The Latest News: Order Handmade Book, Lake Placid Shop for Sale and ...

- Handmade in the Northern Forest Guidebook can now be ordered for resale

- Online's influence on offline sales

- Arts Business Institute Workshop May 22 and 23

- Adirondack Craft Center in Lake Placid for sale

- Major overhaul at www.adirondackwood.com

Scroll below to read more about each topic.

Great News! Handmade Book Can Now Be Ordered

Shelly Angers, PR/Marketing Coordinator, The Northern Forest Center, emailed the following today.

“Great news! HandMade in the Northern Forest participants should each receive their complimentary copy of the book next week, along with a list of community outreach ideas that will help them both market their businesses and raise the profile of the Northern Forest region as a heritage craft destination. In addition to being listed in the book and receiving marketing plans, participants will also have the opportunity to sell HandMade in the Northern Forest at their businesses. Enfield Publishing and Distribution is all set to take orders and handle shipping. They can be reached at 603-632-7377, info@enfieldbooks.com.

“HandMade in the Northern Forest is also now on the web. Anyone who goes to www.HandMadeInTheNorthernForest.com will be able to learn more about the book. And on Wednesday of this week we received the official word from www.amazon.com that they will carry it. Things are really moving!”

The Evolution of Retail

JupiterResearch predicts online's influence on offline sales will soon outpace sales that take place online: "Driving this growth are the 85 percent of online shoppers who said they used the Internet to research their offline purchases in 2005." In fact, it anticipates nearly half of retail transactions will be influenced by the Internet by 2010.

A comScore study sponsored by Google revealed "25% of Web searchers bought an item directly related to their Web search. Among that group, 63% completed their buy offline in some manner, either in a retail store or over the phone; only 37% performed their entire transaction on the Web."

To read full article: http://www.clickz.com/experts/search/local_search/article.php/3601781

Arts Business Institute Workshop in NE PA May 22 & 23

For those in the southern Adirondacks and in Central and Western NY, this two day workshop is worth the drive. Thanks to Jennifer Swain, Bradford County Regional Arts Council, PA, for letting us know.

Don't miss this opportunity to attend a great arts workshop in Northeastern Pennsylvania presented by the Arts Business Institute, a professional, non-profit educational organization that provides artists with real-world knowledge about product development, pricing, public relations, wholesaling, accounting and much more.

For Who: Experienced & beginning artists, gallery owners, related small business owners or suppliers within the arts.
Location: Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA
Dates: Monday, May 22 & Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Cost: $85

Scholarships are available. Registration fee includes cost of workshop materials, Monday meals and Tuesday continental breakfast. Registration open to residents of any state.

Rejuvenate in classes led by industry experts such as gallery owner Bruce Baker, artist Alisha Vincent and online sales instructor Mark Zelis; meet and spend time with other artists; display your artwork in our informal gallery (limit 3 per artist).

Register online now at www.artsbusinessinstitute.org. Class schedule and course descriptions available at www.ntculturalalliance.org under "News Center".

This event brought to you by the Northern Tier Cultural Alliance, the PA Council on the Arts, and the PA Route 6 Heritage Corporation.

NTCA, in partnership with the Bradford County Regional Arts Council, PA Route 6 Tourist Association and the PA Route 6 Heritage Corporation, serves as a PA Artists and Artisan Trail site.

Northern Tier Cultural Alliance One Washington Street, Suite A Towanda, PA 18848570-265-7455 Fax: 570-265-4558 info@ntculturalalliance.orgwww.ntculturalalliance.org

Adirondack Craft Center for Sale

Business: This unique retail store in the Lake Placid Center for the Arts Complex (LPCA) in the Olympic Village has sold a variety of craft and home decorating giftware to tourist, local summer camp owners and residents for over 20 years. It offers an eclectic selection of rustic furniture and lamps, functional pottery, silver & gold jewelry, framed regional photography, hand sewn quilts, Adirondack pack baskets, local performer CD’s and so much more. Open year around, the stock is a variety of “standards” with which returning customers buy to add to their collections. They are always delighted to see that we have added new handcrafted giftware to our inventory each year. The merchandise selections are purchased from mostly local and regional with a few selective national artisans who make handmade crafts.

