A Gift for Everyone On Your List

‘Tis the season to shop ‘til you drop. This year, skip the retail chaos and complete all your holiday shopping in one place. Moxie & Oliver is your one-stop shop for everyone on your Christmas list! No need to fight mall crowds or search aimlessly for the perfect gift—cross off your shopping list at our online store without leaving the couch. Our variety of handmade leather products offers something for everyone.

For him. Play up his manly side with quality, vegetable tanned leather. A gift such as a flask, guitar strap, belt, wine tote and wallet are both masculine and practical. He’ll think of you each time he uses his new leather companion.

For her. Along with a plethora of leather women’s gifts to choose from, Moxie & Oliver makes beautiful jewelry for her. You can never go wrong with a necklace for that special lady in your life. Our handmade jewelry features shaped pendants with fun and floral images she’ll be sure to adore.

For your BFF. You know everything your bestie owns, so what to get him or her for a gift? Opt for something unique and out of the ordinary, like a mason jar lantern straps. These nifty leather straps attach to a mason jar to add adornment and hanging capability for a cool DIY project.

For Mom. A mother can never have too many handbags, and we carry plenty to choose from. Pick something special for mom among our wide variety of bags and purses, which come in all sizes and styles. Mom will love a long-lasting wristlet, clutch, or tote bag in a unique design chosen especially by you.

For Dad. What to get the man who has everything? Add a personal touch to Dad’s favorite tech items with a handmade electronic case, such as iPhone or iPad cases, laptop bags, Kindle cases and more. For a less tech savvy Dad, go for a high quality leather belt or watch.

For man’s best friend. Yes, even your furry sidekick will love Moxie & Oliver. Our assortment of pet products includes leashes, saddlebags, collars and horse leads.

Click here to shop!

My Biggest Mistake (and a give-away)

 

Last Wednesday when I got home from the studio there was a message on my voicemail from a customer.  The week before we spent a few days making a set of “Conquistadors” flasks for him.   His message said something like, “The flasks look really good, but I’m torn – they say ‘Conquistadors’ on them.”

My heart sank, and I spent the rest of the night trying to figure out what had gone wrong.  My husband looked at the flasks and suggested, maybe it was supposed to be “Conquistador.”

He was right.

When I talked to the customer the next morning I agreed to re-make every single flask.  I had one assistant out sick Thursday, and one came in Tuesday and was taking Thursday off.  I called the gal who usually does just the stitching on an emergency and she helped a bit.  But, 50 flasks in a day is a lot even for two people.

I got the flasks to the post office just after 3pm and they arrived in time for the customer to give them away at the event, “The Conquistador”  - most importantly, everyone loved them.

I beat myself up about this – it was totally my mistake.  We never got printed artwork from the customer so we were doing it all by phone with a poor connection most of the time.  Somewhere along the line, my brain over-rode the singular version because I thought – they are all conquistadors that they are giving the flasks to, so it must be plural, right?

Well, now I have a limited edition of 50 flasks.  And they’re cool, too!  So here’s the deal: I will sell 25 of them at a discount through my Etsy shop. The other 25 I will give away,  All you have to do is tell me the biggest mistake you’ve ever made, and how you conquered it.  That earns you the right to be one of our conquistadors (and gets you a free flask).

xo

c

Three Weddings

 

 

If you ever need an extra wedding guest (yeah, because who ever needs MORE people at their wedding?) invite me! I love weddings.  Totally, totally, love them.  My assistant has, in the past, accused me of “loving love” and I suppose she’s right, I do. 

I fell in love young-ish (21 or so) and knew immediately it was love.  We met online so I can’t say it was love at first sight, but at first sound.  One snowy January day when the busses weren’t running and I couldn’t get to our date, I called my now husband and left a message. He had me at “You’ve reached the voicemail…”

I still love the sound of his voice.  And he’s adorable, so that’s a bonus, and it means we make really cute children.  But I digress – I’d marry him all over again, not just because I love him so much, but because I love weddings, too.  The celebration of love and family, pretty dresses, lots of presents, food, cake, wine, dancing… what part of this sounds bad?

So since I can’t go to weddings every weekend, I’ll settle for making wedding gifts.  Recently I made a custom wine tote for one of my mom’s employees, and a former co-worker.  He’s a graphics guy, so of course he had a logo made for the wedding.

For a wedding that happened this past weekend, in Idaho, we first did the ten flasks on the left for the bridesmaids.  Each is a limited edition with our “Pressed” leather with an Idaho applique on the back.  The bride was following the progress on Instagram, and showed her smoke-jumper husband.  He decided to go for a set of woodgrain ones for the groomsmen!

This last piece is a valet tray that I made for a high-school classmate to give one of her friends as a wedding present. She and I hung out in the same circles when we were in school together (and I won’t say how long ago that was) but we weren’t close.  Working with her on this piece gave us a chance to reconnect – we both have small children, and are artists married to non-artists.  She is, of course, across the country from me but smart, creative, baby-loving people are always welcome in my life and I am glad that my work has given us an excuse to reconnect.

xo

c