Category: News

The Regional Craft Center of Lorca today received the Sicted award as second finalist in the category of 'Most competitive establishment of 2020', in the XI edition of the Sicted Awards granted by the Secretary of State for Tourism, and which was delivered at the International Tourism Fair (Fitur). These awards recognize the effort made in recent months by those professionals and entities in favor of quality tourism.

The general director of Consumption and Crafts, Sonia Moreno, collected the award and highlighted "the work carried out by the Center with Sicted for the continuous improvement in quality and service to its customers, the economic and business improvement of the center, and its commitment to reduce the risk of contagion by covid-19”.

The winner of this category, which was also chosen by the Regional Craft Center of Murcia, which was one point below that of Lorca, was the tourist train of Toledo and, the first finalist, the Spanish Ski and Snowboard School Fuentes de Winter, from Aller (Asturias).

Sicted is a project to improve the quality of tourist destinations that works with tourist establishments and services of up to 36 different trades, with the ultimate goal of improving the tourist experience and satisfaction. Sicted makes public institutions and private companies bet on offering exclusive products, quality services and personal treatment that meets the expectations of tourists during their stay.

The Regional Craft Center of Murcia hosts the exhibition 'Carne Con Ojos' by the artist Ismael Cerezo Ramírez, known as 'Flyppy'. The exhibition is made up of more than sixty sculptural works inspired by nature, with a diversity of trees and numerous large animals, such as a spectacular illuminated four meter long scolopendra that will welcome the visitor.

The general director of Consumption and Crafts, Sonia Moreno, encouraged all citizens to “come to this center to enjoy the new exhibition that it has, once again, with a great stage for his work. It is the fifth time that this craftsman has exhibited at the center and, as on previous occasions, he has had a great success, being highly appreciated by the Murcian public”.

The exhibition can be visited until mid-June, from Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The pieces signed by 'Flyppy' provide the vision of those who work with glass with a professional commissioned concept, with creative independence but subject to the market. In these works, the presence of the glass material prevails over any other reading or interpretation.

"The author has been working with these materials for more than three decades, which combine hardness and fragility, to create lamps and sculptures of plants or animals and insects, some of them luminous to enhance the play of glass with light," said Sonia Moreno, at the time who recalled that in the regional craft centers, “anyone can purchase products made by our artisans. In this way, we will be taking a little piece of our history with us and we will collaborate in the survival of the artisan workshops, avoiding the disappearance of the trades of our ancestors”.

Ismael Cerezo Ramírez 'Flyppy' (Murcia 1967)

With a practically self-taught training, Ismael learned about glass through the Mallorcan Pere Ignasi, when he already had a long experience with iron. He spent more than two years with him in Palma de Mallorca (1992-1993) in his workshop in S'Hostalot where they began to mix iron and glass in joint creations. Upon his return to Murcia, Ismael opened a workshop and continued working with glass.

A master in the domain of iron and glass, he has created a universe full of bugs, lamps, furniture and public and private installations. This is a sculptor who masterfully combines iron and glass to create forms that our imagination can hardly accept or conceive. It is not a contradiction, but the essence that spills his sculptural elements or his pieces of ruined iron and informal glass, transformed into sculptures brimming with elegance and creativity.

Since 1990 he has participated in more than a hundred exhibitions both nationally (Murcia, Cartagena, Lorca, Caravaca de la Cruz, Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Jaén, Alicante, among others), and internationally (Toulouse and Andorra). .

Ismael Cerezo Ramírez, known as "Flyppy", registered in the artisan registry since 1997, returns to the Murcia Regional Craft Center, a great stage for his work, since on other occasions he has had a great success, being highly appreciated. by the Murcian public.

This is the fifth time that he has exhibited at this center and this time his exhibition is called “Flesh with eyes”, made up of all kinds of imaginary or real beings with flesh and eyes.

The inauguration will take place next Thursday, May 13 at 8:00 p.m., by the General Director of Consumption and Crafts, Sonia Moreno, and can be visited until mid-June, from Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

This exhibition sample is made up of more than sixty sculptural works, inspired by nature: trees, among them, a lemon-orange tree in homage to the Murcian orchard, cacti, fish, cats, jellyfish, squid, large flamingos, dragonflies, octopuses, dancers and a spectacular illuminated scolopendra four meters long that will welcome the visitor.

Flyppy, Ismael Cerezo Ramírez (Murcia 1967), with practically self-taught training (except for some courses at the Rectory, Barcelona or Granja de Segovia). Ismael learned about glass through the Majorcan Pere Ignasi, when he already had a long experience with iron. In Palma de Mallorca he would spend two years with him -1992 and 1993- in his workshop in S'Hostalot where they began to mix iron and glass in joint creations. Upon his return to Murcia, Ismael opened a workshop and continued working with glass.

The pieces signed by Flyppy give us the vision of those who work with glass with a professional concept, commissioned, with creative independence but subject to the market. In these works, the presence of the glass material prevails over any other reading or interpretation.

"Spontaneity" is what I like most when working with glass. «It's very immediate, you don't have to wait for it to dry, like ceramics, nor do you need a mold, like in the case of bronze; here everything is more spontaneous and allows you to improvise».

