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The Creative Economy
Newsletter For and About the Region’s Artisan and Retail Businesses
July 6, 2004 9th issue

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Sponsored by the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA).

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Nadia Korths, Craft Programs Coordinator/ANCA, www.adknccrafts.com, receives and gathers news for and about the region's crafts community and passes the news to some 500 of you via this email newsletter, which goes out every six weeks or so.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Featured retailer, this month, Adirondack Rustics Gallery, is hosting their 4th Annual Adirondack Rustic Expo held this July 9 – 11, 2004 in Schroon Lake, NY. Featured photo and links on home page of your regional crafts resource website, www.adknccrafts.com.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Featured artisan, this month, Running Ridge Studios, creates beautiful landscape scenes on wall hangings, rugs, pillows and more made of hand hooked wool yarn. Featured on home page of your regional crafts resource website, www.adknccrafts.com.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Adirondack North Country Association/ANCA for the new online Featured Small Business of the Month on home page at Adirondack North Country Association/ANCA.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

SunFeather Natural Soap Company Inc., this month's Featured Small Business at ANCA's website. Sunfeather Natural Soap Company is celebrating its 25th anniversary in business with an innovative new program - the first affiliate store unveiled at the well-established, Good Things for the Bath and Home retail shop, located on Main Street in the resort village of Lake Placid, New York. Patrons of Good Things will get a feel for the new affiliate model, which includes the sale of the very finest and most creative soaps from around the world. Read more from their press release below.
Sunfeather has participated in two of ANCA's marketing programs for at least 5 years: the Rustic Nature Buyer Days, the region's only craft trade show, and in Art, Craft and Food Trails, the region's only annual publication featuring 43 studios and shops in 10 self guided driving trails. All studios and shops who participate feature regionally made product. ANCA congratulates Sunfeather Natural Soap Company for its many business accomplishments and 25 years of business, including many innovative marketing programs such as its affiliate store concept.

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There are now 175 (14 more than last time) direct links to shops and studios at Looking for a Gift. The region's online handmade all listed at one place - check it out. Email Korths info on other online studios and shops in region.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Beautiful ceramics on exhibit at Lake George Arts Project from July 10 - August 27, 2004. Heeseung Lee's work was, in part, created with the support of the Ruth Cheven Foundation. The detail of the peacocks on the 10" vase is incredible. Two painters, Hiroshi Kumagai and Pamela Marks have works also in the same exhibit.
Lake George Arts Project

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

C. Tracy Santagate, basket weaver, Books and Baskets, 169 Olive Street Saranac Lake, New York, 518-891-9694, and Thomas Mowatt, traditional artisan, both from the Adirondack North Country region, for having been selected to provide summer 2004 workshops at the Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts in Ludlow VT. The school is operated by the Society of Vermont Craftsmen, Inc., a non-profit organization established in 1947, and is Vermont's oldest residential Arts and Crafts School.
www.fletcherfarm.com

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Korths for collecting info on and posting the region's many open studio tours, including printed ones, at Tour Open Studios. Hope everyone gets some open studio touring in. Email Korths info on other studio tours in region.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Lapland Lake Cross Country Vacation and Ski Center and Running Ridge Studio for linking with www.adknccrafts.com. The more we link with each other, the higher our rankings in the search engines.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) for applying for and receiving $69,875 in grant funding from the USDA RBEG for a one year program starting in July 2004. The program will provide business development, value added marketing, networking services, and on-site workshops, integrating a wide range of wholesale and retail market opportunities. In addition the funding establishes a partnership between ANCA and The Northern Forest Center. This funding will be Northern NY's contribution to the research, printing and distributing of the 30,000 Handmade in the Northern Forest Guidebooks scheduled to be published in the summer of 2005 and will develop craft programs across the Northern Forest regions of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

70 studios, shops, galleries, museums and complementary sites have signed up from NYS to be included in the Handmade in the Northern Forest Guidebook. There is still time to sign up if you do so now. The online application is at Handmade in the Northern Forest. $35 fee.

This grant will also provide a pilot program comparing the region's best studio/shop practices in attracting visitors and selling product to the best practices across North America. The focus of this effort will be a number of onsite workshops where the summary of best practices research will be reviewed and implemented. ANCA's Craft Programs Coordinator, Nadia Korths, will manage the pilot study.

Those who sign up for the Handmade in the Northern Forest Guidebook will be the first businesses scheduled to participate in the onsite best practices workshops that will be offered during the fall and winter.

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70 are interested in attending eBay University in Sept. Review list of names to be sure yours is included. Korths will keep you posted when details finalize. Thank you all for taking the time to show your interest. ANCA and the eBay Adirondack North Country Cooperative are partnering to bring the eBay University to you.

The following 26 had already shown an interest in marketing via eBay by completing the email survey in early March:
Grillo’s Pillows & Specialities - Greenwich
Adirondack LogWorks - Schroon Lake
Lake Champlain Inn Bed & Breakfast - Putnam Station
Soft Maple Design - Lowville
North Woods Guides, Inc. - Wevertown
Walking Clover Farm - Fort Plain
Fawn Ridge Pottery - Chestertown
Gardenworks at MacClan Farms - Salem
Rusticwood.com - Palatine Bridge
Unlimited Designs - Potsdam
Rolling Thunder Mountain - Vermontville
TAUNY - Canton
Nostalgic Impressions - Middle Grove
Custom Wood Shop - Ogdensburg
The Upstairs Gallery - Canton
Ostrander’s Sheepskin Shop - Canton
Thistle & Fife - Morristown
Creative Clay Critters - Norfolk
Fourth Coast Entertainment - Canton
Frederic Remington Art Museum Shop - Ogdensburg
Haffeman Carvings - St. Lawrence County
Axis Analytical - Waddington
Bag Ladies - Potsdam.

