Newsletter For and About the Region's Artisan and Retail Businesses

The Creative Economy
Newsletter For and About the Region’s Artisan and Retail Businesses
March 4, 2005 - 12th issue
Your regional online crafts and retailer resource is www.adknccrafts.com

Sponsored by the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA)
Published by Nadia Korths, Craft Marketing Coordinator/ANCA

In this issue: Retailer recommended POS, Vendor recommended merchant credit card services, Regional Retailer Best Practices Workshops, Group Booth Openings, Rustic Nature Buyer Days, Shop Openings, Shop Closings, Awards, Suppliers and ...

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Featured retailer is Sutton's Market Place at www.adknccrafts.com. Sutton's Marketplace has been family owned and operated since 1976!

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Featured artisan is Lean-To Studio at www.adknccrafts.com. Their signature piece Trout Season won Best of Show at the September 2004 12th annual Western Design Conference in Cody, WY.

SAD TO HEAR

Harness Shop Artisans, Chestertown, will be closing its doors at the end of March. Kit, owner, says" I will be renting out the spaces, as I do own the building, retail first floor and one bedroom apartment on the second. It will be available May 1. The space that we have used as the office and storage on the second floor will be converted back to a one bedroom apartment. If you know of anyone interested in renting either space pass the word on.
The great weather and Presidents week are going well and hopefully by the end of March there won't be anything left in the shop but good memories. We are open all of Feb and March.
I opened in Feb of 1993 with only 18 artists. It has been a great run and the folks I have met along the way, like yourself, terrific."
Harness Shop Artisans enjoyed twelve years of representing regional artisans. On behalf of the many artisans they helped to support and grow, ANCA thanks Kit and her staff.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Michael Ringer, St. Lawrence Gallery, for going into partnership and opening up a gallery (second hand info) in St. Petersburg, FL.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Rustic Nature Buyer Days Vendors who are already registered for the trade show on March 30 and 31 at the City Center in Saratoga Springs. All registered vendors are posted at www.adknccrafts.com with contact info. The 3,000 invitational show postcards are being mailed out March 4th and direct buyers to www.adknccrafts.com to view registered vendors. Booth spaces are still available.

Fine Art Prints of Your Photographed Work reproduced by Harry Wirtz, Fine Photographer

Are you thinking about offering limited edition pigment prints (giclees) of your work? Harry Wirtz is making his inkjet printmaking available to area artists. Epson 4000 inkjet printer, Ultrachrome inks, Moab Entrada Fine Arts Natural rag paper. Price range 8x10 ($20) to 16x20 ($43). Sample pigment (giclee) prints sent to Korths were incredible.
Harry Wirtz , Words & Pictures, 192 Fox Hill Road, Edinburg, NY 12134-6106. 518-863-8636, harryw@capital.net,

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Out of state buyers who have preregistered for Rustic Nature Buyer Days on March 30 and 31 at the City Center in Saratoga Springs. Word of mouth and online searching is bringing new buyers to the show. The postcard is promoting the show as the place to find "Best sellers you won't find at the big gift shows" and also offers fifteen getaway packages to buyers via www.adknccrafts.com . The Gideon Putnam Spa Getaway package looks great; $130 per person for one night, dinner and breakfast, and an hour spa and massage. This old time classy hotel is surrounded by the woods and greens of Saratoga Park just south of the city.

International Tourism Statistics in USA

The number of international travelers visiting the United States in 2004 - about 45 million - was about the same a decade earlier, though the country's overall piece of the international tourism market has dwindled by about 5 percent over the same period, according to industry estimates. Between 2000 and 2003, the United States' worldwide share of travelers from Britain declined by 14 percent, from Germany 17 percent, from Japan 14 percent and from Brazil 28 percent, according to Travel Tourism Association of America. The Schenectady Gazette, 2.20.05.

