NOTICEBOARD ISSUE 2 18.06.07
Hello Craftspeople
This is the second issue of NOTICEBOARD. After the fantastic response from the first issue, there had to be four updates last month, so it is looking likely that NOTICEBOARD will be issued every fortnight.
This issue will cover the plans for the retail outlet that CCOI are helping people set up. Markets and Insurance. Glass bead classes. Craft and Design network last Wed night. July outing to pottery studio. Digital directory details that CCOI are setting up. And finally I have included next weeks winning lottery numbers, which only appear at the end if you read everything else!!
PORTFOLIO
Craft Council of Ireland is building a digital directory of leading designers. Application form from CCOI 056 7761804 info@ccoi.ie Closing date 28th August 07.
For further info contact Ann Dack, Project Manager 087 6490463
This would be fantastic to get into as they are promoting it nationally and internationally to buyers, sellers, gallery owners and the rest. This would be showcase on the web!
MARKETS
Many times I have been asked about which markets are better etc. I personally started in Blackrock, which has been there for a really long time. It has a good flow of people and prices for the stalls are reasonable, especially since you do not need personal insurance to start with. Not that I recommend you trade without it but I know it put me off in the beginning. It has a regular flock of people and you will see the same faces every week, how this affects your sales is up to you.
The Coco Markets are well established now, and have a great flow of people. The food will keep people coming, and despite what you think this is the busy period. Summer holidays slow down and Christmas is a quick rush for only two to three weeks, people are shopping now before the season kicks in. These markets have been run by Jackie Spillane since they started almost four years ago, and have grown from strength to strength. Full insurance is required to hold a stall at any of the markets with an indemnity of 6.4million Euro. Info on insurance is below. Jackie is available on 087 9573647
At the moment Jackie is running nine markets which I will have a list of below. Maybe it is something you could group together to have a stall at. There is always a great atmosphere at a market, plus you get to hear what the general public think of your work. The experience helps and inspires you, and when you hear anything negative you just put it down to that person’s bad taste!
MARKETS
Wed IFSC 12 – 2.30 pm € 30
Thurs Avoca-Rathcoole 11 – 3pm €40
Fri Dalkey (indoor) 10 – 4pm €40
Brittas (summer) 11 – 4pm €40
Sat Marlay Park 10 – 4pm €40
Bray (heritage) 11 – 3pm €40
Wicklow town 11 – 3pm €40
Sun Peoples Park DL 11 – 4pm €40
Drumcondra 11 – 4pm €40
JACKIE SPILLANE
This high energy woman has been a good friend of mine since we met on 20th July 03.
If you want a job done, she is the person that can do it. In the market world she has taken over, and is now running NINE markets. Jackie is also heavily involved in The Festival of World Cultures (ph 01 2719555) 25/26th July ; Dunlaoire Horse Show Aug 16th: Festival of World Food 6/7 October (will have non-food stalls).
Contact jspillane@oceanfree.net or phone 087 9573647
All events get booked up quick, so no hesitating.
INSURANCE
If you are trading or have public coming to your workshop you really should have insurance! If you have even one customer, you should have insurance.
One insurance company is IOMST, The Irish Organisation for Market and Street Traders. It is about €250 a year for 6.4million indemnity. Call 8302271
The Craft Council of Ireland also provide insurance through Padraig Smith& Co, on 01 8330888. Ask for Marie Clarke or Richard McGarry. It’s a small, personal, family run business that will look after the crafts people and all their requirements….at last! Having spoken to Ronan I am completely confident that all you need is to call them and tell them what you need. So far they have six levels of cover, working from the basic €140 which will cover your public liability. From there you can get your place of business insured and any staff, even insuring your stock and tools. Just as long as you are a Craft Council of Ireland member you can get a 10% discount on car, home and personal accident cover. ANOTHER reason to join the craft council!!! I’ll say no more; this insurance company have been looking after the craft person for three years so far and will meet all your needs. Their website is on the way and hopefully will be up and running in July. www.psmith.ie
CADENZA BEAD STUDIO
Ruzica Ruane is running glass bead making classes from 20th July to 15th August or by arrangement from her studio off Rochestown Ave. Fully insured. Four students per workshop, min two.
There are three different courses you can do, so contact Ruzica to see what suits you best.
Details of the three courses are in the next stopress. (CCOI free newsletter)
Book early to avoid disappointment.
For more information Call Ruzica on 01 2352156 studio@cadenzaglassbeads.com
CRAFT NETWORK MEETING 13.6.07
So the meeting was about pricing and it went well. If you don’t know what you’re doing wrong when it comes to pricing, go higher! At the end of the day, putting in costs for materials, rent for work space and other overheads, the hardest thing to price is your time. Then when you think about it, you can get more materials, and you can get other people to do the work for you, but the only thing you will never get back is your time. Its precious, so get paid well for it! You are also skilled at what you do and people will see its worth when you have a strong price on a piece. It makes a person stop and think why it is a high price… because you spend hours on it and put your heart and soul into making it a one of a kind, unique, original! An item having a value may not cost much; ask any parent to sell their Childs first picture!