Others (4) who have indicated interest are:
Mountain Gifts and Powder - Saranac Lake
Creation in Woods - Redwood
Adirondack Wood Furnishings - Malone
Country Junction - Otsego County.

The following have indicated interest by responding to eBay email of Friday, June 25, 2004:
Northeast Corner Herbs - Fort Ann,
Thomas Duffy Cabinetmaker - Glens Falls
Adirondack Mountain Club - Lake George
Crazy as a Loom - Putnam Station
Wardell Pottery - Catskills/Hudson River Valley
The Custom Wood Shop - Ogdensburg
Nonesuch Designs - Plattsburgh
Historic Saranac Lake - Saranac Lake
The Handweaving Museum and Art Center - Clayton
Harness Artisan Shop - Chestertown
Woven Glass - Sand Lake
WishBone Forge - Hermon
TAC - Plattsburgh
South Bay Jewelry - Racquette Lake
North Country Naturals - Catskills/Hudson River Valley
Whiteface Mountain Gourmet Maple - Bloomingdale
Adirondack Charm - Comstock
Wild Ravens - Saratoga Springs
Herb Dieck, Photographer - Scotia
Granola Jo & Company - Canaan
Young's Gallery - Jay
Mapleland Farms - Salem
C&L Studios - St. Johnsville
Truly Adirondack Crafts - Piseco
Apple Hill Soaps - Whitesboro
Jay Craft Center - Jay
Kinglands Inn Antiques and Gifts - Keeseville
Red Leaf Designs - Saratoga Springs
Benesch Creative Enterprises - Holland Patent
Art Baird Pottery - Holland Patent
Two Horse Trading Co. - Saranac Lake
Fleur de Lis Gallery - Woodstock
Chateaugay Weaving and Woodworking - Chateaugay
North Country Cultural Center for the Arts - Plattsburgh
Adirondack Speciality Foods - Keeseville
Asplin Tree Farms - Saranac Lake
Adirondack Pine - Mooers Forks
Silver Bench - Croghan
Running Ridge Studio - Bolton Landing
Sundaes Best Hot Fudge Sauce - Greenfield
Adirondack Balsam Co. - Bloomingdale
Adirondack Living Show - Clifton Park

Based on comments included with replies, Mon or Tues in Sept. would be the best day to schedule university based on the many who said they will be at shows during the weekends and making product in late week. If there is more than one expert coming, Korths still believes that the university will attract many more attendees if one is held in Glens Falls, one in Lake Placid and one in Potsdam. Note that many are from the Lake George - Glens Falls - Saratoga area. Actually we need to consider one in the Tug Hill Plateau region. If only one workshop is scheduled in Lake Placid, 39 of these 69 would have to travel more than one and a half hours to attend workshop with half of the 39 having to travel 2 hours or more! With additional publicity in each of these areas, the eBay Universities may be able to attract even more attendees.

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LARAC seeks Artist Proposals for 2005 Exhibitions

The Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council is accepting proposals from artists/craftspeople and groups of artists/craftspeople for the 2005 exhibition season at LARAC's Lapham Gallery. Deadline for receipt of proposals is July 31, 2004.

Application packet at Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council

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CONGRATULATIONS TO


Tannery Pond Community Center (North Creek)
Susan Schmidt, Potter and Mark Bowie, Photographer (July 1 - 28, Opening July 1, 5-7 pm)

Exhibit listing in LARAC's monthly email newsletter. Lots of workshop listings here.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Harry Wirtz
Words & Pictures
Twenty prints of my landscapes and tool portraits are on exhibit at the Caroga Historical Museum now through July 25th.
I photographed the tool series in a studio setting using 4x5 black and white film over a span of seven years. I made the prints on a dedicated inkjet printer using a four-tone black and white pigmented ink system. The landscapes are an on-going series of composite prints with subject matter that includes outdoor scenes, still life, foliage, and architecture.
My show shares a reconstructed barn with the museum’s artifacts from Caroga Lake’s past. The aged barn siding is a perfect backdrop and the prints are displayed in a dedicated gallery space lit in part, through the open barn doors, by the Adirondack sky. Hours are 1 PM to 4 PM, Thursday through Sunday.

Harry Wirtz
Words & Pictures
harryw@capital.net

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Alice Wand who has a new studio and gallery at her home. Grand opening was on Sunday, June 27. Open Sat. and Sun. May 29 - Sept. 4, 1-5 pm. Textured Landscapes and Nature Studies of the Adirondacks, Champlain Valley and elsewhere. These are a combination of handmade paper and acrylics. There will also be watercolors, digital photography, nature studies, notecards, handmade paper animals and Reber Bumper Stickers.

Alice Wand

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Hi Nadia,
We have a web site up and running. We'd like to link it to ANCA. Fawn Ridge Pottery
Thanks
Sharon & David Coleman

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Rob Igoe Jr, North Country Books, Utica, for doing a presentation about self-publishing on May 22 at the Adirondack Center for Writing Conference on Silver Bay.
Email

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Traditional Arts in Upstate New York/TAUNY, Canton, for their new exhibit that opened around June 22. This exhibit features folk art made from recycled and found objects. "Extreme Makeovers" demonstrates North Country ingenuity in creative pieces ranging from a duck decoy made from an old tire to a mailbox created from a tuba and a plant stand fashioned out of horse shoes.
TAUNY

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Some NY Tourism Statistics
The Buffalo Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported tourism jobs accounted for 2.9 % of private sector employment in the state - compared to a national share of 4.1 %. However, tourism employment is growing at twice the rate of total employment in the Dutchess County, Binghamton, Jamestown and Glens Falls metropolitan areas. ... In general, tourism accounts for a larger share of the economy in NY's rural counties - 6.2 % of private jobs versus the metropolitan average of 2.8 %. Report by economist Richard Deitz. Adirondack Daily Enterprise, date undocumented, June 2004.

