Blog / News ― Caribbean Craft http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/ Fri, 11 Jun 2010 07:04:02 -0500 June 2010 Newsletter ]]> ]]> Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:17:43 -0500 http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/20/ http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/20/ Atlanta's showroom in January before the earthquake In January - before the earthquake that destroyed most of Port-au-Prince - we were in Atlanta's AmericasMart. We changed some of the panels, added new items: painted trophies, bookmarks, luggage tags and furniture made with paper mache.

Here is a video of the showroom.

Caribbean Craft Showroom

]]> In January - before the earthquake that destroyed most of Port-au-Prince - we were in Atlanta's AmericasMart. We changed some of the panels, added new items: painted trophies, bookmarks, luggage tags and furniture made with paper mache.

Here is a video of the showroom.

Caribbean Craft Showroom

]]> Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:22:29 -0500 http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/16/ http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/16/ THANK YOU TO We would like to thank all those who helped us keep on going. This has been a very tough time for us, our workers and the independent artisans we work with. It is still very tough. But when we see some of our workers eagerness to work, to go on with their lives - how can Yvresse go over the loss of his only daughter born 15 days before? How can Philippe still smile when he saw his mother die? - the hardships of the rebuilding appear lighter.

This thank you note goes especially to the following (in no particular order):

Melody Bales of Lady From Haiti in Naples, FL.-  one of our long time and most faithful customers;

The people from ATA (Aid To Artisans) - Colleen, Anne, Alden, David to name just a few

Jonathan Williams of Tesoros Trading Company - without you we might have quit...

The people from VivaTerra - Susan being our most enthusiastic supporter;

The people of Ten Thousand Villages - Doug, Kathleen, Craig and Joyce (also to name just a few)

Elizabeth Lutzi from Pine Island Cruises and Variety Store in St. James City, FL.

You all not only gave us prepaid orders, some not knowing when we might resume production, but you also sent money to help reconstruction or to help directly our workers.

We would also like to thank :

President Clinton and President Bush for their visit which brought hope (and a lot of pride!) to our workers.

 

]]> We would like to thank all those who helped us keep on going. This has been a very tough time for us, our workers and the independent artisans we work with. It is still very tough. But when we see some of our workers eagerness to work, to go on with their lives - how can Yvresse go over the loss of his only daughter born 15 days before? How can Philippe still smile when he saw his mother die? - the hardships of the rebuilding appear lighter.

This thank you note goes especially to the following (in no particular order):

Melody Bales of Lady From Haiti in Naples, FL.-  one of our long time and most faithful customers;

The people from ATA (Aid To Artisans) - Colleen, Anne, Alden, David to name just a few

Jonathan Williams of Tesoros Trading Company - without you we might have quit...

The people from VivaTerra - Susan being our most enthusiastic supporter;

The people of Ten Thousand Villages - Doug, Kathleen, Craig and Joyce (also to name just a few)

Elizabeth Lutzi from Pine Island Cruises and Variety Store in St. James City, FL.

You all not only gave us prepaid orders, some not knowing when we might resume production, but you also sent money to help reconstruction or to help directly our workers.

We would also like to thank :

President Clinton and President Bush for their visit which brought hope (and a lot of pride!) to our workers.

 

]]> Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:10:52 -0500 http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/15/ http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/15/ Caribbean Craft Reconstruction Plan

On January 12 2010 our world and lives changed.  Most saw everything they had worked for their entire life disappear in 35 seconds. Some lost their lives… All our artisans are living in street camps, with no other protection against the elements than a bed sheet. Luckily for us there has been no rain since the quake. But the rainy season is not far away.

The earthquake that almost completely destroyed Port-au-Prince hit the world media like a stone - but we know that will be temporary... In a few weeks or days it will be replaced by other events. What is important now is to focus some of our attention to rebuilding. The humanitarian crisis is not over yet and we still have our share to do there. But there will be another crisis if we do not start working on the future.

