Buyers Market of American Craft Merit Award Winner

I am delighted to announce that I was selected as a Merit Award winner for the Buyers Market of American Craft, August 2009.

Below is the press release from BMAC:

PRIZE GIVES 8 ARTISTS a BIG BREAK in the WHOLESALE TRADE
Merit Award Helps Young and Emerging Artists Learn the Business
BALTIMORE, Md., June 5, 2009 -- Eight promising artists, including jewelry designer Erica Stankwytch Bailey of Fayetteville, N.C., have won a prize that enables them to introduce their work to the nation’s gift and art retailers this summer.
Ms. Bailey is a contemporary metalsmith whose textured sterling silver jewelry has been shown in museums and at retail shows. She is dedicated to her craftsmanship: “My hands touch every piece that I sell,” she explained in her application for the annual Merit Award given by the Buyers Market of American Craft.
Ms. Bailey’s chance at national exposure will come August 1-3, 2009, when the Buyers Market opens in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center . As one of eight Merit Award winners announced this week, she will show her earrings and necklaces to hundreds of professional buyers from museum gift stores, art and craft galleries, home décor boutiques and jewelry stores. Ms. Bailey can be found in booth #409. The Buyers Market is the nation’s largest wholesale tradeshow of fine craft by U.S. and Canadian artists.
“Our goal is to help emerging artists bring their creations to market successfully,” said Christine Kloostra , director of the Buyers Market, which is produced by The Rosen Group, based in Baltimore. “Many artists have fresh ideas and unique products, but lack the capital to attend shows where they can sell their creations to the nation’s galleries and gift shops. Our Merit Award program helps beginners make their tradeshow debut.”
Winners receive tradeshow exhibit space at a fraction of cost, plus assistance with marketing their designs to handcraft retailers.
The 2009 Merit Award winners of the Buyers Market of American Craft are:
· Curviture, the handcrafted furniture studio of Jason Green, Boone , N.C.
· Delias Thompson, jewelry designer, Atlanta , Ga.
· Dovetail, the printed ceramics studio of Josh and Margaret Smith, Lexington , Ky.
· Erica Stankwytch Bailey, contemporary metalsmith and jewelry designer, Fayetteville , N.C.
· Jon Goldberg, East Falls Glassworks, Philadelphia , Pa.
· Gallery Blue/Michelle Mardis, original paintings, Tarpon Springs , Fla.
· Nora Dougherty, jewelry designer, Santa Cruz , Calif.
· Pamela Lauz Jewellery, jewelry designer, Ontario , Canada