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www.Adirondackcraft.com celebrated their third anniversary of online sales for the region in December, 2003. They continue to encourage craftspeople and artisans in the 14 county Adirondack North Country region to consider adding a few products to this attractive online store and catalogue serving customers in 44 states. No monthly charges, reasonable commission on the retail sale price.
Sponsored by www.Adirondackcraft.com.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

St. Lawrence Arts Council for Fourth Annual Exhibit of Quilts and Fiber Arts from June 18 - August 1st, 2004 in Potsdam. Quilters, weavers, spinners, knitters, stitchers, felters, basket makers, rug braiders, soft sculpture and costumers were invited to participate.
St. Lawrence County Arts Council

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Stevie and Joe Capozio for recently relocating the new Riverbend Art Gallery to Wilmington, Rte. 86, next to the Once Upon a Time Restaurant. Stevie is known for her Adirondack art and detailed enamels. Joe is an award-winning artist specializing in drawing and painting. Their shop is open from 12 noon - 5pm, Wed. - Sun.
518.946.2595
Email
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, 6.18.04.

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Join the 17th Annual Artists' Open Studio Tour in St. Lawrence County

sponsored by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council. Open your studio and give visitors a "behind the scenes" view of the creative process. First weekend (6th and 7th) in November, Host other creative people at your studio. Preview exhibit. Also promoted at St. Lawrence County Arts Council. Brochure and map designed by professional graphic artist. Call or email the SLC Arts Council to sign up; 315.265.6860 or Email

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Interested in placing your text ad here, contact Korths at Email or at 518.891.1632.

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The Rosen Group offers Visiting craftspeople "entry into the world's largest wholesale craft event," the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft with Artist Registration ($35) or Artist Program ($65). Complete form by July 12. After this date, confirmation will be by phone with badges to be picked up on-site at the Buyers Market Artist Resource Center. Artist Program includes a series of professional development workshops, a one-on-one portfolio review and mentor session with a business advisor and entry into the world's largest wholesale craft event. August 6 - 8. Series of 1 hour Workshops are titled "Become a PR Pro, Juggle Fever Do you have What it Takes?, and Licensing and Design Rights; 25 minute workshops are titled Postcards that Pop and Make your Mark.

For forms Email Debra or visit The Rosen Group

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Retailers - Dates for New York Gift Show
Aug. 14-19, Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers, NYC.
GLM Shows

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First email newsletter from The Lily Pond, Plattsburgh

Hi, everyone! We hope this email finds you well. We just wanted to let you all know that we have some beautiful, fun and exciting new items at Lily Pond!

We've been doing some serious shopping, sourcing out new items for the store! Come check our our new "Pamper Yourself" corner, featuring essential oils by Underwood Herbs of Chateaugay, soaps by Sun Feather, and buckwheat and lavendar pillows by Grillo's Pillows! Also new to our store are several pieces of lovely blown glass by Woven Glass Studios, including paperweights and hanging vases. And as always, "Bug Bonnets" by M.A. Swift of Wilmington, N.Y. are here, just in time for black fly season! We also have ceramic birdhouses and hummingbird feeders from Stuart Baird Pottery - look for more of Stuart's beautiful work including vases, bowls and square plates later this summer!

Our scarf supply has been re-stocked for summer! You'll find all the colors you're looking for, in short and long styles, with fun fabrics and beaded embellishment!

As always, we remain well-stocked with scented candles by Tamara, locally-made pottery by your favorite ceramic artists, and lots of beautiful sterling silver jewelry! We have new bracelets by Maryann McLaughlin of St. Regis Falls, handmade chain and earrings by Lisa Nortz of Croghan, N.Y., and rings and pendants by Donna Austin of Plattsburgh!

Are you a budding bead artist? Our bead inventory is growing by leaps and bounds, with new items on the way! In stock right now are seed beads in sizes 15, 11, 8 and 6, bugle beads, size 10 twisted hex, size 8 Delica beads and more than 200 colors of Delica beads in size 11! We also have size 8 triangle beads in 52 colors, and size 10 triangles on the way! Our gemstone bead inventory is brimming with all your favorite stones - amethyst, jaspers and agates, black onyx and gaspeite as well as strawberry quarts and rutilated quartz. We have stick pearls, pendants, a wonderful selection of furnace glass, stone cabohons and donuts! And if you're looking for just the right clasp, check out our selection of sterling silver and gold findings including dichroic glass clasps and cabohon sets by Paula Radke!

We now stock a full range of beading supplies and books, including Silamide bead thread, Soft-Flex stringing wire, crimping pliers by Beadsmith and kaleidoscopes!

We also have "The Face" ceramic sculptural cabochons by Diane Brieglib (as seen in Bead and Button and Beadwork magazines), pressed glass daggers in more than 20 colors, and new shapes and colors of Czech pressed glass coming every month!

Our beading classes are underway for the summer! Stop in or email us to get our complete class listing for June, July and August. We are now offering classes scheduled at your convenience - for groups of three or more, we will teach any class when it's most convenient for you! Just phone or stop in to set up a class with your friends! Classes include beginning off-loom bead weaving, basic jewelry construction, and classes for more advanced beaders like free-form beading, bead knitting, the Ropes Course and the Fringes of Society! Classes are limited to six students, so register soon!