Show Looking for Food and Wine Vendors

Vendor applications are now available for the Great New York State Food & Wine Festival scheduled for June 24 - 26, 2005 at the Recreation Park in Clayton, NY. Over 100 booths are available to vendors across New York to exhibit and sell their food and wine products. The show is produced by the Clayton Chamber of Commerce with the assistance of the Pride of New York program and the Jefferson County Agricultural Development Corporation. To learn more about the festival go to Come Farm with Us and click on the Festival link on the bottom left hand side of the web page. You can also call the Clayton Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-252-9806. This promises to be a great show!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO

The six vendors; Orchard Beat, Fawn Ridge Pottery, Underwood Herbs, Nostalgic Impressions, Heart's Desire and Whiteface Mountain Gourmet, for having a good show at the ANCA sponsored Group Booth at the Western New York Gift Show February 6 - 9. Three of the vendors Korths has caught up with made more than 8 times their expenses. Producers who let Korths know if they are interested in attending next year's show will receive first option to the six half booths available. The six vendors will also be at Rustic Nature Buyer Days. Links or contact info to all registered vendors are posted.

Korths looking for vendors for Group Booth at Al Bass Show in Oct. at Saratoga City Center

Email Korths ASAP if interested by March 10. Korths is taking over Desotelle's role (and Jane is quite pleased about that!).

New York Farm Viability Institute Announces Small Grant Awards for Specialty Crops

(Question - Does harvesting of wood for rustic furniture qualify as a speciality crop?)

Contact: David Smith, Executive Director, New York Farm Viability Institute 607-255-7286
The New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) has announced awards for its Small Grants Program to enhance specialty crop production businesses. Nineteen projects received a total of $153,890 in funds from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Improving the Competitiveness of Specialty Crop Agriculture Program through an agreement with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The Institute requires that project ideas come from farmers and that farmers are directly involved in preparing proposals, implementing approved projects and evaluating results. A panel of farmers and farmer-members of New York Farm Viability Institute board of directors evaluated proposals and made funding recommendations. The Institute's full board of agricultural production leaders and representatives made the final award decisions. “ The projects receiving awards are addressing short-term opportunities and challenges facing fruit and vegetable growers and horticultural crop producers statewide. The projects are expected to produce clear results that will benefit the producers directly involved in the project and will serve as a model to benefit similar enterprises across New York State, says Bittner, owner of Singer Farms in Appleton. For more details including contact persons for these projects, contact the New York Farm Viability Institute, 162 Morrison Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, 607-255-7286. The New York Farm Viability Institute is an independent, non-profit organization that is led by farmers and dedicated to increasing New Yorks farm profits and farmer success. To learn more about the Institute, visit The New York Farm Viability Institute.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Dear Friends,

If you'd like to see a spectacular new show on the Adirondacks, tune in next week! ATTENTION ALBANY AREA: WMHT-TV will be premiering "Adirondack Wild" at 7-8pm Sunday March 6 & 8-9pm Friday March 11. We will be posting other area's air dates as they become available or check your local PBS TV listings.

PBS SPECIAL "Adirondack Wild" features NEW MUSIC FROM The Scott B. Adams Acoustic Ensemble and the incredible videography and production work of award-winning videographer Paul Frederick. This beautiful scenic footage takes the viewer through all the seasons and features dozen of locations all over the 6 million acre Adirondack Park.

BEHIND THE SCENES: The making of the music; This Winter Scott B. Adams made the return trip to the frozen shores of Sacandaga Lake in the Adirondacks. "Lakeside Lodge" is a 100 year old cabin which is part of the original Adirondack Great Camp that for the past 50 years has been owned by Fowler Camp & Retreat Center. (Happy 50th Camp Fowler!) Scott lit a fire the fireplace and recorded music for an upcoming instrumental cd AND an upcoming vocal cd. A number of these songs are featured on the program, "Adirondack Wild". Unfortunately, the cabin wasn't insulated and the weather was merciless (29 below zero at night!)... but WHAT ATMOSPHERE! Videographer Paul Frederick (Adirondack Visions) dropped by and did some behind the scenes taping for a segment that will be featured on the "Adirondack Wild DVD"! (To be released June 1, 2005)

