It's been a while since our last newsletter in January, and it feels even longer, given what has been happening in every corner of the world.
We feel blessed to be living in a rural area with ample space to live and work and also lots of woods in which to enjoy the changing seasons. And we’re also very aware of how these recent times have unfolded in other places. We have family in Italy, as well as friends, family and customers around the country and the globe, and we have seen how this challenge, shared by all of us, is being handled and experienced so differently in various communities.
As many of you may know, Authentic Designs is based out of a large manufacturing space-- a repurposed 19th century mill. After a few weeks of just the twoof us working in the shop (a true mom and pop business) we are currently back at full capacitywith ourstaff of five artisans, and we are working hard to keep up with orders that have continued to arrive.
This past weekend of May 9, it snowed up here in Rupert Vermont and in other parts of the northeast, and we had 7 inches in our backyard. By afternoon, it had all melted. (See photo of Maria by the creek.) This unusual weather seemed somehow fitting for the times.