Moxie And Oliver

I was packing up the new Ginger Stripe Medium Messenger to send to it’s new home, and got to thinking about my shipping strategy, and my materials. I wondered if the new owner of this bag would look at the box, and wonder what I’d purchased from GNC. I wondered if she would realize that the packing peanuts that I used came from a UPS store somewhere in the Midwest to me, packed with two of the most fabulous tree brackets that I have ever seen from Knitsteel. I wondered if she would think I was cheap for re-using a box, or peanuts, or if she would realize that this was my little way of saying “I love you environment, and I want to keep you around.”

I sometimes hesitate to send things out in re-used boxes, mostly because I’m worried not everyone will realize that the reason is because I just couldn’t bring myself to put a perfectly good cardboard box in the recycle. Most of the boxes I receive in the mail are on their first use, and have at least one more use left in them, so I fold them up, and store them in my studio until I need a box just that size. I have a collection now. I’m also storing peanuts - right now I have such a big box that I can barely get in my door, but it’s worth it. They can be used again, and not just as entertainment for kittens.

The truth is that I have been thinking a lot about the environment, and how the decisions that I make affect it. We make a large number of decisions each day, and sometimes it’s hard to remember that so many of them affect other people, and the world around us, for generations to come. I plan on sharing some of those thoughts, especially the ones that pertain to my work here as proprietress of Moxie and Oliver, over the next few weeks, months, or years — as long as it takes for me to get them all out.

Next time you receive a box from me, though, and it has a logo on it other than mine, just know that this box is fulfilling it’s purpose - it’s carrying goods until it can no longer do so, and then it just asks that you recycle it, so it can be reincarnated and come back as a business card, only to be sent to you again. And those peanuts, you can bet they came to me via some UPS store, or Macy’s, the two largest suppliers of free and reusable peanuts to Moxie and Oliver.

I’ll return soon, with more thoughts on the environment. I may be thinking about it a little much, though, because animals, plants, and birds, keep working their way into my designs - here’s the latest:

All my best,

Caitlin

Who knew? The third anniversary is the leather anniversary! I’m so thrilled to have a place so early in the anniversary gift-giving structure, and I wouldn’t have even known were it not for several fabulous customers this week looking for third anniversary gifts for their significant others.  What a wonderful opportunity to buy your spouse a quality piece that will be used and loved for years to come? Leather lasts much longer than paper, I think!

The idea that something that I am creating is being given as a gift is particularly heartwarming - around the holidays, it made all of the extra work, and lack of sleep, worthwhile.  I felt like a little part of me was being shipped around the country (sometimes the world) and taking a little part in holiday cheer.   Now, I suppose I can get that same fuzzy feeling year-round with the “leather anniversary.”

Now, though, I have to start thinking about my own anniversary gift giving.  Our third is not for another few months (okay, 11 months, because we just had our second) but I am going to have to come up with something good.  As a leathercrafter, the gift for the leather anniversary has to be something good.  A friend of mine was making himself a bag with 100 pockets - maybe hubby would like that for the third anniversary?  Maybe if he would, I should start building now (and stop blogging about how excited I am that there is a leather anniversary!! I mean, really, who would have guessed?).

Ever since I was a little girl (well, ever since two years ago when I joined Etsy) I wanted to be the featured seller on the front page. Today, it finally happened! A photo of my absolute pit of a workspace graces the front page, and my rambling interview will forever be in the cache of Etsy Featured Sellers from days past. This is a very exciting day for me, and it’s a great way for anyone who is curious to learn a little more about me, or at least to learn what I’m willing to share! Happy day

My new obsession - faux bois. I think it’s actually not entirely new, but presently the obsession is reaching new heights. I love the idea of reproducing, through objects or images, the feeling of a forest inside my living room, or any other room in my house. This little obsession of mine started with a love of white porcelain tree trunks, and has since developed. I’m in the process of finding myself some giant tree-like shelf brackets to make a living room shelf.

I’m feeling this creep into my work somewhat, but am also finding myself enamored with the idea that I can create patterns on leather as one would on fabric. I’ve always loved brocade, and plan on trying that on leather, too.

I suppose the long and short of it is that there are a lot of ideas teeming around inside my head - too many, in fact, that they seem to have stunted my progress! With any luck, I’ll be showing some new items here shortly. I’m hoping, if the tree brackets don’t succeed in distracting me first.

I think I’ve created the perfect gift for the hard to buy for business man or business woman in your life… I know I have in mine! My husband recently went back to school to pursue his MBA, and I thought, what better gift than a customized portfolio? I put my husband’s initials on his (KS) and can do a custom initial/monogram cover, but could also put something else on there - on of my patterns, a company logo… as long as I can draw it, I can brand it.

Now, since he’s already swiped this to carry his laptop and papers in (yes, it fits a small laptop) I have to figure out what else to get him for Christmas!

I can’t believe it’s almost Thanksgiving!! This year has gone by so quickly! I, personally, am looking forward to having a few days to sit around the house in my PJ’s, and work on orders and new products. With Christmas just over a month away, and Hanukkah much closer, the deadlines for ordering are soon. The deadline for ordering for Christmas is December 15th for most items, but sooner is better for messenger bags and large purses (by November 21, please!). The deadline for Hanukkah ordering is November 21.

I have been working on a few new pieces, and am hoping to get them all listed and up by the holiday ordering deadlines. If you haven’t taken a look at my Etsy shop (moxieandoliver.etsy.com) I have listed quite a few new things recently. Two of my most exciting new pieces (well, exciting to me) I just listed today. One is the Hanako Clutch, and the other is a large Jasmine pattern wallet. Check it out — I’m also working on a large portfolio which would be a great gift for the businessman/woman in your life. I’m hoping to have it up by Thanksgiving!

That’s all for now - back to work

Well, tonight is the official end of Daylight Saving Time, and I couldn’t be more excited. For many people, the extra hour that we get tonight means an extra hour of sleep, but for me, it means that this weekend I have an extra hour to work on my new leashes and collars. There are two new collars, which are being added to the family of 13, and five studio-fresh leashes (previously I only had horse leads), just in time for the holidays. I’m looking forward not only to finishing up this set, but also to being able to start working on collars for smaller animals. Right now, all of the collars in my Etsy shop are 1″ wide, but when your fuzzy friend is only 10″ tall, that is a bit bulky. I plan on starting a line of small dog and cat-friendly collars before the holidays - Oliver told me he wants one in his stocking.

But, for now, he’ll have to be patient, because tonight I have some dog collars and leashes to finish, and the launch of a new website to look forward to.

Welcome to Moxie and Oliver’s brand new blog. It’s me, Caitlin (aka Moxie), making entries as we don’t let Oliver type. Though he does attempt to help sometimes, it usually entails crawling across the keyboard, looking for affection, and stepping on random keys along the way.  Helpful for distracting me, not so helpful for keeping tabs on what’s going on at the Moxie and Oliver workshop.

So, that’s what I’m here for, and why I started this blog. I wanted a way to share the goings on with those of you who are interested in, and appreciative of, my work .  I’ve been trying to carve out more time to work on new products, and as I do, or as I create fun custom orders, I’ll pop in and share.  I, of course, hope you’re willing to do the same.  Stop in, say hi, if you have any comments or suggestions, please let me know.

Welcome, and enjoy!

Caitlin