This week we welcomed two wonderful new people to our team – Suz and Kelly! Even though they will be in the office I thought they might enjoy getting a taste for how our products are made.

And did they ever! In fact, they were really impressed with the expertise of our production guys – who put them through their paces – doing some casting, sanding, and welding. I was in the office “holding down the fort” so I was only able to dash out and get a few pix -but I heard all about it.

Dan the teacher!

Pewter melts at 450 degrees - notice Dan's thick gloves!

Dan taking out the mold

Suz's first casting!

Suz was able to fill the mold and come out with 2 fish hooks and 2 crab hooks – so cool!

Kelly's first casting!

Kelly looks pretty excited with her first pour – fish measuring spoons and celtic measuring spoons!

Dan explains the finer points of casting!

But then Dan had to tell Kelly that he has pretty high standards for casting quality. Oh, dear, Kelly’s spoons got dropped back into the melting pot! Although she had filled the mold – way to go, Kelly! – the finish on them wasn’t what Dan was looking for.

At first, I think the guys were a little confused as to why Suz and Kelly needed to put on their jeans and t-shirts and join them in their production area.

But, later on, they could see why it made sense. First of all, Suz and Kelly really got an appreciation for the fine work that Dan and Adam and Derrik do. And secondly, their enthusiasm for working with pewter was contagious. Suz and Kelly really enjoyed their tutorial Best of all, when you call in to place an order, Suz and Kelly will know just what you want AND they will be able tell you how it all comes together here at Crosby & Taylor where our products are proudly made in America.

Welcome Suz and Kelly! We are so glad to have you!

We got to talking about Julia Childs the other day here at work and Nancy, my manager of 11+ years, reminded me that she had had the good fortune to actually meet Julia Childs once. It was back in 2000 at a 4th of July party at the Downtown Club in Boston – an exclusive restaurant at the top of the State Street bank for Club members only. Since Nancy’s godmother was the manager of this Club, she was able to get Nancy in.

Julia Childs would have been almost 88 at that time and Nancy recalls her voice being more lower in tone and quieter than her TV personality voice. Needless to say, she made quite an impression on Nancy – who is thrilled to have been able to get this picture with her!

What I’m realizing as I write this, is that this was just 6 months before Nancy answered an ad at the local community college about an office assistant. Maybe it was being in the presence of Julia Childs that made Nancy realize she might want to come work for a company that made Pewter Measuring Spoons and Cups – ha! I wish I had met Julia Childs. I would surely have gifted her with our Spoons and Cups!

An encounter with Julia Childs - 2000

Sometimes we make best friends with our co-workers. And sometimes our best friends become our co-workers. Here is a wonderful story of my dear friend, Cynthia, who has worked on and off with us, here at Crosby & Taylor for the past 5 years. She is my neighbor, my dear friend, but most importantly, my “sister from another mother”.

Here we are sporting our Pewter Pendants - ever the face of Crosby & Taylor. (I’m surprised we aren’t wearing Measuring Spoons around our necks!)  Do we not look like we are related?

Cynthia and me

This month Cynthia is our Mrs. October. Each month last year we honored one employee but Cynthia somehow got passed over because she is seasonal and part-time. Not fair – you exclaim! And I completely agree.

Here is our wall of FAME – each employee has a poster celebrating his or her greatness!

Our Crosby & Taylor wall of fame!

Of course, Cynthia is so camera shy that she wouldn’t even pose with her poster.

Cynthia's Mrs. October poster

She was busy assembling Christmas ornaments and just couldn’t even look up for a minute.

Life is short, as they say. I really try to cherish each and every day. Having people like Cynthia in my life – and with us at Crosby & Taylor  – is something to appreciate. I hope you will call in to place an order one of these days and get Cynthia on the phone. You will love talking to her. She’s just that kind of person!