R Schroeder on tue 2 may 00
------------------
HELP=21=21=21=21=21=21=21
I've chosen to redirect my life somewhat and have one huge hurdle I can't =
seem
to fight my way through. I hope someone has some ideas for me and anyone =
else
likewise suffering. I have the talent, the skills, the equipment, the ideas=
and
the products to really make a go of a clay business. I have a designer who
knows my product would do well and will gladly display it in his business =
and
everyone who sees my work loves it and buys it, So what's the problem? One
outlet does not a business make but just the thought of having to go out and
promote my work at fairs or to galleries or whatever just makes me want to =
throw
up, literally. Like many artists I am shy and self deprecating when it =
comes to
my art work even though in my non art careers I have been extremely =
successful.
So what to do. I can't go around on the verge of barfing all the =
time.
Maybe this is something I just have to deal with on my own or resign myself =
to
creating things no one will ever see. But just maybe someone out there in
clayland can offer me some words of wisdom. If not I'll understand and =
continue
to appreciate everything everyone on clayart has always contributed to me =
life.
TIA Becky in the hot Arizona sun (egad and it's only May)
Dannon Rhudy on wed 3 may 00
At 03:15 PM 5/2/00 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>------------------
>HELP!!!!!!!
>I've chosen to redirect my life somewhat and have one huge hurdle
....I have the talent, the skills, the equipment, the ideas and
>the products to really make a go of a clay business. ...
>everyone who sees my work loves it and buys it,... the thought of having
to go out and
>promote my work ..... makes me want to throw
>up, ....>
> So what to do. .
...................................
Well, if everyone who sees your work loves it and buys it,
you're off to a good start. HIRE AN AGENT to go around and
sell/place your work. Then you won't have to do it. It
will cost a percentage, but so what? You can spend all that
extra time in the studio, making more work to pay for the
cost of the agent.
regards
Dannon Rhudy
potter@koyote.com
Cindy Strnad on wed 3 may 00
Hi, Becky.
Well, I used to feel nauseated at the thought of selling Girl Scout cookies
door to door, but I'm not sure that's the same thing. We all have our
differing comfort zones, and at times, we all have to stretch them.
Selling good pottery isn't really all that difficult. I don't look at it as
selling--maybe that helps. I just scope out a store, and if it meets my
specs and the owner/clerk/whatever doesn't look too busy, I take a sample
piece out of my bag and ask if they'd be interested. Sometimes they say yes,
sometimes no, but they're always courteous and interested.
Actually, if it's the right time of year (before they've already put in all
their stock), they almost always say yes. That's because I don't offer my
pottery to anyone unless their store looks like a good environment for it,
and unless I like the contact person. If I walk into a store and look around
for 15 minutes or so, and no one greets me (and it's not because they're
swamped), I assume they won't be able to sell my pottery, so I don't bother
with them. I want more than a one-time sale.
I look at this as holding a conversation with another person, not trying to
"sell" them. If I thought of it as selling, I'm sure I'd feel just as you
do. Just do it, Becky. You'll soon feel comfortable with it and wonder what
the fuss was all about.
Best wishes,
Cindy Strnad
earthenv@gwtc.net
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
Jim Brooks on wed 3 may 00
Becky, I'm sorry to tell you..but you can't hide the rest of your life.!
There are , however, some things you can do to lessen the contacts. One
might be to have some postcards made..with your best work.. and send them to
all the galleries or outlets that you can define. "You can have this top
quality handthrown work in your establishment... I will call you in 7
days to discuss and/or set up an appintment." That way you dont have to go
in cold turkey.. and you'll know who might be interested... If you do
functional work.. start with the local kitchen shops, gift shops, malls etc.
Give a few pieces of your work where they will be seen.... If you have
family in your area.. get them to go in and ask if they stock your work..by
name... IF not, maybe they could give them a card.. or better yet.. get you
a card of interested businesses..
If you have local museums, contact the curators.. provide them with your
great pots for use during the receptions.. Local artist groups.. go to their
meetings.. and tell them what you are trying to do.. maybe even join a local
group or two.. Good luck... You can do it..!!! Believe in yourself... YOU
CAN DO IT.!!!. Jim in Dallas.