With the economic crisis that hit the world, Caribbean Craft has been fighting hard to keep all its workers for the last 2 years. We invested a lot to expand our activities; we went directly to the customers’ doors, and we designed totally new collections to access new markets. It was a tough challenge but we loved it, and we started to see great results by the middle of 2009 and especially with the NYIGF in August 2009 and Atlanta show in January 2010.

Now the fight has to be refought. This fight will be at the same time easier and harder. Easier because we have the clients, the markets, the know-how and the good will of all. The designs are there, the orders are waiting to be produced. Harder because we do not have the place to produce them as efficiently as before. Our 40,000 square feet building has been deemed totally unsecure. We will have to micro manage production in several small places: in a 8000 square feet covered place near the airport that will serve as stock and offices, in a tarp covered open space – at least until the hurricane season starts – next to these offices, and at a one hour drive from the airport, in our backyard court under a 2400 square feet tent.

This solution is only temporary: we need to find a place to resume our work as before. Or better than before. The challenge will not only be to get a great product in the market. It will also be to be able to produce enough, and at a reasonable price, to satisfy the demand. All the big buildings in Port-au-Prince are either already occupied, heavily damaged or in rubbles. We will thus need to build a new facility of at least 30,000 square feet as soon as possible. We found a terrain, worth $250,000.00, at a suitable location next to the airport, which could accomodate the new facility. We contacted several building companies and chose an offer from MBMI.BIZ

We have prepared a plan detailing what we want to do and how we will achieve it. You can download it there:
http://www.caribbean-craft.com/2010/Caribbean%20Craft%20Reconstruction%20Project%202010.pdf

The short term plan focuses on resuming production as fast as possible. To achieve this we need to help our workers who have lost everything - up to now we know of 25 of them in this tragic situation and we also need to help those who still have something left: they do not have enough to pay for the trip to get to work or to buy food. As said above, we lost our workplace and need to find tents, tarps and a warehouse for our stock and offices. Our truck was damaged during the earthquake and needs to be replaced to go from one place to the other…

For the long term the investments will be very heavy. Time wise, work wise and money wise. The first two we will manage. The money is something else…, we will need all the help we can get. Several of our clients have already contributed generously, either in cash or in loan promises. Several others have promised to help by giving as many orders as they can. Others want to send food, tents, and blankets for our workers (but the logistics for sending these to Haiti is not obvious).

If you want to help us, sending a check to our NY Bank account is the best way. Every cent will be useful. Please note that whatever gift you send us is not tax deductible. If you want your donation to be used for a specific part of the plan please note it on the check.

Thank You.
Magalie and Joel

Make checks payable to:
     West Indies Exporters
     a/c No 1705-218-4
and sent to:
     West Indies Exporters
     c/o M&T Bank
     350 Park Ave,
     New York, NY 10022,
     USA,

If you would rather make a wire transfer: ABA No 022000046; SWIFT code MANTUS33

]]>

On January 12 2010 our world and lives changed.  Most saw everything they had worked for their entire life disappear in 35 seconds. Some lost their lives… All our artisans are living in street camps, with no other protection against the elements than a bed sheet. Luckily for us there has been no rain since the quake. But the rainy season is not far away.

The earthquake that almost completely destroyed Port-au-Prince hit the world media like a stone - but we know that will be temporary... In a few weeks or days it will be replaced by other events. What is important now is to focus some of our attention to rebuilding. The humanitarian crisis is not over yet and we still have our share to do there. But there will be another crisis if we do not start working on the future.

With the economic crisis that hit the world, Caribbean Craft has been fighting hard to keep all its workers for the last 2 years. We invested a lot to expand our activities; we went directly to the customers’ doors, and we designed totally new collections to access new markets. It was a tough challenge but we loved it, and we started to see great results by the middle of 2009 and especially with the NYIGF in August 2009 and Atlanta show in January 2010.

