Category: Behind the Grain

This is where you will learn about us, our products, festivals and fairs, and more!

  • What Makes a “Wow” Unboxing?

    (It’s more than just tissue paper — though we love that too.)

    There’s something magic about gift giving. And it’s not just the squeal someone makes when they open your present — though that’s pretty great too. For us, it’s the whole experience. From choosing the perfect piece (you know the one that practically has their name on it) to the way it’s presented, gift giving is one big love letter wrapped in shredded craft paper.

    Hi, I’m Dawn — and while I’m no Martha Stewart when it comes to gift wrapping (honestly, Rex would agree), I do personally pack and ship every single item that leaves our shop. Every. Single. One. Rex, for all his woodworking wizardry, is a little less enthused about boxing things up. 😂 So, if you’ve ever gotten one of our lovingly packed packages, that’s me in every fold and flourish.

    What Makes an Unboxing Feel Magical?

    When you’re gifting something handmade — especially a one-of-a-kind piece like we make — the wrapping should reflect that same care. Whether it’s a handcrafted pen, a cutting board, or something whimsically carved that defies categorization, here’s how we make it special (and how you can too).

    1. The Box: Form Meets Function

    Our handcrafted pen boxes are an absolute favorite for gifting — sturdy, beautiful, and customizable to match the pen inside. Beyond that, we use good ol’ corrugated cardboard boxes for most items because they hold up like champs under trees and on gift tables. Don’t have one handy? Cake and muffin boxes work great too — just make sure what you’re wrapping won’t wiggle too much.

    2. The Filling: Keep It Green, Keep It Gorgeous

    We’re all about sustainable gift wrapping, so we use recycled kraft paper or even shredded scraps from our own projects to cushion the goods. Fill the box only halfway — you want your gift to nestle in cozily, not disappear in a paper avalanche. If you want to throw in some tissue paper for color or flair, go for it. (Bonus points for a sticker or stamp to seal it up.)

    3. Add the Love Note

    This is your moment. A little card tucked inside, filled with words that only the recipient gets to read? Chef’s kiss. Make it sappy. Make it silly. Make it yours. This small gesture is what elevates a thoughtful gift from nice to unforgettable.

    4. Decorate with Intention

    Are you wrapping this or decorating it? Because with kraft paper boxes, it’s your call. Add ribbon, a stamp, a pressed flower — go full Pinterest if that’s your vibe. Or keep it simple with twine and a handwritten tag. Either way, it’s going to be beautiful, because it’s personal.

    At the end of the day, gifting handmade pieces is about more than the “thing” — it’s the feeling that comes with it. So give beautifully. Give thoughtfully. And if that includes something made by us here at Sarkanys Rising, just know a whole lot of heart went into it.

    As always, we’re here if you have questions, want to chat about gift wrapping ideas, or need a pen box to match your masterpiece.

    Until next time, keep making moments that matter — and wrapping them like you mean it.

    Warmly,
    Dawn (and Rex, who still refuses to wrap anything)

  • 🪵 Why We Encourage Festival Shipping

    Save your arms for funnel cake.

    Let’s be honest: the only heavy lifting you should be doing at a festival is hauling a turkey leg the size of your forearm. And maybe a flower crown or two. But one of our handcrafted walnut charcuterie boards that tells its own story? That doesn’t belong slung over your shoulder as you wander between the falconer and the kettle corn stand.

    That’s why we offer festival shipping — and here’s the sweet part: orders over $10 ship absolutely free. Because you deserve convenience, comfort, and maybe even a second funnel cake (we’re not judging).

    Why We Do It (And Why Our Customers Love It)

    At Sarkanys Rising, our mission is simple: nothing will ever be the same, and our pieces are as distinctive as our customers. When you’re browsing our festival booth, you’re not just shopping — you’re discovering handcrafted utilitarian art that’s been shaped by our hands and hearts.

    Maybe you spot one of our signature hybrid-resin rolling pins that sparks kitchen daydreams. Or perhaps it’s a hand-carved keepsake box that feels like it already belongs in your home. Each piece is unique, just like the moment you fall in love with it.

    But then reality hits: “How am I going to carry this around all day?”

    We’ve been there. And we’ve watched too many people pass up their dream piece because they didn’t want to babysit it while sipping mead in the sun. That’s why we make it ridiculously easy: buy at the booth, and with our free shipping on orders over $10 (which, let’s face it, is basically everything we make), your treasure arrives at your door — safe, sound, and packed with care, wood shavings, and good wishes.

