Background:
Owner Michele Manasse happened upon Fireworks while working as an urban planner. Steve McGovney, owner of Fireworks at the time, wanted to move to Bainbridge Island and open a studio there. Manasse promptly purchased the gallery and continued the environment for handcrafted work.

Kinds of crafts sold:
"Our first location in historic Pioneer Square has been open for 14 years. During that time, we have moved from monthly exhibitions specializing in clay to an eclectic mix of crafts, kids' furniture, books and a humorous mix of special mass-produced items. Fireworks prides itself in displaying work that will appeal to everyone and will provide that special gift! Our customers consistently say, 'I have never been in a place quite like this,' " Manasse says.

Four gallery locations now enable them to carry a large collection and to highlight furniture and large pieces. The Westlake gallery was recently relocated, and the new space contains only handcrafted fixtures. "I would like to continue to provide a special atmosphere that focuses on handcrafted fixtures that will compliment the fine work we display. The fixtures become a tribute to our artists," comments Manasse.

Currently looking for:
furniture, kids' clothing and accessories, functional clay and reasonably priced glass

Prime customers:
Customers are about 78 percent women, and range in age from their mid-20s to 55. Young professionals and students comprise a large portion of the wide customer base at Fireworks, with many repeat customers buying more than six times a year and for all occasions. "We see some customers every week," says Manasse.

Signature crafts:
"Since the beginning, Fireworks has evolved, but our goal has always been to provide the highest quality of handcrafted work for our customers. We have discovered that our customers also enjoy our sense of design and humor and are happy to have craft combined with other items." The gallery is currently showing handcrafted, functional crafts in clay, glass, jewelry (mostly silver and some gold), furniture, handmade kids' clothing, journals and pens, and seren-dipitous items. "The medium is not as important as what the work says. We always look for practicality with an edge." Humor plays an important role at Fireworks.

Exhibitions:
During the year, several trunk shows that highlight a theme or a specially selected artist are held. "Our yearly Hanukkah Exhibition contributes to our sense of community, and we also celebrate Christmas with special items and a mailing focusing on all of our galleries," says Manasse.

Artists are found through:
Generally, four to five artists are reviewed per week. The preview process requires slides, photos or a small sampling of the work. It is important to share prices and other information that will provide a means of selection. "Travel to the American Craft Conference and The Rosen Group's shows is important as is recommendation from our current artists."

Pricing:
Pricing is done by the artist. If there is a question, Manasse works with the artist to determine prices.

Purchase/consignment:
Work is not purchased on consignment as a rule. Some new work may be put on consignment to test the market.

Best-selling price points:
Price points depend on the location. In general, $50 work sells well. With furniture, of course, higher price points are possible. The gallery sell items from $1.75 to $8,000.

GALLERY OWNERS:

Would you like your gallery to be considered for inclusion in Gallery Profiles? If you are looking to attract new artists and new work, and you have professional slides or transparencies of your gallery, send your background information and images to: The Crafts Report attention: Gallery Profile 300 Water St. Wilmington, DE 19801.

Gallery size:
Each of the four galleries averages between 1,200 to 3,000 square feet. The furniture section is prominent.

Number of artists currently represented:
about 300

Non-craft items sold:
humorous mix of special mass-produced items

Services offered to customers:
bridal registry, gift-wrapping, shipping, special orders, repair and replacement service. Trunk shows are held so that customers can get to know the artists. "While the artists visit, time is also provided for the staff to get to know the artist and how they create their work. I wish that we could get to the point of offering a newsletter to our customers, because they are eager to know as much about the artist and the work as possible. A great goal for 2000!" says Manasse.

Gallery location:
The galleries are located in high-traffic areas of Seattle. "We are affiliated with an outdoor mall (University Village), a historic district (Pioneer Square), a small, indoor city mall with a plaza (Westlake Center), and one of the area's largest indoor malls (Bellevue Square). We like to be where our customers can easily find us and enjoy the surrounding area," Manasse says.

To submit work to the gallery:
Selection of work depends on the preview process. New work is reviewed daily and should be submitted by slides, photos, or a small sampling, including wholesale prices, dimensions, special descriptive information, and an artist profile. Manasse will contact the artist to set up an appointment or to talk more about the work. All artists are contacted within two weeks, and all materials are returned to the artist if they were accompanied by a SASE.

Why selling crafts:
Manasse has always had a special love of crafts, and she loves to have them in her home. Her passion for interesting and humorous work, the aesthetically pleasing and beautiful qualities of craftwork, and the ability to present and share them with her customers motivate her to sell crafts.

Kimberly Geib is editorial assistant of The Crafts Report.

MARCH 2000: TABLE OF CONTENTS