Interview-farfelu-craft coop

I walked into Farfelu, a craft coop in Westmount and found 3 members ready to talk. Call it a cooperative interview.

"Farfelu is a cooperative and has been in business since 1991. We used to rent from Visual arts and moved here in 1998. Originally there were 18 members and now we are 13," said Chris Oosenbrug. "There is a lot to work out to run a cooperative: Learn how to share space, make money, how to make sales, everybody has to pitch in;, ... solve problems, we meet, we vote."

"i am a woodturner...wood worker...I make those salad bowls," he said. "And I am one of the original members. Each of us works here for one day or one and half days a month."

He points to Janet Keefe and tells me she is a potter and to Renée Lévesque at the cash and tells me she does collages, books and notecards.

Janet points to some scarves: " Sylvie does painting on silk and wood, ties and scarves."

"I am one of the newest members".

Renée is talking to customers : "I am a book artist (book binder).

Chris continues: "We make everything here. It is all made by us. ... We teach, do demos, shows, give workshops, do wholesale, retail..."

Janet says: " Students of Ikebana (from the Visual arts Centre) come to my studio to make their own containers for flower arranging.... In the spring, we have a window to display the pots that they made. ... Don Goddard does Japanese ceramics for Japanese tea ceremony."

Janet continues: " Our (store) window is our main communication. We change our display every two weeks. Each member has their own display at least once a year. It is a one (person) show - they can do whatever they like. In December, it is a group window... sometimes the window is all wood, or all clay; at valentine's, it is for the jeweller's. ... We run the gallery ourselves. "

"Each one of us has a following, " says Chris. "It (contact) is personal. The customers can interact with us. We represent ourselves. It is a hard business. Making a living selling crafts is not easy. "

Janet continues: " We are supported by the community... In summer (june) we have a sidewalk sale. It is the only time anything is on sale."

Chris adds: "You will find some of the best potters from Quebec (at the coop)."

Janet finishes: "We are tucked away, but we are worth finding."

Farfelu
Located at 39 Somerville, Westmount, Quebec.
T: 514-488-3163
Hours: m-f: 10-6, sat: 10-5

http://www.farfelugallery.com/