'I'm optimistic:' Raleigh small business owners ready to start phase 1 of the reopen plan - WTVD-TV |
- 'I'm optimistic:' Raleigh small business owners ready to start phase 1 of the reopen plan - WTVD-TV
- CRAFTY DURING QUARANTINE | Local craft, art shops offering creative kits to go - Ventura County Reporter
- Interview with Chris Sherman, who's “Artist Sunday,” is like Black Friday, but for Artists! - seattlepi.com
| Posted: 06 May 2020 01:45 PM PDT  RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Some small business retailers have been working throughout the pandemic by appointment only. In a couple of days, it'll be a different story. Phase 1 of kicks in Friday evening at 5 p.m. and that means retail stores can reopen to the public in some fashion. "I'm excited," said Art of Style owner Kendra Leonard. "This is like my second home." Art of Style in Downtown Raleigh prides itself in having unique, comfortable pieces from emerging designers. Leonard said limiting 10 people in the store at a time shouldn't be a problem since the spot is small. The pandemic crushed sales, and she's looking forward to a bounce back. Small business resources and information "I'm still optimistic, because I'm hoping that we're a part of this community and we're not going to be let go," she said. Reopening will look different at small businesses than big box stores. Nordstrom Rack sent out an email about the changes coming when it decides to welcome back customers. The retailer said it'll be providing face coverings for all customers and employees, and plans on modifying the fitting-room experience among other things. Anonymous customer donates stimulus check to Raleigh small business owner denied PPP twice At the TJ Maxx on Falls of Neuse Road in North Raleigh, eager shoppers wait outside scouting out merchandise as employees were seen inside cleaning. ABC11 called the store to see if it is opening Friday evening or Saturday morning. An associate said she wasn't sure. JOANN Fabrics is welcoming customers again. People were seen Wednesday waiting in line six feet apart at the craft store. Some large retailers may putting up Plexiglas at registers, but that's not going to happen at Art of Style. Leonard doesn't really have extra money for big changes. "I literally do not have money in the bank," she said. "Retail is not a fruitful (occupation)." Leonard was finally approved last Friday for a Paycheck Protection Program loan. She is still waiting on a check to be deposited in her account. For now, she's working as a one-woman show to rebuild her small business. "I'm eventually going to have to sell all these clothes somehow. I'm going to just keep doing what I'm doing and try to make appointments, reach out to clients without sounding desperate, and being like 'If I can help you with this, let me serve you,'" said Leonard. She said she won't be able to offer huge discounts just to move product. Unlike big name retailers or department stores, Leonard said she can't afford to markdown everything; she's counting on every dollar. Copyright © 2020 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved. |
| Posted: 22 Apr 2020 12:00 AM PDT PICTURED: Kelley Hanson of The Craft House in Moorpark. Photo submitted. by Kateri Wozny Kelley Hanson recently posted a photo on her Instagram page of a wooden backdrop with the name of her business, The Craft House. Instead of it being filled with customers holding up their works of art, it was empty. "Missing all of your smiling faces in our photo booth . . . I love seeing all of the projects you are creating at home!" Hanson wrote. Hanson temporarily closed her Moorpark business on March 16 due to the Ventura County COVID-19 "Stay Well at Home" public health order. Businesses like hers under the order are considered non-essential. Until then, she is keeping positive and making craft kits to go for her customers.  A variety of painting kits are available for purchase at The Craft House. Photo submitted "These are trying times for everybody with a lot of unknowns," Hanson said. "I'm more of an optimistic type of person; I ran with it." The Craft House offers craft kits for adults and children. Available for purchase on the website are wooden message signs in a variety of styles ($28 each) that can be assembled at home. Kits contain a board, laser-cut letters or other pieces, decorations and (for some kits) a paint tray and super glue. Kids' projects feature paint-by-numbers designs (dinosaur, magical unicorn, beach scene or monster truck) laser-etched on wood for $12 each. (Paints and brushes are not included.) Customers can pick up kits on the porch at the craft bar, or have them delivered to their residences (for a small fee) or shipped elsewhere (costs will vary depending on location). "I'm being very flexible and trying to give people things to make at home," Hanson said. "I'm trying to help provide people fun things to do with their family. It's a way of bonding and keeping busy." The Craft House will also soon be hosting a virtual monthly comedy and crafts class. For more information, visit www.crafthouse805.com. NASH Exchange IncorporatedNASH Exchange Incorporated in Ventura holds a special place in Sarah Vibbart's heart. "My goal is to educate people about the foster system," Vibbart said. She named the nonprofit boutique after her son Nash, who was adopted from the Ventura County foster system in 2015. Vibbart craft kits include a driftwood, shell and sea glass wall hanger ($30); driftwood, starfish and sea glass candle holders (two for $25); shell, sea glass and starfish wreaths ($20); and pine cone flower wall art with plywood, moss and sticks ($20). All kits also come with epoxy or hot glue; glue guns are available to rent with a $5 deposit.  