Gift vendor Enesco signed a licensing agreement with artist Michael Macone for The Potter’s Shed, his line of contemporary ceramic home and garden accessories. Having released previously from Macone’s own company, the line has been popular with Christian retailers because of the inspirational sayings on many of the designs.

Enesco, whose agreement covers marketing and distribution for The Potter’s Shed, expects to re-launch the existing products in January 2009 with new inspirational designs from Macone tentatively scheduled for mid-2009.

"We are thrilled to partner with Enesco," Macone said. "The company’s global leadership grants us a great opportunity to grow and share our designs worldwide, something we could never do with our own resources."

Macone will continue to design new products for his Spooner Creek line, a similar brand with a different glaze treatment, at his Shell Lake, Wis., headquarters. His company is named Spooner Creek, with a retail operation, also called The Potter’s Shed (www.thepottersshed.com).

"One thing that excites me about this new partnership is that I will be designing new inspirational products that will fit into their Gregg Gift Co. brand," Macone said. "We have tried to strike a balance between Christian messages and generic inspirational ones. Now we will be able to expand our ideas directly into the Christian bookstore market."

Macone uses a process that etches his designs into the clay rather than just on the surface with a silkscreen or decal. His popular wall plaques include the sayings: "Bless this house , O Lord we pray, keep it safe, night and day" and "Be kind, be true, seek peace, keep the faith, be a friend, sing and dance, be in love, cherish family and show mercy."

The Potter’s Shed joins other brands recently added to Enesco’s expanding stable, such as fellow ceramic line Our Name Is Mud, GUND, The Boyds Collection, Country Artists, Bob Olszewski’s Gallery of Light, philoSophie’s and Jubilee Art.

"Michael’s talent and artwork is unique, and The Potter’s Shed is a perfect addition to Enesco’s portfolio of brands," said Matt Bousquette, chairman of Enesco. "We look forward to sharing Michael’s sought-after talent and artwork with an even larger audience of retailers and consumers who have come to expect only the best artists and brands under the Enesco umbrella."

For more information, contact Enesco at 800-436-3726, or visit www.enesco.com.