We have also started our new Frequent Buyer Rewards Card! For every dollar amount you spend, you get a punch on your card - fill the card up and receive 10% off your next purchase!

Whew! We're also hard at work on our new website, www.lilyponddowntown.com, coming to a computer near you by the end of June. We'll keep it updated regularly with all the latest news and events going on around Downtown Plattsburgh, including links to the Mayor's Cup and Battle of Plattsburgh events this summer!

Enjoy your summer, everybody, and make sure you stop in to say hello the next time you're downtown!

Pauline, Jennifer and Devin :-)
www.lilyponddowntown.com

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How Much Do Retailers Need to Spend on Advertising

Summary/excerpts of article from The Crafts Report, May 2004, p.44.
Start at 5 to 6 percent of gross sales for your advertising budget. ... Most craft retailers at Craft Retailers Association for Tomorrow (CRAFT) teleconference, entitled "Common Issues, Common Concerns: Advertising" were using 3 to 4 percent... To plan for spending advertising dollars, first take January's sales and divide by the year's total sales. This will give the percentage of sales for the first month. Do this for each month. You then have the sales pattern for the year. If possible, do this for the last couple of years.
If January shows 10 percent of the year's sales, then set aside 10 percent of your 5 percent advertising budget for January. If 20 percent of sales are in November, use 20 percent for November... and so on.
... Train your sales staff(yourself) to ask, "How did you hear about our gallery?" And keep a record of those responses. Coupons... Direct Mail still seems to be the most effective advertising... also suggest using ads in the local newsletters of targeted groups... a well maintained mailing list is essential ... National Public Radio ... Article written by Gloria Brooke, president of the Craft Retailers Association for Tomorrow (CRAFT) and owner of Brooke Pottery, Lakeland, FL. She also serves on the advisory board of The Small Business Development Center in Tampa, FL.
The Crafts Report



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Point-of-sale (POS) software - what to expect and ask for when looking to buy one.

"One trait that all retailers share with successful gamblers is instinct. But, without a good Point of Sale (POS) information system to back up our instincts, most of us cannot answer the most basic questions that ensure retail survival in these times of slim margin... Your POS sytem helps answer these questions; what is your best seller, what is your worst seller, who is your best vendor, who is your worst vendor, how much inventory do you have, who is your best customer, what type of merchandise are your customers purchasing, are purchasing trends changing, how much of your inventory is "dead", who is your best seller/employee, and more. Basic categories that a POS system should offer:
Department information: jewelry, ceramics, wearables, etc.
Attributes: gold, silver, paper, wood, etc.
Item Description:
Artist/Vendor Description:
Employee Codes and Information
Inventory Turn: "Volume is not necessarily the key to retailing - margin and "turn" are what make money."
Automatic Purchase Orders
Tracking Customers with POS info
If you would like a copy of the article, I can mail or fax you one. No, they don't recommend any specific POS systems. Recommendations will be listed in next newsletter. Include name and price.
The Crafts Report, June 2004, p. 42.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

SUNY Potsdam for developing the Farm-to-School Program in the fall of 2002... This year SUNY Potdam, Seedcorn, Cornell Cooperative Extension, St. Lawrence University are all involved. SUNY Potsdam as an institution, is purchasing fresh, locally grown produce, maple syrup and honey at fair market price. Seven farms are dropping off their product at the Willow Island Restaurant in Canton, the collection center for the goods. By using a central collection center, farmers will be able to drop off their product and the institutions will be able to pick it up at one location, which will eliminate scheduling problems and excess travel. Barbara Page, manager of the Bowman Hall Dining Facility, is the person responsible for ordering and purchasing.
Excerpt from SUNY Potsdam quarterly newsletter.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Jepper Feinberg for opening up The Flowering Birch on Lake Flower Avenue in Saranac Lake. Florist, Home, Garden & Gifts.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, May 28, 2004.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Gay Reylea, Mountain Gifts and Powder, for opening up her storefront on July 2nd on Broadway in Saranac Lake.
Mountain Gifts and Powder

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Microsoft is now spending $2 billion in research and development to convince small businesses to stay with its software programs and platform. 90 % of small and midsize (8 million businesses in country defined as having less than 50 employees) businesses run on the Microsoft platform, says Mika Krammer, an analyst at Gartner, a research firm. This equals $400 billion that companies spend per year on info tech. IBM, Hewlett-Packard and Dell are also looking at the small business market. Amazon and Google now rely on competitor Linux to run their websites. Some existing competition for Microsoft Office is OpenOffice, which is free, and Sun's Star Office.
INC, June 2004, pg. 102

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Sizing up the Workforce
Conventional wisdom has held that most jobs are maintained in small businesses. However, while the vast majority (about 80%) of NYS's 539,000 business establishments are classified as small (ie., they employ less than 10 workers), they accounted for only 1.1 million - just 16% of the nearly 6.9 million private sector jobs in NY in June 2003. In contrast, establishments with 50 or more employees represented only 4 % of establishments, but employed a majority (57%) of private sector workers. In contrast, "super-size" establishments, those with 500 or more employees, accounted for only 0.2 % of establishments, but employed almost 1.5 million, or nearly 22% of workers.
Excerpt from CCEA of Oswego County Small Business Program Business Briefs monthly newsletter, May 2004.
Source: Employment in NYS Newsletter, November 2003, Division of Research and Statistics, NY Dept. of Labor, Bldg. 12, State Campus, Albany, NY 12240.
Dept. of Labor