And for more than three decades now he has been working with these materials, which combine hardness and fragility, to create lamps and sculptures of plants or animals and insects –some of them luminous, to enhance “the play of glass with light”– such as ladybugs , spiders, herons, fish, bulls, owls, butterflies... Beings that "come out of the 'intraser'", sometimes even without having thought of them before. "There are pieces that are thought about, that are drawn before they are carried out and others that are not", and adds that the key to not copying oneself is "never stop experimenting".

Pieces in which color, the mix of shades, takes on great importance; In fact, I started working with glass "by chance, looking for something to give color to the works." Now, with experience in tow, they say that the most important thing when working with it is "knowing how to make it profitable, because it is an expensive material."

Contemplating the work of Ismael Cerezo is quite a gymnastic exercise for the neurons; the juxtaposition of materials and techniques, the hard and coarse iron and the fragile and transparent glass, the hammer on the metal and the air blown into the heat of the oven.

In Flyppy's workshop, the burning paste becomes an insect, which turns into a firefly-lamp. The iron embraces the glass, which abandons itself to its warm embrace, and the sparks released when welding fill the workshop of this artist of color and movement. The inert material comes to life at the hands of the artists, who rescue, recycle and resolve the future of an abandoned iron to which chance has wanted to grant one last privilege.

A master in the domain of iron and glass, between the two of them they have created a universe full of bugs, lamps, furniture and public and private installations; sculptor who masterfully combine iron and glass to create forms and creatures that our imagination can hardly accept or conceive. Think the most utopian to turn it into the most original reality. It is not a contradiction, but the essence that spills its sculptural elements or, let's say it another way, its pieces of broken iron and informal glass, transformed into sculptures brimming with elegance and creativity.

Since 1990, it has participated in more than a hundred exhibitions both nationally (Murcia, Cartagena, Lorca, Caravaca de la Cruz, Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Jaén, Alicante, among others), and internationally (Toulouse and Andorra ).

The Community enables virtual visits to the regional craft centers of Murcia, Cartagena Y Lorca, through high-definition 3D technology, to publicize the works of artisans that are for sale. It will be from May 15, the day on which the 'Night of the Museums' is celebrated, when you can enjoy these virtual tours.

The General Director of Consumption and Crafts, Sonia Moreno, highlighted that “this technology offers the best image quality for virtual visits currently available, thanks to which the visitor will be able to visit the different rooms. In this way, from anywhere in the world you can learn about the buildings and the history of where the centers are located, in addition to being able to buy the products that are displayed in the online store, from creative crafts to food, as well as social crafts”.

The craft centers are public spaces available to the sector, where, in addition to the sale of products, all kinds of activities are carried out, such as temporary exhibitions, craft workshops, craft-themed presentations and group guided tours, among others.

Likewise, these centers are made available to other groups, such as educational centers, associations and non-profit entities, to carry out activities related to the artisan world, creating synergies between different areas of our society.

“It is important to digitize the artisan sector, because at the business level it reinvents and innovates an organization, using technology in every way. It is an important source to sell and position itself in new markets. However, the lack of digitalization is a weakness of the sector, since it reduces the probability of increasing the commercialization of each artisan product and further enhancing the excellent raw material and craftsmanship of the Region," said Sonia Moreno.

Virtual visit to the Regional Craft Center of Murcia

The Lorca Regional Craft Center has been distinguished as the second finalist in the category 'Most competitive Sicted Establishment 2020' in the XI Edition of the Sicted Awards granted by the Secretary of State for Tourism. These awards are a public acknowledgment of the effort made in recent months by those professionals and entities in favor of quality tourism.

The general director of Consumption and Crafts, Sonia Moreno, explained that the Lorca Regional Craft Center will receive this award in Madrid on May 20 at the International Tourism Fair, Fitur, "for the work done with Sicted, the continuous improvement in the operational quality and in the service to its clients; the economic and business improvement of the center; and its commitment to reduce the risk of contagion by covid-19”.

The winner of this category, which was also chosen by the Regional Craft Center of Murcia, which was one point below that of Lorca, was the tourist train of Toledo and, the first finalist, the Spanish Ski and Snowboard School Fuentes de Winter, from Aller (Asturias).

Sicted is a project to improve the quality of tourist destinations that works with tourist establishments and services of up to 36 different trades, with the ultimate goal of improving the tourist experience and satisfaction. Sicted makes public institutions and private companies bet on offering exclusive products, quality services and personal treatment that meets the expectations of tourists during their stay.

Crafts Region of Murcia celebrates the “European Days of Crafts” with Open Days at the Regional Crafts Centers of Murcia, Cartagena and Lorca, offering free guided tours, courses and craft workshops.

A different look at the diversity of artisan creation in Spain.

The objective of these conferences is to bring the secrets of the work of luthiers, jewelers, potters, lace makers, blacksmiths, weavers and all kinds of crafts closer to the public, to spread their enormous wealth and uniqueness.

