9/29/08

Aid To Artisans





On September 16, Carol Campbell and Colleen Pendleton of Aid to Artisans http://www.aidtoartisans.org/ presented an inspiring view of the design world to Design Salon Boston. In the spirit of generosity, Heather Wells of Heather G Wells, LTD. Architectural Interiors offered the use of her posh studio space for the evening.

We heard from Carol and Colleen that it is possible to develop our craft alongside artisans in Third World countries, blending our skills and knowledge with the cultural craftsmanship of men and women in impoverished countries such as Mali, Columbia, Afghanistan and Peru. These skills are not only creative skills. They are also business leadership, sales, marketing and collecting money. Most importantly, the skills are bringing an income to an individual, a family or an entire village.

O.K., I know that it sounds incredibly altruistic, but we are savvy business owners. So how does working with Aid to Artisans help us??? Many big name designers and product companies such as Steven Burk, Jonathan Adler, West Elm, and our own Jill Rosenwald have been successfully developing product through Aid to Artisans. All of the designers seem to have gained not only a place to produce their wares, but a deeper understanding of other cultures and innovation. In many cases, it is simply an injection of inspiration that brings a new product to life.

I have to confess that before I attended this salon event, I imagined that I would find an opportunity to help someone in a less fortunate part of the world. As it turns out, however, perhaps it is the Bostonian designer that benefits the most.

If you would like to learn more, please contact Colleen Pendleton, Marketing Director. T: 860-947-3411, colleen_peldleton@aidtoartisans.org.

9/13/08

First Annual Design Salon Holiday Sale

Calling all Designers: Request for Applications to Sell Your Products at our First Annual Design Salon Holiday Sale (November 14th and 15th 2008!)

We are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting the First Annual Design Salon Holiday Sale this year on November 14th and 15th and want to invite you to submit an application to participate in this great retail event.

We are planning quite a bit of press and marketing for the event, proceeds of which will support the Kingsley Montessori School in Boston. We will utilize Kingsley’s beautiful space in the Back Bay for the event. Kingsley is located on Exeter Street between Newbury Street and Commonwealth Avenue so we expect lots of foot traffic.

The event will consist of a preview cocktail party and silent auction on Friday, November 14th (mark your calendars – details to follow!) and then a full day of selling on Saturday, November 15th.

We welcome manufactures and designers of all types of products to submit applications to the Holiday Sale Review Committee by Friday, October 3rd. We would love to have every Design Gal participate, but unfortunately space is limited – and so, we encourage you to submit your applications as early as possible.

Participants of the event will be required to pay a $25 administrative fee and will be asked to donate on of their pieces to the silent auction. Additionally, 20% of gross revenue (less taxes) will be donated to the Kingsley Montessori School.

To apply to participate in the DS Holiday Sale, please send an email to jill@jillshah.com with answers to the following questions. Additionally, please attach 2-3 photographs of the products which you would sell at the event.

Questions:
  1. Your name, company name, website address, description of company, and EIN number.
  2. Please describe the products that you would sell at the DS Holiday Sale. Please include details about the materials that are used in your products.
  3. Which retailers sell your products (if you sell to retailers.)
  4. Have your products been covered in any online or traditional publications?
  5. What are the price points for your products?
  6. Who, typically, is the target audience of your product?
Please email your application by October 3rd at the latest. Decisions will be made by October 7th.

Please email any questions as well as your application to the ATTN of the Holiday Sale Review Committee at jill@jillshah.com Thank you!