news:
NOVEMBER 7, 2007
Labour of Love! This week I've been in high gear getting ready for the Christmas season. I've been planted in front of my computer, cranking out the media to keep you informed (ie. online newsletter, website updating, PR writing and photograph taking). About to switch gears and become one with my sewing machine, as I crank out the product, so I have something to sell at all the craft fairs we're going to be attending this year. Although AuMarché is a year now, it almost feels like I'm introducing it for the first time, as I am working to elevate us to the next level and get "seen". Never-the-less, I'm bringing out some new items to keep seasoned AuMarché-ers satiated! You gotta come down to the events to see for yourself!!
OCTOBER 26, 2007
Studioshop Launched: AuMarché was invited to be a part of Emily Carr’s newly-launched online shop, where work by alumni and others in their community will be for sale! Check it out here: www.ecistudioshop.ca
AuMarché now at VAG Gift Shop! It’s true – the Vancouver Art Gallery Gift Shop! I’m excited that AuMarché is now available to a potentially international audience!
JULY 15, 2007
Blim Summer Market a blast! Yet another great afternoon was passed chatting away with customers and fellow crafters. Here’s a couple pics taken on that day. Thanks to Jason and Kate (pictured below) among others who purchased a lovely AuMarché tote that day!
MARCH 27, 2007
San Francisco bans plastic grocery bags and on April 2, the tiny town of Leaf Rapids in northwestern Manitoba will be the first Canadian community to follow suit.
Way to go! What a great example to be setting! Let’s hope more cities and countries jump on this bandwagon! Read more here.
MARCH 12, 2007
AuMarché makes its TV début! I took part in the SUJI Art Market at UBC on Sunday and had the fabulous fortune of being filmed for "The Express", a lifestyle magazine program on Shaw TV! Thanks to Johanna Ward and her camera guy for showing us off so nicely!
* See AuMarché on The Express *
(610 kb)
Requires QuickTime
FEBRUARY 21, 2007
The AuMarché Online Shop is born!! Some unexpected out-of-province product requests did a good job of moving “make online shop” to the top of my To-Do list. So after a week of code-crunching (and with a little help from PayPal) we’re all ready to receive your online orders!
Click the link above and shop on!
FEBRUARY 14, 2007
I had a great time organizing A Love A Fair which went down this past Sunday at Blim! Thanks to everyone who participated! It was great to make some new crafting buddies and to be inspired by their lovely wares (peanut bunnies!)! The Kissing Booth was a hub of love thanks to all the volunteers (Erin, Dori, Heather, Steven and Horace) who puckered up in support of the Gogo Grannies and to Rowan who set the mood with his accordion.
JANUARY 5, 2007-HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
I recently visited Nikaido to deliver some Persimmon bags and was pleased to find AuMarché bags displayed alongside the classic game of Scrabble and an elegant alabaster stag head. We're movin' up!
DECEMBER 27, 2006
R.I.P "Saintly Suzuki" bag. I received a hand written note from the man himself (in response to the letter that I had written to him to inform him of my project) kindly requesting that I no longer use his face on my bags, saying that he "doesn't do endorsements". I was so hurt! So naive, actually. My friend Kate's lawyer hubby Dave informed me of the "Privacy Act" which made what I was doing illegal. In my opinion I was simply making social commentary, but I guess it doesn't work that way! Supposedly people break this law all the time and don't even know it and never get called on it. Oh well, you learn something new every day.
On a happy note, the second Soma Art Market was a hit! I sold a bunch more of my bags and got tons of positive feedback about the quality of images and professional look of the product! The new persimmon image was a hit, selling out completely, and people continued to be enamoured by Ying Ying in her cilantro crown! Big love to Nikki and Dave (my best customers to date, purchasing a total of 5 bags!!), Caesar, Chris, Andrea, Shannon, Iva and everyone else who bought an AuMarché bag that day!
DECEMBER 11, 2006
Well I'm pleased to say that AuMarché is doing amazingly well, only a few weeks after its début! You can now find AuMarché bags at three locations around the Lower Mainland and I'd like to thank the lovely retailers who believe in the product: Lark 8th Ave (who has always been so supportive of all my fashion endeavors), Nikaido Gifts in Steveston (whose wares I've been ogling for over a decade) and now mooncruise* | gallery in Gastown (where you can find gorgeous, unique things from right here and Europe too.)
Lark and I have even partnered up to make some gorgeous Lark/AuMarché bags that feature their sweet little Lark birdy logo as well as the stately LARK 8th AVE logo. Check 'em out!
AuMarché has also been featured on theshizknittedsweater.com, an online community of creative people that's run by go-getter Marjolyn Ustaris. Thanks Marjolyn!
I've been working hard on adding new images to the "Product" page. One that's raised some eyebrows is the David Suzuki image with people asking, "do you have rights to use his face?" Admittedly, I haven't really looked into the laws around this — I was simply inspired by his work enough to want to create a series that celebrates him! I have written a letter to Dr. Suzuki to inform him of the project and am now awaiting his response. It is my hope that he will be flattered and in support of AuMarché. In the mean time, you can find out what's so great about the guy but visiting his web site.
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NOVEMBER 28, 2006
So AuMarché made its first appearance on the Art Market scene this weekend and it was a great success! I got wonderful feedback from friends and strangers alike and sold out half my stock! People seemed to be impressed especially by the packaging and branding which pleased me a lot because I paid special attention to this. I really wanted to present a cohesive and professional-looking product that reflected the care that I put into the actual design and production of the bags. Being a picky shopper myself, I know how important it is for all aspects to be considered and how the details make a big difference in convincing someone that a product is worthy of their hard-earned cash.
So to Dany, Cory, Nikki, Ruthie's dad and all the others who saw the value in purchasing a AuMarché bag, Mama Earth and I thank you!
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