The initiative is promoted by the School of Industrial Organization (EOI), public foundation and first business school in Spain, its area of promotion of crafts, melt you, Y Trade and Art, Organization of Artisans of Spain.

For a week, free activities will bring visitors and the curious of all ages closer to the sphere of craft creation. Fairs, open days in workshops, live demonstrations, exhibitions, children's activities... Seven days around crafts, in which artists who wish to show their creations and share their work procedures with the public are invited to participate.

The European Crafts Days have their origin in Les Journées Européennes des Métiers d'Art, which organizes in France the National Institute of Métiers d'Art (INMA) since 2002. Spain soon joined the project and both countries present a more extensive program of activities. This year, this holiday is celebrated simultaneously in 18 countries.

Check the schedule at:

https://www.diasdelaartesania.es/programa

The public postal operator Correos wants to take advantage of its network in small municipalities to promote new services

Eduardo Lopez Alonso 31.01.2021 | 08:36. Source: The Opinion of Murcia

Post Office in the rural world.

The postman in Spain continues to be a symbol of connection between the rural world and the center of economic activity. The emptied Spain, the smaller towns or urbanizations with less population density have the Internet and teleworking as one of the keys to future development and the public entity Correos sees an opportunity for growth and wants to equip itself with multi-service offices, beyond the administrative or parcel delivery window. The public postal service, widely implemented in Spain through Correos, reaches places where the great e-commerce giants are unlikely to be able to discover business opportunities. But the public budget of Correos has been cut for this year from 180 to 128 million and the agency needs to raise its income.

To boost postal activity in rural areas, Correos is committed to Correos Market, a marketing platform for craft products with which it seeks to bring local vendors closer to any citizen and even foreign consumers. Created in 2019, the platform currently has 785 companies, which have 6,872 products for sale, according to data from this week. In the Post office they assure that "the generation of business opportunities in rural areas and the continuous improvement of their communication channels are the optimal way to fight against depopulation". The initiative is viewed favorably by the staff, although it is criticized that there is a lack of investment to adapt the vehicles to the distribution of perishable products.

Another strategy to boost and take advantage of rural infrastructure are agreements with insurers or banks. In 2019, the entity offered its offices to the financial sector to reach the municipalities where branches and ATMs are disappearing. The president of Correos, Juan Manuel Serrano, signed an agreement with Banco Santander at the end of last year to offer, as of the first quarter of this year, cash withdrawal and deposit services at 4,675 Correos citizen service points (in 2,393 offices and 2,282 rural service points). Third-party financial services offered by Correos range from contracting products to making deposits or withdrawing money. Correos maintains agreements, in addition to Santander, with Mediolanum, Evo Banco and Bancofar, but aspires to more.

Correos has 2,393 offices throughout Spain, of which 1,297 are located in rural areas and in whose spheres of influence 15 million people live. The Spanish postal giant has 53,000 employees (20% of them civil servants) of which some 5,470 are assigned to rural areas. It is estimated that they travel 320,000 kilometers daily.

The unions fear that the budget restrictions will condemn Correos to cut means and reduce delivery frequencies in rural environments, "discriminating against and abandoning the empty Spain in front of the urban Spain", they explain. In Correos they defend the global strategic commitment to the rural environment and give the Correos Market as an example and the attempt to bring products of the economic activity of the town to the city. Correos is also running to create local virtual markets. An example is the use of the postal code as a proximity virtual sales identifier. This initiative to link the postal code to a market place is a way forward.

The public postal service with Correos is insured until at least 2026. The agreement includes mailings of letters and packages of up to 20 kilos. Correos has already achieved a market share of 45% in shipments as a result of online commerce and is betting on this market from which it cannot leave rural areas out. The operator managed 196.56 million packages last year.

But the efforts of Correos to promote and improve rural business, within the framework of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) strategies and the assigned public service, sometimes collide with efficiency and results. For example, in Sant Cebrià de Vallalta, a town in the Maresme region with 3,385 inhabitants, the decision has been made to reorganize work in the distribution unit. There are six postmen and they use their own vehicles (20 cents per kilometer). But from March they will be assigned to other nearby towns (Canet and Calella) during their entire working day. The customer service office is only open three hours a day, too limited hours according to the city council. The clerk in charge will distribute mail four hours and another three will be in the office. It is an example of Correos' strategy of optimizing available resources and adapting the workforce to the greater workloads of other areas. It is applied throughout Spain, and especially when defining coverage in areas with low population density. And in parallel, the offices serve as a link to process permits and manage certificates, but also to buy tickets for shows, buy prepaid phone cards, pay bills or buy coupons from Once.

Post office workers recognize that postal activity has not been reduced. That there are more and more packages to distribute and that many of them are from Amazon. There is an express order from the management so that urgent packages have priority. It is not profitable for Amazon or the express mail firms to reach an empty Spain and those areas that the Post Office classifies as “special environments”.

The Regional Craft Centers adapt their schedule to the new regulations against COVID. 

The new schedule until normality is restored will be from Monday to Friday from 9:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

With this new schedule, we are trying to combat the third wave of this pandemic.

