Art Materials Retailer Q1 2024

For Art’s Sake

by Victoria Ritter

In my younger days, I was fortunate enough to have access to the arts, as well as parents who encouraged exploring different artistic facets. My sister and I took art classes and attended performances at a local venue called Midland Center for the Arts. In later years, the organization – which celebrates both the arts and the sciences – adopted

the slogan, “Shift your perspective.” It’s a simple, yet profound invitation to all who choose to engage with art.

Producing art and crafting requires that same mindset. Artists continuously journey into the unknown and try new techniques or mediums in order to create something. Sometimes, though, they may need to shift gears in order to endure through hardships. For this issue, I had the privilege of speaking to two women at different ends of the art community who have had to switch gears.

Willow Friday, an art store owner in British Columbia, Canada, demonstrated her resolve this past year after her former storefront flooded. She was determined not to close up shop and now is celebrating her store’s return in a new location. It should also be noted that she received tremendous support from her customers and neighbors, thus proving that no one is ever truly alone.

Meanwhile, Kate Zambrano in southern California has worked as a professional artist for continued on page 6 t

ART

“For Art’s Sake” from page 3

more than 10 years. She uses charcoal, pastels and paints to create realistic illustrations that have a darkly surreal feeling to them. As I looked at her work prior to our interview, I was struck by her attention to detail and the emotions portrayed by each subject. I was further surprised to find that she is a self-taught artist. That amount of talent made me appreciate her work all the more.

Artists and crafters put so much work and passion into their art that it’s unfathomable that their work could be replicated by just a few quick strokes on the keyboard. With the topic of artificial intelligence’s impact on creative industries on the rise, I decided to learn more about the subject. I was able to speak to a representative at Arteza who detailed the work they’re doing to protect artists against copyright infringement.

Once again, I am thrilled at the chance to view so many stages of the creative process. While I’m not a visual artist by any means, I am constantly in awe of the talent and dedication shown by people in the arts community. To be given an insider’s look at the array of products available from manufacturers, the imaginative ways in which artists use them and the movement to protect artwork means much more than words can express. The viewpoints shared by creative minds keep my mind turning and my fascination burning.

I hope to shift my perspective multiple times over at the upcoming Creativation by NAMTA in March. I look forward to sharing my experience and highlights from the show when I return. Until then, I invite you to delve into this edition of Art Materials Retailer. Inside, you can learn more of Zambrano’s and Friday’s journeys, get a sneak peek at this year’s Creativation show alongside see the art of New Orleans, join in Arteza’s battle against AI-generated art and much more. Happy reading!

“The

“The

Kiss-Off®

A Beautiful Transformation

Iron Oxide stands tall amid challenges

by Victoria Ritter

Ever since she was young, Willow Friday has been an achiever. Today, her go-get-it approach has led her to operate a resilient art supply store, Iron Oxide, in Nanaimo, B.C., Canada. “I don’t have a business degree. I don’t have an arts degree. I just have a really neat knack for figuring things out,” Friday said

The idea for Iron Oxide evolved when Friday was operating her first store, House of Indig Boutique, a vintage clothing emporium. There, she sold beads and handcrafted jewelry she had made alongside a small selection of art supplies. However, she realized she needed more room than the 800 feet of space she was working with.

“Originally, I was going to close the original store and move

everything over,” Friday recalled. “And then I realized there wasn’t quite enough space to sell both the clothing and art supplies really well.”

Friday made the decision to go with the venture she was most excited about. She closed House of Indigo in 2014 and opened Iron Oxide in a 1,600-squarefoot historical firehall onVictoria Road in Nanaimo. She remains thrilled at the idea of owning and operating an art supply store. “Twelve years later, I still get so excited when someone brings me a new art supply or I learn about the chemistry of things or figurin out what someone wants to do with their art.”

The store’s name is partly inspired by Golden Paints’ Micaceous Iron Oxide and Friday’s fascination with the oxidation

process. “Iron oxide is as important to life as we know it as carbon,” Friday stated. “This is how I feel about art.”

But another change was in store for Friday, one she least expected.

Changing trajectory after tragedy

Last June, a water line from the restaurant located above Iron Oxide broke, sending hundreds of gallons of water cascading into the store. One fifth of Fridays inventory was lost, along with displays she had built and custom flooring.With just six months left on the lease, Friday was desperate to find new location.

“I just kept repeating, ‘Failure is not an option’ and got up every day for months and months, pushed through the tears and emotional

pain,” Friday recalled. “I found gratitude even when it felt like squeezing stone to find it and everyday put i all the work needed.”

One of Friday’s staff members found a former pub to rent via Facebook Marketplace. It fulfille all of Friday’s requirements and was under a mile away, located at 11 Cliff St. The new store is located in an 1,800-square-foot building in a gated industrial community. “Safety was a huge ongoing concern in my old location and it is liberating to not have to be ‘on guard’ all the time,” Friday said.

Friday soon realized how large her support system was as she made the transition. Customers and strangers alike offered verbal encouragement, with several rolling up their sleeves to help prepare the new space for operations. “I’ve had so many people volunteer to come stain wood, sand things and lift heavy loads,” she said. “It’s been phenomenal. We have a great community here.” Together, they were able to reopen Iron Oxide in November 2023.

Before she obtained her current location, Friday put out a call for people to create “creativity flags” similar to Tibetan prayer flags – to hang in the store “During those months, when I didn’t know what I was going to do, I was receiving these beautifully packaged little creativity flags. It was so inspiring and it reall helped keep me going. Now they’re all hanging in the store and it’s wonderful feeling to see them.”