John Hesselberth on wed 3 may 00
Hi Becky,
I understand where you are coming from exactly. Even though I am now an
outspoken, obnoxious middle-aged + person, I didn't used to be that way.
I think I was just about like you some years ago. I think you'll find
lots of support from other people on the list who either have or have had
similar problems.
The best suggestion I can offer to you is to try to wholesale your work.
Can you face people who really want to buy for a few days a year? If you
think you could then talk to Wendy Rosen about her Philadelphia wholesale
shows. One in late July and one in February. The gallery/store owners
she attracts to her shows come with a budget to spend and they really
want to buy quality work. They are fun to talk to and they are there to
do business if you have a good product. If that still sounds like a
problem for you, hire someone to be with you in the booth for those few
days a year. Someone that is outgoing and able to initiate conversations
with potential buyers.
For me, overcoming my shyness took practice, practice, practice. I'm
still shy in social situations, but I have gotten to the point where I
enjoy interacting with potential buyers and, believe me, Wendy's buyers
are the easiest and most fun of all I've encountered to interact with.
Mostly because they are knowledgeable and they come to buy, not chat and
look. Good luck. You can do it! John
R Schroeder wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>------------------
>HELP!!!!!!!
>I've chosen to redirect my life somewhat and have one huge hurdle I can't
>seem
>to fight my way through. I hope someone has some ideas for me and anyone
>else
>likewise suffering. I have the talent, the skills, the equipment, the
>ideas and
>the products to really make a go of a clay business. I have a designer who
>knows my product would do well and will gladly display it in his business and
>everyone who sees my work loves it and buys it, So what's the problem? One
>outlet does not a business make but just the thought of having to go out and
>promote my work at fairs or to galleries or whatever just makes me want to
>throw
>up, literally. Like many artists I am shy and self deprecating when it
>comes to
>my art work even though in my non art careers I have been extremely
>successful.
>
> So what to do. I can't go around on the verge of barfing all the time.
>Maybe this is something I just have to deal with on my own or resign
>myself to
>creating things no one will ever see. But just maybe someone out there in
>clayland can offer me some words of wisdom. If not I'll understand and
>continue
>to appreciate everything everyone on clayart has always contributed to me
>life.
>TIA Becky in the hot Arizona sun (egad and it's only May)
John Hesselberth
Frog Pond Pottery
P.O. Box 88
Pocopson, PA 19366 USA
EMail: john@frogpondpottery.com web site: http://www.frogpondpottery.com
"Pots, like other forms of art, are human expressions: pleasure, pain or
indifference before them depends upon their natures, and their natures
are inevitably projections of the minds of their creators." Bernard
Leach, A Potter's Book.
Ed Kraft on wed 3 may 00
I feel like I wrote that post. I have gone to a few fairs but since I'm
disabled I need help which is hard to find. Even with the help, it is a
grueling endeavor. I work in my studio 7 days a week so I produce a fair
amount of pottery. I also have a couple of shops that regularly sell my
work. The bottom line is that I make more pottery than I sell. The only
thing I can think of is to lower my price to increase sells. This approach
should work but I hesitate to bring down the ire of the righteous poor
starving artist who needs every penny to feed their starving family(got
carried away there). I Have tried some "better galleries" and they seem not
interested unless you have a suitable reassume. One really good thing that
has come from this situation is that I pay less attention to what I perceive
the public wants or shall I say what they will buy and more time and energy
making what has meaning to me. I would like to sell more but the process has
its own rewards. Ed
Ed Kraft
eartharr@msn.com
----- Original Message -----
From: R Schroeder
To:
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2000 12:15 PM
Subject: selling vs barfing
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
------------------
HELP!!!!!!!
I've chosen to redirect my life somewhat and have one huge hurdle I can't
seem
to fight my way through. I hope someone has some ideas for me and anyone
else
likewise suffering. I have the talent, the skills, the equipment, the ideas
and
the products to really make a go of a clay business. I have a designer who
knows my product would do well and will gladly display it in his business
and
everyone who sees my work loves it and buys it, So what's the problem? One
outlet does not a business make but just the thought of having to go out and
promote my work at fairs or to galleries or whatever just makes me want to
throw
up, literally. Like many artists I am shy and self deprecating when it
comes to
my art work even though in my non art careers I have been extremely
successful.
