Post Christmas Rush Coast Chimes

 

Although it never quite got to this point, sometimes the

Christmas rush felt like this.

For the past few years, Coast Chimes (my wind chime company) has been steadily busy year round. But the month or so before Christmas is crazy busy. Now, with the 2023 Christmas rush over, it's time to breathe and to do essential chores.

The chores include restocking. Everything I do is completely handmade, and takes time to make. I don't have time during the rush season, so stock gets depleted. It is with eagerness that I approach having time to immerse myself in the creative process, and get my hands dirty again. That said, while I will be making a lot of nice, new things, it may be a some time before many of those start to appear on my website (Coast Chimes), and on Etsy. This is because for the next several months we have a grey sky, drooping rotting plants in the garden, and rain-- not ideal for product photographs. Some new creations will appear, but many may wait for bluer skies.

The chores also includes website improvements. I've already speeded the site up somewhat, improved certain under-the-hood features, and generally worked, and will continue to work, to provide a very nice experience for my customers. There is always more to do, but it is a nice site and seems to function well.

Finally, I definitely will take a little more time than usual for myself. All year, everyday, I take an hour (sometimes longer) from each day to hike, bike, or read on the beach. Right now I will enjoy a bit more 'time to breathe' and, just maybe, even take a short holiday.

Thanks very much, all you supporters of handmade quality, enjoyers of art wind chimes. Best wishes for 2024!

Christmas Rush

Kaleidoscope wind chime with large colorful 'shooter marbles. The red cedar box frame, chime holder and windsail have been treated with an exceptional eco-friendly tung nut oil finish. The beach stone clapper produces sweet sound against the five heavy copper chimes.
For more information, or to buy this wind chime, Click Here.

Every year it seems people wait a little longer for their online holiday shopping. It got pretty crazy at the end of last week, and over the weekend. That's great, as I always need money for groceries and the dog has to go to the vet today for his (expensive) shots and check-up. But it certainly is a bit stressful to have to pack and ship super fast, and then have another order come in, and have to pack and ship again. There are little things that add to the fun. Like now I always include a gift of my copper earrings, and I never have enough of those made in advance. So I need to run out to my wet workshop and pound out a pair in the rain, and then scamper back inside. Then another order comes through, and it's back out to make another pair of earrings!

Last year some people who received my work as a gift took the time to email me a thank you note. I found that remarkable. I don't think anyone writes to the Sony Corporation, to thank them for their video camera! It was really sweet to get those emails, and to know that I had helped to make Christmas special for some people. Most stuff falls apart, gets outdated, stops working, but I know my wind chimes play on.