Our Lead Artist and President of Saving Grace Enterprises, Inc., was recently contacted through Legacy Journals by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. to create a very special custom leather guest book. The book was used during the Smithsonian Institution’s 42nd Annual Folklife Festival on that National Mall in the “Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon” program to record visitor sentiments and well wishes during this year’s festival.
Ms. Phipps was extended a personal invitation from the program’s curator, Preston Scott, to attend the opening ceremonies and present the book, complete with a custom wood presentation box made by our fine wood craftsman, in person during the festival.
Ms. Phipps presented the book to His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, Prince of Bhutan - the head of the Bhutanese delegation (consisting of approximately 140 Bhutanese artists, dancers, cooks, craftspeople, carpenters, farmers, and representatives of monastic life) for the event - during a book blessing ceremony on the opening day of the festival. Ms. Phipps was also formally introduced to His Excellency Lyonpo Minjur Dorji, Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs of Bhutan.
“The presentation of the book was very beautiful. They had the book, safely inside the box, tied with a white silk scarf. And, once they were ready to begin, both His Royal Highness, the Prince, and I, pulled opposite ends of the scarf to “reveal” the box, and then the book. Then, His Royal Highness , the Prince, signed the first page and His Excellency Lyonpo Minjur Dorji signed the following page,“ comments Phipps on the book blessing ceremony.
Once the Festival concluded, the custom leather guest book, filled with visitor’s sentiments, was taken to Bhutan and given as a gift from the Smithsonian Institution to the King of Bhutan - Fifth Druk Gyalpo His Majest King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
When asked about the Smithsonian book, Ms. Phipps commented: “It took a few days for it to really sink in - the Smithsonian chose my company to create something to give to a foreign dignitary [from the Smithsonian]. We get some really neat requests from very interesting people, but, this was, by far, the most notable from an artist’s point of view. I think every artists dreams of being contacted by the Smithsonian Institution, and to create something that is so important to them was a huge honor - and pretty overwhelming if I allow myself to dwell on it. And,” Phipps added with a grin, “that’s not even adding the ‘meeting a prince’ factor - doesn’t every little girl dream of meeting a prince? It’s just such an honor all around - definitely a once-in-a-lifetime event.”
About the Festival
The 2008 Smithsonian Folklife Festival featured three programs. In addition to “Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon,” the other programs were “NASA: 50 years and Beyond” and “Texas: A Celebration of Music, Food and Wine.”
The Folklife Festival, inaugurated in 1967, honors people from across the United States and around the world. With approximately 1 million visitors each year, the Festival unites presenters and performers in the nation’s capital to celebrate the diversity of cultural traditions. It is produced by the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The Festival’s web site is: http://www.folklife.si.edu.
With summer just around the corner, Saving Grace Enterprises is pleased to announce the opening of our newest online boutique - Better than Barefoot Sandals. We know that everyone likes the feel of being barefoot. But, we also know that bare feet can be dangerous in the yard and on the beach - with small sharp rocks, errant pieces of glass blending in with the beach and more….your feet need some sort of protection.
Unfortunately, we’ve also found that the “protection” of most sandals is not as comfortable as being barefoot! Over the past few years, we’ve been perfecting a system to create the best custom leather sandals available to you - anywhere in the world. Our local customers have been thrilled with the results. We’ve had numerous requests from our local customers to offer our signature custom leather sandals - Better than Barefoot Sandals - to their family and friends all over the country and world.
That presented a special problem that required a special solution. You see, ALL of our custom leather sandals are molded to each customer’s individual feet. We don’t sell our sandals according to size…because and you know, “shoe size” varies depending on style and manufacturer - up to as much as 2.5 sizes! Not to mention that most people’s feet are two different sizes….so, you are stuck buying for your “bigger” foot - leaving your other foot in a potentially uncomfortable situation.
