Crescent Moon at The Cotton Exchange

Two Months Later -SCORE!

2011-04-04T17:01:00.009-04:00

The good news is I've been so busy that blogging has taken a back seat on my agenda of "things to do" since the end of January. The bad news is I'm still uncertain what direction to take my blog in. But let me at least pick up where I left off on January 25th with some really good advice.

...I checked my email. Something I do at least 10 times a day. I find it hard to accept that some business owners I know check their email maybe once a week or less. They would have missed the opportunity that I received back sometime around March of 2009 from Wilmington SCORE.org. It was an open invitation to attend a SCORE awards breakfast at the Landfall Country Club. I didn't know what SCORE was so I clicked the link in the email to their website. It did not take me long to realize this was a valuable invitation and an open door we needed to walk through. (this is where you should pause, click the SCORE link and learn about them) then come back and read on. I went to the breakfast not knowing what to expect and heard three incredible success stories from entrepreneurs who received counseling advice from a SCORE adviser and how that help continued long after they had opened their businesses. I heard from advisers themselves telling why they are volunteers in the organization, giving back to the business community after retiring from successful careers. And I had the opportunity to meet Sara Raleigh, then Wilmington SCORE president and retail professional. Crescent Moon at the time wanted to secure working capital to help get us through the tail end of the recession. We had made all the right adjustments internally, so a little external help seemed the right choice. But our bank wasn't listening or helping. Sara Raleigh agreed immediately to come to our shop for a meeting and assessment. I felt optimistic right then and there. What amazed me is that this meeting was not going to cost us a penny. Every bit of advice, hand-holding, document reviews and planning help wasn't going to cost us a penny. That is invaluable. Sara Raleigh subsequently helped me through 4 months of writing a business plan and marketing plan that ultimately allowed us to secure a "community express" loan from Superior Financial Group (more on SFG in the next post). Sara was a mentor and a tutor and sounding board all in one. I've written a few business plans for others in the past, but writing one for our existing business and not a start up was new for me. The thing about SCORE is that they have several advisers that come from different business backgrounds and can assist small businesses in lots of ways other than BP writing. They are volunteers whose passion is helping others thrive. That the service is free is priceless. I should make note here that SCORE is a resource partner of the Small Business Administration. Wilmington Score has recently joined the social media environment and can be "liked" on Facebook and "followed" on Twitter.

My priceless advice to add to this? Open your email...you never know what you will find there that could take your business to the next level.

The lesson of nothing is constant.

2011-01-25T21:32:00.004-05:00

Issuing in 2009 we celebrated a new president and loathed the bailouts to the banks and car companies. One positive and one negative should provide somewhat of a balance, right? The powers that be made economic corrections, the banking system was saved so that they could continue doing what they are in business to do, investing and loaning money, only now they would be more responsible, assess risk better and continue to work with the business community allowing us to get back on balance. Wrong. Balance was not in anyone’s vocabulary, and certainly nothing seemed fair to the millions losing their jobs in the first half of 2009 or to the thousands of small and micro businesses who were having their credit lines and credit limits slashed to practically nothing. Crescent Moon was one. I have to admit I was naïve about why Bank of America who was our business and personal bank, and we the loyal customer who had never had a late payment or much money on the business credit line, would have our credit limits slashed by 90%. The average consumer and worker does not realize that small businesses rely on capital, (usually in the way of credit lines) to fund inventory, make payroll, invest in improvements or expansion for growth. And as long as you are responsible and make your payments on time and pay it back the relationship continues. Uh Uh, not now…they changed the rules. There was no negotiating, the bank’s stock answer was that it was new policy to address the instability of the current economy and they no longer could afford the risk. It was across the board and across all industries. To many it was like cutting our legs off at the knees and asking us to run a marathon through the rest of the recession. I stayed naïve for most of 2009. In relation to how the banks would operate.

Crescent Moon was going to bootstrap it with lean operating strategy and self capital from savings if necessary. We were being responsible and we knew we could survive through 2009 with all things staying constant. But the retail industry continued to track downhill steadily as the months rolled on though. At times it was difficult not to take it personally. I started to question myself on whether we were stocking the right product mix, was our new social media attempts not making an impact; our networking fruitless and my fear of the economy began to overshadow my confidence to run a business. Customers would walk in the shop and make positive comments and walk out. Nothing was constant except for the concern. Mike and I kept talking it over though, we kept placing one foot in front of the other, moving forward each week making small corrections as we found necessary. We even patted each other on the back and celebrated with a business dinner now and then on how better informed we were becoming and how much smarter we were working. Recognizing what you are doing right is as important as addressing what you may be doing wrong!

Sometime around March 2009 I got an email in our inbox that would impact us immensely. Something was changing finally.

Listen and Learn From Others...they really like to help

2011-01-15T15:21:00.017-05:00

There we were in November 2008 with only one income. Not the age to collect, not the age to be hired particularly, if we even wanted to be hired somewhere, but with a small successful retail business that we were still rounding the learning curve with. The key word there is successful. We needed to keep it successful.

One of the first things I did was draw on my marketing background and from some very smart people that I had met at a few networking events to realize that there was something to the social networking or “new” marketing as I referred to it. I had explored some, created accounts in some but I was not focused or working any of them. Thanks to people like Gayle Tabor who is part owner of Glynnes Soaps and owner of Biz Buzz Social who sat down with me and helped me understand Twitter and to Action Coach Reggie Shropshire who reinforced the value of these “Free” marketing tools such as Facebook, Merchant Circle, and Twitter for networking and brand building. I’m a good listener and quick learner. My advice is to take every offer of assistance seriously and make time in your already busy business schedule to learn from others.

One of the first things Mike did was look at our expenses. Wow…we needed to give ourselves a military high and tight buzz cut. We were ordering too much art with each artist order. We were using our credit line to seasonal buy in quantity. We had too much on our shelves. We were doing very little true sales projections. Our packaging supplies were over ordered. We agreed to advertising opportunities too readily. We ate out too much. We were buying and giving our logo brand t-shirts away. The list went on… Mike’s advice is list your expenses or print them if you are using a program like Quickbooks and go down the list to see where a change can be made even a small change to start.

For us it was inventory. We were paying for art that might last us 2-3 months on display or in stock on shelves above the shop. We adopted the not so new JIT - Just In Time order philosophy. Each time we had to order we negotiated lower minimum order requirements from our artists and Net 30 terms. We might order more often through the year but we would not be tying up cash and we had a month to sell it before we had to pay for it. From end of year 2008 to end of year 2009 our inventory valuation dropped 37%.

That was a step in the right direction and only one of the steps we took moving into 2009.

Our advice…take some steps in 2011 to continue your success and be open to advice and help from others.

post 3 of It's a new year, it's a new blog...

Our Wake Up Call

2011-01-11T12:03:00.012-05:00

year over year change in retail sales, source: census bureau

Looking back is always easy. It’s looking ahead that is tricky when you are a small business that relies on the consumer. But looking back for me is important in assessing what was working and what wasn’t working. 2007 when we purchased our fine hand-crafted glass shop the economy was still strong, though those watching the indicators saw the dominoes shaking in place. Mike and I knew very little about retail and jumped in head first with excitement. We ordered too much and we planned too little. We simply loved selling beautiful art glass, interacting with people and were caught in a high of owning our own business together. Even the beginning of 2008 lulled us down the same path of stocking the shelves, adding artists and not asking what if?

It really took the October 2008 stock market crash to wake us up. That was a good thing actually for us when I look back now. At the time it was devastating. Our comfortable bubble burst. Our savings took the hits of the shattering stock market. Consumers abruptly zippered their wallets and tightened their belts. If we had maintained the same modus operandi at Crescent Moon we surely would not have survived the recessionary period in 2009 and 2010.

Looking back, I can clearly see our weaknesses:

Overstocking product – tying up cash
Didn’t pay attention to cash flow as closely as we should have
No business plan or setting our goals
Taking the economy for granted
No marketing plan – operating on a hit or miss plan
Didn’t understand our client clearly

But we were having fun! Thankfully we both have solid business backgrounds that we could draw from when we finally opened our eyes in the retail reality world.

Looking back, I can clearly see our strengths:

Educating ourselves on art glass and techniques of the trade
Building solid customer service practices
Drawing on our backgrounds in Marketing (me) and Operations (Mike)
Attending every free seminar that came our way
Willingness to work hard
Solid partnership with each other

November 2008 we woke up and put our thinking caps on.

New small business journal started January 10, 2011 - check the archive

A New Year A New Blog

2011-01-10T12:51:00.013-05:00

BLOG: Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. taken from Wikipedia 2011.

So I decided Crescent Moon’s blog should become the diary of the small local business, its survival, success, trials and tribulations. Why not, it’s a subject that I’m becoming quite the knowledgeable thinker on. Thinking is a lot of what I do these days to plan for productive days and profitable ways to keep our little glass shop thriving.

I will need to be purposeful with this blog, to help other small businesses by providing informational links and again by offering my thoughts on the challenges of day to day operations and decisions for a Mom & Pop. This could prove to be the best tool I use for myself to work through some tough months ahead.

So… It’s A New Year It’s A New Blog…come along and join me on this online journal.

On a personal note

2010-12-01T20:12:00.004-05:00

On a personal note...

