Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Vince.
Just get two cats that demand to be fed at 4:30 a.m. and you`ll have no problems with morning posts and the resulting  high ratings.
You`ll Quyanupak me later.

 

I don`t mean to offend anyone, nor am I trying to turn this post into a "less than respectable" conversation... But I  have to say... knowing your (Sway, Ester, or what ever your latest nickname is) sense of humor...

"You`ll Quyanupak me later." In English it sounds a bit x-rated.

But yes... (to return to respectful conversation) I will thank you later.



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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

Quyanupak,

I am from Labrador.  I am half Inuit as well.  I haven`t had the opportunity to travel to Alaska yet, although now living in Alberta Canada makes me closer than most other here on the forum.  I say this because I can totally relate to your story.  Alot of people long the coasts of Labrador have also turned to crafts, and art such as soapstone carving and beadwork to help bring in some of the desparately needed funds to survive.  I have even had one of my own carvings of an Orca travel a national gallery for 2 years.

Here in Edmonton where I live now I see many many stores that sell art, and there is plenty of demand for good art, expecially from the north.  I was looking at an opportunity to import Labradorite, which is pretty much only found in Madagascar and Labrador, from Labrador, but I didn`t really explore too deeply.

You need a portfolio of some of your artists and some completed work.  Make some conacts here further south, and just start with a dealer or two.  I am very familair with the art work and with the culture, so I would love to see some of the artwork.  I could stir up a little interest in this area...and PS:  The Alaska Highway runs 5 blocks from my house in Alberta.

PM me if you like

Brian, that Labradorite sounds interesting. Was that what your orca carving was done in?

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Actually my carving was of birch.  It was colored with whale oiI.

Labradorite is one of my favorite minerals.  The stone color varies depending on the stone itself.  Colors can be shades of organge red, green, blue, and a few other rare ones.  Labrador contains mostly rich blue labradorite.

Its actually kinda funny.  When I was a kid I used to break up Labradorite and skip it across the water.  I moved here in 2000 and thought Id check out some of the art galleries.  There were a couple where they were selling raw (just the stone like 8 oz.) for almost $100 (thats like 3 million Canadian dollars LOL)  I was astonished!

I got promoted at my day job and new responsibilities sidetracked me on really pusueing it!

Thank you for your replies! 

I have tried E-bay, at this moment that is my last resort.  The market was flooded with mass produced ivory items made by non-natives, confinscated by the F&G and then sold by the bulk for incredibly low prices.  As a result it is hard to get the price that the art piece is worth. 

I am at the moment searching for money to purchase more items, I am afraid that my bugdet is quite less than shoe-string.  I do have a a blog that you can look at to see some of my own work, http://nunainua.blogspot.com/  on the right side you can click on the previous posts to see other items.  

I LOVE labradorite!  I will be willing to buy it raw! 

And I`m glad I`m not the only one up at 4am surfing the net!  lol  we have one word that might describe that situation "adeee"  (which is usually said while shaking your head  

My question is:  I am trying to put together a business plan that is tailored specifically to apply for grants.  I am stuck at the place where it suggests you do reasearch to get an in depth understanding of your market. 

My goal is to make sure this business does not fail before it is even begun!

Quyanukpuk!

Rainey

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www.nuna-inua.com

Rainey, it seems to me the dealers of high end native art in Alaska, Canada and the Lower 48 might be best able to help you quantify the market. You mentioned that you have already talked to some. Ask them to help estimate the market size.

Oh, and your goal is one that many of us share. We`re pulling for you.

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!!!!

(pulls out the two pound phone book)

Brilliant!

Rainey

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www.nuna-inua.com

Tomorrow morning, I know that I`ll be shaking my head and thinking...

Adeee

The Swaynester

Edited at 8:05 pm? WOW. it`s only 5:08 here. Sway... You`re Super Fast.

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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words