So what to do. I can't go around on the verge of barfing all the
time.
Maybe this is something I just have to deal with on my own or resign myself
to
creating things no one will ever see. But just maybe someone out there in
clayland can offer me some words of wisdom. If not I'll understand and
continue
to appreciate everything everyone on clayart has always contributed to me
life.
TIA Becky in the hot Arizona sun (egad and it's only May)
Kathryn L Farmer on wed 3 may 00
Wendy Rosen's book, "Crafting as a Business" (?), suggests hiring an agent
under those circumstances. If you are lucky enough to be near a college, you
might be able to find a bright art student to peddle your wares for an
hourly wage. Although finding an experienced agent might be worth the higher
wage depending upon your market. In any case, it helps to have lots of bio
info available to accompany the work as it is shown.
You avoid unpleasant work and free yourself up to do what is most profitable
for you.
Good luck!
Kathryn
----- Original Message -----
From: "R Schroeder"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2000 3:15 PM
Subject: selling vs barfing
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
------------------
HELP!!!!!!!
I've chosen to redirect my life somewhat and have one huge hurdle I can't
seem
to fight my way through. I hope someone has some ideas for me and anyone
else
likewise suffering. I have the talent, the skills, the equipment, the ideas
and
the products to really make a go of a clay business. I have a designer who
knows my product would do well and will gladly display it in his business
and
everyone who sees my work loves it and buys it, So what's the problem? One
outlet does not a business make but just the thought of having to go out and
promote my work at fairs or to galleries or whatever just makes me want to
throw
up, literally. Like many artists I am shy and self deprecating when it
comes to
my art work even though in my non art careers I have been extremely
successful.
So what to do. I can't go around on the verge of barfing all the
time.
Maybe this is something I just have to deal with on my own or resign myself
to
creating things no one will ever see. But just maybe someone out there in
clayland can offer me some words of wisdom. If not I'll understand and
continue
to appreciate everything everyone on clayart has always contributed to me
life.
TIA Becky in the hot Arizona sun (egad and it's only May)
friedlover on wed 3 may 00
Everything we do is choices. You can go on as is; in the one store and by
personal opinion. You can ask a salesperson friend to represent you when
they have time. You can send pictures to stores so that they call you if
interested. You can take a public speaking course and deal with your fears
and conquer them. You can have a friend do the selling at fairs while you
read a book and answer if there's any questions....or just do it.
Good luck. Rhonda
----- Original Message -----
From: R Schroeder
To:
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2000 12:15 PM
Subject: selling vs barfing
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
------------------
HELP!!!!!!!
I've chosen to redirect my life somewhat and have one huge hurdle I can't
seem
to fight my way through. I hope someone has some ideas for me and anyone
else
likewise suffering. I have the talent, the skills, the equipment, the ideas
and
the products to really make a go of a clay business. I have a designer who
knows my product would do well and will gladly display it in his business
and
everyone who sees my work loves it and buys it, So what's the problem? One
outlet does not a business make but just the thought of having to go out and
promote my work at fairs or to galleries or whatever just makes me want to
throw
up, literally. Like many artists I am shy and self deprecating when it
comes to
my art work even though in my non art careers I have been extremely
successful.
So what to do. I can't go around on the verge of barfing all the
time.
Maybe this is something I just have to deal with on my own or resign myself
to
creating things no one will ever see. But just maybe someone out there in
clayland can offer me some words of wisdom. If not I'll understand and
continue
to appreciate everything everyone on clayart has always contributed to me
life.
TIA Becky in the hot Arizona sun (egad and it's only May)
Chris Campbell on wed 3 may 00
Becky-
I strongly suspect that selling your work is not what is making you want
to barf. It is the prospect of people telling you that your work really sucks
and they don't ever want it in their gallery and for that matter you should
never come back again either. Then they point their finger at you and begin
to laugh. Nightmare !
