Myrrhia Rae Resneck-Sannes on thu 21 may 98
Hi, I'm the one who sent the message asking all you potters out there
for career advice. I'm looking for more. I got about two responses from
you guys and was disappointed in the lack of reaction.
I've been working on putting together a portfolio and getting my work out
on the market, and I've managed to find an art festival that is happening
near my house. It will be an art fair with booths of local artists.
I need tips on how to come off professional, make my booth nice and just
general advice on how to do this. Should I buy one of those big
collapsable awnings? Please respond, I know you all have experience with
this sort of thing.
Myrrhia
Don Jones on fri 22 may 98
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hi, I'm the one who sent the message asking all you potters out there
>for career advice. I'm looking for more. I got about two responses from
>you guys and was disappointed in the lack of reaction.
>I've been working on putting together a portfolio and getting my work out
>on the market, and I've managed to find an art festival that is happening
>near my house. It will be an art fair with booths of local artists.
>I need tips on how to come off professional, make my booth nice and just
>general advice on how to do this. Should I buy one of those big
>collapsable awnings? Please respond, I know you all have experience with
>this sort of thing.
>Myrrhia
Myrrihia,
It is a gradual process and it should be. I think it is impossible to
begin in middle with what one thinks is just the right amount of
information. You are doing just the right thing in starting with a local
show. You will talk to other exhibitors and gain more information as you
go along. If you can go to a show before you exhibit, all the better. If
your show is outside, yes , buy a portable booth. YOu will need it.
Don Jones
claysky@highfiber.com
:-) implied in all messages and replies
http://highfiber.com/~claysky
Theresa L. Jones on fri 22 may 98
Myrrhia,
I don't do many shows and the ones I do are very small and rustic. Here's a
quick list of advice from me experiences.
Change: have lots, keep it in a fanny pack at your waist. I throw some coins
(I charge my sales tax on top of cost so deal w/ change) in a bowl on a
table in the back for easy access
Awnings: it it's hot, if you have no shade, if you are on asphalt, the day
can get long in the heat. if no awning then consider a hat with a big brim.
one drawback to awnings - the colors in your wares are not brought out in
the shade but can be brilliant in the sun.
if you are outdoors and they use port-a-toilets, be sure to take some baby
wipes or something for cleaning your hands; also good to have around if you
wrap with newspaper so you can clean your hands
bring water/drinks and snacks, chair for you plus guest
have business cards/flyers
make some little signs (I stick them in those little plastic standup
frame-like things where they slide in from the sides) talking about your
pottery, make it personal;
consider bringing some magazines/books/other entertainment in case it gets
slow (I usually stay entertained people watching) - gives you a decoy if
someone is in your booth who doesn't seem to want to be bothered (rather
than have you just sitting there staring into space or at them; better yet,
have someone there with you to talk with and help in the rush times
I try to put some touchy-feely things near the front - things w/ handles and
lids - because people seem to have to stop and touch and feel them
try to put your packing station where not real visible
a long table cloth on a table is great for stashing things under and out of
view
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi, I'm the one who sent the message asking all you potters out there
> for career advice. I'm looking for more. I got about two responses from
> you guys and was disappointed in the lack of reaction.
> I've been working on putting together a portfolio and getting my work out
> on the market, and I've managed to find an art festival that is happening
> near my house. It will be an art fair with booths of local artists.
> I need tips on how to come off professional, make my booth nice and just
> general advice on how to do this. Should I buy one of those big
> collapsable awnings? Please respond, I know you all have experience with
> this sort of thing.
> Myrrhia
Theresa L. Jones
tljones@flash.net
Ibz27 on fri 22 may 98
I would try to borrow or rent a tent for a first time art fair. There are
many rentals just look under "tents" in the yellow pages. Ask for a 10 x 10
white party tent and they will usually come and set it up for you. You will
need some pedestals or shelving, which you can make yourself with painted
cardboard boxes and wooden lids, but be aware of rain and make sure the bottom
of the boxes are waterproof. Shelving can be almost anything you have around
that can be painted and will standup in any weather condition. You will need
an small area for any paperwork or packing and will definately need a good
chair, preferably high so you will be at the customers eye level when sitting.
