Pricing and Product Dev't Workshop on April 22

Hilary Oak is presenting her annual workshop "Pricing and Product Development" on Thursday, April 22 from 6 to 8pm. $25. 51 Market St., Potsdam NY. www.slcartscouncil.org.

Until March 12, Photo Documentary of Ten Artists

On exhibit until March 12 at the Gallery at the St. Lawrence County Arts Council is North Country Hands at Work: a photographic study by Hannah Stevens. The photo documentary focuses on the hands and art of 10 artists from Northern New York where H. Stevens is from and has come back to after her undergraduate work. She works part-time at the art council and is Velma Bolyard's daughter.

Photographs of North Country artists in this series include silversmiths Pat and Butch Bramhall, weaver Cait Throop, boat builder Everett Smith, fiber artist Jody Horowitz, blacksmith John Scarlett, printmaker and book artist Mark McMurray, jewelry artist Mary Harding, calligrapher Veigh Lee, and fiber artist Velma Bolyard. SLC Arts Council Art News Winter 2010, p. 11.

Chicken Coop Forge in the News

Congratulations to:

Jeannette Brandt and Mike Parwana of Chicken Coop Forge for the two page story with 5 photos of how their business started. Written by Paul Grondahl for the Adirondack Explorer Jan/Feb. 2010 issue.

Two Regional Artists Chosen as 2010 Niche Award Finalists

Congratulations to:

Mary Gwyneth, fiber artist, from Colton NY
http://www.marygwyneth.com/2009/11/mary-g-holland-of-marygwyneth-llc-named-2010-niche-awards-finalist/ whose White Peacock Coat was selected.

and to:

Stephen LeBlanc, jewelry artist, from Argyle NY
http://www.dransfieldjewelers.com/designer_leBlanc.html
whose Mokume Continuum Hoop was selected.

The 161 Niche Award Finalists were selected by a panel of experts from nearly 1000 entries in 36 categories. Works were judged on technical excellence, both in surface design and form; market viability; and a distinct quality of unique, original and creative thought.

Niche Winter 2010, p. 45, www.Rosengrp.com

Consumers Increase Home Improvement Purchases

Top home-improvement chain Home Depot Inc. reported its first quarterly same-store sale rise in nearly four years and gave an upbeat full-year forecast as customers begin bigger renovation projects. The Gazette, p. b16, 2.24.2010

Regional Foods, Wines, and Gift Items Featured at Buyers Days Trade Show

Are you a fan of locally produced foods? Do you like to support regional producers? Then share this with your favorite chef or cook!

Tell them to go to ANCA’s crafts community website, AdkNCcrafts.com to sign up for Buyer Days. Producers experienced with wholesale sales such as Whiteface Mountain Gourmet Maple Products, Bear-Man Specialty Foods, Hill 'n' Hollow LLC and B. Creative will be there to inspire them to create that new dish you’ll be the one to enjoy.

The increasing number of tasting events celebrating locally based foods and beverages reflects the growing appetite of the consumer for food with flavor and local roots. Savoring a meal prepared with regional foods, whether in a restaurant, or local diner, or at your own table doesn’t just taste good, it feels good! A locally prepared jam or jelly can add just the right zing to a meat platter or that slice of homemade toast. Pancakes with local maple syrup dribbling down the sides! Fruit chutney with a soft cheese and crackers. A sip of wine.

Driven by this increasing customer demand, more chefs, cooks and giftshop owners are searching for regional foods. New this year the Adirondack North Country Association is featuring farm wineries from upstate New York at its 24th annual Buyer Days, the region’s only gift tradeshow. 25% of the exhibitors at the show, held at the Saratoga Springs City Center on March 31 and April l, 2010, are specialty food producers. Ten years ago there were none!

Restaurant and lodging owners can sample, and order, jams, jellies, chutneys, sauces, seasonings, wines and other foods. They can also order dinnerware, room accessories, bath and beauty products, furniture, stationery, books and other lines directly from the other 75%. All made in the region. Meet the artists and producers, learn what makes their products special, and how they reflect the inspiration of the Adirondack North Country. -- All in one day. No crowds. Competitive prices. Private labeling. Show specials. Buyer Days is a cash and carry show so no shipping costs. Plan for orders later.

Show your favorite chef or cook this article!

Buyer Day Exhibitors Easily Create Their Own Publicity

One of the tools which artisans rarely use as a means to generate publicity is the use of the press release. Since increased visibility creates a stronger likelihood of sales, ANCA is creating a press release for each Buyer Day exhibitor to use as well as providing the media's email, fax and direct mail info.

It is hoped that as small businesses experience the rewards of increased visibility, that the media will be receptive to featuring more stories from and about the region's makers and sellers of product. It is estimated that a surprisingly high percentage of the local economy is based on these sales.

Exhibitors who have already signed up as exhibitors for ANCA's gift tradeshow, Buyer Days, March 31 and April l, at the City Center in Saratoga Springs, will be able to introduce themselves, and the show, to their local media, within a few days.

N. Korths, show coordinator, is creating a press release template that, with just a few keystrokes, will be ready for each exhibitor to submit to their own regional media list. The media list is sorted into four geographical based lists to make it as easy as possible for craftspeople to distribute the press release to the most appropriate contacts by email, fax or direct mail.

Survey of 10 most popular ecommerce shopping carts - Dec. 2009

http://www.ecommerce-guide.com/essentials/shopping_carts/article.php/3855641

Some Northeastern Gift Trade Shows To Consider

Northeast Market Center January Premier Show, January 16 - 20. Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, 9:00AM - 6:00PM; Wednesday, 9:00AM - 4:00PM. Northeast Market Center, Billerica, MA

Upstate New York Gift Expo. February 22 - 24. Monday and Tuesday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Wednesday, 9:00AM - 3:00PM (Cash and carry after noon). Turning Stone Resort & Casino Conference Center, Verona, New York

Cape Cod Resort Gift Show. March 7 - 9, Sunday and Monday, 9:00AM - 6:00PM; Tuesday, 9:00AM - 3:00PM. The Radisson, Route 28, Hyannis, MA

New England Products Trade Show. March 13 - 15. Saturday and Sunday, 10:00AM - 5:00PM; Monday, 9:00AM - 4:00PM. Portland Sports Complex, Portland, ME. Preregister at nepts.com for free admission.

Adirondack North Country Association Buyers Days. March 31, 12 - 6:00PM and April 1, 9:00AM - 4:00PM at the Saratoga Springs City Center, Saratoga, NY. Thanks to Sandy of Classic Calligraphy, who did very well in her first year at last year's Buyer Days. She is looking forward to coming back this year. http://www.classiccalligraphy.com

Buyer's Market in Philly On Despite Record Snowfall

See how show promoter, buyers and exhibitors are making the best of show despite record snowfall. http://www.buyersmarketblog.typepad.com/wholesalematters/.

Note how exhibitors are using the show's Facebook section to promote their product. You will be able to do the same shortly at ANCA's Buyer Days section on Facebook.

The Buyer Days section at www.AdkNCcrafts.com has posted all of the exhibitors who have signed up up to Jan. 18th, 2010 - there's 31 of you, 8 are new.

Buyers have already received one email invite to the show which listed the 8 new exhibitors. Two more will be going out before the show. Send me your success stories so I can include them in one of those emails.

Send me your show specials and images of your new product lines. Posting those on the website helps buyers prepare for show.