gina mars on thu 27 dec 07
Hi, As a New York Potter for 20 years, I felt I had to chime in on this =
one.Recently I participated in one of two shows I do a year in my area. =
I do not do any other shows and find the 2 a major stress. First of all, =
new management took over and didn't advertise. Second, there was an ice =
storm the second day. I always do ok because I have about 90 regular =
students who attend with 40% of that children.This last show, I saw =
people not even making there 200$ booth fee back.Some travelled as far =
as Maine for this event.I feel that sometimes I need to discount my work =
slightly for my students and I definetly do it for the kids which range =
from 8 to 16 years. I know they don't always have the money and I can =
see it in their eyes that they really appreciate my work so I don't even =
bat an eye doing this.
My question of the day would be this. A friend suggested I do the =
Lincoln center show in September. This show costs a minimum of 900$ to =
get in plus 5% commission plus a place to stay and parking. Does anybody =
think it's worth it?The show is outside also. I find that I need the =
help also and my husband and kids end up coming to help me too. Granted =
I live on Long Island which is about 50 minutes from the city with =
tolls.
Doing a local show even can be a big help this time of year especially =
with the cost of oil. 900$ a fill. But, the stress can get to you.
Showing work in Galleries is a good thing but then I have to ship my =
work and that costs money also.And keep track of who has what.
I have to say, with all the comments I get from people at shows like, =
Why don'y you make a butter dish?, I still don't let that get to me.I =
tend to make unique pottery that is a mix of functional and non =
functional. The joy is to make something that makes me feel good and I =
think I would rather just drop dead than produce the same thing all the =
time.After 20 years, I sold 98% of everything I made even though it took =
a while.
Thanks
Gina Mars
www.marspottery.net
Where it's in the 40's and rainy. A good day to make pots.
Lynn Goodman Porcelain Pottery on thu 27 dec 07
> My question of the day would be this. A friend suggested I do the
> Lincoln center show in September. This show costs a minimum of 900$
> to get in plus 5% commission plus a place to stay and parking. Does
> anybody think it's worth it?The show is outside also. I find that I
> need the help also and my husband and kids end up coming to help me
> too. Granted I live on Long Island which is about 50 minutes from
> the city with tolls.
Hi Gina,
I did Lincoln Center for a couple of years before I gave up on it. I
didn't do well, but I did see other potters doing well, mostly
traditional work with earthy colors or novelty items (there's a guy
who makes toothbrush caddies, soap holders and the like--he does
well, but it could also be his superior selling ability). When I did
sell pots, it was likely to be small stuff: mugs, bowls, and sushi
plates (I sold a ton of sushi plates!). I do know some potters who
sold larger items like teapots, but not a lot of them. What made it
possible to do the show without too much pain was the fact that it
was local (no hotel or shipping) and my husband and friends came to
help me. If I had to travel and pay for a hotel, I would have lost
money.
You should go and see the show and ask other potters what they
think-- tell them that you're thinking of doing the show. They're
more up-to-date on how the show is now, as opposed to when I did it,
a few years ago.
Good luck!
Lynn
Lynn Goodman
Fine Porcelain Pottery
Cell 347-526-9805
www.lynngoodmanporcelain.com
Susan Fox Hirschmann on thu 27 dec 07
Ditto to everything Lynn said about Lincoln Center.
I did the show for a couple of years and only sold some small pieces. And
these women asked me to "delivery it to their doormen!" because they couldn't
possibly carry anything that weighed a lb or two! I honestly only went back
the 2nd yr., as I had a place to stay, and really do like being in NYC (esp. if
I can hook on an evening at the theatre to the show).
I think the thing about NYC is that people mostly live in smallish apts and
don't have room for bigger pieces.
I also did ArtRider's Park Ave show one yr....same thing happened. Small
stuff but not enough to make any money.
Had I not stayed with my sister-in-law in the city, it would have been a
total loss. Even then there does not seem to be much money to be made there for
potters/ceramic artists!
I really think it is mostly a wearable art show: But then NYC is the fashion
capital of this country!?
Best of luck,
Susan
Annandale, VA
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