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Affinity Partners

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:45:30 GMT

Cost-Saving Affinity Programs The Craft Retailers’ Association for Tomorrow (CRAFT), leverages the collective purchasing power of member retailers to find and offer high quality, favorably priced business services, all designed to meet the specific needs of American craft retailers. Programs available as a benefit to CRAFT members include: Bank of America Merchant Services for preferred card processing discount rates. Through our partnership with Bank of America Merchant Services, we have negotiated a program that entitles every CRAFT member, regardless of size or volume, to the same low “interchange pricing” for their credit card processing. A number of our members have already compared these rates to their present programs and switched to the Bank of America Merchant Services/CRAFT program because of the cost savings. Every switch has resulted in annual savings far in excess of annual CRAFT dues. We encourage every member who is interested, to contact...

Board of Directors

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:04:32 GMT

Chairperson Emeritus David Brooks - Appalachian Spring President Karen Hohler - Whippoorwill Crafts Vice President Ann Pifer - The Grand Hand Gallery Treasurer Mary Kesler - Davin and Kesler, Inc. Maud Boleman - Black Mountain Studios 828-686-1011 blackmountain@bellsouth.net Vice President Education Projects Donna Milstein - Hanson Galleries Directors: Donna Milstein - Hanson Galleries Ann Pifer - The Grand Hand Gallery Robert Rickard - Rickard Studio Diane Sulg - Maddis Gallery Karen Hohler - Whipporwill Janet Francoeur - Carolina Creations Rich Kolb - Yardbirds Maud Boleman - Black Mountain Studios Mary Kesler - Davin and Kesler, Inc. Greg Worden - Vermont Artisan Designs Sherry Masters - Grovewood Gallery Administrative Assistants: Laurie Wickham PO Box 293, Islamorada FL 33036 Phone 305-664-3650 Fax 305-664-0199 info@craftonline.org Rani Richardson 505 Fifth Ave S, Ste E, Naples FL 34102 Phone 239-435-0668 Fax...

CRAFT It's Friday Jan-June 2009

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:32:29 GMT

Normal.dotm 0 0 1 320 1824 Carolina Creations 15 3 2240 12.256 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Table Normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Times New Roman; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} CRAFT: It's Friday, August 28 T3, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 9 am EDT Janet Francoeur, CRAFT Board member and owner of Carolina Creations in Carolina Creations in New Bern, NC leads a discussion of ideas for Christmas Promotions and ideas for...

Benefits - Eligibility - Dues

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:11:28 GMT

Membership Benefits Membership in CRAFT will save you money, time and aggravation. Networking opportunities, the most valuable tool you can use Educational programs Bank of America Merchant Services for preferred card processing discount rates Packaging providers of gift bags, paper and boxes at very good price levels Consulting Property and casualty insurance Long term care insurance Statistical surveys to gather industry data for benchmarking Constant Contact Mentoring In short, you won’t feel like you are reinventing the wheel. Retailer Eligibility Requirements Active membership is open to licensed storefront retailers of American craft who maintain inventory of at least 50% American made craft. Active Members shall have all the privileges of membership and their representatives shall have the right to be Officers and Directors of the Association. Associate Eligibility Requirements Associate membership is limited to any individual (artist), partnership, corporation or...

Top Header image

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:10:48 GMT

Becoming a Member

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:20:13 GMT

The Value of CRAFT Membership What is important to YOU as a Craft business person? Supporting American craft? Improving your gallery? Growing your sales? Networking? Your CRAFT membership will help you achieve these goals. CRAFT has a voice. Membership Benefits Membership in CRAFT will save you money, time and aggravation. Networking opportunities, the most valuable tool you can use Quarterly Newsletter providing business tips you can use Educational programs Bank of America Merchant Services for preferred card processing discount rates Packaging providers of gift bags, paper and boxes at very good price levels Consulting Property and casualty insurance Long term care insurance Statistical surveys to gather industry data for benchmarking In short, you won’t feel like you are reinventing the wheel. Retailer Eligibility Requirements Active membership is open to licensed storefront retailers of American craft who maintain...