Also the issue of the Retail Outlet was opened up……
RETAIL OUTLET
There has been an excellent response to this project. We are currently filling the application form, and the organisers have said they are looking forward to it! As you know Debbie Wilson is the project organiser and assisting her is me. The committee set up also has a huge amount of experience from running outlets to quality control. I am the lucky one that is collecting all crafts peoples details and compiling a data base for this venture. We need to show we have a great craft resource of people that are not strangers to the retail world. Already we have over 21 crafts and over 50 craftspeople ready and waiting for the outlet to begin!
I have sent you all mail about sending in your details and references so we can make a strong application to the craft council. If you haven’t done it yet…stop reading and do it immediately. If you have, then thanks for your speedy response!
JULY OUTING
Next month on the 11th July we are on an outing to Rainbow Ceramics in Blackrock… Let the inner artist come out in you. The trip is free for members or €20 for non-members.
Guaranteed to be a great laugh! More details from Sally closer to the time. If you are interested in contacting Sally about the Dunlaoire RathdownEnterpriseBoard Craft Network meetings every second Wednesday in the month, you can call her on 087 2238182 (2-5pm) or 01 2882998 or email sally@dlrceb.ie
LET’S GET ORGANISED
Do you want a write up? I am sending out a request for your business details and what you are up to, you were not dropped onto the earth last week so let people know what you do and about the wealth of experience you have, you never know where it will lead.
What I hope to do over the next year or so is to tell you about other people that are around you.
We all didn’t get to where we are now, without a huge amount of life experience! What I want is, for you to tell us where you started, what you do, where you are going, where you sell from or are going to exhibit at. It is all relevant, because there is always someone out there wondering or needing something. This is a large broadcast of networking, without the awkward business card swapping with people you don’t need….at the moment.
CIARA COUGHLAN
BRIDAL, AND EVENING WEAR DESIGNER
Ciara Coughlan is returning to work after her recent illness. A member of the craft network, she is an accomplished Bridal and evening wear designer. She has previously been named ‘Bridal designer of the Year’ and ‘New Direction Designer of the Year’.
All designs are made to measure and Ciara can individualize each garment further with her skills of hand embroidery, silk painting, beading, and hand crafted floral adornments.
Her work has featured many times on Ireland AM and The Afternoon Show. Also designs have appeared in national and local press and in leading Bridal and women’s magazines.
As Ciara is based at home, she is able to offer private, individual fittings and consultations to each client. Even offering after work appointments, a service very popular with already stressed brides.
Her creations hold a reputation for quality in materials and craftsmanship. Any piece from Ciara becomes a timeless addition to your wardrobe. Prices start from only €350 for eveningwear and €1000 for bridal wear.
Please contact Ciara Coughlan and ‘Illusions Designs’ if you or your friends have a wedding or social occasion coming up.
Call Ciara on 01 2942487 086 3870989 or email illusionsdesigns@eircom.net
www.illusionsdesigns.com
CRAFTY DAY OUT
Sharon Burrell is having a Card and Scrapbook making day on the 28th July 07 in Shankill
There will be three classes in one day, all materials supplied. (01)-2827592 or 086 3674274 also book through www.craftandcards.ie More days out and classes coming up.
Sharon has a card and craft supply outlet, and has probably the best service I have come across to-date. I manoeuvred around her website very easily, after getting an email to say she was interested in the CCOI retail opportunity, and ended up purchasing a fantastic carry case for all my silver findings. It is like a box I already have which is air tight for silver, and is child proof – a must in my house! So, I saw this tote bag, filled my form in, paid with pay-pay and before pay-pal emailed me my confirmation, my tote bag was at my doorstep, with a very nice delivery woman….Sharon herself!
I cannot guarantee that you will receive the same service but I am still laughing at how great it was to get it so quick! Website worth a look www.craftsandcards.ie the tote bag is excellent, five storage boxes with 70 compartments. Lots of pockets for tools etc., easy carry shoulder bag. Great for teaching away from workshop.
JUST RELAX
Just a quick mention. After a long day trading, or hours of sewing,beading,painting or computer work writing a newsletter…what would be more fantastic then someone coming to your home to give you a facial. I could recommend Laura, and the facial that includes shoulder, arm and hand massage! It was just fantastic! This facial only costs €45 if you mention you saw it advertised here. Laura does a variety of treatments and can be contacted on 085 7802975
So that’s issue 2.
Plenty more where that came from. I will keep you updated with the CCOI retail opportunity progress, and please let me know of any others you feel could help or participate. Any millionaires out there that feel like investing a couple of Euro to give us a building, Debbie Wilson has everything else ready to go…..
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Call the Craft Council on 056 7761804 www.ccoi.ie
DLRC Enterprise board 01 4948400
And the winning numbers are .. you missed something, sorry please try again
