pdp1 on sat 20 aug 11
Hi Gary,
Far as my own general experiences with 'Flea Markets' through the years -
I would think that if one wished to sell one's own Pots at one, it'd be bes=
t
to also be Throwing and in effect SHOWING the passer's bye that you make
them.
Thus they may also realize, that you could ( if you were amenible, ) make
forms or sizes or finishes
in addition
to whatever the finished Wares happen to be, on your Sales Tables...which o=
f
course opens the possibilities of either Commissions, or of finding out wha=
t
they would buy, if you had it to offer.
Otherwise, virtually no one is going to get it or care or distinguish your
Wares form the .25 or .50 Cents a-pop stuff on the Tables of other mere
'sellers'.
Or they will find your Work deficient since it is not White Perfect round
Mugs with a "Have a nice Day' or 'Hang in There!' motto on them.
'Farmer's Markets' - as far as I have seen - I would expect to be a far
better venue. The people attending are usually far more intelligent and
interested and cultivated than the 'bottom feeding' sorts which over crowd
most Flea Markets looking only for the cheapest of the cheap of whatever it
is they are looking for, and, usually what they are looking for, is 'cheape=
r
than cheap', with the item itself, being incidental.
Love,
Phil
L v
----- Original Message -----
From: "gary navarre"
I'm watching a public TV show on flea markets and I'm reminded of how some
people would ask me if I tried something like that as someplace to get rid
of some pottery. I always thought it was either meant as an insult or they
were ignorant to what fine craft art was all about. I've sold pots in
galleries, art fairs, group and one man shows, from the house, carried a bo=
x
of cups in the van just in case, and off the internet. Has anyone had any
success at a flea/farmers market or are they considered a last ditch effort
to just make a buck before finally starving to death, thus fulfilling the
social prophesy of the of the starving artist.
Gary Navarre
Gayle Bair on sat 20 aug 11
Hi Gary,
I cannot class farmer's markets in the same category as Flea markets.
My experience at flea markets is that haggling is expected, you are
considered a fool if you pay the price asked and prices are expected to be
low to start.
My experience at Farmers markets is you pay for quality local produce craft=
s
& art and most of all you are supporting local farmers & artisans.
So my answer to you is yes if you want to get "rid" of some pottery go to a
flea market but if you want to sell your ware and get a reasonable price fo=
r
it without haggling go to a local farmers market. Also note that you might
find someone at an art show telling you that they bought your work for
bargain basement prices at the flea market.
I have been at our local farmers market for 12 years now and each year have
made more than the previous. It takes a while to build a customer base. I
wouldn't suggest that my husband quit his day job but I can contribute when
there is a need and my pottery passion more than pays for itself.
Now the farmers market here on Bainbridge Island may be one of the better
ones as we have a broad range of income levels, access to tourists and art
lovers. My pottery income has gone up every year in spite of whatever you
call what is happening to the economy. Of course my skill and the quality o=
f
my work has also improved and it keeps morphing so people who come into my
booth always find something new.
Presentation of my booth & work is a big issue for me. It has to look clean
and professional as do I. I dress up every week for the market and is often
the only time I do. If I'm going to ask $350+ for a teapot I have to back i=
t
up with a good looking, efficient set up. I don't use old newspaper to wrap=
,
buy decent looking bags, I design and print out my own cards, cater to my
customers, take and make commissions, have a broad price range ($5- $1600),
give a production piece to anyone who spends $100, donate to local
charities, give away pieces to people when I see a need, best of all I have
made friends and genuinely love many of the people I have met through my
local market. All these things over the years has been building blocks for
loyal customers and continued sales. I am certain I haven't realized all th=
e
ways my life has been enriched by selling locally.
I can count one hand the number of galleries/shops that carry my work
because the venue that sings to me is the Farmers market, the biggest reaso=
n
being I get to meet my customers!
Note I am also active in helping with and participating in our local studio
tour which is twice a year.
This is my response from my neck of the woods and hope it assists you
regarding farmers market vs flea market.
I'm sure I left out info so if you have any questions let me know.
I hope you find a way to sell your ware that best suits you.
Best regards,
Gayle
--
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island WA
Tucson AZ
gayle@claybair.com
www.claybair.com
On Sat, Aug 20, 2011 at 4:31 PM, gary navarre
wrote:
> I'm watching a public TV show on flea markets and I'm re
> Hey Folks,
>
> I'm watching a public TV show on flea markets and I'm reminded of how so=
me
> people would ask me if I tried something like that as someplace to get ri=
d
> of some pottery. I always thought it was either meant as an insult or the=
y
> were ignorant to what fine craft art was all about. I've sold pots in
> galleries, art fairs, group and one man shows, from the house, carried a =
box
> of cups in the van just in case, and off the internet. Has anyone had any
> success at a flea/farmers market or are they considered a last ditch effo=
rt
> to just make a buck before finally starving to death, thus fulfilling the
> social prophesy of the of the starving artist.
