You asked, I listened

So the new site is up, and so far I've been able to fulfill one request from the Wintergrass wishlist - Mandolin straps without buckles.

Easy enough, right? All my mando straps are now being offered in lengths from 35-47" (two inch increments, it seemed reasonable) as well as adjustable. Best way to find your strap length is to measure your current strap. All of my mandolin straps come with a bit of leather lace (no, it's not lace, it's more like a really thick leather cord, sorry for the years of confusion) to attach it to the instrument, so it's best to order shorter if you are between two lengths.

Oh, and I can't say how many times people asked me if the straps were "splits". They're not, they are made from tooling leather hides, which is a full-grain leather. And what is a "split" you might ask? Well, if you have seen my work in person you know that the leather that I use is quite thick. It is possible to litterally split the hide into layers. A split is one of the inner layers that has been split apart from the top layer, or the grain layer. The grain layer is the strongest, and splits are much weaker (split is what is used to make suede).

I hope that makes sense! One more listing on the new site then it is off to bed.

c

Wintergrass Wishlist

So we just returned from Wintergrass -- this is the only show I have done in the last few years, and I probably won't do another show until next year's Wintergrass. It's a fun festival with good people, good music, and it's always interesting for me to talk to customers in person about what I have, and what they'd like to see me make. So, after four days of hearing people react to my work, here's what they would apparently like to see:

1. Leather suspenders, with instruments on them
2. Luggage tags in the shape of aligators
3. A guitar strap with an aligator
4. A thinner strap for banjo
5. A buckle-free strap for mandolin
6. A wallet with an expandable coin section
7. A belt with bees on it (this one I have in the works)

And that's about all I remember. I thought the leather suspender request was hilarious since I asked my husband a year or two ago if leather suspenders would be a good idea. Apparently, they are! I'm starting with flowers though, since I probably will keep the prototype.

Baby is awake! More later -
C

What is Valentines Day....

without chocolates? I mean, really, this was not the best month for my husband to decide it is time to diet.

But there you have it - diet month! Yes, February is National Heart Health Month, and it is a good thing to be mindful of even when you don't have a history of heart disease in your family, but really. Who put the chocolate holiday smack in the middle of Heart Health Month? Or who decided that this was a good month to deprive people of chocolate?

In all seriousness, this is the longest I have ever gone without eating chocolate. Fourteen days today, and fourteen more to go. I am already planning what I am going to eat on my first day off the diet...

I found out that Jet City Pizza has gluten free pizza (yay! I haven't eaten there since college!) and there is some new burger joint (now I can't help but think of Fabio from Top Chef - booger!) that has gluten free buns. Maybe lunch and dinner for the first day off the diet? Or breakfast and lunch? Aah, and for dessert...

a big giant cupcake from Trophy Cupcakes. Yes, I realize they're not gluten free. And no, I don't care at all. I have been dreaming about chocolate cupcakes - that is how much I miss chocolate! And I figure, it's better than making a gluten free batch at home, and eating all of them, right?

Time to go to bed, and dream....
C

Under Construction....

So the website is under construction. That is why it doesn't work, or at least that is what I choose to believe :)

We are currently working on getting the site set up to do full e-commerce (woohoo!) so you will be able to find all of your old and new M&O favorite pieces on www.moxieandoliver.com. As if you didn't have enough trouble deciding...

The good news is that it will be easier to navigate than flickr. And you can shop.

But now, time for sleep.

xo
moxie

In a nutshell...

Stupid, stupid blogger. I just wrote a wonderful blog post and then away it sailed, into the internet ether, never to be seen again.

Well, since it is now past my bedtime - husband, baby, dogs and cats are already asleep - this has to be super short with the promise of more tomorrow. One thing that everyone should know about is a giveaway of two M&O pieces - a Ginger belt and Ginger Flask - as part of the Handmade with Love Blog Hop. They're available here - http://www.aleremodern.com/pages/artist.asp?aid=2 - if you aren't the lucky winner and need one of your own!

Details tomorrow on why I am posting so many guitar straps in my Etsy store, and what is next for my very website.

xo Moxie

Cleaning House

So this year my resolution was to get rid of everything I don't use - I've taken three carloads of stuff to Goodwill so far this year (yep, only the 15th, so that's pretty good in my book!) and now we are down from having three fake trees to just two. It's a long story, but we're actually keeping the two. One for real presents, one for white elephant presents. And they're only 3 feet tall, so they don't take up that much space... I know, excuses, excuses.

But I'm cleaning out my studio, too. Getting rid of old stuff, making room for new work. I actually have a whopping 1/4 of my shop in my SALE section and everything in the SALE section is 40% off through the end of the month! It's all one of a kind, so be sure to not pass it up if you want it!

And happy new year!

C

Well, poo....

I wish I had better news to report, and this news is particularly hard for me. I don't usually do giveaways, promotions, etc., and with my new life and love for the world (as experienced through my six-month-old daughter) I've loosened up a bit, and this holiday season decided to give a few of them a try.

And I learned a lesson in the process.

I learned that the promotions that are within my sole control are a good idea. Ones that require collaboration are not. After weeks and weeks of trying, I have been completely unsuccessful in getting in touch with Veronica Willngham, the artist who was supposed to be giving away earrings to my customers.

And I am sick about this.

Some of the would-be earring recipients were old customers and friends, some were new. I believe in my heart that the people that I have worked with before know that I never would have done a giveaway on a whim, or without reason to trust the person I was working with on it. And I didn't. And I wouldn't. But as I have learned people may change, and things don't always work out the way that you plan.

So because the only thing I have control of is me, I will be giving something to all those who were supposed to receive earrings and did not. It will be in the form of Moxie & Oliver goods (trust me, you don't want earrings that I make - it's been years and the last set involved fishing lures), so if you were supposed to and did not receive your earrings, please contact me by email (caitlin [at] moxieandoliver.com) before January 31.

Thanks for your understanding and support - and happy 2011!
xo
Caitlin