My Day Job...

 I don't share a lot of chocolate pictures here, for a couple of reasons...  Let me first start out by saying, I started my business in 1986....  I really have to laugh, as yesterday, I was talking to a client, who also started her business WAY.BEFORE.INTERNET.   There actually are quite a few of us out there, who fully know and remember the days of when proposals were written on pieces of scratch paper and handshakes sealed the deal.  What fascinates me, is that this is still how the world goes round in the big leagues...and I'm fortunate to have a business that has survived all the ups and downs to realize that.  I am so very thankful for my longtime retailers and distributors who have continued to support our business over the course of 40 years!  Today I'm sharing a little chocolate that was shipped to one of my longtime retailers in Sheraton, WY.  I'm pretty sure they were one of our very first customers, I can't remember a year we didn't supply their store with seasonal and themed chocolates and candy.  

 

Polka Dot Dairy Cows

 Blue Ribbon Sheep

 

Cute Lil Calf

 

 

 Piggies

 

 These fun novelties, along with other Western themed treats are an example of what we do on the daily.  No 2 orders are alike.  In fact, we didn't even advertise these farm friends, but was asked if we had farm animal molds and what can we do.  When we get an order like that, I'll peruse through our thousands and thousands of chocolate molds, and often find something I didn't even know we had.  (In this case, the pigs)  I knew we had the cows, as we did a big promo order awhile ago for a company exhibiting in a Farm Ag show, who specializes in the beef industry.  The sheep were new to me too, I don't recall us ever painting them up, they kind of remind me of a "blue ribbon" at the county fair kind of sheep.  

 

Anyhow, just a lil glimpse of where a big portion of my stress comes from.  These orders can be sizable...a typical trade show giveaway can be anywhere from 400 units (this week) up to 4000 (or more) units of product.  You just never know what the next phone call will be, but I do know, there will be something, as it's what has kept us going...for FORTY  YEARS!  What a wild ride it's been!

 

I decided to take a week off of paper crafting ... I needed a moment...  But, I will say, I made it back into my craft studio last night, so, we will see...  I have this crazy idea for this week's Craft Roulette.  I actually get to involve a little of my business tools to pull it off.  Who says there isn't a little perk owning a commercial grade color laser printer?  Thus, the 4th (random) parameter of Craft Roulette #322.  (I also get to utilize my stages of custom chocolate design methods too...eventually, I'll share some of those creations here too.  So many specific things we have done along the way....

 

  

So, stand by and see what I end up doing for CR #322.  I literally pulled out a supply I have NEVER figured out how to use....and am pretty convinced I can't use it with wood blocks, (I also pulled out some ancient SU stamps for this project)...  so, I either have to change my stamps of choice, or nix my tool, or figure a way to use the tool not intended for the type of stamps I'm using.  Oh, so much overthinking, but...a good diversion from thinking deadline chocolate...  I MIGHT share the other side of our daily business in the next post...  It's all so complicated, but, I wouldn't have it any other way....  So thankful for my Craft Therapy....