INTRODUCING RICH AND CHERYL CLARK

Some people just don't know when they have it good. At least that's what Rich Clark tells me! His wife Cheryl didn't go near the computer until a fateful day in the summer of 1996. This is the story . . .Cheryl was visiting her Dad and twin sister Charlene, in her hometown of Sitka, Alaska. Charlene and Cheryl went yard sailin' and found a mint American Bisque Bear cookie jar for $10.00. Not that Cheryl knew American Bisque or mint, nor did she collect cookie jars, she collected bears. Charlene was hoping that Cheryl would leave the bear for her; but alas Cheryl took the jar home with her. When Cheryl got home with the jar Rich said, "It's neat I guess, but I am not interested in ceramics. It is just a piece of clay with paint on it."

Meanwhile in Sitka, Charlene had become interested in cookie jars. She and Cheryl's dad, Al Gray, were finding quite a few cookie jars at yard sales. They had no idea what they were worth; finally Al bought Charlene one of Joyce Roerig's books. Al being retired and looking for something to do, really got into cookie jars.

Then Al came to Spokane, WA. to visit Rich and Cheryl. Al and Cheryl went out cookie jar shopping and spotted a McCoy Indian cookie jar. Al, a Native American, liked the jar; the price tag was $250.00. Not being sure about the price they called Keith Lytle for advice and ended up buying the jar. By now Cheryl was collecting cookie jars. Al sent Cheryl a Roerig book too and Cheryl started looking all over Spokane for jars. She found the vintage jars to be spendy; when she mentioned this to Rich he said, "I will take a look on the internet since computers are my thing." Rich began looking on the Internet; so did Cheryl. Rich says, "Cheryl spent the days just looking at all the cookie jars for sale and she was hooked! I would ask her how the day went and she would say fine and get a funny look on her face. Little did she know that I could check and find out where the computer had been and for how long! She denies it to this day, but we all know the real story!"

Rich says, "That's when the buying went crazy and we had about 50 jars before we knew what happened." Since Rich loves the Internet and was trying to figure out something to do on the net, he suggested maybe they could make a cookie jar site, just a small one to keep Cheryl busy. Hence Clark's Cookie Jars and Collectibles were born!

The Clark's also have a retail location in Spokane, WA. Follow the link at the bottom of the page to see some of the inventory located at Antique Corner and Collectibles Mall. And, as if he were not already busy enough, Rich also serves on the ACJA Board of Directors.

Do the Clark's have favorite jars? Rich laughingly said, "When I asked Cheryl she was still listing them and after 20 I walked away!" He went on to say, "She has a great collection of American Bisque, Lefton and she loves Goldilocks, by Regal China." What about Rich? He says, "My favorite jar is also going to be my burial urn! It's Merlin the Wizard by Alfano Pottery. I also like my McCoy Indian and Teepee jars." Rich isn't sure when he first started liking cookie jars. He says, "Probably it started with the thrill of winning the auctions on eBay."

Nowadays the Clark's share computer time. Rich, I think the good old days of Cheryl not being interested in the computer and Internet are gone forever! It was very wise of you to start your own Internet site for Cheryl to shop at! Thanks to both of you for taking time out to share your story with our members, we enjoyed getting to know you better.