    Festival Convenience That Just Makes Sense

    Here’s what festival shipping means for you:

    • No splinters in your shoulder bag (save those for our workshop stories!)
    • No worrying about dropping your one-of-a-kind peppermill during a joust
    • No explaining to your spouse why you can’t help carry the snacks
    • Free shipping over $10 — because handcrafted joy shouldn’t cost extra to get home

    And the best part? When your piece arrives, it’s like getting a surprise twice — once when you discovered it at the festival, and again when it shows up at your door, ready to become part of your daily life.

    What Makes Us Different

    Every piece we create is handmade in the truest sense — guided by our hands and minds through the entire process. We use both hand and power tools, but it’s the human touch that makes each piece as distinctive as the person who takes it home.

    Whether you’re eyeing our:

    • Charcuterie boards perfect for entertaining
    • Rolling pins that make baking an art form
    • Keepsake boxes for life’s treasures
    • Custom pieces that tell your story

    …each one is crafted to be part of your life, not just decoration.

    The Magic of Festival Memories

    When you take home a piece from Sarkanys Rising, you’re not just buying functional art — you’re investing in a story that continues long after the festival music fades. Every time you use that cutting board or rolling pin, you’ll remember the day you discovered it, the smell of kettle corn in the air, and the moment something handcrafted called to you.

    Ready to Find Your Festival Treasure?

    So next time you see us at a festival, fall in love freely. You bring the joy, we’ll handle the logistics. And remember: save your arms for funnel cake — we’ve got everything else covered.

    Visit us online at sarkanysrising.com to see our full collection, or find us at festivals across the Southwest where handcrafted joy meets festival convenience.

    Share Your Festival Find: Got a Sarkanys Rising piece from a festival? We’d love to see how it’s living in your home! Tag us on social media and link back to this post — we love celebrating the ongoing stories of our handcrafted pieces.

  • “Bad Doggie, No Biscuit”: When Festival Magic Meets Umbrella Justice

    “Bad Doggie, No Biscuit”: When Festival Magic Meets Umbrella Justice

    Festival Memories That Still Make Us Smile

    Some stories stick with you like sawdust on your work clothes — the kind that make you grin unexpectedly while carving a new piece. This one comes from our Kansas City Renaissance Festival days, complete with haunted houses, umbrella-wielding grandmothers, and legendary laughter. 🎃

    Back When Fairs Had Soul

    Years ago, I was part of a Renaissance festival community — not today’s cookie-cutter corporate fairs, but the genuine article run by the Kansas City Art Institute. The site was seven (7) miles from my home and I still consider KCRF my home faire. Handmade everything, cobbled-together magic, and wonderfully odd theater folk who’d make Monty Python proud.

    During the off-season, we often created haunted houses. Picture classic monsters lurking in carefully crafted scenes, animatronics jury-rigged by creative actors, and an entrance tunnel so disorienting that most visitors missed the first path split entirely.

    The Setup

    Our werewolf friend worked the “sissy path” — the gentler route with fewer jump scares but still plenty of atmosphere. His big moment came after gruesome dioramas: leap from the shadows screaming whatever seemed scariest that night.

    The Legend is Born

    Enter one rainy evening and an elderly Eastern European grandmother, separated from her grandchildren who’d convinced her to brave the maze. Picture old-world elegance: black headscarf, long coat, large umbrella doubling as a walking cane.

    She’d been stoic throughout — no screams, just occasional disapproving tongue clicks at the displays. Completely unflappable.

    Until our werewolf made his move.

    “DINNER!” he roared, leaping toward what seemed like an easy mark.

    Without missing a beat, she swung her umbrella with fencer’s precision — THWACK — right between his eyes.

    In her magnificently stern, accented voice:

    “Bad doggie. No biscuit.”

    Then, with a satisfied “hmph,” she repositioned her umbrella and walked straight to her confused grandchildren.

    The Ripple Effect

    Sound carries in haunted houses.🎃 Every actor heard that moment of umbrella justice, and not one could keep a straight scary face afterward. The howling laughter probably terrified more patrons than our carefully crafted scares.

    Many wished they’d witnessed it (I know I did). Those present were sad they missed giving her the standing ovation she deserved.

    What This Means Today

    Festival folk are strange and wonderful people who collect stories like souvenirs. At Sarkanys Rising, every handcrafted piece carries that same spirit — authentic craftsmanship with unexpected delight.

    When you pick up one of our wooden creations, you’re getting something with soul, made by people who believe in handmade magic. Because the best stories, like the best art, come from real moments that become conversation starters and memory makers.

    These days, when you hear me (Dawn) say “no biscuit” in an unusual accent, you’ll know why. Some moments are too perfect not to carry forward. Will we see you at our first Renaissance Festival this year? Looking forward to making new memories.