KATHI LESUEUR on tue 1 jul 08
On Jul 1, 2008, at 9:18 AM, Janie Girl wrote:
> I am considering opening a ceramics gallery and am interested in
> learning if any of you sell your work wholesale, and if so, what
> channels or shows do you use to get exposure? I am not looking to
> purchase now, I just need to better understand the sources that
> are available to retail galleries as I put together my business
> plan. I have found one source online called wholesalecrafts.com;
> does anyone use this? Any comments on its usefulness? Also, are
> there particular shows that you know of or participate in?
I've done the Rosen show in the past with good results. However, it's
very expensive so I've stopped doing it. If you are looking for high
end clay I think you would find it there still. But, most of the
functional potters I know have stopped going. I'l be doing
Wholesalecrafts.com this winter. They do a good job for both the
artist and the retailer. Another good way to find artists is to go to
some art fairs. Look for who is selling well and ask if they
wholesale. What is their minimum? If they are selling well at a show
they will probably do well in your store.
One thing I would caution you is to make sure you are not
undercapitalized going in. Paying on time is extremely important.
Especially for the small studio. In my case, stores that pay on time
(or early as some do) always will take priority in my schedule.
Kathi
Janie Girl on tue 1 jul 08
I am considering opening a ceramics gallery and am interested in learning if any of you sell your work wholesale, and if so, what channels or shows do you use to get exposure? I am not looking to purchase now, I just need to better understand the sources that are available to retail galleries as I put together my business plan. I have found one source online called wholesalecrafts.com; does anyone use this? Any comments on its usefulness? Also, are there particular shows that you know of or participate in?
Thanks for any info you can share.
Valerie Johnson
William & Susan Schran User on wed 2 jul 08
On 7/1/08 9:18 AM, "Janie Girl" wrote:
> I am considering opening a ceramics gallery and am interested in learning if
> any of you sell your work wholesale, and if so, what channels or shows do you
> use to get exposure? I am not looking to purchase now, I just need to better
> understand the sources that are available to retail galleries as I put
> together my business plan. I have found one source online called
> wholesalecrafts.com; does anyone use this? Any comments on its usefulness?
> Also, are there particular shows that you know of or participate in?
Boy, good luck!
It's a tough business, but it can be done.
Location, location, location will spell boom or bust!
Marketing, marketing, marketing!
Allow plenty of funding for this, especially at the start!
Wife and I ran a gallery for 10 years.
Sold local fine art - solo shows - on commission.
Also sold fine crafts - ceramics, glass, wood, jewelry, etc.
Crafts we bought wholesale.
Went to 2 - 3 shows each year, bought for 4 - 6 months ahead.
You gotta plan well!
Sales increased every year, but money made always seemed to be plowed back
into the business. We looked into our crystal ball and decided we were tired
of 12 - 14 hour days, 6 days a week, working until we dropped.
We were also at a point where we needed to put more money into the business,
go into debt, or stop the madness.
We were at a good time - closed up not owing anybody, anything.
Went to ACC wholesale shows - always the on in Baltimore, Md.
Also Buyer's Market in Philadelphia, Pa.
Get a subscription to Crafts Report and Niche magazines.
Keep track of where the trends are.
Bill
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
Christine Campbell on wed 2 jul 08
Janie -
I do not know you, but from the sound
of your post you seem to be very new
to wholesale.
I would suggest you enroll in a small
business course before you spend a penny
on your own gallery.
Then learn all you can about the business
of marketing American Made Crafts.
The Rosen Group can help as can Crafts Report
magazine and forums, americancraft forum,
Niche and The Arts Business Institute.
The Craft scene right now is very tough and
the currents driving it are not in your control.
You need to know 1000 percent more than you
do now if you want to have any hope of
survival.
Chris Campbell - in North Carolina
--
Chris Campbell Pottery LLC
9417 Koupela Drive
Raleigh NC 27615-2233
Designs in Colored Porcelain
1-800-652-1008
Fax : 919-676-2062
website: www.ccpottery.com
wholesale : www.wholesalecrafts.com
Steve Dalton on thu 3 jul 08
I just started with wholesalecrafts.com. I got my page up yesterday morning and by late afternoon, I had my first order. Also, this is my first real jump into wholesale. I sold to a couple of places with sporadic follow up, it was mostly beating the pavement.
There are quite a few venues for wholesale. I'm going to do my first in Las Vegas this next year. Its called ACRE. In my area there's the Seattle Gift and Portland Gift but those two are a mixture of handmade and import.
The Rosen group sponsored or at least started some a few years ago. I don't remember their names but you can do a search.
Steve Dalton
Clear Creek Pottery
Snohomish, WA
--- On Tue, 7/1/08, Janie Girl wrote:
> From: Janie Girl
> Subject: buying pots wholesale
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 6:18 AM
> I am considering opening a ceramics gallery and am
> interested in learning if any of you sell your work
> wholesale, and if so, what channels or shows do you use to
> get exposure? I am not looking to purchase now, I just
> need to better understand the sources that are available to
> retail galleries as I put together my business plan. I have
> found one source online called wholesalecrafts.com; does
> anyone use this? Any comments on its usefulness? Also,
> are there particular shows that you know of or participate
> in?
> Thanks for any info you can share.
> Valerie Johnson
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