Information for Makers
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Bespoke The new gallery/resource centre/website/promotional facility for furniture designer makers The objective of this venture is to build a national hub for furniture designer makers selected for excellence in design, manufacture and commitment, a centre to which all customers can refer, knowing that we can provide the knowledge they are seeking as to who to commission, what is for sale at the moment and what events are happening up and down the country. Collectively furniture makers can make their voice heard, and with the growing awareness of the damage being done by industrial manufacturing, waste and pollution, the transparent ethic and ethos of the furniture designer maker is very relevant. There has never been a better time to make big strides forward and promote the industry and win the acclaim and approbation the industry rightly deserves. With the new book coming out this is an ideal time to capitalise on my reputation, the exhibition’s reputation and keep the ball rolling. I have a gallery already in place, run this past 25 years selling the work of Ian Norbury, with a reputation for excellence, and we have an established national client base to build on. Furniture makers will be selected to be come members of this new venture, and applications and suggestions will be most welcome. Members will enjoy the following benefits Gallery Space Each member will be guaranteed gallery space to exhibit an appropriate piece of work for a minimum of two months ensuring a change of stock 6 times a year. A private viewing will be carefully timed and held regularly every two months when the gallery stock changes becoming a regular fixture. Invitations will widely available ensuring gradual expansion of client base. Commission will be charged at an agreed fixed sum with a % leeway given on both sides for client negotiation. No commission will be charged for client referrals which will be dealt with pro-actively; i.e. the gallery director will ring the maker to pass on the client’s details. The gallery will be made available at a reasonable cost to members who wish to hold exhibitions. Resource Centre A portfolio of all members work will be held at the gallery and will be available for all clients and would be clients without obligation. This portfolio will take the form of a collection of a minimum of ten 8 x 10 photographs of professional quality held in uniform binders with relevant descriptions. These will be regularly updated. Discs of all members work will be held at the gallery and will be available to all media contacts. These must be original digital images or professionally scanned transparencies and photographs, and meet the required specification for publication. Promotional Facility Using materials and interesting topical information supplied by the members, a monthly press release plus images will be sent to all relevant media contacts, building a rapport with journalists and editors such that they will begin to look to our facility for information. A constant advertising campaign will be put in place. Monthly e-mails will go to members requesting this information Web-site This is to be an up to the minute record of all available pieces of designer made furniture for sale all over the country, an online gallery of ready made pieces. All pieces will have as many views as are relevant, description, size, materials, price and contact details. There will be no commission on sales made in this way; unless the gallery becomes directly involved, when this happens the commission will be agreed with the maker. There will be a diary of events where members are exhibiting along with events that have a strong furniture/designer element. Monthly e-mails for information to makers and venues will seek to keep this up to date. It is proposed to hold a monthly on line auction to create interest in returning to the site and to work pro-actively in selling existing stock. This will only be applicable for pieces that makers are prepared to fix the reserve at a discount and clients who wish to sell pieces on. This will be beneficial to makers by creating extra cash flow and providing the opportunity of a bargain for the client. The seller can remain anonymous if required. Other benefits Members will be given advance notice to show appropriate work for all exhibitions organised. These now include Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design The London venture with the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers Fees will apply and non members will be invited to exhibit if appropriate. Giving back At the directors discretion new makers will be subsidised where necessary to become members, to exhibit etc. Other exhibits Glass, ceramics jewellery and paintings will also be shown, but the prime exhibits will be furniture. Fees and further Information It is anticipated that the gallery (Bespoke) will open in November 2007 and the annual fee will be £250. I am looking forward to you meeting my new partner in this venture Jane at the private view on Friday 17th August. For an application form or a chat, please contact me
Betty Norbury
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