Up and running

Iron Oxide has been “phenomenally successful” since its reopening, according to Friday. She has continued to receive supportive words from people who have followed her journey. While the store welcomes all artists no matter their age or experience level, Friday has observed more kids come by. She believes this is fueled both by the temporary closure that preceded the reopening and the fact that the store is located in a safer neighborhood. “I think I had more children in the store in the first few weeks of being open than i the last two years at the old space,” Friday stated.

“Nanaimo has always attracted creative people; it is a beautiful place to live and be inspired by,” she added. “This has just become stronger over the years. Many people have told me they moved to this city because they had access to my art supply store!”

Five employees, including Friday, operate the store. Friday further credits her business’ success to having a well-stocked selection of quality supplies at competitive prices. Furthermore, the staff works continued on page 10 t

LEFT: Volunteers prep the interior of Iron Oxide’s new location. ABOVE (L to R): Owner Willow Friday and Charlotte Beeger. RIGHT: Janelle Boucher stocks the brush wall before the store’s re-opening.

Iron Oxide

with customers to make sure they have access to the right products for their respective projects.

Iron Oxide is stocked with about 25,000 unique SKUs, with almost 65,000 items on its shelves. The store is built of reclaimed fir floorboards from demolished high school. “Every column is custom sized to fit the displays o them,” Friday explained. “Everything fits like a glove and is encased in thi solid, warm, stunningly unique wood. It really showcases the supplies that I have curated for the store.”

The store stocks a variety of art supplies, from paints and inks to printmaking materials and sculpting clay. In each category, Friday aims to have at least one student-grade option alongside multiple professional products. Popular brands such as Gamblin and Golden Artist Colors are included among more niche

products from companies such as Stoneground.

Friday turns to customers and other store owners at Namta shows for inventory ideas. “My customers are the main drivers in my decision

making,” she said. “They bring me new products to research and decide if I would like to carry them all the time.”

More is in store

Three months after the reopening of Iron Oxide, Friday continues to see potential for her new storefront. She is currently planning a “Phase 2” project, set to start this spring. Included in the plan are establishing a dedicated demo space, sprucing up the patio area out back and scheduling community events.

Friday used to host artist demos in her former location. One regular presenter was Sara Robichaud from Golden Artist Colors, who gave more than a dozen demonstrations. Friday is excited to welcome more working artists as well as let employees and teachers join the roster. “What has worked phenomenally well is partnering with local teachers and supporting their needs for classes,” Friday explained. “Plus, we offer them and their students an extra discount in the store.”

Due to the unsafe neighborhood and close proximity to a noisy highway, Friday was unable to hold activities and events right outside her former storefront. With the new location’s patio, she plans to use her gardening expertise to turn it into an inviting place for the community. “I’ve always wanted to use a patio space. This place is flat and safe and warm.

Through it all, Friday is thankful for the support she’s received and the progress she’s made. “It’s like family, with my staff and the whole arts industry. It’s a real joy to be a part of it,” she stated. “It’s my passion, it’s my love. I’m blessed.”

Ideas Emerge from the Shadows

by Victoria Ritter

Southern California artist Kate Zambrano is a great admirer of the work of old masters such as Alphonse Mucha, John Singer Sargent and Gustav Klimt, as well as illustrators J.C. Leyendecker and Norman Rockwell. However, she has chosen her own style to convey a range of emotions.

Zambrano has worked as a professional artist for the past 10plus years. Her interest in art goes all the way back to her childhood, but she didn’t realize her passion could be turned into a profession until 2011. At the time, she was modeling in Los Angeles and New York when she was hired to pose for an artist. Her world

suddenly broadened.

“I didn’t realize that was a job you could have,” Zambrano recalled. “I ambitiously thought I could be an artist, and I decided to teach myself to draw and paint.”

For the next year and a half, Zambrano worked on honing her skills until she felt comfortable sharing her art. She took no classes

and instead relied on her own skills and intuition. “I got really stubborn,” she explained. “I didn’t want to have my style look like others’ work. I didn’t want any outside influence. I wanted to figure it out for myself. I still hav that in my mind.”

Zambrano’s favorite medium is charcoal, though she also works with pastels, watercolor and oil. No matter her material, she requires dependable products so she can best enjoy the journey of creating art.

Enter MacPherson’s.

Six years ago, Zambrano was having trouble with another brand’s grey-toned paper, as its weave tended to show through her illustrations. She instead turned to MacPherson’s Fabriano Toned Paper. She was impressed with its smoothness – no more worrying about the paper’s weave standing out through her art – and its endurance throughout the artmaking process.

While Zambrano depends on Fabriano’s Hot Press Studio Watercolor paper to tone her watercolor, she uses its Toned Paper for her charcoal pieces. She tends to favor its clay and neutral grey hues.

“It was life-changing. I truly believe in Fabriano. It is one of the oldest paper companies in the world for a reason,” Zambrano said. “It’s incredible how much it can take, and it’s still a luxurious, beautiful paper.”

Putting pastel to paper

To start a piece, Zambrano doesn’t sketch out a design beforehand. Rather, she prefers to figure out the image as she goes. When working with dry medium pieces such as charcoal or pastel, she gathers pigment with a brush and lays out the highlights on a sheet of Fabriano clay tone paper; the mid-tone paper is ideal to play with the light and dark shades. Next, Zambrano works out the rest of the features and then uses dark values to fill in the recesses.

