posted 12-01-2012 05:20 PM            

I haven't posted for some time but I want to let you know that two weeks ago a film crew from the PBS program "Craft in America" were here at ONC for two days and did a very thorough job of filming and interviewing us. We will be on the program late next year, perhaps in November of 2013.

Geoff Blake

posted 12-01-2012 06:17 PM            

Great to hear from you & I welcome your good news. Looks like things are looking up for ONC! Please let us know when you have an air date.
How is your new apprentice making out.

I'm sure you are very busy now so I'd like to wish you an early Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you & yours.

Jersey

posted 12-03-2012 07:06 PM            

So sorry to hear about your troubles, hope they rectify it soon.
Had you ever considered opening your own shop?

posted 12-03-2012 11:36 PM            

I wonder if you went on the road (I know you have in the past) and did some demos in high end venues if it might not get some work/attention?

Do you have any new designs or are there any designers that you could approach to produce their designs?

Just idle thoughts late at night...

posted 12-04-2012 10:54 AM            

While I have not seen all of your designs, if you do not already have a couple arts and crafts designs (think Frank Lloyd Wright or Greene and Greene), and perhaps a more elaborate art deco design - something with a streamlining design on the handle. These are the big trends in design these days. And maybe even think about a design with a bit of enamelling or such.

posted 12-04-2012 04:41 PM            

Some causal research (which could be inaccurate) says the following are ONC owners:

• Peter Dooney PRESIDENT
  
• Cari Hancock
  
• Choi Lam
  
• Mandy Fitzsimons
  
• Natibizav Cano
  
• Patricia OReilly
  
• Tony Lam

posted 12-04-2012 06:54 PM            

I would love to go on the road to generate business, but that is not allowed by ownership. I've wondered if they found out that I do the Paul Revere House each year as well as the Salem Maritime Festival, would they put a stop to that?

I don't need to teach Chloe to forge HOT because we are COOL people.

Kimo,

We are aware more than anyone how poor our web site is but, again, we haven't the authority to make changes to it. There are so many things we would like to do to get ONC going again, but it is out of our hands.

Scott,

I don't know how old that picture of Peter Dooney is but he appears younger than when I saw him seventeen years ago. Maybe some artful air brushing. The other people listed are entirely unknown to me. I can't imagine what connection the could possibly have to ONC. Maybe they are the ones sucking the lifeblood out of the company.

The accountants are the ones managing all Dooney's companies. One of the women there said to Charlene, our office manager, "I don't know why he keeps you, you don't make any money." Gee, maybe no product promotion for more than fifteen years might have something to do with that. We make everything they sell, the shortfall is in their selling.

In the Boston Globe article by James Sullivan a year or more ago, Dooney was quoted as saying that young people don't want to do this work. But, as he has never tried to hire anyone before Chloe came along and beat on his door, how could he have any idea whether young people are willing to do this work?

Anyway, I've vented enough for one night. Oh, on the thought of why I don't go out on my own, the logistics of such a thing are mind boggling. To find the tools needed, to keep the wolf from the door as I try to develop product and sales, and many more things make it impossible, particularly at my age.

My best to all and keep hoping for something good to happen.

Geoff Blake

posted 10-23-2013 12:33 PM            

Here is the link to the promo for the video:
http://video.pbs.org/video/2365065117/

Fred

posted 10-25-2013 10:21 PM            

Go hackensack !

posted 10-27-2013 12:03 AM            

I may collect silver, but I'm ashamed to admit I am quite ignorant as to the process by which it is created - and found your segment both educational and enjoyable. It will certainly make me better appreciate the work that has been put into my treasures! After I watched it, I had my husband and children watch as well - and gave each of my children a piece of ONC silver (I only have a few serving pieces) to hold onto as they watched the process being shown. They were really fascinated, and kept asking me to pause and rewind so they could see sections again.

I do hope you can get more support from your owners. They need to understand the interest among the young is out there.

posted 10-29-2013 09:00 PM            

Our finisher did not wish to be filmed so I did the finishing for the video. I didn't mess up the pieces too much.

Yesterday, when we arrived at work there were several emails from people wishing to buy silver, people who had not known of us until watching the Craft in America show. As we have few outlets now, most of those inquiring did not live anywhere near a store carrying our products, so they will have to buy directly from us.

One email was from someone wishing to come to work here. Our office manager, Charlene, doesn't know just what to tell him for it would be up to someone else to make that decision, if they can be reached.
We do hope that as the program is repeated on PBS more will see it and respond to us.