Needlework framing project -a marketing idea.

[Cathy Coggins]

As ya'll know, I have needlework and framing shop. Have a wee idea for ya.
Blackbird Designs is a counted cross stitch design company, a small one. Niche shops like mine stock them, NOT the stinkin' rotten JoAnn or M's.
If you call the company you get the designer in her house. But in the Needlework world, albeit small like framing, she is big. She features over-dyed linen, like R&R reproductions and over-dyed thread like The Gentle Art of Columbus, Ohio. This is a higher ticket cross stitch project company.

Anyhow, framing cross-stitch is much easier for a framer, say getting into textile framing, than needlepoint or tapestry. AND faster, easier on the hands too. (PM me if you want a crash course in wetting your tootsies in this, or GO RIGHT now and buy the new textile book that Lantrip and Miller bought; it's great, not exhaustive, but really great for a beginner. Chickie review)

Well, Blackbird designs has release a series in conjunction with R&R linen and The Gentle Art threads featuring their products.
Why do I highlight this?
_Because for the most part you see qualified buyers heading to a specialized needlework shop, NOT a BB store.
_And the chart, features the series of 6 little samplers CUSTOM FRAMED in identical frames. SIX of them.
----So there is opportunity there.
-Networking with a specialized needlework shop and exposure to their clientele. Some of who need good framers.

-It is a series that is meant to be stitched together, framed identically, (think box prices on length with automatic customers committed) a montage of samplers to showcase a needlework theme over a sofa, or headboard.

-LNSs (local needlework shops) are signing people up for auto's what if your info went in with that.

I have posted the link to Alma's blog on the series.

Take a look. Call an LNS and network, some of them are in need of FRAMED samples on the wall...not all frame, MOST do not. What if you worked out an advertising deal with them or a barter (barter is NOT taxable revenue...I believe)

So, thoughts. Questions. Interested in the leaflets yourself for your shop...

Throw some questions at this...maybe some of us can make some meaningful biz connections and some $$ at the same time.





http://blackbird-designs.blogspot.com/

 

[John Ranes II CPF GCF]

As ya'll know, I have needlework and framing shop.... -LNSs (local needlework shops) are signing people up for auto's what if your info went in with that...

Hi Cathy,

Creative marketing... always begins with relationships and thus your idea of networking with local independent neeedlework shops is a good one! :thumb:

Sadly in our area we've lost many local needlework shops over the past 35 years. We originaly opened in a strip mall in Appleton just three doors down from the Ark of Crafts....they closed their doors about 1998, after 20+ years. We actually did all the framing for Needles & Knots in Green Bay and they no longer exist. Needlepoint Posh and A Stitch 'N Time in Neenah closed their doors a number of years ago, as did The Warm Welcome in Waupaca. Just a few years ago we lost Garden of Stitches, a fellow PPFA members as well.

When we first opened our doors there were four needlecraft stores in our town, including The Stitching Post...they're gone also - Not one shop remaining in a 60mile radius. I didn't even count The Little Mermaid - they used to carry all those rich Danish kits on linen along with other Scandinavia gifts.

I honestly believe that operating a LNS is perhaps more challenging than that of an indepedent picture framer! Combining the two businesses as you do Cathy, probably helps.

John

P.S. On a related note.... One of my earliest employees was Paula Minkebige, but you perhaps know her as the designer for Crossed Wing Collection

 

[Cathy Coggins]

I honestly believe that operating a LNS is perhaps more challenging than that of an indepedent picture framer! Combining the two businesses as you do Cathy, probably helps.

John

P.S. On a related note.... One of my earliest employees was Paula Minkebige, but you perhaps know her as the designer for Crossed Wing Collection

Yup, dropping like fruit flies. But the internet is keeping it going...and the stress of a shop with TWO struggling markets and ONLY me on staff...YIKES and away it is stressful.

I love Crossed Wing, have a petit point of their "PAinted Buntings" around here somewhere.

BUT, stitcher's are SO desperate for INFORMATIVE and GOOD, TRUSTWORTHY framing. I got TWO in the mail this week. One from New Orleans, one from UK, they with correspond the selling process via email (no I don't use visualization software yet) and then pick the pieces up in conjunction with a Disney vacation. There is ALWAYS a way.

BTW, John...I just read your ENTIRE thread on moving your shop...as that is in the early planning stages...THAT, was a sobering thread!!!
:miserable:

 

[John Ranes II CPF GCF]

...I love Crossed Wing, have a petit point of their "PAinted Buntings" around here somewhere....

Here is a picture of one of her books #17 in which we framed her Loons using "water glass". This is a later edition.

BTW, John...I just read your ENTIRE thread on moving your shop...as that is in the early planning stages...THAT, was a sobering thread!!! :miserable:

Amazing to think that our move was four years ago already. Hopefully at the 5th Anniversary I plan on doing a follow-up thread on that major expansion and the results. So when ya gonna visit? :thumb:

John