CONGRATULATIONS TO

The ten craft businesses who attended ANCA's How to Establish and Maintain Wholesale Accounts Workshop on Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Adirondack Craft Center in Lake Placid. Great feedback during product review for everyone from this group of experienced craftspeople from around and beyond the region. The ten were Michael Mastrella, The Rustic Reflection, from Schenectady - rustic; Ed and Terry Wyant, South Mountain Photos from North River - photos; Diane Burk, Running Ridge Studio, from Bolton Landing - fiber wallhangings; Tim and Janice Barcome, Westkill Knob Co., from Westkill with stone knobs; Carrie Sweredoski, Harmony All Natural Soaps and Oils, from Watertown, longtime maker of soaps; and Mick Jarvis, Chateaugay Weaving and Woodworking, from Chateaugay, basketmaker; Fred Beckhorn, Natural Form Furniture, from Rexville, who makes rustic furniture; Marilyn Truax, A Touch of Craft, from Massena who handpaints gourds and furniture, Jim and Marlene Kramer, Pan American Wildlife and Scenic Photography , photos and Judy Ralston, Reversible Table Runners, from Galway. Marilyn MacAbee, owner, Adirondack Craft Center , was copresenter.

Digital to Slide Services and Bag Supplier

Recommended by the folks who attended the Jan. 15 workshop were Bokland, Albany and Ray's Electric, Glens Falls for converting digital shots to slides for about $2/frame. Clear Bags was recommended as a good source for product packaging.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

January 15th workshop attendees who have already signed up for Buyer Days; Running Ridge Studio, Westkill Knob Co., and Pan American Wildlife and Scenic Photography . Korths is expecting at least two more to sign up as vendors for Rustic Nature Buyer Days held on March 30 and 31 at the City Center in Saratoga Springs.

CONGRATULATIONS TO New York Wines and Foods on Broadway!

On Feb 9-11, exhibiting producers (many from the Adk NC region and/or Rustic Nature Buyer Day Vendors) provided samples of their gourmet food products at the International Restaurant and Foodservice Show in NYC as part of New York Farm Day. They included Red Jacket Orchards, McCadam Cheese, Champlain Valley Specialty of NY, Mercer's Dairy, Swiss'er Sweet Maple, Freshlink Farms, Granola Jo and Company, Beth's Farm Kitchen, A Taste of the North Fork, Renner's Creative Cuisine, Paumanok Preserves, Dines Farms, Hudson Valley Homestead, Palatable Pepper Products, K & S Foods, Rick's Picks, and North Fork Potato Chips.
The event is a continuation of New York Farm Day, hosted the past three Septembers by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to educate Washington lawmakers about New York agriculture. The International Restaurant & Foodservice show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center includes more than 700 foodservice manufacturers and suppliers, about 20,000 attendees, seminars and competitions. "New York City has some of the world's greatest restaurants, and is still an untapped market for New York wines and foods," said Jim Trezise, President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, which organized New York Farm Day in both Washington DC and New York. "This event and our New York Wines & Dines program are intended to connect the farms with the city."
Exhibitor participation is made possible by a partnership between the New York State Restaurant Association, Reed Exhibitions and the New York Wine & Grape Foundation.
Regional agricultural groups like Pride of New York, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County, and the New York Small Scale Food Processors Association sponsored booths that allowed smaller companies the opportunity to showcase their delicious products to New York's finest restaurants.
Excerpt from email group newsletter NY Farms! Building Farmer-Consumer Connections in the Empire State 125 Williams Road, Candor, NY 13743 Phone/Fax: 607-659-3710 E-Mail nyfarms@baldcom.net and New York Farms.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

WREN, a partner economic development organization in NH supporting micro businesses (less than 25 employees!), is celebrating. "We have great news! WREN is one of eight organizations from across the country to receive a grant from the Women and Company® Microenterprise Boost Program, a division of the Citigroup Foundation and sponsored by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity. The grant will allow us to provide 5-9 equity awards in the amount of $1000 each to WREN member businesses."

LARAC Show Applications Available

LARAC Festival Application Deadline for BOTH SHOWS: Feb. 11, 2005 Guidelines, application fees, booth sizes, and application forms for both the June and November Festivals are available online at LARAC Festivals Anyone wishing a hard copy should mail a SASE to LARAC Festivals, 7 Lapham Place, Glens Falls, 12801, call 518-798-1111 ext. 10, or email pat@larac.org

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Over 100 organizations and artists listed on LARAC's Cultural Connections.

Dry Burl Slabs for Sale

Hi Nadia,

Just wanted to know if any of the ebay workshops are coming up this winter/spring?

Also I have a new email address (again) that is Bwightrustics@aol.com.