Resources/ Links

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:02:45 GMT

The American Craft Council (ACC) is a national, nonprofit educational organization founded in 1943 by Aileen Osborn Webb. The mission of the Council is to promote understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft. Programs include the bimonthly magazine AMERICAN CRAFT, annual juried shows presenting artists and their work, a 2006 leadership conference on craft, the Aileen Osborn Webb Awards honoring excellence, a specialized library, workshops and seminars. Visit their website. The Craft Organization Development Associaiton (CODA) serves organizations with education and professional development to foster public appreciation and understanding of craft. This is achieved through it’s work to strengthen craft organizations; doing research to provide advocacy tools and resources, providing communication and networking opportunities as well as public education and advocacy. CODA welcomes all sectors of the handmade crafts industry including including nonprofit craft...

Minutes 2009

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:37:08 GMT

CRAFT Board Meeting Minutes 9-16-09 Harden, Karen, Donna, Greg, Maud, Ann, David, Morris, Rani, Laurie, Mary, Bob, Don National Craft Week – 501C-3 Karen downloaded all the papers from the IRS Filing fees $850, Attorney fees $2275. Karen will speak with Bob, Don will talk with Sue Ann and Diane will go back to Carol to see if we can piggy back with them on their 501C-3 Karen, Don and Diane/Ann will e=mail the board the results of their research. 　 No treasurers’ report – bank balance $22,874, with no big expense. Karen will call Rich from YardBirds to discuss his remaining on the Board Membership 173 members up from 137 in August. Morris sent out piece on developing our membership. Karen will have another meeting after members to over the document – September 23, 9AM Maud, Greg, will attend Laurie will look into monthly payments for membership thru Authorize.net and the difference in the processing costs T-3 October will have Edith Ransom of...

Mary Kesler

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:23:29 GMT

Thomas Davin and Mary Kesler have been woodworking together since 1979. Their professional training began during their college years in California where Tom studied cabinetmaking and design at C.S.U. Northridge. Mary began woodworking to help pay expenses toward her Bachelor of Science degree at U.C. Davis. After college, they began a business and life partnership. They now reside with their three children, two boys, Morgan and Roland, and a girl, Joanna in the countryside of Rhode Island.

Working out of a nineteenth century mill overlooking Dorset Mill Pond, Mary and Tom utilize the beauty of their surroundings to create objects that are simple yet elegant in design. Their woodcrafts are both serviceable and handsome. With minimal care, they can be appreciated for years to come. The hallmark of their work is its combination of artistic expression and utilitarian design.

Contact Mary

Davin & Kesler Website

Membership Resources/ Links

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:32:50 GMT

• Artist's Information for Gallery Promotions

Martin Rishty Award

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:04:37 GMT

The Martin Rishty Award, is named after a founder of CRAFT in tribute to his efforts as a member of the Board and Membership Committee. CRAFT’s Executive Committee annually selects the association member who has made the greatest contribution toward CRAFT’s accomplishing its mission and best exemplifies Martin’s work on behalf of the organization.

The Winners are

2008 Wendy Rosen, Rosen Group
2007 David Brook, Appalachian Spring

Janet Francoeur, Carolina Creations

Nancy Vince, Wholesalecrafts.com
2006 Don Gorenberg, Seldom Seen
2005 Hardin Abrams, Meadowlark Gallery
2004 Donna Milstein, Hanson Galleries

Polly Brooke, Appalachian Spring
2003 Joanne Sterlacci, Simple Pleasures Gallery

NGlassworks, LLC - Nancy Giere

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:17:24 GMT

Most toddlers carry around a well loved baby blanket, stuffed animal or doll. I carried around a tangled rainbow of yarn that I pulled from my mother’s knitting basket. When I was old enough to manage a crochet hook my mother taught me to use a knitting spool. This little tool could create endless coils of yarn. I had visions of turning my mother’s leftover yarn into a room-size braided rug. After I completed a chair pad I moved into my summer arts and crafts period, dedicated to Popsicle stick art, lanyards, macramé and needlepoint. As a teenager my desire to live life like a Pepsi commercial was expressed through a series of collages and assorted decoupage boxes. I’ve knit, stitched, woven, and beaded my way through life. I’ve kept my hands moving to relieve stress and quiet my mind. I’ve spent my whole life creating but never saw myself as artistic. It was just something I felt compelled to do. I’ve expanded my wardrobe, decorated my home and made numerous gifts for...

