Big Bold and Beautiful! As big bold and beautiful as the Ukrainian spirit which this sunflower series represents. National Ukrainian flower and colors - bring some summer to your winter table with these "Valentines to Ukraine."
Nachmanoff Ceramics Dog Bowls
Headed to the Bidens' Delaware Home!
December 2021
Last March I created a platter commemorating Kamala Harris' inauguration as the first Vice President of the US. At the same time, I made a platter and two dog bowls welcoming the new first dogs, Champ and Major Biden, to the White House. I packaged the ceramics up separately and sent them to the Office of the Vice President and President respectively, with personal letters to Kamala and to Jill and Joe. Six months later, I hadn't heard anything and figured they'd all disappeared into a black hole. |
Then one day in November I got the pictured card in the mail, so I knew at least the VP platter had arrived. Weeks later, I was out walking my dog and the thought popped into my head, wondering whether I would ever hear about the First Dog pottery. Unbelievably, moments later I received a voicemail message from a "Dr. Ford of Items of Value." Dr. Ford explained that he is the founder/owner of the named appraisal firm, which does all of the appraising of gifts to the White House. He was calling to confirm the details of the dog platter and bowls and to get the retail value of each.
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I was naturally curious to hear more about what he does. It turns out he has worked as appraiser to the past 5 White House Administrations (going back to President Clinton) and has appraised every gift of uncertain value that has come through the Office of the President and VP since then. He's appraised large original paintings valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars, crocheted afghans, hand-made books, jewelry, swords, daggers, letter openers, hand-embroidered pillows, things he couldn't mention, and now...dog bowls!
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Dr. Ford rattled off a few more statistics: The Biden-Harris Administration has received 800,000 gifts to date. It gets about 22,000 gifts per month, roughly 1% of which (around 200 per month) are forwarded to Items of Value for appraisal. Dr. Ford sends a monthly inventory with photos to the White House for first dibs on any items the President and VP want to keep. The National Archives and Smithsonian Institute get second dibs. Items not selected wind up in a warehouse in Maryland and are eventually auctioned off. The process takes a long time...warehoused gifts from the second Bush Administration are currently being auctioned.
I asked Dr. Ford if he had seen the Kamala Harris platter yet. He answered that he appraises all the presidential gifts first before moving on to the VP, so that platter is probably coming down the pike to him. I saved him a repeat phone call to me by giving him a detailed description and retail value for the platter. I asked him if he knew what would become of the dog bowls and platter and he told me Joe Biden had already seen the bowls, was charmed by them, and had asked that they be sent directly to his home in Delaware! Sadly, Champ RIP will not be able to use his, but I hope Major will enjoy many meals out of his! So, it's a happy ending for this story and with a lesson for me. Next time I want to make a gift to the President or VP, I'll think twice! I never meant to create so much work for anyone! |
In time for Thanksgiving...
For Dad:
For Grad:
For Mom:
"Valentine for RBG" Plate Series
For Valentines Day or any day you want to say "I HEART YOU":
Special Nachville Valentines Day Offer:
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OLDER POSTS:
HOLiDAyS @ hOmE!
For friends, For yourself, The Perfect Present = The Perfect Pie Plate!
Four and twenty blackbirds - bake them all in! Dimensions: 12" wide x 1.75" deep. $50 (shipping not included). Custom designs available (price dependent on design). A terrific and useful gift for the upcoming holidays or for any occasion.
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