wshirley1 on sun 12 oct 03
Hello,
A group of us in the Fort Scott/Pittsburg, Kansas and Joplin/Carthage
Missouri area are having our first open studio tour in November. If
anyone has any advice I'd sure like to hear it.
We have put together a nice color brochure with a map and one pottery
photo for each artist. Some of us have existing mailing lists which we
will combine to create one big list. It'll be on Friday evening,
Saturday, and Sunday afternoon, the weekend before Thanksgiving. Some
of the artists will have guest artists of different media on hand during
the show times too.
My own personal problem is: What do you suggest is the best way to
handle an open studio event when my "studio" is a two-car garage with
only overhead doors? I'm afraid it will be cold, so am afraid to leave
a door up the whole time. Especially since I will be demonstrating at 2
and 4 pm Saturday and Sunday. The idea of opening the house doesn't
appeal to me for various reasons. Of course, that may be my only
option. Anybody have any ideas?
Also, how do you handle tax numbers? I assumed we would each need one,
but one of the other potters said she didn't plan to get one because it
was a hassle. (She already operates a gallery at her studio.) I still
plan to get one just to stay legit. What do you think?
Thanks for any input.
Sylvia Shirley
Pittsburg, Kansas
David Hendley on mon 13 oct 03
1. Garage studio:
The weather in November in Kansas could be great. I would optimistically
plan on that, and have a Plan B, in case it is cold or raining.
If it is cold, you could keep one door closed and have some sheets of
plywood on hand to close off most of the area of the open door.
If you do have it closed off, put a display of pottery outside, so people
will know they are in the right place and will be enticed to come inside.
2. Sales tax permit:
In my opinion, if you have taken the step of producing brochures, you
are "in business" and should apply for a sales tax permit. Don't concern
yourself with your neighbor's lack of following the rules.
It can, in fact, be beneficial to hold a sales tax permit, since you can
buy materials tax-free.
David Hendley
david@farmpots.com
http://www.farmpots.com
----- Original Message -----
> Hello,
>
> A group of us in the Fort Scott/Pittsburg, Kansas and Joplin/Carthage
> Missouri area are having our first open studio tour in November. If
> anyone has any advice I'd sure like to hear it.
>
Earl Brunner on mon 13 oct 03
Maybe some radiant heaters if needed and you could tack up some
large clear plastic like they use for indoor painting drop cloths. You
could create a kind of pass through with overlapping plastic that would
allow people to get in.
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of wshirley1
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2003 6:41 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: First ever open studio tour
Hello,
My own personal problem is: What do you suggest is the best way to
handle an open studio event when my "studio" is a two-car garage with
only overhead doors? I'm afraid it will be cold, so am afraid to leave
a door up the whole time. Especially since I will be demonstrating at 2
and 4 pm Saturday and Sunday. The idea of opening the house doesn't
appeal to me for various reasons. Of course, that may be my only
option. Anybody have any ideas?
Also, how do you handle tax numbers? I assumed we would each need one,
but one of the other potters said she didn't plan to get one because it
was a hassle. (She already operates a gallery at her studio.) I still
plan to get one just to stay legit. What do you think?
Thanks for any input.
Sylvia Shirley
Pittsburg, Kansas
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Mondloch on tue 14 oct 03
We haven't done a fall tour, but our spring open house has been very good
for us.
I would try to make the "crispy fall day" part of the charm. A coffeepot
with free hot cider, fudge brownies and pumpkin bars. Maybe a couple
interesting gourds in your bowls. A radiant heater near your demo area
might not be a bad idea- as much for your comfort as theirs. Can you have
the space well heated Before the event so that your pots and everything else
in there is warm?
Your demos are going to be geared to your customers- not other potters so
you don't need allot of detailed- 'then you put your left hand here' type
instruction. They just want to share a sense of what you do. Having a few
pots made the day before and sitting out can add atmosphere too.
Mark and I have someone else take care of wrapping and taking money so we're
free to schmoze and discuss our work. You want to make it a fun pleasant
experience for your customers so that everytime they see that pot they
bought it will bring back a warm fuzzy memory.
good luck!
Sylvia Mondloch
---
Mark & Sylvia Mondloch
Silver Creek Pottery & Forge
W6725 Hwy 144
Random Lake ,Wi 53075
HotArt@silvercreekpottery.com
http://www.silvercreekpottery.com
NANCY GUIDO, on wed 15 oct 03
We had a "Christmas Tree chopping down party" once and hosted the neighborhood party in our 2-1/2 car garage. The weather was slushy and cold. We put strips of visqueen (?) (that heavy clear plastic sheeting) up, overlapping each other, over the doors. That kept the heat in and the wet out. We have a kerosene heater that we actually shut off after all the bodies were in the garage as it got too warm, but the strips of visqueen allowed everyone in and out and the rain and wind out. I think my husband probably used a staple gun to attach it to the wood on the inside of the garage.
I served chili, hot cider, cocoa, and hot dogs. It was a good time in the garage.
That would work for an open studio tour. I think you can buy the visqueen in a large roll and cut strips to the size that you want.
Nancy Guido
www.guidohandmadetile.com
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