Galleries can only stay in business if they offer their customers new and
exciting things to see. New artists with new work is their life blood. A good
gallery will always be polite if you approach them to find out how to submit
your work and then behave professionally with pricing, payment and shipping
information all thought out and ready to go.
If you really are ill at this thought, then consider selling on-line at a
wholesale group site. I belong to http://www.wholesalecrafts.com and I don't
have to do any shows any more. All my work gets sold through them. The
artists pay to be on the site and the galleries get on free. Currently there
are over 300 artists and 3,000 galleries. Go take a peek.
Good Luck - Chris Campbell
Andie on thu 4 may 00
If it's any consolation at all, I feel the same way - in fact, the only way
I get through sales appointments at all is that I pack the pieces in small
bins and then have the multiple-bins-to-carry excuse for having my husband
along, who is VERY outspoken and charismatic. Then when I start
stuttering/blushing/etc, he jumps in and makes the sale. When I'm
particularly nervous about a certain appointment (at a big gallery, for
example) we even call him my "manager" or "head of sales", and I just smile
and stand there while he does all the talking. I've never had anyone act
weird about it yet, and it might work for you if you have a
spouse/sibling/friend with theatrical aspirations. (Yes, when he goes along
on appointments he DOES wear a blue suit.)
Andie
>>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>------------------
>>HELP!!!!!!!
>>I've chosen to redirect my life somewhat and have one huge hurdle I can't
>>seem
>>to fight my way through. I hope someone has some ideas for me and anyone
>>else
>>likewise suffering. I have the talent, the skills, the equipment, the
>>ideas and
>>the products to really make a go of a clay business. I have a designer
who
>>knows my product would do well and will gladly display it in his business
and
>>everyone who sees my work loves it and buys it, So what's the problem?
One
>>outlet does not a business make but just the thought of having to go out
and
>>promote my work at fairs or to galleries or whatever just makes me want to
>>throw
>>up, literally. Like many artists I am shy and self deprecating when it
>>comes to
>>my art work even though in my non art careers I have been extremely
>>successful.
>>
>> So what to do. I can't go around on the verge of barfing all the
time.
>>Maybe this is something I just have to deal with on my own or resign
>>myself to
>>creating things no one will ever see. But just maybe someone out there in
>>clayland can offer me some words of wisdom. If not I'll understand and
>>continue
>>to appreciate everything everyone on clayart has always contributed to me
>>life.
>>TIA Becky in the hot Arizona sun (egad and it's only May)
>
>
>John Hesselberth
>Frog Pond Pottery
>P.O. Box 88
>Pocopson, PA 19366 USA
>EMail: john@frogpondpottery.com web site: http://www.frogpondpottery.com
>
>"Pots, like other forms of art, are human expressions: pleasure, pain or
>indifference before them depends upon their natures, and their natures
>are inevitably projections of the minds of their creators." Bernard
>Leach, A Potter's Book.
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
http://im.yahoo.com
Joanne L. Van Bezooyen on thu 4 may 00
If you want someone to sell your art work, talk to
Jaime.....peteynet@uswest.net....she brokers art to interior designers.
Joanne in Tucson
Dannon Rhudy wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> At 03:15 PM 5/2/00 EDT, you wrote:
> >----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >------------------
> >HELP!!!!!!!
> >I've chosen to redirect my life somewhat and have one huge hurdle
> ....I have the talent, the skills, the equipment, the ideas and
> >the products to really make a go of a clay business. ...
> >everyone who sees my work loves it and buys it,... the thought of having
> to go out and
> >promote my work ..... makes me want to throw
> >up, ....>
> > So what to do. .
>
> ...................................
>
> Well, if everyone who sees your work loves it and buys it,
> you're off to a good start. HIRE AN AGENT to go around and
> sell/place your work. Then you won't have to do it. It
> will cost a percentage, but so what? You can spend all that
> extra time in the studio, making more work to pay for the
> cost of the agent.
