when size doesn't matter

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!

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

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

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.