Nadia Korths, Craft Marketing Programs Coordinator/ANCA, Adirondack North Country Crafts, publishes in this bimonthly email newsletter news for and about the region's crafts community of artisan and retail businesses.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Featured retailer is White Pine Fleece at Adirondack North Country Crafts. Amy has designed and made fashionable fleece clothing lines over the past ten years and has had an established retail storefront in downtown Saranac Lake for the last five years.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Featured artisan is Adirondack Basketry at Adirondack North Country Crafts. Linda Allen's miniature wax linen baskets, packbaskets and assorted other styles reflect her more than twenty years of designing and making baskets.
Direct Marketing Conference in Burlington
On January 21, 2005, Gardener's Supply Company (America's Gardening Resource) will provide an insider's glimpse of how they have managed to keep themselves at the forefront of the crowded gift and live-goods business. In 21 short years, America's Gardening Resource has grown into one of this region's compelling success stories, and is willing to present you the keys to your own 'continuing improvement'. $60 nonmembers. Direct Marketing VT/NH
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Adirondack Trading Company for expanding. They've opened up a new storefront at 56 Park Street in Tupper Lake and are opening their seasonal shop at Champlain Centre North, Plattsburgh. They already own 103 Main St., Lake Placid and 48 Broadway, Saranac Lake. Dec. 04, Adirondack Daily Enterprise.
(email received on Nov. 6, 2004)
(Harry has found a home for these printers) Dear Friends,
If you may be interested in a FREE Epson 1280 inkjet printer (or two), read on. . . Both printers are modified Epson 1280s with CIS (Continuous Inking Systems) and were used by me for making the fine arts photographic prints that you may have seen on exhibit. Printer #1 uses archival color Generations Inks with Niagara CIS, and Printer #2 uses archival B&W Piezography Inks with NoMoreCarts’s CIS. These add-on systems are now going for about $260. Each printer needs new CIS cartridges (they should be replaced yearly), about $100 per printer. The color and black and white ink bottles are still almost full. Each has a custom-made cover. They are each about two years old, and there is no warranty coverage (read CAVEAT). Each was rebuilt by Connecticut Computer and Video last year. For more information, check these web sites:http://www.inkjetmall.com/store/ci/cis3.html, http://home.att.net/~arwomack01/#bulkinks And, of course, http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=28907797. If you need to know too much more, this deal is not for you! CAVEAT: Although these printers are free, do not even think about asking me for them unless you have a good understanding of how to run them or you are willing to undergo a long learning process. The CIS adaptations are prone to various problems, and require a unique cleaning technique at frequent intervals. ..
Harry Wirtz, Words & Pictures, 192 Fox Hill Road, Edinburg, NY 12134-6106. 518-863-8636, harryw@capital.net.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
The new shop Stephanie's Little Luxuries owned by Stephanie Richards. Just opened in Ausable Forks. Stephanie's talent of glass painting will be featured in her Adirondack line of dishes, wineglasses, candlesticks, etc. Custom orders welcome. Other products will be brought in from local artisans, such as jewelry, candles, maple syrup and jam. Stephanie will still be attending craft shows to sell her lines. 12.04.04, Free Trader Today.
(email received Dec. 9, 2004)
The Scott B. Adams Acoustic Ensemble at 7th Annual DECEMBER EVENING CONCERT
Please consider joining us Saturday December 18, 2004 7:30 pm, Lodi Historical Society Building Rte 414, Lodi, NY (Finger Lakes). The Scott B. Adams Acoustic Ensemble;
Scott B. Adams – Acoustic Guitars, Banjo; Eric Aceto – Violin, Mandolin; Doug Robinson – Acoustic Bass; Ray Zajac, Jr. - Drums.
Join Scott and company as they return to a favorite concert setting for their annual musical celebration of the Winter Solstice, Christmas and the holiday season. The group will feature many Christmas favorites from a variety of Scott's cd's as well as the usual variety of instrumental and vocal music inspired by the Adirondacks, Nature and New York State. ... For more information ... orchardbeat.com
(email received Dec. 1, 2004)
Starting today, Adirondack Lights' Eggnog votives, tealights, and waxy melts are available at Scott's Hallmark in Empire State Plaza! As we will not be doing craft shows this year, we are thrilled to offer eggnog candles at this great retailer. Stop in soon!
