gary navarre on tue 26 jul 11
Hey Folks,
This year I decided to enter two local art fairs and see if I could make i=
t through without folding. The first was a repeat of the "Art For All" in I=
ron Mountain with a visit from the committee ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DR4QGA6Na-os
In most of the video I shot people seemed to just walk by and not notice a=
nything so ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6PQhCviw-YI
The next show was in Wisconsin on US2 behind The Chuckwagon in Spread Eagl=
e ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dlzzm-yRVBvE
I think I was better prepared for this one with pots repriced in a practic=
e setup at the house in the days before so I ended up selling half a dozen =
pieces which is twice what I did at "Art For All" last year.
That's it for packing pots into a display until next year unless I can get=
a table at one of those craft shows we have in one of the malls up here. F=
or now I'm going to work on one more firing before winter and maybe have so=
me new successful pieces for Christmas sales from home and on line. Sure wo=
uld be neat if I can make fresh wreaths to go along with a cup or bowl in a=
gift package. Thanks for watching and stay in there eh.
Gary Navarre
Navarre Pottery
Navarre Enterprises
Norway, Michigan, USA
http://www.NavarrePottery.etsy.com
http://www.youtube.com/GindaUP
http://public.fotki.com/GindaUP/
William & Susan Schran User on wed 27 jul 11
On 7/26/11 2:44 PM, "gary navarre" wrote:
> This year I decided to enter two local art fairs and see if I could make =
it
> through without folding. The first was a repeat of the "Art For All" in I=
ron
> Mountain with a visit from the committee ...
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DR4QGA6Na-os
> In most of the video I shot people seemed to just walk by and not notice
> anything so ...
Craft fairs are a tough way to sell as you have discovered.
It takes the artist away from making pots and are paying to gamble on the
possibility of sales.
If you're going this route you MUST fine ways to attract the public's
attention, come into your display where you can talk about your work.
You have to stop being an artist and become a marketing and sales person.
You MUST greet EVERY person that walks by.
You MUST invite them in to learn about your wood fired pottery.
You must also make work that people want to buy.
Pay close attention to what pots people pick up or point to - take notes.
Keep a list of pots that sell - make more of that kind of pot.
Put up large images of your wood kiln firing, pictures of you stoking the
kiln, pictures of unloading the kiln.
Help the public understand the uniqueness of your pots.
Make them special.
Keep a mailing list then begin to do your shows at your studio.
Have a kiln opening - unload the kiln, clean up the pots, toss the seconds,
reload the kiln - let the public help unload the kiln will all wonderful
pots.
Get your local paper to write a human interest story on your pottery and
process - the best thing ever, free advertising.
If you want to sell you pots, you must market and be a salesman.
Bill
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