Mark Bolton on sat 16 aug 97
I was wondering what peoples thoughts were or what their experience had been at
shows and fairs with regards to putting as much work out as you can or feeling
it out as the day progresses?.. I am a lone potter (work alone) and I have a
WIDE range of functional work that I think looks like it could come from more
that one potter and I get asked that often if this is all mine. I try to think
of continuity in my work as I am preparing for a show but when the end comes I
usually always have a wide variety,.. tall jars, short jars, bowls, vases,
hanging vases, platters, slip, no slip, vastly different glazes.. and it goes on
and on,. every time I do a show I toil over whether to put as much as I can out
without it looking cramped hoping that the pot someone would buy isnt in the
boxes in back, or to build continuity on the shelves and if I come to the end of
my shelf space and no more room the other stuff stays in the boxes til' stuff
thats out sells?... realizing that you want a good looking booth do you think
vast varitey detracts from the feel/flow of the display? thanks for any
input,... Mark
Ric Swenson on sun 17 aug 97
---------reply---------
Mark,
It sounds like you and your clay are suffering currently from what I call
"a Plethora of choice in your clay expressions" There are TOO many choices
of what to make...clay is so marvelous and you can do so much with it but
it "suffers from a plethora of choices"
I don't know how long you have been potting, but some of this will probably
gel into "Mark's style" after a few more years of working. A PERSONAL
EXPRESSION is important...your work somehow should express YOU...not a
customer....YOU.
Not many successful potters just do 'one' thing for very long...even if you
are making Raku teabowls that sell for $10,000 each, I quite sure you would
still grow with the media and do some experimenting....even if it is
privately...and not sold. Being THAT successful would give you the time to
be creative and really have fun with clay...eh? Wouldn't we all like that
scenerio?
Do you think you have to sell 'everything' you make? Maybe you need to be
more selective in what you show.? Have a trusted friend, with an eye for
"style", help you select HALF of your output for the next show? ...or...
Next time you get ready for a show...... sketch out a theme and follow a
thread through the work.....a color theme....? all covered jars, but many
different types and sizes? All mugs? If you have trouble focusing and
get distracted by so many choices...use a written plan...or sketch book to
help you hold that focus. Read or work with the plan everyday to hold that
focus.
It really is easy to get distracted when there are so many choices and fun
stuff to make. I have had the same issues before.
Don't be quite so concerned with what you 'think' someone might buy. You
couldn't possibly make all the types of pottery that everyone who walks by
your booth at a craft fair might buy.
Make yourself happy....you will make happy, expressionful wares and some
people will recognize the energy in your work and will keep you in
business. You will be happier and richer for the experience.
Just my rambling thoughts on a warm breezy morning in Vermont.
Ric
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I was wondering what peoples thoughts were or what their experience had
>been at
>shows and fairs with regards to putting as much work out as you can or feeling
>it out as the day progresses?.. I am a lone potter (work alone) and I have a
>WIDE range of functional work that I think looks like it could come from more
-------snip-----
stays in the boxes til' stuff
>thats out sells?... realizing that you want a good looking booth do you think
>vast varitey detracts from the feel/flow of the display? thanks for any
>input,... Mark
############################################################################
FROM: Ric Swenson, Bennington College, Route 67-A, Bennington Vermont
05201-6001. (802) 442-5401 ext. 262 (fax ext. 237) or
fax direct to: (802) 442-6164
rswenson@bennington.edu
############################################################################
Carole Rishel on sun 17 aug 97
I also have a variety of items and glazes/surface decoration. The comment I
get most often from the customers is that they like the variety. I've seen
booths where the artist uses the same glaze. The booth looks great! But,
unless the surface is a neutral color - your customer base seems to get
limited. Still - ya need to make the stuff to suit yourself. It's your art.
You can get all colors and styles at WalMart!!
Carole Rishel
Bastrop, TX
CaroleER@aol.com
Jolee Chartrand on mon 18 aug 97
Hi Mark. I, too, make a huge variety of things. Frankly, I do make
what I want, not really what I think the customer will buy. If I enjoy
making something and it sell well, I make a number of that thing but
even then I try to make each one a little different. I have built a
customer base who return to the show every year for just this reason.
My stuff is different and they know that if they like something there
are'nt another 30 of this thing in the boxes at the back.
That being said, I put out as much of my work as I can at the very
beginning. Since there are not a lot of similar things, I replenish as
room becomes available. Sometimes people ask about other pieces and if
I have it in a box I drag it out. The key for me has been the diversity
and I like my "hobby" because I don't have to do production type work
and people enjoy the results. Just mho. Good Luck :-)
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