LARAC HOLIDAY GIFT SHOP, 7 Lapham Place, Glens Falls, 12801. 518-798-1144, ext. 6, Fax: 518-798-9122, LARAC.org.
Nov. 20-Dec. 23, Mon.-Sat., 10 am-5 pm. Jan. 3-5 10 am-3 pm. Special Gifts for the Special People in your life!
Wide range of gift items in all price ranges. Books, Christmas Items, Fabric Art, Clothing, Food, Fountains, Glass, Jewelry, Music, Photographs, Pottery, Sculpture, Specialty Gifts, Paintings, Hooked Rugs, Gift Certificates for classes and concerts, Items from local not-for-profit organizations, and more . . . (Over 50 artists, artisans, musician, and organizations represented). LARAC email newsletter Nov.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
The new Third Thursday Glens Falls Art Walk
9 sites exhibiting work of area artists (Maps available at LARAC) Dec. 16, 5-7 pm. ... Glens Falls Art Walk: Third Thursday is calling for entries. Submit slides or CD with 8-12 images, bio, business card, & promotional material if possible. Work to be shown in downtown Glens Falls venues, must be hung the 3rd Mon. of each month with openings on the 3rd Thurs.The artist needs to be present & provide refreshments. Mail & (SASE if you want materials returned) to Signature Studios, c/o Third Thursday, Attn: Liz Wilcox or Deb Bryk, 18 Warren St., Glens Falls, NY 12801. Infor. Lizwphotography@yahoo.com or debbphotography@yahoo.com Deadline: 1st of each month. LARAC email newsletter Dec.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
HGTV for launching a new show this fall, Crafters Coast to Coast, to raise the profile of the art of crafting. Don Meyer, Craft & Hobby Association, says "The emphasis in American society on the accumulation of material goods in the last few years has given way to an emphasis on the accumulation of experiences." 12.03.04, USA Weekend.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Carol Sauvion, owner of the Los Angeles craft gallery Freehand, for producing a three hour long program about crafts with PBS with a March 2005 deadline to raise $1,600,000 in matching challenge grants. "I felt there is a whole culture that exists, that is often under the radar, not part of the popular culture" - a story, she decided, that could reach a wide audience most effectively through TV. "(The three hourlong episodes are) a cross section, ... of the men, women, places and culture that make up craft in this country. Dec. 2004/Jan. 2005, American Craft, p.10.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Silver Bench Jewelry, for having been chosen to be November's feature site at the Made in Lewis County Web Site. "(Silver Bench Jewelry) certainly has a positive contribution on the economy of Lewis County and is most appreciated. May your customers/clients and sales increase (with this promotional link).
CONGRATULATIONS TO
AdirondackCraft.com for having 82,000 visitors in the last twelve months, representing 67 producers, 355 products, and 897 product variations and making an average of $2,230 in sales per month. Sale totals are increasing each year with people from 44 states ordering an average of $90 per order. This site offers the most attractive regional online display of products, descriptions of the producers and their work and processes online retail credit card sales. www.AdirondackCraft.com. 10.26.04, AdirondackCraft.com Annual Report. AdirondackCraft.com was also the only e-commerce site featured in annual regional feature of the Mid-Atlantic in August's issue of the nationally distributed Crafts Report.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Elizabeth Kubie, who manages the Crafts America shows. Cornelia Seckel, publisher of Art Times, A Literary Journal and Resource for All the Arts (in the Hudson Valley and NYC) says that the 11th Annual Westchester Craft Show was "one of the most spectular shows I've seen." With 115 craftspeople from across the country, Cornelia "had a feeling that I had just visited a fine Craft Museum." Elizabeth also manages the Washington Craft Show and the West Palm Beach Craft Show (2005 second year). Crafts America shows and Art Times
Holiday Open House
Beekman Street Artisans, 70C Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs. Designer Showcase Thursday through Sunday from November 26 to December 31, 12 noon to 5pm. Wood, glass, pottery, paintings, leather, fiber and wearable art.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Korths recently visited the Sarotoga Springs Beekman Street Artisans block of shops featuring artists and craftspeople from the region and around the world during the November First Thursday Gallery Walks. This community of collaborating artists is now a destination to the southwest of Saratoga's main street in a just being discovered working class neighborhood. Korths and friend were treated to an improvised operatic performance by the owner of the Asian gallery singing with a walkin.
