Chris Groat on fri 23 feb 07
I'll be in my first craft fair at the Greensboro coliseum in April. I make
functional pottery, like dinnerware and things like that, and I make
decorative crystalline vases. I just wanted to know how much stuff I
should have made before the craft fair. Does anyone have any advice?
Should I just make enough to fit on the table? Or should I make hundreds
of things in case I get a bunch of buyers? It's my first time, so I have
no idea what to expect.
Thanks,
Chris Groat
cliff daniels on fri 23 feb 07
Chris,
I did my first show last year. I fired three
kiln loads, including one firing I unloaded and
brought warm to the show mid day saturday. I
sold out. By sunday I was doing demos and taking
orders for things that people had left with me as
models. This year for the same show, I did five
kiln loads, sold 30% more pots, and had pots left
to sell, to give as gifts, and to show people
when they come by the shop. Make more of what
you know will sell. I could sell a thousand of
those little salt cellars. Put a sampling out of
everything, replace it as it gets sold. Sell
whatever you can. Who knows what tomorrow will
bring.
--- Chris Groat wrote:
> I'll be in my first craft fair at the
> Greensboro coliseum in April. I make
> functional pottery, like dinnerware and things
> like that, and I make
> decorative crystalline vases. I just wanted to
> know how much stuff I
> should have made before the craft fair. Does
> anyone have any advice?
> Should I just make enough to fit on the table?
> Or should I make hundreds
> of things in case I get a bunch of buyers? It's
> my first time, so I have
> no idea what to expect.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Chris Groat
>
>
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The Mud Man
Clifford Daniels
1 Calvin Coombs Rd.
Colrain, MA 01340
413-624-0251
mudmanpottery@yahoo.com
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Pamela Regentin on fri 23 feb 07
Hi Chris,
It completely depends on what kind of fair it is and what kind of crowd it attracts. Is it a juried show? If not juried will you be with other "crafters" who sell crocheted TP covers and have items for $5 or less? Does the crowd come expecting to pay for handmade work or are they looking for a bargain? If you know any other potters who have done the craft fair it would be worth it to find out their evaluation of the fair and the sales. Is the fair listed in a directory where they rate the shows and their sales? Also good to check out.
In general, though, for any sale or show it is good to have your booth as full as possible for visual appeal and to provide plenty of choices and price points for the buying crowd.
Good luck!
Pam
Chris Groat wrote: I'll be in my first craft fair at the Greensboro coliseum in April. I make
functional pottery, like dinnerware and things like that, and I make
decorative crystalline vases. I just wanted to know how much stuff I
should have made before the craft fair. Does anyone have any advice?
Should I just make enough to fit on the table? Or should I make hundreds
of things in case I get a bunch of buyers? It's my first time, so I have
no idea what to expect.
Thanks,
Chris Groat
______________________________________________________________________________
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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Ann Baker on sat 24 feb 07
Re: how much to take to the show.
A good idea is to calculate what your sales goal is for the show. Of
course we'd ALL love to make a million per show but... What I do is
calculate what I need to sell in order to pay ALL my expenses: travel,
food, lodging, booth, jury fees PLUS figure in say 20-30% to cover
materials and production cost of goods. This is your break even amount,
or a minimum sales goal!!!! Then figure what will be an amount above that
to make it worth your energy of doing the show (again, remember if you
sell $1000 your actually only making around $700 to $800 because of your
production/materials costs.
Be sure to pack enough merchandise to meet those goals and if you have
room pack more-incase sales are awesome.
IE:
-if booth/travel costs = $700 you need to sell $1000 to cover those costs
and break even
-If you're investing $1000 into something, how much profit makes it worth
your financial risk and effort? Is the show a long way away, etc...
Most people's first shows are relatively inexpensive, no where close to a
$1000 risk but just remember to ask yourself " is my effort intended to
MAKE MONEY for my business or for the emotional satisfaction as a part
time artist to see how the public receieves my work?"
I think the biggest weakness most first timers fall into is feeling elated
at selling a few hundred dollars worth of pots but when they really do the
numbers they see the sales didn't turn a profit. That's okay if you are a
hobbyist who wants to sell what you make to pay for the hobby, but just
beware of that false sense of a profit.
Last quick thought, as a first timer don't feel discouraged if you don't
turn much of a profit or even loose a little money, it takes time to find
your market and appropriate pricing, where is your niche: a local craft
show with many hobby crafters,in a fine arts/ fine crafts show? Or
somewhere in between.
GOOD LUCK, it's hard work but can be fun, remember to get booth visitors
to sign a mailing list even if they don't buy, this can be a valuable
resource in the future.
Chris Groat on sat 24 feb 07
I really appreciate all of the good advice. I've had my own studio for
less than a year now, and all of my sales have been to friends and family
and other people through word of mouth. I would have to say that I at
least break even with those sales. For the show I will heed the advice of
fellow clay-arters and make A LOT of stuff. I'd rather have too much than
too little. I am a little reluctant to pass out business cards and start a
mailing list because my potting career will come to an end this August :(
I guess I could bring a stack of business cards to the fair and just leave
them sitting out incase somebody wants to take one.
Chris
Paul Borian on sat 24 feb 07
my advice would be to find a better way to sell your pottery. I apprenticed
for two years at a studio owned by a friend of mine, he pretty much went
full time right out of high school and within a few years was making some
serious money - at one point he had 10 employees. He really cleaned up at
the sugarloaf craft fairs for a while and almost all his money was made at
shows. He had three vans and some weekends all three would be at different
shows.
About a year or two ago his credit card bill was $100,000 and he was
thinking about filing for bancruptcy. His only full time employess is an
illegal alien from guatemala who walked in off the street one day looking
for work - he is actually a good potter.
