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Posted by Terri Shutters on 9/29/2001, 15:02:53 Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Terri Shutters and I am a fellow handcrafter (Tole Painter) from Maumee, Ohio.
Dear Crafting Professional,
As Im sure many of you are aware, the number of non-handcrafted items appearing in craft shows and craft malls is growing
and becoming a very sore spot to those of us that are true handcrafters. Some of the people who are selling these mass-manufactured items are even brazen enough to apply their own price tag right over that of the manufacturer, yet pass it off as their own work! As a handcrafter, I find this practice to be quite offensive (not to mention immoral). Handcrafters put a lot of time and effort, as well as a touch of themselves into their work. This is what makes each item created unique
regardless how many similar items are made; no two are going to be exactly alike! Of course, this is just another one of the qualities that makes each handcrafted item special, and in turn, so treasured by the collector.
I have now expanded my artistic endeavors into creating and designing WebPages and Websites. I am grateful to have found yet another way to express my artistic talents!
At the present time, I am in the process of creating an Internet Craft Mall strictly for handcrafters. I feel there is a definite need for handcrafters to have a location where they can offer their wonderful, unique items on their own merit; not mixed in with those that are mass-manufactured!
Each handcrafter shall have their own unique page that will list a short biography, picture(s) of their item(s), price list, means of contact/ordering and the way they would like to handle special orders (if they choose to accept such). Each crafters page would be, in effect, their own store within the Craft Mall, and shall be unique from the other stores found there.
In my opinion, the biography allows the potential customer to know something about the person they are purchasing from, which again, adds that personal touch. When someone makes a purchase from you, often times they become a loyal customer. Many of these items go on to become treasured family heirlooms, and the people who have purchased them are pleased to be able to collect more items over time from the same, talented artist. With an Internet presence, you can maintain a customer loyalty base even if that person who made the purchase does not reside in your area.
Also, with your items now being available on the Internet, you will be able (if you so choose) to maintain a customer email address database. As you add new items to your store, you are able to contact those customers and let them know that they can find these wonderful, new and unique items at the touch of a button! Please note: It is not necessary for you to own a computer to partake in this venture! Your customers can phone their orders in to you if you choose, or simply mail their requests!
The goal of this Internet Craft Mall is to be up and running by mid-to-late October
just in time for the Christmas rush! The cost of your store is modest; the set-up cost will be $50.00. This is a one-time fee, and there are no "hidden" fees...I do NOT take a commission off the sale of your items!! The monthly upkeep fee for your store is $14.95, and this fee will include page changes you desire (adding/removing items; updating prices, etc.). The store will be on a 1-year lease; if you choose to keep your store open beyond the duration of the contract, you will simply sign another contract...no additional set-up cost!
I have many marketing tools at my disposal, and have every intention to make this site one of the best handcrafters sites on the Internet! I create spreadsheets to make sure that my Web pages/Websites are keyword rich and noticed by the search engines just to name one of the techniques I use. There are, of course, many other ways to be sure this Craft Mall sparks interest
too many ways to list!
For more information, please contact me at: OpticArtistry@buckeye-express.com, putting the words Craft Mall in the subject line.
I thank you for your time and interest, and look forward to a wonderful, shared venture and kinship with the handcrafters who choose to take part of this great opportunity!
(at this time I have not purchased the domain name..when I do, I will post it so everyone can come and view the various "stores" and the wonderful items to be found!)
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