The artisan sector has been very affected during the year 2020, since they have not been able to market their products in the craft shows that were held. Being the Crafts Centers of the Region of Murcia and the website murciaartesana.carm.es their only sources of income. Therefore, it is essential that the general public bet on these local products, local products that are made in the Region of Murcia and have a direct impact on the circular economy.

In these centers the public can find different products, food, home decoration, personal accessories, natural cosmetics, nativity scenes, ceramics, glass, esparto grass, natural silk and much more.

Surprise with artisan label.

The 36th edition of the Christmas Craft Show can now be visited at the Paseo de Alfonso X el Sabio in Murcia, and will remain open to the public until January 5, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., on December 24 and 31 until 3:00 p.m., and will remain closed on December 25 and January 1.

This year the number of stands has been reduced to 47, compared to the last edition when 78 were installed, with each artisan having a single 3×2 meter booth. The sample has two islands, complying with the sanitary conditions. The first island is from the beginning of Alfonso X to the intersection with Jaime I, and the second island from this intersection towards the Plaza Circular.

Access is from the sides and it will not be possible to access from the front of the exhibition, with a security fence to control entry and exit, with a capacity limitation per island of 50 people.

In addition, the stands are covered with a transparent security screen and there is a delimited area for each stand with a maximum capacity of two people per booth. It will be controlled that the public entered the exhibition with a mask and there are hydroalcoholic gels at the entrance and exit of each island, and at each stand. There is temperature control of the participating artisans before the start of the show.

The celebration of the Christmas Craft Show is part of the plan to reactivate the craft economy launched by the Ministry of Business, Industry and Spokesperson.

The General Director of Consumption and Crafts has authorized the Collaboration of the Ministry of Business, Industry and Spokesperson with the Belencribs Association for the Organization of the Special Competition for Nativity Scenes in the Region of Murcia.

Within the framework of the competences of the Ministry of Industry, Business and Spokesperson consisting of the conservation, recovery and dissemination of the artisan manifestations of the Region of Murcia, and the promotion of the permanence of those already existing; and as an instrument for the implementation of these programs, Carolina Espinosa, General Director of Consumption and Crafts, has authorized the collaboration with the Belencribs Association, in the Organization of the Special Contest of Nativity Scenes of the Region of Murcia, as a promotion measure focused on a special protection of the nativity scene activity as a craft form that constitutes a manifestation of the popular culture of the Region of Murcia and as a differentiating and complementary element of the artistic expression of the nativity scene artisans sector.

The Murcia Region Special Nativity Scene Contest 2020 aims to encourage and promote the assembly of the nativity scene for Christmas in the Region of Murcia for the year 2020 due to the COVID19 pandemic.

The Belencribs International Network Association will be in charge of organizing the event, and the competition will be in a single category, “Family Nativity Scenes”. Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers and diplomas to all participants.

As relevant elements of the Contest Bases, the special assessment of the use of figures made by artisans from the Region of Murcia, references to representative characteristics of the municipalities of the Region of Murcia, the promotion of the nativity scene, the realization of the nativity scene in family , with intergenerational participation, the use of recycled materials, and/or the reproduction of the environment that surrounded the birth and childhood of Jesus, in Palestine, among other multiple criteria.

The application submission date will end on Thursday, December 17, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. Requests may be made through instant messaging, through the Whatsapp application, as a particularly agile and accessible means for all citizens.

The organizing entity will assess the applications submitted and will select a maximum of 10 applications, which will be submitted to the General Directorate of Consumption and Crafts for the assessment of the jury, appointed from among people of recognized prestige with links to crafts and the assembly of nativity scenes, will assess the nominations and select the winners.

The awards ceremony will be given the appropriate importance, solemnity and publicity.

For these Christmas holidays, the General Directorate of Consumption and Crafts has prepared a small catalog of artisan products, which contains both births made by renowned nativity scenes from the Region of Murcia and Christmas baskets with artisan and ecological specialties.

CATALOG “THIS CHRISTMAS SURPRISES WITH ARTISAN LABELS”

If you want to buy these products, they are available at the Murcia Regional Craft Center. You can contact us and place your order by calling the phone number: 968 357 537 or in the mail
electronic centroartesaniamurcia@salzillosi.com

"The artisan baskets can vary and change products according to your preferences"

In this time of dreams and illusions, we wanted to make the task easier and show the variety and quality of our regional craft products, offering from the Murcia Regional Craft Center the possibility of ordering your gifts in advance and having them ready for when the time comes. .

It is, therefore, about local producers and local products that try to satisfy all types of public with the maximum guarantees of artisan quality. Therefore, our goal is that they can be marketed jointly to reach all citizens and highlighting the label "Crafts from the Region of Murcia".

I invite you to evaluate the possibility of making gifts with an artisan label this year and to contribute in this way to supporting a sector that is in a difficult situation due to the current health circumstances.

Last Saturday, November 14, 2020, the hatbox carmen navarro, member of the Spanish Association of Headwear, participated along with 10 other Murcian designers, in a spectacular and unprecedented parade in the halls of the Museum of Fine Arts of Murcia (MUBAM) as an artisan from the Region of Murcia.