Now the fight has to be refought. This fight will be at the same time easier and harder. Easier because we have the clients, the markets, the know-how and the good will of all. The designs are there, the orders are waiting to be produced. Harder because we do not have the place to produce them as efficiently as before. Our 40,000 square feet building has been deemed totally unsecure. We will have to micro manage production in several small places: in a 8000 square feet covered place near the airport that will serve as stock and offices, in a tarp covered open space – at least until the hurricane season starts – next to these offices, and at a one hour drive from the airport, in our backyard court under a 2400 square feet tent.

This solution is only temporary: we need to find a place to resume our work as before. Or better than before. The challenge will not only be to get a great product in the market. It will also be to be able to produce enough, and at a reasonable price, to satisfy the demand. All the big buildings in Port-au-Prince are either already occupied, heavily damaged or in rubbles. We will thus need to build a new facility of at least 30,000 square feet as soon as possible. We found a terrain, worth $250,000.00, at a suitable location next to the airport, which could accomodate the new facility. We contacted several building companies and chose an offer from MBMI.BIZ

We have prepared a plan detailing what we want to do and how we will achieve it. You can download it there:
http://www.caribbean-craft.com/2010/Caribbean%20Craft%20Reconstruction%20Project%202010.pdf

The short term plan focuses on resuming production as fast as possible. To achieve this we need to help our workers who have lost everything - up to now we know of 25 of them in this tragic situation and we also need to help those who still have something left: they do not have enough to pay for the trip to get to work or to buy food. As said above, we lost our workplace and need to find tents, tarps and a warehouse for our stock and offices. Our truck was damaged during the earthquake and needs to be replaced to go from one place to the other…

For the long term the investments will be very heavy. Time wise, work wise and money wise. The first two we will manage. The money is something else…, we will need all the help we can get. Several of our clients have already contributed generously, either in cash or in loan promises. Several others have promised to help by giving as many orders as they can. Others want to send food, tents, and blankets for our workers (but the logistics for sending these to Haiti is not obvious).

If you want to help us, sending a check to our NY Bank account is the best way. Every cent will be useful. Please note that whatever gift you send us is not tax deductible. If you want your donation to be used for a specific part of the plan please note it on the check.

Thank You.
Magalie and Joel

Make checks payable to:
     West Indies Exporters
     a/c No 1705-218-4
and sent to:
     West Indies Exporters
     c/o M&T Bank
     350 Park Ave,
     New York, NY 10022,
     USA,

If you would rather make a wire transfer: ABA No 022000046; SWIFT code MANTUS33

]]> Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:04:47 -0600 http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/14/ http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/14/ Inside the building At the back of the building the columns have cracked at their base, the concrete broke, leaving the steel apparent. These steel bars have been twisted by the force of the quake.

 This video shows the worse of the damage: one of the central pillar, holding the roof, collapsed. The roof structure has been weakened, the adjacent columns have cracks in their base and in their top and are leaning. The office building has sunk a little bit in the ground. If it rains it will sink a little bit more and pull the roof down.

 

]]> At the back of the building the columns have cracked at their base, the concrete broke, leaving the steel apparent. These steel bars have been twisted by the force of the quake.

 This video shows the worse of the damage: one of the central pillar, holding the roof, collapsed. The roof structure has been weakened, the adjacent columns have cracks in their base and in their top and are leaning. The office building has sunk a little bit in the ground. If it rains it will sink a little bit more and pull the roof down.

 

]]> Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:01:12 -0600 http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/13/ http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/13/ Videos of the workplace after the earthquake This is the entrance to the offices. The first employee we usually met when entering was Ernst Jean Philippe. He had been with us since the end of the 70s. He was in charge of preparing the payrolls. and lending money to the workers. His body was found under the rubbles of the Caribbean Market where he went to buy some bread for his family.

The other side of the cracked walls: this was the showroom and the dining room for the office employees.

