News from Earth and Fire -- August 22, 2007
Mysteries of the Universe
The three pots from Linda Christianson have found their homes. I knew they'd disappear like sugar-free candy at a Weight-Watcher's Convention, and sure enough, they did.
I've already sent her word that I'm anxiously awaiting her next firing.
Some things about owning this gallery I just know.
Other things continue to bewilder me -- six and a half years on.
Back in February at the wholesale show, I walked into the booth of glass artist Shiloh Hunkapiller. I can't tell you why his work struck me more than any of the other glass artists at the show. It's really an overwhelming task -- walking up and down aisle after aisle of beautiful art and deciding which things belong at Earth and Fire. Sometimes I'm looking for specific things, but mostly, I'm just open to the possibilities.
Shiloh had some beautiful wine bottle stoppers that I thought were particularly lovely.
Shiloh Hunkapiller
Wine bottle stoppers
Wine bottle stoppers are one of those great housewarming gifts that people are always looking for, so I decided to order a few.
I got to talking to Shiloh, and I asked him what are his top sellers. He didn't hesitate. He pointed to some candlesnuffers and said "I can't make these fast enough."
Shiloh Hunkapiller
Candle snuffer
"Really?!" I said. Now it was late in the day and I was feeling a little punchy, so I said, "Now... how do I know that they really are your best sellers? Wouldn't your answer be the same if you really wanted to get rid of these and NOBODY was buying them?"
He allowed as how I had a point. But he did promise me that he wasn't blowing smoke (no pun intended, of course) and that they really were great sellers.
I went ahead and ordered some. Like I say, it was late in the day and I was feeling a little punchy.
I wound up ordering 12 of the bottle stoppers and 9 of the candlesnuffers.
The order came in late June. So here we are in mid-August.
Checking my inventory on hand, I have 12 of the bottle stoppers and I managed to get a picture of that last candlesnuffer before it was snapped up!
I called Shiloh last Friday and boldly ordered 10 more candlesnuffers.
Something else that sells extremely well in the gallery are Moonspoons.
Moonspoons
Folding salad tongs, butter/cheese board and spreader, and chopsticks
I had seen Moonspoons at the show in 2006 and had wanted to order some, but it turned out that there was a store in Leesburg just up the street that carried them, so they wouldn't sell to me (which is exactly the way it should be.) A few months later, that store closed down, and I made a call and placed my first order. I've been on a first-name basis with Betty from Moonspoons ever since.
This year, they had a few more items in their inventory, and I didn't hesitate to order some new things along with my usual groupings.
Moonspoons
Tea candle holder and set of two napkin squares
(get it..? It would be a napkin ring, but it's square!)
(get it..? It would be a napkin ring, but it's square!)
I thought they were adorable. What a GREAT little hostess gift, no? Surely they'd sell just as well as the rest of the things from Moonspoons.
According to my customers, however.. not so much.
I don't understand what the difference is.
Like trying to nail jello to the wall.
I do see that the Moonspoons things photograph extremely well. Guess I should have them all online. It'll have to wait for a bit though, because I need to call old Betty up and order some more of the butterboards.
And new in the gallery
A good friend of mine told me about Mary Law several years ago, and I've had her website bookmarked ever since. I finally called her a couple of weeks ago and was delighted that she had heard of my gallery, and had actually been told that she should call ME about representation out here.
Mary's pots have arrived, and I've got them online.
My very favorite is one:
Mary Law Tibetan House Pot
6 3/4" tall X 6" in diameter
$400
$400
The funny thing is that when I first saw this teapot:
Mary Law Teapot
6" tall X 9" wide X 5 1/2" deep
$250
$250
.. it didn't do that much for me. But just in the two days that it has been here, it has really grown on me. I guess I was just open to the possibilities.
See the rest of the pots that Mary sent here.
Have a good week.
Are you caught up reading Today at the Gallery?
Back to the Newsletter Archive list
Contact us to join the mailing list or inquire about a specific piece.
| Earth and Fire Gallery | Home | Artists | Exhibitions | About Us |