One, if not more, of your questions will be answered when you explore the links at National Resources where Korths reviews and links only the most up to date, active and straight forward sources of information. Links are listed in the following sections ; | Got a Question | Education | Teaching the Business of Crafts | Industry Specific | Retailer | Website Development | Trade Shows and Craft Fairs | Product for Retailers. A new link, the Ohio Arts and Crafts Guild Link, at the bottom of the Got a Question section, has even more sections, ie., shipping, packing, supplies, etc.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Margaux Lange, Glens Falls, for being a featured artist in the Portfolio section of the national distributed magazine American Craft. Her sterling silver, plastic and epoxy resin bracelet and brooch celebrate the Barbie Doll. "Barbie has become the accessory instead of being accessorized." American Craft; Oct/Nov., 2004; p. 74.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
The Rosen Group, The Crafts Report and Country Business for providing professional national forums for the retailer and crafts community and to the many who freely share their experiences and thoughts on these forums. americancraftforum.com, craftsreport.com and country-business.com. These forums are also linked to at Resources.
ANCA Reviews Web Designers Used by Regional Artisan/Retailer Websites
Korths reviewed the 189 websites at Looking for a Gift at Adirondack North Country Crafts in Sept/Oct., 2004. 47 did not indicate who designed their site, 12 were documented as self designed, and 30 had links to the designer websites and 6 sites were hosted without their own domain names. (yes, the numbers do not add up to 189 - survey was very rough and quick). Some design companies provided hosting and shopping cart services as well. At least two sites were attributed to each of the following web designers;
Suloffdesigns.com Suloff Designs created Mountain Powder and Gifts and Major Pieces. Host, e-commerce, design. In biz since 1999.
Larac.org LARAC - arts council creates pages for members since 2003, created pages for Thomas Mowatt and Running Ridge Studio
Rainbow-Graphics.com - created 6 sites; Casier’s, etc.
Made in Lewis County. - IDA creates pages for businesses of Lewis County, ie., Gallery 812,
Chester Creek Web Graphics created Lean-2 and Harness Artisans Shop
Mannix Marketing - 2 designed, 2 search engine optimization, 1 hosted
Mediausa.com - created Hoss’s and The Secret Garden, including e-commerce
Riversidemediagroup.com - created Handweaving Museum, Silver Shoppe, River Rat Cheese
Cybertrail.net - created TAUNY and Akwesasne Museum
Internetintentions.com - created Rustic Homestead and Ralph Kyloe
youngswebdesign.com - created Near North, Wayne Ignatiuk,
Grayhayesmedia.com - created Lance Gregson, Krig Moss Gregson, Rustic Gallery, Rustic Expo
Spa.net provided Camp Sagamore with shopping cart, also hosts
Empirewebpages.com - created Adirondack Country Store and Kateristore. Also provides hosting, search optimization, etc. In biz since 1995.
ANCA Reviews Shopping Carts Used by Regional Artisan/Retailer Websites
Korths reviewed the 189 artisan and retail sites at Looking for a Gift at www.adknccrafts.com to find 37 with shopping carts. In addition some had printable order forms and/or product descriptions with pricing. Most sites used webbased shopping cart companies such as paypal.com, securepay.com, and others. One company used a software package to set up their own. Others used the shopping carts offered by their web design/host companies. Baltic Breeze has a password accessed shopping cart set up for wholesale.
Korths also recently received email newsletter announcing revamped website with new shopping cart from Norman Bacon, sweetheartgallery.com, Woodstock, noticed that he was using .coolcart.com and asked him why. "Coolcart just seemed easier and reasonably priced." Norm replied. Korths then did some google searching and found merchants-only.com. MerchantSeek is an independently owned company that offers free search service to find e-commerce merchant service providers. www.Coolcart.com is listed under the category Hosted Shopping Carts with another 30 reviewed and linked. MerchantSeek also provides straightforward information on what to ask for and expect as services.
How were the crafts shows for you this year?
The impression from verbal communications is that craft shows were generally flat in sales income and that retailer sales were also generally flat. Reflecting this pattern is that sales tax income for Essex County increased by only a minor percentage from last year and that the Adirondack Museum recently stated that their attendance numbers increased by 2.37 % from last year, the first time it's increased since 2000 (Adirondack Daily Enterprise, 12.10.04). So for those of you with record sales this year, congratulations! Whatever you are doing marketing wise, keep it up.
