Labrador Craft Marketing Agency

Busy times ahead

2011-09-08T23:10:00.007-04:00

The Agency is preparing for a busy fall. Professional skills development workshops, retail shows, promotional and marketing trip, and a new website are some of the projects and initiatives the Agency has planned for the fall of '11.

Over the past 4 years, through funding from the Northern Strategic Plan, the Agency has provided professional skills development workshops throughout all regions of Labrador. Some of these have been duffel and hide moccasin, caribou hair tufting, baby booties, parka dolls and beginner carving. In 2010 a local producer was contracted to develop a new series of dolls related to Labrador. The Labrador settler doll, Labradorable, and doll in a tote bag were introduced with great success on the wholesale market. This led to the first workshop in the dolls in the spring of 2011.

This year, through continued support from the Northern Plan, the Agency will be tentatively offering 2 more development workshops. Another in the Labrador doll as well as a beading and embroidery embellishment workshop. The embellishment training will primarily serve as a means for producers from past workshops to increase their skills and add value to their work.

On October 29th Labrador Traditions will be holding their 9th annual Christmas Craft Fair at the College of the North Atlantic gymnasium from 10 until 4. The finest handmade crafts from Labrador will be available from over 25 exhibitors. From November 9 to the 13 the Agency will be attending the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Christmas Craft Fair in St. John's at the Arts and Culture Centre. From November 15 to 20 the Agency will be exhibiting for the first time at the Signatures Christmas Show in Ottawa The show is being held at the Ottawa Convention Centre.

Also this fall the Agency is planning another promotional and marketing trip to Nain. The Agency will meet with producers from Nain and other areas or Labrador's north coast to present how the Agency operates and the benefits of marketing through the Labrador Craft Marketing Agency. This will be the third such trip to the north coast.

The fall of 2011 promises to be a busy time around here, and with plans of a new website falling into place the future is looking bright for the Labrador Craft Marketing Agency.

New Products for summer of 2011

2011-05-12T03:18:00.000-04:00

The Agency continues to secure new products for our buyers throughout Canada and the United States. With additions of products from Labrador producers such as Scott Goudie, Wilson Semigak and Dougie Earle the future of the Labrador craft industry is looking brighter each and every day. These carvers work mostly in soapstone and are rapidly becoming known for their own unigue style and quality of work that is quickly increasing in demand with our knowledgable buyers. Click on the links above to see sample work for each artist. For more on each featured artist, pricing info or price list on the rest of our successful product line email the Agency @ labcraft@hvgb.net or just give us a call @ 709 896 2121.

Spring 2011

2011-03-28T15:14:00.008-04:00

Hello everyone,

We have just finished another round of wholesale shows. We traveled to and participated in shows from just about one end of the country to the other. We exhibited at the Atlantic Craft Trade Show in Halifax, the Alberta Gift Show in Edmonton and the Provincial Craft Wholesale Show in St. John's. As in past years it was a pleasure to see and chat with our current buyers, established some new accounts and introduced ourselves to possible new buyers along the way. Several new products and producers were introduced with a great amount of success. Carvings by Douglas Earle and Wilson Semigak were very popular as well as 2 new products by Barb Wood. These were Labradorable dolls and a little doll in tote bag. Both receiving a large number of orders. As usual, as in past years our product line had it many orders for baby booties and parka dolls. If you click on the above link for wholesale shows you will see a few pics of our booth at the Atlantic Craft Trade Show as well as the Alberta Gift Show.

Spring 2011

2011-01-13T10:12:00.013-05:00

The wholesale season is here once again. This year Labrador Traditions will be participating in the Atlantic Craft Trade Show in Halifax from February 5th to 7th. It is being held at the World Trade and Convention Centre on 1800 Argyle Street. It is our first time at this show since 2007 so I am really looking forward to reminding the buyers of the region of the quality hand made products Labrador has to offer.

From February 20th to 23rd we will once again be at the By Hand Show in Edmonton in the Edmonton Expo Centre ( formerly AgriCom building) . This will be our 12th year exhibiting in Alberta at this event. Our booth number is 10318 hall D. We will be exhibiting our regular product line that has been successful all these years as well as several new products from new producers. See you there, if you have any questions email labcraft@hvgb.net or call 709 896 2121.

Fall Events

2010-09-20T12:55:00.007-04:00

The fall of 2010 will be a busy time for all involved with the Agency. First we have a marketing and promotional trip planned for the north coast of Labrador, followed by our 8th annual Labrador Traditions Christmas Craft Fair, product development workshops, and the Craft Council Christmas Craft Fair. Along with the everyday happenings of the Agency it promises to be a hectic but fun time around here.

In mid October we will be traveling to Nain on a promotional and marketing trip. We will introduce the Agency to crafts producers as well as anyone interested in the craft industry. This will also be an opportunity to purchase new product from new producers. For awhile now the Agency has been in a need of new products to introduce to the marketplace. This venture will benefit the producers, the Agency and the Labrador craft industry.

On October 30 we will be hosting the 8th annual Labrador Traditions Christmas Craft Fair. It takes place in the gymnasium of the College of the North Atlantic in Goose Bay from 10am to 4 pm. Approximately 30 exhibitors from Labrador will be show casing and presenting their work.