NASH Exchange Incorporated has a variety of kits featuring wall art, hangers and more for both kids and adults. Photo submitted "These are mental crafts," Vibbart said. "They can help people destress." There are also kits for the more advanced crafter, including a wooden cutout with a "dirty pour" (different paint colors placed in a single vessel and then poured out together), more elaborate driftwood hangers and wooden boxes for mason jars. YouTube tutorials are currently being made on how to assemble them. Kids craft kits are available, too. Choose from dinosaur garland, butterfly garland, driftwood and yarn wall hangers, each costing $10. "It's good to keep the kids active, creative and stimulate their artistic abilities," Vibbart said. "Crafts are good to make and give as gifts for Mother's Day and birthdays." For now, Vibbart uses Facebook or Instagram to sell the craft kits. Proceeds help benefit NASH Exchange's reimbursement programs, including sports, school supplies, summer camps and scholarships. Customers can pickup kits curbside or have them delivered for free if they live within 10 miles. "The idea is doing craft kits to help everybody co-exist at home," Vibbart said. "A lot of people don't think of the mental health aspect. Stay on top of mental health and be happy and healthy. I'm a firm believer in working with your hands." For more information, visit www.nashvc.org or check out the organization on Facebook or Instagram. Lily Fields VintageDonna McClure of Lily Fields Vintage in Santa Paula named her shop after a Bible verse that reminded her that God is in control of it all and not to worry. She has taught about 75 craft classes in her shop over the past three years. "I had a lot of leftover inventory from each class I had done [to make craft kits]," McClure said. "When I got the health order, I had to get creative because I just can't stop business." McClure offers craft kits for adults and children. All come with brushes, wax, paint and  Craft kits to go from Lily Fields Vintage. Photo submitted instructions. The paint is Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint, an all-natural formula made with milk protein (casein), limestone, clay, chalk and natural and/or nontoxic synthetic pigments. "I had a lot of positive feedback," McClure said. "Customers want so badly to support local businesses." Wooden crates, hearts, rabbits and signs are featured in kits for adults, while the younger set can play around with with dinosaurs, bird houses, unicorns or just good ol' craft paper and stickers. "It's important to keep our kids busy," McClure said. "I sold out the first couple of days and had to restock inventory." Costs range from $12 to $30 per kit. McClure said future discounts will be applied. Customers can have purchases delivered, or collect them from the shop's front porch. "I sterilize the porch with bleach and spray Lysol," McClure said. "After somebody picks up a kit, I spray it again to keep everybody safe." For more information, visit www.lilyfieldsvintage.com. Vita Art CenterVita Art Center Owner Mary Perez knew she had to find a way to keep her art students engaged from a distance. The Ventura art business currently has Zoom classes for children ages 6 to 10, 10 and up, teens and adults. "Two things we want to achieve is art and community," Perez said. The cost for six children's art studio, ceramic or drawing classes is $100. The teen art program is funded through a grant from the Reed Foundation, where students use colored chalk pastels during instructional drawings and can also receive scholarships. Adult classes include an oil painting for $100, $150 for six drawing sessions and $125 for six ceramic sessions.  VITAmins kits for Vita Art Center's online classes — a daily dose of art for kids hungry for a creative outlet. Photo submitted "We are going to add as many classes as we can within our limitations," Perez said. Perez and her staff assemble VITAmin children's craft kits with watercolors, pencils, printed and collage papers and a paintbrush. Customers can pickup and sign out the VITAmin kits at the art center's patio. Once the class is complete, boxes must be returned so that employees can clean them and refill them with new supplies. "It's a daily dose of art [VITAmins]," Perez said. Artists and collectors can also participate through a social media art exhibit called Inside Out, where a piece of art displayed in their house is shared on Vita's Facebook and Instagram pages. "It changes and gives more meaning to our space," Perez said. "Mentally, we are all in this together." For a full schedule, visit www.vitaartcenter.com. |
| Posted: 06 May 2020 06:25 PM PDT
Artists Sunday Logo** Recently, Seattle artist Cynthia Freese wrote to me excitedly about something that could, if done right, really help out, not only Seattle artists, but also artists around the nation. I agreed that this thing sounded intriguing and agreed to set up an interview. I was intrigued, but I needed to know more–see what you think! Xavier: This is where we'll be doing the interview as well. Cheers! Chris Sherman: Gotcha! My background: Artists Sunday was created by Christopher V. Sherman, an entrepreneur and photographer, with more than 25 years of entrepreneurial experience. Christopher has built multiple companies, including a digital news service, an online advertising network, and multiple conferences and trade shows. He has managed business strategy, customer sales, marketing, new product development, business development and more. Christopher's photography clients include NBC's The Tonight Show, CBS Television, The State of Texas, Fairmont Hotels and more. Best reference materials I can send you are the Artists Sunday web site:
