Over 250 craftspeople from across the Atlantic provinces began showcasing their products at the only wholesale craft show exhibiting products made exclusively in Atlantic Canada. The three-day event, known as the Atlantic Craft Trade Show, began this weekend and attracted more than 960 buyers to the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax on its first day of business.
Last year, nearly $1.7 million in sales were generated from the show. Organizers are hopeful results will be as good, if not better, this year.
"We're very pleased to see the number of interested buyers attending again this year," said John Gillis, Atlantic Craft Trade Show Manager. "We have buyers from the United States and all over Canada here in Halifax for the show, and for the first time ever, we have six buyers attending from Iceland. By developing relationships with new markets, the Atlantic Craft Trade Show is becoming bigger and better every year, and our craftspeople are experiencing phenomenal exporting success as a result."
Craft and giftware is a multimillion dollar industry in Atlantic Canada.
The Atlantic Craft Trade Show, a combined effort by all Atlantic provinces, allows Atlantic crafts people to secure orders for the approaching summer season. Last year, the show attracted approximately 1,500 buyers, with an average wholesale booth selling approximately $7,600 worth of products.
Every year, there is an Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence Ceremony, acknowledging the best of our Atlantic craftspeople. This year's awards ceremony will see the Honourable Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island, the Honourable John Hamm, Premier of Nova Scotia and the Honourable Rodney MacDonald, Nova Scotia Minister of Tourism and Culture participating in the presentations. The awards will take place tonight at 6:00 p.m. following the trade show.
Iceland Buyers -- Comments on Atlantic Craft Trade Show:
"We're very excited to be here in Atlantic Canada to learn more about the craft industry in this part of the world," said Bjarni Finsson, one of the six Iceland buyers at the Atlantic Craft Trade Show. " This type of trade show is something very new for us and we've found it interesting gathering information and making contacts with the exhibitors at the show."
The Icelandic buyers are seeking a wide range of products. Their products range from gardening to jewellery and furniture. They are presently carrying products from such countries as Germany, Italy, Mexico and Asia and are very enthusiastic about the possibility of carrying Canadian products.
The products that were of most interest to the Icelandic buyers were the pewter, bird houses, wind chimes, candles and novelty neck ties. As pewter is not a product that is available in Iceland at this time, the buyers found it very interesting to see the variety of ways in which it is used, from frames to jewellery.
"We are very impressed with the quality of the products exhibited here at the show, it's among the best we've ever seen," said Finsson. "Handcraft is fascinating and shows such great workmanship. As in any country, there is a segment of the population that seeks out the high quality hand-crafted products that we are seeing at the show."
In viewing the variety of unique products at the show, the Icelandic buyers have seen market potential and are interested in test marketing some of these product lines in their own country.
The buyers from Iceland are leaving tonight following the Atlantic Craft Awards for Excellence. "We've had a wonderful time here in Atlantic Canada. We've been absolutely overwhelmed by the hospitality and kindness shown by everyone we've met on our visit, and look forward to returning again soon."
Nova Scotia Crafts Person -- Michele Weatherbee, Life's Harvest:
Michele Weatherbee of Kentville, Nova Scotia, is the owner and operator of Life's Harvest. Her unique wholesale business specializes in garlands, wreaths and other creations made of natural items such as dried fruits and bay leaves.
For two years, Weatherbee's business was just a sideline. Then last year, her friends convinced her that the Atlantic Craft Trade Show was the right place for her to really get her business going.
"I was completely overwhelmed with the amount of orders I received at the show," said Weatherbee. "I did so well that I was able to leave my job and devote full-time to my business. This is my first year doing it full time and I have to say, it's been an incredible year."
Now at her second Atlantic Craft Trade Show, Weatherbee was again very pleased with the interest shown in her products. "The feedback from customers is wonderful," said Weatherbee. "I've received very positive comments from buyers which are always nice to hear."
With the positive comments about her products followed a lot of orders. "I'm even doing better then last year which is really amazing," said Weatherbee. "The difference might be that I now have both repeat customers and new customers."
Aside from Weatherbee's maritime customers, her products have attracted the interest of buyers from New Hampshire, Iceland, Ontario and Alberta. "I would like to get more exposure for my business in markets across Canada," said Weatherbee. "That way, products are getting around and the more people seeing them the better."
Weatherbee says that there are many benefits to participating in the ACTS show. "The trade show really provides me a way to get the exposure I need without having to travel or market my products on my own," said Weatherbee. "If I didn't do the show, I'd have to go and search out the people myself which would take a lot of time that could be spent making more products."
Weatherbee says she now generates most of her income from orders she receives at the show.
But the benefits of the trade show goe well beyond the orders placed while she's there. "The great thing about getting into a number of different stores is that so many people get to see your product," said Weatherbee. "If people see my product somewhere and like it, then they'll search me out and place orders themselves."
Trade shows are an important part of a successful business transaction. "Buyers like to meet the person who makes the product. They want to put a face on the merchandise, to ask questions to better understand the product. I enjoy discussing my product with the buyer, it helps to develop a good business relationship. I really enjoy meeting the people I'm selling to, and the trade show is the perfect place to do it."
Sometimes the feedback received from buyers can give craftspeople ideas about their product line. "We look at things together and discuss whether modifications can be made. They suggest colours of material that would be appealing to their customers and I incorporate them into my product line to accommodate their needs. The face-to-face contact also gives me a chance to provide them with ideas about proper ways to display the items. The benefits are phenomenal and I really enjoy the whole trade show experience."