An action organized by Murcia Mediterranean Footbridge framed within its third edition, where watercolor paper was the main material used by the designers to make each of the pieces that were presented in the parade, pieces inspired by the Exhibition MASTERS OF THE SPANISH BAROQUE, which is currently in the Museum dictation.

“Landscape” and “Blond” were the two pieces that the hat box Carmen Navarro designed for the parade using sheets of watercolor paper for its realization, combining it with materials traditionally used in millinery, such as feathers, straw, glass, silk... Traditional millinery techniques were adapted to work with paper in order to achieve the shapes and desired volumes.

Aid for artisans has received 99 applications, of which 56 have been admitted for a total of 137 projects. There are 36 applications for 71 projects on the waiting list and 7 applications have been rejected for not presenting the required documentation or not meeting the minimum requirements.

Last month, the Ministry of Business, Industry and Spokesperson called for subsidies aimed at artisans, craft companies and companies at the service of Crafts in the Region of Murcia with the aim of helping them maintain, reactivate and boost their economic activity in the face of the pandemic. of Covid-19.

The total amount of this line of subsidies is 175,000 euros, a budget that this year has increased by 118 percent over the previous year. A maximum amount of 4,000 euros of aid is established for individual artisans and artisan companies in creative trades with a subsidy percentage of 90 percent; a maximum of 3,000 euros in the trades of food with a percentage of subsidy of 70 percent; and a maximum amount of 2,000 euros for companies serving crafts, with a 50 percent subsidy rate.

The beneficiaries are craft companies, individual craftsmen and craft service companies with a workforce of less than ten workers, dedicated to the production of craft products or offering services to crafts and whose craft workshop or service center is located in the Region. of Murcia.

Investments made in craft workshops for the maintenance and economic reactivation that allow modifying or increasing the activity, such as actions of innovation, design, production, marketing, communication, training or improvement of quality, are considered eligible projects and expenses. among other.

The General Director of Consumption and Crafts, Carolina Espinosa, highlighted that "in this crisis situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, artisans have been forced to significantly reduce their activity and are being particularly affected, so it is urgent to provide them with a economic support that allows them to face the present and future situation in the best conditions”. In this sense, he added that "from the Ministry of Business extraordinary measures are being taken to preserve, maintain and reactivate this strategic sector for entrepreneurship and the economy of the Region".

The deadline to vote for the Craft Awards of the Region of Murcia 2020, convened by the Ministry of Business, Industry and Spokesperson through the General Directorate of Consumption and Crafts, remains open until next Monday, November 23 at 8:00 p.m.: 30 hours in person and until 24:00 hours 'online'.

The awards recognize excellent and exemplary performance in the field of crafts. Among its objectives is to encourage innovation, design and the ability to adapt to the market of the regional artisan sector.

The general director of Consumption and Crafts, Carolina Espinosa, explained that "the amount of the prizes has increased by 20 percent compared to the previous year, and we intend to honor the work of the artisans, for their creativity and ability to adapt to the times of crisis and, in short, spread the best practices of the sector”.

37 applications have been submitted for all categories. The Regional Craft Center of Murcia has a ballot box for the public to vote, and it can also be done 'online' at the link https://forms.gle/mmWccGWNRyhUHLaM9.%20Las%20candidaturas%20están%20disponibles%20en%20https://murciaartesana.carm.es/agenda/#1562756622364-800d41e0-5d17. As for those made by citizens in the evaluation phase, they will be considered as one vote by the jury for each category.

Along with the exhibition of the candidates for the awards, visitors can find in the Regional Center more than 500 artisan products, from hand-painted masks to nativity scenes from prestigious Murcian nativity scenes, as well as food products that can help you select Christmas gifts with craft label.

Prize categories and endowment

Eight categories have been established: 'Regional Craft Award'; Artisan Product; Artisan Entrepreneurship; Promotion of Crafts to public and private entities; Artisan Nativity Scene; Food Crafts and New Talents.

The Regional Craft Award is endowed with 3,000 euros, and recognizes the set of a work and a consolidated career. The other eight categories are all endowed with 1,500 euros, such as the 'Artisan Product Award', which will value those artisan products or collections made and marketed in the two years prior to the call.

The 'Artisan Entrepreneurship Award' will go to the entrepreneur who has stood out for the introduction of new concepts in the sector, in areas such as product, distribution, marketing or design.

The category 'Prize for the Promotion of Crafts for Private Entities' and the one corresponding to 'Public Entities', without financial endowment, will recognize the best programs, campaigns or initiatives to promote this activity.

As for the 'Artisan Nativity Award', the products or collections of nativity scenes marketed in the two years prior to the call will be distinguished. The one for 'Food Crafts' will reward those artisans and their food products that are consistent with factors of competitiveness.

For the 'New Talent Award', the work carried out by those students enrolled at the University or at any School in the Region of Murcia in studies related to crafts will be awarded.