With high visibility and prominent signage, The Adirondack Craft Center is a modern retail store situated alongside the main high-volume highway that goes through the central Adirondack Park from the High Peaks to the scenic Saranac Lakes. Vacationers and event participants come to the area for its four-season sports venues and activities, golf on world-class courses, and to visit resort hotels that promote high winter, leaf season and numerous summer activities. Amid beautiful mountains and lakes, Lake Placid is both a world – class resort and a quiet home for 3000 residents and prosperous second homeowners.

Facilities and equipment: The store is a 4000 square foot, high ceiling, brightly illuminated, fully carpeted display facility with easy access and ample parking. Can accommodate bus tours. It has a conference table large “boardroom” overlooking the front lawn, and another large internal “North Gallery” space for shared (LPCA) fine artist exhibitions. There are fixtures and display racks whose décor is consistent with the unusual hand made countrified items that are sold. The long term leased premises are electrically heated and attractive. A central service-checkout counter includes a complete point of sale computer program for inventory control and commercial transactions, records, receipts, and such. There is a private restroom and two stocking areas for extra inventory and supplies.


Financial: Sales historically approach $200,000 on average. Earnings to the owner have exceeded $20,000 for pleasant work, flexible hours and challenging local involvement amid comfortable surroundings while dealing with nice people. The 4,000 sq. foot store space is least on a 3 - year agreement with the Lake Placid Center for the Arts and would be transferred to new ownership at the current monthly $1650.00 rent and $300.00 Heat & Electric. Having Consignment giftware as a portion of the store’s inventory lets the owner have unique, one of a kind items that might not be offered at other local establishments, with no money up front until sold. Wholesale inventory varies between $40,000 and $50,000 and the fixed assets, which include a quality website, www.adirondackcraftcenter.com and advertisings all ready in place, signage, furniture, displays, fixtures, equipment and office supplies value at $35,000.

Opportunity: After eight (8) satisfying years, the current owner/manager would like to enjoy the variety of another challenge. A hands-on manager looking for a well-established fun product retail business can find a comfortable, civilized challenge arraying unique merchandise purchased from talented, interesting and creative artisans. There is a chance to make an impact on the community at one’s own pace and direction, while being compensated for dealing in beautiful giftware with nice customers in a village setting. The owner is a motivated seller, willing to turn the business over for a very fair price. Vision and enthusiasm will build a satisfactory business that offers challenge and many merchandising directions to an industrious buyer with imagination.

Summary and terms: This established and unique local crafts retail is a special offering at $125,000. A stable creditworthy buyer having $50,000 to invest can merit bank financing locally and be in business quickly. Owners are motivated and will share their experience and assist in a transition.

Contact: Marilyn MacAbee, owner, (518) 523-2062, for an appointment

Major Overhaul at Adirondackwood

AdirondackWood.com, ANCA’s sponsored online wood products directory for the 14 county region recently received a major overhaul from Holmes & Associates thanks to assistance and funding from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the Northern Forest Partnership Small-Grants Program, and the U.S. Forest Service.

http://adirondackwood.com/
The search tool is now much more user friendly and allows searches for wood products by 65 different product categories, as well as by community and county. There is also a “View All” feature that provides the complete listing of all 200 companies currently in the database.

For retailers and wholesalers, there is a printable directory feature that contains pre-formatted directory listings by major project category, by county, or for the entire database, providing them a convenient way to print out the listings and keep them handy.

The most advantageous feature for producers and manufacturers is that you can add and update your own listing right online, ensuring that your company’s information and product listing is always up-to-date. There is a simple log in feature that gives you access to a one-page form for adding or editing your listing. You can also upload a picture of your logo or of a product, and include you website URL so that users of the directory can click over to your website. A Google map feature shows customers the location of your business.
There is no charge for any of those services.
AdirondackWood.com http://adirondackwood.com/

A directory of Northern New York's wood products manufacturing companies and the products they make – new and improved and easy to use.