(an email from Sept. 23 and Oct. 12, 2004 from a vendor who travels the show circuit every year and has for many years)
"Just did the Saratoga Car & Craft Festival last weekend. Of course, it rained for half the show -- Hurricane Ivan. Good sales Sat afternoon, good weather and good crowds Sunday... but they weren't buying. Dismal Sunday, dismal show... down over 50% from last year. My neighbors reported similar poor results... people just aren't buying. This show had been showing steady improvement since 9/11(It was my best show pre-9/11), so I don't know what to think. One clue -- "it's the economy, stupid" ... or at least the Upstate NY economy. My galleries, with one exception, were all down this summer, too -- in all categories, they tell me. One thing I'm hearing from other artists, and that I have seen also, the past two years -- average daily sales seem to be the same, no matter what the show or its fee. This means a $500 show is showing the same sales results as a $200 show... or even sometimes a $50 show. That means I'm dropping the expensive shows from my schedule... can't afford them and they don't produce, at least around here.I'm just getting into the meat of my fall schedule now, so I'll let you know. Lots of small local school shows (cheap)... I've heard some artists say that either very low-end (cost) or very high-end things are what's selling... the middle has dropped out. I am definitely middle... would be interesting to know price points from people."
CONGRATULATIONS TO
The 204 artisan and retailer businesses of the region with websites now linked at Looking for a Gift at www.adknccrafts.com. The quantity and quality reflected in these numbers is impressive considering the low population numbers of this rural, mountainous region. Looking for a Gift continues to be the most visited page at Adirondack North Country Crafts. With the goal of increasing website sales for this region's artisans and retailers, ANCA welcomes suggestions of how to increase traffic to this page and other pages at Adirondack North Country Crafts. Contact Nadia Korths, Craft Marketing Programs Coordinator/ANCA, korths@northnet.org or 518.891.1632.
Looking for sales tax info by county and/or by industry? NYS has sales statistics up to 2001 posted at NYS click on "sales tax".
The St. Lawrence Arts Council now has an office at the Frederic Remington Museum in Odgensburg. Their phone number is 315.393.7062 and mailing address is POB 389, Potsdam NY 13676. Their email info@artscouncil1.org and website The St. Lawrence Arts Council are the same with Hilary Oaks continuing as President. Shirley Meunier has recently started helping the owners of Creative Spirits/The Tile Company with the running of the Creative Spirit Art Center, a shop which represents many regional artisans.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
(email from Leigh 0'Donnell, Adirondack Soapworks, who had a very good first year as a vendor at Buyer Days 2004)
Nadia,
I find your newsletters very informative, thank you! I wanted to write because I just printed out the application for the 2005 buyer days. I have just started up a website at Adirondack Soapworks.
I have made many improvements to my display and my products and am looking forward the next year's show.
Regards, Leigh O'Donnell
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Maurice Savoie, 28th recipient of Saidye Bronfman Award, Gatineau, Quebec, October 15, 2004
Maurice Savoie of Longueuil, Quebec, one of Canada's most highly respected ceramic artists, has been named the 28th recipient of the $25,000 Saidye Bronfman Award. The announcement was made yesterday by Stephen R. Bronfman, on behalf of the Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family Foundation, at a gala award ceremony at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. The Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family Foundation, the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Canada Council for the Arts are partners in the Award. An exhibit of his works at the Canadian Museum of Civilization runs through Sept., 2005. American Craft, Dec.04/Jan.05, p. 12. Canadian Museum of Civilization
Call for Slides 2006
Are your creations edgy - pushing the envelope? Lake George Arts Project's Courthouse Gallery presents 5 to 7 exhibitions yearly of regional and national contemporary visual artists in all media. Postmark deadline for submission of slides and support material is January 31, 2005. For more info, 518.668.2616, mail@lakegeorgearts.org, Lake George Arts.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
The Fey Brothers from Lowville for securing a collegiate license to use the SU symbol on their red oak stools. This means that the stools, which have been used exclusively in Syracuse University locker rooms since the mid 70's, may soon grace college locker rooms and gift shops across the state and nation. The stools may be ordered online at adirondackcraft.com or at Syracuse University. Carl Golas, ANCA's wood products specialist, the Lewis County IDA, and the Jefferson-Lewis Workforce Investment Board helped the Fey Brothers through the process.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Canadian Artists between Ottawa and Montreal just on the other side of the St. Lawrence River for organizing the many fall studio tours in that region and promoting them on this side of the river. Korths and friend enjoyed the 1000 Islands Autumn Leaves Studio Tour 2004, ronsimpkins.com was among the 15 visited. The participating artists created about 90 signs to make it as easy as possible for folks to find them (and it worked). They also, after each site description in their printed brochure, indicated the distance to the next site. Very handy. As Korths collected materials at the Canadian Visitors Welcome Center at the Thousand Islands Bridge Border Crossing, she found printed materials promoting some seven studio tours all on the same weekend with about an hour's drive between them. It was their Thanksgiving Weekend, Oct. 9-11. If Korths had realized beforehand that there were this many studio tours going on in region , she would have started on Friday to do one tour, Saturday done another, and so on. Well, maybe next year.