“In my process of teaching myself to draw, I figured out that I could put the light values first and then reduce and erase the features. It’s perfect for me.”

The time to finish a piece depends on the size and the amount of detail involved. For a basic demo piece that she would create while teaching a class, the process takes about two hours. However, Zambrano takes a cumulative four or five hours to get a portrait to the finished stage. Sh doesn’t go any smaller than 9 x 12 illustrations and has gone up to 30 x 45.

While charcoal is Zambrano’s first love, she has dabbled in other mediums. Lately, she has tried woodburning and sculpting. She explained that working with different materials helps build her skills as an illustrator and painter. “I’m all over the place,” Zambrano said. “If you’re doing something all day, every day, you get bored of it. You need to shake it up. There’s nothing better to shake it up with than a new medium.”

Being an artist is a solitary experience, Zambrano explained. She enjoys having control over her creations

continued on page 14 t

and how she can interpret a subject. She also appreciates how her past experience has helped her reflect inward

“Being an artist has allowed me to tap into self-awareness,” Zambrano said. “I feel very fortunate to know, recognize and be comfortable with the cycle of emotions that comes with making art. I know myself enough to know what my brain needs at different parts of that cycle.”

Something out of a dark dream

Zambrano’s describes her style as dark, dreamlike realism. Most of her work is based on live models, but she also started to create fan art during the pandemic when she couldn’t hire models. The titles are a combination of song lyrics, quotes from friends or words Zambrano simply finds beautiful or profound

For each piece she creates, Zambrano goes after a feeling and incorporates darkness and a sense of storytelling, all the while leaving room for viewers’ emotions. “I don’t ever want to lead anyone anywhere,” Zambrano stated. “I want to leave the art to interpretation to whoever is looking at it.”

Although most of her subjects are humankind, Zambrano

“Flesh Bone Soul” oil on panel

Artist Kate Zambrano

has started to focus on images from nature. Her favorite pieces are two oil paintings; one portraying a committee of vultures titled “Proof of Life” and a “nightmarish” depiction of snarling wolves called “Flesh Bone Soul.”

“I’m enjoying the subjects I’m studying,” she stated. “My interests have started to shift more toward nature, as I live in the mountains.” Zambrano’s next piece will be a commissioned landscape painting that stretches to 16 x 20 inches.

Inspiration comes in a variety of forms. Common sources for Zambrano include film, photos, music and even her surroundings. For instance, one day as she was working out, Zambrano looked up at her wooden ceiling and imagined the knots in the wood as eyes looking down on her. She had to take a moment to capture the idea in a quick sketch. “I feel the artist’s brain is always open to inspiration,” she said.

Zambrano can be reached through her website, katezambrano.com and her latest work is available to view on her Instagram page @katezambrano.

“Untitled,” charcoal and pastel on Fabriano clay toned paper

The Fight for Real Art

by Victoria Ritter

The firstnotable artificialintelligence (AI) art system came about in the 1970s when British artist Harold Cohen debuted AARON, a computer program which used AI to generate black-and-white artworks. The concept of AI-generated art gained significant attention in the past couple years, opening the door for discussion on its ethical use in and impact on the arts.

In 2022, Arteza formed a task force dedicated to combatting AI-generated art. The team met every day to converse about the evolution of AI, read up on articles and follow discourses across publications and social media. Today, the task force continues to meet three times a week.

“Arteza is built by a collective of creators,”

said Alison Nearpass, chief merchandising and product officer at Arteza. “Our organization is made up of professional fine artists, hobbyists and art enthusiasts. It became clear to us, internally, that this topic was very urgent and very real.”

The task force followed parallels of AI being used in other creative industries. They watched intently as the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists tackled the use of generative AI in film.After a nearly fourmonth strike, the Guild reached an agreement with producers that, among other stipulations, secured consent and compensation guardrails regarding AI use.

“That, to us, was a really big deal because it

was acknowledging the need for these protections for talent,” Nearpass observed. “It doesn’t mean that AI won’t be used as a tool, but it further ensures that these actors are protected in their right to consent, and their right to fair compensation is protected in relation to AI. We need that same level of awareness and rally cry in the visual arts community.”

Nearpass clarifie that Arteza is not against technology or innovation. She explained that AI can be used ethically in the artistic process, such as to conceptualize an idea. The company draws the line when AI is substituted for the whole creative journey. “We are against artists’ intellectual property being ripped off without their consent with no royalties paid or regulations in place, period,” she stated. “This is currently a huge threat to our visual art community.”

Nearpass argues that the use of AI not only jeopardizes artists’ livelihood, but also eliminates the heart and emotion that goes into creating art. Arteza’s Real Art Campaign is a way to preserve creativity. “It all comes down to supporting artists and their work, and preserving the beauty that is tactile creation,” Nearpass said.

Arteza took a public stance on AI last November with the launch of its Real Art Campaign. To prepare for the campaign, Arteza initiated discussions with artists, app companies and legal experts about the impact of AI as well as people’s fear and experience with AI in the art space. “We really started to round out our perspective on the topic in its entirety and what we wanted to do about it,” Nearpass said. In return, Arteza offers time and resources to trade organizations to elevate the conversation in the industry.

