Dinnerware Diary

Accidents Happen!

Yesterday, I had a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Replacements mail room.  Today, I was thinking of paying a visit to our restoration area - just to say "Hello" to everyone.  Often I have walked by the kiln and seen the clay biscuits of china waiting to be fired.  I've watched as skilled artisans restore details to priceless figurines and I've watched as delicate crystal pieces have gold hand-restored.  Restoration is an amazing department.

One of the most common incidents that occurs with sterling flatware is its being dropped into the garbage disposal.  Within a couple of seconds, a heirloom fork from a beautiful family pattern can be damaged beyond recognition.  The skilled team of artisans at Replacements, Ltd. have the ability to repair and restore the tines, bowls, and handles of flatware. 

Tarnished silver is a hassle with which few will want to deal.  In addition to restoration, Replacements, Ltd. has a stupendous polishing team.  After all, we polish all of the flatware orders that we receive and ship each day.  Some pieces require a buffing wheel while others may require a gentle hand-polishing. Our silver specialists cater to such special requests. 

If you would like more information on Replacements, Ltd.'s quality restoration services, including prices, then click here.  Also, if you want to see some of the work our restoration team does, then drop by and take one of our showroom tours.  You'll love it.  The busy artisans in restoration are quite intriguing to watch and they love visiting with our customers.

Replacements Mail

Today has been a little different from most days.  I had an opportunity to work in our mailroom.  I knew this would be a great opportunity to learn something new.  When you think of a mailroom, you might visualize a stuffy office with a few college kids running errands and filling out paperwork for lawyers.  Well, the Replacements mailroom is different.  Our company sent roughly 6.5 million pieces of mail last year.  To put that into perspective...we send about 500,000 pieces of mail per month, about 135,000 pieces per week, and stuff about 20,000 envelopes per day.

In order to keep our customers informed of the latest in china, crystal, flatware, and collectibles, we offer to send email or mail updates with the newest pieces and prices in the patterns you have opted to watch.  We have a series of printers designed to print updates in your patterns.  Each of these "batches" are printed according to their destination.  From there, these print outs are loaded into a rather ominous looking machine called "The Inserter."  The inserter has the ability to stuff 40,000 envelopes per day.  This is truly an amazing process.

Even if you request special information from us, the machine will select from several piles of brochures and send the appropriate one to you - inserted in the envelope with your quote. 

I have to admit that I had a great deal of fun today and learned another interesting and fun fact about Replacements, Ltd. 

Cheers!!!

I am a creature of habit.  Absolute habit.  After the alarm goes off, I wait in bed until I hear the coffee pot beep.  After getting ready for work, I fix breakfast, have two cups of coffee, and sit at the dining room table reading.  After  responding to emails at work, I usually take a stroll around our building just to see what interesting, fun piece I can find to write about.  I love walking through our showroom in the morning.  It is is so quiet and peaceful.  There is such anticipation for what the day brings.  It also gives me a chance to reflect on all of the breathtaking patterns that we carry.

This morning, I came across a pattern that is both inexpensive and fun!  "Cheers" by Mikasa Crystal is an oversized pattern that works well for setting the table or stocking the bar.  The etchings are whimsical and intriguing.  I particularly like the balloon wine.  This 9 1/8" piece features a series of etched balls.  Vertical stripes, horizontal stripes, cubes, bubbles, and zigzag herringbone define this festive barware pattern.  I also like the durable and sturdy mug.  It too is oversized.  I think I might buy one of these and cut down to one cup of coffee each morning.

This is just one of the many fun patterns available at Replacements.  Stop by and visit us sometime.  I promise, I will make it my goal to greet you and give you a personal tour.  Just have someone call me.  Or call me in advance!  1-800-737-5223 x2537.

You Have Got To See This!!!

  Replacements, Ltd. has a great deal of state pride - and who wouldn't?  North Carolina is such a great place to live and raise a family.  From our mountain vistas to the bounty of the sea, North Carolina stands alone in its natural beauty and rich cultural history.  I have a friend who moved to California and she called me on the phone saying, "I miss having four seasons."  Replacements recently excepted the USS NC Sterling Silver collection to be displayed in our Showroom Museum for one year.

This collection is nothing less than stunning.  Yesterday, I chose to walk through the showroom as I so often do.  There it was - - - huge!  I had to email my boss, the Senior VP of E-Commerce, Jack Whitley, and tell him to view it.  There is a punchbowl with stand and ladle that has it own set of attached candlelabras with lamps shades!  It is absolutely amazing.

As of now, we are still researching it.  It just arrived.  Stay tuned.  As soon as I have more information and images, I certainly will be sharing.

It's great to be here...

I'm so excited.  After six years of working at Replacements, Ltd. and seven years of school and I finally finished.  This morning, I began working days.  I woke up at 5 am, drank my coffee, and read the paper.  It was great!  I have to admit that I had grown just a bit tired of my college schedule which had me up to the most ungodly hours of the night.

Today, I have decided to do something different and fun.  I walked into our showroom and grabbed whatever caught my eye and decided to write about it.  While perusing the many offerings of our showroom, I located an amazing 5" vase in the "Jaguar Jungle" pattern by Lynn Chase Designs.  We recently featured Lynn Chase Designs in our tri-weekly newsletter.  If you don't subscribe to the newsletter give us a call or email us.  Like this blog, it is another great way to stay informed with respect to the inner workings of Replacements, Ltd. and tableware market.

"Jaguar Jungle" is one of Lynn Chase's most poular designs.  The white porcelain body of the vase features gold and blue trim with a wild cat and green leaf design.  Lynn Chase is a self-taught artist.  Her designs are famous all over the world.  She traveled extensively throughout the African continent.  While there, she photgraphed and drew the wildlife that she observed. 

This 5" vase is just one piece that we offer in the festive "Jaguar Jungle" pattern.  If you have questions or would like to know more about Lynn Chase, then email me or give me a call.  You can reach me at 1-800-737-5223 x2537 or at garon.anders@replacements.com