Background:
R. Grey Jewelry Gallery has been in business for 14 years and at its present location for six years. Jewelry designer Robert Grey Kaylor and his wife, Barbara, opened the gallery as a means to sell the jewelry Robert had created. The initial concept of showcasing art jewelry and one-of-a-kind jewelry has evolved to include wooden boxes, art glass and work by over 100 artists.

Kinds of crafts sold:
In addition to Kaylor's handcrafted jewelry, the gallery carries a wide range of handcrafted, functional and non-functional pieces consisting of jewelry, hand-blown glass, and wooden boxes. The gallery sells work by local artists, as well as by artists from all over the United States and Europe.

Currently looking for:
artists who produce handcrafted wooden boxes. The wooden boxes can be puzzle, jewelry or decorative boxes, but must be handcrafted. "We are also currently looking for blown-glass artists. The work of blown-glass artists can be both functional as well as non-functional. Unique and elegant jewelry artists are always welcome," says Kaylor.

Prime customers:
"Our customers are primarily residents of the Boise Metro Area. The gallery has a consistent following of faithful patrons that frequently introduce friends and family to the unique works of art throughout the gallery," explains Kaylor. While repeat customers make up a large part of the customer base, visitors to the area also frequent the gallery.

Signature crafts:
one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces created by Kaylor, architecturally influenced jewelry by Stephen Dixon, techno-romantic jewelry by Thomas Mann, anti-clastic-formed jewelry by Britt Anderson, spiritually touched jewelry by Winston Gamble and mokume gane rings by George Sawyer. Cohn-Stone, Ed Branson and William Glasner are among the gallery's hand-blown-glass artists.

Exhibitions:
"We have monthly exhibits featuring individual artists who we represent," says Kaylor, "called, 'An Evening With An Artist.' The exhibit usually begins with an artists' reception, which allows our customers to meet the artists who create the work throughout the gallery." The exhibit usually continues for one month, and each featured artist is asked to create a trunk show of one-of-a-kind pieces.

Artists are found through:
networking, workshops, trade shows and referrals from other leading galleries

Pricing:
Items range from $25 to $5,000, however, most work is priced between $50 and $500.

Purchase/consignment:
Eight percent of the merchandise is purchased, and 20 percent of the work is consignment.

Best-selling price points:
$50 to $300

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:
2,100 square feet

Number of artists currently represented:
over 100

Non-craft items sold:
three lines of watches: Akteo from France, Skagen from Denmark and Alfex from Switzerland

Services offered to customers:
full range of jewelry repair and custom design, quarterly newsletters, monthly events and continually keeping the customers informed of revolving trends and style changes

Gallery location:
the heart of downtown Boise, Idaho, surrounded by many other specialty shops and restaurants

To submit work to the gallery:
Any artist interested in submitting work to the gallery must first contact the gallery by telephone. Brochures can be sent after initial qualification has been determined.

Why selling crafts:
"The crafts movement has been a personal passion of ours for a lifetime," explain Barbara and Robert Kaylor. "There was an opening in this part of the market, for the Boise Metro Area, and we felt we could fill this niche."

Kimberly Geib is editorial assistant of The Crafts Report.

MARCH 2000: TABLE OF CONTENTS