Tour book brings buyers to artists' doors.

Byline: Andrea Damewood The Register-Guard

The stone at Eugene sculptor Mark Andrews' Fox Hollow studio comes from as far away as the Greek Islands and is from the same quarry that provided marble for the Taj Mahal.

And, as a member of Oregon Crafted, he even has prospective buyers delivered to his door.

The organization, an economic development program, gives artists in the Southern Willamette Valley and the Central Coast exposure to visitors and locals alike through its self-guided tour book that highlights area studios, galleries and points of interest.

"Not only does (Oregon Crafted) bring people to me, but it also helps me run a better studio," said Andrews, who creates ornate Pacific Northwest art from bronze, limestone and other mediums. "If no one was coming to see my work, it could just be a nightmare in here."

On Sunday, more than 100 area artists rolled open their workshop doors for the first open studio tour of 2007, as they do the first weekend of every month.

Andrews, who has public art installations in Eugene, Lake Oswego and Washington, jumped at the chance to join when the initiative began in the summer of 2005.

"You don't know who's going to show up," he said, estimating that about 15 percent of his noncommissioned sales comes from studio tours. "There's no gallery involved, so all the profits go to the artist, and that's great."

Despite his rural location about two miles from the intersection of Lorane Highway and Fox Hollow Drive, he says he and his wife, Robin, can expect up to 15 sets of visitors on a good weekend.

Things are a bit slower in the winter, as glass artist Daryle Ryder can attest.

Ryder, who runs the Clear Creek Stained Glass Co. from her home studio off River Road, moved to the area about four years ago, and joined Oregon Crafted as a way to get her name out around the community.

She said she hasn't had many visitors since signing up about six months ago, but hopes the summer will bring more patrons.

"I felt it would be a great way to get the word out about who I am," Ryder said, standing among her many stained and fused glass works. "This is a much larger area than the one I came from, so it's a lot harder to get established."

The benefit Oregon Crafted has provided, she said, is networking with other artists to hold joint open studios and advertise.

She also sends out e-mails about new designs, all of which she handcrafts in her studio, with prices from $15 for a small decorated brick, to $250 for a large colorful bowl made by fusing glass in her kiln.

Much of Andrews' work is more pricey, due to the time-consuming and expensive nature of bronze work in particular.

While he mostly works on commission, the sales of his art featuring native fish, wildlife and people during a studio tour help to create a bond between the artist and the piece.

"If you've met the artist, had tea, walked around and spent an hour with the artist, when you look at the art it's not just a piece of material," he said. "It becomes like a battery that gives you energy every time you look at it."

OREGON CRAFTED Guidebook featuring self-guided tours to art studios and galleries When: The first weekend of every month, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guidebook price: $4.95 Available: Convention & Visitors Association of Lane County, 115 W. Eighth St., Suite 190; through Oregon Crafted by phone or e-mail, 687-8353 or www.oregoncrafted.org