Arteza has taken several actions to “drive awareness on the topic, educate the community as a

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from page 17

whole and share resources” within the campaign. It started the Coalition for Human Artists Protection (CHAP) with the Center for Art Law. The coalition seeks to encourage and empower manufacturers, retailers and artists to increase awareness of AI-generated art and to share resources.

“We welcome brands, retailers and artists alike to join CHAP,” she said. “Together we can support the cause, stay current on the topic and continue to drive awareness and discussion around what is needed in the visual art community.”

The Real Art Campaign has a landing page on Arteza’s website that houses the campaign’s message and resource hub, found at arteza.com/pages/create-humanart. Featured tools on the page include tutorials on how artists can protect their work from copyright infringement and articles about the legal implications of AI. “We’ll be continuously adding new content to our landing page,” Nearpass stated.

The page also contains links to the Center for Art Law as well as app companies Glaze and Nightshade that are designed to protect artists. While Glaze acts as a defense

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against style mimicry, Nightshade goes on the offense by distorting feature representations inside generative AI models.

As part of the Real Art Campaign, Arteza proposed a social media challenge. It is encouraging artists to create a piece of artwork that incorporates a human handprint as “a symbol of human creation.” Creators can then post their artwork on social media platforms, tagging @artezaofficial and use #RealArt #ProtectHumanArtists.

Meanwhile, consumers can use a few tricks to identify AI-generated art. They can look for obvious abnormalities such as extra fingers on hands. More subtle indicators include overusing patterns, for example, the same pattern of mountains or trees in a landscape. “Another way to tell if a piece is AIgenerated is the lack of human emotion that comes through in the art,” Nearpass added.

Nearpass encourages brands, retailers and artists to unite, join the discussion on AI and publicly support the visual art community. She and Arteza want to move the arts industry forward in ways that

recognize and keep real artists at the center point.

“We firmly believe that the next movement in art won’t come from artificial intelligence, but from us –human creators and artists,” Nearpass stated. “That is something that we look forward to seeing ring true.”

Get Creative at CREATIVATION

The craft and fine arts industries will join forces once again and be celebrated at this year’s Creativation by Namta. The show is set to take place March 23 to 27 in New Orleans, LA.

This year’s show is set to be one of the largest in recent years. The show floor is nearly booked, with 175 exhibitors registered as of late January; this is the largest number of exhibitors since 2007, according to Rick Munisteri, director of meetings at Namta. Munisteri also anticipates more attendees than last year’s 1,800 count – which was also a record high.

“I think there’s been good growth since the merger of the fine arts and creative arts industries three years ago,” Munisteri said. “I’m excited to see this growth continue in the coming years.”

“This year’s Creativation by Namta is shaping up to be the

best show in decades,” said Leah Siffringer, executive director of Namta. “The show floor is a few booths away from completely sold out and our education sessions have not only doubled in number, but are the richest offerings we have put forward to date. As we approach our third show since the 2021 merger of AFCI and NAMTA, it is truly inspiring to see what used to be two communities come together as one representing the best of the creative industry.”

Learn something new

Creativation kicks off with two days of educational sessions, with 52 sessions to choose from. The classes and demonstrations cover crafting methods, fine art trends and business advice. Below are just a few of the workshops available. For a full list of classes and schedules, visit namta.org.

Saturday, March 23

Rich Kizer and Georganne Bender will lead a New Orleans Retail Store Tour. This excursion will visit the French Quarter along with some unexpected places. By the end of the trip, participants will learn the inside secrets of visual merchandising and can translate what they see into displays for

their own stores. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited.

How to Sell 8x More Items in Your Store, hosted by Jaimie Echt, will address how retailers can use multiple products together to increase sales. The group will experiment with color and different surfaces. There is an option to take a sample-making kit with various products back to your store. Cost is $85 for the hands-on sample-making class kit, $25 for the lecture only.

Learn about a unique art form and its potential at Sublimation Unleashed: How to Integrate Sublimation & Increase Profits at Your Store! Makerflo s John Modi and entrepreneur Marc Pendergraft will discuss practical strategies for introducing sublimation affordably and how to create a captivating experience. There is no cost to attend.

Sunday, March 24

At the Watermedia Workshop, presented by Holbein and led by Matt Hopper and Keith Eccles, participants will gain hands-on experience with select colors and mediums from Holbein’s various water-soluble color lines. Featured products in this beginner’s workshop include Holbein Artists’

Watercolor, watercolor mediums, Artists’ Gouache and Acrylic Gouache. There is no cost to attend.

Those who attend Hahnemuhle USA: Paper Makes a Difference will learn more about popular watercolor paper brands. Joe Domeier, who has worked in the art materials industry for 38 years, will cover the importance of quality paper, how sizing and weight come into play and the benefits and differences between the various types of paper fibers. There is no cost to attend.

Diamond Dotz Freestyle lets participants get

an up-close look at the world’s premier diamond painting company. Learn to diamond paint your own way. There is no cost to attend.

See up-and-coming products

Since premiering at the 2022 Creativation in Orlando, Demo Alley has undergone slight modifications to bring the best experience possible for manufacturers and retailers. “We’ve continued to build on it based on things we’ve heard from our members after the show last year,” Munisteri said.

(continued on page 22)

Photos courtesy of Pyle Photography, David Pyle and Jordan Pyle.

Get Creative at CREATIVATION

Demo Alley will host different themes for each of the trade show’s three days. Monday’s “Let’s Get Messy” focus will center on demo products. On Tuesday, attendees can learn about innovations during “Try Something New.” Technology and sustainability will round out the offerings in “Improve Efficienc.” Demo Alley will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Changes are also in store for the product showcase. In past shows, Creativation has hosted an open showcase where people can interact with new products. This year, organizers are creating more order, displaying new items in acrylic, transparent showcases.

