Sue Hintz on thu 26 sep 96
I'm starting out on my own and am just wondering what are best sellers and
are there seasonal best sellers?
I've done well with platters anytime of the year but oil lamps seem to go better
around Christmas.
I'm trying to add to the things I make and hope you all can help me with
suggestions.
Once again. Thank you for your input and the info about return policies
has been very enlightning. I will adopt the policy that many of you
have discussed!
Sue.
June Perry on fri 27 sep 96
Dear Sue:
Mugs, bowls and any new novelty items. When I had a gallery one of the
potters made whistles and I could never get enough to sell. Someone at our
local claygroup sale last year sold a tremendous amount of small cut out
lanterns. One of the people at the desk said that it seemed like every third
sale was one of this fellows eighteen dollars lanterns. They were about the
size of a grapefruit and cut out so the light would shine through and had a
little well in the center to hold a small votive candle. He has some glazed
and some unglazed.
For Christmas things like one of a kind chalice type wine goblets, wine
coolers, sushi plates with chopsticks, rice bowls for chopsticks, etc. might
do well for you. Also garlic pots which can also be sold as room fresheners
by putting some perfume or pine scent, etc on cotton and place in the pot to
freshen up the room. Also porcelain tree ornament smight do well if you have
any interest in making them. You can just cut them out with cookie cutters.
Another thing you can do is custom hand prints of little children that you
can then fire as Christmas tree ornaments. This is a good grandparent gift.
I think small oil lamps do well too. Covered boxes are also good sellers.
One thing I learned as a gallery owner and potter is if you want candle
holders to sell, put a candle it in it. Same goes with bud vases. Usually
they want the flowers too! Pitchers seem to sell when filled with flowers as
well.
A friend of mine recently attended a large craft show in Ann Arbo Michigan
and she told me that there was one booth where the potter had tons of people
and was making one sale after another. She said his booth wasn't slick at
all, nor did she think his pots were as well made as others. Also, his prices
didn't reflect that he wasn't as good. But she said the one thing he had was
all kind of pots in many different glazes. And the people were buying like
mad.
I know some shows want an individual style but it seems that in some
instances the public wants selection and diversity of color and form. I know
myself when I see a lot of different styles and glazes I am more prone to
enter into that booth to explore further. If at first glance I see one basic
glaze design, if it's not to my taste, I keep walking.
It will be interesting to read the other responses on this question.
Regards,
June
Cobalt1994@aol.com on sun 29 sep 96
Lamps, dip dishes, mugs, pasta bowls, vases.
Jennifer in Vermont
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
email: Cobalt1994@aol.com
Jennifer Boyer
Thistle Hill Pottery
Montpelier, Vt.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dave and Pat Eitel on sun 29 sep 96
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Lamps, dip dishes, mugs, pasta bowls, vases.
>
>Jennifer in Vermont
>*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
>email: Cobalt1994@aol.com
> Jennifer Boyer
> Thistle Hill Pottery
> Montpelier, Vt.
>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Well--Here's a controversial topic for a change: what, exactly, IS a pasta
bowl. Why is it whenever I make a bowl for pasta, it looks just like a
bowl for potatoes or beans. What makes a pasta bowl a pasta bowl? What am
I doing wrong? Whenever a customer asks whether I have any pasta bowls, I
say "Sure. You can put anything in these bowls!. They're quite
versatile." After a polite chuckle, they're outa there, and not carrying a
versatile bowl.
Seriously, I'd like know know if there's a particular size or shape or
other special characteristic I'm missing.
Thanks, folks!
Later...Dave
Dave Eitel
Cedar Creek Pottery
Cedarburg, WI
daveitel@execpc.com
http://www.digivis.com/CedarCreek/home.html
June Perry on mon 30 sep 96
I meant to write rice bowls! (LOL) But there really are pasta bowls being
sold.
The commercial past bowls sets have a wide flat shallow bowl, or you could
call it a deep, wide platter. A typical size might be (this is off the top
of my head) about fourteen inches wide and about three inches deep. It needs
to be deep enough to keep the sauce from overfllowing. They usually come with
individual matching single serving bowls as well. In fact my son and daughter
in law just asked me to make them a set!
Regards,
June
Sue Davis on mon 30 sep 96
Don't know if this will help you or not but what I call Pasta bowls are low,
wide bowls. Maybe 14" dia and about 3-4 inches high. You could write"Pasta"
on the side or something. :-) Don't say that the bowls can be used for
anything else. Just say, here is a pasta bowl and let it go at that.
Bill Buckner on tue 1 oct 96
Wasn't it Freud who said: "Sometimes a bowl is just a bowl."?
