A Gem of a Story
One weekend over the late summer of 2005 I was home running the ranch as Ann Marie was away at a show in PEI if memory serves me correctly. It was a weekend when new puppy owners where coming to pick up their puppies to go to their new forever homes. As is the normal procedure for Grunfeld we discuss via the phone and or e-mail about the puppies with the clients. One couple had inquired about our puppies and we had chatted several times and set a date for them to come take a look.
They were coming from New Brunswick and it would take them several hours to arrive, so we teed up a time. The folks arrived and of course the tour of the kennels and an opportunity to meet and greet all the dogs always happens.
So the selections were made for puppies and in the course of the conversation while we were preparing the paperwork and getting ready for the traveling puppies, I discovered the couple were craftspeople and they designed jewellery. We talked and I got some more information about their handcrafted works and thought hmm this might just be an opportunity for me. So the puppies and proud owners went on their way back for what I am sure must have been a long trip home with two puppies.
Later that day I received e-mail that mom, dad and two puppies had arrived home and all was good the van was in one piece, all was good with the world.
I had thought about our conversation and asked Teena about coming up with an idea for a Christmas present for Ann Marie, Teena gathered some information about Ann Marie and her tastes (remember she is talking to a man here) When they picked up their puppy they didn't meet Ann Marie as she was in PEI, so I was trying to give as much info as I could and as a man I can claim little knowledge about jewelry as it’s not a genetic strength of mine.
Teena endured with me and taking my suggestions and looking at our web site came up with some different hand drawn designs which I must say were most impressive on their own.... WOW a true talent no doubt in my mind. The selections were great and all had awesome characteristics. Teena was great to work with coming up with outstanding ideas. The selection was made and the next stage of a wax setting was created from the drawings with more detail. Once that was done the stone selection was made and I went with Teena’s recommendation as I knew next to nothing and figured Teena would know best, and was that a smart thing to…..
The work continued for sometimes with progress reports along the way. The excitement was building for me as it was working out perfect for a secret Christmas present that Ann Marie would not have an inkling as to what she was getting, plus the fact I was tossing out all kinds of other things to insure she would not figure it out.
About 2 weeks before Christmas the project was completed Teena sent the brooch via courier to my office and I was simply amazed as the end result, I was floored. Not only was it beautiful it was everything that Teena had promised and much much more. A true work of art and outstanding craftsmanship that Teena & Stephen had developed from the starting of the drawings to the casting of the mold for the brooch.
The awesome thing about it was it’s a one of a kind heirloom that will last a lifetime. Teena & Stephen did a great job for me I was so very pleased with their skills it was beyond my dreams to every imagine the end result.
Ann Marie was so very pleased with the brooch as she had no idea what I had planned for her.
If you are looking for that most unique gift in the jewelry world, I am more than pleased to recommend the folks at Letang Studios, outstanding quality and craftsmanship and a one of a kind piece of jewellery you will treasure forever.
Work in progress
The Finished Product
