Tag: sarkanys rising

  • 💫 Because Some Things Shouldn’t Be Cheap

    Gifts. Memories. Legacy.

    We know the moment you’re in. A wedding is coming. An anniversary. A retirement. A moment you want to mark with something real — something they’ll keep, use, and maybe pass on.

    And then comes the scroll. Through price tags. Through plastic. Through mass-produced “options” that don’t feel like options at all.

    That’s when people find Sarkanys Rising.

    Big Moments Deserve More

    When you’re buying for life’s biggest moments, it’s not about the biggest box. It’s about meaning.

    A hand-turned rolling pin gifted to your daughter as she sets up her first home. A resin-inlaid charcuterie board passed around the table each Thanksgiving. A pen used to sign retirement papers — the same one they’ll use to write postcards in their new chapter.

    These aren’t just gifts. They’re future memories.

    At Sarkanys Rising, our mission is simple: nothing will ever be the same, and our pieces are as distinctive as our customers. That’s because each piece is handmade in the truest sense — guided by our hands and minds through the entire process.

    What Goes Into the Price

    We get asked sometimes, “Why does this cost more?” And the honest answer is: because it costs more.

    • Because one-of-a-kind means exactly that. Even if Rex tried, he couldn’t make that exact piece again. With over 40 years of wood turning experience, he knows that wood moves, resin dances, and no two pours turn out the same.

    • Because quality still takes time. Even our simplest carvings take 24+ hours — not including drying, finishing, and Rex’s meticulous attention to every detail.

    • Because materials matter. Some woods we use were salvaged from trees with names and stories. Some resin colors are custom-mixed, layered over days. Some components? We source from other small makers, because only the best will do.

    It all adds up — not just in price, but in worth.

    The Real Question

    It’s not “Why is this expensive?” It’s “What is this worth to me?”

    And if the answer is connection, legacy, memory — then it’s worth every penny.

    When you choose a piece from our collection, you’re not just buying functional art. You’re investing in a story that will be told for generations. You’re choosing to give something that says, “This moment mattered. You matter.”

    Some Things Shouldn’t Be Cheap

    Not the moments that matter. Not the people we love. Not the things we hand down, hoping someone will think of us when they use them.

    That’s what we make.

    Ready to find the perfect meaningful gift? Browse our collection at sarkanysrising.com where handcrafted joy meets lasting legacy. Have a special piece from us? We’d love to hear the story — share how your Sarkanys Rising heirloom is creating memories in your family.

  • 🪵 Do Handmade Shops Even Offer Guarantees?

    We Do.

    If you’ve ever wandered through a craft fair or browsed a handmade marketplace online, you’ve probably asked yourself: “What happens if this breaks?” It’s a fair question — and one that most people assume comes with a shrug and a “you’re on your own.”

    But not at Sarkanys Rising.

    We believe that offering a real guarantee isn’t just possible in the handmade world — it’s essential. Because when you invest in something crafted with care by our hands, it should come with more than just beauty. It should come with trust.

    Why Guarantees Matter in the Handmade World

    In a sea of mass-produced items with 30-day return windows and call centers, handmade work can feel like the wild west. People assume that “handmade” means “no take-backs,” and that any defects are just part of the deal.

    But here’s the truth: Handmade doesn’t mean fragile. And it definitely shouldn’t mean risky.

    At Sarkanys Rising, we see our work as functional heirlooms — meant to be used, loved, and passed down. Our mission is simple: nothing will ever be the same, and our pieces are as distinctive as our customers. That kind of promise needs more than craftsmanship. It needs commitment.

    What We Guarantee (and Why We Can)

    We stand behind every piece we make, and here’s what that looks like:

    • Lifetime guarantee on all pens. If something goes wrong, we’ll fix it. No fine print.

    • Coverage for defects in materials or workmanship on all other items, as long as they’re used and cared for properly (translation: please don’t put our handcrafted cutting boards in the dishwasher).

    • Easy repairs or replacements when needed. Sometimes a customer drops a lid or snaps a spoon — life happens. We’ll always do our best to help.

    We offer these guarantees because we know our work. Rex has been turning wood for over 40 years. Dawn sources top-tier materials and creates resin blanks that are both beautiful and reliable. Together, we don’t let anything leave our hands that we wouldn’t be proud to stand behind.

    What This Means for You

    It means peace of mind. It means you’re not just buying a beautiful object — you’re building a relationship with people who care. And if something goes wrong, you won’t get ghosted. You’ll get help.

    Our customers often say, “I didn’t expect a handmade business to offer this kind of guarantee.”

    Our response is always the same: We do.

    Because respect — for our craft, for the materials, and for the people who choose us — is at the heart of everything we make.

    Ready to Experience the Difference?

    So, do handmade shops offer guarantees? We can’t speak for everyone.

    But here at Sarkanys Rising… we do.

    Browse our collection at sarkanysrising.com and experience handcrafted quality backed by real commitment. Have a guaranteed piece from us? Share your story — we love hearing how our functional heirlooms are living in homes across the Southwest and beyond.

  • 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.