Hello Ladies!
I know several of you have contacted me in the past couple weeks, asking what has become of my intention to open a Female Artists Collective, and I’m writing you today with exciting news about where the project is, and the opportunities there are to be involved. Be prepared that this email may be long, since there’s much to communicate-so you may want to grab a cup of coffee, or your favorite Herbal tea, and settle in! 
When we were last in contact, I had my eye on a property on Prince Edward Island, which is located in Ontario Canada. It was a lovely property, and held such potential! Unfortunately, after my family and I drove there, we discovered that what we thought would be a fairly reasonable drive from Toronto, where my husband has clients he must meet with at least once a week, was actually a 3 hour drive. While I felt this concept would work really well there, he was not willing to take the chance that because of distance, he could lose his clients and well, then my venture had better work-and work well! 
We looked in several other locations, all within an hour and 1/2 of Toronto. Either the property was perfect, but out of our budget, or it was on too little land, without “shop” potential, or it wasn’t in a town that I felt demographically could/would support my business.
Then we found it. (Drum Roll Please!)
We’ve purchased a property in Fergus Ontario, and we move in on September 1st!! It only has 1 Acre, but is laid out very well, allowing for much potential for many uses. We border another residential property on one side, and a small dairy farm on the other-the cows look at us over the fence, and the air is sweet with country air. (Aaaahhhhh..good to be back to what I know!)
The most exciting feature about this property, is a 970 square foot shop, with it’s own entrance/driveway/small parking lot at the back of the property! The driveway opens to a major (not highway though) road, and our house driveway onto a dirt road! I couldn’t be more excited!!
Fergus, is a small town with a high average income, (mansions abound), a quality of life that supports the downtown core, which is filled with boutique shops (about 5 minutes from us) and it has a very active artist’s community. The cities of: Guelph (22 minutes), Kitchener (40 Minutes), Orangeville (36 Minutes) and Toronto/Brampton/Mississauga (Approx: 1 Hour and 15 minutes) are all close enough to bring in customers and students. There are also several Studio Tours in the area, which I will be applying for us to be a participate in.
The shop is Steel Construction, and is insulated/drywalled and has a small woodstove for heat in the winter. I’ll be renovating the inside of course, but it’s got such great “bones”!
It is surrounded by trees, but is visible from the road, and I will be putting a sign up at the end of the driveway to advertise and create a presence locally.
Isn’t this exciting!!!???
Here is my vision:
As a fellow artist, I understand how frustrating it can be to send product to be sold on consignment. To begin with, there are hardly ever advertising opportunities, since the shop wishes to keep all business going through their shop-a second issue I’ve found, is that there is rarely any feedback on either the product or the sales, and you’re left just waiting and hoping for some money for product you created with the high hopes of someone loving it!
So I will be doing this slightly different. What I am offering is a more personal arrangement. You will have your picture (if you wish), your paragraph about your work and your business cards there with your product. So not only will you make sales through the shop, but you could be contacted for commissioned work by the customers directly, thus bypassing the sales “fee” completely!
I will also provide customer feedback upon request at anytime, and will share things of importance with you personally as we go along. It is my sincerest intention to help you become your best, and to succeed at what you love.
I am looking not for women who “need” to make money, and do so by making things. But for whom creating is a way of connecting to Spirit, and a source of joy. If you ind yourself “lost” in time when you create, then I may be looking for you! In order to stay true to my vision, all product will be high-end, and I will not inviting “crafters” to participate, as I want it to represent the best of Divine Creative Energy-the kind women attune themselves with, and make the world a better place through. Everything will be reviewed and it will be a “by invitation only” type shop. I don’t want to exclude anyone, because I know firsthand what rejection feels like, but in order to keep the project on track and focused, I will need to do so.
I also intend to offer classes/workshops for women/children which foster creativity, healing through creative expression, spirituality through creativity, and finding our voice through creating. I will also invite artists and artistic souls to share their perspective and teachings as well.
I will hold special events, where women can come and share in Creative Day-retreats where they can be encouraged to stretch, and supported in their journey, Picnics/Play days and Art classes for home/unschooled children and other-abled children too, and many more ideas!
Many things afoot….
SO: Here are the ways you can apply to be involved:
========================================
Option 1: Straight Consignment: Here’s how it works:
You let me know you’re interested in being considered, and I send you an email requesting you send me 1 Sample. If you are a painter or have product worth more than $50, you are welcome to send prints/greeting cards, or to Pay for return shipping, should you not be invited. Keep in mind that I will be shipping from Ontario Canada. If you ARE invited to participate, I will catalog your sample as one item in my shop, and put it for sale. There are 2 Consignment Options: 60% (you) 40% (the shop). This percentage does NOT include the monthly advertising co-op of $5.00/month. If you’re concerned about a monthly fee (which may be purchased at 6 month installments) you may also opt for a 50% (you)50% (the shop) split, which will then also cover your monthly co-op amount.
You MUST leave your product in the shop for a 1 year contract, and then should you wish to continue, it will be on a 6 month by 6 month contract.
Option 2: Rent Space for your product in the Shop: Selection process is the same as above…But You pay $35/month, which includes your co-op advertising fee, and you make 100% of each sale back. You still must commit to 1 year, and rental amounts can be paid monthly, in 3 month or 6 month increments. If you pay for a year, you get a discount of $20, and it costs $400.00. After the first year, you may renew or discontinue your contract without penalty.
*The co-op advertising gives us the chance to advertise the shop/events in local newspapers, radio and TV.
You are welcome to switch your contract type after the first 6 months, but each time you switch, there is an admin fee of $20.00, since it requires re-tagging your product and changing the catalogue system.
ALL artists are required to pay a one time set-up fee of $35.00, which includes admin and inventory set up. This fee never happens again, as long as you stay with us! If you discontinue your contract, and then decide to come back on board, the admin fee applies each time you re-join. So basically, join and stay forever!
I will be starting a newsletter within the first 6 months or so, and will be featuring one artist in each newsletter. This service is covered by the co-op advertising fee, but other services like blog features, newspaper features, and etc. will be offered as paid (a la carte…)options throughout the year. These additional advertising opps are NOT mandatory. I just want to be able to offer opportunities to further your business!
I will also have a website at some point, but probably not more than a landing page for the first year. I’m happy to link to your sites for free from the landing page, once it’s up!!
WHEW! This is really long!
Ok-finally…I’ll need to know your feedback on the above options. I would like to know who feels they would like to apply for consideration, and which option looks the best currently. I would also like to have a vote on naming the center, since I’ve narrowed it down to 2 names…
If you’re a local artist, or travel to Ontario-I’d love to have you come and share your talent with us in person! Please mention that in your email.
And finally, if after reading this announcement, you no longer feel it’s a good fit for you, please simply reply with “no thank you” in the subject line, and I’ll remove your email from my mailing list.:)
Thank you all for reading this incredibly lengthy email, (this is why I am currently writing a NOVEL! lol), and I look forward to hearing back from you soon!
With Excitement!
Marcie