It is workshop time again. Over the past 3 years the Agency has been using funds from the Northern Strategic Plan to offer product development workshops throughout Labrador. Courses in slipper and doll making as well as grasswork, caribou hair tufting, and carving have been offered throughout all the regions of Labrador. This fall, the first workshop to be planned will be a caribou hair tufting workshop for the Goose Bay area. Grasswork is being discussed for January as well as a cultural product development session for the Goose Bay area in the new year. This was done in the Labrador Straits area in May 2010 and it was a great success. We are hoping to mirror that result for the Goose Bay workshop.

From November 18th to 21st the Agency will be attending the Craft Council Christmas Craft Fair in St. John's at the Arts and Culture Center. In the past we have been contracting someone from the area to setup and work the booth for us however this year we will be participating in person. I will be in the booth from start to finish answering your questions and tending to your buying needs. I will post more on booth number and approximate location within the building as I learn more.

On September 11, the Agency exhibited at the Big Land Fair in Goose Bay. Once again as in years past it was a well attended event. Pictured below is our booth with my usual little helper for the day, my daughter Julie. She really looks forward to and enjoys these events and has become a much appreciated addition to the Agency in times such as these local events. That's all for now, keep checking in as I think I am getting into a habit of this blogging culture. Still learning and I am sure I will be for the foreseeable future, but I am willing to be patient if you are.

2010 Alberta Gift Show; Amazing Success

2010-08-20T13:57:00.008-04:00

The 2010 Alberta Gift Show was a complete success. From opening new accounts and establishing new contacts for the future to having it become our best show there since 2001 !

Although carvings once again generated the most interest our reliable tried and true products such as the Parka Dolls and sealskin keychains showed us some things can stand the test of time even in the always changing marketplace of craft.

With plans already in place for the Agency of sourcing new products and producers the future is looking very exciting for everyone the Agency represents. With a promotional trip planned for Northern Labrador in early October, our 8th Christmas fair, workshops, Craft Council Christmas fair and possibility of a new retail event it is going to be a very busy fall here at the Labrador Craft Marketing Agency. Keep checking back as I will keep you all updated on these very happenings.

2010 Alberta Fall Gift Show

2010-08-14T23:01:00.008-04:00

Day 1 of the show is over and although overall
buyer attendance seemed to be a little slow the Agency still wrote orders and generated a few quality leads. This year some of our producers have introduced some new ideas which have been definitely getting noticed. Carvings by Wilson Semigak and John Neville are leading the way this year along with some of our usual tried and true products such as the Parka Doll, Ulus and Baby Tea Dolls. Day 2 tomorrow so check back to see how it turns out.

Recent Events

2010-07-14T10:17:00.010-04:00

Hello everyone,
its been awhile so it is time to bring everyone up to speed on the happenings of the LCMA. Since my last post we have participated in several shows and events. The Agency has been to wholesale shows in Toronto, Edmonton and St. John's as well as a few local retail shows here in Goose Bay. Our annual Labrador Traditions spring craft fair was in March and Expo Labrador was in June, both went well with great exposure for the producers the Labrador Craft Marketing Agency represents. This is a picture our booth at the Toronto By Hand Wholesale Show we attended January 2010.

Currently we are planning for the Alberta Wholesale Gift show in Edmonton in August and our 8th annual Labrador Traditions Christmas Craft fair here in Goose Bay. The Christmas fair will be on October 30 at the College of the North Atlantic. I will post more info as we approach the show. For the show in Alberta the dates will be August 15 to 18 and we are in booth 10318 of Hall A in the Edmonton Expo Centre. Again, there will be more info posted as we approach the show.

For more info on the Agency or any of the services provided just call 709 896 2121 or email labcraft@hvgb.net. Check out the following link to view some of our products

2010 Wholesale Season

2010-01-18T09:45:00.028-05:00

Good day everyone,
it is that time of the year again, already. We are gearing up for the start of the 2010 Spring Wholesale show circuit. This year the Agency will be attending the By Hand Show in Toronto from January 30 to February 1. This year it will be held at the Sheraton Toronto Airport hotel. We will also be in the By Hand Show at Alberta Gift Show in Edmonton from February 21 to 24. Our booth numbers at each show will be F43 and 10318 respectively. Along with our complete product line of soapstone carvings, Innu Tea Dolls and duffel products we will also be introducing new product from Barb Wood. For those familiar with Barb she has been producing our trinket boxes, pin cushions, and painted hoops. So drop by our booth and I will be glad to help you with any questions you may have plus check out our show specials. I look forward to seeing you there.

Feature on Labrador carver John Neville

2009-11-24T09:31:00.008-05:00

Hello everyone,,
This posting will be focused on a feature carver here in Labrador who has been producing quality work for the LCMA for the past several years. His name is John Neville.

John was born in St. John’s, NL on May 21, 1956. His dad is from Conception Bay, NL and his mom is from Porcupine Bay, Black Tickle, Labrador. He moved to Black Tickle when he was 4 years old and moved to Goose Bay in 1996.