Catch up with old friends, make new connections

There will be plethora of networking opportunities in New Orleans, featuring new events alongside old favorites.

During the Welcome Reception on Sunday night at the New Orleans Marriott hotel, guests can enjoy complimentary drinks and light hors d’oeuvres. Namta will give presentations, including the Hall of Fame, Lifetime Achievement Awards and information about the location of Creativation by Namta 2025. Other returning staples include the Creativation Kick-Off on Monday morning at the convention center, the President’s Reception Monday evening at Mardi Gras World and Next Generation Happy Hour on Tuesday featuring an axe throwing outing.

For those who have aged out of the Next Generation Happy Hour, Namta will be hosting an Old Timer’s Whiskey Tasting on Tuesday night. The

class, held at Sazerac House right across the street from the Marriott, will introduce guests to the art of nosing, tasting, and evaluating spirits.

On Saturday night, Namta is hosting a brand-new event: Mardi Gras Social – Meet the Creative Professionals. The gathering offers a more intimate, friendly opportunity for attendees and exhibitors to build connections. “It’s a chance for creative professionals to learn more about the participating exhibitors’ products and for the exhibitors to learn more about the creative professionals and how to help them,” Munisteri explained.

A follow-up event, a Meet and Greet: Coffee with the Creative Professionals, is scheduled for Tuesday morning in Demo Alley. It will allow Creativation professionals and exhibitors to meet the Creative Professional Members of Namta and learn how they can help their businesses.

“I hope people experience our tagline – building creative partnerships – and build those partnerships with each other,” Munisteri stated. “As we continue to grow, we see the joining of the craft and fine arts industries as the future.”

A live demo on the trade show floor at Ceativation 2023. Photo courtesy of Pyle Photography, David Pyle and Jordan Pyle.

The New Orleans Art Scene

New Orleans is full of culture and arts, from public art installations to festive celebrations. Visitors to the Big Easy have multiple opportunities to explore the area’s colorful history and see who made their mark on the city.

In 2008, renowned street artist Banksy painted 17 murals across the city. Only a handful remain. One of the most iconic is “Nola (Girl with Umbrella)” on the corner of North Rampart and Kerlerec streets. Additionally, the largest Bansky art piece in the U.S. is “Looters,” which can be found in the International House Hotel’s lobby.

A short distance from the French Quarter is the Degas House. Nineteenth century French impressionist painter Edgar Degas visited his maternal family in New Orleans in 1872 and created 18 paintings, four drawings and five letters during his months-long sta. Today, the Degas House welcomes the public – and artists – for tours, meetings, special events and overnight stays.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans is known as the “greatest free show on earth.” But what becomes of the floats after the parade and revelries end? At Mardi Gras World, guests can see intricate floats, learn how they’re made and understand what goes into preparing for the festival.

Named after one of the most famous jazz musicians (and New Orleans native), Louis Armstrong Park is located in the Tremé neighborhood. The park is steeped in history and has monuments dedicated to Armstrong, Sidney Bechet and Buddy Bolden. It is also the site of the city’s annual MLK Day celebration, Red Dress Run and local festivals.

Nature and art collide at the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Park

The park, which is part of the New Orleans Museum of Art, contains 97 works in its 11-acre property. Visitors can walk across a 70-foot glass bridge created by Elyn Zimmerman, admire Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ “Diana” and see a replica of Robert Indiana’s “LOVE,” all for free.

Towering over the corner of Julia and S Peters streets – just a couple blocks northwest of the convention center – is “Ignite,” a mural by Danaé Brissonnet. This artwork is one of 10 murals that are part of the Helis Foundation’s Unframed exhibition. “Ignite” pays homage to the rich history and culture of the BIPOC communities that have created the city.

No visit to New Orleans is complete without visiting the French Quarter

A stroll down famed boulevards such as Canal, Royal and Bourbon streets is a feast for the senses. The architecture includes historic French, Spanish and Creole influences, a visual representation of the Crescent Citys multicultural heritage.

Left page (Bottom left, clockwise): NOMA sculpture garden; the Degas House; the beautiful architecture of the French Quarter; “Ignite,” a mural by Danaé Brissonnet; (above) the entrance to Armstrong Park; and just one of the vibrant floats at Madi Gras World.

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Pro 788 Ultimate Masking Tape

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s Incredible Art Products and Frisket Film are valuable tools for artists working in a range of mediums. They help preserve areas during the creative process, allowing for precise detailing and layering. grafixarts.com

Micro Tools and Palm Tools

from Flexcut Tools are ideal for both print makers and wood carvers. Profiles rang in size from 1mm to 4mm, whether it’s linoleum or wood. flexcut.com

Viking Woodcrafts invites you to the Annual Painting & Craft Expo, June 24-29 2024 at the Chattanooga Convention Center, TN. This event, open to the public, brings together crafters, artists, creative teachers and suppliers. apcexpo.net

Grafix

Origin Acrylics from Pebeo is the firs eco-designed fineart acrylic range, blending quality, affordability and environmental responsibility. Ideal for vibrant, sustainable creations. pebeo.net

h+h Americas Trade Show 2024

will unite the crafts industry in North America May 1 to 3, 2024. The show operates without any membership restrictions and offers seasonal products and services to the entire crafts sector. hh-americas.com

Mexo clay from Laguna Clay is perfect to burst your way into ceramics. Soft and pliable to work with and hard as a rock once it’s dry. Decorate it with your favorite paints.

lagunaclay.com

The Big Squeeze, distributed by MacPherson Art Supplies, is the king of all tube squeezers. It gets every last drop of paint out of plastic and metal tubes. The ergonomic all-metal design reduces stress on your hands. macphersonart.com

The Cyanotype Kit from Jacquard Products makes sun printing easier than ever and includes everything you need to get started. Make drawings, photographs and photograms in minutes with easy step-by-step detailed instructions.