Website Tutorial

Wed, 27 May 2009 01:51:03 GMT

How to Use the CRAFT Website This is a tutorial on how to use this site. This page is updated and expanded upon as the Tutorial is published in the Friday Email. Installment No. 1 Discussion Forums Did you know that we have a discussion board on the CRAFT website? You can view and participate in discussions by following this link http://www.craftonline.org/en/forums/messages/view.asp?forumid=3 (you must be logged in, if don't remember your login just request it by emailing ___________(would that be you or Laurie??) or from the home page click on membership services then go down to discussion forums and click on it then click on link as instructed on screen choose a topic you'd like to join in a conversation on or post a new topic The most current discussion is on loyalty cards Installment number 2 About Us The About Us section of our CRAFT website contains the Mission Statement of CRAFT History of CRAFT Board of Directors CRAFT...

Membership Services

Wed, 27 May 2009 01:02:05 GMT

Membership in CRAFT allows you access to the top American Craft Galleries and Craft Artists in the Country in their effort to promote American Craft.

Click on the link below

CRAFT Membership Directory

CRAFT Committees

Affinity Partners

Business Information Archives

CRAFT Newsletter Archives

Discussion Forums

CRAFT It's Friday Email Archives

Mentoring Program

Miscellaneous Documents

Website Tutorial

CRAFT Committees and Committee Chairs

Wed, 20 May 2009 03:03:02 GMT

Affinity Partner Liaison Drew Crawford - Wooden Stone 704-892-1449 woodenstone@mac.com American Craft Marketing Ann Pifer - The Grand Hand 651-312-1122 ann.pifer@thegrandhand.com Annual Dinner Gloria Brooke - (retired) Brooke Pottery 863-670-1314 brooke.pottery@att.net Artists Co-chairs Maud Boleman - Black Mountain Studios 828-686-1011 blackmountain@bellsouth.net Rich Kolb - Yardbirds 502-637-8752 rich@yardbirds.info Booth & Volunteer Karen Hohler - Whippoorwill Crafts 617-571-5267 hohassoc@aol.com Business Information - Surveys Hardin Abrams - Meadowlark Gallery 415-924-2210 hardinabr@aol.com Business Practices Polly Brooks - Appalachian Spring 703-533-0930 ext 26 pbrooks@appalachianspring.com Communications Don Gorenberg (retired Seldom Seen) 352-375-0563 uscraft@aol.com Education Donna Milstein - Hanson Galleries 713-984-1242 crafts@hansongalleries.com Membership Greg...

Lisa Glickman McDonough - Boulder Arts & Crafts Gallery

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:15:02 GMT

Lisa Glickman McDonough has considered herself an artist since childhood. Although born in Princeton, she was raised in the Philadelphia area. As a child, she accompanied her parents to Israel, Tanzania and South Africa. The first piece of art I made was a linoleum print in third grade, Lisa says. She carved and printed animals that she remembered seeing in Tanzania as a four-year-old. Since then Lisa has worked in clay, wood, and fiber, and is now concentrating on mixed-media paintings, using collage, acrylic paints, and oil and encaustic pigments. Her work has been shown at a number of galleries, including Boulder Arts & Crafts, Boulder, CO; Blue Horse Fine Arts, Estes Park, CO; and Rabbit Mountain Cottage Furnishings, Lyons, CO. Lisa holds a B.F.A. in ceramics from the University of the Arts (formerly Philadelphia College of Art). In January 1986, she relocated to pursue her M.F.A. in ceramics at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Lisa has been involved with...

Hardin Abrams - Meadowlark

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 12:48:44 GMT

Hardin Abrams has supported his wife Sue in the industry since 1993. She started Artistic Accents in Cedar Rapids, IA and fell in love with the industry. When Hardin was eligible to retire, Sue said she wanted to buy the Meadowlark Gallery in Corte Madera, CA.

