We awakened to sunshine after a three day blizzard in our new mountain home. I had just finished Urban Maille's first website the day before, opened it for business, and told my jewelry making friends at the Creative Wire Jewelry forum that it was up and running. Gary was in the driveway shoveling out three feet of snow because we didn't yet have our snowplow, when our very first order came in. It was a big one, too! I ran outside in my heavy bathrobe and snow boots to tell Gary about it and we hugged and danced in that clear patch of driveway because that was the moment we knew our business idea was going to work. It was the best day, and we celebrate it every year.
We learned a lot in those early years -- you can read about many of our business lessons in ARTLAB, if you're interested -- and worked past midnight and past exhaustion more times than I can count. That's what it takes to start a business and that's what we expected, so we were up for it and it was very exciting and fun, but it was all encompassing in those early years. We made rings all day, slept in a heap of Malamutes all night, and that was our life and we loved it.
A lot has changed since those days. Most of those changes are good but my Lord, we miss those dogs.
Twenty years later, on our seventh website, running Urban Maille is fun in a different way. Gary and I are able to do so much more by ourselves now -- thanks to practice, refined processes and advancing technology -- and that level of efficiency means we've finally moved past just keeping up with orders and now we can advance our plans once again. First, we're restoring everything to the website that was ever there and adding all the tools and components we wanted but didn't have time to manage before. This is very satisfying so far, I'm really enjoying it.
After that, we have new kits in the works and I can't wait. It's been so long. After that, we have some product design ideas, but that's a topic for another time. Suffice to say, we have plans, probably enough for another 20 years, but maybe we can move faster now than we could before.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank each and every one of you so much for all these beautiful years. It's been a wonderful adventure so far and I never want it to stop.
-- Aislyn and Gary
17 comments
Oh my gosh what BEAUTIFUL rings!!! Recently I received my first order from you and I’m already back for more! Thank you so much…I wish you both continued success!!!
Thanks for always giving your customers the very best, both in products and customer service. Hard to believe 20 years have passed. May you have decades more!
Congratulations, Aisyln and Gary! Your rings, craft knowledge and customer service are all remarkable. My thanks, appreciation and best wishes for the future.
You have always been kind and compassionate whenever I was confused or had questions. I use to cut my own rings, then after getting a small order of your rings, the packaging, the containers, I was incredibly impressed. I have quit cutting my own rings and now get everything from you. You have saved me from tumbling as your rings are so beautiful. I was also afraid when I read celebrating 20 years. I wish you both continued success for another 20 years. You are the best!!!!
Thank you so much for your hard work and BEAUTIFUL rings! I’m so glad you and Gary care so much and you both make my jewelry more lovely than I could alone. Congratulations!