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Study shows Resilence of Women-Owned Businesses
Between 1997 and 2000, women-owned employer establishments demonstrated amazing tenacity and proved to be more resilient than employer firms overall. Employment among all employer firms declined by 6.7 percent during the period, but women-owned firms fared better; the employment decline was only 4.2 %. Further, women-owned employer establishments were just as likely to have remained in business over this period, with 3/4 still in existence after 3 years. The 5 states with the greatest growth in employment from 1997 to 2000 among women-owned establishments were: NJ (22.3 % growth in employment), Maine (14.3), NY (8.1), PA (4.2%), RI (2.9).
Excerpt from CCEA of Oswego County Small Business Program Business Briefs monthly newsletter, May 2004.
Source: USSBA, The Small Business Advocate, March 2004.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

The federal Small Business Administration for launching a new website Small Business Forms and Information."Any kind of form or information a small business needs will now be in one place, "says Barreto, SBA Administrator.
Parade, May 16, 2004. pg. 17.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

SunFeather Natural Soap Company Launches First Affiliate Store (Potsdam, N.Y) - - SunFeather Natural Soap Company, a leader in the production of all-natural soaps and other health and beauty care products, is expanding into a new retail market, with the establishment of owner-operated Savon du Soleil Bath and Beauty retail stores nationwide.

According to SunFeather founder and owner Sandy Maine, the first affiliate store concept is being unveiled at the well-established, Good Things for the Bath and Home retail shop, located on Main Street in the resort village of Lake Placid, New York. Patrons of Good Things will get a feel for the new affiliate model, which includes the sale of the very finest and most creative soaps from around the world. Unique displays include more than 50 varieties of soaps from SunFeather’s Bulk Soap gallery, 50 varieties of soap designs by Michelle and Jason Mormino, owners of Good Things, a wide variety of newly created Savon du Soleil bath and beauty products developed by SunFeather, high quality bath accessories and candles, gift sets, private label for weddings, special occasions and corporate gifts, and soapmaking and perfumery books and supplies.

The new Savon du Soleil retail store concept incorporates elements that have made both SunFeather and Good Things, highly successful. Both companies offer unique product lines that will now be available in one location: SunFeather produces all-natural cold process soaps, which include high end all natural ingredients and utilize floral and herbal based colorants, scents and textural elements. The Morminos produce and sell highly stylized vegetable glycerin soaps, which also contain all-natural ingredients, with the addition of commercial colorants and scents, thus appealing to those looking for trendy or more contemporary soap designs. Other soaps and related products will be sold at the store as well. Introducing the Savon du Soleil line – all-natural products like this shea butter mango body creme and shea butter body milk,now available through the SunFeather affiliate store concept.

Even the décor of the new Savon du Soleil retail stores represents collaboration as well, blending the shabby chic atmosphere that has made Good Things renown locally and to returning tourists, with the European-inspired design of SunFeather’s retail shop adjacent to its soapmaking facility. “As we enter one of the busiest seasons for Good Things, we will be able to quickly assess the marketability of our affiliate venture,” notes Maine who hopes to make available turn-key Savon du Soleil retail stores to owner-operators within the U.S. and abroad.

“We believe the affiliate retail store will be very profitable because many of our customers have expressed an interest in opening bath and beauty or spa retail shops in other areas but don’t want to produce large volumes of product on site,” say the Morminos of one of the greatest incentives for working with SunFeather to unveil what they hope will be the flagship first of many Savon du Soleil retail stores.

Entrepreneurs interested in establishing Savon du Soleil Bath and Beauty retail stores are essentially looking at entering into a "consulting and supplier agreement," and with that comes a signature store layout, design and fixtures, store inventory, web site and fulfillment for mail order customers, and consulting and training to create an optimal customer experience and ultimately a profitable business for owners and parent companies.

“What we are testing is really a premier and up and coming retail opportunity,”says Maine, adding “all the elements are in place.” This includes one of the fastest growing consumer groups dubbed by economists as “pamperers,” who as a market segment are spending hundreds of millions of dollars on spa treatments, cosmetic enhancements and health and beauty products. Add to that the brand identity, confidence and reputation of SunFeather, which celebrates 25 years in business this year. “Equally important to the success of any affiliate store is the local connection of the shop and its owners to the community in which it is located,” says Maine who says Good Things exemplifies this element of the model in a tourist community.

“People enjoy coming in and purchasing something that represents a piece of their Adirondack experience,” says Jason Mormino of the customers who frequent his and his wife’s shop. “And they like the fact we have our own story to tell – the local flavor adds to their whole experience,” he notes. “We bring this tried and true knowledge to the affiliate shop and we believe other Savon du Soleil Bath and Beauty retail stores will be equally successful because no matter where they are located, their owners and the community, have a story to tell.”
Courtney Johnson-Woods
Publicity • SunFeather Natural Soap Company Inc.
Home Office: 315.265.0404
Email
Sunfeather Natural Soap Company Inc.
6.15.04

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Award Winning Artists Featured at The 4th Annual Adirondack Rustic Expo

The finest artists of forest inspired furniture and furnishings will be returning to the 4th Annual Adirondack Rustic Expo held July 9 – 11, 2004 in Schroon Lake, NY. Legendary rustic artist & furniture maker Barry Gregson and his wife Darlene, owners of the Adirondack Rustics Gallery in Schroon Lake, the earliest gallery in the nation dedicated solely to the promotion and evolution of rustic furniture, founder and director of the Expo.