My belief is if you put positive energy into the universe...positive energy will come back to you. Simple. Its' root in my life is from my time as a holistic massage therapist and Reiki practitioner. I would stand along side a client and be present to offer to the best and loving support at that moment. I've experienced some strong affects to what energy work can do.

This past week the positive energy that surrounded Crescent Moon was undeniable. We were fortunate to have WECT and WWAY interview and highlight us. Judy Royal's Retail Details column in the Star News along with Encore's Magazine Gallery page photo have brought more new customers and advertising results than ever before. Our website orders were strong. Our loyal customers continue to give us compliments that humble us.

With the season of celebrating at its' cusp Mike and I celebrate the life we are living! We love our careers and we love our community. Be a positive influence and let the Universe reward you.

Holiday Time

2010-11-02T09:31:00.031-04:00

Harvesting Art Glass and Metal Sculpture

2010-10-09T10:36:00.013-04:00

Autumn Tree of Enchantment $45
Kitras Art Glass...Canada

Harvest Gold Pumpkin $72
Luke Adams...Luke Adams Glass, Massachuesetts

Autumn Gourd $72
Tom Kelly...Vitrix Glass, New York

Copper Fired Maple Leaf Mobile $88
Jay Jones...North Carolina

Creepy Pretty Spider $30
WGK Glass...Pennsylvania

Original hand-crafted art for seasonal decor doesn't have to be put away after the holidays. Each piece becomes a part of your collection, for display year round and eventually an heirloom. Each artist signed collection will only increase in value...certainly more enjoyable than the plastic production made decor.

Arrivals in Art Glass this Week. Blown - Fused - Painted - and Stained

2010-10-08T15:02:00.016-04:00

Hand Blown Tear Drop Ornaments by Sunrise Glass
Scott Simmons delights us with the vibrancy of his 4" round and tear drop ornaments. Multiple colors can be found on our website. For collectors the tear drop shape is a nice gift selection. $39 Tear Drop $34 Round
Hand Blown Shell Sculpture by Richard Bunting
An actor, singer and director in local theater, Dick describes dancing with molten glass like dancing with a "hot" partner. His conch shells are well known and given as Tourist Volunteer awards in the Southeastern region. Dick's other works include wave bowls, perfume bottles and oil lamps. Shells range from $85-$295
Fused Glass "Wine Wardens" by Serendipity
Local artist and my sister, Anne Bartlett, shows her whimsical side with the creation of these fun wine stoppers guaranteed to ward off the hangover. Find more expressions and colors on our website. $26
Stained Glass "Fish" Panel by Karmawood Glass
Karen Harbaugh, another local Wilmington NC artist is both a glass and metal stained glass artist and a wood artist. Talent runs wide in her many one-of-a-kind creations. Here is her recent "fish" window panel measuring 15 x 11 and priced at $248
Hand Painted Glass by Shelby Spencer
New to our gallery is the line of hand-painted stemware, ornaments and serving pieces by Shelby. This pair of holiday lights wine glasses make an original artistic gift for you giving this season. $22/pair $12/single $40/for 4

Stayed tuned for tomorrow's arrivals.

Metal Art - the allure of the sea

2010-09-30T14:55:00.000-04:00

New Art and New Artist! Bobby Fuller is welcomed into our gallery of artists with his metal jellyfish sculpture. Bobby is also the brother of talented fused glass artist Michelle Fuller Arthur. This organic art piece is made of steel and copper and welded and hammered to give the allure of the jellyfish in it's underwater environment. The base is shell marrow that holds fossil prints of shells and other sea creatures local to our Wilmington area. Stay informed with new art by Bobby here.

Keep in Touch with our Industry

2010-09-29T17:28:00.000-04:00

Niche Magazine is published by the Rosen Group who in addition is responsible for creating each year the Buyer's Market of American Craft, the venue show where hand-made craft retailers such as little ole' us go to select new artists or stay in touch with our current artists. Last year we were honored to be named a 2009 Top Retailer by Niche and our relationship with this industry of North American Craft continues. National recognition within your industry is a wonderful experience. The article titled "Building Business with a Standout Website" in this month's Niche online magazine about our new website is a thrill. As both a marketing professional and gallery owner, it is what I strive for. Being passionate about our craft artists in glass and metal makes it easy.

The Journey Continues

2010-08-27T11:32:00.000-04:00

We never know where life’s journey will take us…we’ve all heard that more than one time in our life.

I’ve written before how our journey in the new century left our conventional lifestyle behind and for reasons of necessity we came south from our home state of New Jersey, (yes, another set of Yankees) with roots from Ellis Island, landed by boat in Southport, NC in November of 2005. That lovely boat was Quiescent.

There is something about cruising on the water that gets into your bloodstream by way of your heart. And Quiescent was a part of our love story on the water from 2005-2009. Maybe it’s because I was born a Pisces with fish as my celestial kinship. Most likely it’s because I have an adventuresome spirit and a husband that can be my captain and partner in the adventure. Mind you, boating and living aboard a boat is about as adventuresome as I get. Not interested in scaling mountains or jumping out of planes. That is anothers journey, not mine.

Living on Quiescent was truly a journey. It started with downsizing a house with 6 rooms of furniture and selling or giving ¾ of our possessions away to overcoming my fear of navigating the water as first mate, reading charts, tying off lines in our first “lock”, facing down the first gigantic barge in the C&D canal, and taking the helm of 46ft of fiberglass with twin Cummins 210hp engines when the captain had to jump down to the engine room to fend off some issue or another. It was personal.

By way of Quiescent we started another leg of our journey with purchasing Crescent Moon. A chapter that continues, and shapes itself day to day with challenges, and new opportunities. We hauled Quiescent out of the water in 2009 to concentrate on this next chapter and bought a house. We love our house and we are acquiring possessions once again. It takes me longer to clean and Mike has a lawn to mow, but it fits for now. But at night, in bed, I don’t feel the water beneath me gently soothing and slighting rocking me into a nights rest. I can’t look out any of our windows and chance to see a heron perched to enjoy dinner, or simply enjoy the sound of lapping water against the hull.

So our journey is taking us back to Quiescent, if only for awhile and if only for short cruises. Quiescent was re-launched this week and is tucked snugly in a beautiful slip at Sawmill Point Marina on the Cape Fear River slightly north of Crescent Moon. (This is where you imagine hearing me sigh in contentment). We will take her south a bit to the downtown docks on September 12-13^th and enjoy sitting on the aft deck, inviting friends aboard, meeting new people and capturing a magnificent Carolina sunset. A short cruise, but I’m sure a sweet one. The first of a few cruises before Quiescent becomes a part of another couple’s journey when she sells.

So if you are downtown on Sunday the 12^th…

Why Is It So Quiet - Mack Bailey & Rachel Levy.mov

2010-07-25T12:49:00.000-04:00

What In The World Is IT?

2010-07-20T14:47:00.000-04:00

Ikebana – Japanese for arranged flower. Wikipedia says…More than simply putting flowers in a container, ikebana is a disciplined art form in which nature and humanity are brought together. Contrary to the idea of floral arrangement as a collection of parti-colored or multicolored arrangement of blooms, ikebana often emphasizes other areas of the plant, such as its stems and leaves, and draws emphasis toward shape, line, form. Though ikebana is a creative expression, it has certain rules governing its form. The artist's intention behind each arrangement is shown through a piece's color combinations, natural shapes, graceful lines, and the usually implied meaning of the arrangement.

The container is a key element of the composition, and various styles of pottery may be used in their construction.

But our customers have come up with some humorous ideas of what it is. Makes for a lightened day and gets the conversation going. How about a potato baker? Or a Lemon Reamer?

And why is the “spiky thingy” to hold the flowers called a frog? In short it seems to be a slang term which was in common use by the 1940s. Company catalogs never referred to the items as frogs. They were flower holders, arrangers, or blocks. Only rarely did the term "frog" occur in a patent. Best guess-- The metal holders sit in water like a frog and are called by the Japanese kenzan. The name kenzan literally means sword mountain.

I'm thinking though of trying it with the potato!

Where's Cora?

2010-07-01T22:02:00.000-04:00

Owning Crescent Moon is the best job Mike and I have ever had. We get to meet so many interesting folks from all around...and Wednesday even a mascot! What fun. Have you spotted "Cora" the armadillo yet? She has been traveling around with her adopted family, The Hendersons from Tulsa, Oklahoma. I first bumped into them at the Dahnhardt entrance of the Cotton Exchange with Cora perched on some logs having her picture taken. Learned then that she was the family's traveling mascot for this trip. On my way running some errands I went. An hour later Cora and Dad Willie, Mom Barbara, and Daughter Sarah appeared in Crescent Moon and of course I exclaimed...boisterously "oh can I take your picture with Cora here?" Anything for a little fun with our customers. The Hendersons have come to visit us in the past. Cora has been to their family reunion in Raleigh, at the beach, several restaurants, attractions and even a little glass shop with a loopy owner. Her next stop? Duke University. WooHoo that little armadillo is getting around. By the way armadillo is Spanish for "little armored one".

Thank you Henderson Family for making us smile and being good sports. We can't wait to see who accompanies you next trip.

Proof is in the Pudding!