-Bill
Bill Buckner e-mail: bbuckner@gsu.edu
Georgia State University http://www.gsu.edu/~couwbb
On Sun, 29 Sep 1996, Dave and Pat Eitel wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >Lamps, dip dishes, mugs, pasta bowls, vases.
> >
> >Jennifer in Vermont
> >*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
> >email: Cobalt1994@aol.com
> > Jennifer Boyer
> > Thistle Hill Pottery
> > Montpelier, Vt.
> >~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
>
>
> Well--Here's a controversial topic for a change: what, exactly, IS a pasta
> bowl. Why is it whenever I make a bowl for pasta, it looks just like a
> bowl for potatoes or beans. What makes a pasta bowl a pasta bowl? What am
> I doing wrong? Whenever a customer asks whether I have any pasta bowls, I
> say "Sure. You can put anything in these bowls!. They're quite
> versatile." After a polite chuckle, they're outa there, and not carrying a
> versatile bowl.
>
> Seriously, I'd like know know if there's a particular size or shape or
> other special characteristic I'm missing.
>
> Thanks, folks!
>
> Later...Dave
>
> Dave Eitel
> Cedar Creek Pottery
> Cedarburg, WI
> daveitel@execpc.com
> http://www.digivis.com/CedarCreek/home.html
>
Lawrence Anderson on tue 1 oct 96
Dave, unless I'm also uninformed as to pasta bowls, they're perforated
bowls. The ones I've seen are usually on a floating foot to facilitate
the draining of water from the pasta. Later, Larry Anderson
June Perry on wed 2 oct 96
Dear Larry:
Sounds like what you are describing as pasta bowls are actually colanders
which are used to drain the pasta before it is put in a serving bowl.
Regards,
June
David G Brown on wed 2 oct 96
Larry'
The "bowl" you describe is a colander. I picture a pasta bowl as being wide
and relatively shallow. A store such as Macy's (here in california) is
likely to have both.
David
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Dave, unless I'm also uninformed as to pasta bowls, they're perforated
> bowls. The ones I've seen are usually on a floating foot to facilitate
> the draining of water from the pasta. Later, Larry Anderson
John Jensen on fri 4 oct 96
I've heard of people lamenting a best seller. I never thought I would be in
the position of having one and not wanting to make it; but I am. There is a
thing I make which is guaranteed to sell, I've worked out a system for making
them efficiently, I sell them locally, and I wholesale them. I don't think
I'll be making them anymore, or only on a limited basis. By the same token,
I've decided not to do anymore commissions.
And what token is that? The cost in inspiration, motivation, momentum,
enthusiasm, etc. is too high. One needs to make money to do one's art, but if
money were the only concern one might as well be an arms dealer. In my case,
the thread of artistic development is so slender and delicate that each time I
stray from the path just to make some guaranteed money I nearly lose my way. It
takes so much energy and time to get back to what I really want to be doing that
it really is a huge waste of time. I believe that whatever I do according to my
own lights is going to be just as remunerative as whatever the guaranteed sale
might have brought and I won't be loosing all that time and energy spent in
confusion, depression, and so forth.
So, I want to make a little card to give people when they ask if I do
commissions...
Commission Policy: Commissions will be accepted occasionally depending on the
project. Price is based on an estimated $50 / hr. plus materials and firing.
Half estimated price to be paid in advance. No satisfaction guaranteed.
Marcel Duchamp reluctantly accepted a couple of commissions in his carreer. He
refused to allow any specifications whatsoever. The clients were invariably
dissapointed and got rid of the pieces as soon as they could. (Not that I take
DuChamp as a model)
John Jensen in Annapolis
Cummings Pottery on sat 5 oct 96
Yes, I really hate to make best sellers. But with me I realize that
I have been going through a 12 year cycle. For the 1st 12 years as a studio
potter, I only did salt glaze. I loved it, I educated the public on it, I
traveled to Appalachia, and Germany to study it. Year 12, I cut my long
hair all off, and I swore I would never again stay up all night nursing a
slow salt kiln, bricking up doors with cracked frozen fingers, and spending
all that money on propane. And I hated making it. I had all these orders,
people were clamoring for it. I hated it. Adopted a baby girl, and
switched to electric fire earthenware painted with pinks and purples. Lost
my entire customer base. They hated my new work, but I didn't care, because
I was having FUN! The spark came back.