]]> This is the entrance to the offices. The first employee we usually met when entering was Ernst Jean Philippe. He had been with us since the end of the 70s. He was in charge of preparing the payrolls. and lending money to the workers. His body was found under the rubbles of the Caribbean Market where he went to buy some bread for his family.

The other side of the cracked walls: this was the showroom and the dining room for the office employees.

]]> Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:20:02 -0600 http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/12/ http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/12/ Revamped showroom Atlanta 2010]]> Atlanta 2010]]> Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:31:54 -0600 http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/10/ http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/10/ AmericasMart Caribbean Craft will be in Atlanta January 6 to 13. Americasmart Building 2 West Wing, 7th Floor, Showroom 777A.If you are there, pass by! We will be happy to show you our new 2010 collection!

Caribbean Craft new paper mache collection 2010

]]> Caribbean Craft will be in Atlanta January 6 to 13. Americasmart Building 2 West Wing, 7th Floor, Showroom 777A.If you are there, pass by! We will be happy to show you our new 2010 collection!

Caribbean Craft new paper mache collection 2010

]]> Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:16:13 -0600 http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/9/ http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/9/ New York International Gift Fair In the August New York show at Javits Aid to Artisans showcased our papermache trophies, hanging vines, roosters and chicken sculptures. Here are 2 pictures of the booth and a very short video. 



 

]]> In the August New York show at Javits Aid to Artisans showcased our papermache trophies, hanging vines, roosters and chicken sculptures. Here are 2 pictures of the booth and a very short video. 



 

]]> Sat, 26 Sep 2009 11:35:46 -0500 http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/8/ http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/8/ A video of the showroom Caribbean Craft]]> Caribbean Craft]]> Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:03:41 -0500 http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/7/ http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/7/ The Showroom Preparations Here it is! We started working on it on June 29 to have it ready for the beginning of the show on July 8. It was hard work: Taking off the carpet - which was VERY conscientiously glued on the floor, installing the laminated wood flooring ourselves without previous experience of this kind of work - we had to redo part of it :-{ , painting the panels without too much paint dripping on the floor… But the end result, we believe, was worth it. So here are a few pictures of the setup process.

 

All the yellow on the floor is pure strong carpet glue
Robert Thomas of Robert Thomas Metal Art cutting the carpet
The first part of the laminated flooring. We had to take it off and re-install it…
The flooring is finally good, now it's time to paint
Robert in an equilibrium act
Joel Dresse of Caribbean Craft in a stretching exercise
The little yellow Caribbean house being (re)built
The "Office" space
1:00 AM July 8, opening day, Magalie Noel of Caribbean Craft preparing some key chains giveaways
]]> Here it is! We started working on it on June 29 to have it ready for the beginning of the show on July 8. It was hard work: Taking off the carpet - which was VERY conscientiously glued on the floor, installing the laminated wood flooring ourselves without previous experience of this kind of work - we had to redo part of it :-{ , painting the panels without too much paint dripping on the floor… But the end result, we believe, was worth it. So here are a few pictures of the setup process.

 

All the yellow on the floor is pure strong carpet glue
Robert Thomas of Robert Thomas Metal Art cutting the carpet
The first part of the laminated flooring. We had to take it off and re-install it…
The flooring is finally good, now it's time to paint
Robert in an equilibrium act
Joel Dresse of Caribbean Craft in a stretching exercise
The little yellow Caribbean house being (re)built
The "Office" space
1:00 AM July 8, opening day, Magalie Noel of Caribbean Craft preparing some key chains giveaways
]]> Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:33:37 -0500 http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/6/ http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/6/ Announcing our new showroom! For those of you not subscribing to Gifts & Decorative Accessories newsletter this is the email blast that was sent today. It's our first official announcement!

