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The Counting House

The Counting House

Today’s world moves quickly. Sometimes, too quickly. We have become accustomed to having the world at our fingertips and immediate satisfaction. We can order something from certain online retailers and it will arrive at our door that very same day. Behind much of what we experience is automation. There are chatbots and AI, robots for warehouses, and sometimes it is very hard to interact with a real person that actually works for the company we are interacting with.

Don’t get me wrong – automation and technology have its place and make our lives exponentially easier in many ways. But there is something to be said for human connection, an attention to detail and a passion behind the product. I know I have an immense appreciation for a small business putting their all into delivering a product or service that they believe in. Sometimes it feels like these types of small businesses are becoming few and far between. But, in a little Massachusetts town, on the corner of a small street, you will find the Counting House, filled with passionate people, counting, assembling, packing, and shipping your Zentangle orders.

 

 

What is the Counting House?

In the early years of Zentangle, Inc., packages were packed and shipped from Rick and Maria’s converted garage. At the time there were Zentangle Kits, packages of 55 White Tiles, a few Micron pens, and pencils. As Zentangle Inc. and our product line grew, a bigger space was needed.

Sometime in 2015, the contents of the garage were moved to a small stand-alone building that was part of an old mill, about a mile down the road. This building was where all the bookkeeping took place for the old mill: The Counting House. We thought the name was so fitting for us since a lot of our days are spent counting.  



Today, our Counting House is across the street from Rick and Maria’s home. It is the bottom floor of a house that used to be a general store.  

The Zentangle Crew at the Counting House are the backbone of everything we do here at Zentangle, Inc. All tiles are hand counted and packaged with love and care. Every detail is considered when creating and assembling the products and then packaging them to arrive safely to tangling hands. Whether it is a Zentangle Project Pack or a Seminar Supply Kit, we love knowing that when a package leaves us, it is going to be used to create beautiful art.

 

Next time you receive a Zentangle product or a reply to an email, we hope you know it is coming from our hearts to yours. Counted, sorted, packaged and handled with the utmost care.

And, if you are wondering who is responsible for all of the magic at the Counting House, you can get to know the Zentangle Crew here.

 

Julie Willand

47 comments

  • I was amazed, but not surprised that everything that happens at Zentangle,Inc. is done by hand with a personal touch. One of my first pleasures of communicating with Zentangle, Inc. was having a real person answer the phone. There was no automated computer voice directing me to some list of numbers to choose to eventually talk with a person. Many years ago I learned about the personal touch of every aspect of Zentangle, Inc. At a late hour of social fun, music and laughter at a recent ZenAgain event, I remarked to Maria that she must be tired after such a long day of teaching and interacting with all of us. It would be ok for her to leave early and take a break to get some rest. The gist of her comment to me was that everyone came to the event to spend time with her and Rick and the whole crew. She wanted to see everyone and be with them, too. It was at that event that I also learned more about “The Counting House”. Zentangle has always felt like family. I feel sure it always will. Thank you to all of you at Zentangle, Inc. for your personal touches! I feel them!

    Kathy Wright-Starr on

  • The Counting House crew rock. It is such a HUGE job and yes there are bound to be mistakes. But, when there was a mistake in my order and I spoke to the crew, my order was handled swiftly and professionally. They were aware I needed this product quickly and it arrived in three days!! Thanks to all of you and the hard work you do!!

    sue trrembeth CZT 38 on

  • LOVE the personal touch and appreciate all the care that you share with us all! My grandfather was in the mill business and paper products and …..the smell of sawdust always brings me back home to BC!! I hold a great admiration for trees and appreciate what they can offer us, in a sustainable way. Feeling the ❤ heART

    Heather MacGregor on

  • I’ve always been impressed with your shipping operation. Not only are you fast and accurate, it is great to speak to someone who not only works in the “warehouse” but also uses the product! Your help has been invaluable in the past, and I’m certain also going forward.

    Jeanine Hughes on

  • Much gratitude for all the care in every aspect of Zentangle, Inc. I am always look forward to each package, and it brings so much joy when it arrives.

    Mary Kay Cass, C.Z.T. on

  • Love these blog posts!! I’m learning so much and adding a deeper level of appreciation and respect for all of you!! When I began ordering products from you in 2015, I’ve been constantly impressed by the package … it’s like opening a surprise gift and quite obvious that it has been created, packed, and sent with care and love. Thank you for that!! When I participated in CZT 41 last year and “met” you via Zoom, again my level of respect rose even more. What you do and how you do it is definitely noticed. Hugs to all!!

    Deb Stipp on

  • I love the stories of the Zentangle evolution. You are living proof that dreams come true. The dreams of the General Store in the picture, the dreams of Rick and Maria’s new art venture, the dreams of the Zentangle staff, the dreams of the CZTs, CZT wanna-bes, and new-be Zentangle artists. Thanks for helping all of our Zentangle dreams come true.

    Betsey Youngs on

  • I love this so much!!! Now I will always think of your sweet “general store” counting house and it’s wonderful staff when ordering. So much gratitude to all of you!

    Amy Normann on

  • Thank you so much for all the counting and love that goes into our shipments. It is sure felt on the receiving end.

    Tonya Minton on

  • Unwrapping my orders always brings joy. Thank you guys who prepare each order as if it were personal gifts.

    Nancy Day on

  • Unwrapping my orders always brings joy. Thank you guys who prepare each order as if it were personal gifts.

    Nancy Day on

  • I am forever grateful for the love and attention to detail that the whole Zentangle crew puts into every aspect of their work. ❤️

    Cheryl Cianci on

  • Gratitude to the counters!! Your counting counts!! ❤️

    Katrina Thiebaut on

  • One of the wonderful things about Zentangle is that every order is perfect – accurate, neat, and inspiring. Thanks for keeping the human touch alive and well!

    Linda Friedly on

  • I love knowing that so much thoughtfulness was put into organizing/packaging/shipping of all the products. Gives you a
    ‘warm fuzzy feeling’ knowing that you support a company that cares and puts so much effort into their business instead of a company who automates everything and has no personal vested interest in the output. Gratitude is abundant.

    Dianne Riva Cambrin on

  • In the 11 years that I have been ordering supplies from you all, I have never received one bean off from your bean counters. Remarkable! You are all a joy to work with and support ❤️

    Kathy Y. on

  • From the beginning you have instilled in us the importance of using the best materials possible for creating our art. It’s obvious you apply this to your services and how you conduct all the aspects of being Zentangle Inc. I am extremely grateful for the care you impart and the sincere way you give the best of yourselves when sharing this art form.

    Jacki Brewer CZT25 on

  • I always look forward to receiving a package from ZHQ. The personalized love that goes into the preparation for shipping is so evident, and appreciated by each of us. Thanks ZHQ staff for all that you do. You are the BEST!

    Nancy Gomoll on

  • This is so sweet to consider when ordering and receiving our beautiful tangling supplies! Thank you for keeping it personal -love from a fellow Massachusettsan (WesternMA)

    Laura on

  • It’s so heartwarming, in this day of impersonal technology, to read of the care and thought you put into your packaging and shipping. Thanks and encouragement to all you Counters!

    Jane Elaine on

  • The Counting House crew are beyond amazing. Every time I place an order I am amazed at how quickly it is packed and shipped. Always beautifully and carefully packaged so every item arrives in perfect shape. Ready to be packed into kits for my students who then make beautiful art.
    Not to mention of course that I immediately start creating on the fabulous new products.
    You are incredible and I am so grateful.

    Kathleen McMurtry on

  • Good for you!

    Melody Marks on

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