Seminar with Bruce Baker in Lowville
Active Sales and Customer Service That Get Results

Small Business Seminar Brought to you by Adirondack Basketry
and Lewis County Chamber of Commerce assisting

Friday, April 28, 2006
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Memories Restaurant
Number Four Road at Beaches Bridge
Lowville, NY 13367
Lunch Included

About the Presenter
Bruce Baker has lead over 500 workshops throughout the United States in the last twenty years. He speaks on a variety of direct marketing related topics such as display, sales and customer service. Bruce has a special talent for making his workshops relevant to the audience’s needs. Those who have taken his workshops report phenomenal increases in sales. He has conducted workshops for the New England Greenhouse Conference, The Connecticut Farm Bureau, and the NE Direct Marketing Conference. He has been a speaker at the National Conference of the Association of Small Business Development Centers.

This workshop is ideal for the small business owner, craftsperson, and artisan working out of their home as well as anyone who finds themselves in a sales position. This lively and entertaining workshop will help you to greet your customers and close more sales. Learn how customers like to be treated to become repeat and loyal buyers. This workshop covers all aspects of selling, from greeting the customer to closing the sale. What turns customers on and what makes them walk is the focus. Businesses that take an active role in the sales process can increase their sales by 20 to 30 percent if they know the importance of effective dialogue, positive behavior and body language. Learn why it is important to never say “thank you” to your customers until a sale is transacted and how to avoid other customer “turnoffs.” Those who try these techniques say the results are like magic! Don’t miss this opportunity to increase your sales and get more customers coming back to your business.

Topics

Learn to use Permission Marketing to gain your customers attention and loyalty.
Yes and You and how these two important words can make or break a sale
Greetings that open the door and help to close a sale
The big NO NO’s customer turn offs. How to avoid them!
Using the senses when you sell. The senses are your allies when it comes to creating a sale; sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and intuition
Everybody wants a bargain! How to deal with this national trend effectively
Features and Benefits and how they influence sales
Tell customers what they need to know
Product, Price and STORY the holy trinity of salespersonship
The ABC’s of Selling Always Be Closing. Effective Closing dialogue
Body Language and its vital importance in sales transaction.
How to project Energy and Enthusiasm about products and services
Good hiring and exemplary training creates engaged staff, which creates happy customers
Artisans and Craftsperson, work at home, successful presentation and sales to the public at shows and in stores.
Learn new marketing strategies, business skills, trends and tips, and the art of developing products to meet the demands of the marketplace.

Don’t miss this great opportunity. Reserve your place by registering early.
Questions: call Linda Scherz Allen at 315-376-8522

Reservation Deadline April 22, 2006

Names _____________________________________________________________
Business ____________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________
Phone ______________________________________________________________
Email ______________________________________________________________
Topic most interested in ______________________________________________
Seminar Fee is $25.00 per person, this includes lunch

Please fill out registration form above and include check made payable to:
Adirondack Basketry – please note on check for Bruce Baker Seminar
And mail to: Adirondack Basketry, 7347 Number Four Rd., Lowville, NY 13367

Partial funding for this seminar was made possible by a Grant given to the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce by Lowville Wal-Mart.

The Mountain Lake 2006 Arts Auction on April 28 - 30

The Mountain Lake 2006 Arts Auction collection will be available for preview at the North Country Cultural Center for the Arts in Plattsburgh, New York Saturday April 8 through April 22.
The Mountain Lake PBS 2006 Arts Auction, a celebration of art from our region and a major fundraiser for the station, will be broadcast live from the studio at One Sesame Street in Plattsburgh, NY. You won't want to miss this much anticipated annual event - found only on Mountain Lake PBS. This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the auction.

Friday, April 28 7:00pm - 12:00am
Saturday, April 29 6:00pm -12:00am
Sunday, April 30 6:00pm - 11:00pm
Sunday' s broadcast is dedicated to arts and crafts depicting the Adirondacks or created by artists who live in the region.

The 2006 juried collection includes 200 works from fine artists and skilled craftspeople from the provinces of Quebec and Ontario and from New York, Vermont and Florida. We are pleased to announce this year's Featured Artists are Annette Wolfstein-Joseph from Montreal and Sue Burdick Young (Adirondack Featured Artist) from New York state. The Profiled Artists are Kevin Dodds (Ontario), Edwin Shuttleworth (Florida), Joan Pagé (Quebec) and Edna Myers (Quebec).

http://www.mountainlake.org/artsauction/aa.asp

North Country Public Radio Interview about Handmade in the Northern Forest Guidebook

April 12, 2006 - "A number of North Country artists, studios, museums and farms are featured in a new book, Handmade in the Northern Forest. It also details a dozen regional driving tours – from the Tug Hill Plateau to Maine. Nadia Korths, Craft Programs Coordinator with the Adirondack North Country Association, helped put together the book. She spoke with Todd Moe." To listen, visit North Country Public Radio Book Reviews.

