Buckhorn Inn – Quick Interview

May 6th, 2010

In March we, here at Deneen Pottery, decided to do an ad campaign offering a free handmade coffee mug to those that mentioned the add when requesting a catalog on our website… I use the word ‘campaign’ loosely because it was just a single ad, but in a industry leading publication IQ or Innkeeping Quarterly. As PAII is the leading organization in this industry it only makes sense to test the waters with this type of an offer with them. We’ve always found success when working with PAII, and will continue to do so indefinitely! On a side note the president of PAII, Jay Karen, was recently here for a ‘hands on’ tour by our president, and my dad, Peter Deneen. To read up on that tour click here. Thanks for coming Jay, I look forward to seeing you again soon!

Well, the response to that ad? It was good. And last week I began to do follow up calls to those that we sent mugs to. In the course of my calls I came across a property called Harpole’s Heartland Lodge, an Illinois hunting lodge / bed and breakfast located in serene Pike County.

I am a very visual person and one that likes to find connections… This connection hit me when looking at Harpole’s Heartland Lodge was one of a big buck. As I’ve been adopted by my in-laws into the traditions of white tail hunting in northern Minnesota, anytime I see a buck my thoughts turn to the season in which we wear blaze orange and sit quietly in the woods. Read the rest of this entry »

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Innkeeper Q&A: Katherine Brown of Bloomsbury

April 23rd, 2010

The snow and cold is a distant memory, but the mornings are still starting out on the chilly side – Today it was 35º when dawn broke here at the pottery shop. Finding things that fit makes life more fulfilling, and definitely makes work more fun… Be it a perfect pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes as spring comes, or a perfect mug.

I’ve been waiting to find the next Innkeeper to interview and after hearing from Katherine Brown of Bloomsbury located in Camden, SC earlier this week I knew she would be perfect. In October of lat year we first talked about her property and our mugs and a few weeks later we combined a photograph of her property, and a drawing, by Randall Peterson, into this beautiful creation by Teena our Art Director.

At the start of the week I received a sorta tap-on-the-shoulder email that, more or less, hit me over the head and prompted me to see if Katherine would want to be the second official participant of  our Innkeeper Q&A.

“Good morning Niles – this is where you can share a ‘great laugh’ with everyone at Deneen Pottery!  When we ordered mugs a few short months ago, it was primarily because I like them–I wanted to try them on our breakfast table.

As it would never have occurred to me to buy a mug (with some logo) when I was traveling — I rather dismissed when you said how well they sell.   OK – I need to place an order.   Quit laughing and tell me what you need.”

I don’t mind being dismissed especially when I get to hear about it – That’s why this statement is also on our testimonials page… It helps to look back at positive statements when you are having a rough day – And I figure if I keep stacking up the positive things that have been said, more will KNOW that we ARE the best at making Custom Stoneware Coffee Mugs! Read the rest of this entry »

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Tale of Tankards for the Porterhouse

April 5th, 2010

In January of 2008 Gabe from the Porterhouse Brewpub and Restaurant emailed in a catalog request as he was looking for a durable, USA made tankard for the Mug Club.

Located in Lahaska, Pennsylvania

After some conversations between our president, Peter Deneen, and Gabe we got the green light to produce a first order and by March. Gabe was really excited to have  the tankards in hand and emailed me a few weeks into production, “just wanted to send a follow-up regarding the order.  Any estimates of when we might see them?”

I just happened that Gabe’s order was on the kiln that had opened up that morning… With my camera in hand I snapped a couple of pictures and emailed them back saying that the order would ship out in the next few days. The tag line that year was “24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Hmm?”

Round Tankards – Lt. Dijon w/ Cinnamon White Glaze

Gabe wrote back with a glowing testimonial that I haven’t published until now, “I gotta tell you, I am very impressed [Deneen Pottery].  To include photos of our mugs blows me away and lets me know that I made the right choice with you.  They look amazing!!! I look forward to receiving the mugs.  Thanks again!”

Since that first order in 2008 Gabe has returned to us in 2009, and again in 2010.

This year, however, he put us to the test by waiting until March 1st to give us his new slogan. Part of what makes the Porterhouse’s Mug Club so special is that each year a new mug is rolled out with a new saying. In 2009 they went with “Life’s not all Beer and Skittles,” and for 2010? Well, for the 2010 slogan you’ll have to visit their website or have a meal with them in Lahaska.

Getting back to this year’s order… With a delay in receiving the art, and a shortened production schedule, when we were able to get a partial order out Gabe was even more impressed with us and wrote an email to us over the weekend. “Just a quick note to let you know that the mugs look incredible!!!  I am so happy that I found your company.  You helped me out with a late order and delivered!!!  Once again, you have exceeded my expectations!  Thank you so much for everything!”

Because our tankards are handthrown and high fired to 2040ºF they are tough enough to bang around in a brewpub… Did I mention that they are also lead and cadmium free, dishwasher, microwave, freezer and oven safe as well??? Getting to work with more Breweries or Pubs like the Porterhouse would be fantastic. If any such establishments find this blog and are interested in seeing a sample give us a call and we’ll send one out 888-646-0238. We’ll stand behind our work, and help you in anyway that we can!

Thanks for reading our Pottery Blog.