Xavier: Cool! Sounds very interesting! Are you available on Monday to do an interview? Are you an artist yourself? Chris Sherman: I'm a photographer. **
Christopher V. Sherman, Founder and Executive Director, Artists Sunday** Xavier: Okay! So, I'm very excited to be talking with you today. Cynthia Freese talks about you and your project very highly! Can you take a moment to introduce yourself and your connection to the arts? Chris Sherman: Thank you, Xavier! I'm Christopher Sherman, I'm a fine arts photographer and the founder and Executive Director of Artists Sunday, a nationwide alliance of artists, non-profit organizations and sponsors coming together to encourage consumers to shop with artists and craftsmen. Xavier: Cool! Can you tell me a little bit about what brings you to talk with me today? Chris Sherman: That would be Artists Sunday, an art-focused shopping day; the first Sunday after Thanksgiving. It follows Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, the day before Cyber Monday, the largest shopping weekend of the year. We are a promotional effort focused exclusively on encouraging people to shop with artists during this time period. Xavier: Nice! That seems like something with a clear directive that would be easy for people to follow! But, how does something like that happen? Don't you have to sign some sort of petition, or make a national holiday or something drastic like that? Chris Sherman: It's a joint effort by artists and non-profit organizations across the country all promoting the same message at the same time of the year – Oct and Nov. We just ask that artists and non-profit organizations that support artists sign up at our web site www.ArtistsSunday.com and then when fall comes around we will supply everyone with a marketing toolkit to help them build buzz and promote. For artists, it's using the kit to promote their work. For the non-profits, it's using the elements in the kit to promote the artists in their network! The result is 1000s of individual artists numerous community orgs all promoting the same message. So, we're all a unified voice! **
Artists Sunday's Mission – Helping individual creative artists sell more art
Xavier: What message is that? Chris Sherman: For consumers to purchase from artists and craftsmen and give unique, original, handcrafted items and/or artistic experiences for the holidays, rather than manufactured and prepackaged goods. Shopping for artistic gifts for the holidays can be more personal, fun, and inspirational when consumers focus on individual, creative artists that resonate with themselves, family, and friends. Xavier: Is this a new thing? Why should artists sign up with your program rather than just ride the wave? Chris Sherman: It is a new thing. Well, we're all promoting the same messages so there will be some benefit to being involved from that standpoint. We're saying to artists, incorporate this into your marketing efforts or use it to compliment your existing marketing efforts. We don't want people to lose their individualism and independent voice. It's not one size fits all. Use the elements that work for you. Artists Sunday is a trademarked name and a brand. Participation is free to artists. Xavier: So, what do you get out of it? Chris Sherman: Our goal is to amplify the message of artists. We get to help artists across the country. And as a photographer myself I hope to ride the wave. Artists Sunday will be underwritten by sponsors. We'll use those funds to support the program and pay the bills. **
Artists Sunday slide 1 and 2 – key messages – how Artists Sunday helps artists during the holiday season** Xavier: Who are the sponsors of it? Chris Sherman: We do not have sponsors finalized at this time. Until then Artists Sunday is funded by private investment. Xavier: Cool! So why is the name trademarked? What does that get you rather than it being a free-flowing concept out there? Chris Sherman: This is an effort to support artists exclusively. Without the trademark we would lose control of the name and large corporations could start using it to help their sales efforts without our permission. The trademark provides protection. It allows us to control which commercial companies use the name and brand. It provides us the opportunity to license it to paying sponsors who underwrite the program and aligns their efforts with ours. Xavier: Very smart! So, it protects everything, all of the guiding principles of the organization? Chris Sherman: Exactly. **