Statements by the General Director of Consumption and Crafts

The Community has signed an agreement to market artisan products under the brand 'Artesanía Región de Murcia' through the 'Correos Market' platform. The agreement will allow artisans, associations and companies the possibility of marketing their products through the online sales platform throughout the Spanish territory, giving greater visibility to their products throughout Spain.

To access the Correos platform, artisans must be registered in the directory of the General Directorate of Consumption and Crafts, in which there are currently 179 self-employed workers and 142 craft companies, which represents a total of 321, which carry out a business activity through through artisan trades and who will be able to benefit from the discounts indicated in this agreement and from the possible internationalization in the distribution of the products that Correos foresees with its trading platform.

The signing of this agreement enables the creation of a Monitoring Commission, in charge of assessing and coordinating the activities included in the agreement and that will act as a mechanism for monitoring, surveillance and control of the execution of the commitments acquired by the signatories. The agreement will last for three years and may be extended for an additional year, by express agreement of the parties.

The public company Correos offers this marketing to professionals registered in the Artisan Registry of the Region of Murcia and authorized to use the brand 'Crafts from the Region of Murcia'. Artisan producers thus have a means to market products in the fields of crafts, food, beverages, fashion, health and beauty, home and those others that can be categorized according to the portal's profiles.

The councilor Ana Martínez Vidal recalled that "in this crisis situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, artisans have been forced to reduce their activity and are being particularly affected by the health crisis, so it is urgent to develop new formulas of commercialization that complement the traditional ones of sale to the public in samples and markets”.

Martínez Vidal insisted that "it is important to launch new channels that allow the positioning and sale of artisan products, a commitment to combine the traditional value of crafts, adapting it to the new times, and incorporating digitization one more step to make it easier for artisans can quickly access markets.

Crafts from the Region of Murcia

The Ministry of Business, Industry and Spokesperson is already working on an 'ecommerce' marketing strategy for artisan products from the Region of Murcia under the umbrella of the registered trademark 'Artesanía Región de Murcia', which differentiates and recognizes the origin of artisan products , contributing to sustainable development.

The seal of origin 'Crafts from the Region of Murcia' collects and validates the criteria for admission as a producer, which will allow the user to easily recognize the origin of the products, as well as the guarantee of their characteristics or their production process . The products identified with this brand guarantee that they have been made by hand in the Region of Murcia.

Currently, it is powered through the web https://murciaartesana.carm.es/ the online sale of craft products from the Regional Craft Centers. The signing of this agreement is intended to increase the possibilities for artisans to sell through the 'Correos Market' platform, which increases the possibilities for artisans to join electronic commerce.

Statements Counselor of Industry, Business and Spokesperson. Ana Martinez Vidal

Until the end of the month, the Regional Craft Center of Cartagena hosts the exhibition 'Nature: Sediment, water and land', a sample of hand-painted fabrics by the Madrid-based couturier based in the Alfredo Caral Region, sources from the Community reported in a note of press.

The author has been inspired by nature to develop this collection based on the fluidity of water and the harmony of landscapes, with reflections of the different seasons and times of day.

His textile work includes a variety of shades that are mixed with the blue of the ocean, the brown tones of the mountains and the green of the countryside, with which he creates a collection of fashion and hand-painted textile accessories, such as scarves, masks and decoration fabrics, in an explosion of color and natural and unique chromatic tones.

Visitors will be able to purchase at workshop prices the products that make up the sample, which will be exhibited in the Regional Craft Center of Murcia in September and in Lorca in October. FROM IBERIA TO ALMODÓVAR

Alfredo Caral founded his own haute couture workshop in the 1970s and presented his first collection, with which he achieved great success among the attending public and specialists in the sector. Fashion gave him the satisfaction of being able to create and develop his own designs, turning his creations into a benchmark of style.

For years, Alfredo Caral's fashion collections were regularly presented at the Pasarela Cibeles in Madrid, and in cities such as London, Mexico City, Washington and Amsterdam. He was selected by the Iberia company to make the uniforms for its ground, flight and pilot personnel. Other companies that had their designs in the uniformity of their staff were Renfe and Telefónica.

For a time he combined the creation of his collections in his workshop with his shops and showroom in Madrid and his activity in Paris and Italy. He was also sought after to make costumes for cinema and theater, with works for films by Felipe Rey, Luis García Berlanga or Pedro Almodóvar, among others.

Currently, Alfredo Caral continues to develop his passion for caring for, pampering and beautifying women with specific collections and the design of accessories and the creation of hand-painted accessories in the Region of Murcia.

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, through the School of Industrial Organization (EOI) and its craft promotion area, melt you, announces the thirteenth edition of the National Crafts Awards, whose purpose is to give institutional recognition at the highest level to those actions generally recognized as excellent and exemplary in the field of contemporary crafts. This call seeks to promote the development and competitiveness of small and medium-sized craft companies, encouraging innovation, design and their ability to adapt to the market.

The National Crafts Awards 2020 include the following categories:

• National Craft Award: is the prize that recognizes the whole of a consolidated work, comprehensive of the competitiveness factors contemplated in the different modalities of the prizes included in this section, according to the evaluation criteria foreseen in annex I of the order.

