan to have a few available for individual purchase in late fall, so please bear with us until that time. Thanks!

21 comments:

  1. those are beautiful. I especially like the ones with purple :)

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  2. Yay-y-y work!!

    Is it just me, or maybe your camera setting or do I see more color in the inventory this year? It's really beautiful stuff. Did you do any pitchers this year?

    I love the photos of the magic in process.

    I haven't checked your earlier post to learn if you got some help with the booth. I hope that got sorted out.

    A. McSp

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  3. And no Older Daughter to help this time!

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  4. Your work is gorgeous Patrice. Are you set up that someone could order just a few - say 5 or less - mail order?

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  5. Do you make the wood sides too? They are very beautiful. Did you get help?

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  6. I took am interested in purchasing for myself/gifts. Is this possible? If so, how should I contact you?

    Dee

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  7. They have, in the past, sold some by mail during the holiday season. I have purchased 2. One for my son and then one for me. Trust me as good as they look in the photos they are much nicer in person! They did not offer them last year and I was disappointed as I wanted another one and could not get it.

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  8. I second the requests for ability to order online!

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  9. Way off topic here but I saw this and thought of you guys since you have a pond now.
    http://www.wnd.com/2015/07/feds-sued-over-massive-water-rule-power-grab/
    does this concern you?

    -Old Soldier

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  10. They are stunning. Nice job.

    L in NY

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  11. Do you wholesale to someone who sells online? Amazon is also an option.

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  12. These are amazing I love the colours

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  13. I didn't know you made these, they are beautiful! Yes, the wood colors are striking.

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  14. If your offering them as individual sales this year, I want a couple. One for me and one for my son.

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  15. Who are your retailers?

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    Replies
    1. We have four or five customers who do the gigantic multi-weekend Renaissance Faires around the country -- Ohio, Arizona, Colorado, etc. -- and a few smaller customers. Most of our sales are through living history organizations or events.

      - Patrice

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    2. Coopers lake in PA by me is HUGE. We love when they come to town, it's three weeks, and you see the best costumes. They are all around town.

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  16. I bought two for a friend as a wedding gift. They had a pirate wedding and loved them! They also took them to their Hineymoon which was a pirate festival!

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  17. Is it possible to have a few shipped to europe?

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    Replies
    1. Ask us when we get some loaded on the blog for retail sale (smile).

      - Patrice

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  18. where is the Portland event?

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