Stats and More from Buyer Days 2006

(Excerpt taken from 4.14.06 email to Buyer Day exhibitors. ) I hope all of you made it home and/or to the next show without any mishaps. Buyer and Vendor list attached.

Snow, Easter vacations and availability at the City Center - end of March would be best but already locked into April 4/5 in 2007.

Yes, maybe you folks are right - I'll go back to calling it the Adirondack North Country Buyer Days next year - the product mix and type at the show appeals to a broad range of shop types including contemporary.

We had 133 shops (232 owners and employees in all) compared to 151 shops (250 people in total) in 2005 and 154 in 2004. We did see an increase in attendance from Vermont shops - from 4 in 2005 to 9 this year - that was nice.

The shops, attached in an excel file, are listed in alphabetical order by business name and coded so you know if they came Thursday, Friday, both days, were walkins or preregistered and/or no shows.

So buyer attendance was down - by 18 shops - % wise that is significant but when you look at the average per exhibitor in orders and cash and carry sales from last year to this year, it's only down by $290. You got to love our shopowners! Their belief in our tourism based economy may be what drives it all.

Survey results (23 out of 67 answered - thank you):

An average of $1142 in new orders per exhibitor.
An average of $1420 in reorders per exhibitor.
Totalling an average in orders per exhibitor of $2562 compared to last year's average of $2855.

An average of $903 in cash and carry compared to last year's average of $516.
9 out the 17 who answered had cash and carry sales of more than $1000 so there are shopowners/vendors seriously saving on shipping.

So average of $3465 is actually more than last year's average of $3321. Go figure!!!

There were at least two shops at the show who were opening up for the first time this season; The Naked Moose in Old Forge and North Country Artisans in Natural Bridge. We wish you the best in your business.

American Made Alliance Offers Artisan Support

The Rosen Group has launched the American Made Alliance, a nonprofit organization, to serve as a general resource for artists dealing with copyright issues. Based in Baltimore, the Rosen Group is an arts marketing and publishing firm, founded in 1981, which produces the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft, and publishes NICHE and AmericanStyle magazines.
While the Alliance does not provide legal aide, it does provide artists with information about copyright registration, affordable healthcare for artists, crafts in the national parks, and fair-market tax deductions for artists’ donated works. The Rosen Group recently felt a need to establish the Alliance for small-business owners, as such issues have become increasingly prevalent. Tammy Razquollah, public affairs director of the Alliance, encourages artists concerned about any of the above issues to contact her.
Contact: The American Made Alliance, 3000 Chestnut Ave., Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21211. Tel: 410-889-2933. www.americanmadealliance.org. Announcement in email newsletter from www.woodshopnews.com, 04.07.06.

The Guild Inc. is Ready for Growth

In January The Guild Inc., a Madison, Wisc.-based business that helps established, professional artists sell their work, announced it raised enough capital investments to expand both its Web site (www.guild.com) and its re-branded catalog, The Artful Home, with $7 million of private equity financing from San Francisco Equity Partners of Calif. and Dolphin Equity Partners LP of New York.
“The purpose of the funding is to help the business grow substantially with additional catalog circulation, and expanded Web presence and Web marketing,” said Mike Baum, president of The Guild Inc.
The Guild represents more than 1,200 artists across North America through its sourcebooks, Web site and catalog. Baum said that many Guild artists, including woodworkers, have found an increasing amount of their output is being sold through these resources. Expanding to a broader circulation will make it possible to reach out to more consumers. The www.Guild.com site features about 11,000 pieces from about 700 craft artists from all fields. Artists are juried onto the site in a review by top craft experts, in which 10-15 percent of applicants are accepted. Contact: The Guild Inc., 931 E. Main St., No. 9, Madison, WI 53703. Tel: 608-257-2590. Article in email newsletter from www.woodshopnews.com, 04.10.06