So, after over a year of searching and much testing, we have perfected our fitting process so that we can offer our custom leather sandals to anyone, worldwide - and still provide the same spectacular fit and ultimate comfort. When you order your custom leather sandals from Better than Barefoot Sandals, we will immediately ship your our “custom bare-fit kit” (within 1-3 business days), which contains an easy to use, no-mess material for you to create a “replica” of each of your feet so that we can custom fit each of your feet - without you coming into our studios! We also include a label for return shipping…so, all you need to do is complete the kit (which takes less than an hour), put it in the box, stick on the label and ship it back to us.
And, with our custom bare-fit kit, you won’t ever have to worry about whether your custom leather sandals will actually fit when you receive them since each custom leather sandal is custom fit to each foot! Our custom bare-fit kit *also* includes real leather swatches of all the colors and stains available, so you don’t have to guess which color you like based on what you see on your computer screen.
Every aspect of your custom leather sandals by Better than Barefoot sandals is fully customizable, and we are happy to work with you to create the custom leather sandal you are dreaming of. From simple and strappy custom leather sandals to heavy duty custom leather sandals to custom leather sandals that make your wrists jealous (is it an ankle bracelet or a sandal?), these custom leather sandals are sure to keep your feet very happy - and make your friends wonder how you found such a great fitting, great looking pair of custom leather sandals.
For more information, or to order your custom leather sandals today….simply visit Better than Barefoot Sandals, pick your style, tell us the size you need for your custom bare-fit kit, and your custom leather sandals will only be a few weeks away!
Saving Grace Enterprises is looking for motivated, qualified, detail oriented, and organized individuals to fill the following job openings immediately:
1. Executive Administrative Assistant: This position assists CEO daily. Must be very detail oriented and highly organized. Some tasks this position will handle are as follows:Priorities
- Relieve management of administrative detail, all projects
- Coordinate work flow
- Update and chase delegated tasks to ensure progress to deadlines
- Take initiative in manager’s absence
- Keep projects on schedule
- Maintain procedures manual to ensure consistent performance of routines
Communication
- Compose correspondence/reports for own or manager’s signature
- Arrange essential mail in priority action order for boss
- Check deadlines on incoming requests and put preliminary work in play
- Process replies on own initiative or from bosses’ dictation or notes
- Research, draft or abstract reports
Phone
- Handle all inquiries within my capacity
- Arrange “callbacks” to protect boss’s time
- Provide back-up materials for callbacks
- Route calls elsewhere as needed
- Do phone surveys/inquiries as needed
Appointments/Meetings
- Maintain calendar; ascertain which events require boss’s presence
- Fix commitments to maximize boss’s time efficiency; Allow decision/desk time
- When boss chairs meetings: -Prepare agenda in advance-Arrange meeting facilities
-Act as recording secretary; prepare action minutes
Confidentiality
- Perform to earn boss’s full confidence
- Assure discreet handling of all business
Visitors
- Screen to control interruptions
- Provide back-up data as needed
- Arrange amenities as needed
- As arranged, “rescue” boss from laggards
- Schedule visits away from boss’s area to protect priority/private tasks
Travel
- Arrange travel through internal or outside agents
- Arrange travel cash in advance
- Prepare itinerary, trip file and supplies
- Prepare expense report tools for boss
- Complete expense reports after trip
Data Management
- Improve/tighten storage/retrieval systems
- Update and manage index
Routines
- Update secretarial/clerical desk manual
- Set up “tickler” system
- Set up “exception reporting” system to handle routines without supervision
- Routinely re-order department supplies
- Update mail/phone directories
- Make these available to trainees
Projects
- Handle administrative detail, all projects
- Seek greater role in projects within administrative and other areas of competence
- Seek training on projects outside my range
Supervision
- As required, train and supervise part-time or full-time, paid, or unpaid/volunteer secretarial or clerical staff
2. Shipping manager. In short, the shipping manager position overseas packaging and shipping department. Must be very detail oriented, organized, and have experience with custom product shipping operations.
To apply for either of the above positions, send full resume (including 3 references and date available), salary expectations, and cover letter to:
Saving Grace Enterprises, Inc.
Attn: Human Resources
411 West Pleasant St.
Pleasantville, IA 50225-9780
We do not accept applications via phone or in-person. Only mailed resumes with the above information included will be considered.