2010-06-25T15:05:00.001-04:00

As if I was channeling them when I posted our recovery blog, lo and behold customers and Crescent Moon fans, Kim & Jim Benci, Lauren & Phil Fellner and Laurie Brunner magically appeared in the shop today. Why is this news? Because they are proof in "our" pudding that our customers are our recovery. They did not come to Wilmington last year for different reasons and we noticed. Even commented on it last fall...mind you we had only met them two times, once in 2007 and 2008. But we had fun helping them and Mike had his picture taken with them. We talked about Long Island traffic and living up north. I was envious of their tans (still am). Adding more mystic allure is that Mike and I just said last night "we wonder if the couples from Long Island will be visiting this year?" Not kidding here. So imagine our delight when I spotted John and recognized him. We all had a wonderful time chatting again. ...and Mike had his picture taken with them again.

Top John & Kim Benci Center Lauren & Phil Fellner Bottom Mike Loch Laurie Brunner

Thank you friends for making Crescent Moon a must stop during your vacation!

Are We Recovering?

2010-06-23T15:19:00.001-04:00

I ask myself daily what are the markers for a recovery in the retail industry affecting little mom and pop shops like Crescent Moon at The Cotton Exchange. Should I be optimistic simply because we have had some upswing in foot traffic through the shop? Should I be optimistic because it seems more people are spending a little more than last year this month? For Mike and I it is not a case of optimism vs. pessimism. There is no choice, we have to be optimistic or we would need to close our doors. But optimistic or not, we have to make daily decisions to operate responsibly. That has meant stocking less inventory and more frequent ordering, cutting expenses (less paid advertising, more free networking and social media) following a plan, and consulting mentors on critical decisions. It has meant no employees. (Maybe a Sunday or two off together each month).

Last summer the tourist/visitor from out of state stayed home. They promoted it as a “staycation”. Being located in a tourist destination area this was not good. This year so far in June we are seeing customers come back with their families that we haven’t seen in 2-3 years. How do we know? They tell us. One of the benefits of being a mom and pop shop is we talk personally to our customers, we get to know them a little. We are grateful they have remembered us and chose to stop in again.

I have read articles, industry analysis, and blog gurus throughout the recession and several have polar opposite opinions. From my way of thinking many (not all) are simply guessing when they speak of recovery and current economic conditions. Too many variables to run through their algorithms I believe and not enough common sense applied. Throw in a few big egos and there you have it.

For Mike and I here at Crescent Moon, our little 465 square foot shop, the marker is our customer. Talk to our customers and they tell us how things are. Buying something for themselves versus for a gift to someone else tells us they’re feeling more confident. Cutting out the unnecessary item was the first to go in late 2008 and it slashed our bottom line over the next 2 years. Yep, our customer at the counter or browser in our shop is the best focus group we have and they provide us with direction each and every day. All we need to do is listen.

Optimistic, you betcha!

Satisfaction

2010-06-08T22:54:00.000-04:00

There is nothing like the satisfaction of the payoff after a lot of hard work. We had our payoff today. Our very first order from Ruth of Missouri, placed through the website only 5 days after it went live. Ruth will get a little extra something from us when her order ships because here at Crescent Moon we love to celebrate milestones. Even as the content of art photos and artist information continues to grow on the site we will relish the fact that our customers who visit the shop and then return home, have made it a point to choose us from afar for that special something. We promise not to disappoint.

The Deadline Was Met

2010-06-04T14:06:00.000-04:00

Within a busy week we were able to accomplish what at one time we thought would not materialize.

Welcome the NEW Crescent Moon Website

One more "to do"...done.

Come "heck" or high water

2010-05-28T16:36:00.001-04:00

www.crescentmoonnc.com

It has been a journey…like through the desert and back, like being stuck in space with no return shuttle, like going to Iceland and playing in the ash cloud. The start of the process for our new website was over a year ago and has had some bumps and grinds along the way. I would like to say I know everything now about working with web designers and the tools used, the programming lingo, and the do(s) and don’ts, but I don’t. Even at the end of the testing and approving of the beta version, I still panicked when I viewed it in Explorer. Oops it was an old version of Explorer and it never occurred to me. It was ugly.

The key is having a patient web designer and company. The new site is a much more comprehensive product site that required a custom database program. It also required us to take photos of each piece of art that arrived. Along that path we needed to buy good lighting equipment, a light tent and a decent user-friendly camera. Enter Curtis Thieman of Inspire Creative (the web company) who trekked their professional lighting over and set it up for us to test. Thank you Curtis!

But it wasn’t just simply point and shoot. Brightness, resolution, and speed settings need to be just right. Glass is tricky to capture. Enter a very good friend who was willing to spend 4 hours trying different settings, taking pictures and uploading them over and over and over again. Introducing me to Google’s Picassa program literally saved the hair on my head…not to mention my marriage. Thank you Jerry! Now along the way we’ve been taking photos, cropping, shadowing and uploading them to the beta version. Then you realize you are cropping them wrong. Oops again.

Then…all the bugs came crawling out of the corners. Enter a good programmer named Michael, who works with Inspire, on some web projects. He squashed those bugs good and flat.

So, for the next week we’ll be populating the pages with art and come “heck” or high water it will go live!

Local Art - Right Here in Downtown Wilmington

2010-05-18T21:45:00.000-04:00

Mike and I became vocal recently regarding a misplaced effort to create what would be promoted as adding a needed vibrancy to our Cape Fear riverfront in historic downtown Wilmington by adding arts and craft vendors weekly on the street. We believe that the river atmosphere is vibrant, our tours are interesting, and our galleries full with local art. Here are some of our Local Artist's work. Crescent Moon's number of local glass artists total 14 now and we are Vibrant...

Crescent Moon has fleas

2010-05-07T11:18:00.002-04:00

My blogging juices are flowing again. I disappoint myself when I'm lax in touting to the world all the creative news and musings I have. unhuh right. But I have some News! We've got FLEAS! And they are Original!

The Original Fleas were first created over 30 years ago, and the fun-loving personalities of Greg and Jeff Quayle are obvious in each unique sculpture they create. These unique handcrafted sculptures depict more than 230 professions, sports, and hobbies. There is a flea for everyone!

Fishing...Golfing....Running...Basketball...Baseball...Yoga...

Yep there is a FLEA inside...

Perfect for the Itchy Graduate!

Jeff and Greg do custom requests we found out. So expect to see a flea swinging on the crescent moon and undoubtedly a flea blowing glass.

Taking it on the road

2010-03-15T14:57:00.000-04:00

We never know who will walk into the shop and strike up a conversation and then we never know what new adventure that conversation might lead one of us to. Mike will be giving a talk at the Wilmington Academy of Arts and Science on Myrtle Grove Rd tomorrow to about 60 students in 4th-8th grades. He will being talking about his experience so far in blowing glass and demonstrating the tools he uses in the studio. He'll bring along a few items of art glass and videos of a couple of our artists. It's a new experience for him and just another way Crescent Moon can reach out to our Wilmington community. Thank you Sandy Errante for the invitation!

Business advice: Be friendly...strike up conversations...and be open to what is presented

Swingin'

2010-02-24T11:23:00.004-05:00

Meet Mr. Crescent Moon who inspired the Crescent Moon logo with him blowing glass. A popular piece of ceramic art in the shop, he is the creative work by Lorinda Stuart who along with her mom Lila Stuart have over 55 years experience in hand-sculpted porcelain and other high fire stoneware clays.

And now I’m thinking of renaming him Mick Moon, (no relation to Keith Moon folks) because my very own Mr. Moon is blowing glass.

Swingin’

Final Lap of the Boat Journey

2010-02-05T16:24:00.000-05:00

Quiescent is still available...even after my social marketing sales attempt . Blogging about her and our trips on the ICW though have brought me back to some great memories. Particularly traveling south in 2006 when Pat and Joe McMennamen on TideRunner, their 39ft Mainship and Stu and Elaine on their Grand Banks traveled each day with us. Sharing happy hour on the decks of our boats and sharing a meal at cool little restaurants along the way and sharing tips for traveling was always a delight.

Pat and Joe just happened to be traveling south this week, only by truck, to Florida and stayed overnight with us at our new digs. That's the beauty of the cruising community. The friendships can last a lifetime. The experiences are usually unique and the fun is just FUN! Like reminiscing about Joe and I yaking about Dowry Creek's Beer Can Chicken party on channel 68 on the VHF radio while heading toward the marina. We laughed as hard now as we did then and we had everyone listening laughing back then. Picture a chicken with a beer up...well you go from there. Talk about community though, we were reminded about Pat having a serious medical scare that trip and I called ahead to acquaintances in Oriental, NC for loan of a car to get her to a medical facility. Our friends, who we had only met once before on our trip in 2005 while chilling out at the tiki bar at Oriental marina, didn't hesitate and when we all docked, there was a Sebring convertible sitting at the curb waiting for us. And there was the interesting approach in the Portsmouth/Norfolk channel to our marina in the dark with one thousand lights all around making it difficult to navigate the markers and tugs hugging a little too close to our starboard side. Not to mention the presence of gun boats off to the side of the channel due to the Naval facility right there. AAhhhh...memories abound. Stu and Elaine are no longer cruising, we are settled in here at our little glass shop, but Joe and Pat are living the life still only delayed this season but planning next fall's trip south.

Even our shelties, Max and Dudley loved to cruise and were perfect liveaboards.

So this is my last blog about Quiescent...whether she sells this year or next, Mike and I have great memories and great friends from our time aboard!

