Holiday Busy-ness

Things here in the shop are a bit, how shall I say, all out?? It is always like this this time of year and every year I try and shift that somewhat. It is starting earlier this year. Does that mean it will taper sooner? This is a good problem, as I have lots of work. Which ought to translate into lots of sales (yes) but profits? I will know more when it is over.

I am in the process of regrouping and planning now for next year and drafting an over all 3 year plan. I had a 5 year plan I wrote in 2002 which would put me at a million dollars a year right about now. That didn't happen. Why? What is it about business, about art, about making pottery for a living that makes real profits so elusive? Real profits which afford steady help. Real profits which allow the development of civic giving. Maybe it is time. Patience. Persistence. All that. I have a feeling yes, that is part of it, but I think there may be more to it than that. What do you think?

technorati tags: davistudio, business, art

Quilt Show in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Greenjeans in Brooklyn is doing a juried quilt show which should be very cool. Check it out-

technorati tags: greenjeans, quilt, handmade

Changes at the American Craft Council

Just read this on Dennis Stevens blog after I got an email alert from Natasha Wozniak.

Carmine Branagan has resigned as Executive Director of the American Craft Council effective Friday, November 9th. Carmine served the Council with passion and dedication since 2002. Under her leadership the Council re-launched American Craft magazine, presented a national leadership conference in Houston, TX, revitalized the Council’s show program, and developed a strong, committed staff. Carmine believes many of the goals set during her directorship have been achieved and she looks forward to pursuing other interests.

We are grateful for her vision for the Council and for the critical role she has played to help secure the future of the field.

It will be very interesting to see how thing unfold there.

MAD in the Times

Breaking the Pattern in Tableware

By MARIANNE ROHRLICH

Published: July 22, 2007

(This article with pictures of 2 of my pieces was in this summer's NYT. I just figured out how to put it here. Wow! That was very easy.)

REMEMBER mix and match? Keep the concept in mind when buying a wedding present for couples who have registered for white dinnerware. The main course may look best on white, but a mix of colorful — and patterned — soup, salad and dessert plates will dress up what would otherwise be a bland dining table.

SALAD From left: Classic Confetti Dot saucer, $22, by Maryann Davis, www.davistudio.com, (518) 392-7308; Rococo Cumberland, designed in 1763, is hand-painted and decorated with 24-karat gold, $5,120, from Nymphenburg at Moss, 150 Greene Street (Houston Street), (866) 888-6677; Contre-Jour by Raynaud, $58 at Takashimaya, 693 Fifth Avenue (54th Street), (212) 350-0100; Cristobal by Raynaud, $75 at Bloomingdale’s, www.bloomingdales.com or (866) 593-2540; Verde salad plate, $3.95 at www.cb2.com, (800) 606-6252; Hunt Scene bread and butter plate by Wedgwood, $20 at www.wedgwoodusa.com, (800) 955-1550.

Dessert
DESSERT From top: Pocket-watch dessert plates by Ralph Lauren, $27 at Bloomingdale’s; a bowl in the Big Black Dot pattern, 7.5 inches, is $48, by Maryann Davis; Girl With New Bracelet, by a California artist, Toby Judith Klayman, $80 at www.klaymanart.com, (415) 285-7987.

Guild Studio Tour

Our guild is holding its 5th annual studio tour this weekend, November 10th and 11th. Tour goers can traverse the country side and visit 12 studios to view the work of 20 artists and artisans. I have much to do to get the studio ready!