Kathy McDonald on sat 21 jan 06
First, hello again .....I took a few months off Clayart and the net.
I missed you all.
I've been focusing on making pots..lots of pots, ( I know quantity
doesn't always equal quality.) I've been firing about a kiln load a =
week,
(20 cu ft of kiln)........and still keeping my day job 3/4 time. =20
They are not spectacular pots
but they are decent pots.=20
I do a few small craft sales but my major sales
venues are tourist type craft stores and local galleries and in
summer, farmer's markets.
Lately craft store owners are stating that other local potters
have been reducing their basic price on what I call "bread and butter"
items..mugs, casseroles, tpots pate sets etc.
My wholesale prices are very reasonable..ie 6 or 7 bucks for a mug,=20
22 for a small casserole and until recently I've had no trouble
selling them...now it seems the bottom has fallen out of the market.
%The hi- end market is still ok...but there are only so many customers
that will pay 100 plus for a pot and these are normally special orders=20
or projects.
Now is the time for throwing summer orders..normally I would need
to be making about 150 mugs for wholesale..this year I have orders for =
50.
That kinda says it all.
Its always been a goal of mine to have a stock of pots sitting around=20
so that when someone called I could say sure cmon over I got lots.
I have certainly accomplished that but it means about 4500 worth of pots =
are sittin unsold and unseen. Even when I was a full time potter 15
years ago that would never be the case. There was always a show or =
sale.
Both spring shows here have been cancelled.
Store owners and sale organizers are finding it hard to make that bottom =
line.=20
All potters in this area are facing it. Orders are down, more stores =
want lots of=20
stock..but on consignment...or alternatly they want a lower wholesale =
price.
They are also reluctant to try any "new" lines or more interesting pots,
even on consignment. They want "tried and true" and they want to set it
up so it looks like there's a lot of it (hmmm big box marketing??)
Some potters have cut prices, they are getting the orders. =
sooooooooo.....
Is it better to cut prices a bit...work harder to produce more,=20
and get your stuff out there to compete in the market, or hold on=20
and hope that time will level the playing field?
I know we've discussed the looking for other markets issue...but for me, =
my market
has to be local for the next few years at least. There are really not =
many
"art type galleries....mostly small craft shops that are hanging in by a =
thread.
I've been potting for about 30 years now and have never faced this =
dilemma,
especially during a time when frieght, materials, and fuel costs are =
rising=20
so dramatically.
I've also never had to actively try to get shops to take my stuff,,,they =
normally
came to me wanting more.
So...times are tight here on the prairies...I am sincerely interested in =
hearing
anyone's take on the dilemma.
Email me privately...or post to the list, whatever is your preference. =
Thanks!
Kathy McDonald
If I cut prices on the "basics"
--=20
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.21/235 - Release Date: =
1/19/2006
=20
Earl Brunner on sat 21 jan 06
I don't know what the answer is for you Kathy, but i think what you have here is a recipe for burnout.
Earl Brunner e-mail: brunv53@yahoo.com
----- Original Message ----
From: Kathy McDonald
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2006 6:22:06 AM
Subject: Advice needed: Should I cut my prices???
First, hello again .....I took a few months off Clayart and the net.
I missed you all.
....................................
Is it better to cut prices a bit...work harder to produce more,
and get your stuff out there to compete in the market, or hold on
and hope that time will level the playing field?
I know we've discussed the looking for other markets issue...but for me, my market
has to be local for the next few years at least. There are really not many
"art type galleries....mostly small craft shops that are hanging in by a thread.
I've been potting for about 30 years now and have never faced this dilemma,
especially during a time when frieght, materials, and fuel costs are rising
so dramatically.
I've also never had to actively try to get shops to take my stuff,,,they normally
came to me wanting more.
So...times are tight here on the prairies...I am sincerely interested in hearing
anyone's take on the dilemma.
Email me privately...or post to the list, whatever is your preference. Thanks!
