A $723,000 grant to the Alberta Craft Council could give a cottage industry a boost into the big time.
The money comes from the federal Western Economic Diversification program and will be used for specific promotions of made-in-Alberta arts and crafts, said Susan Abells, executive director of the craft council in Edmonton.
A wholesale marketing agency will be established to help professional crafters take their items from small sales venues like farmers’ markets to gift shops all over North America.
A jury of artisans has already been established to assess work and if it’s good enough, the artist may attach a “Made in Alberta” tag.
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Abells said the jury examines workmanship, originality and creativity of each item submitted. So far, 19 crafters have won the right to carry the label.
Another jury will be held in Calgary this spring.
With the grant money, programs will also be offered to teach people how to develop their business skills in salesmanship and pricing of their handmade items.
There are 600 members in the Alberta Craft Council who each can get advice on sales, new ideas and new markets. The council participates in giftware shows across the country and is able to pass on information through newsletters about what is trendy in the craft world.
It’s estimated there are 8,000 craft producers in Alberta. Most of these are home-based businesses, said Abells.
