Dai Scott on sat 3 feb 01
Hi, Judy - regarding your note to Terrance, it has been my experience
(20-odd years of selling and demonstrating) that if you are set up to
demonstrate, even when youhave finished pots on display for sale, people
love to stand and watch, even asking questions, etc., but will then walk
away without buying---sometimes even to the next pottery booth where NO ONE
is throwing, and buy their wares. I don't know what the rationale
is---whether they don't want to interrupt the demo (even if you have another
person on hand to handle sales), or what. But I do know that the
shows/fairs that I have been demonstrating at have had consistently lower
sales than when I have only had a sales display. Any theories out there?
What's the experience of other potters?
Dai in Kelowna, BC, at the end of a gorgeous spring-y day!
potterybydai@home.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Judy Kanigel"
To:
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2001 10:22 AM
Subject: Re: Free workshops, free demos.
> Terrance,
> I'm on your side about getting paid, BUT if you also can display and sell
> your pottery in this fair, then I would consider your demos as
advertising.
> People would naturally be drawn to your booth where the action is, and
> probably your sales would benefit.
> The singers and dancers on the other hand are selling ONLY their
> performances- what you see for them is what you get.
> Judy in Cambridge.
>
> > Terrance Lazaroff wrote:
> >
> > > Here is another twist on free work shops. An organisation that puts
> > > together street festivals called me telling me that they saw my work
and
> > > thought it was great and that they wanted to know if I was interested
in
> > > renting a tent kiosk during one of the international festivals.
> > I thought
> > > about it and asked the price. They told me it would cost $600.00 for
six
> > > days for my kiosk and that I would have to set up my wheel and animate
> > > pottery to Joe public at the same time. The festival was one
> > of music so I
> > > asked if the singers and dancers had to pay to sing and dance
> > in front of
> > > the public. The person said no way they were stars and they cost the
> > > organisation a fortune. I then asked if the singers and
> > dancers had to pay
> > > the cost of the stage. Again the same answer. I can't repeat
> > my thoughts
> > > without being cut off clayart. I asked them why the singers
> > got paid by the
> > > organisation and why did I had to pay. Their response was that
> > potters have
> > > a passion for what they do and they were always willing to do
> > this type of
> > > work for free. They also added that it would be good publicity. Big
> > > mistake. I told them politely that they were out to lunch and hung
up.
> > >
> > > Terrance
> > >
> > >
> > __________________________________________________________________
> > ____________
> > > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> > >
> > > You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> > > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> > >
> > > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> > melpots@pclink.com.
> >
> >
> > --
> > Earl Brunner
> > http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
> > mailto:bruec@anv.net
> >
> > __________________________________________________________________
> > ____________
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> > melpots@pclink.com.
> >
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Terrance Lazaroff on sat 3 feb 01
Here is another twist on free work shops. An organisation that puts
together street festivals called me telling me that they saw my work and
thought it was great and that they wanted to know if I was interested in
renting a tent kiosk during one of the international festivals. I thought
about it and asked the price. They told me it would cost $600.00 for six
days for my kiosk and that I would have to set up my wheel and animate
pottery to Joe public at the same time. The festival was one of music so I
asked if the singers and dancers had to pay to sing and dance in front of
the public. The person said no way they were stars and they cost the
organisation a fortune. I then asked if the singers and dancers had to pay
the cost of the stage. Again the same answer. I can't repeat my thoughts
without being cut off clayart. I asked them why the singers got paid by the
organisation and why did I had to pay. Their response was that potters have
a passion for what they do and they were always willing to do this type of
work for free. They also added that it would be good publicity. Big
mistake. I told them politely that they were out to lunch and hung up.
Terrance
Earl Brunner on sat 3 feb 01
Bet they found some shmuck to do it....
