Vikki Dow on thu 19 jun 97
Thank you to Tracey Westfall and Robert Compton for your helpful and
inspiring responses to our post re: sales advice. I felt a need to respond
to Boyd's comments, and decided to post it to all of you just in case there
are others who felt the same way he did.
>>
>>I see that your a K12 net user, that's free to you, my net connection is
>>$20.00 a month. Do you get paid by the school district to throw pots to
>>compete with self employed potters? Do my taxes pay for your net use too??
>>
>>50% wholesale is a sellout. Get with the program, 60% to you and the rest
>>goes to the retail outlet or gallery. Take less than that and you better
>>mark up your prices to reflect the worth of your pieces and not just letting
>>go of your work for ego..Excuse me if this is all true and it hits a nerve
>>somewhere. I'm tired of supporting school potters twice.
>>
>Hi Boyd-
>I began to read your note with gratitude and appreciation for sharing your
>experience, but, brother, you have some ATTITUDE! First of all, I (Vikki) am
>a teacher's aide, working my tail off to become a teacher, where, after 3
>years of post-graduate work and debt (and ten years experience in the school
>district), I will still make less than an entry-level corporate worker. (But a
>whole lot more satisfaction and inspiration from the kids!) Yes, I get free
>internet service, which I primarily use for education-related information. I
>am not a school potter, but I am glad that some schools offer pottery and hire
>potters to teach. I have never known anyone to get rich working for a school.
>AND.. since I sense the old "I resent paying taxes to support schools"
>attitude, I'm just curious - did you ever go to school????? WHERE DOES ALL
>YOUR BITTERNESS COME FROM? Whatever the source, Libby and I are not there and
>we don't deserve your resentment and disrespect.
>
>My partner, Libby, is a potter who has worked most of her life in low-paying
>jobs which don't compromise her ideals (jobs which fulfill a social need -
>i.e., helping kids). She recently quit her job to throw pots full-time, since
>her job left her no time or energy to throw. We are struggling to pay our
>bills... thus my desperate request for advice. I am learning the pottery
>business to support Libby in her life's dream. We are honest, hard-working
>women who have never taken anything from anywhere without giving back. I
>deeply resent your assumptions and put-downs. I asked about wholesale pricing
>because this is the first time we've done it. I believe I asked the question,
>"is 50% customary?" I see by your response that you don't think it is, which
>I appreciate knowing, but - if you want to pass on wisdom, think about your
>communication style. You know well how to piss people off and stop listening
>to you. I believe somewhere in you there is a caring heart with valuable
>lessons to share, but all we see is a bitter, antagonistic man. I have seen
>responses like yours before when someone "new in the business" asks questions,
>and I think these attitudes contradict the spirit of this discussion group.
>
Just one more note - although our spirits will hopefully always be, we have
not been "kids" for about two decades. We are just new at selling pots.
(Although Libby has been throwing them for many years).
>Find peace in yourself and you will spread it in the world-
>Vikki
>Stilltree Pottery
>
Terrance Lazaroff on sat 21 jun 97
Chhre Vikki;
Your response was well said. As for wholesale the norm is 50% it is
consignment the demands 60/40% with 60% to the artist. You may find some
galleries ask for 45% or even 50%. These Galleries may have a solid selling
record and thus it may be an advantage to deal with them. Always remember it
is your call. Also remember that when you deal consignment that you get some
sort of committment from the gallery to show your work in a promenant place
and not to hide the stuff on the bottom shelf.
Terrance F. Lazaroff
St Hubert, Quebec, Canada !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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