Stu and Elaine.

Moving South 2006 on Quiescent...who happens to be for sale!

2010-01-21T14:53:00.004-05:00

When we left New Jersey in November of 2006 we said goodbye to the fabulous shoreline of Atlantic City's casinos and Wildwood's fun boardwalk. There is nothing compared to the "jersey shore" when you grew up a "jersey girl". Just ask Bruce Springstein.

Making our way up the Delaware Bay the not to be missed landmark is Salem's Nuclear plant. When the smoke is straight up the wind is mild for smooth cruising.

Sailing into the sunset (but without sails) each evening with others traversing south is a calming and somewhat communal feeling.

Settling in each night at port with friends led to some great meals and better conversations.

The C & D canal, as serene and peaceful as this gives time for true reflection. Not just the picture time.

Traveling in "packs" is commonplace on the ICW Spring and Fall as the snowbirds return to warm waters. Quiescent took the lead here while crossing the Albermarle Sound. Calm waters were with us that day.

Dowry Creek Marina's BEER CAN CHICKEN party is the BEST ever!

So letting the first mate take a turn at the helm means the captain can take a break and enjoy the ride.

So pass the word, this life could be for someone you know...and Quiescent is anxious to get back out on the ICW to cruise around and make some people happy!

Selling More Than Art Glass...Selling Fiber Glass!

2010-01-17T16:51:00.001-05:00

Our wonderful previous home has been up for sale. For quite awhile. So I'm trying to use my internet blogging, socializing, tweeting and anything else I can think of to tell the world wide web about this great live-aboard. In my next few posts I'll showcase our photos from two of our trips along the Intracoastal Waterway (forever after referred to as the ICW) in 2005 and 2006.

So if you know of someone with a dream to cruise, or someone wanting a great getaway boat for a condo on the water, pass along our blog or send them our way by email jmloch@crescentmoonnc.com . We'll be forever grateful and we'll award you with the other glass, a selection of our art glass if your connection buys her!

Meet the lovely "Quiescent" Jefferson 42' Sundeck trawler with twin Cummins with only 1680 hours on her. Ain't she sweet?

What's Ahead

2010-01-04T07:38:00.000-05:00

So I've been up since 5am. Thinking. What's up ahead. 2010, the next decade. If this reads choppy it's because I haven't had my coffee yet to form a sentence. Personally speaking, within the decade last, I've went from massage therapist to small business consultant to unemployed to part owner of a retail gift gallery, downsized two homes to live on a boat and back to a house and filling it up again. I've buried my mother, had a major accident and recovery and learned I've got osteoporosis. Have had the pleasure of being made a "grammy" and of making a whole bunch of new friends in a new place.

So I'm thinking again...what's up ahead. I've had my first cup of coffee, that's good. It's January 4th of this wonderful new year and new decade. Whatever is in the road ahead I'll have to either maneuver, embrace, let go, enjoy, treasure, overcome but at the very "most" experience.

It's 7:37am and time to start another day. Enjoy yours.

Twas the Day After Christmas

2009-12-26T13:22:00.000-05:00

and all through the shop there were visitors visiting and browsing around. It was hustling and bustling throughout the downtown, as overstuffed people walked off each extra Christmas pound. They shopped for themselves, and wanted some glass, artistically crafted and artfully made. We welcomed them pleasantly, eyes all aglow, hoping to finish the year with nothing more displayed.

The shelves would be empty and ready for the New Year, when all the new art would suddenly appear!

Holidays in this season...Part Two Christmas

2009-12-19T21:50:00.000-05:00

Cape Fear Community College Musicians performing at the Cotton Exchange

Six days away...people scurrying through shops...visiting friends...wrapping gifts...baking cookies...finding family recipes...shipping last minute...fighting traffic...singing carols...writing cards...packing suitcases...throwing parties...watching football...stressing out

take time to understand...

reprinted from wikipedia

Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday, celebrated on December 25, and commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Christmas is central to the Christmas and holiday season, and in Christianity marks the beginning of the larger season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days. The remembrance and re-enactment of the Nativity in the Christian celebration of Christmas signifies the belief that Jesus is the "Christ" or Messiah promised by the Old Testament. The main religious celebration among members of the Catholic Church and other Christian groups is the Church service at midnight on Christmas Eve or on the morning of Christmas Day. During the forty days leading up to Christmas, the Eastern Orthodox Church practices the nativity Fast, while the majority of Christian congregations (including the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, many Mainline churches, and Baptists) begin observing the liturgical season of Advent four Sundays before Christmas—both are seen as times of spiritual cleansing, recollection and renewal to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Christmastide is one of the seasons of the liturgical year of most Christian churches. It tends to be defined (with slight variations) as the period from Christmas Eve to the evening of January 5th, the day before Epiphany. This period is also commonly known as the Twelve Days of Christmas, as referred to in the Christmas carol of the same name, or Yuletide, as in "Deck the Halls".

In the Church of England, however, Christmastide includes Epiphany and ends at Candlemas in early February, which celebrates the Presentation of Jesus Christ at the Temple. This is in keeping with the traditional liturgical significance of Forty Days. In the Roman Catholic Church, since Vatican II in the early 1960s, the Christmas season runs a shorter period, from Christmas Eve evening to the Sunday after Epiphany, the commemoration of the Baptism of the Lord, after which Ordinary Time begins.

During the season, various festivities are traditionally enjoyed and buildings decorated. In some countries, by superstition it has become bad luck to leave the decorations up after Twelfth Night.

Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, music, an exchange of greeting cards, church, celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decorations; including Christmas trees, lights, and garlands, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. In addition, Father Christmas (known as Santa Claus in some areas, including North America, Australia and Ireland) is a popular mythological figure in many countries, associated with the bringing of gifts for children.

Holidays in this season...Part One Hanukkah

2009-12-03T14:44:00.021-05:00

Hanukkah starts at sundown next Friday, December 11th and continues for eight days. As the first celebration in what we all consider a "holiday season" I thought I would provide a little insight and background into the origin and rituals of each one. At Crescent Moon we make it a point to familiarize ourselves with the items used in the celebrations because it pretty much means one of our artists or maybe several have created unique works of art glass from them. Our Hanukkah menorahs are a part of our complete Judaica line in the shop. Artists such as Andrew Jackson Pollack, Tamara Baskin and Sara Beames have become favorites here. Read on...

reprinted from About.Com:Judaism
The festival of Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) was established to commemorate the Jewish Maccabees' military victory over the Greek-Syrians and the re-dedication of the Second Temple, which had been desecrated by the Greek-Syrians, to the worship of God. Thus, Hanukkah is a celebration of Jewish national survival and religious freedom.

Celebrating Hanukkah
In commemoration of these miracles, a Hanukkah Menorah (also called a Hanukkiah) is lit during each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. Lighting the Hanukkah Menorah is the central observance of the festival. One candle is lit the first night, and an additional candle is lit each successive night. Thus, on the last night of Hanukkah, all eight candles of the Hanukkiah are lit. The candles should be lit by a window or door in order to fulfill the commandment to "publicize the miracle." While lighting the candles, blessings are recited and the ancient chant Hanerot Hallalu is traditionally sung. After lighting the candles, it is a tradition to sing Maoz Tzur.

Hanukkah is a fun festival, especially for children. After lighting the Hanukkah candles together, families (and often invited guests) will eat and play games. Traditional Hanukkah food is oil-rich in commemoration of the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. Potato pancakes (Latkas in Yiddish, Livivot in Hebrew) are a Hanukkah favorite. Israelis eat Hanukkah doughnuts called soofganiot. Dreidel (sivovon in Hebrew) is a traditional Hanukkah game, with game rules so simple that the whole family, from toddlers to grandparents can play together. The custom of giving Hanukkah gelt (money) to children has evolved into a gift-giving tradition in many Jewish families today.

Here are some of the Hanukkah items currently on display here at Crescent Moon.

A Day Off...One of Thanksgiving

2009-11-23T20:38:00.000-05:00

I cried because I had no shoes
Until I saw a man who had no feet.

That is a phrase that stays with me always for many reasons. Six years ago I shattered my right foot almost beyond repair. But a fine surgeon put it back together again. When it aches and I need my walking stick at night, I remind myself that I have my foot. Five years ago I lost my mom on Thanksgiving Eve. It was hard to approach the day in the next years without some grief erupting. I remind myself now that she was there in my life for 49 years and 87 on earth.

2009 has been tough for so many, and it is easy to get lost in your own challenges. But there is always someone that is being challenged more. Those who have lost their footing.

So this Thanksgiving Thursday, a rare day off for Mike and I, we will give thanks for so much. Our safe country, our soldiers that protect us relentlessly, my in-laws at age 87 each, and the freedom to own our own business and pursue our passion.

So a parade, some football, a walk, and a casual quiet dinner, just the two of us, will make our day.
Happy Thanksgiving...take time to remember.

One Of These Days...

2009-11-14T13:15:00.002-05:00

Fess Up! How many of us have said that? Probably each person reading this. Whether it was in talking about a special trip to a far off place or leaving a less than enthusiastic job and starting a new second career. Hey we heard it all the time when Mike or I would talk about living on our boat for 4 years. "One of these days, my wife and I want to do that, and cruise the The Loop."