• Product Award: for those products or collections made and marketed in the two years prior to the date of publication of this call and that comply to a greater degree with the evaluation criteria established in annex I of the order.

• Entrepreneurship Award: it is the award intended to reward the entrepreneur or entrepreneurial company that has stood out for the introduction of new concepts in the sector in any of the areas related to it, product, distribution, marketing, design, etc., recognizing their ability to contribute innovative solutions that have allowed it to position itself in the market.

• Promociona Award for Private Entities: private entities or organizations may apply for this award by presenting their programs, campaigns or initiatives to promote handicrafts completed, at least, in the year prior to the date of publication of this call.

• Promociona Award for Public Entities: public entities or bodies may apply for this award by presenting their programs, campaigns or initiatives to promote handicrafts completed, at least, in the year prior to the date of publication of this call.

The deadline for submitting applications ends on August 2 at 11:59 p.m.. The bases of the call in which all the information necessary to present the candidatures is specified, can be found here.

More information and registration: www.premiosnacionalesdeartesania.com or in the email: premisaartesania@eoi.es

On July 4, 2020, the "Order of the Ministry of Business, Industry and Spokesperson amending the term of execution and justification of the subsidies called by Order of May 22, 2019 of the Ministry of Employment, Universities, Business and the Environment for individual artisans and craft companies in the Region of Murcia and by Order of May 22, 2019 of the Ministry of Employment, Universities, Business and the Environment for artisan associations without for-profit organization in the Region of Murcia affected by the consequences of the health emergency caused by COVID-19 and by the measures adopted in the declaration of the state of alarm.

• Modification Order of subsidies for associations 2019

This Order affects the subsidies corresponding to the year 2019 and that have been entered in the first quarter of this year, and that, due to the Pandemic caused by COVIB-19 and the consequent economic slowdown, have prevented that association from executing the actions for which you requested aid.

For this reason, from the General Directorate of Consumption and Crafts, it has been necessary to modify the Order of Announcement of subsidies for the artisan associations of the Region of Murcia (excerpt published in BORM No. 119, of May 25, 2019).

This modification affects the execution and justification deadlines, in such a way that with said modification the deadlines are as follows:

Craft associations:

• Investment execution period:

From March 7, 2020, until March 6, 2022. (2 years)

• Investment justification period:

From March 7, 2022, until June 6, 2022. (3 months)

For any questions, you can contact the staff of the Craft Service.

The General Directorate of Consumption and Crafts, informs that last Saturday, July 4, 2020, the Announcement of the General Directorate of Consumption and Crafts was published in the BORM by which the project of Order of the Ministry of Business, Industry and Spokesperson establishing the regulatory bases for the granting of subsidies for non-profit artisan associations in the Region of Murcia in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, which is sent in this email as an annex.

• Artisan Subsidies Announcement 

Inform you that this is a phase of the administrative procedure, prior to the publication in the BORM of the Order calling for subsidies for artisan associations.

Finally, remind you that the order that opens the deadline to apply for Crafts grants has not yet been published. When this period opens, all artisan associations will be notified in a timely manner.

The General Directorate of Consumption and Crafts, informs that it has been published in the BORM of today, Wednesday, July 1, 2020, the Order of June 25, of the Ministry of Business, Industry and Spokesperson, which regulates the bases for the granting of aid to innovation and digitization projects presented by micro-enterprises and the self-employed to alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 crisis and contribute to their reactivation and incorporation into the innovative ecosystem of the Region of Murcia.

The General Directorate competent to process the applications is that of Commerce and Business Innovation, located at C/ San Cristóbal de Murcia, Telephone 968362280.

This is the granting of subsidies, under a competitive system, for the implementation of innovation and digitization projects by Self-Employed and Micro SMEs with one of the following purposes:

1. The innovation of Self-employed and Micro SMEs: Grants for incorporation of highly innovative products or services based on digital technologies or emerging in freelancers and/or small businesses or their groups.

2. The incorporation of the Regional Administration to open innovation: Aid for recently created small Technology-Based Companies, Start ups and Spin offs that, or need the collaboration of the Regional Administration to validate and improve their prototypes, products or innovative services, or compete to develop the innovative products and services demanded by the Administration itself.

The deadline for submitting applications will begin when the corresponding public announcement is published in the Official Gazette of the Region of Murcia.

• Order of June 25, of the Ministry of Business, Industry and Spokesperson, which regulates the bases for granting aid to innovation and digitization projects

The General Directorate of Consumption and Crafts informs you that the order and extract of the order of the Ministry of Employment, Research and Universities have been published in the Official Gazette of the Region of Murcia, No. 149 of June 30, 2020 which calls for subsidies for the 2020 financial year aimed at self-employed workers to alleviate the economic losses caused by COVID-19.

It is an aid aimed at self-employed workers attached to the Special Scheme for Self-Employed Workers (RETA), or where appropriate, in the Special Scheme of Social Security for Sea Workers and professionals covered by alternative mutual societies to Social Security.

The aid consists of a single economic benefit amounting to 286.15 euros through competitive bidding, so the grants will be awarded according to the order in which the applications are received, and in the event that they are incomplete, from the date of the improvement of the file, provided that the beneficiaries meet the general and specific requirements established in this Order.