Packing materials can be anything from old newspaper to tissue paper and
bubble wrap. Decoration should be simple, but nice...remember you are
selling your pots and not flowers. Good luck..Candone
Jan Wax on fri 22 may 98
Myrrhia,
Well, here's my 2 and a half cents worth. First of all, I'd suggest that
you visit several art fairs to see what others in your area are doing for
booths. How big is your space? They're often 10x10. And yes, a canopy like
a KD or EZUp - in white - with zippable sides, preferably, so you can close
up at night, is one option. If you're not sure whether you want to make
that much of an investment,($400-800) a nice market umbrella will give you
some shelter from the sun during outdoor summer shows. Devise a way to
stake down or weight any type of canopy or shelter that you will be
using.18 inches of PVC pipe fitted with a hook and filled with concrete and
hung from bungies is one way. A stiff wind can blow your unstaked tent
into the adjoining glassblower's display leaving you with broken glass and
a bill for thousands. I've seen it happen. What kind of work do you do?
If you have lots of dinnerware,portable shelving is good. One of a kind
pieces? Pedestals make a nice presentation. If you're planning to drive
distances to shows, you'll want to make your booth display easily
transportable. Will it fit in your vehicle? Think of the weight. Will you
have help setting up? Setting up and taking down can be the most exhausting
part of doing shows. Some potters have devised carrying boxes that can be
stacked for display after unloading your stock. There is metal Abstraca
shelving that breaks down like a tinkertoy set. Painted boards and boxes is
another way of displaying pots.Banquet tables covered with nice fabric can
be used. You can store boxes underneath the covered tables. Once again, I'd
advise going to at least one good show to see what others have devised.
Plan on a chair and table for writing out receipts, taking money, etc. A
screen at the rear of your booth can give you a space for storing extra
stock and extraneous stuff. Some shows are 3 or more days long and you'll
be living in this space for many hours. Some craftspeople prefer to stay on
their feet most of the show, others like a tall chair/stool that brings
them up to eye level with customers.Bring business cards. For indoor shows,
bring a rug or some kind of floor covering.You may need lighting for some
shows. Remember that presentation is very important. Use your imagination.
Showcase your work. Dress nicely and smile.
Good luck,
Jan
http://www.pacific.net/~waxbing
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hi, I'm the one who sent the message asking all you potters out there
>for career advice. I'm looking for more. I got about two responses from
>you guys and was disappointed in the lack of reaction.
>I've been working on putting together a portfolio and getting my work out
>on the market, and I've managed to find an art festival that is happening
>near my house. It will be an art fair with booths of local artists.
>I need tips on how to come off professional, make my booth nice and just
>general advice on how to do this. Should I buy one of those big
>collapsable awnings? Please respond, I know you all have experience with
>this sort of thing.
>Myrrhia
MommyHome on fri 22 may 98
Although I have never tried to sell my ceramics, I am a student, I have sold
other things at street fairs and swapmeets, etc. I have a heavy framed canopy
that I highly recommend. It is heavy framed so it will withstand even the
harshest winds from the ocean ( I live in San Diego). It folds up easily with
the help of one other person into a single unit that fits into a van or truck
nicely. We tried the type tarps that you put up piece by piece and we found
them complicated for 2 people and not able to stand up in a wind. Even with
the concrete blocks attached to each pole.
Now - why have one at all? Just last year I lost my best friend to melanoma (
skin cancer). It is a terrible way to go - piece by piece and then you loose
your mind. Need I say more?
Good luck - take care of yourself,
Michele
Linhares on fri 22 may 98
Hi Myrrhia Rae Resneck-Sannes,
I'm back in school right now, but a few years ago I was starting to do
some local fairs in Ohio. The first year I barrowed some collapseable
shelves, a collapseable table, a kiln, and a truck (when I was lucky).
Most of the time I stuffed the entire interior of my Nissan Sentra
with pottery, put the pile of lumber on the roof, and drove a hundred
miles looking like the lost leg of the gypsy carravan. When I arrived
I set up my stuff (all functional pots) it was out in the elements
(sun was worse than rain) as I sat under the protection of my golf
umbrella strapped to my canvas directors chair. It was a sad, very
un-professional sight, but they were mostly small local shows where I
didn't stand out as looking that bad. I made enough money that first
summer to buy my own kiln and the second summer I made enough to buy a
fancy instant shelter 10'X10' canopy and new displays. The point is
you can work your way up to a professional presentation through the
smaller shows. My few hot tips would be to start a mailing list RIGHT
AWAY (everyone that buys something should give you their address so
that you can notify them of future shows), get a friend (sucker) to
help you work the show it's much easier, try not to do everything at
the last minuite, and go to some shows to look at booth displays that
you might be able to copy rather than trying to reinvent the wheel.
Good Luck!
(I hope you don't have trouble fitting Myrrhia Rae Resneck-Sannes on
your business card)
Paul in Morgantown WV, where it's time to do more gardening.
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