Martha Eggerton and Ted Humphries said it repeatedly over Friday cocktails with their respective spouses on the back deck. They dreamed that "one of these days" they would be able to blow glass here in Wilmington. Out of that dream, OTD Studios was born in 2005. Fast forward five years and Crescent Moon is proud to showcase their art glass bowls and vases. I just love these stories.
Moral here is: You Can Do It...If You Dream It!

Hey Mikey...You Like It...

2009-11-06T13:42:00.001-05:00

Remember the commercials for LIFE cereal? The big boys shove the cereal bowl over to little Mikey who casually spoons a few morsels from the bowl and then a little more and then the boys who are amazed exclaim...He Likes It!

Well, my Mike, who does not consider himself the glass artist as yet...Likes It. The studio time that is to make his ornaments. He likes working with glass and he is getting good. I consider him an artist and so do our wonderful customers. Last week alone we sold over 8 of his ornaments.

Mike likes owning Crescent Moon too! Whether it is working the gallery floor or networking at night. Mikey Likes It!

So I invite you to come in and judge for yourself if Mike is an artist.

Keeping it Local...

2009-10-27T11:35:00.001-04:00

My time spent with our social networking on Facebook and Twitter is time well spent. It has introduced us to many local businesses that we might not have known about otherwise. See, with working seven days a week, we don't get out much, ("wink"). One great example of a connection we made on Facebook was our "friending" with Old Growth Riverwood, a local husband and wife wood working enterprise. Old Growth Riverwood located in Castle Hayne, reclaims lost pieces of history and transforms them into unique and beautiful wood products for home or business. When I read that on their website an idea immediately popped into my head. We were planning a new display area in the shop, so why not contact Chris at Old Growth Riverwood for shelving. Well, the rest is history now, literally. The display is finished and all the shelves are historical...reclaimed from the bottom of the Cape Fear River. Over a hundred years ago, these logs were cut from trees somewhere upriver and were floated down to mills to become lumber. The logs were rafted together, but the heavier dense logs sank to the bottom of the Cape Fear. Now they are wonderful heart pine wood shelves floating on the walls of our shop.

Catching Up with New Artists

2009-10-21T15:27:00.012-04:00

Is there such a thing a bloggers block? Looking at the last post date, I think I came down with a case of it. But I'm re-focused, refreshed and ready to write. Some exciting new artists have joined Crescent Moon. Let me introduce them.

Ted Sample was a 25 year glass blower with Steuben Glass in New York state until he and his family relocated to North Carolina a few years ago. He is blowing glass again out of our favorite studio on Castle Street, RDG Designs, owned by Jane Greer. Mike assists him in the studio and some wonderful designs are happening. His latest... Lemon Yellow Vase...shown to the left is stunning and priced at $110 Look for more postings on Ted and his work soon.

Meet Jennifer Thomas, a local artist from Castle Hayne. Jennifer walked into Crescent Moon earlier this week and wowed us with her simple, yet artistic ornaments. We are thrilled to be the first gallery to introduce her work. Using stained glass and putting her own painted twist on the designs, she embellishes them nicely and wraps up the whole package with a stenciled box. Makes the perfect gift for $30 each. There are 5 styles: Drop, Oval, Paisley, Mushroom and Frame. Shown below are Drop and Paisley . Come in and welcome Jennifer by buying an original.

when size doesn't matter

2009-08-06T15:06:00.003-04:00

When size doesn’t matter…

Our introduction started like this “And now for our next five NICHE Top Retailers of 2009, the galleries range from 5000 square feet to simply 465 square feet”. A few gasps were distinctly heard from behind us. FOUR HUNDRED and SIXTY FIVE square feet? Unheard of for a gallery. Exactly…that’s why when we were called to the podium to accept this wonderful award we were described in our words as “the little glass shop with a big attitude”. Right on!

That was Sunday night, August 2nd at the NICHE Magazine’s award ceremony at the Pennsylvania Convention Center during the Buyers Market of American Craft, the nation’s largest wholesale craft show.

Four days later and we are still on cloud nine and feeling pretty honored. It’s all in the numbers when you look at it from afar, our four hundred and sixty square feet of space represents ninety nine percent North American craft from seventy artists at any time, has three employees including the two owners, us, and now was named one of twenty five Top Retailers for 2009 from over six hundred nominees throughout North America.

If I may say so myself that’s quite a feat for two ex-corporate suit types who have taken on a whole new unfamiliar career within the last three years.

To be honored with this award a retailer of craft had to show commitment to fair business practices and commitment to growing and strengthening the North American Craft community. Nowhere did the qualifications say you had to be big. The commitment and the passion can come in a small package just like our little glass shop.

Mike and my sincere appreciation must go to our fabulously talented artists and our ever-loyal customers who have not only made us a success but make our life fun! As Mike said at the podium…”Goes to show you don’t have to be the biggest to be one of the best”! Right On!

Immortalized Literally!

2009-07-15T15:08:00.006-04:00

Crescent Moon and the Lochs have been immortalized forever in print. Thousands of readers of Ellen Elizabeth Hunter’s latest novel Murder at The Bellamy Mansion will read a scene staged at Crescent Moon. Wow. It is so cool to find a different form of promotion, a lasting one at that, and have it benefit a good cause. The good cause is Kids Making It, a non-profit, helping Wilmington’s kids at risk learn woodworking to keep them off the streets and build their self-esteem. At their first annual fundraiser in 2008 we bid on Ellen’s generous donation to write the winner into her next murder mystery in the Cape Fear region and won.

Ellen was a pleasure to meet in person, when she came by to scout out and research how Crescent Moon and yours truly, Joan and Mike would fit into the plot. As it happened, one of the main characters, Melanie Wilkes, decides to shop for a special thank you gift for a client at Crescent Moon and chooses one of their much revered art glass jellyfish by artist Rick Satava.

What will be our next adventure...a movie perhaps?

Murder at Bellamy Mansion was released in July and Ellen’s first book signing is July 16^th at Bellamy Mansion at 7pm. Buy a signed copy and 10% goes to Bellamy Mansion.

If you miss that opportunity, don’t fret, Two Sisters Bookery, here at the Cotton Exchange will have more copies. Mention Crescent Moon’s blog and you will receive 10% off the $15 price. Go to www.twosistersbookery.com

Art of the Glass

2009-06-20T13:49:00.013-04:00

Simply some of the most gorgeous new art glass added to the gallery! Variegated Gold Perfume Bottle with Gecko by Seth Parks of Maine, Deco Art Flowers by Elodie Holmes of New Mexico and Fused Glass Kites by Lisa Yogt of Florida. Stay tuned for more new art being introduced at Crescent Moon.

Discovered Talent

2009-05-24T14:11:00.011-04:00

When you meet someone talented and fascinating you know it. That’s how it was when Val Johnson first walked into Crescent Moon. We could tell he was looking for something in particular but didn’t want to interrupt his browsing right away. Then we noticed the cane he had. The carved details left little room for words. When we struck up a conversation with Val we learned that carving a cane that he would need one on his feet again was therapy for him. Bedridden during many months of rehab and physical therapy for a severe knee injury left him lots of time on his hands. For such a young man who was a avid sportsman and hiker those months were difficult. But from that challenge came a talent uncovered.

Each section of the cane represents a significant time in Val’s life he said. Someday we’d love to hear the details. The handle of the cane needed to be completed and Val was specific in his vision for it. A glass marble art piece representing the universe.

Josh Simpson’s large Inhabited Planet was the perfect choice. It fit Val’s palm of his hand and only Josh depicts the essence of the universe in his planets, exactly the vision Val had. He has promised to come back and show us the planet fully affixed to the top of his cane. Talking with him, we’ve learned he may start carving more and selling his work. We only have words of encouragement for him.

It's a Family and Friend Affair

2009-04-26T13:57:00.017-04:00

Put to music and this title would sound pretty familiar, right? Here at Crescent Moon we are hitting all the right notes and friends and family are part of the band. Mike started apprenticing in glass blowing last year and has since spent time honing his craft. He doesn't get many hours to do this, since he is active in running the shop and most of the time spent at the studio is as the assistant to one or another glass blower. Assisting is the best way to learn.
He brought this wonderful blue vase to the shop last week and it shows how far he has come.

Anne Bartlett is my sister, the pretty one, and since our purchasing the shop, has discovered her love for glass too. Working with fused glass her dichroic pendants have become a favorite item since their introduction. Talented family so far! Anne's studio Serendipity is in her home in Wilmington.

Friends included here. Lynn Donofrio and "Me" have embarked on unleashing hidden talents recently. Our method of choice is hand-painted glass art. Not as easy as one imagines. Just getting started we are practicing painting techniques and let me tell you...leaves are hard. But the laughs and good times we are having make the mistakes all worth it. I convinced Lynn and myself that our first "vases" deserved to be showcased in the shop. So here they are. Would all the real artists please try not to roll on the floor laughing. :)

Mike and I are fortunate to be loving our work and our hobbies, and we have more family and many friends that you never know may want to tap into their artistic sides. There will be a place in the gallery for each and every one.

"Do what you love. Know your own bone; gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it, and gnaw it still." Henry David Thoreau

The ART of DISPLAY

2009-04-15T16:13:00.006-04:00

We are asked frequently at Crescent Moon on how someone would go about displaying or hanging their art glass ornaments. That one question sometimes catches me by surprise, because at Crescent Moon we have our art glass displayed every way we can think of. That is not the typical situation for your home however. We do suggest to anyone decorating with art glass to think outside of the normal table displays.

