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CRAFT It's Friday Emails - July-Dec 2008
CRAFT: It's Friday, December 19
Season's Greetings! from CRAFT
with best wishes to everyone at this hectic time
Post-holiday, mark your calendars for the January CRAFT T3-Third Tuesday Free Teleconference:
Tuesday, January 20 from 10-11 am EST
Check the website for updates on the number to call.
CRAFT: It's Friday, December 12
Although we are hearing from our members that business is indeed down this year, there are positive steps to take, even in this economy. Consider:
Greg Worden and Deb Kneale are exploring John Schallert's advice on 4th quarter strategies. Read John's Top 3 December Resolutions here.
Hanson Galleries in Houston reports that their business has remained healthier than expected considering Ike, election and economy because they have developed a strong e-marketing program with their newsletters. Using Constant Contact for the past 17 months, Hanson Galleries has increased their repeat customer business beyond expectations (or at very least they stayed in business).
In the last newsletter, they had over a dozen click-through opportunities and had 40% of those opening the email go ahead and click-through to one or more of the hotlinks. That got the customer to the website. That meant that before the newsletter was sent, many hours were spent on photography and updating the website so that the click-throughs were as strong as possible. When they get photos from artists at time of placing order, it is always a big plus.
They plan these newsletters by quarter and work ahead as much as possible. They send out one per month with two each month in Nov and Dec. They have included incentives (gift with purchase, customer birthday discounts, for instance) that have met with only a small success.
The buyers' education programs that Donna Milstein handles with her committee always includes a Table Topic on this valuable marketing tool. Power Point seminars have been offered at wholesale venues as well. Constant Contact is an affinity partner. Hanson Galleries has spent under $500 a year with Constant Contact on this effort. Many, many hours of photography, writing, proofing and gathering the email addresses is the price you have to pay to have these results.
They were certainly not the first in the craft community to use electronic newsletters and have never been nominated for any awards on them, but believe strongly in their use and hope that this note gives others not using them already the incentive to forge ahead and get started.
See Hanson Galleries' newsletter by subscribing here.
Submitted by Donna Milstein, owner, Hanson Galleries, Houston
Post-holiday, mark your calendars for the January CRAFT T3-Third Tuesday Free Teleconference:
Tuesday, January 20 from 10-11 am EST
Check the website for updates on the number to call.
CRAFT: It's Friday, December 5
Douglas Brugger at Show of Hands in Denver reports:
"Here are some pictures of our American Style Magazine Top 25 Arts Destinations presentation to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper (on November 12.) We staged the presentation to help kick off Denver Arts Week, a city wide celebration for the visual & performing arts here in the Mile High City.
He was so gracious & honored receiving the award & proclaimed to do his very best to move Denver from #15 this year to the #1 spot next year. It was great fun and a real treat to meet Mayor Hickenlooper on behalf of this industry..He is a BIG proponent of the arts."
CRAFT Board Member Don Gorenberg recommends How To Lift Your Retail Spirits During Slow Times by Matt Parmaks for One Step Retail Solutions POS Software Specialists.
Are you on Facebook as an artist or retailer? For some informal research on the site as a networking tool for the craft world, I am interested in hearing from those who have had some experience using it to connect with buyers, stay in touch with colleagues, etc. What does Facebook do - or fail to do - for you? Contact susan@thegrandhand.com
CRAFT: It's Friday, November 28
It's Black Friday! Happy Holidays - and best wishes for busy cash registers - from CRAFT.
Helpful links, suggested by CRAFT President Karen Hohler, Whippoorwill Craft, Boston:
Business Resource Services Profit Mastery Newsletter
Their motto: keep your company FIT and your bottom line FAT
http://www.brs-seattle.com/newsletter.html
Guerrilla Marketing Association
Karen says, "I get this newsletter weekly. It is always short - usually 1 paragraph and usually VERY useful." There is a fee for this one, but you can download The 100 Weapons of Guerrilla Marketing free of charge.
http://www.guerrillamarketingassociation.com/
Slated for ACRE (Las Vegas, May 31-June 2, 2009):
Arts Business Institute and Wholesalecrafts.com partner to present artist education program at the American Craft Retailers Expo, Las Vegas
Click here for the press release:
http://www.wholesalecrafts.com/Newsletter/templates/ABIACRE09PressRls.htm
CRAFT: It's Friday, November 21
Teleconference Update
from Karen Hohler
CRAFT sponsored it's last free T3 networking call for 2008 on Tuesday this week. Of course the topic was the economy and what we can do to help mitigate the effect. Here are some of the ideas discussed:
- Have a 4-day sale announced just to your email list.
