In the past couple of months I have had many conversations with member artists who have told me that they have positive responses from advertising in the directory.  Many artists have created relationships with new galleries, others with showrooms and some directly with the public.  This is very welcome news to hear that the directory is creating value for them. 
Every year the directory artists have been crafting their message about the type of artist they are as well as the audience they are trying to court.  This is an important development that each artist and advertiser continues to understand how people view their work through print advertising. Keep asking people how they found you and try to discover what it is that drew them to your work.
Some of the success is due to the HTA's expanding mailing list.  Since the beginning of the HTA we have been collecting addresses of galleries, showrooms, designers, and architects around the country to make sure they get the directory on an annual basis.  You can help this concept by collecting business cards of these types of businesses and submit them to the HTA.  This ensures they see your ad in the directory every year as well as invitations to the MN Tile Festival. 
Our success as an organization is based on the simple concept that  we are all in this together and the more we understand that helping someone else succeed is helping ourselves succeed. If you have a story of  connecting with a client please send it to the HTA.  Thanks and keep up the good work.

We are looking for venues to have meetings for 2008.  If you would like to host a meeting please contact the HTA to set one up.  josh@handmadetileassociation.org