Kathy McDonald
If I cut prices on the "basics"
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.21/235 - Release Date: 1/19/2006
______________________________________________________________________________
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You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
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Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
steve graber on sat 21 jan 06
maybe rather then drop prices, make the products all slightly bigger then normal. slightly more "pot for the dollar" then another potters' bowl or mug. or even as an upgrade on your own style.
or offer enticements such as "for every $100 spent, get a free ---whatever----. or cluster products with a discount when buying as a group.
or add handle accents to the regular bowls. even a button accent or something. make it stand out or have a second or third function.
some larger bowls can be made with foot features that lend themselves to be hung on a wall. this could be addapted to smaller bowls as a way to also display the bowls or provide raw function for people with no more cabnet space.
you kind of make it sound like the products have gone stale, or the people in the area are bored with the pots they have been seeing. change it up!
see ya
steve
Kathy McDonald wrote: First, hello again .....I took a few months off Clayart and the net.
I missed you all.
I've been focusing on making pots..lots of pots, ( I know quantity
doesn't always equal quality.) I've been firing about a kiln load a week,
(20 cu ft of kiln)........and still keeping my day job 3/4 time.
They are not spectacular pots
but they are decent pots.
I do a few small craft sales but my major sales
venues are tourist type craft stores and local galleries and in
summer, farmer's markets.
Lately craft store owners are stating that other local potters
have been reducing their basic price on what I call "bread and butter"
items..mugs, casseroles, tpots pate sets etc.
My wholesale prices are very reasonable..ie 6 or 7 bucks for a mug,
22 for a small casserole and until recently I've had no trouble
selling them...now it seems the bottom has fallen out of the market.
%The hi- end market is still ok...but there are only so many customers
that will pay 100 plus for a pot and these are normally special orders
or projects.
Now is the time for throwing summer orders..normally I would need
to be making about 150 mugs for wholesale..this year I have orders for 50.
That kinda says it all.
Its always been a goal of mine to have a stock of pots sitting around
so that when someone called I could say sure cmon over I got lots.
I have certainly accomplished that but it means about 4500 worth of pots
are sittin unsold and unseen. Even when I was a full time potter 15
years ago that would never be the case. There was always a show or sale.
Both spring shows here have been cancelled.
Store owners and sale organizers are finding it hard to make that bottom line.
All potters in this area are facing it. Orders are down, more stores want lots of
stock..but on consignment...or alternatly they want a lower wholesale price.
They are also reluctant to try any "new" lines or more interesting pots,
even on consignment. They want "tried and true" and they want to set it
up so it looks like there's a lot of it (hmmm big box marketing??)
Some potters have cut prices, they are getting the orders. sooooooooo.....
Is it better to cut prices a bit...work harder to produce more,
and get your stuff out there to compete in the market, or hold on
and hope that time will level the playing field?
I know we've discussed the looking for other markets issue...but for me, my market
has to be local for the next few years at least. There are really not many
"art type galleries....mostly small craft shops that are hanging in by a thread.
I've been potting for about 30 years now and have never faced this dilemma,
especially during a time when frieght, materials, and fuel costs are rising
so dramatically.
I've also never had to actively try to get shops to take my stuff,,,they normally
came to me wanting more.
So...times are tight here on the prairies...I am sincerely interested in hearing
anyone's take on the dilemma.
Email me privately...or post to the list, whatever is your preference. Thanks!
Kathy McDonald
If I cut prices on the "basics"
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.21/235 - Release Date: 1/19/2006
______________________________________________________________________________
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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Chris Trabka on tue 31 jan 06
Kathy,
It is that time of year to review the sales/income from last year. I noted
that it was not quite as good as the year before. I also noted that the
cost of firing my gas kiln has gone up 100%+. Am I surprised that demand is
down? No. What can I do as a potter. Pay attention to details,
craftmanship, quality. Will my prices go down? With costs going up for
supplies/fuel, I expect that prices will go up on selected items.
Chris
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