We have several display hangers that you can extend from a sturdy cup or “j” hook inserted in the ceiling, wall, or window frame. The size of the hook needed will depend on the weight of the glass object.

For solid surfaces such as a stud, simply drill and screw the “j” hook into the wall stud or ceiling beam. But if the surface is hollow, you will need to drill and insert a plastic anchor into the hole and then screw in the “j” hook. Anchors and hooks can be found at the hardware store.

Here are some examples of displays. Have fun with your decorating and add a little surprise of color to an unexpected place in your home. Glass catches the light from your windows and lighting like no other 3D art and catches the eye as well.

Another New Beginning

2009-03-24T11:01:00.003-04:00

The blog has been silent and I have been absent. We are dirt dwellers once again and my mind and body are totally absorbed in the many tasks required to set up a full household. Running from store to store, I’ve stimulated the Wilmington economy with my purchases on multiple trash cans, laundry accessories, cleaning dusters, mops, brooms, wands, cloths and rugs, drawer organizers, and last but not least, bubble bath for enjoying our new soaking tub. There will be projects of course, lovely ones like painting, caulking here and there, building shelves, and replacing faucets. The task we’re looking forward to the most however, is decorating with our art glass. Our new home showcases like a gallery with perfect architectural points and excellent lighting. Platters, jellyfish, orbs and vases will be placed throughout. Fan Pulls and finials will grace the lighting. Nightlights will illuminate the halls and chimes will hang on the porch.

House living is new and exciting for us. Seems silly to some I’m sure, just as moving and living aboard our boat was 4 years ago. That was exciting and new then too. Buying a shop called Crescent Moon 2 years ago was exciting and new. Every choice we’ve made has been refreshing and fits Mike and I and our personalities. Everyone should add something new and exciting to their lives occasionally. It’s stimulating!

Next I’ve heard is the Harley…

Bittersweet

2009-02-28T12:12:00.004-05:00

Making a significant change in your life or taking a risk that may seem crazy to everyone around you, and feeling good about it, is not something that is taught or coached in a class or seminar. The "feeling good about it" simply comes from the gut. At least that has been our experience. And we are feeling good about our decision to become dirt dwellers again and have bought a lovely home in Wilmington's Masonboro area. This means we will move off our dear Quiescent which I've described and blogged about previously. It is for sale and we are getting quite a few interested inquiries on it. So there are transactions happening both in home and boat real estate and that is good news.

Living aboard Quiescent and traveling the ICW in 2005-2006 is an experience that Mike and I agree we will never regret. Many individuals and couples put off doing what they talk about, always putting another milestone in their path to accomplish before embarking on their plans, and subsequently often lose the opportunity. Maybe foolishly to some, we tend to jump right in. When the guts tell us it's right. Quiescent has allowed us to meet many new friends while traveling, experience sunsets that were awe inspiring and gave us "a story" to tell our customers when we strike up a conversation with them. No, we don't regret a moment. Well, maybe the moments when I blow fuses trying to use too many burners and the oven at one time, or the coffee pot is brewing and I plug in the blow dryer. But those pale to all the other wonderful times we've had with friends and family aboard cruising NJ and the Cape Fear region.

So this transition in our lives once again must mean I will need to change part of our blog purpose and shift all my focus to our glass and shop. Well, Mike has never been without a boat since he was eight, and we do have a kayak still, so there will always be a little bit of our love of the water in my musings.

Here are a few of our boats we've enjoyed.

Off to the Show

2009-02-10T20:50:00.004-05:00

The Buyers Market of American Craft is this weekend in Philadelphia and we will be there walking the aisles in awe of the numerous glass artists with their work smartly displayed with just the right lighting enticing me to spend more than our budget allows. The economy this time around will certainly weigh on our decisions on how many new artists to add to the shop and which artists' work will offer the best choice for our customers who are cutting expenses along with all of us.

Even with the serious business of making our choices, this show is still a highlight of our year. We learn so much from talking with our artists about their craft and simply enjoy being in the company of such magnificent work.

Another perk to the trip is combining visits with family and friends since we are from southern New Jersey. So tomorrow we will head out Rt 40 to that great interstate 95 and make our pilgrimage north and hope all the way that the weather will be on our side.

Josh Simpson - New Work

2009-02-07T15:09:00.005-05:00

Many in the glass world know Josh Simpson. You easily recognize his extraordinary “planets”, and Blue New Mexico glass. His work and name are associated with many fine museums and galleries worldwide. What you may not know about Josh is his fascination with space. Incidentally he is married to Cady Coleman, a space astronaut with an extensive biography of shuttle trips and adventures. Together they intrigue me because they appear to be so down to earth (couldn’t resist), so approachable and willing to invite you into their lives by detailing their passions through several video productions.

As an artist Josh likes to challenge himself and will come up with new work each year or have a project to undertake. From his staff you get the impression he has a great sense of humor and studio days are sometimes full of surprises.

His new glass this year is “Corona”. Josh has stated that he likes to translate some of the wonder of the Universe into his work. That is exactly what the new Corona pieces do. When we received our latest order for planets and vases, we received a Corona platter and bowl accompanied by a photo from the Hubble satellite that undoubtedly inspired Josh. The rich color distribution with earthy hues and then a splash of vibrant purple blended and swirled expertly allows you to view it as a piece of the universe only a few get to see close up.

Customers will always find a large selection of Josh's inhabited planets, gravitrons, and vessels here at Crescent Moon. It is something personal to pick up and hold, touch and then gravitate to the certain piece that captivates you. You will be captivated!

Rick Satava - New Work

2009-01-25T14:33:00.005-05:00

Most of our customers know that Rick Satava's jellyfish are one of the favorite pieces of our glass art for many who visit. I've blogged about them early on and commented that people bring relatives in just to show them our shelf of jellies. We do keep an impressive amount on display, I must say. Now the one wish of many has come true. Rick is producing "mini" jellies that stand 4.5" tall and retail for $260. Previously the smallest available was a 6.5" jelly retailing at $440-$480. The small stature does not take away from any of the qualities of jellyfish. The translucency of the jelly "domes" and the three-D affects of the "legs" are maintained. It is such a wonderful addition to his line and perfect for our customers who have longed to own a Satava "jelly". We already have orders for the mini Blue Moon and Pacific colors. Speaking of colors, Rick has added a Ribbed Purple to his colors. We haven't seen it yet and we are eagerly awaiting the arrival.

BRRRRRR

2009-01-18T20:58:00.002-05:00

Friday night was the coldest night we ever spent on the boat. But it was pretty cozy in our aft cabin with the zoned heating on. Just a little frosty in the aft head if you happened to need to visit it in the middle of the night! Avoiding cold nights and months in New Jersey while living on our boat was the main reason we came south in the fall of 2005. Sure looking forward to the Carolina spring time.

NC Coastal Person of The Year Awards

2009-01-13T13:08:00.005-05:00

Paige Somervell, Marketing Manager for Wilmington Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, wandered in one day last week and seemed to me to be on a mission. It turned out I was right. She was given the task to find something that would represent the coast and would serve as an award to be presented to three very active "Persons of The Year" who promote the coast for their region. An inscribed plate needed to be attached commemorating this honor in each of their names. Paige was immediately drawn to one of our local artists, Richard Bunting's, conch shells that are solid glass blown pieces in rich vibrant colors and range in petite size to extra large size. This choice fit for many reasons because of it's a shell representing the coastal waters and Richard being a local artist. Now the task was to find a way to make it into an award presentation piece. Paige and I brainstormed, first considering mounting the piece on a low acrylic base and soon discarding that idea. I thought of using clear stained glass that would give the base a "water" look. Mike works in stained glass and had just the right pieces in his studio. After cutting them and placing the silver inscribed plates on them, the shells are perfect as an award. We were so pleased to work with Paige, and have learned that Richard's shells will be used again next year. Richard and Mike, his assistant in the studio, will work on a one-piece sculpture incorporating the base for next year.

The recipients are Al Delia, Kim Hufham, and Penny Leary. Congratulations to each from Mike and I. Enjoy your beautiful art glass shell

On My Game

2009-01-04T19:01:00.005-05:00

I promised that some of my Philadelphia Eagles fan frustration might surface in future blogs way back in September. Well here I sit alone watching them play the Vikings in the playoffs with the score Eagles 16 and Vikings 14 in the 4th quarter and chewing my nails to pieces. I want this win for McNabb soooo badly because it's been a tough year for him. I'm always loyal to our quarterbacks.

But that has nothing to do with glass art or boats...oops Sheldon almost picked off a throw. darn Back to art. Our shelves and cupboards are bare after the holiday sales! I'm placing orders with our artists to...omg Westbrook scores, yeah! Five minutes to go in the 4th and its 23 to 14. I think I'll get back to the art later.

Stay tuned...

Ring Out The Old

2008-12-31T17:51:00.006-05:00

It has been awhile since my last musings here...the holiday season was good to us at Crescent Moon. But here I am at 5:55pm on 12/31/08 thinking about the year 2008 and as the saying goes… to Ring Out The Old and Ring In The New!

