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rant: clayfolk in virginia/md area

updated thu 4 sep 03

 

Rob Van Rens on tue 2 sep 03


Excuse me, while I expire of sheer frustration...

Okay. Here's the scoop. I'm NO LONGER in any way associated with the
current management at Creative Clay Studios, formerly Pine Ridge Pottery.
The end of my tenure as manager was June 14, 2003.

I DO NOW, however, own and operate a studio and supply store in Frederick,
Maryland, just an easy drive to the north of Washington, DC. We sell all
the things Creative Clay/Pine Ridge does, plus a few others. If we don't
have it, we'll get it for you. We also will deliver, for a negotiable fee.
The fee is ALWAYS less than the $50 per 1000 lbs/$90 per ton that
Campbell's, Laguna, and Highwater charge for delivery (by common carrier).
In addition, the nice delivery person, usually me, will happily unload your
clay, carry it to wherever it needs to be (within reason - no multiple
flights of stairs, etc.), and nary a crack shall appear in his/her pleasant
demeanor.

If you call me to complain about the new management at Creative Clay, or
about Campbell's (of which I am no longer an employee), I will be happy to
listen to your tale of woe. I will even be happy to pour you a cup of
coffee/tea/cocoa if you stop in and visit our stunning new
store/studio/gallery. I will nod in the appropriate places, and make all
the neccessary sympathetic noises. I will be the very SOUL of empathy.

HOWEVER, I can do nothing about conditions at either company. I can
obstreperate on your behalf until I am blue in the face, but there is little
that I can do to change the decisions of management at either of those
worthy institutions.

What I CAN do is provide an alternative. As I said before, I carry anything
Pine Ridge/Creative Clay carries (for that matter, everything that Baltimore
Clayworks carries as well). I even carry items they don't offer.I don't
neccessarily STOCK every item, since I have somewhat limited space. But if
I don't carry it in stock, I can order it QUICKLY. Usually turnaround is
less than a week, unless it is backordered at the manufacturer, another
situation in which I am powerless.

I apologize to any who might feel abuse by this rant. Please come visit us
any, please.

Looks like we're ACTUALLY GOING TO OPEN THE DOORS in about a week. OH
PLEASE DEAR GHU LET IT BE TRUE! Only 90 days behind schedule, with one
general contractor in rehab (the reason for the delay) and another convinced
that I'll eat him if he doesn't get it done soon, and me on a first name
basis with virtually every commercial inspector in the county. They even
know my pickup, and will stop if they see me at the bakery in Jefferson and
remind me to incude a few extra donuts in the box I bring to the crew every
morning, so they will be sure to get some too.

Anyway, if you want the long version of the story, complete with histrionics
and Shatner-esque hand gestures, come on down after opening day and see the
show. I'll post the date the doors open, and the first weekend after that
is the great big GRAND OPENING PARTY, and I expect to see you all there.
Hendrix, get in the d*** pickup, grab a case of Dr. P, and pick up Vince on
your way through.

Rob Van Rens

Frederick Clay Art Center for the Criminally Artistic
5400 Yukon Court, Unit 500
Frederick, MD 21703

(301) 676-9339

Barbara Rathbun Hood on wed 3 sep 03


Rob, you are not the blonde that worked at Campbell's in Richmond across from
the fairgrounds are you? If you are...please respond to me at the below
address. It's been a few years since I have been up there but occasionally I would
come up to Richmond in a 1981 gold cadillac and fill the trunk with
whatever......sound familiar? I'm also blonde and I live in Williamsburg. I doubt
this is the same person but I hope so, please write me back and let me know.
Always wanted to talk to you a little more.
Barbara

Barbara Rathbun Hood
Jipsy2000@aol.com
Williamsburg, VA