Gary & Carla Goldberg on fri 25 jun 99
Hi everyone - I have been a hobby clay artist and want to get in on
actually selling some of my stuff. I specialize in tile wall murals,
tile trivets, etc. Some are hand made, some are commercial tiles that I
apply commercial glaze onto of the tile.
My question: Has anyone had success with craft co-op's? I know that I
would need to make sure my work matches the rest of the booths in the
place. For example, no booths with made in China plastic toys. I also
realize that the store needs to advertise, and work on enticing people
to come in.
What are your successes and pitfalls with doing this?
Carla from Alaska, thinking about selling Christmas stuff. :)
K. Hurt on sun 27 jun 99
Our dues were 25.00 per YEAR and the Co-op took 30% of what we sold. $30.00
per month seems really high, on the other hand if they have to hire someone
to run the gallery it probably has to be that high.
K
----------
> From: Anne Hunt
> To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> Subject: Re: Craft Co-Op good idea?
> Date: Saturday, June 26, 1999 10:20 AM
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi, Carla ---
> Spent '81 to '83 in Alaska -- was stationed at elmendorf airplane
patch
> and lived in wasilla -- heavy sigh! It was on the short list of where I
> wanted to "retire"...
> I've been in an art co-op/gallery for about1 1/2 years; little town
of
> Sequim (@ 7000?), out of the way on the Olympic Peninsula. Co-op itself
is
> doing pretty well for being only 2 years old.
> Main problem seems to be 2 to 3 people who have their power
> interests/opinions and are by god stickin' to 'em. They don't seem to
have
> the entire co-op's interests at heart and are basically impeding any
forward
> movement.
> Other than that, my raku may be the top volume seller. Considering
that
> 1/2 of the year I only make (after $30 monthly dues) between $50 - $120,
> that may not mean much. Best months were last Dec and Jan ($500-600);
with
> more gallery growth, I anticipate more sales. Other than the dues, the
> co-op requires 8 - 12 hrs /month "sitting", and attending a monthly
meeting;
> "we" further request of ourselves doing a periodic demo for the public
(the
> bennie is that all of one of the display windows carries only your stuff
for
> one week).
> I think belonging to a co-op is a great idea, as long as you don't
get
> sucked into making it your social club, reason for living, etc. Folks
who
> are trying to progress and make a living at this "work" can get bogged
down
> with some of the gallery's goings-on.
> It's a place to professionaly hang your hat, start a resume',
exchange
> info w/ other artists/clayworkers, receive flyers about workshops &
> trainings, juried shows, sales, etc. Have also been slow-leaking my first
> commission to a local lady, through the co-op.
>
> If nothing else, a six-month contract will give you the opportunity to
look
> around and see where you really want to go...which, after the contract
> period, may or may not include being in the co-op.
> WARNING: It will be frustrating to be paying out dues if you're not
> selling anything right away.
> Altho' Sequim is a tourist town, it has a good upper-middle class
> retired base. Thankfully, townies provide at least 50% of steady business
> for us. It is kind of a kick in the butt to know that I have pieces in
> Maryland, Nevada, Hawaii, etc., etc. And I still have trouble calling
myself
> an "artist"...
>
> anne & the cats
K. Hurt on sun 27 jun 99
Our dues were 25.00 per YEAR and the Co-op took 30% of what we sold. $30.00
per month seems really high, on the other hand if they have to hire someone
to run the gallery it probably has to be that high.
K
----------
> From: Anne Hunt
> To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> Subject: Re: Craft Co-Op good idea?
> Date: Saturday, June 26, 1999 10:20 AM
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi, Carla ---
> Spent '81 to '83 in Alaska -- was stationed at elmendorf airplane
patch
> and lived in wasilla -- heavy sigh! It was on the short list of where I
> wanted to "retire"...
> I've been in an art co-op/gallery for about1 1/2 years; little town
of
> Sequim (@ 7000?), out of the way on the Olympic Peninsula. Co-op itself
is
> doing pretty well for being only 2 years old.
> Main problem seems to be 2 to 3 people who have their power
> interests/opinions and are by god stickin' to 'em. They don't seem to
have
> the entire co-op's interests at heart and are basically impeding any
forward
> movement.
> Other than that, my raku may be the top volume seller. Considering
that
> 1/2 of the year I only make (after $30 monthly dues) between $50 - $120,
> that may not mean much. Best months were last Dec and Jan ($500-600);
with
> more gallery growth, I anticipate more sales. Other than the dues, the
> co-op requires 8 - 12 hrs /month "sitting", and attending a monthly
meeting;
> "we" further request of ourselves doing a periodic demo for the public
(the
> bennie is that all of one of the display windows carries only your stuff
for
> one week).
> I think belonging to a co-op is a great idea, as long as you don't
get
> sucked into making it your social club, reason for living, etc. Folks
who
> are trying to progress and make a living at this "work" can get bogged
down
> with some of the gallery's goings-on.
> It's a place to professionaly hang your hat, start a resume',
exchange
> info w/ other artists/clayworkers, receive flyers about workshops &
> trainings, juried shows, sales, etc. Have also been slow-leaking my first
> commission to a local lady, through the co-op.
>
> If nothing else, a six-month contract will give you the opportunity to
look
> around and see where you really want to go...which, after the contract
> period, may or may not include being in the co-op.
> WARNING: It will be frustrating to be paying out dues if you're not
> selling anything right away.
> Altho' Sequim is a tourist town, it has a good upper-middle class
> retired base. Thankfully, townies provide at least 50% of steady business
> for us. It is kind of a kick in the butt to know that I have pieces in
> Maryland, Nevada, Hawaii, etc., etc. And I still have trouble calling
myself
> an "artist"...
>
> anne & the cats
Anne Hunt on tue 29 jun 99
sequim co-op's commission is %20. the total requirement (including sitting
hours) in Poulsbo's co-op (Verksted) is worse than that, as is Tacoma's.
anne & c.
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