The Expo was created to serve both the artists and the public. “Our goal was to enable the finest artists to spend time together, learn from each other and help advance their art and give the public access to the artists and their work. What is special about the Expo, said Darlene Gregson, “is its intimacy. The public has the opportunity to talk with the artists, ask questions, see demonstrations and purchase the work directly from the artist.”

Once again the line-up of artists is unsurpassed. They include Tom Benware, also known as “Grizz, the “Adirondack Woodwright, Wayne Ignatuk, Barry Gregson, Steve Chisholm, Jerry & Jessica Farrell, Robby Porter, Russ Gleaves & Bill Coffey, the paintings of Gary Cassagrain, Paintings by Rhea, the delicate bird sculptures of Carol and Frank Ruiz, fish sculptures of Bob “Fish Bob” Francis, Jean Armstrong, and the extraordinary “second generation” work of Skye, Dylan and Matthew Gregson, Peter Winter, Brant Davis, Eric Gulbrandsen, Chuck Phinney , Stan Steeves are all regional artists, also Brad Greenwood, and John Gallis, both multiple winners at the Western Design Conference. All of which have received a staggering amount of media attention.

To make the Expo even more fun this year, a Barkeater’s Ball and a Patron’s Breakfast with the Artists has been added. The purpose of the Ball is to create an informal fun evening so that artists and patrons can relax and get to know each other. However, the most exciting addition to the Expo is the opening night Preview Party, which is being organized as a benefit for the new Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks. The event will include the auction of many fine examples of the artists work. A donation of $35 has been added, along with higher benefit levels, all of which will be contributed to the Museum.

“We and the artists really want to give our support to the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks,” to be located in Tupper Lake, said Ms. Gregson, “Nature is the inspiration and source material for our artists and the museum is already presenting wonderful educational programs that serve children through out the Adirondacks.”

The 4th Annual Adirondack Rustic Expo will be held on July 9-11, at the Adirondack Rustics Gallery, on Route 9, approximately 1 mile south of the Schroon Lake village center. The Expo will feature nearly two-dozen of America’s finest rustic artists, and daily demonstrations, a $3.00 fee per person for daily admission. For more information, including purchasing Patron Passes, for the Barkeater’s Ball, Patron’s Breakfast, Preview Party, artist profiles, go the Expo Web Site www.adirondackrusticexpo.com or call 518-532-0020.


For more information, photos and Press Passes call:
Darlene Gregson 518-532-0020 Naj Wikoff 518-576-2063
June 14, 2004

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Arts, Crafts and Food Trails is now online at www.adknccrafts.com, click on Arts, Crafts and Food Trails. Visitors can actually print each of the online 10 trails which feature 43 studios and shops promoting regionally made product.

Korths needs photos from Forest Hollow and Creek Gifts and Antiques for the Southwestern Adirondacks online Trail. 28,000 printed Trails were mailed out to 933 lodgings, chambers and participants in late May. Each site received 30 Trails. Korths has since distributed another 500 or so. 30,000 were printed so about 1,000 are left in stock.

Korths would appreciate any and all feedback on customer use of Trails. This year's full color photos of participants, product and shops on front panel is generating positive feedback from people as Korths is passing them out in person.

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How does Your Income Compare?

Inspired by the first time national survey of craftspeople in the US, the CODA 2001 survey, the Canadian Crafts Federation's recently released "Profile and Development Strategy for Craft in Canada" looked at the following: number of professional craftspeople, how they work, how and where they market their products, sales, and income levels, where they find educational and business support, and what other entities (retailers and wholesalers, material suppliers, guilds, etc.) receive economic benefit or provide support to craftspeople.

The estimated 14,048 craft studios in Canada employ 22,527 crafts professionals; 11,968 full-time and 10,629 part-time. In 2001, the crafts sector generated an estimated $727 million in gross sales, $100 million in export to the US. The crafts sector with $727 in gross sales, is in the same economic impact category as publishing and recorded music!

Full-time craft professionals averaged gross revenues of $60,000 and median revenues of $30,000. 10 % of the study respondents grossed in excess of $120,000.

Net craft income from full-time averaged $17,300 ... which comes out to less than $10 per hour. Median net income was $12,000. Top 10 % had a net income of $49,000.

73 % operate as individuals, 10 % in partnerships and 17 % have employees. 25% generate some revenue through export.

Visit Canada Crafts Federation for complete report. Excerpts from Canada's $727 Million Craft Industry is Forging a Strategy for Growth, The Crafts Report, June 2004, p. 23.

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"SBDC Plattsburgh and ANCA are sponsoring a series of "Build Your Website in a Day" workshops to be held in Plattsburgh, Elizabethtown, Malone and Pisceo from late October - January (yes, we won't do any from Thanksgiving to Christmas).

Participants bring copy and photos on disk to workshop and place them in a 2 page template in the morning. In the afternoon we critique each other's websites and do some editing.

You also receive a booklet reviewing workshop work with suggestions of some regional website hosts and ftp (software to upload your own files). We are trying to keep workshop fees at $35/individual and $55/partners. Nadia Korths, Craft Programs Coordinator/ANCA will be copresenter. A different craftsperson with experience selling online will be copresenter at each location. If you're interested reply to this email and we'll keep you posted.

North Country Small Business Development Center

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For those of you who earn income from offering workshops, at Regional Resources/Product, you'll find links to some 40 to 50 regional cultural organizations that offer workshops. Check them out, contact them.

This is another marketing opportunity for you. ANCA has simplified the search process for you by listing the links in geographical groupings.