Terrance Lazaroff wrote:
> Here is another twist on free work shops. An organisation that puts
> together street festivals called me telling me that they saw my work and
> thought it was great and that they wanted to know if I was interested in
> renting a tent kiosk during one of the international festivals. I thought
> about it and asked the price. They told me it would cost $600.00 for six
> days for my kiosk and that I would have to set up my wheel and animate
> pottery to Joe public at the same time. The festival was one of music so I
> asked if the singers and dancers had to pay to sing and dance in front of
> the public. The person said no way they were stars and they cost the
> organisation a fortune. I then asked if the singers and dancers had to pay
> the cost of the stage. Again the same answer. I can't repeat my thoughts
> without being cut off clayart. I asked them why the singers got paid by the
> organisation and why did I had to pay. Their response was that potters have
> a passion for what they do and they were always willing to do this type of
> work for free. They also added that it would be good publicity. Big
> mistake. I told them politely that they were out to lunch and hung up.
>
> Terrance
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
--
Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
mailto:bruec@anv.net
ILENE MAHLER on sat 3 feb 01
GOOD FOR YOu..If more people did this We would not be taken advantage
of...Ilene in Conn.. awaiting my pyrometer and kilnmaster to start
Chrystals
Terrance Lazaroff wrote:
>
> Here is another twist on free work shops. An organisation that puts
> together street festivals called me telling me that they saw my work and
> thought it was great and that they wanted to know if I was interested in
> renting a tent kiosk during one of the international festivals. I thought
> about it and asked the price. They told me it would cost $600.00 for six
> days for my kiosk and that I would have to set up my wheel and animate
> pottery to Joe public at the same time. The festival was one of music so I
> asked if the singers and dancers had to pay to sing and dance in front of
> the public. The person said no way they were stars and they cost the
> organisation a fortune. I then asked if the singers and dancers had to pay
> the cost of the stage. Again the same answer. I can't repeat my thoughts
> without being cut off clayart. I asked them why the singers got paid by the
> organisation and why did I had to pay. Their response was that potters have
> a passion for what they do and they were always willing to do this type of
> work for free. They also added that it would be good publicity. Big
> mistake. I told them politely that they were out to lunch and hung up.
>
> Terrance
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Judy Kanigel on sat 3 feb 01
Terrance,
I'm on your side about getting paid, BUT if you also can display and sell
your pottery in this fair, then I would consider your demos as advertising.
People would naturally be drawn to your booth where the action is, and
probably your sales would benefit.
The singers and dancers on the other hand are selling ONLY their
performances- what you see for them is what you get.
Judy in Cambridge.
> Terrance Lazaroff wrote:
>
> > Here is another twist on free work shops. An organisation that puts
> > together street festivals called me telling me that they saw my work and
> > thought it was great and that they wanted to know if I was interested in
> > renting a tent kiosk during one of the international festivals.
> I thought
> > about it and asked the price. They told me it would cost $600.00 for six
> > days for my kiosk and that I would have to set up my wheel and animate
> > pottery to Joe public at the same time. The festival was one
> of music so I
> > asked if the singers and dancers had to pay to sing and dance
> in front of
> > the public. The person said no way they were stars and they cost the
> > organisation a fortune. I then asked if the singers and
> dancers had to pay
> > the cost of the stage. Again the same answer. I can't repeat
> my thoughts
> > without being cut off clayart. I asked them why the singers
> got paid by the
> > organisation and why did I had to pay. Their response was that
> potters have
> > a passion for what they do and they were always willing to do
> this type of
> > work for free. They also added that it would be good publicity. Big
> > mistake. I told them politely that they were out to lunch and hung up.
> >
> > Terrance
> >
> >
> __________________________________________________________________
> ____________
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
> --
> Earl Brunner
> http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
> mailto:bruec@anv.net
>
> __________________________________________________________________
> ____________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
Earl Brunner on sat 3 feb 01
See, I TOLD you they could get someone to do it!!!
Judy Kanigel wrote:
> Terrance,
> I'm on your side about getting paid, BUT if you also can display and sell
> your pottery in this fair, then I would consider your demos as advertising.
> People would naturally be drawn to your booth where the action is, and
> probably your sales would benefit.
> The singers and dancers on the other hand are selling ONLY their
> performances- what you see for them is what you get.