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new&true

The Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) helps retailers supply what customers are shopping for. With 60,000 products already evaluated, it’s easy to find certified, sa supplies that fit your customers needs. acmiart.org

The SketchBuddy

V2.0 from Guerrilla Painter features an exterior pocket to accommodate an 8.5 x 5.5-inch sketchbook, polyester canvas fabric with exterior handles and D-rings to attach included shoulder strap.

guerrillapainter.com

Diamond Dotz come in a broad range of designs that cater to all interests and skill levels. The end result is an exquisite diamond painting that will have customers eager to do more! b2b.diamonddotz.com

Kissing Klimt Flat

AWT World Trade is a trusted name in screen printing supplies. From screen-making and safety products to fabrics and frames and hundreds of other items, you’ll find whatever supplies you nee at AWT. awt-gpi.com

Shaker jars from Lindy’s Gang are the best of all worlds. Shake, paint or pour your pigment powders to create masterpieces! Kissing Klimt is one of our latest five-pack lindysgang.com

As 2024 began, several prominent works entered public domain. One of the most notable and discussed entities was Walt Disney’s first iteration of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, as seen in the shorts “Steamboat Willy” and “Plane Crazy.” Within hours, the iconic figure popped up in memes as well as gameplay and horror film trailers, just to name a few renditions.

Other popular works that lost copyright protections in the U.S. included A. A. Milne’s book “The House at Pooh Corner,” which introduced the character of Tigger; J. M. Barrie’s play “Peter Pan, or, the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up”; Edward Hopper’s painting “Night Windows”; M. C. Escher’s woodcut print “Tower of Babel”; and Georgia O’Keeffe’s painting “East River from the Shelton Hotel.”

While some newer renditions of these works can be surprising to say the least, there is good that can come from having art in the public domain.

A January 12, 2024 blog post published by Santa Clara University’s Illuminate, explains how the public domain has impacted creativity. “I think making new versions of public domain works has greatly benefitedthe public,” stated Tyler T. Ochoa, professor of copyright law at the university’s School of Law. He later added, “Creativity works by taking familiar things around us and remixing them.”

The Spielwarenmesse international toy fair celebrated a successful 2024. The 73rd annual show took place January 30 to February 3 in Nuremberg, Germany. The show welcomed more than 2,00 exhibitors from 68 countries – an increase of 10 percent from the previous year – and 57,000 visitors from 125 nations.

“The Spielwarenmesse is the one constant to rely on in the current era of the regional and national toy shows working to find their new rhythm,” stated Helena Perheentupa of Wyncor in a press release.

“With its diversity, its wide-ranging supporting program and its unique service, the Spielwarenmesse showed again this year that it continues to be the international meeting point for the sector. The ‘Spirit of Play’ was in evidence everywhere,” said Florian Sieber, CEO of the Simba Dickie Group.

The coveted ToyAwards ceremony took place on Day 2 of the toy fair. The winners were as follows.

• Baby & Infant (0-3 years): Basic Building Blocks – Multicolored from Haba

• Preschool (3-6 years): Stix from OPPI

• School Kids (6-10 years): Adventure Puzzle

– The Light in the Enchanted Forest from Franckh-Kosmos Teenagers & Adults (10 years and older): Tetris & Pac Man Arcade in a Tin from Fizz Creations

• Startup: Artist instant camera from Hoppstar

• Sustainability: Feber Recycle Eco House from Famosa by Giochi Preziosi

Next year’s Spielwarenmesse toy fair is set to take place January 28 to February 1, 2025.

h+h americas recently announced its lineup of keynote speakers and panels who will present at the 2024 conference. This year’s show will take place May 1 to 3 in Chicago.

The firs day of the show kicks off with the Golden Scissors Awards Ceremony and State of the Industry Panel. The awards ceremony will honor recipients in the categories of Lifetime Achievement, Emerging Leader, Sustainability, Social Impact and Innovation. Immediately after, Abby Glassenberg will moderate a panel of craft industry leaders from across the globe. Topics will include developing trends, forecasts and business outlooks.

Amber Kemp-Gerstel of Damask Love will give her keynote address on May 2. She will address how creative businesses can engage with customers, explain the value of influence marketing and share personal anecdotes from her business. KempGerstel is a full-time crafter, blogger and television personality. Her company, Damask Love, is a creative lifestyle blog all about doable DIY projects, spanning from fabric and paper to planners and décor.

Mark Hyland of Handi Quilter and Jan Hurwitz of Berroco will round out the keynote presentations on May 3 as they present on Craft Industry Consumer Research regarding quilting and yarn, respectively Hyland will discuss topics such as profile of average quilters today, their buying preferences and where quilters are turning now to learn new skills. Hurwitz will talk about the overall current size of the yarn industry, consumer demographics and buying behavior trends.