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Are ANCA and/or Korths on your mailing list? As of June lst, mail will no longer be forwarded from our pre 911 addresses. Please change ANCA's address from 20 St. Bernard Street to 28 St. Bernard St., Saranac Lake, NY 12983, and Nadia Korths' address from 10 Park Place to 12 Prescott Place, SL ...

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Korths, for adding a traffic counter to each page of www.adknccrafts.com on June 10th, 2004. The website is averaging 13 unique visitors a day with an average of 3 pages viewed per visit. Most of the visitors are using search engines and keywords with (guess what page?) the Looking for a Gift page being the most popular page being viewed. Typically it's coming up in the first 20 rankings. So with tweaking, link exchanges, key words, and more, www.adknccrafts.com will be bringing more and more customers to your website, helping you to grow one more of your existing income streams. The regional shows listing page is also a popular page.

For those of you interested in tracking traffic at your site by pasting the code for a traffic counter on your website, the free version of Stat Counter will track and generate reports on your latest 100 visitors. Some of the reports are: visitors, keywords, paths, most popular page and about 6 others. For $9.95 a month, www.statcounter.com will track 1000 visitors.

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No health insurance? Healthy NY is a 6 month old NYS health insurance program. Korths has already heard that craftspeople have signed up for this program. Reasonable prices - varies by county - ie, Franklin County w/out drugs -$117.93 per month per individual.
NYS health insurance program

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Lori McLenithan and Bliss McIntosh, floor cloths and baskets, for exhibiting from August 24 - September 8 at in the Small Gallery (between the Valley Artisans' Market and the Hubbard Hall Offices), Cambridge.
Hubbard Hall

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Rustic Nature Buyer Days 2004 and 2003 vendor booth shots with contact info are posted at www.adknccrafts.com click on Buyer Days. So for those shopowners who couldn't make it to the show...

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Rustic Nature Buyer Days 2005 is scheduled for March 30 and 31 at the City Center in Saratoga Springs. Mark your calendars.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Great Camp Sagamore, Raquette Lake, and Traditional Arts of Upstate New York/TAUNY, Canton, for forming a partnership presenting traditional artist demonstrations during Sagamore's summer tours. Traditional artists and demonstrations will be: Bill Smith - ash tree into pack basket, Al Bratton and students build a cedar strip boat, Chris Ferris-Hubbard will cane chairs, Cecilia Mitchell will show plants that play a role in indigenous healing, Ron Riley is a wood carver, Pat Smith restores a canvas canoe, Francoise Oiumet makes a wagon wheel rug, David Woodward will demonstrate creative aspects of ironwork, Helen Condon makes wool rugs in a wide range of designs and colors, Chris Woodward will show skills needed to create a guideboat, and Annis Holmes recreates the buff mittens worn by Adirondack Loggers. Call 315.354.5311 ext. 21 or 39 for dates.
Great Camp Sagamore
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, June 16, 2004, p. 8

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Jane Desotelle, Underwood Herbs, and Adirondack Farmers Market manager, for taking the time to write the following letter to the editor, published in both the Press Republican and Adirondack Daily Enterprise.

Local farms and businesses Deserve Support

To the Editor: Pleasant days should be noted, so I would like to thank Adirondack Harvest and the Quebec government for a fun and informative day. They offered a tour of agricultural farm based businesses just north of the Canadian border to farmers, agricultural agents and community development personnel (Korths, Craft Programs Coordinator/ANCA, also went) from (Clinton, Essex and Franklin Counties) area. Our group of 32 went in a bus, but Quebec has tour maps for those driving (the Farmers Circuit) in southern Quebec.

We toured the first pick-your-own strawberry farm in Canada where they have added strawberry wine making to their operation. Wine tasting after visiting a cheese maker was good planning. Apple ice wine was being made and shipped around the world (from) an orchard. A butcher had a large choice of meat products for sale. One elderly couple who has built up their maple syrup business will be turning over its operation to their three daughters soon. These are family businesses that have grown to where they hire neighboring people and buy products from other farmers in the area.

What can we do to have such shops on this side of the border? Loan and grant programs that aren't based on the number of jobs created but take into consideration the benefits of keeping families working on the farm (as) a benefit to the area's economy. Agencies and government helping small businesses with regulations designed for large companies. Various agencies communicating and working together toward a common goal can make visiting small farmers and craft shops(/studios) a wonderful experience for us and for visiting tourists. Roadside shops and local farmers' markets are a favorite stop for tourists who want to meet interesting local people.

Most important is the support given by the community who shop in locally owned neighborhood businesses. We need to take pride in products made in the area by buying those products.

Korths has posted the Farmer's Circuit at Adknccrafts.com click on Tour Open Studios page.

Jane Desotelle, Underwood Herbs, 518.425.3306.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Sue Ellen Herne, Program Coordinator at Akwesasne Museum, for being quoted in the Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, NY, earlier this year. The article featured Michael Galban and Tonia Loran-Galban, two Native Americans (Micheal is Washoe/Paiute from Ontario, CA and Tonia is Mohawk from Akswesasne) who are building their Wa-Nu-Ken Traditional Arts business, working to perfect centuries-old techniques such as quill work, moose hair embroidery and ash splint basketry.

"Developing a steady customer base for Native art is difficult, said Sue Ellen Herne. "It's a very difficult market to tap into," Herne said. "The market is less appealing because people don't understand it. Around this area, people come looking for souvenirs. They don't understand higher-end stuff." ...

Most of Wa-Nu-Ken's customers are not native, Galban said. They tend to be people interested in art who want art that is affordable and authentic. Tonia's black ash baskets sell for $20 to $500 with the small $20 berry picker basket being the most popular. ...

