Calling all Artists, Crafter, and Volunteers

Waldoboro, Maine - The Medomak River Community Market (MRCM) will be reopening March 1 after a 2 month winter break, and is looking for a few good crafters and artists to round out the selection of Maine made products found in the cooperative.

For those unfamiliar with the cooperative model, MRCM is a small, non-profit, member-owned business. MRCM currently has 10 working members, a number of consigners, and some great volunteers!  MRCM is managed collectively, and all members have a vote in decisions made at monthly meetings. The cooperative works on a consignment basis with a percentage of selling price to be returned to the individual producer-member and a percentage retained by the cooperative organization to pay overhead such as heat, rent, water, liability insurance etc.

Why become part of a cooperative? Arts and crafts cooperatives are used by artists and craftspeople to market their product and maximize their sales income. The percentage returned to the individual producing-member varies from 60-90% dependent on the level of participation of the member.  This is often a higher return than one would receive selling products wholesale. The artist/crafter also has much more say in how their products are presented and displayed.

A jury system is used to evaluate new work before membership is offered to a new artist. Current members of the cooperative will review products for quality, originality, and appropriateness. The next cooperative meeting will be held Thursday February 21, 2013 at MRCM - 17 Friendship Street , Waldoboro Village at 6:30. Come on in and see what we are all about. If you are considering membership and would like your product juried at this meeting, please contact us ahead of time at medomakrivercm@gmail.com for more information and an application.

Would you like to volunteer in the store? Or help out with a special project like building a float for the Waldoboro parade? Perhaps offer some gardening help to spruce up the area around the store? Business management or marketing advice is always valued!  By helping the market, you are helping rebuild the vibrancy of downtown Waldoboro. We are looking forward to continuing to serve our community in 2013 and look forward to your participation- contact us at medomakrivercm@gmail.com.