Well, last year was year 12 again, cut all my long hair off again,
andrealized I hated making decorative earthenware. Just hated it. People
were clamoring. Orders loomed over me. After Christmas, I layed my brushes
down, and swore I never again would paint another g.d. tulip again. Felt
like it was worse then working a "job". Started teaching kid clay classes,
and handbuilding with terracotta after the kids went home.. Making silly
little trays with impressed designs, unglazed. It was FUN! My customers all
are mad at me, and I am making no money. My husband is freaked about money,
and wants to know why, when my stuff is selling good, I don't want to make
it anymore. I don't know? I love making pots, working in clay. I wish I
could travel, explore, expand more. But I am the mom of two teenagers, and
the only traveling I'm doing is on internet. But I feel this tremendous
release inside, because I am no longer trapped. I am teaching after school
clay classes, and doing Artist in the Schools, and bringing in some money
that way. But I am once again allowing myself to diddle around and have fun
in the studio. So stay tuned, if you see me cut all my hair of in 12 years,
watch out!
{{|}}
(. .)
-----------------------------ooO-(_)-Ooo---------------------------
Vashon Is., Wa. ***Pat***
patpots@wolfenet.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a new leash on life
Get a looong little doggie
Don Sanami on sat 5 oct 96
Dear Pat, Right on! Never give up! Isao and I have been potting for over
30 years. We have only once gotten above the official "{poverty Level."
What does that have to do with anything at all? We are fortunate to be
living in Canada: A quasi-semi-pseudo Socialist country. We have traveled
extensively,have raised two young men and have loved every minute of the
trip. For nearly two years we were forced to give-up potting and are now
back to it,happily making pots considerably different than previously. We
have a few pots around which we made over 20 years ago. Unlike fish they
do not spoil but very often improve with age. Other pieces are in homes
from Switzerland to Japan,which is gratifying... some,we have found being
sold as antiques at auction at prices which have made our eyes green with
envy. A few pots we have made on order but have never made anything on
demand. Keep up the good work. Isao & Don Sanami/morrill.
McCoy, Jack Eugene on sat 10 jan 98
Does anyone have any particular products/forms that sell well for them
in their particular location?
I know that what a potter likes best, isn't always what sells best.
Thanks,
Jack
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
=-=-=-=-=
Jack McCoy
Systems Programmer
East Carolina University
Voice: (919) 328-6855
Fax: (919) 328-4258
email: mccoyj@mail.ecu.edu
Jacquelyn Lumsden on sun 11 jan 98
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Does anyone have any particular products/forms that sell well for them
>in their particular location?
>
>I know that what a potter likes best, isn't always what sells best.
>
>Thanks,
>Jack
>
>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
>=-=-=-=-=
>Jack McCoy
>Systems Programmer
>East Carolina University
>Voice: (919) 328-6855
>Fax: (919) 328-4258
>email: mccoyj@mail.ecu.edu
Hi Jack-
I have a small item that I can't keep on the shelf at our semi-annual
sale. It's a spoon rest. I use about 300 grams of clay, throw a small
plate/bowl shape with a good fat rim. I then use the convex end of my
favourite rib ( the one that has one long straight edge and the opposite
one is concave, and the ends are convex) to press and compress the centre,
leaving a small ridge. Stop the wheel and pull out a spout, chamois the
edges, undercut and set aside. I do these very quickly but they do require
a bit of trimming ( I LOVE MY GIFFIN GRIP). I usually do a bit of
decoration in the glazing -- some quick stamping or double dip etc, and
sell them for $7. I'm sure they could be more some places as they are quite
attractive. They are not really kiln fillers unless you make a lot of big
plates and bakers etc, but they are a good item with a minimum of work.
Jackie Lumsden
Waterloo, Ont.
Cindy on sun 11 jan 98
Jack,
Mugs in all shapes and 1 1/2-2 1/2 cup size. Men like ample handles. Bowls
also do well. Tip: If you want to sell it quickly, use cobalt.
Cindy in Custer, SD
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Does anyone have any particular products/forms that sell well for them
> in their particular location?
>
> I know that what a potter likes best, isn't always what sells best.
>
> Thanks,
> Jack
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
> =-=-=-=-=
> Jack McCoy
> Systems Programmer
> East Carolina University
> Voice: (919) 328-6855
> Fax: (919) 328-4258
> email: mccoyj@mail.ecu.edu
Robert Katz on mon 12 jan 98
Lotion bottles/soap dispensers sell well as people need several in their
home & they make nice 'lady' gifts. I sell quite a few garlic containers
also. Try condiment sets for coffee or tea. Then I sell the standards . .
GOOD LUCK !
Vicki Katz
Katz Creek Pottery
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Does anyone have any particular products/forms that sell well for them
>in their particular location?
>
>I know that what a potter likes best, isn't always what sells best.
>
>Thanks,
>Jack
>
>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
>=-=-=-=-=
>Jack McCoy
>Systems Programmer
>East Carolina University
>Voice: (919) 328-6855
>Fax: (919) 328-4258
>email: mccoyj@mail.ecu.edu
>
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