- Create activity by bringing in local artists for shows and demonstrations.
- Scatter signs in the store using the CRAFT Glorious logo that highlight local work - buy local, buy American.
- Put unsellable, free greeting cards on the counter for someone buying a present who needs it. Does not cut into regular sales, does advertise that you have cards and makes people feel good to get something free.
- Have a box of unsellable cards marked to sell at 95 cents.
- Sample chocolates that you sell. Good will is worth the loss of profit.
- E-mail loyal customers with give-aways. Just tell them to come in and pick up anything you can think of to give away - a magazine, pet horoscopes, a puzzle, a local walking tour, samples of product like a small bar of soap you sell in a bigger version. The soap and the pet horoscopes resulted in the most additional sales.
- Have a seconds show.
- Have a discontinued work show.
- Ask if customer needs a bag. Put items in a cute bag with tissue and a ribbon instead of a box.
- Advertise free shipping on web site for a certain dollar sale.
- Work toward doing more consignment.
- Do a local Arts Walk or opening with your neighbors. Include a community charity or
tie in. Gives a reason for news to pick up your PR.
- Cut as many expenses as you can. Rethink what you really "need."
Next Teleconference: Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Buy Local Efforts in Minnesota
St. Paul's Grand Hand Gallery owner Ann Pifer reports:
Check out the coverage we got on local TV last Sunday! The link below takes you to the clip. There is a great, long shot of the "Glorious American Craft" window graphic at the end!
Karen Engelbretson, who does graphic design work for CRAFT, did the
"Minnesota Made" logo, and can do similar ones for other states if you would
like her to (speak with her about her fees if you are interested - email Karen here
It's Friday, November 14
As our members know, CRAFT provides an opportunity for artists and retailers to give each other feedback. Read on for a response to last week's It's Friday post:
"I was reading the suggestions for dealing with the economic situation we are currently experiencing. As an artist, the concept of taking back unsold merchandise is somewhat complicated. I have had galleries in the past take advantage of me by sending back pieces that they have had for 5 years or more. The gallery retailer buys artist work because it is constantly changing and progressing, this is what an artist does. Work from 5 years ago is no longer in my line so now I am stuck with it. I love the idea of a "silent sale" for this type of merchandise, sell it at a discount and get it out the door...Just an artist's perspective."
Coming up:
It's a hectic time of year but consider taking an hour to check in for discussion on common questions and concerns.
American Craft Council news:
The American Craft Show in Sarasota,FL will be held Dec. 5-7 at the Sarasota Bradenton International Convention Center. This show features 175 artists from across the country. Although it is a public show, buyers are reminded that they gain free admission by showing their 2008 American Craft Council buyers badge. More information about the show can be found at www.craftcouncil.org/sarasota
Want details on ACC Baltimore 2009? Click here for a news release on the show.
CRAFT: It's Friday, November 7, 2008
Greetings!
In the last CRAFT quarterly newsletter President Karen Hohler asked you to share some thoughts on surviving this economic downturn. Here are a few that have been sent in (with thanks to all who responded!) -
My mantra is "lean and mean." I think about relating it to my business in every way I can. So, I have piggy-backed phone services and cut out lines (it now means I have to unhook the computer when I want to receive a fax but that saves about $60/month!). I just got off the phone with Verizon and just by asking they changed my plan so that I am saving $15 per month while actually getting faster DSL service. I shopped around my payroll services and saved $20/month. On and on.... See how this adds up? I would say I have saved about $1500/month (including the programs that CRAFT offers).
Renegotiate the rent. The worst that can happen is they say no.
Ask the artists to trade out slow or "not-moving" work. I have never done this before but find more artists offering it so I've taken advantage of it. It makes a huge difference in the look of the displays and sales.
Get rid of old merchandise. Have a silent sale (change the tags to a lower price without indication of it being on sale). Donate it. I just started a huge 20 - 50% off sale on Monday. I went through my database last Friday and wrote down the SKUs for all items purchased in and earlier than 2007. I am in my 3rd day of adding a colored sticker to these items indicating what percentage off they are and the new price. I leave the original sticker on. I then sent an email to my loyalty card customers to invite them to the sale 4 days before putting signs up and letting the general public know about it. What I am telling them is that we need room for the holidays and are selling any merchandise we purchased before last year. They get it and they love it. For the first time in 2 months we are meeting and exceeding goals, getting cash flow, gaining display space, making the store look fresher and better, and feeling very relieved.