Another tour, across the border north of Vermont, is the "Circuit of 20", a studio art tour through some of Quebec's most scenic landscapes. Visit Circuit of 20 to get a taste of the tour and information on where to pick up a brochure. Their next one is in July for ten consecutive days. These folks recieved a two page write up in the Sept. 15 issue of Lake Champlain Weekly.
(email of 12.09.04)
Dear friends of La Face Cachée de la Pomme, ... our ice cider FRIMAS – winter harvest 2003 - is finally ready! A great vintage; Frimas is ethereal! The Apple at its appex! This year, we have been able to produce 6 133 bottles, all numbered. As last year, La Face Cachée de la Pomme offers you FRIMAS 2003 at a launching price - 40,00$* CA (tx. inc.) instead of 45,00$/bottle - this, until Christmas only. *This offer is strictly valid for those who come directly to the cidery. You have until Christmas Eve to benefit from this price. Our boutique will be open every day, from 10 am to 5 pm until December 24 inclusively. For those who can’t make it, we can ship in Quebec and Canada only at a regular price for Frimas + shipping cost. Your order can be made for Frimas and/or our ice cider Neige for a minimum of 6 bottles. Also, we are at the Salon des Métiers d’Arts du Québec in Montréal, until December 19th. Looking forward to see you again!
La Face Cachée de la Pomme, 617, road 202, Hemmingford (Quebec), J0L 1H0, Canada. At 45 min., South of Mtl. (Highway 15 south, exit 6). Apple Ice Wine
Craftproducers Discontinues Lake Placid August Show
Korths received 2005 Application from Craftproducers and notes that the Lake Placid August Show has been discontinued after two seasons of weak traffic numbers. With four summer shows and four fall shows already on their plate, this decision seems to be a wise one for all involved. Out of the eight shows, two will be new; Farmington Polo Grounds, Farmington, CT., and Okemo Arts and Crafts Festival, Jackson Gore Resort, Okemo Mountain, Ludlow, VT, and a third will be relocating back to Stowe (replacing Shelburne). Craftproducers
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Karen's Produce & Ice Cream for opening a second location this past summer next to the Tourist Center on Rte. 30N and Rte. 29 east of Gloversville. Their main store is located on Rte. 5S west of Amsterdam.
Warning about Bringing or Shipping Bark-on Furnishings Across the Border
(Sept. 23, 2004 email from Lorrie Zuzek, Rustic Interiors, Kimberly, Ontario, Rustic Interiors. Lorrie and Bob were pleased with Buyer Days vendors that they met at the 2004 show, which was the first time they attended. Korths thanks Zuzek for taking the time to write about her very frustrating experience (bringing bark-on furnishings across the border). As the Canadian dollar regains, craftspeople and retailers both can be exploring developing accounts in Canada's huge population base just to the north of us.)
