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For less than $10 initially they started painting and personalizing birth plates for gifts. After these proved they would sell, they began to capitalize on special days like Christmas, Easter, anniversaries, etc. They also began to concentrate on producing plates that would interest the clientele of the West Point Post Exchange. A colorful cadet in full uniform painted on a gray bowl made a big hit with the cadets and their families. The bowl was large enough to be very versatile; it could be used for popcorn, an ashtray, a candy dish, or hung from the wall it made a clever picture.

And how did this success story start that keeps these two army wives and their children ("That's the fun of it," says Anna. "Everybody gets in on the act") busy and happy and at the same time provides them with extra cash for pleasures and luxuries they could not otherwise afford?

When Anna's third daughter, Beverley, was born she wanted a special yet inexpensive gift to give the baby's godmother for whom she was named. She called a friend in New York and asked if she knew anyone who could paint an appropriate plate and personalize it for her. The friend said yes, but since time was short that someone would have to drive down from West Point to pick it up. It took two hours of driving to get the plate which was lovely and most suitable for the occasion, but the staggering blow came when a bill for $25 appeared on the scene. This was quite a shock for Anna who had wanted an inexpensive gift.

That was the day she called her good friend Virginia Register and told her, "We should start painting and personalizing plates for a hobby." Virginia agreed that it sounded like a good idea.

ANNA AND Virginia are both "army brats." They first knew each other when their fathers were stationed together at Fort Brown, Texas. West Point is the second place at which they have been stationed together since each has married.

Starting their business from scratch they have learned it by the trial and error method.

The materials they purchased before starting were: inexpensive plates from the five and dime store, several small paint brushes, tracing paper, a hard lead pencil, carbon paper, ruler, cellophane tape, and a set of paints used for painting on china or ceramics.

The design they drew up for their first plates was an angel (painted blue or pink) on a fluffy white cloud, a star in the upper corner. Space was left at the top for the child's name and at the bottom for the date of birth. These first plates sold by word-of-mouth for $1.50.

THIS IS the process they follow in painting the plates: First, assemble the articles mentioned above. If possible use an enamel table to work on or an old table. If you must use a table of any importance be sure to put thick layers of newspapers on first; this is very necessary because the reducer will damage the wood finish. Have handy several rags for cleaning and a roll of toilet tissue which is of invaluable help in cleaning the brushes and wiping away the paint when an error is made.

It is very important that the plate be very clean and dry. Any trace of grease or oil will cause the paint not to adhere to the plate.

The chosen pattern is first drawn or traced on a white piece of paper. The pattern should be cut the size of the plate because this enables you to determine just how it will look when it is transferred to the plate.

After the carbon has been placed on the plate, carbon side next to the plate, the white pattern is placed over the plate and secured with tape to hold it in place. With a hard lead pencil the pattern is traced; it is best to have a set system of tracing, such as starting with the inside lines and working to the outside lines or vice versa. Remove the pattern and carbon carefully and you now have the design on the plate ready for painting.

Now the colors are painted in; it is best, although the paint dries very rapidly, to paint the inside lines first and work toward the edge of the plate; this aids in avoiding smearing the paint. However, if the paint is smeared or you run over a line the mistake can be corrected merely by wrapping tissue around the wooden end of the brush and wiping the smeared area. If the paint is too dry, a small piece of tissue dipped in the reducer will do the job. The end of the brush serves another purpose; it can be used to draw in lines. For instance, color a hat solid and a few lines with the end of the brush will put a band on it.

When the whole design has been painted the plate is ready to be fired. Since Anna and Virginia do not have a kiln they use the kitchen oven. Although one baking is all the directions call for, the girls have a procedure of their own they like better. After a plate is done in this manner it is almost impossible to wash the paint off using steel wool," says Anna.

Their procedure is to put the plates in the oven set at 250 degrees, leave a crack in the door for circulation, and bake one hour. Let the plate cool, apply the clear glaze, bake for another hour at 250 degrees. Several plates may be baked at one time. After the second baking each plate is checked to see if the glaze is hard. This is done by rubbing the finger nail across a painted section. Now the plates are ready for market.

SEVERAL MONTHS before Christmas of 1952 Anna and Virginia hit upon the idea for a Christmas plate which had such appeal that it was a sell-out at all of their outlets at Christmas time. Who could resist such a bright and cheerful Santa Claus face, with flowing white whiskers, bright eyes and red cheeks, painted on a large green plate? It made a wonderful Yuletide gift for any member of the family from grandpa to junior.

While Anna and Virginia were deciding the best way to advertise and sell their plates good luck dropped the answer right in their laps.

The West Point Woman's Club sponsored a program, "Operation Pin Money," presented by the New York State Department of Commerce. The girls took their plates over to the program and were given expert advice on how to sell them, what to charge and suggestions on how to reduce the time spent on each plate so they could be sold at a price anyone could afford. The clinic gave them a list of shops that might be interested in their merchandise and selling for them. They also referred them to a source of plates at wholesale price. The two women ordered $50 worth of plates at twenty-seven cents per plate.

The plan suggested by the clinic for setting a price is this: After you have added your record of materials used, labor and overhead cost, add ten per cent if you wish to get wholesale orders. For top retail price take the total costs and double them.

ANNA AND Virginia found outlets for their plates in several near-by towns and at the West Point Post Exchange.

The plates that sell best in the Post Exchange are the ones that suggest cadet or army life. A small cadet in full dress painted on a shallow bowl that can be used for an ashtray or popcorn is a good seller. They retail at $2.75 each.

During June week two of the most popular plates are the bride and groom one and the reunion bowl. The cadet chapel is used as the background for the bride and her brand new second lieutenant groom. The date of the wedding is put at the bottom of the plate, USMA at the top and the bride's first name on one side and the groom's on the other.

The reunion bowl features Mr. Jackson, the Army mule, painted in black in a kicking pose. Bright yellow letters are used to put the date of the reunion at the bottom and the word reunion at the top. These make delightful souvenirs.

At Easter time egg cups decorated with violets and butterflies and personalized sold for $2.75 each. The Santa Claus plates sell for $2.98 each. The birth plates also retail for $2.98 each.

Anna and Virginia keep a very accurate book listing of each sale. They also check and recheck the accuracy of a name before painting it onto a plate.

Although the two women will not always live close to each other they plan to continue their partnership and have big plans and high hopes for a mail order business to be called the Owens and Ryder Company.