The Rural Voice, 1993-12, Page 35"We also want to be associated
with the best. We're thrilled to be
associated with the Blyth Festival
and to have our name in front of their
customers."
Keeping quality associated
with the catalogue was
important to everyone,
particularly the Festival.
Lending its name and credibility to
the project meant the Festival
couldn't afford be associated with
shoddy merchandise. A special jury
was set up to ensure all vendors in
the catalogue could meet the quality
standards, and deliver on time.
The idea of selling in volume
through a catalogue was entirely new
to some of the participants who are
used to selling one -of -a -kind
products at craft shows or through
local craft shops. A catalogue must
have items that are more or less the
same so that if someone orders from
the catalogue description she'll get
what she thought she ordered.
There's also the problem for these
low volume producers of having
enough stock on hand to fill orders.
There is no sense advertising
something if it will take weeks or
months to fill the order. It required
some different thinking for some
members. Weaver Peg Kellins of
Clinton invented a new hand-woven
rug with a standard design'but varied
colour selection that she could sell
exclusively through the catalogue.
Not everybody approached could
make that kind of jump in
imagination. Some people felt they
didn't have enough stock built up to
take part in the catalogue. Some
people felt they had already
committed their advertising budget
for the year. Some just wanted to
hang back and see if the project
worked before they invested. As a
result, although there was initial
excitement from nearly everyone
involved, the group was able to sell
only about half the space originally
intended. The self-financing project
suddenly faced a problem.
But the Community Futures
Committee in Huron County saw the
potential for the project and stepped
in to provide start-up financing and
the project got off the ground. Within
24 hours of the mailing of 'the
catalogue, the first order had arrived.
Everyone's faith seemed justified.°
Timnicks
Family Restaurant
at The Red Maple Inn Vanastra
Holiday Specials
- 10% off menu items
- Kids under 12 eat free
- Daily specials
Reservations 482-3142'
Banquet Facilities
Taps Dance Bar
Karaoke Ladies Night Out every
Thursday Night in Dec. & Jan.
Jewellery Prizes. Final sing off
with live band Friday, February 4th.
Cash prizes totalling $300.
Every Fri. & Sat. D.J. and live bands
If you are in our area, why not stay at
The Red Maple Inn.
Clean, comfortable accommodations.
Enjoy breakfast at
Timnicks Restaurant.
Eat here, Stay here, Play here.
Hwy. #4 Vanastra 482.3142
0
0
A Super
Christmas Gift
for your
children
Home Movies
to
VIDEO
�N✓AM/N J TRANSFER
*) a*5...av l SERVICES
• Regular 8 & Super 8 toVideo
• Foreign Tape Conversions
• Video Tilting
MAC
CAMPBELL'S CAMERAS
AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Royal Bank Block, 164 The Square
Goderich
519-524-1168
L
0.0t t!E,14241,®lr,.,®'1t0®
ldlflitl
makes Christmas
CHRISTMAS
ALWAYS A HUGE SELECTION • LEATHER &' WOOL
One
Stop
Shopping!
o
Gift wrapping 1:::::-4/!:": :«•.,•,e".o,.M,,
s N. 6 .
Mail orders available•,; N • '• c
i Ft 1MILE SOUTH OF BLYTH ON HWY. #4 • OPEN 7 DAYS • 519-523-4595
Dae ® o e ® p°o
,A.Nwocto
DECEMBER 1993 31