>
>
> Gary Navarre
> Navarre Pottery
> Navarre Enterprises
> Norway, Michigan, USA
> http://www.NavarrePottery.etsy.com
> http://www.youtube.com/GindaUP
> http://public.fotki.com/GindaUP/
>
Shaw Pottery on sat 20 aug 11
We did when we lived up near Napa, several weekly markets, Santa Rosa
for one. We didn't fit in well, many vendors were selling imported
low-priced items you find in the gutter in a few days. The one good
thing to say about it was that we did some trading with folks with
wonderful food items. Set-up and break-down times were geared to
folks who could toss things in a plastic tub, throw the tubs in their
VW vans and head on down the road. You might say we wouldn't
recommend it, but that would be putting it lightly.
The Shaws
shawpottery@gmail.com
At 4:31 PM -0700 8/20/11, gary navarre wrote:
> I'm watching a public TV show on flea markets and I'm re
>Hey Folks, I'm watching a public TV show on flea markets and I'm
>reminded of how some people would ask me if I tried something like
>that as someplace to get rid of some pottery. I always thought it
>was either meant as an insult or they were ignorant to what fine
>craft art was all about. I've sold pots in galleries, art fairs,
>group and one man shows, from the house, carried a box of cups in
>the van just in case, and off the internet. Has anyone had any
>success at a flea/farmers market or are they considered a last ditch
>effort to just make a buck before finally starving to death, thus
>fulfilling the social prophesy of the of the starving artist. Gary
>Navarre Navarre Pottery
--
gary navarre on sat 20 aug 11
I'm watching a public TV show on flea markets and I'm re=3D
Hey Folks,=3D0A=3D0A=3DA0I'm watching a public TV show on flea markets and =
I'm re=3D
minded of how some people would ask me if I tried something like that as so=
=3D
meplace to get rid of some pottery. I always thought it was either meant as=
=3D
an insult or they were ignorant to what fine craft art was all about. I've=
=3D
sold pots in galleries, art fairs, group and one man shows, from the house=
=3D
, carried a box of cups in the van just in case, and off the internet. Has =
=3D
anyone had any success at a flea/farmers market or are they considered a la=
=3D
st ditch effort to just make a buck before finally starving to death, thus =
=3D
fulfilling the social prophesy of the of the starving artist. =3D0A=3D0A=3D=
A0=3D0AG=3D
ary Navarre=3D0ANavarre Pottery=3D0ANavarre Enterprises=3D0ANorway, Michiga=
n, USA=3D
=3D0Ahttp://www.NavarrePottery.etsy.com=3D0Ahttp://www.youtube.com/GindaUP=
=3D0Aht=3D
tp://public.fotki.com/GindaUP/
Lis Allison on sun 21 aug 11
On August 20, 2011, Gayle Bair wrote:
>...
> My experience at Farmers markets is you pay for quality local produce
> crafts & art and most of all you are supporting local farmers &
> artisans. ....
Gary - I second everything Gayle said! I've been selling my pots at the
Carp Farmers' Market near Ottawa for over 20 years now and it has been all
positive so far.
Go take a look at your local market(s) and see if you like what is
happening there. Many markets are only produce so you wouldn't want to be
there, but others have a high quality crafts component.
Cheers,
Lis
--
Elisabeth Allison
Pine Ridge Studio
website: www.pine-ridge.ca
Pottery blog: www.studio-on-the-ridge.blogspot.com
Garden blog: www.garden-on-the-ridge.blogspot.com
marci Boskie's Mama =3D^..^=3D on sun 21 aug 11
> gary navarre said:
> ( Snip ) Has =3D
>anyone had any success at a flea/farmers market or are they considered a l=
a=3D
>st ditch effort to just make a buck before finally starving to death, thus=
=3D
>fulfilling the social prophesy of the of the starving artist.
I would imagine the answer to that is" it depends" ...
Here is Nashville, there is a HUGE flea market once a month held at
the fairgrounds and while, yes, there are the typical socket
sets-tube socks-household junk kind of booths in abundance, there are
also lots of dealers selling relatively high priced antiques and
collectibles and I would think it would be possible for a good potter
to make some decent coin .
marci the chinapainter
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