> Judy in Cambridge.
>
>
>> Terrance Lazaroff wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Here is another twist on free work shops. An organisation that puts
>>> together street festivals called me telling me that they saw my work and
--
Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
mailto:bruec@anv.net
Millie Carpenter on sun 4 feb 01
Judy,
I would politly disagree with you on the singers and dancers selling only their
performance.
granted I go mostly to the free or less expensive ones at my local county parks,
and local restaurants, coffee houses etc. I have bought CD's, T-Shirts, and
some of the CD's were recorded live which must cut down a little on their studio
costs. but I don't think that they pay to perform. or give a percentage of their
sales to the organizers. And you should see some of the merchandise my kids came
home from rock concerts with. the last concert my son went to, he came home with
the t-shirt, which makes him a walking publicity billboard at least once a
week, CD, and a poster.
Maybe we should get buskers licences and set up wheels on street corners, do
performance Raku in the town squares. charge extra for double signing pots like
the printmakers do.
Millie in Md.
Judy Kanigel wrote:
> Terrance,
> I'm on your side about getting paid, BUT if you also can display and sell
> your pottery in this fair, then I would consider your demos as advertising.
> People would naturally be drawn to your booth where the action is, and
> probably your sales would benefit.
> The singers and dancers on the other hand are selling ONLY their
> performances- what you see for them is what you get.
> Judy in Cambridge.
Chris Schafale on sun 4 feb 01
I would love to see a movement toward demonstrating potters
getting paid a reasonable compensation. People do love to watch
us do what we do, and I for one love showing them. However, I've
almost entirely quit doing these because it's so much extra work to
pack up what seems like my whole studio and bring it to a show,
especially when I'm also bringing pots to sell. Another pet peeve is
that, not only do they want you to do demos, but they want to you
pay extra for an electrical hookup so you can have the privelege of
providing this free entertainment. And as far as having the demos
promote sales, I think that's outweighed by the fact that I can't sell
pots, attend to potential customers, take money, wrap pots, etc.,
when I'm up to my elbows in clay. So, in order to demonstrate, I
have to get another person to come with me, so they can sell while
I work.
Many requesters don't seem to realize what they're asking -- I had
to turn down a school the other day, asking me to come give
demos for their Heritage day (actually about 2 hours). I did this
last year, and I spent at least 5 hours preparing, packing, loading,
driving to the location, unloading (in the pouring rain), setting up,
then breaking down, loading (in the rain some more), driving home,
unloading, unpacking, putting my studio back together, in addition
to the 2 hour demo. What did I get paid? A $25 honorarium. Now,
it's not that I expect public schools to be able to come up with the
$150 that would be more adequate compensation, but I just can't
spend a whole day doing that kind of thing.
I wish I had a wheel that weighed about 25 lbs, and folded into a
carrying case that I could carry in one hand. I'd just keep it in the
truck all the time -- have wheel, will demonstrate....
Chris
Light One Candle Pottery
Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, USA
(south of Raleigh)
candle@intrex.net
http://www.lightonecandle.com
Judy Kanigel on sun 4 feb 01
Okay you guys, you've convinced me -free demos don't work. Thanks for the
lesson.
Humbly chastened,
Judy
> See, I TOLD you they could get someone to do it!!!
>
> Judy Kanigel wrote:
>
> > Terrance,
> > I'm on your side about getting paid, BUT if you also can
> display and sell
> > your pottery in this fair, then I would consider your demos as
> advertising.
> > People would naturally be drawn to your booth where the action is, and
> > probably your sales would benefit.
> > The singers and dancers on the other hand are selling ONLY their
> > performances- what you see for them is what you get.
> > Judy in Cambridge.
> >
> >
> >> Terrance Lazaroff wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>> Here is another twist on free work shops. An organisation that puts
> >>> together street festivals called me telling me that they saw
> my work and
>
> --
> Earl Brunner
> http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
> mailto:bruec@anv.net
>
> __________________________________________________________________
> ____________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
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