Creative Co-op - for more details please go to Creative Co-op website (see links page).

 

The Creative Co-Op group formed in June 2005 to establish a supportive community and network for all Creative people. What ever your Creative outlet is; art,craft,design,writing,music,singing,dance,performance,photography,sculpture,pottery,

sewing, textiles, embroidery, jewellery, metalwork, glass, woodcarving etc etc etc …

Creative Co Op is for you!

 

The Aims and Ideas of the Co-Op & What we Do

Ø  Getting creative people together to break isolation, share moral support, enable collaboration between people on creative projects.

Ø  Share ideas, information, advice, skills, equipment, resources and costs.

Ø  Encourage communication between creative people, in a caring community that works for US, not ‘administrators’ and ‘middlemen’.

Ø  Share of work in rotation among members, so one person doesn’t have to do everything; share of responsibilities.

Ø  Book as a group at large events/venus, so being able to share costs/stalls/insurance/time/selling  (for example; not having to be alone at a stall all day needing the loo or running out of change and being unable to leave your stuff!)

Ø  Hold regular events where members can show/sell their products or services with equally shared costs. This is now set up at as ‘I Made This’ artists markets

Ø  We have a data base of information, events, names and addresses members can use and add to. This is in progress, on going.

Ø  We have a Resources Pool, a list of books and equipment members willing to share with others. This is in progress, on going. ‘Library’ and resources at 13 Upperton Gardens. Donations always welcome.

Ø  Transport Pool – share of cars/petrol costs. For out of town events, this could extend to hire of coach and vans for large group of members. (There is a limit to what can be carried on the bus or a bicycle!) In progress.

Ø  We have monthly social meetings to share ideas, advice, inspiration and fun; a chance for members to talk/give demos of their skills and knowledge/experience /and other skills. Art Cafes at 13 Upperton Gardens/members host

Ø  We have a news letter where members can advertise their needs, swap things announce events etc. By post or e mail.

Ø  We have a website to share news, tell people about the Co Op, and advertise events/members skills (if they wish this) and link to members own websites.

     New in 2009 Members may now have a page on the website

Ø  Enable members to group together and bulk buy items at wholesale price.

Ø  Working with alternative venues and spaces

Ø  Work with alternative funding ideas; Charities and companies hosting – hold events for charity and give 10% sales to charity; Hold event for a school, 10% sales to school and they could charge a small entrance fee for the school funds too. All in process

Ø  Work in co-operation with other co-ops and groups across the region and country, so that we could enter large prestigious national events as a team

 

© Tania Long (Founder/Chair) 2005.

Revised 2009

 

 The Creative Co-op aims to be a totally open Care and Share Community;

Non discriminatory, non racist, non sexist, non ageist. Our ethos is to help each other.

 Open to all whatever their skill levels, from beginners to master craftspeople, whether you have no degrees or a B.A., everyone is equal and welcome.

Annual subscription of £6 This helps to pay for advertising of events, stationary and phone calls, postage, website, new resources etc.

We are an independent network collective and receive no public funding at present.

Funds for group are also raised in alternative ways; raffles at events & social evenings, Co-op stalls at table sales and boot fairs, Co-op stalls at events with a donated item from each member.

Any surplus money from our own events also goes back into the Co-op.

We aim to raise public awareness of the huge diversity of creative talent we have in this County, and our country, that ‘hand made, created locally’ is good for everyone in our community.

When we hold our own events, we stipulate that at least 90% of Art & Craft goods on a stall/exhibit must be created by the exhibitor. There are plenty of places already available for ‘street market’ traders to go who buy in mass produced ‘handmade crafts’ and sell on, this is not what we are about.

We aim to promote awareness of the value of art, crafts and creative pursuits, the time and care it takes, the cost of materials. Many people don’t know the difference in value between hand made and home made, individually created items and mass production. Our arts and crafts are fighting against a rising tide of what I call ‘poundland - ie - tes’ ; a flood of cheap mass produced imports.

Many people (who don’t create or never tried) tend to think ‘hand made’ or ‘homemade’ is something they could do themselves, but if they actually tried they’d find it was a lot harder than they thought, when they found how much time and effort is actually required!

 

Our Mission Statement:

The Creative Co-Op is about Care and Share.

It’s about building a community spirit and a support net work for Artists & Makers, creative people.

Its about helping ourselves and others by coming together, working together ,sharing; not just costs and materials but also inspiration, motivation, emotional and moral support, time, skills, ideas, friendship, fun and laughter.

It’s about equality and having our voice heard, having strength and respect when dealing with the world of commerce and burocracy.

Remember that advert for Unison a few years ago?

A tiny ant wants to get past a huge bear. He says “Excuse me. Excuse me!” but the bear ignores them. Then a huge crowd of ants join the first one and there is an enormous shout of “Get out of the Way!!” The bear jumps, and gets out of the way!

 

It’s about the idea that

                                   

 CREATIVITY MATTERS

 

Creative Co-op aims to raise the awareness of the Value in what we do, that it’s NOT a second class option or a hobby, that it’s a way of life.

That it’s OK to Be Creative and follow your heart.