Directory of U.S. Arts and Crafts Cooperatives

United States Department of Agriculture

Rural BusinessCooperative Service

Service ReDort 40

Directory of U.S. Arts and Crafts Cooperatives

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Abstract

This directory is a reference guide for those seeking to purchase authentic, handmade U.S. arts and crafts and for those interested in cooperatrve marketing efforts. Eighty-eight cooperatives are listed here by State and by craft. Directory of U.S. Arts and Crafts Cooperatives Mary Anne Lambert Rural Business-Cooperative Service Service Report 40 Revised August 1996 Price per copy: $5 Domestic, $5.50 Foreign

Preface

With each passing year, the demand for quality, handmade American crafts and appreciation for the time and effort spent in producing them have risen. To increase public awareness of our unique American heritage and to celebrate and promote the work of grassroot artisans throughout the Americas, 1993 was designated as "The Year of the American Craft" (YOAC).

The directory, produced by U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), was originally published as the agency's contributions to that observance. This is an updated version.

This directory provides information for those seeking to purchase authentic, handmade U.S. arts and crafts. It is also a reference guide for those interested in cooperative marketing efforts.

Arts and crafts cooperatives listed here produce goods that range from handmade quilts from a cooperative in Alabama to Eskimo ivory animal carvings and hand-knitted Qiviut (musk ox) garments from Alaska. Also included are fine arts from California; corn-shucked dolls from the hills of Kentucky; Navajo arts, crafts, and handwoven rugs from New Mexico; world-renowned baskets from the Cherokee in North Carolina; pottery and woodwork from Vermont; stained glass from Wisconsin; and numerous other crafts from cooperatives throughout the United States.

Every effort was made to gather information from all craft cooperatives operating in the United States. Omissions do not represent exclusion but rather RBS' lack of knowledge of the cooperative. Listing in this directory does not constitute endorsement by the USDA. It is only a reference for interested buyers.

Craft Cooperatives

Increasing numbers of Americans, both rural and urban, are producing some type of craft. Whether these crafts were first produced for self-fulfillment or therapeutic purposes, changing values and increased demand have enabled craftspeople to turn their hobbies into successful craft businesses. In many instances, the cooperative business structure has provided a vehicle for those producers to enter the marketplace.

USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) assists and guides groups interested in forming a production and/or marketing cooperative. Producers use the cooperative to improve their marketing income and/or obtain services needed to produce the products. A cooperative is formed by a group of people to acquire services more effectively or more economically than they can individually. Craft cooperatives are businesses owned, financed, controlled, and operated by members for their mutual benefit.

The structure of craft cooperatives can be as different as their crafts. Cooperative galleries sell a variety of items, from designer quilts to oil paintings and pottery. Cooperative businesses sell folk toys valued at $500,000 (wholesale) per year. Cooperative guilds retail low-cost items such as t-shirts or high-priced, wholesale items such as wooden furniture. Cooperative stores specialize in flowers for floral decors, American Indian jewelry and clothing, crocheted baby clothes, or hooked rugs.

During the 1960's and 1970's, about 300 craft cooperatives were formed. Many received technical assistance from RBS and grants from the nowdefunct Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) and Community Services Administration (CSA) programs. However, in many cases, once the grant funds were depleted, these cooperatives folded.

Several of the remaining cooperatives organized during that time, such as Freedom Quilting Bee in Alberta, AL, and Watermark Association of Artisans, Camden, NC, have "weathered the storm" and are now successful craft enterprises. RBS identified about 88 craft cooperatives for this directory. Their addresses are listed within.

Efforts will continue to identify other cooperatives. Names of known cooperatives not appearing in this directory may be sent to Mary Anne Lambert, USDA, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Stop 3254, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250-3254.

The directory has two sections. One is a listing by State and the other by craft.

U.S. Arts and Crafts Cooperatives (by States)

Alabama

Freedom Quilting Bee Route 1, Box 43A Alberta 36720 Telephone: 334-573-2225 The co-op has received national recognition for its quilts, using designs derived from a 140-year-old tradition.

Alaska

Interior Rivers Arts & Crafts Co-op Box 207 Aniak 99557 Telephone: 907-675-4418 FAX: 907-675-4419 Eskimo natural-dyed birch bark and willow root baskets, fur hats and moccasins, beaded mittens, sun catchers, ivory and baleen work, wooden bowls, and moose hoof jewelry and hairpieces.

Musk Ox Producers' Cooperative `Oomingmak" 604 H Street Anchorage 99501 Telephone: 907-272-9225 Handknitted Qiviut garments from the underwool of the domesticated musk oxen, such as scarves, caps, nachaqs, and tunics.

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