Prince Edward Island Crafts Person -- Chris Jette, Canoe Cove Studio:
Chris Jette, owner of Canoe Cove Studio, is pleased to be attending the Atlantic Craft Trade Show in the wake of last year's success. His work was recognized for receiving the Award of Excellence in 1999 and with it, took centre stage on the front of this year's ACTS program. Jette marries woodworking and stained glass to create lanterns fashioned after an 18th century style.
In his seventh year with the show, he feels he's been around long enough to know the business. "I'm considered middle aged when it comes to this show. Others have been here for 20 years, so I'm certainly no old timer, but I've developed a loyal customer base of which I've quite grateful."
Jette explained that repeat customers are looking for new products lines. "They're looking for what we've developed since they last saw the product," said Jette. "It gives me an opportunity to get feedback on the front line, with the people who deal regularly with the consumer. The input I receive at these events often helps in developing new products, taking into consideration what people are looking for in new colours and styles."
Jette says he finds a good mix of buyers at the show. "The wholesalers who've been in the business a very long time have wonderful instincts on products," said Jette. "They provide quality insight into my products, which I both encourage and appreciate."
Jette's award winning design is featured on the cover of this year's program. He says that's attracted people to his booth. "It's nice to be recognized," said Jette. "It speaks to my customers of the quality of my product, which is extremely important in the craft business."
"With wholesale shows, you get products a lot farther afield then just retailing yourself. It's a partnership. It's an outlet for my work and without the buyers I wouldn't get my product distributed. I feel it's a mutually beneficial relationship."
"I go to a lot of wholesale shows in Canada and the US, but this is definitely my favourite. I always come back."
Jette's first day of business was another success. "The day has been excellent – very busy," said Jette. "This was very close to being our best day of sales at the show, if not the best."
New Brunswick Exhibitor -- Debi Bowins, Garden by the Sea:
Debi Bowins, co-owner and operator of Garden by the Sea in St. Andrew's New Brunswick, is participating in the Atlantic Craft Trade Show for the third year. Garden by the Sea manufactures aromatherapy soaps and natural personal care products - all handmade.
The husband and wife team's first experience making crafts came four years ago when they moved to New Brunswick from Toronto. "We came down on holidays and fell in love with the maritimes," said Bowins. "We decided to quit our jobs and move here, but didn't know what we were going to do. We had always practiced aromatherapy in our personal lives, so we combined it with soap and started our wholesale operation out of our kitchen. Before long, people were coming to the house wanting to buy soap and watch us make it."
After a year working out of their kitchen, they began to realize they had grown too big for their work area. "There was soap all over the kitchen," said Bowins. "I couldn't even cook anymore. It was at that point we knew we had to move. Now we have a store in St. Andrews with a kitchen above and it's much more convenient."
Now in business four years, the Bowins have a steadily growing customer base, much of which has been secured through their participation at the Atlantic Craft Trade Show. " Our product does well at these shows because the price is reasonable. People are looking for something of quality under $5 dollars."
And that's exactly what they get with the Bowin's homemade soap made with fresh herbs and essential oils. "People are looking for a piece of where they've been when they're travelling. Our product is great for that market because it's suitable for all shops, large or small. Anyone can purchase it."
Garden by the Sea met with buyers from Ontario and the US, two markets they are hoping to get into in the near future. "We normally wholesale exclusively in the Maritimes. It was very encouraging to see the other buyers interested in our products as well. It prepares me for what they're looking for in that market. It was great to get the feedback from the Ontario buyers... encouraging. I'm not so scared now to go up there to market our products."
In the summer months, Debi and her husband hand make 10 to 12 thousand pounds of soap. Approximately 40 thousand people visit their shop in that three-month period. But they still continue to enjoy and benefit from the wholesale market. The smell of sweet success is all over Garden by the Sea, and wafting its way across North America and around the world.
Newfoundland Exhibitor --Delia and Ray Will, Delis Pewter:
Delia and Ray Will, co-owners and operators of Delia Pewter of St. Philip's Newfoundland, are delighted with the results of their first day exhibiting at the Atlantic Craft Trade Show. "The show was brilliant. A lot of buyers came by and bought our products. We've been participating here at the show for 10 years now and are always pleased with the interest our products receive from buyers."
Yesterday, Delia Pewter secured orders from buyers in Atlantic Canada, with some buyers from the US and other parts of Canada placing orders as well.
"I really like the location of the show. It's very convenient. The World Trade and Convention Centre is a very comfortable facility that adds an element of class to the show."
The Wills feel one of the greatest benefits of the Atlantic Craft Trade Show is that it provides an opportunity to talk to customers face-to-face. "Our buyers may make suggestions and bounce ideas off us while we're showing them products," said Delia. "It's also a nice way to get feedback on how a product is doing in their stores."
Almost all of Delia Pewter's business is wholesale. Shows like the Atlantic Craft Trade Show secure orders for the approaching summer season and often right up until Christmas.
After a recent move last week into their new house and workshop in St. Philip's. Newfoundland, the Wills had only four days to prepare for the Atlantic Craft Trade Show. "Our new workshop is lovely. It's right on the ocean just 15 minutes outside of St. John's," said Ray. "While it was hectic getting over here, we are looking forward to getting back to start working on our orders from the show."