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Blue Crab Bay Co./Bay Beyond Inc. has entered into a licensing agreement with nationally known folk artist José Dovis to be his exclusive manufacturer and distributor of Dovis Designs’ Blue Crab Stoneware.

The decorative stoneware, which features blue crabs and grapevine patterns, has been produced and hand-painted in Thailand since 1993. Earlier this year, Foreign Advisory, an accessories importer based in Princess Anne, Md., offered Blue Crab Bay Co. the opportunity to continue production of the line.  Blue Crab Bay contacted buyers of the pottery, many of whom were existing Blue Crab Bay accounts. Retailers overwhelmingly were pleased to learn that in the future they could combine orders for Blue Crab Bay Co. specialty foods and the Blue Crab Stoneware. Several indicated they have been cross-merchandising the two lines for many years.

Born in Coazze, a small village by the Italian Alps, José Dovis, pictured right with Pamela Barefoot,  was trained in pottery and painting. After leaving Italy, he broadened his study of the arts in Argentina, Mexico, and Washington, D.C. In 1978 he established a studio in his waterfront home on Virginia’s Eastern Shore and traveled extensively, selling his original wheel-thrown pottery at craft fairs along the East Coast. His designs synthesized the tradition of classic Italian majolica with early New England stoneware, reflecting the coastal life of the Chesapeake Bay.

According to Dovis, “I feel confident that Blue Crab Bay will do a great job promoting my wares for gifts and useful items for the home. We share the passion to make lives better by producing and offering the best that we can for people’s enjoyment.”

Dovis, a longtime friend of Blue Crab Bay Co. founder Pamela Barefoot, designed the original Blue Crab Bay Co. brand logo in 1985. Twenty-six years later, the reunion of Barefoot with Dovis has rekindled the spirit of the stoneware line, with both of their creations drawing their inspiration from the Chesapeake Bay region. For several months, they have worked together to update designs and add new pieces, which includes more than 20 SKUs of dinnerware, serveware and kitchenware.

Barefoot has been working closely with the factory in Thailand where the products will be manufactured and hand-painted. Pre-orders placed by Oct. 15 will receive a 15 percent  discount. She expects to receive the first shipment by March 2012. Barefoot said, “José Dovis’ Blue Crab Stoneware is a natural fit with Blue Crab Bay Co. specialty foods-a marriage made on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. We are in the heart of Blue Crab country and have three award-winning vineyards here as well.” Barefoot added that the company plans to package some of the pottery with their food items as gift offerings in their wholesale line.

Blue Crab Stoneware is lead-free as well as microwave- and dishwasher-safe. All designs are copyrighted by José Dovis and distributed exclusively by Blue Crab Bay Co./Bay Beyond Inc., Melfa, Va.

Source:  Blue Crab Bay Co.