September's Artists Round Table

This month we to meet at Anglin Bay Pottery studio, Jane Thelwell's busy going concern, as the weather is warm and we could sit in her delightful seating area.

Jane ran with the group and lead us with topics to do with upcoming shows, current shows, calls for entry and such.  We talked about shows and what kind of size they are, what kind of attendees there are and the nature of work which fits best: high end work or small gift ware.

As artisans we have to have both our treasured art pieces, large and expensive and also smaller less expensive items as 'bread & butter' items which can be purchased as impulse buying. It is so exciting when you sell a $400 item to someone who sees it, loves in an decides it has to be there but those sales are the exception. 

Also, lots of people would love to have our work but cannot afford our main pieces so it is lovely to have small pieces for impulse buying, a gift of just a treat for themselves. I have wraps, scarves and pins, photographers have their work on not cards or small prints, potters have mugs, jewellers might have small silver rings or charms, and so on.

We went over some dates such as the Downtown Art After Dark is on September 27th.

Also, Fat Goose Art Fair is coming up and there might still be time to sign up for a table. 

Nicole Couture-Lord is exhibiting at Wolfe Island Bakery 311 Queen Street from Sept 3 - Oct 15th during restaurant hours.

Anglin Bay Pottery at NGB Studios.

Sarah Washbush, Project Manager at the Ontario Crafts Council, is coming to Kingston to do a leaning session on...

Craft Export Rediness

It will be at the boardroom at Innovation Park, Mark Hanley from KEDCO has graciously

assisted me with this.

Tuesday October 1st

5-7pm

Jane showing us a group firing ready to be taken out of the kiln.

Our next get together will be at Tina Roeder's house on Maitland October 1st....

I'll send out a reminder.

 

June's ART

Another ART gathering, at my house this month. I had hoped to sit outside on the deck but the weather just wasn't cooperative.

We had a good gab about shows and what was going on in Kingston and surrounding area. Here are a couple of pics taken by Reg and by Tina. 

As a note, Reg is looking for anyone who wants to go to Algonquin Park in mid to end of September for a couple of days to look at the galleries, take photographs and to paint....who knew Reg painted!

Anyway, if you are interested get in touch with Reg: gaitken3@cogeco.ca 

We'll have our July, August & September gatherings outside and I'm happy to host them on my deck as we have done in past Summers. Also there are no parking problems here in the village.  If anyone has something they want to do/present/show do let us know and we can go to your place and work on something different.

This weekend is Art Among the Ruins in Newburgh on Saturday. A few of us will be there, like Jane Thellwell....with her wheel.

Drive out and enjoy music, bbq and Summer in the country.

Check out the info for AATR web site.

Also, Artfest Kingston is coming up on Canada Day weekend in City Park.

See you next month - July 2nd 11am.

April's A.R.T & Business

Well, we had our meeting at Tina Roeder's and there were seven of us all with news about things we have just done or are involved in now. It was a busy meeting with lots explored and great rhubarb cake made by Tina.

Joanne Hoftyzer is looking for two or three other artists to exhibit with her in Amherstview...give her a call or drop her an email:  613-384-5508  jhoftyzer@cogeco.ca.

Nicole Coture-Lord announced the photography exhibition at the Central branch of the Public Library in the Wilson Room, the Kingston Photographic Club....go take a look, I went to the opening evening, which is always a great time to go as you meet the photographers and get to ask questions. A wonderful exhibition.

Cathy Hamilton talked about her work being on exhibition at the Wolfe Island Bakery for June & July, also at the Vaga Gallery in Gananoque which is open from May to October.

Reg Aitken who is a photographer, talked about wanting to get back to his painting, with oils, acrylics, something which was a surprise to us that he painted! Also he wants to add stones to the walking sticks he makes....as we are all getting on a bit we might want a well made, smart cane in the future!

Annette told us about some of the groups she has come to Reg's Ceramics, groups of folk with disabilities and also teens. Something popped into my mind and I suggested she might approach real estate agents to come and have a fun afternoon or evening making gifts for their clients. Many years ago when I closed on a house in the Beach in Toronto my agent came and gave me a beautiful dried flower wreath which she had purchased from another Beach artisan....who I came to know. I still have it. One of Reg's vases hand painted by an agent would make a memorable gift to a home purchaser....I thought so anyway.

Tina said not much had been happening business wise but now things are picking up and she's getting busy....perhaps wedding season helps in her line.

My booth in aisle I.

I had just come back from the One of a Kind show in Toronto where I had been for five long days over Easter.  As I hadn't done 2012 this was a fresh feeling for me and I enjoyed it and learned some new things I wanted to share.

Card Readers.

We often have conversations about taking credit cards in our studios and at shows and the different companies and ways. I have used Visa for thirty years, MC for about 15 and Am Ex for about 12 (I make one Am Ex sale per year but at least I don't miss it!)

We have discussed point of sale devices that you rent, PayPal, Moneris and other ways.  I found a new way at the show that I saw many artists using especially the woman next to me where I learned lots and got to pick her brain....she was great.

I have used PAYD since I enrolled last year for the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition but now I have Square...I enrolled on my laptop late one night and sent my husband out the next day to pick up a card reader at Best Buy. I made one sale, the company verified my account and the money is in my account.

You use these on your smart phones or iPad.

Pros & Cons:
PAYD has a sales limit of $2000 per month but up that to $1500 for shows. Square hasn't a ceiling.
PAYD is 2.75% whether you swipe or key in the credit card. Square is 2.75% for swiped but over 3% for keyed in. Square adds in tax (you set that up.


Those are the main things but Square has a wonderful app that if you are using it on your iPad (or even your smart phone) you can inventory your stock!

Anyway, when I was setting up I felt old as all about me were young things (30somethings) but I learned from them, shared with them and found out that my other neighbour recognized my name as she had been on the OAC jury for one of my grant applications!!!!! She told me she didn't understand the reasoning behind some of the awards and denials! (I think she thought I should have had one).