Artists Sunday slide 1 and 2 – key messages – how Artists Sunday helps artists during the holiday season** Xavier: So, what exactly, are those principles? Chris Sherman: Our primary mission is helping individual creative artists sell more art! Consumers are inundated with shopping messages from large retailers during fall holiday season. Mostly, Black Friday deals from large retailers. Art and craft sales cross the country are fragmented down to the individual level with individual artists struggling to make sales. Local communities help support artists but there is no unified voice, which leads to limited consumer awareness of artists! Artists Sunday is a unified rallying cry, a national movement & marketing message, uniting individual artists and communities across the country in a singular effort. A strong, vocal voice of 1,000's across the country. All promoting the giving of artist-created gifts during the busiest shopping weekend of the year. Xavier: Okay, so I have to say that it sounds pretty good, but I'm also a huge cynic and very protective of the artist's community, especially the Seattle Artist's community, what criticisms have you confronted so far in trying to herd one of the biggest conglomerations of cats that there has ever been? And don't try to sugarcoat, artists are always getting letters from folks trying to put something over on us. What makes what you are offering different? Chris Sherman: It's a matter of perception and credibility. Are we just a play to build an email database? No. Are we for real? Yes. Xavier: Go on. Chris Sherman: What makes us different. Well, there's nothing else like it out there. There are regional programs that promote artists but nothing on a national level. We're doing something that's focused on Fall and right now there's likely very little sense of urgency. People are worried about the now. And I get that. We have our work cut out for us and we're working multiple channels. Reaching out directly to artists and reaching out to those communities that support artists at the same time. And that's my priority over the next 100+ days. Reaching out to more and more people–both artists and the communities that support them and to tell them our story. The more artists and non-profit orgs that sign up, the louder our combined voice will be. **
June Sekiguchi and The Pulse of Water installation, currently on exhibit at San Juan Islands Museum of Art.** Xavier: Nice! So, let's step back for a minute are you local to Seattle and how did this idea start? Chris Sherman: I'm not local to Seattle. I was living in Austin, Texas for the past 18 years and then 2 years ago I became a nomadic photographer. This idea came to me last November when I saw photography sales go up during of all things the Sunday after Thanksgiving. That's when the idea struck. I shared it with my good friend Cynthia Freese who lives in Seattle. She's an artist and a former gallery owner. And she's been involved on art councils and various art orgs. She got the idea immediately and volunteered to help. So, in February I pitched the idea to several people in the Seattle area! The response was positive. Then Covid-19 hit, and I spent my time watching, waiting and working on the backend stuff. Xavier: So, what do you have to say to artists that are still on the fence. Give us a pitch for the angels, like in that old Twilight Zone episode! Chris Sherman: Pitch…. You sign up to participate and you do so in a manner that works best for you. That will take different shapes and forms for different people. As we get more and more artists and non-profits joining us, those fence sitters will realize that we're creditable and we're building a powerful voice. There's no real downside to program. **
Art Studio of Artist Joy Hagen, Artist Sunday Member Artist** We don't just want to celebrate the arts. A lot of orgs say hey we celebrate the arts but that can be vague and diffusive. We're cutting right to the chase. We're saying don't just celebrate the arts, shop with artists. #ShopArt. We want more artists to be successful, to make more sales. To thrive. More of America's artists to be happy and well fed. This is a commerce play to help you as an artist sell more or at a minimum be recognized that way. Xavier: Nice! So where do we go! How do we sign up and help spark this momentum? Chris Sherman: Artists Sunday sign up page https://artistssunday.com/artists-registration/ Artists Sunday FAQ: https://artistssunday.com/artists/ Chris Sherman: Tell your artistic friends. There is power in numbers. We are an alliance. **
Art Studio of Artist Scott Wallin, Artist Sunday Member** Xavier: Nice what will we find there? Chris Sherman: The FAQ should answer general questions. The Sign-up page is broken down to top (our public information) about the artists and private information we use to communicate with artists. We also have a group of artists featured on the front page. Our May featured artist can be found on the web site front page at Artists Sunday – Helping Individual Creative Artists Thrive Artists Sunday's May featured partners include OneRedmond, City of Issaqauh, Art Alliance Austin, Kent Downtown Partnership, North Bend Downtown Foundation and Art Center of Citrus County There might be names you recognize or not lol. Depending on the circles you travel in. **
Cynthia Freese, Artists Sunday, Director of Artists Relations** Xavier: Awesome! I mostly travel in circles! Chris Sherman: Lol Xavier: Will this reach out through the media? I mean will artists feel like it is a real thing? Chris Sherman: Yes, we will be conducting a national public relations campaign in the fall. And we will provide templates to allow our individual partners – the non-profit orgs – and artists – to easily reach out to the local media as well. This is a national program, but we're focusing or initial efforts in the Seattle area! Thank you, Xavier! It was a pleasure talking to you! Xavier: The pleasure was mine. Thank you for your time. Good luck with this! Seems like a worthy idea! **
Some Artists Statstics_________________________________________________________________
**
**
|
| You are subscribed to email updates from "names for art and craft business,small business" - Google News. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States | |
Comments
Post a Comment