Crafts Alive does not usually buy any stock. All items remain the property of the crafts person until the point of sale.

Although we want to welcome as many craft producers as possible into the shop, space dictates that we have to be selective.

Our SELECTION CRITERIA are as follows:

1.The producer must live and work in Wales.

2.The product must not conflict directly with another in the shop.

3.We look for a high standard of workmanship and finish and all items must comply with any requirements of the Sales of Goods Act which may apply, (e.g the CE now UKCA standard for toys, Cosmetics and Food regulations etc.) It is the producer’s responsibility to determine relevant requirements and produce proof of certification. (We can give advice on this)

4.The product (the craft) is substantially the original design and work of the submitting crafts person. We do not accept crafts made from kits

5.The producer is able to make enough to replace sold items regularly and promptly.

6.The shop runs entirely on the efforts of its members and the producer should be willing to work as part of a team in the promotion and running of the Crafts Alive co-operative.

We expect all members to assist in some capacity in the running of the shop.

This would preferably be working behind the counter in the shop (stewarding with the benefit of reduced rates and bonuses), or providing expertise and services from home, running the rota, look after finance, organise publicity, IT skills, electrical, cleaning, maintenance, decorating etc.

If you are unable to steward please let us know of any skills that you could provide that would be of benefit to the co-operative.

MEMBERSHIP FEE

Please note that Crafts Alive has an annual membership fee which has to be paid on acceptance.

Current Rates are:

Non-shop workers: £25 per month with 25% commission

Shop workers/stewards: (i.e. those on the rota) £5 a month with 15% commission (with bonuses paid on a six monthly basis dependent on profits for that period)

Cards only members: £2.50 a month with 25% commission.

We expect membership fees to be made monthly by standing order.

We record all sales and issue payments on a monthly basis direct to your bank account by BACS. The commission is deducted from each producer’s sales and this goes towards the running of the shop. You will receive a list of all the items sold during the month to enable you to carry out stock control.

Crafts Alive relies on the individual producer to replenish stock regularly and ensure that there is always a balanced and attractive display of goods.

If you want to diversify your craft in the future and sell items which are substantially different from your original submission, we ask that you put these before the selection committee at the monthly meeting.

If you are interested in placing goods for sale in Crafts Alive, please complete an application form, giving as much information as possible and leave it in the shop with a representative sample/selection of your work in time for the next monthly meeting. Don’t forget to include retail prices for each item.

The selection committee is made up of members who are actively involved in the management of the shop. The decisions are taken on an unbiased and democratic basis at a monthly meeting. We then inform you, by letter, phone, or email, of our decision as soon as possible after the meeting.

Note: all members are required to hold their own Product and Public Liability Insurance and to provide evidence of this on an annual basis

October Artist of the Month

Diane Mathais