Anyone interested in purchasing some dry burl slabs I will be at the Northeastern Woodworkers Showcase in Saratoga on April 2 and 3rd. I hope you're having a good winter.

As always

Bruce Wight Truly Adirondack Crafts 882-5145

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Hi Nadia

Hope your winter is going well! Just to let you know that I am featured in the first winter issue of "Saratoga Living" magazine. It's a great eight page article written by Wendy Hobday Haugh with ten samples of my work. The high quality magazine is available in various locations in the Saratoga area.

Thanks,

lynn benevento

Full Color on Both Sides on Postcards Now Available

Dear Customer,

Modern Postcard is pleased to announce great new service enhancements:

On February 5th, we will offer Full Color on Both Sides for All Quantities and Formats! Offering full color has been a focal point of customer feedback, and now we’re proud to offer this service for all quantities. That’s right - even 500 runs will be able to upgrade to full color (4/4) on both sides. Take advantage of the power of full color, with prices right in line with your budget – 4/4 SUMOs start at $299!

In addition, we have lower prices on all 4/4 products. For our 4/1 products, we have price changes as well: while prices for lower quantity Standard cards will slightly increase, prices of our most popular formats at larger quantities will be significantly reduced.

Lastly, visit our enhanced website design February 5th and fully explore all of our products and services, with new capabilities in our Online Ordering system. It all starts February 5th! Call 800.959.8365 for details. Modern Postcard (5000 Rustic Nature Buyer Day Postcards are printed and 3000 are mailed using this company's services (the rest are mailed to the vendors to invite their own accounts). They stay on schedule, easy online final proof and payment and if you email them your mailing list (.xls) they'll do the mailing for you as well. Talk about a timesaver!).

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Argentina journalists, Andrea Mendez Brandam and Maria Teresa Morresi, for presenting a radio show for two years devoted to the new opportunities available to ethical entrepreneurs in the form of clean technologies and processes, fair trade and community based production initiatives. They are now, through their website and radio broadcasts as part of the Positive News International network, "finding many positive stories in rural areas far from Buenos Aires on which the rest of the media simply haven't focused." Positive News. Positive News US Office, 115 The Commons, Ithaca, NY 14850.

Retail Business for Sale in Inlet

Located in the middle of town, this well established retail business includes Adirondack Furnishings, Books, Decorative Accessories, Camping and Fishing Equipment and a Custom T shirt shop. Open for 6 months, there is an owner's apartment upstairs for easy living and an attached garage for storage and a workshop area. This has over 3350 sq. ft. of retail area and 1550 in living space and a great location in the middle of town across from the town parking lot. A wonderful website provides plenty of marketing throughout the year. $395,000 plus inventory. #2422 at Timm Associates. Adirondack Express, 1.25.05.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Those regional rustic/wood related businesses who are listed in the Log & Timber Style February 2005 annual Source Book in the following sections; art and antiques, furnishings, and doors. Where to Buy is the equivalent of their printed Source Book at their website Log & Timber Style. These paid listings may be a way to gain some exposure in the West as there seems to be more stories and advertisers from the west and mid-west. The same company publishes the monthly glossy magazine Mountain Living.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Korths, Craft Marketing Coordinator/ANCA, for having almost completed the Best Practices for Regional Retailers Report. This report includes four components; 1) business snapshots of 12 of the region's retailers and producer/retailers, 2) a comparison of practices of these 12 to a 2003/04 survey of more than 1,000 Canadian retailers, 3) a summary of practices by these 12 regarding signage, exterior and interior enhancements, customer services, customer types, etc., and 4) complementary best practice studies and links.
In April and May, Korths is looking forward to reviewing these reports with the region's retailers and producer/retailers in small groups of 4 or 5. Once the report has been reviewed, the participants will tour each other's shops and using the best practices report, provide feedback and ideas on how each could improve their customer sales, using existing resources whenever possible. These hands-on workshops will typically run from 10 to 4. This includes time traveled between shops and lunch (bring your own most likely).
Let Korths know of your interest, times during those two months which would not work for you and if you would require accommodations to attend the workshop. There is no fee this year to participate in these workshops. ANCA wishes to thank the USDA Rural Business Enterprise Services for providing the funding to develop this program.

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 the Resources page at your regional crafts and retailer online resource website.

