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Tell me about how you started at Crane?

I started at Crane in 1984 as a Typesetter/Proofreader, assuming the role of 2^nd Shift supervisor 10 years later.  After 4 years as a supervisor, I went on to manage Customer Service, Order Management, and other production areas for 15 years.  Currently, I work with business development and sales as a management contact and production resource as well as serve as a liaison between Customer Service/Estimating and Production.  I also oversee the Employee Suggestion program, organize employee and community events, and serve as the Crane Concierge responding to various stationery etiquette questions.

Tell me about your typical day.

I begin the day reviewing our daily orders to ensure all commitments are on track to ship on time.  Throughout the day, I consult with production on any orders needing special attention and coordinate expedited delivery requests from Customer Service.  I oversee a shop floor Expeditor who responds to order change requests and troubleshoots order production issues.  I check the Concierge e-mail regularly and respond to etiquette questions.  I am also involved with various committees and projects; so, I am on the go most of the day attending meetings and doing follow-up work. Staying busy doing a variety of things I really enjoy makes the day go by quickly!

You’ve performed many roles at Crane through your tenure here – what have been some of your favorites and why?

My favorite role has been my interactions and relationships with our customers that I have enjoyed over the years.  Personalized stationery is a product attached to human emotion, which is both challenging and extremely satisfying at the same time. It is very rewarding just knowing that my efforts have contributed in some way to the customer experience of being delighted with a personal item that will be treasured throughout their lifetime.

Writing, language, and grammar have also been of interest to me.  Responding to Concierge etiquette questions is very enjoyable and keeps me up to date with new trends.

Besides customer relations, I am involved with employee and community activities, which is a lot of fun and allows me to get to know everyone throughout the company.  Really understanding what people do and what they value has resulted in effective collaborations and great teamwork at Crane Stationery!

You’re known as the in-house etiquette expert – What kinds of questions do you hear most frequently?

The most common questions we receive involve proper addressing of wedding envelopes (use of titles, etc.) and how the names of the parents, bride, groom, etc. should appear on the invitation in various situations (i.e. divorced parents, parents both hold a medical degree, etc.)  Recently, we have received questions about what paper items should be included in a stationery wardrobe for either a man or a woman.  This might be a good sign that people are starting to think more about personalized correspondence rather than an impersonal e-mail.

Funniest question you’ve ever gotten?

Two questions come to mind. The first question is one you would think is just common sense; so, it gave me a chuckle, perhaps because I have worked with stationery for so long.  A woman received a gift of stationery flat cards with a motif printed at the top.  She wanted to use the card to write back to her friend; but she didn’t know what side of the card to write on. Rest assured I was very pleasant in my explanation to write her message underneath the motif, not on the blank side.

The second question was from a woman who asked about how to word her step-daughter’s wedding invitation so that guests knew she and her husband were footing the bill and not his ex-wife.  Of course, she was disappointed to learn that when following proper etiquette, “who is paying” never drives the wording on the formal invitation. Since she was so adamant and really wanted to put in a plug for herself, I suggested having their names (as the hosts) appear on the Reception card that was being enclosed with the invitation packet.  I sure hope she followed this advice!

Ever get questions you didn’t know how to answer?

Questions regarding the proper form of address for members of the military, the clergy, or government officials for formal invitations, envelope addressing, or personal stationery vary between the branches of service, religious denominations, etc.  For these questions, my best resource is Robert Hickey, author of Honor & Respect:  The Official Guide to Names, Titles, & Forms of address.  Mr. Hickey is referenced in Crane’s Wedding Blue Book of etiquette as an expert consultant in this area.

What are you doing when you’re not at Crane?

For exercise, I like to powerwalk, go to the gym, bike ride, and hike with my friends.  For entertainment, I enjoy live concerts, sporting events, sitting by a fire with good friends, and “Girls’ Weekends”.  Beach vacations are my favorite; however, I recently returned from my first trip to Europe and absolutely loved it.  I guess staying at a beach in Europe would be the perfect combination!  For hobbies, I like to garden, go berry picking with my dad, bake, play word games, just to name a few.  One thing I do both at home and at Crane, every chance I get, is to deliver a clever pun, usually answered by a few groans!  The best response is a pun right back at me . . . Then the game begins!

Tell me about the most memorable letter you’ve ever received.

I have received many hand-written notes over the years; but the ones that mean the most come from someone whose heart you touched in an unexpected way.  One of the most memorable letters I received was from a woman who worked for me many years ago.  She came into work one morning and was very sad as her beloved pet was ill and she knew he would not make it much longer.  I told her to leave, not worry about work, and go take care of things at home. Days later, she sent me the most touching hand-written note expressing how grateful she was for my understanding and urging to go home as she was able to be with her pet during his last hours, which she would have missed if she had stayed at work.  To me, it was just something anyone would do for an employee; but to her, it meant much more.  I have always held on to that letter.  A personal hand-written heart-felt message is one of the best gifts anyone can receive.

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First things first, gather your supplies. We love using craft paper, markers, crayons, stickers and extra large envelopes.

Also, don’t forget a sweet little snack to get the creative juices flowing.

