L & J G Stickley's Corporate Historian Mike Danial

L. & J. G. Stickley’s corporate historian, Mike Danial, will speak at our Forging Ahead Forum on October 15.  Using turn-of-the-century marketing strategies, sales techniques and advertising campaigns as a springboard for discussion, Mike will consider Arts and Crafts as a business from the Stickley brothers to today.

Mike’s firsthand knowledge of his topic is extensive.  He began his career at the L. & J. G. Stickley Furniture Co. in 1974.  In his 37 years at Stickley, he has seen the company grow from 26 employees in 1974 to approximately 1500 employees today.  Mike’s great-uncle, Vinchenzo Mellache worked for Leopold Stickley in the 1940′s-1959.  Mike has worked in every department including Rough Mill, Fine Mill, Sanding, Cabinet Room, and Finishing Department.  He even managed the Customer Service Department. In 1988 he became the project director of the Mission Oak Collection which now accounts for approximately 70% of company sales.   

Today, Mike serves as Stickley’s corporate historian and travels throughout the country lecturing on Stickley Furniture and the American Arts and Crafts movement.  He is also the restoration specialist for the firm’s corporate museum.  When not lecturing, Mike is the author of “Ask Sadie!” the Stickley Answer Desk for the corporate level learning and information systems  He holds a degree in Business Management from New Hampshire College and a degree in Wood Technology from SUNY Morrisville.

The Forging Ahead Forum is a full-day symposium taking place as part of Catch the Spark Weekend, October 15 and 16.

Mike Danial to Present “Marketing the Arts & Crafts of Stickley” is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

NorthJersey.com talks about our recent gala!

The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms marked its 20th anniversary with a black-tie fundraising gala, the Celebration Ball, at the Mountain Lakes Club on Saturday, Oct. 3. The Honorary Co-Chairs included U.S. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen; N.J. Senator Richard Codey; and California philanthropist, Max Palevsky. The eventincluded a live auction led by David Rago, of Rago Arts, who is well-known for his frequent appearances on Antiques Road Show.

The museum is a 30-acre National Historic Landmark and former country estate of noted turn-of-the-century designer Gustav Stickley, a major proponent of the “Arts and Crafts” style in home building and furnishing. The Celebration Ball raised over $80,000 to support the educational programming of the museum and the care of the site.

Guests traveled from many states across the nation including Texas and California. Gustav Stickley’s great granddaughter, Barbara Fuldner was among four attendees who traveled from Wisconsin. Notable New Jersey attendees included U.S. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, Assemblyman Alex DeCroce, former Senator Leanna Brown, and Parsippany Mayor Michael Luther.

Via NorthJersey.com: The Stickley Museum celebrates its 20th anniversary in style

Our Celebration Ball is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

Gala Photos is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

Can’t make it to the October 3^rd gala and auction?  Or attending but want to plan your auction strategy in advance? Check out the Stickley Museum auction to browse and bid online!

Check back often. New items are added approximately twice a week. All proceeds benefit the restoration and educational programs of The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms.

Our October Auction Is Online Now! is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

As many of you know, The Craftsman Farms Foundation will be celebrating its 20^th anniversary with a black tie fundraising gala, entitled the Celebration Ball,  at the Mountain Lakes Club on Saturday, October 3.  The Honorary Co-Chairs include CFF founding member and US Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen; NJ Senator Richard Codey; and California philanthropist, Max Palevsky.  The event will include a live auction led by David Rago, and dancing to the music of Elite Syncopation.

The Museum will produce a commemorative souvenir program in conjunction with the celebration which will contain historic photographic and essays of the past two decades of restoration and preservation of this National Historic Landmark.  The program will be distributed to all attendees, mailed to supporters, and will be included in the Museum’s archives.  A proclamation from the NJ legislature, plus letters of congratulations from Governor Corzine and other dignitaries will also appear in the program.

Would you like to be included in this historic document?  If so, you can submit a booster ad (Click for details on sizes and costs, and an order form) with your congratulations on this occasion of the 20^th anniversary, or with a tribute to an individual who had an impact on saving or revitalizing Craftsman Farms or the Museum, or with a reminiscence, or a special thought you have about this historic occasion.  We would be happy to lay out and design your text, or you may submit a finished design in digital format.  Please let us know if you’d like sample wording or if we can answer any questions for you.

Hope you will be a part of this joyous celebration!

Be Part of the History! is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

The 22nd Annual Arts & Crafts Conference and Antiques Show is scheduled for February 20-22, 2009, at the Grove Park Inn Resort in Asheville, North Carolina. This event is recognized as the premier weekend for Art and Crafts collectors and aficionados, offering lectures, an antique show, contemporary craft show, “hands-on” workshops, small group discussions, house tours, and much more.

The Grove Park Inn itself is a work of art and a piece of early 20th century history.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 95 year old inn has hosted F. Scott Fitzgerald, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and a president or two.  Visitors can still enjoy the same hickory rockers and Roycroft chandeliers that these prestigious guests experienced in another century.  With one of the largest collections of Arts and Crafts furniture in the world, Grove Park’s ambiance makes it the perfect setting for the Annual Arts and Crafts Conference.

The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms will host its annual pre-conference Gala Benefit Dinner, on Thursday evening, February 19 at 6:00 p.m. Plan to come a day early and enjoy a fabulous evening, meeting old and new friends from around the country. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour, followed by a gourmet dinner. Entertainment will include a lively Arts and Crafts trivia contest with prizes. Tickets are $130 and advance reservations are required. Get your tickets by clicking here!

Craftsman Farms Banquet at the Annual Arts & Crafts Conference and Antiques Show is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

We have new photos from the gala up at The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms Flickr pool! Have you shared yours? Are you in any of them?

More Gala Photos! is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

Here are our gala co-chairs, Marti Weinstein and Laura Reilly, dressed up for our By the Light of the Silvery Moon gala! If you have a great gala picture to share, please add it to our Flickr group!

Thanks again to Marti and Laura for all your hard work making this year’s gala a success!

Gala: Photos is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

Are you going to our gala on Saturday night? Don’t forget to bring your camera, and share your photos of the night in our Craftsman Farms photosteam!

Gala Reminder! is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

Have you seen all the items to be offered in our live auction on October 4th? So far, we’ve listed trips to Vermont, Cape Cod and the Scottish highlands, and a three-day stay at a Stickley bungalow at Craftsman Farms. There’s also an insider tour of the New York Times, Tiffany jewelry, this Paul Katrich original vase, and many others!

If you can’t make it to our gala, but still want to bid, you can download a sealed bid form here. (Detailed auction terms are here.)

Related: Gala Menu

Gala: Auction is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms