Paul Herman on fri 9 feb 07
Leigh,
Answers below.
Paul Herman
Great Basin Pottery
Doyle, California US
http://greatbasinpottery.com
On Feb 9, 2007, at 11:49 AM, Leigh Whitaker wrote:
> 1. Do you sell your work or plan on selling it at any point in time?
Yes, I both sell and plan, and plan to sell at any possible point in
time.
> 2. Do you consider yourself a professional, amateur, beginner, or
> something
> else?
Professional
> 3. Are you trained in ceramics/art? If so how? Art degree,
> apprenticeship, other? If not, how did you learn?
Mostly self trained. Started in high school, three semesters college,
after that a master's at Garage U.
> 4. What was your first sale? Tell me about it.
High school art class sale. I made a hundred bucks or something,
plenty enough to get my attention at 15 years old.
> 5. When did you (or will you) feel your work was 'good enough' to
> sell?
> How many years had you been in ceramics? Was there any goal you
> felt you had
> to reach before selling (i.e. productivity, skill level, etc...)?
Never gave it a thought. 38 years, 33 for a living. No, when I made
the stuff, I wasn't thinking about whether I could sell it. That came
later (wry grin).
> 6. Is selling your work your primary income or do you sell to
> finance your
> work?
It's been my only income for 33 years. The way I feel about it now
though, yes, I do sell to finance my work.
> 7. How many items do you make for sale, say, in a typical week?
> How much
> time do you spend on work to sell (do you work a 40 hour work
> week ;o) )?
Oh hell, I can't answer except to say sometimes it's 0 hours a week,
and sometimes 80 or 100. Depends on how much time until a wood
firing. It's a full time job and more.
> 8. How many items do you sell?
Lots. Too many to count. People always ask me "How many pots fit in
that kiln?' I don't know. Many hundreds.
> 9. How do you market your work? Internet, studio, shows, craft
> fairs?
Mostly sales directly to the public, from my showyard. A few gallery
sales, and a few sales from my website. Hey, I just sold a pot to a
lady in New Jersey! Aren't these internets a great thing?
Craft Faire?!! Don't point that thing at me!
>
> Thanks!
You're welcome, and best wishes,
Paul
Leigh Whitaker on fri 9 feb 07
So... I am nowhere near being able to sell anything, and I don't know if I
ever will be. Just doing it for a hobby, and having fun. But I am
interested in hearing about everyone else. I searched the archives and I couldn't
find a post like this, so I thought I'd ask! Please elaborate on any answers if
you feel like it!
1. Do you sell your work or plan on selling it at any point in time?
2. Do you consider yourself a professional, amateur, beginner, or something
else?
3. Are you trained in ceramics/art? If so how? Art degree,
apprenticeship, other? If not, how did you learn?
4. What was your first sale? Tell me about it.
5. When did you (or will you) feel your work was 'good enough' to sell?
How many years had you been in ceramics? Was there any goal you felt you had
to reach before selling (i.e. productivity, skill level, etc...)?
6. Is selling your work your primary income or do you sell to finance your
work?
7. How many items do you make for sale, say, in a typical week? How much
time do you spend on work to sell (do you work a 40 hour work week ;o) )?
8. How many items do you sell?
9. How do you market your work? Internet, studio, shows, craft fairs?
Thanks!
Lisa E on fri 9 feb 07
Hi Leigh.
Answers to the post below.
Lisa
www.LisaElbertsen.com
On 2/9/07, Leigh Whitaker wrote:
>
> So... I am nowhere near being able to sell anything, and I don't know if
> I
> ever will be. Just doing it for a hobby, and having fun. But I am
> interested in hearing about everyone else. I searched the archives and I
> couldn't
> find a post like this, so I thought I'd ask! Please elaborate on any
> answers if
> you feel like it!
>
> 1. Do you sell your work or plan on selling it at any point in time?
I do plan on selling it just for the extra cash. If I don't sell any, I
will not be heartbroken because I do pottery for me first as I love it.
2. Do you consider yourself a professional, amateur, beginner,
> or something
> else?
I have been doing pottery for 5 months now, so a true beginner!
3. Are you trained in ceramics/art? If so how? Art degree,
> apprenticeship, other? If not, how did you learn?
I have taken 4 pottery courses at community centers.
4. What was your first sale? Tell me about it.
I have yet to sell anything but I am in my second art show next week! I was
actually invited! I was shocked!
5. When did you (or will you) feel your work was 'good enough' to sell?
> How many years had you been in ceramics? Was there any goal you felt you
> had
> to reach before selling (i.e. productivity, skill level, etc...)?
Some of my stuff is nice but for the most part I am still beginning. I am
just feeling like I have control of the clay and when I sit down at the
wheel, I actually have specific pieces in mind and make those instead of
just seeing what happens.
I feel that my stuff is good enough to sell as soon as someone buys my first
piece. ;-)
6. Is selling your work your primary income or do you sell to finance your
> work?
I have a full time job but I work from home which allows me to run my kiln
during business hours while I work. Also if I have an hour or two I can
turn pots and put on handles, etc during the day. If I have 2 - 4 hours on
a slow day I will actually throw during business hours instead of waiting
for the weekend.
I would love to do pottery full time and make a living off of it. My set up
is small. My space is small and my kiln is tiny but perfect for the hobby
potter and I am extremely happy to have the space in my garage. One day I
want to build a proper studio on my property with electricity and running
water BUT that will probably happen if I win the lottery!
Who knows what my future holds. I am very happy now so if I did sell some
or ended up doing it full time, I would be euphoric but I am not holding my
breath. It is a nice to have not a need to have.
7. How many items do you make for sale, say, in a typical week? How much
> time do you spend on work to sell (do you work a 40 hour work week ;o) )?
None yet!
8. How many items do you sell?
> 9. How do you market your work? Internet, studio, shows, craft fairs?
I have a website and online gallery. I tell everyone what I do. My
background is sales and marketing so that comes naturally. I am slowly
marketing myself locally to see what happens. This second art show in one
month really helps!
Thanks!
>
>
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--
Lisa E
Sunny Daze Design Pottery Studio
SunnyDazeDesign@gmail.com
Squamish, BC Canada
www.lisaelbertsen.com http://picasaweb.google.com/SunnyDazeDesign
Snail Scott on fri 9 feb 07
At 02:49 PM 2/9/2007 EST, you wrote:
>1. Do you sell your work...
Yes
>2. Do you consider yourself a professional...
Yes
>3. Are you trained in ceramics/art? If so how?
Self-taught at first, then college
classes, then more self-teaching,
then a master's degree.
>4. What was your first sale? Tell me about it.
I started selling during high school, just
to supplement my allowance. Little things,
$15-$25. The first time I made more than I
needed (selling to grown-ups!) was a revelation -
my first hint that I could make more from art
than just pocket money and an ego boost.
>5. When did you (or will you) feel your work was 'good enough' to sell?
I still don't feel that it's good enough,
and I'm alternately defiant about it and
apalled at my own audacity. I need the
money, though. I started selling pretty
well WAY before my work was any good (even
by amateur standards) because people love
the idea of original art, and if $15 is
all they can afford, they are damn glad
to find art at that price. I have raised
my prices and quality since then, but I
still figure to let the customer decide
if it's worth buying. Some of that old
stuff still comes back to haunt me, but
that's life. I had to make that stuff to
get to the stuff I'm making now, and I
couldn't have kept making it without
selling it.
After taking actual classes in college,
I had some interest from studio visitors,
but I didn't plan to 'go pro' just yet.
I'd been stashing all that work on the only
unoccupied stretch of floor in my house,
though: on top of the in-floor furnaces.
When winter came around, I had to get all
that dang stuff out of the way, so I put it
in the back of my station wagon and drove
to the nearest gallery, and asked them if
they wanted any art. They owner followed
me out into the parking lot, and took a
couple of pieces on consignment right
then. I didn't really expect to sell
anything; but I figured a gallery was
like a storage unit that didn't cost me
anything, and I really needed to free up
those heaters! Totally the wrong way to
do it, but I was the right place at the
right time, just that once. (And a few
times since...)
>How many years had you been in ceramics?
Months, if that. Clueless.
Was there any goal you felt you had
>to reach before selling (i.e. productivity, skill level, etc...)?
I had to find a buyer. That's it.
>6. Is selling your work your primary income or do you sell to finance your
>work?
My primary income has alternated between
my day-job and my sales, depending on many
factors, including gallery representation
(both quality and quantity), the work (also
quality and quantity, and price), name
recognition or publicity in the area, and
the shifting relative income of my day
job(s).
>7. How many items do you make for sale, say, in a typical week?
Hah! A few a month, if that. For my
usual sculpture, that's really cranking
'em out.
>time do you spend on work to sell...
Since I began teaching, only about 20 hours
a week. More during unemployment. ;) When I
was in the studio full time, it was 40-50
hours, but less productive ones, I found.
I seem to do my best work at 30 hours a
week, with some time spent in the 'real
world' instead.
>8. How many items do you sell?
All of them, I hope! ;)
>9. How do you market your work?
I used to rely on gallery publicity, and
on gallery guides (when I had a regular
gallery in a town with a guide!) Now, I'm
regouping after graduate school, and I'm
not actively promoting the work until
I'm more sure of where I'm headed with it.
I don't expect to seek regular gallery
representation again until then. I am
focusing on juried and invitational shows
for now, and relying more heavily on my
day job for a while. The better day job
will also allow me to step back from a
'salability'-driven mode and try a few
things without worrying about the rent.
-Snail
Eleanor on sat 10 feb 07
>
> 1. Do you sell your work or plan on selling it at any point in time?
I have just started selling and plan to continue.
> 2. Do you consider yourself a professional, amateur, beginner, or
> something
> else?
Something else. And all of the above.
> 3. Are you trained in ceramics/art?
A bit.
> If so how? Art degree,
> apprenticeship, other? If not, how did you learn?
Several years of weekly classes at the Brooklyn (NY) Museum back in
the 50's, a hiatus of about 10 years while I had children and no
nearby access to classes, then off and on classes and workshops.
> 4. What was your first sale? Tell me about it.
About three years ago. I had invited some friends for lunch, they saw
my work on display in my dining room and insisted on buying.
> 5. When did you (or will you) feel your work was 'good enough' to
> sell?
Never, really. I continue to find fault with my work and continue
trying to make it better. When someone buys something, I am surprised
-- but it's a good feeling.
> How many years had you been in ceramics?
I started around 1953, always part time, always as a hobby.
> Was there any goal you felt you had
> to reach before selling (i.e. productivity, skill level, etc...)?
Just getting over my fear of failure. By the time I started to sell,
I had amassed a lot of stuff. I think a lot of people get started
that way -- just to make room for more stuff.
> 6. Is selling your work your primary income or do you sell to
> finance your
> work?
Neither. But when I make some money I spend it on something frivolous
or for the house or for my studio.
> 7. How many items do you make for sale, say, in a typical week?
Never counted.
> How much
> time do you spend on work to sell (do you work a 40 hour work
> week ;o) )?
I work 10-20 hours a week. I don't make things _specifically_ to
sell. I just make what I like or I try new forms and techniques. If I
like the results, I will offer what I make for sale. All my work is
functional.
> 8. How many items do you sell?
I haven't sold enough to warrant keeping track.
> 9. How do you market your work? Internet, studio, shows, craft
> fairs?
From home or craft sales.
Interesting survey. I hope it's enlightening.
Eleanor Kohler
Centerport, NY
Lois Ruben Aronow on sat 10 feb 07
Oooh.... I love these polls.
>1. Do you sell your work or plan on selling it at any point in time?
Yes
>2. Do you consider yourself a professional, amateur, beginner, or
something else?
Professional, because that is how I attempt to make income. It has no
bearing on whether I (or anyone) is and good at it or not.
>3. Are you trained in ceramics/art? If so how? Art degree,
apprenticeship, other? If not, how did you learn?
I am the product of many teachers, both clay and life, and an insatiable
curiosity for materials of all kinds.
>4. What was your first sale? Tell me about it.
