Each Shell is a Memory
Sarah and I went for a walk early that morning, but instead of taking an old sea-salt rusty bucket for our shells, Sarah insisted on Cattie McCormick’s beautiful basket. “But Sarah,” I protested. “There’s no telling how expensive that beautiful basket is? I bet…” Cattie interrupted, “Oh, take it. Your walk with Sarah is worth far more than that old basket.”
When we returned our family was already up and playing on the beach, except for our daughter Jodie. She was in deep thought having her God Time. So, I just left the basket of shells and a few wild flowers we picked by the sea fence. Glad I did, cause later Jodie, drawn to see beyond the natural, had composed a poem that began with, “Each shell is a memory…”
“A memory?” I asked curiously.
“Of course Daddy, “ Jodie answered. “They once were homes for living creatures, but now the shell that remains is a memory of what was once life. And the basket is like our hearts that keeps these shells… memories…”
Jodie’s poem touched me so deeply I knew I was going to paint it, less I might forget a memory that I would keep in my heart forever.’
Each shell is a memory–
Filled from beginning to end
With the sweetness of God
While the flower is a friend.
They are held in the basket
Of perfect peace–
The unfailing love of God
That will never cease. The seasons may change
But the memories stay
For I will secure them in my heart
Where my deepest treasures lay.
––– Jodie Lynne
FAQs
Returns & Refunds
If you’d like to return your item, our team will gladly work with you. If you’d like to return or exchange your item, please email us at store@cagelessbirds.com with your original order number and which item you’d like to return. Refunds and exchanges are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and we cannot refund initial shipping costs. When making a return, the customer may be asked to cover the cost of shipping. Please note that only unused and undamaged merchandise is eligible for a refund.
Insurance
All packages placed with USPS Priority Mail automatically are insured, meaning that if something happens to your package, our team is able to file a claim with USPS. This also applies to international orders placed with USPS Priority International Mail. If you would like your package to be insured, please be sure to select USPS Priority Mail (either domestic or international) at checkout. Please note that orders placed with USPS First Class Mail are NOT insured, and should something happen to your package, we will not be able to file a claim or offer a refund.
Restocking
We are constantly dreaming into new products and merchandise for our online store. All of our handmade goods are released in small batches. If you see something you love, we encourage you to act quickly as many of our new releases sell out very fast! Generally, our handmade items such as leather goods and pottery will be restocked, but styles and colors may vary. Please note that because these items are hand-crafted with care and excellence, times for restocking may also vary. Items such as CDs and books will be restocked regularly. If you have questions about a specific product that is out of stock, please email us and we’ll let you know if we are expecting to restock it in the future.
Shipping
Shipping
We are a small business and our team works diligently to fulfill orders as efficiently as possible. When placing your order, please allow 2-3 business days for your order to be processed. Please keep in mind that this processing time is needed, regardless of the shipping method you choose.
Order Tracking
Once your order has been fulfilled and sent out for shipping, you will receive a confirmation email to the email address you provided at the time of checkout. All orders are shipped via UPS Ground or USPS.
Schedule
Please note that our shipping team also staffs all Cageless Birds and 18 Inch Journey events. Therefore, our shipping schedule may fluctuate due to schools, retreats, or worship nights. If we anticipate any changes to our regular shipping schedule, we will post a notice on our website that will appear at checkout.
Sourcing
Ceramics
We source our clay locally from two different suppliers, one in Star, NC and the other in Asheville, NC. Our red clay is mined and processed from the red clay locally in our region. To learn more visit here.
Maker Coffee
In order to know exactly where our coffee comes from, we only buy single-origin coffee from farms and co-operatives that we can trace all the way back to the source.To learn more visit here.
Leather Goods
Our department is committed to partnering with companies that value sustainability and ethical work standards. Most of the companies we source from we’ve had relationships with for several years.To learn more visit here.
About us
Team
We are a small business that is quickly growing, and we have been blown away by all of the support and orders that have come through our online store! All of our Cageless Birds Store orders are personally processed, packaged, and shipped out by our Cageless Birds staff.
Mission & Investment
We exist to raise up wholehearted disciples of Jesus and are dedicated to creativity, discipleship, and community living year-round. We work on our 52-acre campus in Sophia, NC where we offer schools, camps, and retreats, known as the 18 Inch Journey.
Every purchase enables us to continue leading schools and discipling hearts.
Our Collective
Our Collective consists of over 30 artisans with work ranging from songwriting, art, pottery, leathercraft, construction, writing, coffee roasting, videography, and more.
We created our Online Shop to share the overflow of our creative pursuits and financially support our non-profit ministry and missional staff.