POS systems for retailers recommended by American Craft forum users on 9.30.04.
Artisan POS - been using for 2 years, reports generated are customer purchases - what and when; a top 50 best customer list; top selling artist list, top category list (glass, wood, metal, fiber, etc.; compares sales from last year to this year by day, week, month; (this shop has 200 artists on floor) look up where artists are from, how much of their work has sold to date, even attach a reorder flag if wanted; customer service is top notch, deals with consignment. Trial copy at certek-software.
Quickbooks POS - love it, support contract too expensive, user friendly, generates awesome reports, interfaces with Quickbooks Pro, reasonable price, does not have a good way to deal with consignments.
Masterpiece Manager along with their website management. Relational database built on Foxpro, can build custom reports and other forms (like Certificates of Authenticity), can export to Quickbooks for ledger and to issue checks. Demo CD that is time sensitive.

Merchant Credit Card Services recommended by American Craft forum users on 10.20.2004.
Propay - very inexpensive and if you have an internet connection at show, easy to accept visa/mc, no monthly fee, $1000 limit each month, pay for higher limit, wait about 3 business days to get the funds transferred from them to your bank account.
A.C.B.S - has a good plan, touch tone dial-up, artists/craftspeople are their primary business, wireless terminal.
Teamac - set up for artists/craftspeople, really easy to work with, $7.50/month, 2.4% transaction fee, can process visa and mc.
Discoverbiz.com - no monthly minimums, no statement fee, and only a $12.50 mo. gateway fee for internet gateway processing, process all cards, not just Discover.

For Sale

Snowshoe Publishing. All designs, inventory and accounts. $34,000. Serious inquiries only. POB 185, Chazy, 12921. Come and check out Snowshoe Publishing at Rustic Nature Buyer Days on March 30 and 31 at the City Center in Saratoga Springs.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Adirondack Speciality Foods, Adirondack Out of Hand, and Mountain Gift and Powders whose product was presented to eight New York City supermarket distributors on Feb. 23. When Korths called these three producers they were able to turn right around and mail a sales kit to Michele LeDoux, Executive Director, Lewis County Cornell Cooperative Extension, who, with the Tug Hill Commission, had been able to arrange and attend this meeting on the producers behalf.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Michelle Ledoux, executive director, Lewis County, Cornell Cooperative Extension, for helping to organize and spearhead the marketing initiative to present ag products at food shows and other events over the last few years in NYC, Washington DC, and Albany. This year Michelle recruited and represented 20 different products from Lewis, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oneida, Franklin, Clinton and Essex counties at the NY International Food Show and to eight NYC supermarket distributors on Feb. 23. Senators Clinton and Meier have provided resources as has the Tug Hill Commission, Jefferson County Agricultural Development Corp., Lewis County Farm Bureau and the Adirondack North Country Association. ANCA is pleased to help support these intiatives and recognizes Ledoux's successful efforts to work on a regional basis.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Mary Ann Evans, Mare's Wares Pottery, Rte. 12, Morristown. Ten top Ikedema Japanese flower arrrangements were selected from the 100 submitted in the highly competitive Ottawa, Ontario, juried Ikedema show in late 2004. Two of the top ten arrangements used Mary Ann's compote vases as bases. 315.375.8214. mareswares@hotmail.com

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Tom and Donna Amoroso, Leather Artisan, for the article about establishing their successful business and lifestyle in one of the most rural communities in the Adirondack Park. Adirondack Explorer, March/April 2005.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

The 220+ artisan and retailer businesses of the region with websites now linked at Looking for a Gift. 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 adknccrafts.com.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

New shop opening March 20: Proverbial Women's Country Cottage, 23953 Rte. 12S (Gifford Street Road), Watertown. Owner Meredith George who specializes in handmade candles also features many handmade items by local crafters and artists, including candles, soaps, lotions, soft sculpted dolls, clay dolls, rustic and primitive decor, finished woodwork, baskets, stained glass, decoupage, table linens, quilits, knitted items, fleece items, Americana decor and speciality painted items. Free gift packaging, a gift register, a guest sign-up to receive invitations to special events, gift certificates with no expiration date, and monthly e-mail newsletters. 100% guarantee on all purchases. Watertown Times, 2.13.05.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