John has been carving for 30 years and when asked why he carves he said “I love to carve. I have a passion for carving, and if I couldn’t carve I wouldn’t know what to do”.

For more information on John's work please just give me a call at 709 896 2121 or email at me labcraft@hvgb.net.

Busy times for LCMA

2009-10-16T13:13:00.028-04:00

Hi again,
it has been awhile since my last posting and I have so much to catch up on I don't know where to start so I think I will just jump right in. Since you last heard from me the Agency has been involved in the Expo Labrador Conference and Trade Show as well as the Big land Fair, both here in Goose Bay and the Alberta Gift Show in Edmonton. Picture of booth at Expo Labrador.

We also organized and took part in the 7th Annual Labrador Traditions Christmas Craft Fair here in Goose Bay on the 24th of October at the College of the North Atlantic. This is an LCMA sponsored event which provides an opportunity for the finest crafts in Labrador to be on display and available for purchase. It is traditionally the first Christmas show in the area each year and has become known as the one show you don't want to miss. This year we had 25 exhibitors displaying their work on over 40 tables and exhibits.

As soon as that show is in the books we have to gear up for the Fine Craft and Design Fair in St. John's. This is a Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador event and this year will run through 2 weeks in November ( 4 -9 , 11 - 15 ) at the Arts and Culture Center.

We are also in the middle of planning 3 product development workshops throughout different regions of Labrador with 2 starting in the next couple of weeks, I should have more info on those in my next posting.

The last major topic for this fall is we are planning a promotional trip to the North Coast of Labrador later this fall, details are still being worked out and should provide an excellent opportunity for the Agency to introduce itself to the craft producers in that area.

2009 Big Land Fair booth ( my daughter helped work the booth and as it turns out is becoming pretty good at it and enjoying it more each time with the more experience she gains).

LCMA planning for the future

2009-05-29T07:13:00.006-04:00

As it is evident with the start up of our blog, the LCMA are researching and finding new ways to stay competitive in the wholesale craft industry. We have participated in several workshops over the past months that have allowed for us to begin an electronic marketing plan, completely in its early stages, but a plan that will allow us to introduce our product to our buyers more quickly and efficiently. We have developed an in house photo set up that will enable us to take quality digital pictures of products. Through the use of an online photography program we are able to forward those images to anyone on our soon to be email marketing program list of buyers.

We are also in the process of researching the possibility of a trip to Northern Labrador. This would be a marketing and promotional event with a focus on purchasing new products as well. If the LCMA is to remain competitive in this industry we must continue to source new products and producers.

Last week we attended the Craft Council AGM in St. John's. As always it was a busy event with discussion centered around how does the Craft Council, including the LCMA, better itself in order to better serve the Industry. In other words how can we all improve what it is we do or are supposed to be doing that will achieve the goals we have identified that will lead to positive, noticeable results for all involved in the craft industry. I am confident that is what was accomplished and it will be evident in the near future for all to see.

That is all for now, it is time for me to get back to working on filling my orders. It seems miniature seal skin mukluk key chains by Jane Shiwak are extremely popular this year. Picture above.

Planning for a busy year at the Labrador Craft Marketing Agency

2009-04-21T13:49:00.008-04:00

Things are starting to pick up here in the office with orders coming in for the summer buying season. The Agency has just overseen a professional skills development workshop in which 9 interested crafts people from the Goose Bay area participated in a Baby Bootie, Parka Doll, and New Born Moccasin making course. To date the majority of participants have submitted product for standards review with virtually everyone's products meeting or passing industry standards with little or no recommendations for improvement.

The Agency also organized and participated in the 3rd annual Labrador Traditions Spring Craft Fair. The Fair took place on March 28 at the College of the North Atlantic. Over 300 visitors turned out during the 6 hour event to check out and buy some of the finest handmade crafts produced in Labrador. There were also booths from the Island portion of our province as well as handmade product from Vancouver and Toronto. Plans are already underway for the 7th Annual Christmas Craft Fair to be held in Goose Bay on October 24, 2009.

With more workshops being planned and the usual day to day operations and challenges this should be a busy year for the Agency. Not to mention myself attempting to become a blogger, this by a person who has fought and resisted every step of the way the Facebook world, will only add to the excitement. All in time they tell me, so please bare with me, it may be a bumpy ride to start.

Labrador Crafts Industry Welcomes Wholesalers

2009-03-03T21:30:00.004-05:00

The Labrador Craft Marketing Agency has a selection of quality aboriginal art and crafts products created by Labrador artisans. Products range from hand carvings in soapstone, caribou antler and whale bone, to traditional grass weaving, mocassins, beadwork, pottery and unique tea dolls and parka dolls.

All craft products are fine examples of the skill and talent of Labrador craftspeople and the culture of this unique northern destination.

The Labrador Craft Marketing Agency welcomes trade inquiries from wholesale buyers looking for authentic gift items. Visit our booth during the 2009 Provincial Wholesale Show this weekend at the Holiday Inn, St. John's on March 22.
Contact Jim Garland for more information. We have a selection of authentic soapstone carvings, Labrador tea dolls, fine beadwork, mocassins and other products in stock now.