Tickets are now available for h+h americas. Visit hh-americas.com for more information, including a full schedule of events.

Business Notes

TikTok Shop Seeks to Recruit Vendors

With more than 150 million users in the U.S. alone, TikTok has an extensive reach. The social media platform recently announced a new shopping culture with TikTok Shop and it is searching for new members.

TikTok Shop launched last September as a way to help people find and purchase products “TikTok Shop will now bring shoppable videos and LIVE streams directly to For You feeds across the country – and give brands, merchants and creators

the tools to sell directly through shoppable content on the TikTok app,” read a September 12, 2023 press release issued by TikTok. In order to increase their number of sellers, TikTok sent out invitations to vendors who already have a strong online presence. Some of those sellers are creatives on Etsy. Vendors are balancing the pros and cons of joining TikTok Shop, according to an article by Modern Retail.

There are a few factors that can lead merchants toward the new selling platform. For instance, vendors on Etsy are facing rising transaction fees and increased pressure to provide discounts. Then there is the reach; while TikTok has more than 150 million U.S. users in 2023, Etsy’s third quarter report

stated it set a “new all-time high of 92 million” active buyers.

Some sellers are hesitant to join TikTok Shop, pointing out that while there are vendors who provide handmade jewelry, blankets and food, the platform capitalizes on trends. Another drawback are TikTok Shop’s strict regulations. Etsy sellers have noted in community forums how TikTok Shop penalizes sellers who have links to their own website. The social media platform also has a time crunch.

“[TikTok is] strict with where you must handle all shipping and fulfillment in three days of gettin the order or your shop will be shut down,” said an Etsy seller in an interview with Modern Retail.

In the end, it all comes down to personal preference.

“I just fin it all fascinating,” said one Etsy vendor in a community forum. “I remember back when Yahoo shops were the big deal to sell online. People were so scared to use credit cards online. So, they would order on my Yahoo shop and then mail me a check … We have come a long way.”

Retail Market Sees Strong Sales in 2023

In January, the U.S. Census Bureau released data on the 2023 holiday sales as well as yearly sales.

The 2023 holiday season – which stretches from November 1 through December 31 – saw retail sales increase 3.8 percent over 2022 to a record $964.4 billion. The bureau reported that sales for the full year grew 3.6 percent from 2022 to reach $5.13 trillion.

Last year was a decent year for hobby stores as they, sporting goods, music and book stores were up 0.62 percent month over month seasonally adjusted and up 2.25 percent year over year unadjusted.

“Consumer spending was remarkably resilient throughout 2023 and finishe the year with a solid pace for the holiday season,” said NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz.

Looking ahead to this year, the National Retail Federation is keeping an eye on the employment market and interest rates. The federation’s February issue of the Monthly Economic Review states the economy shows “no sign of a recession,” citing the 3.3 percent annual growth in gross domestic product for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 2.5 percent for the year.

How to Maximize Your POS System

For many years, businesses have had two choices when it comes to accept payments from customers: a traditional point-of-sale (POS) system and mobile payment systems. POS systems utilize equipment including barcode scanners, a credit card terminal, cash box and printer while mobile payment systems just need a smartphone or tablet in conjunction with a credit card reader However, these two methods have converged to create the modern POS system.

The mobile POS system value was expected to grow 16.9 percent between 2021 and 2025, according to a report by GO-Globe, a corporate web development company. Additionally, 54 percent of businesses have used mobile POS for processing transactions.

Here are a few ways in which POS systems enhance businesses’ operations, as outlined by Business News Daily

A time saver at checkout. POS systems provide convenience to customers by giving them efficien means of checking out. For instance, businesses with POS systems offers patrons the opportunity save their payment options for future reference, purchase items online, use self-service kiosks to complete transactions and make contactless payments. Consequently, saving time can benefit customers experiences and increase satisfaction.

An easier payroll process. With a POS system, employers can track their staff members’ hours, create schedules, log requested time off and deduct taxes more accurately.

Focused advertising capabilities. The data collected by a POS system can be turned around and used for marketing purposes and to create personalized promotions. Select systems even have the capability to set up and manage loyalty programs.

Inventory management. POS systems can track a business’ inventory at different stages, including when an employee rings up a customer’s order and random

check-ins. A POS system can also automatically generate purchase-order numbers and alert retailers about low stock.

Generating detailed reports. Retailers can track certain metrics within their business, leading to smoother operations.

When choosing a POS system, businesses ought to make an informed decision by looking at several factors. Important aspects include the type of hardware you need, software, compatibility with Apple and Android devices and the level of tech support available.

Traditional POS and mobile payment systems are not mutually exclusive. No matter whether a retailer chooses to stick with their traditional POS system or implements a mobile payment system, it all comes down to what is best for the business.

“Mobile systems … both augment and replace traditional POS systems,” said Rick Caldarella, former vice president of product management at Veracity Payment Solutions in an interview with Business News Daily. “[But] POS systems will continue to stick around because they still serve a critical purpose for merchants.”

royalties, he and Barzyk are dedicated to endorsing artists first. “e support our artists and the world of artistic creation,” Papas stated. “There’s no integrity in AI artwork.”

“People like to know the story behind the artwork, too,” Barzyk added. “Who’s the artist, where did it come from, what did the original artwork look like, it’s important.”

to bring the product to people who really appreciate it. It’s very touching,” Barzyk stated.