Send your own ideas to susan@thegrandhand.com and we will publish them in next week's It's Friday message.
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Please share your experience!
Now more than ever: everyone can benefit from participating in CRAFT Surveys, now updated online. The more members participate, the better the data will be! Please take a moment to go to the website, select the appropriate survey for artists or retailers and respond (you may take the survey anonymously.) The Business Information Committee uses these surveys to identify trends and member preferences and is interested in your suggestions and concerns.
www.craftonline.org/en/surveys/search.asp
For further information: contact Hardin Abrams at HardinAbr@aol.com
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New Craft History Organization (November 3, 2008) Kentucky has a new craft history organization. As a recognized leader in crafts and crafts development Kentucky plans to take the lead in craft history. The Kentucky Craft History and Education Association (KCHEA) will gather, conserve, and present the history and on-going impact of crafts in Kentucky.
KCHEA will identify the people, documents, and objects of Kentucky craft history. It will make resources available and encourage research. KCHEA will engage in partnerships with other organizations in crafts, the arts, education, and humanities to serve diverse populations. KCHEA does not intend to become a bricks and mortar establishment, but will collaborate with other institutions to create public awareness about the place of crafts in Kentucky's education, culture, economy, and history.
KCHEA informally began in January of 2008, at a meeting in Berea, Kentucky. The organization has since incorporated, established written by-laws, and on May 28, 2008 received its IRS status as a tax-exempt non-profit organization. Founding members Susan Goldstein, Mary Reed, Tim Glotzbach, Philis Alvic, and Lila and Richard Bellando have been joined by Fran Redmon to form the current governing board.
A visual interview archive has been started of craftspeople, arts administrators, art educators, and craft enthusiasts. KCHEA is currently developing a strategic plan, defining projects, identifying grant opportunities, and appealing to donors. KCHEA plans to encourage other states in the nation to follow its model for documenting and disseminating craft history.
For further information: contact Susan Goldstein, info@kchea.org
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From the CRAFT calendar:
T3 Third Tuesday Teleconference
Speaker's Name: Group Discussion
Day: Tuesday 18-Nov-08 10:00 AM
Location: Online
Summary: ...
 Add to Calendar
Posted by: Janet Francoeur
Beckman's
Speaker's Name:
Day: Saturday 17-Jan-09 8:30 AM
Location:
Summary: Beckman's Handcrafted Show®, an exclusive component of The Chicago Market: Living and Giving™, running January 15-21, 2009, announces a call for artists to exhibit. Beckman's, held January 17-20, is a "Meet the Artist" s...
Add to Calendar
Posted by: Janet Francoeur
Best of luck to everyone as we head into the holiday season!
Submitted by Susan Clayton, susan@thegrandhand.com
August 8, 2008
Niche Magazine Announces Top Retailer Winners
Congratulations to CRAFT members on their awards!
Retailer of the Year
Grovewood Gallery, Asheville, NC
CRAFT members who won Top Retailer
Top Retailers (listed in alphabetical order)
Avalon Gallery, Delray Beach, FL
Boulder Arts & Crafts Gallery, Boulder, CO
Don Drumm Studios & Gallery, Akron, OH
The Grand Hand Gallery, St. Paul, MN
Hanson Galleries, Houston, TX
The Laughing Dog Gallery, Vero Beach, FL
Wave Gallery, New Haven, CT
Best Customer Newsletter
Craft Company No. 6, Rochester, NY
Retailers & Artists Work to Protect
Hand Made American Craft
We need to defeat this law!
Congress is close to voting on the Orphan Works Act, HR 5889. We need to defeat this law:
1. This bill will allow anyone to use your designs and artwork for any purpose- without the copyright holder’s knowledge or permission - if they are unable to find the copyright holder after a still-to-be-defined "reasonably diligent search."
2. The bill will allow an infringer to create-and copyright-a derivative work even if the copyright holder of the original work objects.
3. The bill requires that creators digitize all their intellectual property at their own expense and hand it over to privately owned commercial databases in an effort to protect it. Unregistered work will be exposed to infringement by any party in the US for any reason.
