We've heard this question many times over the years as we've met new customers and friends. It always brings a pang, followed by a smile, as we remember her. There's no easy or single way to answer the question. Georgie Tonneson was an owner of the company that bears her name. She set the ideals of service and fun that we work to reach. Most important to us, she was our mom.

Our company was established in 1965 under the name "Irene's Objets d'Art" by Selmer Jacobson, Georgie's father. Georgie purchased the company in 1975 and renamed it "Georgie's Plaster Shoppe." Her goal was to provide a way for her three children to afford college.

In the late 70s, our father Rich left his job of 21 years as an accountant to help run the growing business. Georgie employed over 20 people in making finished and unfinished decorative plasterware. Our current main building was erected in 1979.

Plastercraft faded quickly, and Georgie's entered the field of ceramics in 1980 with a backbone line of Duncan products. The second building, our mold warehouse and greenware store, went up in 1982. During the early 80s, all three of us graduated from the University of Oregon and rejoined the family business. Those were wild times in the ceramic industry. At one point, we even made the evening news because there was so much traffic coming to our store.

Sadly, Georgie passed away in 1985, at the early age of 49, after a decade-long battle with cancer. She died with the hope that we would continue the company and follow her ideals of providing good service and a fun atmosphere for both employees and customers.

We entered the field of pottery in 1986 by purchasing and integrating Richard's Pugmill, a pottery supply company. In the years that followed, we added clay mixing machines, a third warehouse and a pottery gallery. In 1991, we purchased the balance of the company from our father. In 1995, we expanded further into 3-D art supplies by acquiring Art-Pak, another local supplier. Shortly after that, we added hydraulic presses to make dinnerware for contemporary studios.

In 2000, we expanded to a fourth location by acquiring Oregon Clay Company. As the economy turned downward in 2001, we decided to close two of our locations, in Beaverton and Salem -- but then grew again in a new direction by creating the Basic Fire Studio & Gallery. In 2003, our brother Stan left the company to pursue other life interests.

Dick Tonneson and Linda Mazer, owners of Georgies.

All our employees are empowered to do their best, and they're praised accordingly. We train to provide a customer-driven, service-oriented company with an atmosphere of caring and encouragement. We strive to say "Yes!" to your requests.

Georgie's ideals live on. Our commitment to you, our current and future customers, is to keep reaching for those goals and exceed our past performance. What was good enough yesterday may not be good enough today, and almost certainly won't be tomorrow. Let us know how we're doing. We can always be reached, and we welcome your comments. Thank you!

Linda Mazer & Dick Tonneson