It takes 40 to 40 hours plus preparation time to make the mallard duck bag, which sells for $2,200. A similiar deer hoof bag with quillwork is $800. Wa-Nu-Ken recently snared a major account - making Native headdress, moccasins and quillwork for an upcoming PBS four-part documentary, The War That Made America.
Wa-Nu-Ken
Akwesasne Museum

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Looking for Inspiration?

Recently, Korths, through Interlibrary loan, enjoyed the video, Dale Chichuly and the Masters of Venice. Korths learned that Chichuly has not blown glass himself since the late 70s! He designs the creations, usually in his Seattle factory where many glassworkers, do the work. Chichuly is good at creating collaborations. On this video, he designed pieces which were created by some of the best glassmakers in Venice. To watch one of the best glassblowers and one of the best glass sculptors create pieces apart and together was just amazing.

There are many videos available through interlibrary loan, of craftspeople creating in their studios. Do some keyword searches by media and see what comes up. Use your library.

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Looking for new markets in St. Lawrence River region?

Silver Bench, handmade sterling silver jewelry, told Korths last November that the Canton and Watertown Farmer Markets were good for her.
Silver Bench Jewelry

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Looking for new markets outside of the region?

Lynn Taylor, fiber silk painting, recommended to Nadia last summer the following: (with booth fees of $500 or more) the Crafts at Rhinebeck, Jazz @ SPAC, New Paltz Art & Craft Fair, Adirondack Show at SPAC, Morristown Craft Market, ArtRider in Morristown, and (with booth fees of less than $500) Chaffee Art in the Park (Aug. and Oct.), Rutland, VT; Festival of the Arts, Chatham, MA; Unison Holiday Arts Fair, New Paltz.
518.425.6805

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www.adknccrafts.com is your 24/7 regional craft and retail business resource center with;
- links to the region's small business development centers where you can get free start up, in process of expanding, product development and other business services - regional resources page.
- for those artisans who offer workshops to generate income, links to many of the region's workshop providers - regional resources page.
- links to many national sites with how to do business info (retailers, there's some good ones here for you) - resources page.
- links to regionally made product and/or regional shops to sell in - Looking for a Gift page
- links to many national product for sale sites - resources page
- provides contact info on some 25 regional shows which are, for the most part, vendor recommended - show listings page.
- info and applications on craft marketing programs offered by ANCA and links to partner marketing programs.
and new pages soon to appear are:
- listing of resource books

====================

Info and applications for the following marketing programs are at www.adknccrafts.com.

Craft marketing programs sponsored by the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) are:

- Rustic Nature Buyer Days, the only rustic nature trade show on the East Coast,
- How to Establish and Maintain Wholesale Accounts and Product Review 4 hour workshop, held 2 to 4 times in the fall and mid winter,
- Group Booth at Western New York Gift Show in mid February, best for country style product which retails for $10 or less,
- Self Guided Driving Trails of the Region's Arts, Crafts and Foods, with 30,000 distributed to 900+ lodgings and chambers
- Crafts trade newsletter for and about the artisans and retailers of the region, emailed to some 600 every 6 weeks or so. Archived at www.adknccrafts.com click on Stories About You
- www.adknccrafts.com: resources and product for the region's artisans and retailers; links and/or info about regional show listings, regional support organizations with galleries and workshop facilities; marketing tools and advice from across the nation; and links to many producers and retailers of the region.
-And last but not least, info about and applications for ANCA's craft marketing programs,
- Links to partners Adirondack Craft Center and www.adirondackwood.com.

Other programs and partnerships are always being explored.
Inquiries about sponsorships of these programs are welcome.
Contact Nadia Korths, Craft Programs Coordinator/ANCA, email or 518.891.1632.

====================

ANCA offers other regional economic development program specialists:

-Wood Products Industry Specialist Carl Golas, 315.376.7695. www.adirondackwood.com
-Grazing Technician Martha Pickard, 518.891.6200. Martha Pickard
-Scenic Byways Coordinator Sharon O'Brien, 518.891.6200. Sharon Obrien
-Community Development Specialist Jim Ellis, 518.359.2580. Jim Ellis
-Executive Director Terry Martino, 518.891.6200. ANCA
Visit ANCA to find out more about the programs these specialists are providing.

More economic development programs ANCA is working in partnership with are:
www.bikeadirondacks.org
www.adirondackcraft.com
www.adirondackwood.com

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The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) is a not-for-profit private corporation that strengthens the economy and quality of life in the 14 counties of Northern New York through informed, open debate and advocacy on economic issues critical to the region; and through region-wide action on projects in agriculture, business and community development, forestry, human services, the arts and tourism.

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This newsletter is being received by 524 producers, retailers and support organizations.

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Regional crafts newsletter issues are archived at adknccrafts.com click on Stories about You
Korths look forward to receiving your news: publicity, awards, expansions, changes, and more.
Questions and industry leads are welcome. Materials may be reproduced without permission, as long as credit is given. The views reflected in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the staff or board members of ANCA.
This newsletter is sent to subscribers only; subscribers' emails are not shared with any other organization or individual.
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to friends.
If you wish to stop receiving this newsletter, hit reply and write "unsubscribe" in subject. Email

Email inquiries and comments to:
Nadia Korths
Craft Programs Coordinator, ANCA
ph/fax:518.891.1632
12 Prescott Place, Saranac Lake NY 12983

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Sponsored by Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA)
28 St. Bernard St., Saranac Lake, NY 12983.
anca@northnet.org 518.891.6200/f518.891.6203
Craft Programs Since 1985

Updated 7.2.04.