Next, get creative! Handwritten letters are a gift, and so it’s okay to get creative with your words and the paper you put them on. Letters from the heart, made by hand are a timeless treasure!

Finally, get writing. Letters can be long or short. Sometimes we ask questions that we hope will prompt a letter in return and other times we just send a quick note to say…

Last but not least, we like to package these notes up in an extra large envelope. A great fun way to add interest to the recipients mailbox. The bigger, the better!

Passing on the tradition of sending sentiments through the Post isn’t just a great way to make a loved one’s day, it’s also a fantastic habit to instill in our children for a lifetime of confidence through the handwritten word!

Let the showering of handwritten notes begin!

The post DIY Valentines With Kids appeared first on Crane Post Script.

Be Sincere
It may seem obvious, but don’t write a love letter unless you’re, oh, in love. If you’re not in that point in your relationship yet, don’t force it — better to share your desire for a romantic trip to Paris when you actually want to take one.

You’re Not a Poet, and Know It
Keats, Wordsworth, Shakespeare. Poetry of the amorous variety should be left to the experts. Unless you’re intentionally attempting to be cheeky, there’s no need to struggle with finding a word that rhymes with “mon cheri.”

Keep It Sweet
A love letter shouldn’t read like a chapter in a romance novel. There is a time and a place for content rated for Mature Audiences, but Valentine’s Day is about love, not lust. That said, you’re not in junior high school. Hence, a love letter shouldn’t read like a chapter of a Young Adult novel, either.

Be Original
Many a lovely sonnet, movie quote, song lyric and novel has been written about love. But those are their words, not yours. If words from any of the former sources have special meaning to you and your special someone — first date, where you met, etc. — then by all means, incorporate them into your love letter in a subtle way. But if they’re just words you happened to have found while searching “love quotes” on the Internet, skip them and include something straight from the heart instead.

It’s all in the Details
If you’re writing a love letter, you’ve hopefully made many cherished memories together. A love letter should be a reminder as to why you love the recipient so. You don’t have to recount your entire first date, but rather the smaller moments — the way he eats his pasta by twirling it on his fork; the way she laughs with abandon during movies.

Make it a Looker
You’ve taken the time to craft the perfect love letter, don’t skimp on the paper and presentation. Make it a note they’ll want to tuck in a drawer and keep forever.

This post features our Love greeting card!

The post How To Write the Perfect Valentine’s Day Love Letter appeared first on Crane Post Script.

PROVIDE AN UPDATE

PAINT A PICTURE

ASK QUESTIONS

CLOSE ON A HIGH NOTE
EXAMPLE

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April showers bring May flowers…

and with all of the rain we’ve had out wet, I mean West, this year…  I’m looking forward to more than just a bouquet come May.

That said, we’ve found a fun way to pass the time inside by showering our loved ones with handmade treasures in the mail.

After all, who doesn’t love a letter in their mailbox?

First things first, gather your supplies. We love using craft paper, markers, crayons, stickers and extra large envelopes.

Oh and don’t forget a sweet little snack to get the creative juices flowing. Like these lemon cookies. Darling.

Next, get creative! Handwritten letters are a gift, and so it’s okay to get creative with your words and the paper you put them on. Letters from the heart, made by hand are a timeless treasure!

Finally, get writing. Letters can be long or short. Sometimes we ask questions that we hope will prompt a letter in return and other times we just send a quick note to say…

Last but not least, we like to package these notes up in an extra large envelope. A great fun way to add interest to the recipients mailbox. The bigger, the better!

Passing on the tradition of sending sentiments through the Post isn’t just a great way to make a loved one’s day, it’s also a fantastic habit to instill in our children for a lifetime of confidence through the handwritten word!

So get out your umbrellas friends. Let the showering of handwritten notes begin!

The post Rainy Day Writing Activities Your Kids Will Love appeared first on Crane Post Script.

Here are our etiquette tips on how to craft the perfect Thank You Note.

Say it with style

Your Thank You Notes should reflect your aesthetic, whether it’s classic, romantic, minimalist or modern. The recipient of said note should know who it’s from even before he/she reads a word.

Be gracious in a timely manner

Thank You Notes should be sent out as soon as possible after you receive the gift. One to two weeks is the sweet spot. Your note should be a thoughtful gesture, not a reminder for the gift.

Give credit where credit is due

Make sure to address your Thank You Note to the person or persons who gave you the gift. If the gift is from your friend and her husband, your note should address both individuals (even if you know she “did all the work”). Everyone likes to feel appreciated, after all.

Name drop

Mention the gift you received by name. It may seem like a small detail, but in an era of generic, automated emails, it’s nice to receive something that is personalized just for you.

Go the extra descriptive mile

Everyone hopes that the gift they give isn’t going to collect dust, destined for the Goodwill bag when spring cleaning comes around. Prevent such worry with a sentence or two about how/when/where you might use the gift and how excited you are to do so.

Let’s practice, shall we?

Dear Lindsay, Jeff and Gabriel,

Thank you so much for the gorgeous silk Hermes scarf. You know my taste so well! I can’t wait to wear it out to dinner with Barrett; it’s really the perfect accessory for a lovely night out in the city. I hope all is well, much love to you all.

Truly,
Olivia

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