An alternative to the pre-made patterns is Diamond Dotz Freestyle, which lets crafters buy components separately. The freestyle option allows artists to decorate their own items – from ornamental letters and picture frames to fabric – and create unique pieces. With 461 colored gems available, the sky’s the limit. Those looking for ideas can visit Diamond Dotz’s blog or YouTube channel, both available through diamonddotz.com

“We’ve developed a very special adhesive called Dotz Stick that can be used on textiles, glass, metal, just about any surface,” Papas said.

“The way that people are upcycling or repurposing clothes and household objects with Diamond Dotz is really amazing,” Barzyk observed. “There’s just no end to the creative ideas people have.”

Both the founders and their customers have found multiple reasons why they enjoy Diamond Dotz. Barzyk appreciates how quickly she can finish a piece, compare to working with needlepoint.

“Commercially speaking, the inventory turns quite quickly in the store,” Papas said. “It’s a good proposition for an arts and crafts store.”

Creative minds of various ages – ranging from 4 to 93 years old – have shared how Diamond Dotz helps them. While some use diamond painting to relax or simply pass the time, caregivers engage with relatives or patients while finishing a project. Parents also valu how Diamond Dotz provides their kids an alternative to screentime. “We feel blessed a lot of days that we’re able

Diamond Dotz exhibits at several shows including Creativeworld and Spielwarenmesse in Germany, Toy Fair in New York and Creativation by Namta. In addition to the arts and crafts industry, the company caters to the toy market and education sector.

The past few years have been a rollercoaster for the crafting community, including Diamond Dotz. After a spike in business in 2020, interest in crafts took a slump the next couple of years. However, Papas and Barzyk are seeing a rebound, including a 5 to 7 percent growth in diamond painting. Their business is growing exponentially online.

“I think by sticking to our guns and having integrity, we convert a lot of consumers to our brand and they stick around,” Papas said.

Papas and Barzyk favor authenticity and transparency over gimmicks. For instance, the product images on the website are of finished Diamond Dot projects, with detailed accounts of what is included in the kits, right down to the number of gems. Over time, they are winning a battle of perception as customers are coming to their own conclusions about their offerings.

“We go through a lot of trouble to make sure our product is compliant and it has integrity; that’s why we’ve retained customers,” Papas said. “If people would just try Diamond Dotz, they’d be pleasantly surprised by our brand.”

To see and learn more about Diamond Dotz products, visit diamonddotz.com.

For People Who Sell Art Supplies

A brand of Fahy-Williams Publishing

About Art Materials Retailer

Founded in 1998, Art Materials Retailer is unlike any other publication, addressing the issues facing the art supply industry and provides a forum for retailers and manufacturers to share information that can benefit everyone. With news, interviews, retailing tips and loads of product information, AMR is the one magazine buyers of creative products rely on to meet their needs.

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Endcap

Diamonds are a Crafter’s Best Friend

by Victoria Ritter

Just as needle art captures patterns in fabric and multicolored tiles constitute elaborate mosaics, Diamond Dotz® helps crafters and artists create intricate works with gems.

Diamond Dotz is the creation of husband-and-wife team Dennis Papas and Cathy Barzyk. The couple has 40 years of experience in the arts and crafts industry, specificall in needlecraft. One of Barzyk’s first jobs was interpreting diferent works of art from art galleries into needlework kits.

“In needlework, you’re basically taking artwork and pixelating it,” Papas said. “Diamond painting is exactly the same.”

Papas and Barzyk came across the concept of diamond painting

during a trip to China in 2014 where they were mesmerized by a diamond artwork in an office

“It was so spectacular and sparkly,” Papas said. “We’d never seen anything like it before.”

“We were drawn to the sparkle,” Barzyk added. “When we saw how easy it was to do, we realized it could be a very important craft. You don’t need a lot of skill to do it. As long as you follow the pattern, you can create a beautiful design really easily.”

After a few years of curating products and re-imagining their take on diamond painting, Papas and Barzyk were ready to bring the craft to the western market. They founded Diamond Dotz in 2015 and headquartered the company in

Atlanta, GA. Today, the brand is trademarked in 28 countries and distributed to 80 nations.

One of the unique characteristics of Diamond Dotz are the “diamonds” themselves. The gems, made of epoxy resin, are specificall engineered with 13 different facets, causing them to sparkle more.

Creatives can use Diamond Dotz in a couple different ways.

For those who prefer to use prearranged designs, the brand provides kits for cards, pillows, boxes and wall art – the brand’s most popular product segment. The all-inclusive kits come with a substrate with the design printed on the surface and a proprietary adhesive on top, a gem pack, tool kit and instruction sheet.

A team of 22 designers work with Barzyk, formatting patterns based on art posters, popular trends and license designs; Diamond Dotz partners with companies including Hasbro, Paramount, Peanuts, Precious Moments and Thomas Kincade.

“Very often, classic designs –designs we started with – are still selling today,” Papas said. When Diamond Dotz first launched, it ha 70 designs in its catalog. Now, it has 2,500 in its archive, with new designs released every quarter.

“We grew quickly because we realized that people were finishin them so fast,” Barzyk explained.

No matter the concept that Diamond Dotz designs, the company does not resort to basing them on images generated by artificia intelligence (AI). Papas stated that while some competing companies utilize AI in order to avoid paying

continued on page 36 t

Zen is a diverse brush collection that will equip your customers with the right brush for the medium of their choice. Whether it be oil, acrylic, watercolor, or mixed media, this collection of durable, easy to clean brushes is sure to impress.

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