I won’t belabor you with recapping the year on a national level, since all the media channels, websites and newspaper headlines cover that very nicely. And what fodder there was from record breaking Olympics to historic politic happenings. I will however take a line or two to ring out 2008 for Crescent Moon and Mike and I.

We end our second year as owners of Crescent Moon
We start on our fourth year living on our boat
We weathered the start of the recession and learned much about retail markets
Mike finished his first year apprenticing in glass blowing and wants to do more
Joan learned to write a blog and entered into the cyberspace marketing era

We couldn’t have marked any of these milestones without our loyal customers and friends. We will strike a deal with all of you. We will continue to be here if you continue to be here. We will continue to strive to provide you with great service, beautiful glass and metal art, and a friendly atmosphere to do your shopping.

We wish all a wonderful New Year, 2009 upon us already. Wow it slides by so quickly. We are thankful for so much. We are thankful for our customers. Have fun and be safe!

Namaste….Joan and Mike

Tis' the Season

2008-11-29T12:29:00.005-05:00

Tis’ the season to be jolly! And optimistic if you are in retail. Mike and I are fortunate in that regard, we are positive people. He has always helped me see that the glass can be half full even in the most trying of times. The media coverage and belabored analysis of the gloom and doom economy are enough to rattle the most optimistic personalities though. Until your customers make it a point to come back to see you again this year like ours from Howell, NJ did this Thanksgiving weekend. Then our faith is renewed. We have done our job in encouraging happy repeat customers who love to come see us and even ask for a hug before they leave. The group shot to the left tells it all. They are the holiday season. The boys love to select their piece of art glass and this year it was Curtis Cecil’s “eyeball” marble. They still wear our T-Shirts that we gave them last year and they make their parents proud with their maturity and politeness.

Our goal this season is to continue our friendly service, and customer building tradition. Without them, obviously, Crescent Moon would be nothing. We give thanks this holiday weekend for our customers and their appreciation for the art that we offer. We will continue to add artists that delight and encourage the collector.

Mike Went to Jail

2008-11-19T21:27:00.003-05:00

Mike got locked up today. Thankfully for a good cause. The jailbirds have to ask for bail money from friends and family for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, a wonderful non-profit helping thousands stricken with this disease. He successfully returned to the shop after spending a few hours at Bonefish Grille and treated to lunch. His bail ended up at $375.00. Not bad for a 1st timer.

History and such

2008-11-15T13:56:00.003-05:00

History set the beginning of glass production nearly four thousand years ago is Mesopotamia where potters fused sand and minerals while firing their clay. One clever Mesopotamian managed to form a glass tube and blow a bubble at the end, creating the first blowpipe...and hence the art of glass blowing.

Glass after all is a blend of sand and metallic oxides and...extraordinary, blinding heat. The result is a substance that flows and drips like honey. When it's hot, glass is alive.
Uplift by Rick Nicholson

What Can I Say....

2008-11-05T14:04:00.002-05:00

As I sit and think about writing this entry for our blog, the day after a momentous presidential election, I am struggling with what I could possibly say about art or boating that someone would want to read right now. Anything I might say would seem so trivial when everyone’s attention is diverted to this historic event. Understandingly so.

So I will write about neither. Simply put, I am very hopeful and proud.

More art info next week!

The "DreamList" Gift Registery Service in vogue at Crescent Moon

2008-10-25T16:31:00.002-04:00

Did you know that the practice of a bridal registry was first instituted by Chicago-founded department store Marshall Fields in 1924 at its Marshall Field and Company building as a means for the engaged couple to indicate chosen china, silver and crystal patterns to family and friends. US-based Target stores were the first to introduce an electronic gift registry in 1993.
We have an established Art registry that is titled “Dream List” on our website, www.crescentmoonnc.com. Now the shop will have a DreamList Corner to make it easy for customer to browse around with a registry list and pencil in hand, and either create their registry themselves at the dedicated computer center, or leave the list for us to enter later. Telling family and friends where to find your DreamList however is the important part, and in your hands.
We wanted to provide a way for anyone, not only bridal couples, to start collecting art that they could enjoy for many years and someday pass on as heirlooms. With many couples setting up households prior to marriage, the need for linens, dinnerware and appliances is not as great at wedding time, allowing them to instead collect or decorate with “art” works. For anyone, getting a beautiful piece of art glass that you want is much better than another sweater that you end up returning.
With the holidays approaching Crescent Moon is anticipating a positive response to our DreamList registery and wer’re looking forward to wrapping a lot of gifts. Don’t forget we offer FREE gift wrapping and will ship and insure any purchase.

Understand the Language of Glass

2008-10-18T14:08:00.004-04:00

Mike and I started this blog to help inform glass lovers about the art therefore it’s time to educate those interested a little more. For most people who love art glass, glass lexicon can be challenging. Glass collectors and decorators trying to find the right words to describe a glass piece, or look may want to bookmark this blog because here I will try to list some of the words and techniques and an explanation. There are many words from A-Z, so I have decided to break the alphabet up into a couple of blog posts

Here we start with A-C

Cords - Flaws in the material, which affects the artist's ability to work with the glass.

Core - The form to which molten glass is applied in order to make a core formed vessel.

Cracking Off - The process of detaching a glass object from a blowpipe or punty.

Crackle Glass - To produce the crackle effect, the parison is rolled in moist sawdust or covered with sand in order to give the surface a coarse finished. It is then submerged in water, causing the surface to crack, without destroying the glass. A fresh layer of glass is then added and reheated until the cracks fuse together slightly so that the glass maintains its stability.

Crown glass - Window glass blown into a crown or hollow globe that is flattened and cut before use. Produced by reheating and spinning out a bow-shaped piece of glass (bullion) that causes the glass to extend into a flat disk by centrifugal force.

Art Glass - Generally, any ornamental glasswork made since the mid-19th century.

Batch - The mixed raw materials used in manufacturing glass that have been blended and proportionally mixed for delivery to the glass furnace.

Bending - A process whereby the shaped glass article still in sheet form is placed on a stainless steel, sheet steel or cast iron mold coated with talc or powdered chalk. The temperature is increased until the glass sheet sinks in to the mold.

Bits - Pieces of molten glass snipped off a blowpipe or punty rod and applied hot to a glass form.

Blank Mold - The metal mold in which the parison is formed.

Blank - Usually refers to a glass parison that is formed during the first step of glass molding. The piece is then transferred to a lamp worker or glass blower for final shape configuration.

Blister - A gaseous inclusion or bubble in the glass.

Blobbing - The technique of decorating hot glass by dropping onto the surface blobs of molten glass, usually of a different color or colors.

Block - A block of wood hollowed out to form a hemispherical recess. After it has been dipped in water to reduce charring and to create a "cushion" of steam, the block is used to form the gather into a sphere, prior to inflation.

Blowing - The technique of forming an object by inflating a glob of molten glass gathered on the end of the blowpipe. The gaffer blows through the tube, slightly inflating the glob, which is then manipulated into the required form by swinging it, rolling it on a marver, or shaping it with tools or in a mold; it is then inflated to the desired size.

Borosilicate Glass - A high silicate glass with at least 5% boron oxide.

Bubbles - A pocket of gas trapped in glass during manufacture.

Bullions - One of the few forms of flat glass still produced by the hand process. Cable - A pattern resembling the twisted strands of a rope.

Came - A grove strip of lead or (rarely) another metal, generally with an H shaped cross section, used to join separate parts of glass window.

Cane - A thin, monochrome rod, or a composite rod consisting of groups of rods of different colors, which are bundled together and fused to form a polychrome design.

Caning - The removal of glass from the surface of an object by means of handheld tools.

Casing - The application of a layer of glass over a layer of contrasting color. Cast Cast Glass - Glass produced by "casting', in other words by pouring molten glass into a mold or by heating glass already contained in the mold until the glass melts and assumes the shape of the mold.

Cerium Oxide - The oxide of the rare earth, cerium, used alone or together with other substances as a polishing agent for glass.

Cobalt - A silvery-white magnetic metallic element, which, even in small quantities, gives a strong blue coloration to glass. It can be used as a decolorizor on its own for opal glasses.

Cold Working - The collective term for the many techniques (such as engraving or cutting) used to alter or decorate glass when it is cold. Cords - Flaws in the material, which affects the artist's ability to work with the glass.

Core Forming - The technique of forming a vessel by trailing or gathering molten glass around a core supported by a rod. After forming, the object is removed from the rod and annealed. After annealing, the core is removed by scraping. Cracking Off - The process of detaching a glass object from a blowpipe or punty. Crackle Glass - To produce the crackle effect, the parison is rolled in moist sawdust or covered with sand in order to give the surface a coarse finished. It is then submerged in water, causing the surface to crack, without destroying the glass. A fresh layer of glass is then added and reheated until the cracks fuse together slightly so that the glass maintains its stability.

Crown glass - Window glass blown into a crown or hollow globe that is flattened and cut before use.

Find D-G on the next blog posting.