Below you can consult other Official Gazettes with aid that you could benefit from if it were of interest to you.

• Self-Employed Help Bases
• Bases Autonomous Aids Modification
• Self-Employed Subsidies Extract

The Community allocates 150,000 euros for craft projects. The Craft Advisory Council has informed the sector of the main actions that are being carried out in relation to the new subsidies for craft workshops and associations in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic in order to maintain, reactivate and promote the sector .

Likewise, this body reported the increase in the number of eligible actions, incorporating innovation, design, production, marketing, communication or training initiatives that, through ICT, introduce the craft workshop to the digital and electronic commerce sphere, develop generational change, facilitate participation in fairs or the start-up of investments to promote the insertion of people with disabilities or groups at risk of social exclusion, as well as any other investment project that allows maintaining and increasing artisan activity.

The increase in the maximum amount of aid per craft workshop goes from 3,000 to 4,000 euros and the percentage of the subsidy with respect to the investment made by the applicant is increased from 50 to 90 percent. In addition, the investment term of the subsidies granted during the year 2019 is increased by one and a half years.

The Minister of Business, Industry and Spokesperson, Ana Martínez Vidal, explained that from the Regional Assembly "the central government has been urged to create its own specific classification for the artisan sector within the National Classification of Economic Activities, as well as the comparison of the VAT of the artisan products to the cultural VAT of 10 percent”.

For its part, during the telematic meeting, the situation of the Regional Craft Centers of Murcia, Cartagena and Lorca was reported, with the full opening of the centers with a limited capacity of 75 percent, maintaining the workshops and exhibitions.

The Regional Craft Centers, in the face of the health crisis, have taken measures to implement the trading system called 'Marketplace', promoting 'online' sales through the website 'www.murciaartesana.carm.es' and ' localystreet.es', and future courses to facilitate the incorporation of artisans to Amazon Handmade, Etsy and Correos Market.

From May 25, the Regional Craft Centers can be visited in their entirety. Marketing the products made by the artisans of the Region of Murcia. For your safety we have a capacity reduced to 40 %, always complying with all the hygienic and sanitary conditions recommended by Health.

During this week you can visit the following exhibitions: 

• "Dialogues with the wind" by the Master Craftswoman Marisa Peaguda at the Murcia Regional Craft Center. http://murciaartesana.carm.es/events/exposicion-dialogos-con-el-viento-de-marisa-peaguda/
  
• "Blown Glass" by artisan Juan Alcántara at the Regional Craft Center of Cartagena.http://murciaartesana.carm.es/events/exposicion-vidrio-soplado-de-juan-alcantara-vidal/
• "Colors, Breeze, Mediterranean" by Adolfo Ruiz at the Regional Craft Center of Lorca. http://murciaartesana.carm.es/events/exposicion-colores-brisa-mediterraneo/

Customers who are interested in finding out about the work carried out by artisans in the Region of Murcia can visit the Artesanía Región de Murcia website, where they will find a wide selection of products. Craft Shop of the Region of Murcia

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The Regional Craft Centers of Murcia, Lorca and Cartagena open their doors to the public for the sale of craft products with new collections of creative and traditional ceramics, costume jewelry, jewelry, lamps, decoration, cups, nativity scenes, glass, food and much more plus.

The craftsman designs, produces and sells, all through trades typical of our land and inherited from our ancestors. The products they make have our history inside, what we have been and what we are. There is nothing more authentic that you can take with you from our land when you visit them, than an artisan product. For this reason, when we support crafts we honor our history since we are Murcians. Come to the Regional Crafts Centers and give away objects made with the soul. You can also purchase our products on our website: CRAFT SHOP

The Regional Craft Center of Murcia It is located in the heart of the city, next to the Salitre Garden (also known as the Gunpowder Garden).

The Regional Craft Center of Cartagena It is located on Calle Honda, next to the well-known Plaza de los Tres Reyes, Monte del Molinete and Glorieta de San Francisco.

Promotional video Regional Craft Center of Cartagena

The Lorca Craft Center It is located in a building located between the Palace of Guevara and the Church of San Mateo.

Promotional video Lorca Regional Craft Center

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Due to the COVID19 health crisis, the Regional Craft Centers closed their doors on March 14, coinciding with the declaration of the state of alarm of the Spanish state.

Two months later, the Regional Craft Center opens its doors, in order to market and promote the products of the artisans of the artisans registered in the CARM craft registry. This sector has been severely hit by this crisis since its main points of sale are the Regional Craft Centers and Craft Shows or markets.

For the opening of the same, all the safety, prevention and hygienic-sanitary criteria have been adopted for both workers and customers.

The Regional Craft Centers of Murcia and Lorca will soon open.

Access our online and learn about the products of the artisans of the Region of Murcia: creative and traditional ceramics, sculptures, glass, fans, scarves, costume jewelry, jewelry, stationery, piñatas, decoration items and much more.

HANDICRAFT STORE FROM THE REGION OF MURCIA