OCR Text |
Show January 20, 1995 Cross Currents Page 7 V ' WiiWv '. i4ei .y !.. JXt&r- wr v. V :'')i'w:X'X-y':V'- WOKMUCvl'k The prices of Western antiques went through the roof, Hartman said. People didnt want to pay the escalated prices, so we closed the store. While at the show, he visited other booths and learned that Third World handicountries offered at crafts very inexpensive prices. I came back to the U.S. in a whole different frame of mind, Hartman said. At the time, he employed seven people at $7-1- 0 an hour, but he knew people in third world countries would gladly work for $3-- 6 a day. I realized we didn't have a chance of selling our jewelry on the international market, even with our high-tec- h equipment, Hartman said. So he closed the jewelry business and remodeled the building as a retail store. The Hartmans began writing to high-quali- ty foreign ambassadors; sending for information about their countries, their native handicrafts and other general information. Adding information from international trade shows and other sources, they evaluated the types of crafts, quality, and costs, then decided which countries to work with first. Through trade representatives, government agencies and international import companies, they began to import merchandise. We opened our store with handmade crafts from many different regions of the world, Hartman said. The store went over tremendously. Its acceptance Continued on page 8 For The Hand du Love Select The Band That Says So There are so many ways to express your love. Columbia offers you one way that says it every moment. An Exclusively designed wedding ring Each one is crafted in 14K gold for a lifetime of wear. We have a large and varied collection to show you. 77i5 Peruvian creation is among the imports Margaret Cheasebro. U.S., Japan and many other countries. Stores were not moving merchandise. In September 1993, Hartman began testing his jewelry in other international markets. He did research with the help of government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Commerce, and learned that the biggest jewelry show in the world was in Hong Kong. Through the U.S. government, he secured a booth at the show and displayed his line of at Hartman s Mercantile. Photo by jewelry. Oriental wholesale buyers liked his jewelry but thought his prices were too high. On the shows last day, members of the public could buy directly from booth operators, and they responded well to Hartmans jewelry. I nearly sold out my whole inventory, he said. But the fact remains that dealers are the buying power. You have to sell to them to reach the people. Alexander's Fine Jewelry Everything a Jewelry Store should be! 3030 E. Main 326-228- 6 Between Corral West and Little Caesars Fast Approval No Annual Fee Payments As Low As $15 Per Month High Credit Limits 0000 Won't Tie Up Credit on Your Bank Cards Chargegard Insurance Protection Is Available Turn MasterCard American Express Discover VISA WJ00 It On Today! |