gayle bair on mon 28 apr 08
Hi Sam,
You've gotten several opinions and will probably get more
suggesting you do one or another.
Why not do several... e.g.:
Have a broad range of prices. You can have high and low priced pieces.
You can make $100+ one off pieces and $10 production low end pieces.
I've started making one off pieces that are pretty pricy but have kept
my low
end pieces. Often those low end ones save the day at at show.
While the high end pieces are a draw many people may not be able to
afford them.
Having $10 pieces fulfills their desire to buy something. Plus having
those $10 pieces
means they can buy multiples as gifts. Ten production pieces get you
$100
with less time investment than that one off. It appeals to both ends
of the financial spectrum.
Another thing you might do is revisit your booth display. Is it an
inviting space?
Is your booth display the same show to show?
Is it laid out so it's easy to see your work? Does it enhance your work?
I also print out signage describing the use or process. Even after
they read it I've noticed that
when I repeat the info they seemed surprised. You said you had new
booth set up, new work and
new colors....maybe your customers didn't recognize your booth.
If pieces are not selling do you move them around? Where do you sit &
when do you engage your customer, advertising etc etc.
And although I hate to admit it... dressing up rather than down makes
a difference.
There are so many factors & some of them can be downright silly. One
year I had my booth set
set up nicely but noticed though people came into my booth they didn't
stay and left quickly.
After observing this unusual phenomena for hours I went around the
front of my display and noticed
a foul odor. After looking on the street for the source it I tracked
it to the daises
I had brought from my garden. Immediately after removing them sales
picked up. Very goofy!
So I have one off pieces that range from $225 to $1600 but I also have
$10 items.
My one offs are displayed in a separate area. I usually have 3 tables
one is reserved for the pricey stuff.
My last studio tour in WA was hit even with more reasons to fail than
succeed including snow, hail & icy conditions,
a power failure & a fraction of the usual customers.
Then of course even if all is done perfectly there is the chance that
sales will tank.... and that's when my "It's a crap shoot"
theory kicks in.
I always give myself a couple days to recover from one of those shows
and start looking forward to the next one.
Good luck with your next show.
best regards
Gayle Bair
Tucson AZ
Bainbridge Island WA
gayle@claybair.com
www.claybair.com
On Apr 27, 2008, at 11:52 PM, Kathy McDonald wrote:
> Sam, I totally understand.
> This is going to sound horribly cynical but,,,
> put a little blue flower, or a pink dragonfly on it
> and ...voila.....
> I admit I'll stoop to very low lows to
> sell at a craft sale.
>
> Kathy
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On Behalf Of
> Lynn Goodman
> Porcelain Pottery
> Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2008 9:19 PM
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Re: Conundrum
>
>
> On Apr 27, 2008, at 8:43 PM, Maid O'Mud wrote:
>
>> I just got home from our local guild sale (London Potters
> Guild -
>> London,
>> Ontario). I have new work, new colours, new display. My
> worst sale
>> ever. Seems the
>> better my work gets, the less I sell. Other potters LOVE
> my pots;
>> customers pass
>> by.
>
> I have found that other potters loving my work is the kiss
> of death.
> Maybe the customers don't understand the quality of
> your work, or maybe (probably) they just have bad taste! I
> am
> constantly amazed at the crappy stuff that sells. You need
> to
> find a market that values what you do.
>
> Lynn
>
>
> Lynn Goodman
> Fine Porcelain Pottery
> Cell 347-526-9805
> www.lynngoodmanporcelain.com
>
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