Rent Free Shop Space Opportunity in Montage

Montage Collective Pop-up Shop together with Propel Youth Arts WA, are accepting applications from young Perth makers/sellers for a ‘Rent Free August’ guest spot in their current pop-up shop in William St, Northbridge.

The chosen young maker will also be able to work in store and learn from the group of experienced makers and sellers. Working in-store will be on a voluntary basis - not essential but a great opportunity to learn about selling their own creations.

If this sounds like just the thing for you, then go here to access the application form and get your samples in quick smart!

Important Info
Applicants must :-

• be under 25 years of age
• design and make your own products. The more ‘hands on’ you are the better!
• complete the application form and return it by 24th July
• bring samples of your work in-store to Montage 454 William St Northbridge by 24th July. (Physical samples of your work are needed to assess quality and originality and can be dropped in to the shop during opening hours. Tue - Fri: 11-6, Sat: 11-5, Sun: 11-4)

The rent-free spot begins on Saturday 2nd August, so applicants must have enough stock in hand to fill a space approx 1m x 35cm or equivalent, depending on product, by this date.

The successful applicant will be designated their own spot in the shop totally rent-free (usually $20/week) for the period 2nd – 31st August 2014.

The only cost to the maker will be a small percentage on any sales made during the month (10% for cash and 15% eftpos sales). This charge goes towards the shop and bank overheads. No sales = no costs.

24th July – applications due
28th July – lucky winner announced
2nd – 31st August – winner's work available for sale at Montage.

Links
Montage Collective Facebook 
Montage Collective Blog
email Montage

Sell at Montage
If you are not eligible to apply for the free space, you can still join in! Montage is looking for hand crafted products to sell as one of their guest artists for August.

If you would like to apply, please fill in the online application form here.

MYRE

Have you heard of the Spacemarket MYRE project?
It's a very exciting project where the empty old Myer building in Fremantle is being taken over and turned into a place of unique retail and public activity, a destination unto itself. 

They are seeking applications from individuals, groups or businesses with skills and experience in areas such as product design, fabrication, workshops, the visual arts and culture. There will be areas for workshops and retail spaces which will all make up the MYRE community.

Andy of A Good Looking Man has a lease on a whole floor of the building and is looking to fill it with makers with a retail slant. This video shows some of the space but if you want to see it in person, there is a guided walk through the space at 2pm on Saturday 10th August. Meet at the Kings Square entrance. Don't miss this exciting opportunity!

For more information on the project and an application form, download the Expressions of Interest document. All additional queries can be sent to: production@myrefreo.com.au during the EOI period (closes 26th August). Please also check in on: www.facebook.com/spcmrkt and http://www.facebook.com/agoodlookingman.com.au regularly.

Common Ground

Common Ground is a retail concept and gallery pop up space that allows young and small local businesses and artists the opportunity to enter the retail and gallery market with two locations in Northbridge and Perth. There are still a few spots available so if you are interested, contact them asap!

	NORTHBRIDGE O-DAY - THIS SUNDAY! Northbridge is OPEN this Sunday for O-Day with over 100 things to do, see and collect around the 'hood. From backstage tours to treasure hunts, to workshops and performances, O-Day lifts the lid on all things Northbridge. Get adventurous, get creative and get very busy - how much of the O-Day program can you complete? Explore the massive FREE program at the Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge Piazza and everywhere in-between. Stumble upon curious delights as you browse designer markets, grab a tasty treat from one of the delicious food stalls, hunt down your free magnet set and pick up some new tips and tricks from one of the many workshops. Dance in the dark, learn some circus secrets, yarn bomb a Vespa scooter at the Montage Pop-up shop or beam yourself into a movie on the big screen... who knows where you will find yourself. Fill in your O-Day guide throughout your adventure, collect stamps as you complete activities and once you have enough points visit the info booth to get your free souvenir book bag. When the sun goes down the fun is not over, party on at one of the many O-Day after parties! Download your O-Day Guide here or pick it up on the day from participating venues. Northbridge O-Day is bought to you by City of Perth, Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority and OnWilliam.

Are you ready to wholesale?

Hi Everyone,

Some of you may be getting to the stage where you would like to wholesale your products to shops and stores. This can be very daunting if you're not a super-confident seller or are uncomfortable approaching stores. Agencies can hep with this, but sometimes they don't understand the handmade business ethos or approach. Lia has been working in our area for a while now, so we thought we'd give her a shout!

OUTSOURCE MARKETING

Outsource Marketing (OM) is a home based business, established in 2008 when owner, Lia Simmonds identified a need by “small scale” Australian craftspeople and designers to have their products marketed effectively to retailers through exclusive wholesale representation.

As a Wholesale Distributor OM sells their product ranges to over 80 retail outlets throughout Australia who are primarily homeware/gift stores, fashion boutiques, gallery shops and bookstores.

The current product range can be viewed online www.outsourcemarketing.com.au and includes stationery, greeting cards, handbags, t-shirts, cushions, tea towels, fashion accessories and art prints. We are always on the look out for new products to join us.

REPRESENTING

OM currently represents the following 6 Australian designers that can be viewed on our website:
Ali J- perth
The Near Future- sydney
Running with a Sandwich- perth
Formosa Design- canberra
Zilpah tart- canberra
Tex & Joe- perth

BENEFITS OF WHOLESALE REPRESENTATION

The main reason people choose a distributor is that selling your own products is hard work, time consuming and emotionally draining! It is often much healthier for yourself and your business to have a “middleman” or “middlewoman” in this case that deals easily with all of this for you. Some other reasons are:

• Frees up your time to create- no more running around selling to shops
• A secure & convenient online wholesale shop that promotes your products 24/7
• An agent to maintain, build and establish new retailer relationships
• Established existing network of WA retailers with expansion into the eastern states
• Centralised administration of all invoicing & delivery (no more running around chasing up
• monies from retailers)
• Fast upfront payment of orders
• Designers maintain creative control and direction over their business
• OM provides feedback from buyers to designers on their products’ saleability and success.

WHAT LIA LOOKS FOR IN NEW PRODUCTS/DESIGNERS

These are some of the main elements I am looking for when sourcing new products to represent:

• New products must complement existing products I represent
• Professional business branding & product packaging
• Products with a difference
• Designers that can offer a broad product range
• Competitive pricing
• Prefer to deal with designers who already selling their products at art/design markets

OM NEWSLETTER

I also distribute an email newsletter which is sent to my database of over 400 contacts. Advertisingspace is available for purchase within the OM newsletter for designers wanting to reach the retail buyers of stores from all over Australia.

If you feel that your business is ready to grow to the next level and you are looking for wholesale representation then please feel free to contact us!

Lia can be reached on
www.outsourcemarketing.com.au
lia@outsourcemarketing.com.au
Mobile: 0408 393 160

Independent Retailer Opportunity

Hi All you Designers,

This week has been NUTS for great opportunities for you all, and soon we'll be starting an extra blog so all the information doesnt crowd our little customer-fans inboxes (hello buyers! how are you?)

A lovely girl named Emma-Lee is starting up a new store in Woolongong, and needs some beautiful handmade items to go in it! Contact her for more details, click on the image!