Susan Fox-Hirschmann on thu 23 oct 03
Yes! Yes! the business and promotional knowledge are a must. As I say, even
the kids I teach are "potential customers" and they do have PARENTS!
But along with that is an important grasp of structure, design, color trends,
and a pulse on what people are buying. Also a willing desire to change and
keep changing as the spirit/demand for different kinds of pieces changes. Once
you start establishing customers, they do not want to come to a show and see
the same thing. They will be interested in new work, so a full time potter,
especially if you are doing some of the same shows for several years, needs to
think of new work that will coordinate with "old" designs. You want your
customers in your booth thinking "hey that is something new that will go with what
I bought last year!"
In 1979, when I started putting reeds in all my pieces....wow, I noticed a
trend. All of a sudden I would go to shows in the early 80's and most every
potter had reeds or some fiber stuck in their work. After commiserating about
this state of affairs for a while, i decided I needed to just keep changing to
provide the customer something new....a step ahead. Went back to the Corcoran
and did their papermaking classes, and now I add handmade paper to much of the
work. Not something everyone really wants to "imitate" cause of the time
involved. but it has become part of me, who I am....this clay and fiber thing.
Yet, it continues to change.
Funny but true: the "seasoned" customers that you acquire over the years,
(such as the ones that attend the Ann Arbor Art FAir) will walk in the booth and
KNOW which pieces are new, somehow, tho they have not seen my work in an
entire year!
I also listen to my customers, cause sometimes their suggestions are really
cool. Sometimes I will entire avoid those suggestions. The trick is to know
which in your heart you can follow.
Design! Design! Design! Be fresh and new and it will help you stay in
business!
good luck!
Susan
Annandale, VA
www.silverhawk.com/ex99/hirschmann
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