They took over the Meadowlark in 2000 and Hardin closed Artistic Accents, sold the house, and, in 2001, loaded the dog into the car and drove to California. In 2002 they opened the second location; first in Palo Alto and now in San Francisco.

Hardin has been on the board of CRAFT since its founding. He has been operating the Business Information committee. Hardin’s background is business and engineering so he is always looking for the facts. However as Sue points out we are dealing with art not hardware! The committee needs additional members to get more done. Contact him at HardinAbr@aol.com .

The Meadowlark Galleries feature jewelry, furniture, art glass, ceramics, wearable art, greeting cards, etc. The year of 2006 was dramatic because we had to move both galleries and recruit new staff in both.

The Corte Madera location moved across the mall to accommodate the landlord in February just in time for Valentines Day. When the Palo Alto manager left for Tucson in May, we decided to try a location in the major downtown San Francisco shopping center. Since it is a short-term lease we will assume 2007 will be almost as challenging.

Hardin enjoys the interaction with other retailers in CRAFT the most. He and Sue had seen some other gallery owners at shows for years. Now we have become good friends with these same people. We hope to make the industry more fun and profitable for all of us. Getting involved in a CRAFT committee will take some time and effort, but you will learn more and have more fun.

Contact Hardin

Rich Kolb - Yardbirds

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:55:59 GMT

Dad and I created the first Yardbird in August of 1991 in Jamestown, Kentucky. Dad has spent most of his career making things from metal. The first bird came about from our talking about and tinkering with scrap materials. People instantly loved them!

Today, Yardbirds are handcrafted in Louisville, Kentucky by me. Our menagerie of birds, critters, dogs and cats has grown from one to over hundreds. I promise to always maintain a tradition of consistently creating exciting new designs.

When people ask me about my creations, I smile and say, "The things in life that bring us the most joy are those which are fun and unexpected, not the mere necessities." I believe we can all benefit from a little more whimsy in our lives!

To Contact Rich

Yardbirds

Ann Pifer - The Grand Hand

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:52:39 GMT

Ann Ruhr Pifer is the owner of The Grand Hand Gallery in St. Paul, MN. Prior to opening the gallery, Ann spent 15 years working as a commercial banker in New York and Minneapolis. She received her B.A. from Smith College, in Northampton, MA, and her M.A. International Relations from The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C.

She is a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Paul Academy and Summit School in St. Paul, MN; and is a past member of the Board of Directors of WAMSO - The Volunteer Association of the Minnesota Orchestra. She is a member of the Metro Independent Business Alliance and the Grand Avenue Business Association, and is frequently invited to speak to student and professional groups on marketing and public relations for arts businesses.

Ann lives in St. Paul with her husband, Nic, their sons Christopher and Owen,.

www.thegrandhand.com

Contact Ann

Maud Boleman - Black Mountain Studios

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:57:03 GMT

We do not consider art to be some obscure, esoteric pursuit that is practiced by the extremely "gifted" and understood by few. Art is the work of our minds and hands, is the result of the creative process, and we are all creative. How you carve a piece of wood, dig a trench, fold your laundry, or, yes, shape a spinning ball of clay all involve the creative process.

The purpose of the work that we do at Black Mountain Studios is quite simple: it is to make objects that are pleasing to the eye and the hand, to make things of beauty, be they utilitarian or not. If you look at one of our pieces and have a little bit of your breath taken away, or hold it in your hands or lift it to your mouth, and it feels good, it feels right, then we have achieved our goal.

Maud’s exposure to the world of art began in her childhood, visiting the museums of New York City, and continued through her studies at Nova Southeastern University. In the last twenty years, as a maker of pots and a teacher of makers, her technique and style have developed into a synthesis of the rustic and the refined, with form and function playing an intriguing duet.

Operating Black Mountain Studios is another chapter in their ongoing story of love, for each other, clay, and the artwork they produce.

Contact Maud

Black Mountain Studios Website