Fox Creek Blog

Imagine this, it’s December 19th…cold and wintery…pond frozen over (yep, this is the view out my window - I do love my job)…

‘Tis the Monday before Christmas and all through the shop,

All of Paul’s employees were shipping a lot.

The boxes were stacked to the ceiling with care,

Hoping that Fedex or UPS would soon be there.

Okay, okay. I’ll stop. Seriously, to the ceiling! We were proud to have our largest shipping day ever! The proof is in the photos.

(Melinda, Paul, Eddie, Scarlett, & Ashley with boxes.)

Thank you for your business and continuing support.

One of the best perks of working at Fox Creek Leather is being able to work with the public. Doing so, I’ve developed a lot of friendships with many interesting people. Yes, I have friends….Now that this has been established, let me take a moment to tell you about one such friend, Brendan Dowd. (I’m not just talking about Brendan because I find him “Drop Dead Gorgeous” either.)

Okay, you may of guessed it, I’ve a soft spot for international customers. I was quick to reply to Brendan’s first e-mail, the words “here in Scotland” were speaking to me. Just a couple of questions on fitting a jacket. (He needed something for riding his Honda Rune Trike). Within a couple of replies back and forth, I had a new Scottish friend and he was getting a Fox Creek Leather Jacket.

Time for a quick, funny story. Brendan was chillin in Inverness and picked up a copy of Cold Mountain. As soon as he read the word Virginia on the film cover the phone rang. Yep, it was me. How eerie is that? That’s the kind of connection we’ve got.

I find that I really look forward to e-mails from my friend. Just seeing one in my inbox brightens my day. If and when we meet, I know it will be that comfortable feeling of friendship shared over a drink or two or three or….oh well, you get the point.

Now I am going to brag. Brendan has what I think would be the coolest job ever (next to selling leather on the internet of course). He is an internet radio D.J.

Here is a spill on his site:

At Scottish Internet Radio we aim to provide a serious and credible alternative to traditional terrestrial radio. We will broadcast a selection of pre-recorded programmes which will provide listeners from all over the globe with the opportunity to listen to a variety of music genres, including traditional and modern Scottish music.

The main focus of the station will be the promotion of Scottish culture and language and will broadcast programmes in both English and Gaelic. The station will also run a unique online Gaelic learning program, and in association with Sabhal Mor Ostaig the Gaelic collage located on the Isle of Skye we will provide listeners with an opportunity to learn our native language.

In fact, Brendan has just started a new Piping show on S.I.R. called PIOBAIREACHD, it’s Gaelic for Piping. I’ve been told Angus takes requests.

Check out the site.
Request a song.
(Mine is Amazing Grace on the bagpipes - hint, hint Mr. Angus!)

Not to say that there is a right or a wrong way to put on your chaps. If you have a system that works, then keep on keeping on. For newbies, we put together a quick “How To” piece on putting your chaps on and included some great fitting tips.

The first main tip is: Do not worry about the chaps touching the floor during any part of this procedure. They more than likely will end up there and should if you are doing this correctly.

• Unzip and unsnap both legs of the chaps.
• Grab the top of the chaps between the lacing and the back of the right leg with your right hand. Make sure the inside of the right leg is facing you.
• Use your left hand to pass the male part of the zipper between your legs from front to back passing it to your right hand and you let go of the top.
• Grab the female part of the zipper in your left hand.
• Move the zippers to the front of your thigh well below the thickest part of your thigh and zip the right leg.

• Position the zipper towards the outside rear of the leg. Do not pull the chaps up on your leg, yet.
• Pass the belt and the left leg of the chaps straight across behind you to your left leg just above the knee.
• Pass the female part of the zipper from front to back between the legs passing it to your left hand.

• Move the zippers to the front of the thigh and zip the left leg.
• Position the zipper to the outside of the leg towards the rear.

• Pull the chaps up and buckle them. Squat down and stretch them out like you are trying to bust them. Get in a catcher’s position and bounce.

The zipper is on the outside rear of the leg because that is where it is most protected from wind and rain.

A good fit in the thigh would be if you can (just) fit your hand between your thigh and the chaps leg. When your hand is in there, you should not be able to move it around or wiggle your fingers.

You would want the belt to fasten in one of the middle grommet holes. If you are in the very first or last grommet hole, try to adjust the laces to allow for maxium fit and comfort.

Just so that you know, wherever your body puts pressure on the chaps they will stretch (where there is no pressure they will not stretch). After time they will form to you and give you the lived in feel that you desire.

If the chaps are too long, you can trim them to fit. We ask that you make sure that you have a good waist and thigh fit before trimming because once you trim the chaps we cannot take them back. The seams are glued and sewn to keep the thread from unraveling and of course the leather does not fray. Remember that it is better to cut twice than to cut too much.

If you are unsure of the fit, just give us a call.

Thanks to Chippy for the great modeling.

Cancer claimed the life of our beloved co-worker, Bernadene Bennett this past year. In four months we went from having an active young woman to a memory. Even as time passes, it is still hard to believe that she is gone from our lives.

Bernie helped grow Fox Creek Leather into what it is today. An excellent employee, she had a keen business sense and a dedication to continually improve our company. If she didn’t know how to do something or if something was not working as it should, Bernie would not quit until she mastered the situation/program/idea. In one word: Mrs. Efficiency.

Outside of work, she continued to prove how she was a loving mother, a dedicated wife, and a good friend. When I was hired, Bernie trained me at FCL. A little bossy I thought, but great at teaching and even better at laughing. So over the weeks we started talking. Being close to the same age, we shared many common interests and experiences.

As I came to know her, Bernie made an impact on my life. She made me want to be a better employee at work, a better cook at home, and to seriously contemplate joining weight watchers. Through her illness, she made me promise to go to the doctor over ignored symptoms. I finally did. I also want to live a healthier lifestyle and make better choices.

Melinda and I talk about Bernie occasionally, but she comes to mind daily. It amazes me at how fast she was taken. We laugh at good times shared. We cry at times we lost.

Bernie and I both loved NASCAR racing, just not the same drivers. Bernie and Chippy went to Martinsville in April of 2005 (complements of UPS) to watch qualifying in the UPS box. She was so excited even when showing me the photographs. She took this one:

(Melinda and I went this year and agreed that it was so nice that she got to experience this event.)

We really bonded the most over our love of food (although Bernie was way more health conscience than myself). Man, this lady could cook. She enjoyed sharing meals with the office staff. Bernie was so thoughtful; she would never miss baking you a birthday cake.

When going to place an office supply order today, the woman asked if I was Bernie. My heart stopped for a split second, and you know, I’m not Bernie, but I do wish that I was more like her in many ways. She has taken a place in my heart and I will remember and cherish our short time together for always.