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We spent 3 days at the Buyer's Market of American Craft signing books and talking about the American Jewelry Design Council ... and it was a family affair as our 11 yr.old daughter Remy helped "man" the booth and she even gave a few autographs, too.
For anyone paying close attention -- no she isn't that tall, she's standing on a stool!
At the Buyer's Market Show we were pleased to see our friend, Ellen Hertz owner of Max's in St. Louis Park, MN, be named one of the Top Retailers of American Craft. We whooped pretty loud when her name was called -- isn't that what friends are for?
We were also glad to see two of our other favorites galleries on the list, too. Laughing Dog Gallery in Vero Beach, FL and the fabulous Don Muller Gallery of Northampton, MA. "Whoo hoo" for you, two, too!
Here's Ellen, on right, receiving her award from BMAC owner, Wendy Rosen.
Many of the honorees are great sellers of designer jewelry -- check them out on line and maybe add them to your prospect list.
Galleries make great clients.
2008 Top Retailer Awards WINNERS LIST
Retailer of the Year
Grovewood Gallery, Asheville, NC
Top Retailers (listed in alphabetical order)
The Artisan Connection, State College, PA
As Kindred Spirits, Rockville, MD
Avalon Gallery, Delray Beach, FL
Barnstone Gallery, Phoenixville, PA
Boulder Arts & Crafts Gallery, Boulder, CO
Calypso Twist, Walnut Creek, CA
Don Drumm Studios & Gallery, Akron, OH
Don Muller Gallery, Northampton, MA
The Grand Hand Gallery, St. Paul, MN
Hanson Galleries, Houston, TX
Jane Sauer Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
Kela’s Glass Gallery, Kapaa, HI
The Laughing Dog Gallery, Vero Beach, FL
Left Bank Gallery, Wellfleet, MA
Mary Lou Zeek Gallery, Salem, OR
Max’s, St. Louis Park, MN
Moonstones Gallery, Cambria, CA
Pinnacle Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
Poppy, Columbia, MO
Pura Vida Gallery, Jerome, AZ
R. Grey Jewelry Gallery, Boise, ID
Signature Gallery, Huntsville, AL
Timothy’s Gallery, Winter Park, FL
Wave Gallery, New Haven, CT
Best Advertising/Direct Mail Campaign
Eclectic Galleries, Jacksonville Beach, FL
Best Arts Nonprofit
The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
Best Customer Newsletter
Craft Company No. 6, Rochester, NY
Best Guild Store
Ontario Crafts Council, Toronto, ON
Best In-Store Event
Florida Craftsmen, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL
Best Local Community Outreach
Mary Lou Zeek Gallery, Salem, OR
Best Merchandising
Pura Vida Gallery, Jerome, AZ
Best Museum Store
Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, MA
Best New Store
Haven Gallery and Fine Gifts, Austin, TX
Best Website/Online Marketing
Best American Arts, Columbus, OH
August is certainly busy for jewelry designers -- if you wanted to touch all bases you'd start the month with the JA NY Show where retail jewelers shop for merch, and then on to the Buyer's Market of American Craft show in Philadelphia to catch the gallery owners. At the same time someone from your team (your clone?) would have had to set up your booth at the Accessories Circuit in NYC to catch the last market of the year for boutique owners. And then you get a week off until the NY Gift Show, also in NYC.
That's our typical August agenda... sound like a vacation to you?
Of course there are still more shows if that isn't enough for you. While we were in Phili for the craft show -- we had a book signing booth for our book "Brilliance!" -- we saw other jewelry industry friends who were in the same Convention Center for the IJO (Independent Jeweler's Org. a buying group of 850+ retailers) show.
At most of the shows we heard reports of "a bit slower than expected" and yet many of our friends did wind up with a profitable show.
We saw some great new designs and a few trends during the shows including more use of sterling silver with gold, openwork, rose gold, cuffs, stack rings, and flat, top-faceted gems.
Alex Woo at the Accessories Circuit showcasing new designs and lots of celebrity press!
Suzanne Kalan was doing well at Accessories Circuit;
her colorful designs attracted a lot of buyers.
Newcomer Sarah Jannerbo showed her line for the first time at the JA NY Show and then at the Accessories Circuit. Her booth, decor and marketing materials were topnotch for a first-timer and her line of simple yet elegant hand-cast designs looked great, too.
Zoe Chicco showing off her light and airy gold
work during a lull in her booth