Just Some Thoughts

2008-10-11T19:22:00.004-04:00

We get questioned literally three or four times each week why we would want to live on a boat or what made us move onto a boat. We often just say we hated our HOA (Home Owner Association) in the condo community on the bay in NJ so much that we decided to try something different. Something so flexible that if our neighbors started to act ridiculous we could simply untie the lines and moved to the next marina! But once aboard, after downsizing our life and house of "stuff" we discovered there were so many other benefits to living on our boat. It's cozy and charming. It floats and the floating is restful. We meet very interesting people on the docks and talk to many traveling the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway) from all over the eastern seaboard. It isn't that we wanted to become a cliche or anything. Moving aboard wasn't a life long dream either. It simply fit the time and disappointment we were feeling about our sour experience to something we originally thought was going to be our dream home on the water. I could write a complete separate blog on the evils of HOAs and what a little bit of power does to otherwise nice people.

Instead, I am now sitting on our aft deck with a high and low weather pattern converging over Wilmington, providing rain and a chill, and once again feel snug and comfortable. Swaying a little does not seem to be affecting my typing. It is appropriate that our home is named Quiescent (quies is latin meaning to rest). After a day of paperwork or working at the shop, to rest, is exactly what both of us needs.

I would go so far as to encourage everyone that has responded "I've wanted to live on a board always" when they learn we do, to just get your finances in order, have the yardsale, and just do it. Putting a dream off year after year dims the dream. It then can become simply a memory.

So after all I have said...Why in the world have put our home up for sale? It comes down to a matter of economics. Boats do not gain equity. Real estate hopefully will provide equity in the coming years once again. But until Quiescent does sell, I will enjoy my easy bake oven and Barbie shower while living aboard.

Pink Ribbon Event 2008

2008-10-07T16:54:00.003-04:00

Pink Ribbon Event 2008

I went to breakfast today with over 200 women and men for a great cause. Crescent Moon is one of the Retailers for Ribbon sponsors for the 2008 Pink Ribbon Event for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Wilmington. We will donate a percentage of our sales during this month. Mike also has the five "PINK" vases shown to the left on sale at the shop and proceeds from them will be donated.

If you have never heard of the local Pink Ribbon organization, let me fill you in. I will paraphrase directly from their program...Since its inception in 1998, the Pink Ribbon event has raised more than $850,000 and provided over 4,000 "Comfort Bags" to area women as they undergo treatment for cancer. Distributed by the Zimmer Cancer Center and area physician groups, the Pink Ribbon Comfort Bags are designed to bring comfort to women as they traverse though their cancer journey...from diagnosis to treatment.

It was an energizing way to start the day and inspiring. Frances Weller, always an enigmatic speaker was the Mistress of Ceremonies. Brief words from Jack Barto, President and CEO, of New Hanover Regional Medical Center and the Presenting Sponsor of the event, and Event Chair Sandy Spiers, brought home the importance of local donations and participation in fundraisers benefiting this organization's work. Besides the Comfort Bags, the proceeds provide funding for uninsured women receiving mamography through the Coastal Care Van, our region's only mobile cancer screening van. We all know how crucial early detection is.

As a daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, and friend, I have been fortunate in the fact that I have not had this dreadful disease touch my life up close and personally. But I know I have met and shared conversation with probably hundreds of survivors in my lifetime without knowing their struggles or challenges. Which brings me to mentioning the guest speaker at this morning's breadfast, author Dana Sachs, who has traveled the world, now calling Wilmington home. Her work includes the books "If You Lived Here", a novel, and "The House on Dream Street, a memoir about her experiences living in Vietnam in the 1990s. In her talk she paralleled her journeys abroad with those of a dear friend recently lost to breast cancer. She offered a different perspective, one that made us laugh at one point, but struck a heartfelt chord throughout her speaking.

I guess my point is I've been considering myself lucky to not have had this ugly, debilitating, and sometimes humilating disease touch my surrounding life. But in reality it has. It is there with every woman that has to take the journey to survival. It touched me this morning being among 200 people who care and want to see a cure in their lifetime so that we don't have this reason to have breakfast together.

I have my mammography scheduled for October 17th. I will wait nervously until I hear the results. And I will remember all the support for women that was at this Pink Ribbon event. If you have not scheduled a yearly exam, please do so now...for your sake.

Six friends and my sister joined me at this breakfast and each and every one of them is important to me. I never want them to need a comfort bag, but if they or I ever do, the Pink Ribbon in Wilmington will be there for us.

Information on Breast Cancer Awareness Month:
National Breast Cancer Org
Susan Komen Org

A Yad is not a Yard in Boston

2008-09-23T16:59:00.008-04:00

With Rosh Hashanah approaching at the end of the month, and the expansion of our art glass Judaica line, I thought it would be appropriate at this time to explain some of the most interesting works of art depicting the pieces used in the rituals of the Jewish religion. One such item is the yad. Most yads found in homes and synagogues are made of metal. But leave it to an inspired artist, particularly a glass artist, and you will discover what we here at Crescent Moon have; simply the most beautiful works of art by a few Jewish artists. Wikipedia is my resource of choice to look up definitions or to sort out information. The wiki below provides the best explanation for a yad.

A yad (Hebrew: יד‎), literally, "hand," is a Jewish ritual pointer, used to point to the text during the Torah reading from the parchment Torah scrolls. It is intended to prevent anyone from touching the parchment, which is considered sacred; additionally, the fragile parchment can be damaged by the oils of the skin. While not required when chanting from the Torah, it is used frequently. A yad can be made of any number of materials, though silveris most common. The yad is often shaped like a long rod, with a small hand and an index finger pointing from it.

Now that you know what a real yad is…you’ll never confuse it with a yard pronounced by a Bostonian! The picture above is a cobalt yad flame-worked by Andrew Pollack, a Crescent Moon artist from New Orleans, Louisiana. Crescent Moon has four other Judaica artists with Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Hanukah art glass items. More on the artists and art as we go along.

How in the world did we get here?

2008-09-19T16:36:00.003-04:00

I need to start by saying "it was a 5 year plan that became a 2 year plan that became a 9 month plan within a 1 hour car ride back from the Atlantic City boat show in 2004. Everyone should have a plan B when you work in the corporate world for 25 plus years. Ours turned out to be moving aboard a 42ft. trawler. Downsizing again from our townhome on the bay in central NJ and leaving jobs. Well, it didn't take us long to realize we didn't want to live onboard in the winter in NJ, soooo we were very lucky to have my sister and brother-in-law living in Wilmington NC to be our support system there. We cruised south on the ICW in November 2006 and spent the winter in Southport NC, fell in love with the area, found out Crescent Moon was for sale, and made an agreement with the owners to buy it in January 2007. Whew, that was a major Plan B for two jerseyites used to secure 8-5 careers in business and 50 something to boot! We wouldn't reverse our decision for anything! We cruised on our roomy Jefferson sundeck back and forth, met wonderful cruising friends and continue to live aboard in Wilmington; now at Wilmington Marine Center on the Cape Fear River. So we are living and supporting Plan B as retail owners of the best little art glass shop on the east coast and loving it. And...we've got Plan C in our dreams, and who knows maybe Plan D that we will look forward to.

Pictures: Above our home. To the left is just one of the sunsets we enjoyed

The "jellies" don't sting here

2008-09-16T10:54:00.003-04:00

Artist Rick Satava and his truly realistic Jellyfish in glass have been a part of Crescent Moon for many years. Each year they attract our visitors and customers over and over. We hear it several times a week from people that they bring in friends to see his work. A shelf of "jellies" is pictured to the right. Do many assume it is a real jellyfish? Oh yes, and that is the testament to the talent of Satava. Even his magnificent Nautilus and Petroglyph vases, on display now, appear to have been painted with an artist's brush. We like to say..."Rick paints with glass without a brush"!

Jellyfish have been found on earth for over 650 million years - before sharks and even dinosaurs. They have no head, heart, brain, bones, cartilage or real eyes. Yet they're among the major predators in the ocean. Their tentacles carry stinging cells that are among the most complicated found anywhere in the animal kingdom. Did you know Jellies are 95% water and humans are 75% water?

Rick says that the complexities and contradictions along with the translucent beauty and grace are the characteristics that intrigued him and seduced him into spending five years developing the colors and hot glass process necessary to capture "jellyfish" in glass.

These sculptures are built from the inside out - starting at the core and adding one tentacle at a time and finally the clear dome is added and the "jelly" is born. Everything seen in a jelly is a different color of glass. The way it is layered gives it a translucent appearance. Developing the chemistry, yep chemistry even in glass work, was the most challenging aspect for Rick to bring the ethereal, ghost-like quality into his glass sculpture. His exclusive formulas blending various metal oxides such as silver, cobalt, selenium, cadmium, and others into molten glass work in tandem with his vast experience in hot glass, to bring to life these amazing works of art.

Come visit and experience the art of Satava...maybe one will captivate you!

It's a new day...

2008-09-15T23:16:00.003-04:00

This blog thing is all new to me and I must admit a little intimidating since I don't consider myself a journalistic type. Writing copy for ads and such is another thing. But today's marketing says you should have a blog, build your followers and keep them interested. So here I go, diving in head and feet first with my first blog post at 11:18pm while watching the Eagles play the Cowboys and oh, what a game. I'm an Eagles fan big time, and I'm sure some cheering will enter into my future blogs as the football season progresses. Oh, and I love the football season.

But art glass, yes art glass, is our theme here. At our gallery we display close to 65 artists who work in glass. Blown glass, fused glass, stained glass, flame-worked glass all categorized as functional, collectible, decorative, wearable or for outdoor. I'll attempt in this blog to inform the reader about art glass, and it's allure. And throw in some interesting stories about us.