Company News

Handcrafted in Vermont

The life of every Ann Clark, Ltd. product begins in the artistic mind of Ann Clark herself, from the inaugural “Piggy” shape to the latest cookie cutter designs. After carefully gathering inspiration from a variety of different media, Ann creates a series of cutter sketches that culminate in a final hand-drawn “blueprint” for each cookie cutter. This blueprint is then turned into a hand-bent prototype for each new cutter, which Ann approves before production can begin.

Meanwhile, Ann is also instrumental in the artwork that appears with all Ann Clark, Ltd. products. Her talented hand decorates the recipe card attached to every cookie cutter, and she meticulously paints the vibrant watercolor scenes that accompany our gift sets, making sure each pleases her own critical eye prior to printing. Ann’s creativity is turned into reality with the help of approximately 20 full-time employees.

When the company outgrew Ann’s garage in Mendon, we moved to 12,000 feet of factory space just down the road in Rutland, Vermont. Here in the beautiful foothills of the Green Mountains, all Ann Clark, Ltd. cookie cutters are handcrafted out of tin-coated steel or copper. Strips of metal are first cut to length according to each specific cookie cutter design, and then made into rings. These rings are then molded into the correct shape using a manually-operated forming process. Finally, sturdy handles are attached, and recipe cards, hand tied with a piece of kitchen twine, add the finishing touch.

“Make More Cookies”

As the standard closing to corporate communications will attest, the sales pitch at Ann Clark, Ltd. is both simple and inviting: “Make More Cookies”! Our products continue to be successful in a variety of diverse markets, including gift shops, coffeehouses, bookstores, gourmet shops, and pet stores, as well as a number of direct mail catalogues. Thirteen sales representative organizations provide an extensive network of sales expertise for the company throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In addition, Ann Clark, Ltd. advertisements can be seen in all major trade publications in the gift industry, including Giftware News, Gift & Dec, and Country Business.

Ever since Ann collected her first significant orders as a result of the Philadelphia Gift Show in 1991, trade shows have been an important ingredient in Ann Clark, Ltd’s recipe for success. Ann, in particular, considers the feedback she receives from talking with store owners at trade shows to be invaluable. The company has extensive trade show experience, including participation in the New York International Gift Fair. Ann Clark, Ltd. also participates in all regional gift shows and showrooms through our nationwide sales representative network.

Your Logo as a Cookie Cutter

Ann Clark, Ltd. launched a separate corporate division early in 1997 specializing in custom cookie cutter designs. From alumni associations and historical societies, to restaurants and casinos, companies tired of the same old pens, coffee mugs and magnets treat their customers to a custom-designed cookie cutter in the shape of their logo or mascot. Custom recipe cards, complete with corporate logo and contact information, can also be included with the cutter, ensuring that our client’s message will reappear for years to come as families make cookies together. Noteworthy projects have included the Pillsbury Doughboy, the John Deere “Deer”, the McDonald’s Arches, and the NBC Peacock.