The Frederic Remington Museum , Ogdensburg, for opening the Eva Caten Remington Education Center, or "Kid's Place", an interactive children's center, on September 17 with more than 1,000 in attendance that day. Museum visitors in 2004 totaled 13,279, an increase from 2003. Watertown Times, 2.13.05.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Expansion of Wayseeker Studios Custom Framing and Graphic Designs into Fort Drum's arts and crafts center located at P-4325 Conway Road. This expansion allows for more artwork to be shown and advanced matting equipment for framing work. Artisans displayed at Fort Drum include John Morrow, Ron Spooner, Sylvie Kring, Richard Trick, Daniel Meyer and potter Matthew Zehr. Owners Shay and Dean Richards also display Dean's artwork. In 2004 Dean was juried into two prestigious national juried exhibitions; Art in the Animal Kingdom IX in Bennington, VT and the Kentucky National Wildlife Art Exhibition. His most exciting commission was from the 10th Mountain Division Association to create a piece of work for the soldiers returning from the war. The official unveiling of the original "The Sun Never Sets on the 10th Mountain" was held at the Commons on Fort Drum in June, with General Lloyd Austin III as master of ceremonies. Watertown Times, 2.13.05.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Expanding print sales at Whimsical Pig, family owned custom frame shop and art gallery, 139 J.B. Wise Place, Watertown. Because of its successful partnership with the PBS Art Auction in November, the shop can now offer signed and numbered prints of most of the regional, national and international artists who participated in the Art Auction for sale. They also have access to 100,000 prints at their online site. In addition the shop has, all designed and painted by the owner, home decor items including switch plate covers, mailboxes, furniture, and house and business signs. 315.782.3330. Watertown Times, 2.13.05.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Cafe Mira, Adams for celebrating its first year anniversary with an exhibit of the works of prominent local artists. Starting on February 24 the week long celebration will include a complimentary wine-tasting evening, special entrees, dining discounts and Champagne reception on Sunday. Watertown Times, 2.13.05.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Shirl Ireland and John Stacy of Lean 2 Studio, Adirondack, for winning the Best of Show award at the 12th annual Western Design Conference in Cody, WY on Sept. 23, 2005 for "Trout Season" an Adirondack chandelier. This winning entry features everything one would want to bring on a fly fishing trip. Shirl Ireland was quite surprised that she and her husband, John Stacy, had won the Best of Show Award. "It never crossed my mind that we would get that. It was the first year we ever did the show," she said. "We didn't even realize there were awards or anything like that. We won a couple of awards that we weren't really anticipating at all. It was very professional compared to a lot of the other shows that we have done. It was a wonderful show, and obviously for us, it was great." Edited excerpts from Wood Shop News, December 2004 (great down to earth practical woodworker magazine).

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Russ Cleaves and Bill Coffey, Northville for winning the Best Adirondack Furniture Award at the 12th annual Western Design Conference in Cody, WY on Sept. 23, 2005. Edited excerpt from Wood Shop News, December 2004 (great down to earth practical woodworker magazine).

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Ralph Kylloe, Ralph Kylloe Designs, Lake George for having an award named after him at the Western Design Conference in Cody, WY. The 12th annual Western Design Conference, an exhibition of furniture, fashion and decorative arts by designers of the Western genre, took place Sept. 23 - 27 in Cody, WY. The juried exhibition featured 100 items and awards were granted to 23 designers and makers who exemplified excellence in the tradition and evolution of Western design. ... The Western Design Conference has been sponsored by Western Interiors and Design Magazine for two years. Edited excerpts from Wood Shop News, December 2004 (great down to earth practical woodworker magazine).

Ralph Kylloe, Copresenter at Nov. 5, 2005 Workshop in Glens Falls

Korths wishing to thank Kylloe for the opportunity to work with him as copresenters of the "How to Establish and Maintain Wholesale Accounts" Workshop scheduled for Nov. 5. Interested in participating in this workshop? Let Korths know. This workshop has become one of the best ways in the region to fine tune your wholesale procedures and to receive product feedback from your peers.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

The new Crafts Business is published 7x a year. Six bi-monthly issues and an annual Crafts Show Resource Guide. $19.95/yr. $35/2yr.