>
> regards
>
> Dannon Rhudy
> potter@koyote.com
David McDonald on thu 4 may 00
Becky,
I second John Hesselberth's post. I have always had a big aversion to
selling my work, and doing shows was often quite unpleasant because of
that. Now I do Wendy Rosen's Philadelphia show in February once every
year, and so far, thank goodness, I seem to get most of a years work
lined up from it (including re-orders). And, as John recommended, I bring
along a friend, or even hire a companion for the show. One who is more
outgoing than me, and who likes the challenge that sort of opportunity
brings. I also do just a few retail shows every year, to keep some sort
of idea of what the people who buy the work for themselves think. This
combination works great for me. I love staying home most of the time, and
having the need for my work to be "sold" taken care of. David McDonald
On Wed, 3 May 2000 15:59:04 EDT John Hesselberth
writes:
> ----------------------------Original
> message----------------------------
> Hi Becky,
>
> I understand where you are coming from exactly. Even though I am
> now an
> outspoken, obnoxious middle-aged + person, I didn't used to be that
> way.
> I think I was just about like you some years ago. I think you'll
> find
> lots of support from other people on the list who either have or
> have had
> similar problems.
>
> The best suggestion I can offer to you is to try to wholesale your
> work.
> Can you face people who really want to buy for a few days a year?
> If you
> think you could then talk to Wendy Rosen about her Philadelphia
> wholesale
> shows. One in late July and one in February. The gallery/store
> owners
> she attracts to her shows come with a budget to spend and they
> really
> want to buy quality work. They are fun to talk to and they are
> there to
> do business if you have a good product. If that still sounds like a
> problem for you, hire someone to be with you in the booth for those
> few
> days a year. Someone that is outgoing and able to initiate
> conversations
> with potential buyers.
>
> For me, overcoming my shyness took practice, practice, practice.
> I'm
> still shy in social situations, but I have gotten to the point where
> I
> enjoy interacting with potential buyers and, believe me, Wendy's
> buyers
> are the easiest and most fun of all I've encountered to interact
> with.
> Mostly because they are knowledgeable and they come to buy, not chat
> and
> look. Good luck. You can do it! John
>
> R Schroeder wrote:
>
> >----------------------------Original
> message----------------------------
> >------------------
> >HELP!!!!!!!
> >I've chosen to redirect my life somewhat and have one huge hurdle I
> can't
> >seem
> >to fight my way through. I hope someone has some ideas for me and
> anyone
> >else
> >likewise suffering. I have the talent, the skills, the equipment,
> the
> >ideas and
> >the products to really make a go of a clay business. I have a
> designer who
> >knows my product would do well and will gladly display it in his
> business and
> >everyone who sees my work loves it and buys it, So what's the
> problem? One
> >outlet does not a business make but just the thought of having to
> go out and
> >promote my work at fairs or to galleries or whatever just makes me
> want to
> >throw
> >up, literally. Like many artists I am shy and self deprecating
> when it
> >comes to
> >my art work even though in my non art careers I have been extremely
> >successful.
> >
> > So what to do. I can't go around on the verge of barfing all
> the time.
> >Maybe this is something I just have to deal with on my own or
> resign
> >myself to
> >creating things no one will ever see. But just maybe someone out
> there in
> >clayland can offer me some words of wisdom. If not I'll understand
> and
> >continue
> >to appreciate everything everyone on clayart has always contributed
> to me
> >life.
> >TIA Becky in the hot Arizona sun (egad and it's only May)
>
>
> John Hesselberth
> Frog Pond Pottery
> P.O. Box 88
> Pocopson, PA 19366 USA
> EMail: john@frogpondpottery.com web site:
> http://www.frogpondpottery.com
>
> "Pots, like other forms of art, are human expressions: pleasure,
> pain or
> indifference before them depends upon their natures, and their
> natures
> are inevitably projections of the minds of their creators." Bernard
> Leach, A Potter's Book.
________________________________________________________________
YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET!
Juno now offers FREE Internet Access!
Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit:
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Jessica Klauzer-Zimmerman on thu 4 may 00
Becky--
I am in pretty much the same boat as you. I know that what I make is really
nice work and people would like to own it, but how to find those people? A
recent experience of mine might give you some strength, as it did me. I found
a shop in town that I really liked the work in and thought that my stuff would
look good there, too. It took me an entire year to get up the nerve to set up
a time to meet with the owner, but when I finally met her I realized that she
is just a person like me and one who really enjoys pottery. The neat thing
about this medium is that most people interested in buying pottery are also
interested in pottery itself. You don't have to be miss congeniality to have a
conversation about your work, to describe the process and to express your
enjoyment of it. People are probably more interested in the work itself than
in testing your social skills. Plus, a certain air of discomfort on your part
might come off as eccentric artist flair. You can never tell what you look
like from the outside, and it's usually much better than you project yourself
to look like in your own head. We are all our own worst critics. So basically
what I am saying is to just try to toss aside the self-consciousness for a few
moments until you get your foot in the door. If you smile, most people will
like you anyway.
Once you get past this first self-promotional grovelling session, and if you
are successful, your confidence will be boosted to help you with the next time,
until it is no longer you that is doing the grovelling.
Thanks for the opportunity to write this, as sharing my beliefs about this is
strenghthening my own fledgling attempts to GET MY WORK OUT THERE.
Best of luck,
Jessica Klauzer-Zimmerman
Boulder, Colorado
> R Schroeder wrote:
>
> >----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >------------------
> >HELP!!!!!!!
> >I've chosen to redirect my life somewhat and have one huge hurdle I can't
> >seem
> >to fight my way through. I hope someone has some ideas for me and anyone
> >else
> >likewise suffering. I have the talent, the skills, the equipment, the
> >ideas and
> >the products to really make a go of a clay business. I have a designer who
> >knows my product would do well and will gladly display it in his business
> and
> >everyone who sees my work loves it and buys it, So what's the problem? One
> >outlet does not a business make but just the thought of having to go out and
> >promote my work at fairs or to galleries or whatever just makes me want to
> >throw
> >up, literally. Like many artists I am shy and self deprecating when it
> >comes to
> >my art work even though in my non art careers I have been extremely
> >successful.
> >
> > So what to do. I can't go around on the verge of barfing all the
> time.
> >Maybe this is something I just have to deal with on my own or resign
> >myself to
> >creating things no one will ever see. But just maybe someone out there in
> >clayland can offer me some words of wisdom. If not I'll understand and
> >continue
> >to appreciate everything everyone on clayart has always contributed to me
> >life.
> >TIA Becky in the hot Arizona sun (egad and it's only May)
>
>
> John Hesselberth
> Frog Pond Pottery
> P.O. Box 88
> Pocopson, PA 19366 USA
> EMail: john@frogpondpottery.com web site: http://www.frogpondpottery.com
>
> "Pots, like other forms of art, are human expressions: pleasure, pain or
> indifference before them depends upon their natures, and their natures
> are inevitably projections of the minds of their creators." Bernard
> Leach, A Potter's Book.
>
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Send instant messages & get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger.
http://im.yahoo.com/
Ray Aldridge on thu 4 may 00
> If you really are ill at this thought, then consider selling on-line at a
>wholesale group site. I belong to http://www.wholesalecrafts.com and I don't
>have to do any shows any more. All my work gets sold through them. The
>artists pay to be on the site and the galleries get on free. Currently there
>are over 300 artists and 3,000 galleries. Go take a peek.
>
Chris, could you give me an idea of what they charge for their service? I
emailed them for pricing, but they insisted that I had to fill out a form
before they could tell me anything about their pricing, which annoyed the
dickens out of me, for some reason. I guess I ought to just go and do it,
but if you can give me an idea, I'd appreciate it.
Ray
Aldridge Porcelain and Stoneware
http://www.goodpots.com
Connie Christensen on thu 4 may 00
Hi Becky
I really understand how your feeling. I've concentrated on finding
galleries rather than doing fairs because I'd probably run to the back
and hide when a customer came in to the booth - not a good selling
technique.
I did do one fair recently but I shared the space with other artists
(which included ceramic jewelry and pottery). We got two spaces together
and made one large booth. This way we didn't have to be alone in the
booth and used the strengths of everyone, some of them were great at
talking to customers, and I did very well writing up sales and wrapping
and didn't need to hide once. Not all fairs will allow you to share a
booth, but if you can find one, it might be a good way to try it out -
plus you'll have the support of the other people in the booth.
Connie
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