Chasingembers' Santa Pipe
Apr 13, 2020 20:44:29 GMT -5
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fadingdaylight, isett2860, and 6 more like this
Post by Cramptholomew on Apr 13, 2020 20:44:29 GMT -5
So, I figured I might as well post this. It's long, so bear with me.
chasingembers came to me last September with the request for a commission of a Christmas pipe - specifically a Santa pipe. He requested: "Okay, get this image in your head. Santa has just finished his run. Reindeer are back in the stable, coat hung up, and he sits down in his recliner to unwind. He pours himself a drink and pulls a pipe from his rack. The image you get of that pipe is what I want for Christmas Eve smoke. My only request is for it to have antler on it. Sound interesting? Just see the jolly old elf enjoying his pipe after the Christmas deliveries. That's the pipe I want, your interpretation of Santa's pipe. I used to do the same thing with Bruce Weaver. I'd tell him specific stem materials or accents, but to surprise me.😁 Just show me your idea of Santa's pipe, and all I ask for is an antler accent either on the shank or stem. Just have fun!👍"
I got very excited, since I'm a Christmas guy, and making a santa pipe sounded like a fantastic opportunity. Well, as time went on, I started to get really nervous. The creative freedom was now too much of a responsibility, not to mention "he used to do this with Bruce Weaver". I looked at Santa pipes on Google, and NONE fit what I thought I could make. Finally, after about 8 weeks of wailing and gnashing of teeth, I decided "I'm Santa Claus, and I'm going to make what I would smoke". So I did. A big chunky bent pot, with some Danish flair, and a crazy double split stem.
I got it done just in time, and sent it out. Duane got it, and was MORE THAN EXCITED, but he refused to open it until Christmas Eve. He was already telling me that he wanted 6 more in the same vein for a seven day set, and he hadn't even seen the Santa Pipe yet. I told him to hold his horses until he saw what I'd sent, because I didn't him to get his hopes too high.
Well, a couple days later, he messages me: "Uh-oh, you had me worried so I opened it! Pipe emergency, call me!" And sent his phone number WITH A WRONG DIGIT IN IT!!!!
I freaked. Like, totally freaked. I'd put EVERYTHING into this pipe. I sent him a message saying his number didn't work, but he didn't get back to me fast enough. Whatever was wrong had to be fixed NOW. I ended up Googling his name and address, and found an old record, so I called. It was his mother's house. I had to explain who/what/why in a very awkward situation at 10:30pm to his mom, and she finally got in touch with him.
I called him, and asked what was wrong, and that this couldn't be happening. I swear I had heart palpitations. I already have terrible anxiety, and this was worst case scenario. He proceeds to say, "Welllll....this pipe........it's...uh.....the prettiest pipe I've ever seen...". HO-LEEEEE CRAP. I could have jumped though the phone. I let myself calm down, and realized why he'd pranked me. He continued on, and these are HIS words, that this pipe was right up there with his best, most expensive pieces. INCLUDING his Bruce Weavers. Well, we talked for about 45 minutes, and I left the conversation feeling pretty proud - and exhausted.
The seven days set will happen, but slowly and surely. At least I know he should be happy with whatever I do.
The end.
Happy smokes, chasingembers!
chasingembers came to me last September with the request for a commission of a Christmas pipe - specifically a Santa pipe. He requested: "Okay, get this image in your head. Santa has just finished his run. Reindeer are back in the stable, coat hung up, and he sits down in his recliner to unwind. He pours himself a drink and pulls a pipe from his rack. The image you get of that pipe is what I want for Christmas Eve smoke. My only request is for it to have antler on it. Sound interesting? Just see the jolly old elf enjoying his pipe after the Christmas deliveries. That's the pipe I want, your interpretation of Santa's pipe. I used to do the same thing with Bruce Weaver. I'd tell him specific stem materials or accents, but to surprise me.😁 Just show me your idea of Santa's pipe, and all I ask for is an antler accent either on the shank or stem. Just have fun!👍"
I got very excited, since I'm a Christmas guy, and making a santa pipe sounded like a fantastic opportunity. Well, as time went on, I started to get really nervous. The creative freedom was now too much of a responsibility, not to mention "he used to do this with Bruce Weaver". I looked at Santa pipes on Google, and NONE fit what I thought I could make. Finally, after about 8 weeks of wailing and gnashing of teeth, I decided "I'm Santa Claus, and I'm going to make what I would smoke". So I did. A big chunky bent pot, with some Danish flair, and a crazy double split stem.
I got it done just in time, and sent it out. Duane got it, and was MORE THAN EXCITED, but he refused to open it until Christmas Eve. He was already telling me that he wanted 6 more in the same vein for a seven day set, and he hadn't even seen the Santa Pipe yet. I told him to hold his horses until he saw what I'd sent, because I didn't him to get his hopes too high.
Well, a couple days later, he messages me: "Uh-oh, you had me worried so I opened it! Pipe emergency, call me!" And sent his phone number WITH A WRONG DIGIT IN IT!!!!
I freaked. Like, totally freaked. I'd put EVERYTHING into this pipe. I sent him a message saying his number didn't work, but he didn't get back to me fast enough. Whatever was wrong had to be fixed NOW. I ended up Googling his name and address, and found an old record, so I called. It was his mother's house. I had to explain who/what/why in a very awkward situation at 10:30pm to his mom, and she finally got in touch with him.
I called him, and asked what was wrong, and that this couldn't be happening. I swear I had heart palpitations. I already have terrible anxiety, and this was worst case scenario. He proceeds to say, "Welllll....this pipe........it's...uh.....the prettiest pipe I've ever seen...". HO-LEEEEE CRAP. I could have jumped though the phone. I let myself calm down, and realized why he'd pranked me. He continued on, and these are HIS words, that this pipe was right up there with his best, most expensive pieces. INCLUDING his Bruce Weavers. Well, we talked for about 45 minutes, and I left the conversation feeling pretty proud - and exhausted.
The seven days set will happen, but slowly and surely. At least I know he should be happy with whatever I do.
The end.
Happy smokes, chasingembers!