Hi Nadia --
Bob & I attended the Adirondacks Furniture Fair at the Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. We purchased 5 pieces from a couple of vendors/craftspeople. Had a great time and sublime weather. Extended our stay in the area a few days and went on to Lake Placid area. Visited George Jaques for one morning and saw lots of his great new items. All in all, a wonderful Adirondacks visit. That is, until we reached the Canadian border @ Ogdensburg/Prescott bridge. ... I'm writing because you should know what we went through and may want to warn your newsletter recipients of this risk when either attempting to bring or ship bark-on furnishings across the border. I would say the risk should be minimal, particularly if a regular shipper/courier is transporting and if stuff is wrapped and proper usual documentation in order, so I don't want to send up blaring alarms or anything. Also, it seems to entirely depend on the customs official who is manning the green light switch. But here's what happened to us: (Korths summarizes their 6 day bureaucratic experience as frustrating, exhausting and time consuming to say the least). I would encourage anyone you know who may run this risk to either 1. obtain a PHYTO Sanitary certificate from a U.S. Food & Drug Inspector, or 2. make sure all is wrapped well & shipped via an independant carrier with clearing done by a regular customs broker and all documents in order and NOTHING mentioning the existence of bark, or 3. contact us (Bob & Lorrie Zuzek 519 599-5405) and we'll give you the name & ph# of this rare commodity in the maize of government bureaucracy, the man who finally released our goods. ...
Bob and Ann Sweeney, owners of Lake Shore Candy and Flowers, Rte. 9 South in Plattsburgh, for being featured in the article about family run businesses in the June 2004 issue of the magazine Small Business Monthly. Since buying the shop in February, 2003 from Herman Van Houten, owner of Candy Man Adirondack Chocolates, whose recipes they continue to use, they have increased the candy choices and varieties and refined their gourmet chocolate baskets. They also teamed up with Bruce Suprenant, owner of Surprenant's Berry Farms in Mooers, to debut "Suprefills," chocolates filled with a different assortment of jellies and jams. Their flowers can purchased at CVPH and at the newly renovated Maggie's Pharmacy Marketplace in Dannemora, and their chocolates are for sale at the four WiseBuys department stores in the area. Their three children have added to the business, from marketing to soapmaking.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Jane Desotelle, owner of Underwood Herbs, and executive director of Adirondack Farmers' Markets Cooperative, and Majorie Swift, owner of Bug Bonnets, for providing the text and photos for the article titled Come by Plane - Come by Train - Come by Boat To the Best in Adirondack Food and Wine. Great descriptions of the food and atmosphere of the farmers' markets in northeast upstate NY. Adirondacks The Guidebook, Summer 2004, printed by the Press Republican.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Jonathan Kandell, writer, with photographer Erica Freudenstein, of the article "Adirondacks Style" in the October 2004 issue of the nationally distributed Smithsonian Magazine. Quotes from some of the region's artisans and retailers; Charles Jessie, antler art artisan (great photo, Chuck), Saranac Lake; Nellie Staves, trapper/fungus artist, Tupper Lake; Jon Prime, owner of Adirondack Store, Lake Placid; Jay Dawson, driftwood furniture maker, Lake Clear; Bruce Gundersen, dioramas of Adirondack scenes, Keene; Atea Ring, gallery owner, Westport; and Paul Matthews, painter of skies. Incredible publicity for craftspeople of the region. Article at "Adirondacks Style" (photos not included).
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Hubbard Hall Projects (HHP) and the Cambridge Valley Community Development and Preservation Partnership (CP) in Washington County, for becoming owners of 2.2 acres and five buildings north of and adjacent to Hubbard Hall. Hubbard Hall plans to make the Beacon Feed building a temporary dance studio, rent the Lovejoy Barn to the Agricultural Stewardship Association and plans to convert the Freight Depot into a gallery and small performance space are being developed. HHP is listing 13-15 Main St. (donated to HHP two years ago) and CP is listing 1 East Main St. and the Blacksmith shop on Washington St. with Country Properties for sale to private individuals interested in joining their Freight Yard Project. Hubbard Hall. Hubbard Hall Projects bimonthly newsletter.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Pine Point, formerly called Cricket on the Common, from moving to Forestport to 2963, Main St., Old Forge. 315.369.6617. Early 2004, possibly from The County Register.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
