Crosby & Taylor Products are Made from Real Pewter- Not Imitations

I have been asked this question a lot through the years:

Q: What’s the difference between Crosby & Taylor Pewter pieces and other products labeled “Mexican Pewter”?

A: Pewter, by definition, is a food-safe alloy consisting primarily of tin with small amounts of antimony and copper.

The origin of the word is thought to be “spelter” – a Dutch word. Pewter is commonly known in Europe as peautre (Dutch), peltro (Italian), peltre (Spanish), etc.

Pewter – or what I call “real pewter” – is not to be confused with “Mexican pewter” products. These products are actually aluminum!

I know I know, how crazy is that? Sometimes I’m surprised that there isn’t some kind of “language police” – ha! – that prevents companies from misleading people with their product names.

But, then I remember, I love the freedoms we have in America. I will be the first person to say that we are lucky to have freedom of speech.

Here at Crosby & Taylor we are proud to make products that are actual real honest-to-God American pewter. We like that we are part of a continuum of pewter artisans that has been working with this precious metal for centuries.

I grew up in northern New York and, at an early age, my parents took me to see Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower, and all kinds of historic sights in Boston. I loved studying the history of our country and I can still remember seeing the old Pewter that the early settlers had used. How crazy that I now make my living in Pewter!

If you ever scratch your head and wonder why American pewter has a higher price tag than “Mexican pewter”, remember that this is a comparison of apples to oranges. We hope – like us – you know and appreciate the difference. Thank you for buying American!

Visit our FAQ Page to learn more about Pewter and our creative process!

The Fleur de Lys Canister Set and Bird Super Post Looks Great in Petie & Jacob's new Kitchen!

Over the week-end we helped one of our daughters and her husband move into their new town house in Portland. They have a lot more to unpack and get up on the walls.

But at least they have their priorities straight….their Fleur de Lys Canister Set and their Bird Super Post set are out on their kitchen counter.

This tells me two things – everything doesn’t have to be matchy matchy! (Petie and Jacob are fine mixing their Fleur de Lys with their Birds!) and their pieces look great in a modern kitchen.

We have the same Canisters (in Pistachio) in our 100 year old house where I have always thought they look quite at home. So I was pleased to see that they fit just as well in a new home!

They always say that Pewter is one of the most flexible metals out there. I guess it really is true.

Crosby & Taylor Stoneware and Super Post

We are making great progress on our new Collection of Measuring Spoons and Cups especially for Mothers. But I needed a little break last night. What to do? Head into the kitchen and bake, of course! When you make Measuring Spoons and Cups for a living, it’s kind of what you do, I guess!

Working on Spoons and Cups for Mothers!

Lea (our German exchange student) and I decided to make Triple Chocolate Cookies. Now this is a bit of a departure for me. When I want chocolate, I mostly just make brownies.

In fact, I am pretty much obsessed with brownies. I collect brownie recipes. I have dozens and dozens of them. I study them – compare the amounts of sugar and butter – the kinds of chocolate, etc.

But these cookies are – say what?! – as good as brownies. They are really amazing.

(Don’t worry that the batter seems thin – not at all like drop cookie dough – because it works. Don’t overcook!)

Triple Chocolate Cookies (thank you to Bon Appetit July 2005 for the recipe!)

10 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate,

• 1/2 cup plus 2 teaspoons all purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 6 ounces (1 cup) semisweet chocolate chips
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Stir chopped chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water until melted and smooth; remove from over water. Cool melted chocolate 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and butter in another medium bowl until crumbly. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue to beat until mixture is light, pale, and creamy, about 5 minutes. Add lukewarm melted chocolate and vanilla and beat just until blended. Fold in dry ingredients, then chocolate chips.
• Drop chocolate cookie batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake cookies, 1 baking sheet at a time, until tops are evenly cracked but cookies are not yet firm to touch, about 12 minutes. Cool cookies completely on baking sheets.

the littlest member of the Crosby & Taylor team

Thank you to all of you who shared those special names for your Mothers and Grandmothers. It was wonderful to read your touching stories.  The winners of the Free Measuring Cups will be announced once the Collection is finished. (Until then, I won’t know how many of the names I will be able to incorporate into the pattern.) Although I started this Collection last month, I have been waiting for YOUR input to finish them off. It should be fun! And the plan is to have them done in time for Mother’s Day – of course!

Just like Evelyn, all Crosby & Taylor products are made in America!

Speaking of mothers – and daughters – I would like to introduce you to Evelyn, the newest little member of our Crosby & Taylor family, who will be 3 months old on Monday. Since Evelyn is a good little sleeper, Nancy (our manger of 10 years)  is able to accomplish a lot during nap time. Evelyn’s big brother came to work with Nancy for nearly 3 years. We still get to see him several times a week when he and his Dad come to pick up Evelyn. A happy family!

Evelyn getting a little fresh Oregon air!

My special toy drawer for Evelyn's brother, Oliver.