17 June 2003

Thank you Gary; Artcamp is very happy to work with Global Marketplace
to demonstrate a model of success that will be of service to craftspeople everywhere.

It is important to observe that Artcamp only needs to get a push and then it will become
successful and not require constant infusions of external funds. This cooperative has
made a lot of progress and advances over the years and is now ready to establish itself.

In File Attachments I am sending 5 pages of a section of Tamara's notes
from the Baramati Development Conference in Mumbai India,
the sections that reference applying for
the SEL (Special Enterprise Laboratory) of Digital Partners again
for the purpose of availing Artcamp of the assistance
of a team of volunteer scholars to further refine and extend
the Artisan-OwnedDirect Distribution Model.
(Melissa has already written a 20 page draft so we have this begun)

Tamara in her conversation with Jennifer Beaston
explored what are the chances of Artcamp
being this time awarded funding prize of Digital Partners
you can read the questions and A's.
It was in this context that your name and that of Global Marketplace came up.
Whether the Digital Partners will work with Artcamp
seems to depend as well on if they are going to establish
a LatinAmerican section this year.
Perhaps you can call Jennifer and see if you can find out how
really prospective this all is - at the minimum your interest and inquiries
will strengthen Artcamp by demonstrating that there is a certain broad-base of support
for the efforts of this artisan group.

I think that both GM and Artcamp should plan to knock on a lot of doors
between now and 2004.
On our end we will work to refine the Artisan-Owned Direct Distribution Model plan
and find ways to get this concept out there.
- Right now we are preparing a FRIENDS OF ARTCAMP website
at www.artcamp.com.mx (to be uploaded to server soon)
to profile the collaborators on this project
starting with yourself and Global Marketplace of course
as a place to post basic documents
andmaterials related to the effort to establish a successful example
of how such a system will work.

Best friendly wishes from all of us!

________________________________________________________________________

17 June 2003

Sorry for not responding sooner, yes we are busy with events and web sales.

Your ideas are very good and exactly what I had in mind.
I am very pleased that you like the idea.

We are sending 2 grant letters (a pre application) out next week
and 10 more in July. We hope to find someone interested soon after that.

We are also about to ask fair trade retailers and wholesalers to ship us items
On consignment to sell on our nonprofit site. If they do and the items sell
we will have a small amount (maybe $1,000) to give you in August to get started.

We are also planning to order more from you soon ourselves. I will keep you posted.
We are very interested in working with DIGITAL PARTNERS to help ArtCamp.

Gary