SASKATCHEWAN CRAFT COUNCIL
01. Good Luck on Markets from SCC Director
02. Why send in your information for the SCC Membership Directory?
03. SCC Employment position
04. Wintergreen Fine Craft Market - Nov 13-15
05. Traditions Employment position
06. Welcome New and Returning SCC Members

01. GOOD LUCK ON MARKETS from SCC Director
The season of pre-Christmas craft markets is almost upon us. For many craft producers, the next six weeks will determine whether it will be a very merry Christmas, or whether the old Merle Haggard song rings true:

If we make it through December
Everythings gonna be all right I know
It's the coldest time of winter
And I shivver when I see the fallin snow

The sales success of a craft person will be determined by many things, ranging from the economy to the weather. However, choice of product is very important.

Last spring, my son was graduating from Grade 8. Each parent was asked to send baking for a fund-raising bake sale at the school. I like to bake muffins and pies. Nothing else. Don’t know why – it just is. So when Nick asked what I was going to send, I said that it would be the chocolate chip banana muffins that were his favourite. There was a pause. Then he said, “Meaning no offense, but that won’t work. You have to understand who buys at these bake sales. The grade 1 and 2’s all come and blow their savings. And if it doesn’t look like a cookie, or have icing on it, they won’t buy it.” Following this advice, I sent cookies, even though I hate baking cookies.

It was clear that by the age of 12, my son had figured out the basics of “give them what they want” marketing. Understand your customers, know what they like, and give it to them. This can lead to some commercial success, and craft producers who want to be commercially successful should pay attention to this.

For craft people and artists, however, a slavish following of market trends will not only be boring. It will ultimately be unsuccessful, because it will mean that you are doing something that others have done first. Another approach to commercial success is followed by Stephen Job of Apple. Job says that he is not in the business of giving people what they want, but of creating wants. His path to success is to come up with products that are so new, so innovative, so well built, and so functional that people buy them – even if nobody “wanted” an I-Pod before Apple put it on the market. Key to this approach is identifying what needs people are feeling that are unmet in the market already.

For craft producers, the needs being met are simple and timeless. Beauty and aesthetic appeal. Functionality. Craftsmanship and quality. Variety. Uniqueness. The key to success is finding innovative and new ways to meet these timeless needs.

But enough philosophizing. It’s time to get back to work. For all off the SCC’s marketing members, good luck in the next six weeks.

02. Why send in your information for the SCC Membership Directory?
In about a week, we’ll be turning on the new Membership Directory for SCC members. Particularly for professional members, here’s why you should have your information on the site:

• For those of you without your own website, it’s a quick and cheap (i.e. free) way to get a basic internet presence.
• For those of you with your own website, it’s a quick and cheap (i.e. free) way to help drive traffic to your site.

A good looking internet presence generates exposure and sales that you may not even be able to attribute to the site. For example, a month ago, an event organizer was looking for a goblet maker to supply 16 goblets. She looked on the Fine Craft Guide and reached made a decision based on those who had pictures of goblets there. The member who on the site with goblets got the $300+ order – those that were not did not get considered. It was that simple.

On another occasion, I was talking to a gallery owner who was expressing frustration about securing a particular type of blown glass product. I pitched a producer as a supplier. The gallery owner was interested, and said she’d look them up on the internet. They had no internet presence, and so lost a potential gallery sales venue.

The point is this. Having a good looking, internet presence can generate sales. Just as significantly, not having any presence can cost you sales. And when people are looking for something specific, they often “comparison shop” on sites like the old Fine Craft Guide or the new Membership Directory. If you are not up, you are not considered.

To get information on how to be on the new Members Directory, click here.

View over 70 Membership Directory pages developed so far...

03. SCC EMPLOYMENT POSITION - Administrative Assistant 10 week (vacation leave)

The position provides general administration and clerical duties, and monitors the Saskatchewan Craft Council Gallery. You will be responsible for promoting a positive profile of the SCC and the SCC Gallery to the public and SCC members; having comprehensive information on all SCC program activities; providing current database information; and working in a team environment.

You will have:

• Excellent word processing and database skills in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Access; preference will be given to those with experience using these programs.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills; attention to detail and the ability to multi-task essential.
• Experience working with the general public.
• An ability to work independently.
• A good knowledge of office equipment and office procedures.

This is a 37.5 hour per week, Monday to Friday, position beginning December 17, 2009 to February 26, 2010. The hourly rate is $12.84. A full job description will be made available on request.

Application deadline is 12:00 noon November 3rd, 2009. Please submit your resume to:

Donna Potter
813 Broadway Ave,
Saskatchewan Craft Council
Saskatoon, SK S7N 1B5

Fax: 306.244.2711, Email: saskcraftcouncil@sasktel.net

04. WINTERGREEN Fine Craft Market - Nov 13-15

The Wintergreen Fine Craft Market is back at the Conexus Arts Centre, Regina, from November 13 to 15 with top quality craft for Christmas presents or personal enjoyment.

“Members of both the British and Thai Royal Families own work made by artists at Wintergreen,” said Chris Jones, Member Services Coordinator for the Saskatchewan Craft Council (SCC). “At least two winners of Academy Awards also own Saskatchewan Craft from people at Wintergreen.”

“But the great thing is, you don’t have to be royalty or a movie star to get great craft. We’ve got something for every one at every price level,” Jones said. “And if it is good enough for royalty, it’s good enough to give to your mother.”

There will be 78 exhibitors at Wintergreen 2009, including 19 who are new to to Wintergreen this year are. The new exhibitors are:

• Sue Hunchuk - Glass
• Brent Fellner - Sculpture
• Jeannette Lussier - Visual Arts/Ceramics
• Up Morelli - Wood
• Helga Schulte-Schroeer - Fibre
• Beate Epp - Visual Arts
• Brenda McLaughlin - Glass
• Christine Fraser - Clay
• Barb Goretzky - Clay & Visual Arts
• Cal Shaw - Sculpture
• Ladd Fogarty - Visual Arts
• Cathy Mumford - Clay
• Roger Arndt - Visual Arts
• Jonn Einerssen - Visual Arts
• Brent Heighton - Visual Arts
• Murray Phillips - Visual Arts
• Vance Theoret - Sculpture
• Bonnie Bailey - Clay
• Judy Wilkinson - Specialty Foods

Visitors to Wintergreen will be able to participate in a Wintergreen Treasure Hunt. The winner will receive a $200 gift certificate from the Traditions Handcraft Gallery.

Download PDF list of Marketers for 2009.

05. TRADITIONS EMPLOYMENT POSITION
Traditions Handcraft Gallery in Regina is looking for a part time store clerk for a maximum of 20 hours per week. Duties include sales, inventory control and light cleaning. Retail experience and knowledge of Saskatchewan craft is an asset. A hard working, cheerful disposition is essential. To apply, send your resume to Amanda at traditions@sasktel.net or bring it into the store located at 2714 - 13th Avenue, Regina. For more information, contact Amanda at 306.569.0199.

06. Welcome New SCC Members

Colin Hergert - [Patron]
Jan Delage - [Patron]
Tara Duckworth - [Professional Craftperson]
Karen Holden - [Affiliated Marketer]
Allan Bailey - [Patron]