A Tale of Two Bottles: The Rush, the Rewrite, and the Reward of Repeat Clients
Some projects stick with you—not because they were perfect, but because they were anything but.
This is the story of a wine bottle, a shattered surprise, a quick comeback, and why I’ll always go the extra mile for a client who trusts me.
The Rush
It started as a heartfelt request: a customized wine bottle to thank someone for their kindness and support. The client wanted something truly special— a flourished bottle.
The bottle was to include engraving the recipient’s name, a meaningful sentiment, a logo, and painted floral accents. This wasn’t a quick one-off. This was to be a layered, mixed-media labor of love. 🥰
The turnaround was tight, but doable despite my crazy work schedule. I took a weekend, to get it done. I planned the layout to balance all of the words for the engraving and the painting, and made sure she was kept updated on the progress…Any changes I suggested were ok’d by her first…And I plugged away until it was complete. Then, after hours of engraving and brushwork, I finally stepped back and admired the finished piece. It was personal, elegant, and I really liked what I had!
Whew! The pressure was over.
I don’t know about you, but when I do a commission like this, I am always wondering if I can pull it off. Once I do, I breathe a sigh that’s part exhilaration, part relief!
I had my husband drop off the bottle along with the other commissioned pieces for this client. Case closed.
Or so I thought…
The Rewrite
Just a few hours later, I got a message.
“My son just broke the bottle of wine. Smh…Can I get it redone but quickly??”
My heart sank—for the client and, honestly, a little bit for myself. As I mentioned before, this wasn’t just a monogrammed glass or a single-line engraving. It was one of my best flourished bottles ever! But, without hesitation, I said, “Of course.”
Because here’s the thing: this client had trusted me before. She knew my work, knew I’d come through—and I knew the story behind the bottle meant more than the object itself. So, back to the studio I went.
The Reward
I picked up another bottle from her. This time, it was no longer a weekend job. It was a Manic Monday—the first day of the work week. But, due to a crazy mishap with my daughter, I was able to get a few extra hours in my day to work on it. I pounced on them and finished it by evening. I was even able to smooth over some things I didn’t like as much about the first bottle.
I sent over the photos of the finished product, letting her know I’d drop it off as soon as possible.
The client was overwhelmed—not just by the final result, but by the fact that I didn’t blink when things went sideways. And honestly? That’s the part I treasure most. Anyone can create something beautiful. But it’s how we show up when things break—literally or figuratively—that sets us apart.
This time, I packed it in a sturdy box—with extra padding—and hand-delivered it with a smile.
Why It Matters
This wasn’t just a tale of two wine bottles. It was a reminder that every client relationship is built on more than transactions. It’s built on trust, responsiveness, and a shared sense of care. Things happen. Bottles break. Timelines shift. But when your clients know you’re in it with them, they come back—not just for your talent, but for your reliability.
And that, to me, is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Because, just like in every other kind of relationship…
…in business, trust is everything.