A green salad bowl. It was $25, and I remember it as being very nice. It
was my most expensive piece, and it was at my studio's holiday sale. The
guy who bought it was a friend who gave it to his mom for Christmas. She
still has it, uses it, and I often see it when I am at her house.
5. When did you (or will you) feel your work was 'good enough' to sell?
How many years had you been in ceramics? Was there any goal you felt you
had to reach before selling (i.e. productivity, skill level, etc...)?
I still don't, but I completely lose interest in my work when it comes out
of the kiln.
I felt "ready" when my best friend (also a potter - totally by coincidence)
saw 3 large boxes of work in my basement when she was helping me get ready
for a stoop sale. She sold the entire lot in about an hour, made $400. I
bought her dinner, because I couldn't sell the work myself and kept
apologizing to people who bought it.
6. Is selling your work your primary income or do you sell to finance your
work?
Both.
7. How many items do you make for sale, say, in a typical week? How much
time do you spend on work to sell (do you work a 40 hour work week ;o) )?
Too many. I can throw 30 bowls in about an hour and a half these days. I
work roughly 5 hours a day (I have kids) and usually a full day on the
weekend - for many reasons and no reason at all.
8. How many items do you sell?
In total, I have no idea. I'll tell you when I do my taxes. I know I sold
about 600 mugs.
9. How do you market your work? Internet, studio, shows, craft fairs?
I was doing "the circuit", but felt it was too much like gambling, so I only
do Baltimore W/R and high-end when I am lucky enough to get in. I don't
have the "gypsy" gene. My work rarely fits in at "craft fairs", and is not
in the right price range for them anyway. I hate outdoor shows - I
guarantee it will rain that day. There are several DIY "pop-up" shows here,
and I might do some, depending on how much work I get at Baltimore. Good
way to get rid of seconds, and, as long as there are no zeppole stands and
tube sock vendors, it's not like a street fair.
This year I am doing a design show, which probably means I'll have to work
3x as hard to make the money back. I'm still debating whether it is the
right decision. I'll let you know in May.
>Thanks!
You're Welcome!
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Bunny Lemak on sun 11 feb 07
1. Do you sell your work or plan on selling it at any point in time?
Yes
2. Do you consider yourself a professional, amateur, beginner, or
something else?
Yes - all of the above!
3. Are you trained in ceramics/art? If so how? Art degree,
apprenticeship, other? If not, how did you learn?
I started out taking ceramic classes at a local store (it was slipcast
only) They really liked my work, so they sent me to different paint
companies "schools" and I have several certificates with many of the top
paint companies.
I have also taken private clases on learning to throw, using the
slabroller and handbuilding with stoneweare. Also took classes in Raku.
4. What was your first sale? Tell me about it.
I'm not really sure what I sold for my first piece, but a good friend of
mine told me I was ready to sell to the world. So he introduced me to a
shop owner in Scottsdale, AZ. She loved my work and buys several things
monthly - that started 10 years ago!
5. When did you (or will you) feel your work was 'good enough' to sell?
How many years had you been in ceramics? Was there any goal you felt you
had to reach before selling (i.e. productivity, skill level, etc...)?
I have never really felt my work was 'good enough' but apparently others
disagree with me! :0) I don't know if there is a certian "time" that
makes you ready or not.
6. Is selling your work your primary income or do you sell to finance
your work?
Nooooooooooo!! It started out as a hobby-gone-bad. My husband told me we
were running out of space, either sell these things or get rid of them!
Well, that got me off my butt........I guess I sell things to 1) make room
for more, and 2) to keep my addiction to clay going.
7. How many items do you make for sale, say, in a typical week? How much
time do you spend on work to sell (do you work a 40 hour work week ;o) )?
Some weeks I work like mad to keep up with orders, other times I don't
work for days. Hard to answer for me.
>8. How many items do you sell?
It all depends......some years I sell a lot, other years, hardly anything.
9. How do you market your work? Internet, studio, shows, craft fairs?
Marketing is my biggest problem. I HATE to go out and try to sell my
wares to businesses, but that for me is the best way to go. Internet?
never tried it. Crafts shows - yes I did that for a few years, but never
again. I cannot stand to set up a booth and sit there while people pass
me by. OR they come over pick up a piece and make comments about their
grandmother used to do ceramics - Grrrr...... :0( Ceramics/pottery
change all the time, I don't do ceramics like grandma!!
