business advice - Craft Focus Magazine

news round-up
IN BRIEF...
Ban on romance!
One in twenty employees have had office romances
banned by their boss, according to a recent
survey conducted by office design company Maris
Interiors. However, quite often these relationships
have proved to be more than a fumble in the
stationery cupboard, as 22 percent said that a
long term relationship developed at work. Human
Resources Partner at Maris Interiors, Claire Walker
warns however that bosses might be on dodgy
legal ground by banning relationships at work.
“The Human Rights Act 1998 gives everyone the
right to a private life. As long as there has been no
misconduct, such as sharing of confidential data,
employees shouldn’t feel worried about their jobs.”
Off the wall
The opportunity to make your own wall art
is now available to every photography enthusiast. “One of the art market’s biggest
hits in print presentation of recent years has been the ‘gallery wrap’, a 3D, frame-free
presentation that perfectly complements the modern home,” explained Innova Art
who has just launched the JetMaster Display System. With it customers can make their
own ‘gallery wraps’ by printing digital images then pressing them onto the pre-cut, self
adhesive JetMaster base to create eye-catching décor in minutes.
Further info T: +44 (0)1206 571 775, www.innovaart.com
New e-marketplace platform
The launch of blucirclegalleria.com, a brand new e-marketplace platform, has been
specifically designed to help small businesses sell online without having their own
website. This new concept brings together the products of designers, craftspeople
and small businesses onto a well marketed, one-stop website that promises high
traffic from both female and male customers of all ages. The website will feature a
wide and varied product mix to include giftware, childrenswear, toys, cosmetics and
fragrances, home and garden, decoration and accessories and clothing. Producers
creating items in any of these categories are able to display their products on the
site for a small upload fee of just 20p per item for a three month listing. Users
have a limit of 50 products and then pay a commission to the site for each order
generated. (For an initial three month period during the site entry into the market
businesses can upload all products for free and so only pay a commission when
products are sold.)
The new site has been set up by owner and director Nicholas Rabicano. Having
worked with a number of SMEs he became aware of the fact that there are very
few cost-effective marketing opportunities for small businesses. Rabicano says
“blucirclegalleria.comis aimed at customers who shop online, with an emphasis
on unique, high quality and well designed products at fair prices. We are sure that
browsing through this new site will be as much fun as reading an interior or fashion
magazine.” Further info www.blucirclegalleria.com.
Silver, sea and cakes
Beads Unlimited continue to celebrate their
25th anniversary with a year full of fundraising
activities for the RNLI. They are asking readers
and customers to help them reach their formidable
£10,000 target by hosting tea parties. It needn’t be
anything lavish. A Victoria Sponge between friends
is fine, with a donation made for each slice. “Over
£400 has been raised from cake sales so far! At
the end of 2011, the tea party that makes the most
money will receive a gift voucher to the value of 10
percent of their money raised. If you would like to
hold an event, please order a tea party starter pack
by sending an email entitled ‘Sea and Cakes’ to
creative@beadsunlimited.co.uk.
12 craftfocus