Let me introduce myself: I'm Janet Davis, an artist and entrepreneur living and working on the North side of Bonavista Bay, on the island of Newfoundland in Eastern Canada. There are many challenges to running a business here in a small rural community, and there are many wonderful benefits too. This blog is where I share some of those challenges and triumphs, and share what it's like to live in this part of the world.
For some time now, I have been following the ongoing work of the Just a Card campaign. Even though it comes from the UK, everything they say works on this side of the Atlantic Ocean too. The basic principle, is to shop small, shop local, and to keep our small businesses going.
“If everyone who’d complimented our beautiful gallery had bought ‘just a card‘ we’d still be open”
from the Just a card website, sign on a closed business
This year, I’ll be taking part in the Just a Card sponsored Indie Week. Please follow along, and repost, spread the word about your own favourite makers, small shops and galleries!
Redeemable at both the studio and café, gift cards can be loaded (and reloaded) with any amount you choose. They never expire, and can be used to purchase any product offered by Norton’s Cove Studio & Café. Get yours at the studio today!
Yes, the Café has closed it’s doors to regular hours. We will still open for special occasions, Live @ Norton’s Cove events, and private parties, but our regular hours won’t resume until spring 2019.
I want to take this moment to thank everyone who supported us throughout our first year of business, especially those who came for suppers all winter, those who came for a hot drink every day they could, and those that made special trips from far away just to visit Norton’s Cove. Every little purchase means a lot to Team Norton’s Cove!
Keep an eye out for our calendar of events over the fall and winter, and you’ll see that we have lots up our sleeves to keep us all entertained and fed over the off-season.
Today marks 16 years since the day I first opened Norton’s Cove Studio for business. A tiny figure compared to the 128th anniversary of the construction of the historic general store that houses my studio & shop, but significant to me never-the-less!
This picture was taken for the Beacon (if my memory serves me correctly) back in 2002, just before I was ready to open. I was still setting up new equipment.
To thank you, my faithful customers, friends, neighbours, and family who have supported me through the years, I have a few treats for you here at the studio today:
coffee
tasty nibbles
door prize: $25 gift card
50% off all cards, minis, bookmarks, and framed minis
25% off everything else in the shop
door opens at 10am and closes at 6pm
Online customers get a different deal:
40% off all artwork by Janet Davis: use code Anniversary Sale
Also use this code if you don’t require shipping: PICKUPINSTORE
6am to 10pm (Newfoundland time!)
Go ahead, make the most of both deals!
To all of you, whether you are a repeat customer with an entire Janet Davis art collection, you stopped in once on a travel trip and bought #justacard, or you love to eat at my restaurant, THANK YOU. Every purchase counts towards a successful business that is employing several people and I think is doing good things in our tiny community here outport Newfoundland. I hope this little business keeps growing!
David and Theresa, from Calgary, stopped in for a visit the other day, and instant friendships were formed. I love it when that happens. And I hope to see them again. Here are some snaps David took while they were here: I was printing cards and mini-prints and bookmarks in a red-blue rainbow roll.
Pthalo green and white in a rainbow roll filled my afternoon here at the studio… Looking forward to a plate of nachos to fill me at the café when I close up shop at 9. Meet me there? (Who remembers Friday Night Girls from Codco? I think of them every Friday night!)
There’s a campaign happening on the world wide web that I feel I can wholeheartedly be a part of…
I have been saying these words for all 15 years that I’ve been in business here. If everyone in my hometown bought one card each year, I’d be able to make a living as an artist. But my business has made it for 15 years- because I’ve had support from a loving family who didn’t mind helping out. And because I’ve also been working for another company for the past 10 years in order to gain a dependable income. For most of those years, I have not taken a pay-cheque from Norton’s Cove Studio Inc. Oftentimes, the business costs me more money than it makes. And now I’ve taken all the credit/financing/loans I can get to build a restaurant which needs the support of the community too.
It is incredibly important to shop locally and support our own community. Just a card. Or a piece of cake. It makes a huge difference to twelve employees of Norton’s Cove Studio & Café now, not just me. So it’s even more important to me than ever before to help spread the word. Just a card.
The View from Norton's Cove 