Thanks!
No problem- these polls/surveys are fun - you get to see what everyone
does and their opinions. You asked some good questions!
Bunny
Deborah Woods on mon 12 feb 07
Hi, I don't think I'll answer all the questions but I'll give a few a
shot. I've started selling in the last 6 months. I set up my studio last
spring, and started selling in the fall. But, I had a background and 5
years of experience in school, a BFA in ceramics. Still, I have a lot of
pots in my scrap heap, and I started selling when I started getting work
from the kiln that I would want to buy or at least that I could be proud
to say was my work (although there are a lot of pieces floating around
from college pottery sales that I hope are broken by now).
For me, the attempt is for pottery to be my primary income. I have no
desire to do it otherwise. I don't live, eat and breathe clay like some.
It's a better job than many out there, but it is a job to me. Maybe my
attitude will change some over time. If I can't make my financial goals in
a reasonable time, then I will likely go back to cooking (I was a sous-
chef). I probably have more of a passion for cooking, but when you spend 5
years and a lot of someone elses money on an education, I guess the least
I can do is give it a shot.
If I can make my financial goals and avoid a 40 hour week, I will
gladly do so. Society has set a 40 work week. I didn't go into business
for myself to follow the established guidelines.
Right now I sell my work in a coffee shop, a co-operative gallery and
a gift shop, but I am gearing up and building inventory for shows. Oh, I
am in the process of designing my own web-site, but it's not up yet.
However, I have a temporary page at www.jupitersmoonpottery.com with just
three photos of some cups I've recently made (and sold) if you'd like to
see some of my work (although it's not representational of all my work).
Hope this info was helpful.
Eleanor on sun 18 feb 07
>
> 1. Do you sell your work or plan on selling it at any point in time?
>
I have just started selling and plan to continue.
> 2. Do you consider yourself a professional, amateur, beginner, or
> something
> else?
>
Something else. And all of the above.
> 3. Are you trained in ceramics/art?
>
A bit.
> If so how? Art degree,
> apprenticeship, other? If not, how did you learn?
>
Several years of weekly classes at the Brooklyn (NY) Museum back in
the 50's, a hiatus of about 10 years while I moved to the suburbs and
had children and no nearby access to classes, then off and on classes
and workshops. And I have a large collection of pottery books which I
actually read :) and I look at pictures of pottery and go to
exhibitions and museums to look at others' work.
> 4. What was your first sale? Tell me about it.
>
About three years ago. I had invited some friends for lunch, they saw
my work on display in my dining room and insisted on buying.
> 5. When did you (or will you) feel your work was 'good enough' to
> sell?
>
Never, really. I continue to find fault with my work and continue
trying to make it better. When someone buys something, I am surprised
and pleased -- it's a good feeling.
> How many years had you been in ceramics?
>
I started around 1953, always part time, always as a hobby.
> Was there any goal you felt you had
> to reach before selling (i.e. productivity, skill level, etc...)?
>
Just getting over my fear of failure. By the time I started to sell,
I had amassed a lot of stuff. I think a lot of people get started
that way -- just to make room for more stuff.
> 6. Is selling your work your primary income or do you sell to
> finance your
> work?
>
Neither. But when I make some money I spend it on something frivolous
or for the house or for my studio.
> 7. How many items do you make for sale, say, in a typical week?
>
Never counted.
> How much
> time do you spend on work to sell (do you work a 40 hour work
> week ;o) )?
>
I work 10-20 hours a week. I don't make things _specifically_ to
sell. I just make what I like or I try new forms and techniques. If I
like the results, I will offer what I make for sale. All my work is
functional.
> 8. How many items do you sell?
>
I haven't sold enough to warrant keeping track.
> 9. How do you market your work? Internet, studio, shows, craft
> fairs?
>
From home or craft sales.
Interesting survey. I hope it's enlightening.
Eleanor Kohler
Centerport, NY
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