2011 was a year of highs and lows for the Crosby & Taylor family. 2011 marked our 25th year in business and here are about to embark on 2012. What will the future hold?

Here is are some of our highlights from 2011

January
I ring in the new year on a 2986 miles roadtrip with our exchange student, Lea. We began our journey at the Pacific Ocean, and found our way to the Atlantic Ocean!

We also introduced a new line for Valentines Day: Heart to Heart Measuring Cups & Spoons!

February
We introduced our new Jewelry Collection for the pewter loving fashionistas!

March
Our daughter Petrel (owner of The Wedding Cottage) and her husband moved into their new town house in Portland-and did we have some fun decorating.

April
We introduced our Made for Mothers Pewter Measuring Cups and Spoons to honor Moms and grandmothers everywhere. An important design element in this new collection came from our Facebook Fans. We asked them to submit names which they use for their moms and/or grandmothers. The response was amazing!

May
I traveled to Switzerland for my grandson’s 5th birthday where I enjoyed making cupcakes with him. Meanwhile, Jim packed up and traveled to Atlanta, GA for the The Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show!

June
We introduced our wonderful Treat Jars for Kitties, Small Dogs, and Large Dogs. had some fun with our first ever- “Dog Days of Summer” Just for Pet Lovers Giveaway!

July
Petrel and I traveled to Atlanta where we embarked on a fabulous road trip to Savannah! Read about our adventures on our blog. July also brought us hot sun, and fun at our Team Barbecue Lunch. On the last Thursday of each month, we have a Crosby & Taylor team lunch.

August
We introduced the Made in Oregon line!

September
Jim and I become “empty nesters” as we send off our youngest to college (sniff sniff). We introduced new designs for The Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove.  Our Crosby & Taylor Fleur De Lys Measuring Spoons were featured on Steamy Kitchen and our Vineyard Measuring Spoons with Pewter Display Post were featured in the very lovely food site: bella’limento.

October
Was all about Oregon Ducks Football and trick or treaters everywhere.

November
We introduced our new holiday product- “Angel Spoons” which were featured in Paula Deen Magazine and a number of food blogs including

Two Classy Chics
Kitchen Confidente
girlichef

Also in November, our Thanksgiving Weekend Holiday sales were the busiest in our 25 year history!

December
I don’t know where the time went! The entire Crosby & Taylor team is working over time to keep up with the holiday demand! What a way to end the year!

We wish you all a very Happy New Year!

Today is the first day that we have even had time to catch our breath. We just had the busiest Christmas rush ever! We have had a lot of Christmases as small business owners…25, in fact! But we have never seen one like this.

We thank all of you who chose something artisan-made for your gift-giving this year. We are honored that you chose one of our American-made products.

Our shelves are pretty much bare. However, we do have some ornaments left. Knowing that everyone likes a little after-Christmas sale, we have marked our 2010 Ornament Collection down by 50%. No coupon codes are needed but quantities are limited to those on hand. Here are a couple of our more popular pieces from this Collection:

Holy Family

Peace

Joy

Christmas is only a few days away and I thought it would be nice to take some time today to express our sincere gratitude for the support we have received these past 25 years.

As a company, we have worked hard, but we would not be here today without all of the wonderful shops, galleries, and catalogues that have carried our products throughout the years. To them, we give a big round of THANKS!

We also send a big THANK YOU to all of the individuals who have shopped at those businesses.

Finally, we must THANK all of the individuals who have contacted us directly to make a purchase. We are always touched by those of you who then take the time to tell us how pleased you are with your order.

A Happy Customer!

This is really an exciting year for us since it is our 25th year in business!  We began as Tin Woodsman Pewter in a small studio down the street from our house and have grown significantly through the years. Like any small business, we have gone through a lot of changes and a lot of ups and downs.  Take a stroll down memory lane with me……

We have been in lots of catalogues:

Some have made me especially proud – like Sundance! (I hope someday we will be in it again.)

Sundance Catalogue pages

We have exhibited at lots of trade shows.

Atlanta!

Portland!

We have been featured in many magazines – like Paula Deen, Skywest, and Lucky.

Skywest Magazine

Lucky magazine!

We have had many wonderful employees.

Some have stayed a short while and some have been with us for nearly 11 years – like Nancy. She came to us as a young college girl.  She has been with us through her marriage and two pregnancies – and is now the proud mom of two!

Nancy 8 years ago

We have moved our shop multiple times – each time to a bigger and better place!

1375 Pearl Street

252 Taylor Street - our current location

This week, we celebrate the 1st birthday of Nancy’s little girl, Evelyn. Here we are last year – just before Evelyn entered this world. Nancy worked day after day until the big moment came!

Nancy is one dedicated employee!

Nancy - one year and a few days ago

I blog a lot about Nancy but the reality is that I spend more hours with Nancy, my Operations Manager, than my own daughters. After all, we are together 6 – 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. When you get your order on time and you are pleased with everything on it, you probably have Nancy to thank. She keeps everything humming around here.

Here she is on Halloween this year with Evelyn, her husband, Matt, and her son, Oliver (who she brought to work with her until he was nearly 3! I still miss seeing his sweet face everyday).

Nancy on Halloween