The Friends of Arto Monaco, illustrator, toymaker, creator of the Land of Makebelieve theme park, animal lover and longtime Upper Jay resident who died last year at the age of 90, for creating The Arto Monaco Memorial Fund as a special Donor Advised Fund with The Adirondack Community Trust (ACT) and establishing a website (ArtoMonaco.org) where visitors can find articles about the artist and follow plans to preserve his legacy. ACT's website; The Adirondack Community Trust (ACT). ACT newsletter.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Videos for Change Productions for launching two new DVDs; "How to Make an Adirondack Packbasket" featuring Jack Leadley outlining the steps from acquiring choice materials, to traditional weaving techniques unique to constructing an Adirondack packbasket , once a vital tool for living in the forest and "Inside the Blue Line" chronicling the life of Jack Leadley, an Adirondack woodsman living closely with the land, with his stories. Both of films have aired on PBS-TV throughout the Northeast. The Adirondack Museum Store in Lake Placid hosted the filmmaker on Nov. 27. Weekender, Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Nov. 19-25.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Abanakee Studios and Rookery Gallery, Indian Lake, for its fifth season of workshops and giftshop with blend of antiques, Adirondack gift items and regional artwork. 518.648.5013. June/July 2004, In the Sun, The Recorder Hamilton County News.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
The 23 small businesses who attended the free 5 hour How to Sell Product on eBay workshop sponsored by the St. Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Adirondack Trading Cooperative, and the Adirondack North Country Association. This was the presenter, Janelle Elms', second series of workshops in this area helping small businesses learn how to sell product on eBay. She is a lead instructor with eBay University and creator and teacher of the highly successful eBay 101 & 102 classes taught nationwide. A Silver PowerSeller on eBay, Janelle specializes in teaching individuals and companies how to build successful eBay businesses and maximize their profits. Janelle has trained over 10,000 people across the United States in eBay sales, marketing, customer service and customer retention strategies. You can visit Janelle's eBay store at AuctionProfitEducationConsulting. She has two 101 & 102 eBay How-To books for sale. Janelle may be the area again in January for her third series of workshops. Try to attend.
Here are some tidbits which Korths recorded at the Saranac Lake workshop:
Use the My eBay Page as your secretary.
uship.com can save you up to 50% off your shipping costs by ridesharing your products (especially useful for big pieces).
The toolbar turns green on legit eBay site but not on fake eBay sites.
The sooner you sign up as a buyer or seller on eBay the sooner you lose your newbie icon (after 30 days it's gone).
Always check whether the site you're on is secure by verifying that the lock on the bottom right is locked and that there is an "s" after http in the address line. "s" stands for secure.
Pick the category that the sellers are receiving the highest prices for (by switching categories you can earn 20% to 30% more).
Do not use second category option - eBay charges more for this. Do not use subtitle (extra 50 cents) except to differentiate commodity.
Place right under your detailed item description, your terms of service, ie, 100% moneyback guarantee, shipping terms, gold customer service, gift wrapping, will ship to anyone, etc.
90% of buyers at eBay start by putting in a low bid and getting caught up in the "emotional tension" and paying more than what they anticipated. That is why starting with a low price is crucial to maximizing your potential sales if using eBay.
Use city and state entry info on your sell form as marketing tools. Insert terms like "free shipping" or "Adirondacks" instead.
Always do gallery photo.
Do not bold or underline.
Sign up with Paypal and then accept credit card payments. Cost to you is 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction for Mastercard and Visa.
Use your payment instructions and return policies as marketing tools. Make it easy, make it enticing for the buyer.
Review your listing before auction starts. Cannot make changes once it starts.
sign up for Seller's Tools to send out an automatic Thank you for Buying after the auction.
Use Shipping Center.
shop.usps.com - free priority boxes
800.610.8734 - free shipping labels and return labels (they do have priority strip on top).
Use feedback as advertisment, ie., thank you for buying ..
If you have more than 5 auctions going at the same time, you need to organize. For those visually oriented people, you can move product from shelf to shelf depending on where they are in the auction process.
Craigslist.com - biggest online free trader classified ads. eBay just bought part of this company.
Remember that you can sell information on eBay - no shipping - ie, email ebook.
www.ebay.com/ta">trading assistants can sell for other people.
eBaystore is free for first 30 days, then $9.95 a month, inventory lists for 30 days, eBay receives 3 cents per product listed (double check this folks).
eBay auctions can help bring business to store, ie. l bead in auction, 9 in store (need more than one of my beads, visit my store.
Use the About Me page to establish creditability and because it is the only page where you can place links (ie., to your own website) outside eBay.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Photographer Nathan Farb for having received orders for and/or sold most all of his first print of 5,500 copies of his latest book of photographs, Adirondack Wilderness, within three weeks! ADE, early Dec. Nathan Farb
CONGRATULATIONS TO
The staff of Businesses for the Northern Forest and the Northern Forest Center for being in the final editing phase of the Handmade in the Northern Forest Guidebook. Next it's to the printers. This guidebook with its wonderful collection of 330 studios, shops and other sites in NY, VT, NH and ME should be ready for distribution in May 2005. Visitors who buy these books ($16.95), starting next spring, are in for a treat. The books are anticipated to have some 400 photos of product, sites, artisans and views along the way.