Niles Deneen

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Frequently Asked Questions…

April 1st, 2010

It’s April Fool’s Day today and I haven’t played any tricks on anyone. Yet… What I have been doing today is organizing some of our archived printing and advertising projects. In a file from 2002 I found a FAQ sheet about our handmade mugs:

Not a bad layout…

Realizing that none of this valuable information is posted on our website I figured that I could post it here so that it won’t languish in it’s small archived 2002 file. Unbelievably, most of the questions and answers are still the same.

Q: Are these mugs dishwasher safe?

A: Depends on who is washing your dishes… Just kidding, every piece of stoneware we make will be fine in the strongest industrial dishwasher. Just don’t drop it when you are putting them away.

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Mug Appreciation from Louisiana

March 17th, 2010
This was an email that we received  a while back that should have been added here more recently! After returning from the Innkeeping Conference and Trade Show I am energized and empowered to do that little bit extra – Like posting on our blog! The answer to the question that Pamela has is YES… We can make an order of mugs without medallions. The cost is $15.00 each for a single style in one color for one address.

Hi ,my name is Pamela Matherne. I am from Houma , Louisiana. My husband and I were passing through Wagonwheel Gap , CO. and stayed at the Blue Creek Lodge. I was looking for a gift to bring home to my sister and I bought her one of your handmade mugs. She says it’s the one she always wants to use because it keeps her coffee warm longer.

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Eighth Day Books & Mugs…

March 3rd, 2010

In September of last year I received a catalog request from Warren Farha, the owner of Eighth Day Books, of Wichita, KS. As I was filling out the envelope I searched google and came across their webpage and I saw this quote, “that which is true, is ours”. Little did I know that we would make an order of handmade mugs for Warren, and that that order would have a ‘true’ story of it’s own.

Original line drawing of the store and our emblem design

And that true story is told by Joshua and it goes like this:

“Just as we were unpacking your delicious shipment at the front counter (we call it the ‘front counter’ but it’s by the back door), our friend Philip (long-time customer) came in to buy Christmas gifts for his (prodigous) family.  He was immediately entranced by the mugs, and selected 8 as stocking-stuffers.”

So the very first day that EIGHTH day books had their mugs, they sold EIGHT… How Cool! Read the rest of this entry »

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Fun Out West with the DRA

February 5th, 2010

What a fun treat to have find that Deneen Pottery made the front page of the local news for the Billings Gazette! It’s all about the timing and I was luck enough to get in just as the staff photographer was grabbing shots of the set up at the Plaza. I believe there was more of a story with some of the other vendors, but I guess when you have handmade mugs that looks this good, who needs a story? Just Kidding.

In all honesty this was a successful show and we met up with some new ranches that were excited about finding mugs that are handmade in the USA. One friend rancher actually said to me, “I really like you mugs, they are so much nicer than most of the crap that have, and our guests do buy them.” When I jotted that note down the rancher, who will remain nameless, said it would be ok if I used his words – Thanks Barry.

Looking forward to getting all the artwork and orders finalized over the next week!

A big thank you to the DRA for hosting another fantastic show!

Thanks for reading our blog ~ Niles Deneen

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When it Helps to Have a Pretty Mug

January 26th, 2010

All Star line-UpAll Star line-Up

By Lee Egerstrom
Economic Development Fellow
lee.egerstrom@mn2020.org

A company of artists in St. Paul is proving that making art objects can sustain a small business, that entrepreneurs can survive economic cycles, and that quality can still trump quantity in this age of big box stores and mass marketing.

Deneen Pottery is a family owned business that has endured various trials and tribulations since 1972. It makes hand-thrown stoneware products for institutional and business customers who want to exhibit glaze engraved logos, which result from a trademark protected process that Deneen master potters invented.

The biggest categories of Deneen’s 2,700 customers are hospitality industry companies such as bed and breakfasts, country inns and golf courses. Right behind are college bookstores, corporations that want promotional items for products or their corporate image, and restaurants. Renaissance festivals and community events that appeal to tourists who may be collectors is another important but smaller category, and Deneen has a small number of retailers as customers who specialize in merchandise for tourists.

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Initial Stage of the 2010 Paii Mug

January 25th, 2010

With the defeat of the Vikings to the New Orleans Saints yesterday night, the mood here in Minnesota is somber… This is why we, here at Deneen Pottery, will turn our attention to more positive things, like the new mug for the Innkeeping Conference & Trade Show hosted by PAII (Professional Association of Innkeepers International).

We’ve been proudly making mugs for PAII and their Innkeeping Show since 1992, when JoAnn Bell first sent out a form letter seeking a ‘handmade mug supplier’ to provide an item to commemorate PAII’s second biennial event. There is much more to this story that I will be reporting on in the weeks to come.

We have been honored to produce a collectable mug for each conference since 1992 and are ready to unveil the tentative mock up for this years show in Austin, Texas. Working with Pat Hardy and JoAnn Bell was a joy for my father, Peter Deneen, and I an just as pleased to be working with the President and CEO of PAII today, Jay Karen.

If you are an innkeeper and are curious about PAII, and the Innkeeping Show click here: www.innkeepingshow.com

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New Customer “The Coffee Cup” Cameron, OK

December 14th, 2009

Just before Thanksgiving Tammie, owner of The Coffee Cup located in Cameron, OK, was searching google for handmade mugs when she came across our website. “I looked at others but your product, professionalism, and website blew the others away.”  Now we have her design ready for approval and we are eagerly looking forward to working on her first order of custom mugs!

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