NOTICEBOARD ISSUE 1 18.6.07
HELLO CRAFT PEOPLE
I have taken it upon myself to start a newsletter, which I hope to send out monthly and if all going well update in-between! In it I will include anything of interest to the local craftsperson. It is where you can find out about exhibitions, fairs, good places to source things and advertise YOUR business, or even new stock ranges.
It is an independent venture so I will appreciate any information that anyone wants to know or get known (any good rumours too!)
This is the maiden voyage of NOTICEBOARD, it has great potential. Use it to your advantage. So I ask you, if you want something published please give me notice. I may be working from home in my pajamas with a cup of tea and choc biscuit to hand, but I have a busy schedule so first come, first served, unless its boring!
TODAY THE CRAFTS PEOPLE OF DUNLAOIRE/RATHDOWN, TOMORROW…
Just to let you know that bad spelling is guaranteed and grammar mistakes are a given, but it really is to get the information out there. All the witty comments and interesting facts are on the way as you contribute them… I am waiting…
It doesn’t look very pretty at the moment, but I am about to do a Photoshop course so it will be visually more appealing in no time.
BOXES
The Company I mentioned is called cool case in Liverpool, email: cases@optoplast.co.uk, but just to let you know if you look up www.riogrande.com you will find their stock is far superior. The company is a jewellery wholesalers and their display and packaging catalogue is fantastic! It is an American company and they have been quite good with deliveries in the past, I would definitely recommend them!
CRAFTS DIRECTORY
This email has been past on to most of you about the catalogue that is going out in June. It will be displayed for three months in target rich areas, craft/gift shops etc. The catalogue will be free and they are distributing 30,000 around Ireland. I have spoken to Mike and got prices off him, and it seems to be quite reasonable as he knows that a lot of craftspeople are part time or hobbyists.
May be interesting to look into and I will definitely be looking forward to seeing it for the future. Talk to Mike on 01 8049844 or email mike@M2Media.ie
JEWELLERY BOX
A new website is being set up called jewellery box and surprisingly enough they are selling jewellery. Stephen Curtis is the guy running it, and has offered to come and meet any designers interested. There is an annual fee and commission of 25%. There are other optional advertising costs. So let me know if anyone has an interest and we can set up an informal meeting, maybe at the wed night meeting? Contact Stephen on 087 6251297 or curtisstephen@gmail.com
ENTERPRISE BOARD
Did you know the enterprise board are there to look after the local business, which include you!!
There are three networks running at the moment and what I hope to do is let you know what each of them are doing in advance, since there has been some great meetings that have gone by unnoticed.
1st Tuesday of month – enterprising women, 2nd Wednesday is craft and design network and 3rd Tuesday is Trading Post.
I have been to a Trading Post meeting and was impressed with how the networking went. Not a big fan of the hard business selling myself, the way John Clarke worked it was interesting. All business cards were put in a hat and the business picked had to be described by everyone else in the room. It showed whether the person was selling themselves to their full potential. Then the room of people had to say what type of customer would suit this business and then recommend the customers. It was quick and easy and the business ended up with a lot of new contacts.
After the session, the usual refreshments including biscuits, relaxed everyone and the business cards were passed around freely. A very relaxed and worthwhile meeting which would be great if you wanted to get new business, or use local business people for printing, web design, accounting etc.
COURSES
Accounting using Excel 9th June 9.30am – 4.30 pm DLRCEB
Start your own business 17th May 6wks 7- 10pm DLRCEB
The website gives all information about the courses they run, starting in September there will be a lot more on the way. Check out www.dlrceb.ie/events/events.13.events.0.0.html this is directly to the site and has all up to date info of what is happening.
CRAFT COUNCIL OF IRELAND
If you are not a member by now, what’s wrong with you!
Fill in the form, post it with a couple of pictures and then reap the benefits.
The magazine itself is a mine of information, and you could rely on it for everything. In the back pages are pages of advertisements. From stands available to studio space, tools for sale to suppliers, courses to display boxes. It costs nothing and you go up on their website for free. It is where people go to find the crafts people of Ireland. There is no commitment, and you will be emailed about new shops, websites etc that are interested in you. LOOK UP www.ccoi.ie
Sally and I have application forms at the craft meeting.
RE: LAST CRAFT AND DESIGN MEETING 9thMAY07
So the meeting was about brochures. We went around and judged 14 brochures and catalogues. With a point system we decided what looked best, and saw good and bad points in them all. The conclusion… you can’t please everyone. It was good fun, and maybe thought us what to avoid. After in the bar we concluded that Herve had a fantastic brochure that had no faults. Alcohol was not an influence, it’s worth a look!
If you do not want to receive newsletters or would like to add someone, let me know.
NOW IT’S UP TO YOU. ALL FEEDBACK IS WELCOME. IF IT’S BORING I WILL BE IGNORING IT – NEARLY JOKING!
KAREN