Project site: handmadenorthernforest.com
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 adirondackcraft.com.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
The 25 small businesses and non profits who attended the "Build Your Website in a Day" workshops held in Pisceo - Nov. 4, Malone - Nov. 9, and in Elizabethtown - Nov. 10. The Small Business Development Center in Plattsburgh and ANCA will sponsor one more in Plattsburgh Jan. 22, 2005 from 10 am - 3 pm. Tom Amorosa, The Leather Artisan, was copresenter in Pisceo and in Malone, and Terry Young, Young's Gallery, was copresenter in Elizabethtown and will be in Plattsburgh as will be Nadia Korths, Craft Marketing Programs Coordinator/ANCA. Join us. It's great to see your business name and product descriptions on your own webpage.
For those of you who earn income from and/or are planning to add teaching workshops to your income streams, you'll find links at the Regional Resources page to some 60 to 70 cultural organizations which hold workshops for the general public. For those of you looking for more giftshops to sell in, Korths has identified the ones with giftshops that she is aware of. Some of the guilds and cooperative giftshops are also listed. Those of you who need to take a bookkeeping, website development and other small business classes will find links here as well.
Rustic Nature Buyer Days Exhibitor Application Posted
The 2005 Buyer Days application is posted at Adirondack North Country Crafts, click on Buyer Days. Mark your calendar for Buyer Days 2005 scheduled for March 30 and 31 at the City Center in Saratoga Springs. 2005 vendors, with photos, will be posted starting as of mid January in order of registration. 2004 and 2003 vendor booth photos with contact info are also posted at Adirondack North Country Crafts click on Buyer Days.
ANCA's Group Booth for the Western New York Gift Show is now booked with Orchard Beat, Fawn Ridge Pottery, Underwood Herbs, Nostalgic Impressions, Heart's Desire and Whiteface Mountain Gourmet signed up. Western New York Gift Show
ANCA's How to Establish and Maintain Wholesale Accounts Workshop scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 15, 10 to 2:30 at the Adirondack Craft Center is filling nicely. Great mix of experienced craftspeople from around the region. We can accept a few more. Adirondack North Country Crafts click workshops.
- links to more than 200 websites of regionally made product and/or regional shops to sell in - Looking for a Gift
- links to the region's small business development centers for free services: start up, in process of expanding, product development and other - regional resources.
- for those artisans who offer workshops to generate income, links to many of the region's workshop providers - regional resources.
- links to many national sites with marketing opportunities, tools, suggestions, etc. (retailers, there's some good ones here for you) - resources.
- links to online gifts for sale sites (wholesale/retail) - resources
- provides contact info on some 25 regional shows which are, for the most part, vendor recommended - show listings.
- info on and applications for craft marketing programs offered by ANCA
- links to partner marketing programs.
- 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. Archived at Adirondack North Country Crafts click on Stories About You
- Adirondack North Country Crafts: 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.
- Links to partners adirondackcraft.com and adirondackwood.com.
New or expanding programs and partnerships are always being considered. Sponsorships of these programs are welcome.
Contact Nadia Korths, Craft Marketing Programs Coordinator/ANCA, korths@northnet.org or 518.891.1632.
ANCA offers other regional economic development program specialists:
-Wood Products Industry Specialist Carl Golas, 315.376.7695. adirondackwood.com -Grazing Technician Martha Pickard, 518.891.6200. anca-pickard@northnet.org
-Scenic Byways Coordinator Sharon O'Brien, 518.891.6200. anca-obrien@northnet.org
-Community Development Specialist Jim Ellis, 518.359.2580. Jeep74@northnet.org
-Executive Director Terry Martino, 518.891.6200. anca-martino@northnet.org
Visit http://www.adirondack.org to find out more about the programs these specialists are providing.
Other craft related economic development programs ANCA is working in partnership with are adirondackcraft.com and adirondackwood.com
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.
This newsletter is being received by 645 (38 more than for the last issue) producers, retailers and support organizations.
Regional crafts newsletter issues are archived at Adirondack North Country Crafts, 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.
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korths@northnet.org