4. The bill "limits" any effective penalties for infringement, which currently help creators protect their copyrights. This means wherever an infringer successfully asserts an orphan works defense, the copyright holder will not be able to recoup court costs and legal fees, nor will they receive statutory damages.
5. The bill will effectively strip every citizen of the passive copyright protection we now enjoy because they will nullify the creator’s exclusive right of copyright to any form of intellectual property. This right is currently ensured to every citizen upon creation whether or not the work is ever registered with the Copyright Office.
Go to www.house.gov/writerep/ to look up your Congressman’s email addresses.
Dear _________________:
I'm extremely concerned about the devastating consequences of pending bill H.R. 5889 - The Orphan Works Act of 2008. It will undermine the entire Art world and current copyright protections. Unfortunately, as currently written, the Act will have a devastating economic impact on artists and will put many of us out of business.
One of the great incentives NOT to infringe on an artist's copyright, is that currently there is a stiff penalty - up to $150,000 for each instance that infringement is proven. The proposed Orphan Works bill, however, removes the penalty for infringement, which will make it easy for unscrupulous companies to infringe on my copyright and receive nothing more than a "hand-slap" as punishment. Under the Orphan Works acts of 2008, I would only be entitled to "reasonable compensation" for the unauthorized use of my designs, which would be limited to whatever maximum the court might set and constructed not to deprive the infringer of the profits he made "in reliance" on his so-called failure to locate me. No attorney would take this case on a contingency basis. And, as a small business owner, I could not possibly afford the costs of hiring an Intellectual Property attorney and taking the case to Federal court, so I would be unable to protect my designs.
I strongly oppose this legislation, and respectfully request that you do NOT pass it. Please do not hesitate to contact me. You can reach me at my office: _______________, or on my cell phone: ______________, or by e-mailing me at _____________________________________.
Or, to sign a general petition and for more info go to: http://owoh.org/what-you-can-do.php
Our new members launch
Let's all support this new show!
Building upon the highly successful One of a Kind Show and Sale® held annually at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, the new One of a Kind Wholesale Show™ NYC provides an exclusive venue for a great selection of the country’s best artists and artisans to sell their original work to retailers.
Held during The New York Gift Week, the One of a Kind Wholesale Show is located at 7 W New York™, New York’s premier high-design and style center for the nation’s buyers of elegant home décor, textile, tabletop, decorative accessories and giftware.
Dates and Hours
Saturday, August 16 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday, August 17 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Monday, August 18 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Tuesday, August 19 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location 7 W New York 7 W 34th Street New York, NY 10001
Located across from the Empire State Building on 34th Street and 5th Avenue
Special Events
Designer Vignette Saturday–Tuesday 11th floor Look for an inspiring One of a Kind vignette at the entrance of the show floor featuring One of a Kind show product.
Information Desk Saturday–Tuesday 11th floor An information person will be on hand during show hours to answer any of the questions that buyers may have.
34th Street Café Saturday–Tuesday 11th floor Featuring gourmet food and beverage. Complimentary buyer’s lunches on Saturday and Tuesday.
Complimentary Coffee Bar Saturday–Tuesday, 10a.m.–12p.m. 11th floor Featuring complimentary coffee each day of the show.
SATURDAY
Meet the Artists Champagne Toast 10:30 a.m. 11th floor Buyers are invited for a champagne toast to help us kick off the show!
Complimentary Buyer’s Lunch at the 34th Street Café Noon–2p.m. 11th floor
Oasis Day Spa 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Buyers can enjoy complimentary chair massages!
Complimentary Bar 3–5p.m. 11th floor Beer and wine will be served.
Saturday Night at 7 W 5–7p.m. 11th floor Buyers can enjoy complimentary beer, wine and snacks while they shop the 11th floor as well as showrooms on other floors.
MONDAY
Oasis Day Spa 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Buyers can once again enjoy complimentary chair massages!
Celebrate Hot Times in the City 5–8 p.m. 7 W Showrooms and 11th floor Buyer can enjoy island rhythms and tropical drinks while they shop the floors!
TUESDAY
Complimentary Buyer’s Lunch at the 34th Street Café Noon - 2p.m. 11th floor
Complimentary Bar 3 - 5p.m. 11th floor Beer and wine will be served.
Go to the website!
To register click here
To respond to this email or to submit information for a friday email please send it to
Communications Committee
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