Crafts Business is a nationally distributed magazine designed to assist professional crafts artists and retailers in the various facets of managing a crafts business, by providing business information, advice and support, in an in-depth and entertaining manner. Crafts Business also features topics of interest to the crafts community, including lifestyle issues, legislative news and profiles.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Korths, Crafts Marketing Coordinator/ANCA, for revamping the "Made in the Adirondack North Country" logo, usage guidelines and posting the updated logo and usage guidelines at Made in the Adirondack North Country. Retailers as well as producers now have guidelines for usage of logo. Note the updated logo images at the top of each page at adknccrafts.com. Korths will be ordering 5,000 1 inch by 1 inch color adhesive logo labels to have ready for Buyer Days, price reasonable but not yet determined. Bring completed agreement form, available at Made in the Adirondack North Country with you to Buyer Days if interested in purchase.

Jefferson's County Final 2004 Quarter Sales Tax Total is Up

Even without the .75 percentage point increase to the county's sales tax, Jefferson County collected 3.9 % more from Sept. through November 2004 than for the same time period in 2003.

New Furniture Show in Las Vegas to be held for the first time July 2005

World Market Centers, the home of the Las Vegas Furniture Markets event, is now underway and will encompass 2.3 million square feet of permanent and temporary exhibition space in Phase One. Slated to be the largest furniture show and decorative accessories market in Las Vegas, the World Market Centers, will debut in July 2005.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Cheryl Gnade, Eastern NY's contact in the Dept. of Ag and Markets for any manufacturer/producer with a lead to exporting product out of country, is a new 2005 board member of the Capital Region World Trade Center (CRWTC) Advisory Board. Cheryl came last year to Buyer Days to speak about exporting with the vendors. She was great.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Adirondack Trust Bank, Saratoga Springs, may have up to four slots available to start-up retail businesses willing to committ to 5 year leases at lower than average downtown retail spaces. New 5 story building, due to be finished by early 2006, will be located on Church Street near Woodlawn Ave (site of former Hub building). 1.15.05. Schenectady Gazette.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Bluseed Studios, Saranac Lake, for being the recipient of two 2005 Developing Community Grant awards; $1,000 for More Than Woods Project Book Binding Workshop and Exhibit and $1,000 for Non Toxic Printmaking Workshops and Exhibit. Funding distributed by The Arts Council for the Northern Adirondacks. All requests, which can be artist-initiated, are sponsored by a qualifying non-profit organization and are intended to serve and benefit local residents and are open to public attendance and/or participation. Twenty four organizations submitted applications in October 2-4 for 25 projects requesting a total of $61,686.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Ticonderoga Heritage Museum, for being the recipient of a 2005 Developing Community Grant award; $750 for Once Upon A River: Pack it Up. Funding distributed by The Arts Council for the Northern Adirondacks. All requests, which can be artist-initiated, are sponsored by a qualifying non-profit organization and are intended to serve and benefit local residents and are open to public attendance and/or participation. Twenty four organizations submitted applications in October 2-4 for 25 projects requesting a total of $61,686.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

The merger of the 42 year old Council of the Arts for Clinton County and the 3.5 year old North Country Cultural Center for the Arts. Now, by conducting their respective missions under one umbrella, the organizations, along with the Strand Performing Arts Center, can present a unified arts front to the community, eliminate duplicate rents, personnel, etc. and strengthen the arts in the community. 12.30.04, Press Republican.

Trade Show in Portland, ME

21st Annual New England Products Trade Show (NEPTS) is coming up March 19-21, Portland ME.

More regional resources for you at Regional Support Organizations

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 those of you looking for more giftshops to sell in, Korths has identified the cultural organzations with giftshops. 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, are posted. 2004 and 2003 vendor booth photos with contact info are also posted at Adirondack North Country Crafts click on Buyer Days.

Your regional craft and retail business resource - Adirondack North Country Crafts

- links to 220+ websites of regionally made product and/or regional shops - 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 e-commerce handmade 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 to ANCA's craft marketing programs
- links to partner marketing programs.

Info and applications for ANCA's marketing programs are at adknccrafts.com.
Sponsored by Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA):

- 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 3 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
- Quarterly 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 Coordinator/ANCA, Email 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 675 (30 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.
This newsletter is sent to subscribers only; subscribers' emails are not given/sold to any other organization or individual. You may receive announcements about other regional marketing opportunities.
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