I am not sure I mentioned this before but I LOVE etsy.com.  I discovered the site quite a few years ago when I was sewing/designing handbags (a past obsessive hobby I ventured in for a while).  For the sake of those whom are not acquainted with etsy the basic idea of it is:

etsy
Web definition:

1. Etsy is an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items, as well as art and craft supplies. These items cover a wide range, including art, photography, clothing, jewelry, food, bath and beauty products, quilts, knick-knacks, and toys. ...
   

Anyhow, I recently was ordering a birthday gift for a friend and stumbled upon this little shop: Mary’s Antiques and Art.  I had done a search for repurposed materials and found these great leather cuffs for an AMAZING price.

I quickly ordered myself one.  This one to be exact (see pic below).  Fun….. Modern….. and made of reused leather.  PERFECT!

Receiving my item so quickly was very impressive.  I opened it excitedly (Does anyone else out there still get excited to receive mail/packages? There is just something about it that feels like Christmas even though you are expecting it and more likely purchased it for yourself). 

I’m a sucker for the details and Mary did not disappoint in this department.  The cuff was packaged professionally and personally and even came with a wee handwritten note.  In this day and age this may not mean much to the average joe but …….it certainly impresses this girl!

I undid the clasp to immediately try on my new treasure and was heartbroken.  It was TOO BIG! I went to the listing and sure enough…… it clearly listed the size and I had missed it.  BUMMER!

A few weeks after purchase Mary messaged me to follow up with my purchase (AGAIN SHE GAINS MORE BROWNIE POINTS).  I shared with her my love for the item but also (at no fault of hers) my heartbreaking news.  This not being her fault at all I expected nothing. It was my own error for not having read, carefully, the full description. 

Instead of dismissing my issue Mary insisted that I send the item back, even after I initially refused, taking full blame for the misreading.  Mary continued to insist and that she would accept nothing less than my full satisfaction.  Seriously? How often do you receive this kind of customer service for an item under $20 that was custom made? I don’t know about you but I want to say never but now Mary has gone and proved me wrong.   I packaged up my too large cuff today and will be sending it back to Mary for trimming to my size.  My interaction with her has been nothing less than outstanding and she deserves a kudos for maintaining this level of intergrity in her work which is not something most business can say currently. 

Please visit Mary’s shop HERE!

Etsy is an incredible place to find unique gifts or specialty items.  Mary is certainly doing her part to contribute to this markert place.

Thank you, Mary Frances. Commendations on a job well done!

Happy Shopping!

P.S. I also sell my work on etsy in addition to my own shop on my website.  Visit my etsy page here.

As 2013 quickly comes to an end I take a cumulative look at my year, what I have created and lessons learned, looking forward the the year to come.
I wish all my supporters, near and far, a warm holiday season and a happy new year.  May 2014 be filled with memories to be made and endless possibilities.