I thought about titling this post, "How a letter changed my life" but that sounded a little overstated. Maybe it changed the course of my business, though, and helped plant the seed of creating heirlooms that hold memories. One of those occasions involved a letter from my grandfather. A huge part of creating our monogram collection came from a very important person in my life, and the fine china we’re offering wouldn’t have come to fruition if not for my grandfather, more affectionately known as Pop. Pop was a an amazing painter and sculptor, creating detailed, realistic carvings out of stone and wood, lovely landscape barn paintings (one of his specialties) and for many years, beautiful florals on fine china. Pop taught china painting for over 20 years, to dedicated students in northern California. As a child I received special pieces from Pop; more memorably a plate only brought out at christmas, and a delicate mug, covered with pink roses and rimmed with gold. I thought it was pretty special to receive such pieces. But it wasn’t until I was married in 2000 that he started sending me plates; you had to be married to receive such beauties. They are exquisite, and I have a variety of dessert plates mostly: a set of four autumn-themed in browns, golds and reds, a sweet set of purple toned flowers with more gold rims, a teapot. Knowing how special his talents were, I wanted to learn, and as he got older, I realized I had better ask soon. So I wrote to him and asked and received this letter back, telling me where to buy china, and how he would be ready to teach me the following summer I was in California. This undoubtedly has played a huge part in our offering, in the inkling to create it and we actually have our china manufactured at the very place he recommended and used for his own china.
What about you? Has a letter ever brought you a new opportunity?
Sarah, this is so incredibly sweet. So glad you have all of these treasures.