 

Gifts&DecorativeAccessories is pleased to make available information on products and services that may be of interest to you in your
business or career. For customer support or to stop receiving offers sent on behalf of advertisers from Gifts&DecorativeAccessories please
scroll to the bottom for instructions. To opt-out of receiving future promotional email from Caribbean Craft, please click here
________________________________________________________________________

Caribbean Craft | Building #15 Shodecosa | Port-Au-Prince, Haiti 6121
__________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to

To Unsubscribe from RBI's Retail Group 3rd Party Promotions send an email to:
unsub_RetailGroup_3rdParty_promo@email.furnituretoday.com

If you unsubscribe, you will no longer receive 3rd party promotions from Furniture Today, Home Accents Today,
Gifts & Decorative Accessories, Casual Living, Home Textiles Today, Kids Today and Playthings.

Reed Business Information
2000 Clearwater Drive
Oak Brook, IL 60523

Online Support: GiftSupport@reedbusiness.com

Privacy Policy

]]> For those of you not subscribing to Gifts & Decorative Accessories newsletter this is the email blast that was sent today. It's our first official announcement!

 

Gifts&DecorativeAccessories is pleased to make available information on products and services that may be of interest to you in your
business or career. For customer support or to stop receiving offers sent on behalf of advertisers from Gifts&DecorativeAccessories please
scroll to the bottom for instructions. To opt-out of receiving future promotional email from Caribbean Craft, please click here
________________________________________________________________________

Caribbean Craft | Building #15 Shodecosa | Port-Au-Prince, Haiti 6121
__________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to

To Unsubscribe from RBI's Retail Group 3rd Party Promotions send an email to:
unsub_RetailGroup_3rdParty_promo@email.furnituretoday.com

If you unsubscribe, you will no longer receive 3rd party promotions from Furniture Today, Home Accents Today,
Gifts & Decorative Accessories, Casual Living, Home Textiles Today, Kids Today and Playthings.

Reed Business Information
2000 Clearwater Drive
Oak Brook, IL 60523

Online Support: GiftSupport@reedbusiness.com

Privacy Policy

]]> Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:33:15 -0500 http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/5/ http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/5/ AmericasMart in July Caribbean Craft has leased a permanent showroom at AmericasMart. Please visit us from July 8 to 15. Our showroom is located in the new Building 2 West Wing, 7th Floor, Showroom 777A.

Caribbean Craft Showroom at Americasmart, Atlanta]]> Caribbean Craft has leased a permanent showroom at AmericasMart. Please visit us from July 8 to 15. Our showroom is located in the new Building 2 West Wing, 7th Floor, Showroom 777A.

Caribbean Craft Showroom at Americasmart, Atlanta]]> Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:20:47 -0500 http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/4/ http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/4/ Our old site... and the ordering site Check out our old site which has a lot more products at http://www.drexco.com. We are going to update the new site with more new products in the coming weeks.

 To order please contact Regi at info@caribbean-craft.com or Joel at jdresse@gmail.com to get the website, username and password.

 To download our latest Catalogs:

http://caribbean-craft.com/catalogs/KIDS_Catalog.pdf
http://caribbean-craft.com/catalogs/Wall-Decor.pdf

]]> Check out our old site which has a lot more products at http://www.drexco.com. We are going to update the new site with more new products in the coming weeks.

 To order please contact Regi at info@caribbean-craft.com or Joel at jdresse@gmail.com to get the website, username and password.

 To download our latest Catalogs:

http://caribbean-craft.com/catalogs/KIDS_Catalog.pdf
http://caribbean-craft.com/catalogs/Wall-Decor.pdf

]]> Sat, 10 Jan 2009 07:40:03 -0600 http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/3/ http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/3/ Atlanta International Gift Show We are at the Americasmart Building 2 West Wing, 3rd floor, Booth 304. Come visit!


Caribbean Craft at the Atlanta Gift Show January 2009]]> We are at the Americasmart Building 2 West Wing, 3rd floor, Booth 304. Come visit!


Caribbean Craft at the Atlanta Gift Show January 2009]]> Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:32:30 -0600 http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/2/ http://caribbean-craft.com/blog/2/