The shows just went down hill, gradually of course, but steadily. Craft
fairs are a thing of the past, just say no.
I make a lot more money working out of my garage and wholesaling most of it
that my friend. He is still "in business" but only because a relative of
his recenlty passed away and left some money, and because he owns his
buildings (paid them off when the shows were good).
don't be surprised if you come away from the show disapointed - but don't
give up either, there are better ways to sell pottery.
Paul
Chris Groat on sat 24 feb 07
Paul, I really appreciate your post. I feel like some people wouldn't have
had the 'balls' to say it. Pardon my french. I have never sold pots at
shows, but I have been to a few, and I can certainly see what you are
saying. Sometimes really good potters are overlooked. I am still going to
try to sell my stuff there. I will only be able to do pottery for a few
more months, so I might as well try to sell something at the show. After
that, I think I will try to sell some things through a few local art
galleries.
Chris
Larry Kruzan on sun 25 feb 07
Hi Chris, I am no king of the positive thinking thing but give me a break.
If you are going to just make a couple bucks and know that this is not
something you really want to succeed at - why bother? Every industry is
full of those folks who took a half hearted swing at something and gave up
at the first little bump in the road. Then they spend the next twenty years
sulking because they failed, just like they knew they would, or like others
said they would. You make the choice.
Art sales are hard work, craft sales are hard work, but every dollar is
earned BEFORE you get to the show. Preparation is key, tables, displays,
signage, hangtags, tent, business cards (they are expected of any
professional), Your dress, flowers and fresh fruits in some bowls etc., a
good nights rest before the show. Be Ready, Be Professional, Be Real and
you will be accepted as one, look and act like grandpa selling his brown
stained, pine potato boxes for a few extra bucks and you will be treated
like the part-time amateur.
Everyone has their goal and place where they want to be. For Paul it is
working in his garage selling wholesale, for Cliff, Pam, Ann, my self and
others here the art/craft fair markets are profitable and fun.
Having my own gallery at my studio where I can interact with my customers
has been essential to my success at fairs. In the beginning (two years ago)
I closely watched every customer that came into the store, what did they
pick up? What did they ooh and awe over, what did they pick up a second
time? Why did they stop in the first place? Additionally I went to a lot
of fairs and looked at what was selling, who was selling, who was NOT
selling and why not. My education continues every time a customer walks in,
every time I set up my tent I pay tuition for a new class in business. I
learn how to improve what I do with every show.
My first fair I did not know what to expect either but had a near sell out,
had to go back to the studio for more ware - twice. Went back this past
year to the same show with over 600 pieces priced from $2-400 and brought
back about 40 pieces to the studio. Preparation, knowledge, experience all
pay of with success.
I sat up my wheel at the corner of a double booth and threw pots for the
whole weekend, wife manned the cash register, son drove back and forth to
the studio with ware, boards, and brought back clay. Lots of spectators
came to the studio the next week to buy a "special" pot they saw me make, or
to place orders. I learned the first time I was there that the folks liked
to see how I make pots and know that I really did make pots. Money in the
bank.
I hope you do well - I know you can.
Larry Kruzan
Lost Creek Pottery
<<mailing list because my potting career will come to an end this August :(
I guess I could bring a stack of business cards to the fair and just leave
them sitting out incase somebody wants to take one.>>>>
Anne Webb on sun 25 feb 07
Chris...
I don't suppose you happened to check out the craft fair beforehand, did
you?
That's always a good practice so you have an idea of what you are getting
into. It lets you scope out the attendance, the character of the show, the
items for sale and which ones sell best, the kinds of displays people have,
and maybe even talk to a few artists along the way...
Without knowing anything about this particular show, I would say that
you should probably take as much as you can make. Things sell better on a
full display when it comes to functional ware. You can never have too many
mugs or bowls.
I assume your display will be comprised of a table?
If that's all you have, add interest to your table by adding risers to
display your work at different levels. Be creative. Stuff just at one level
isn't appealing. Depending how much work you have and what kind, you *could*
also build yourself some basic pedastles and perhaps use them for your more
artsy pots.
Also Use a table covering that doesnt detract from your pots/glazes (i have
seen someone use black felt quite nicely).
>I'll be in my first craft fair at the Greensboro coliseum in April. I make
>functional pottery, like dinnerware and things like that, and I make
>decorative crystalline vases. I just wanted to know how much stuff I
>should have made before the craft fair. Does anyone have any advice?
>Should I just make enough to fit on the table? Or should I make hundreds
>of things in case I get a bunch of buyers? It's my first time, so I have
>no idea what to expect.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Chris Groat
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Chris Campbell on sun 25 feb 07
Craft Fairs !!
Old joke about a potter who wins millions
in the lottery ... all his friends ask what
he is going to do now that he is rich ...
"Well, I guess I'll just keep doing
craft shows til the money runs out."
Funny, but too true.
Chris Campbell - in North Carolina
sacredclay on sun 25 feb 07
Larry, I am truly happy for you about your success.It leads me to ask
you as well as others, about a few other things. How many of you feel
that your family is part of your clay world? Part of your craft shows
and what not? Was it difficult at first to integrate them or are they
still groaning and kicking and screaming or are they enthusiastic
about it. someone close to me filmed me at my first wheelthrowing
demo and I had a flash in my mind, "This person is not part of my
clay world." Very abrupt and insightful.Odd that I had that flash, as
he wants nothing better for me than to succeed at what I do. Another
question is when you do your wheel thowing at show, what brings the
people in the most? I give out little balls of clay to the kids to
keep and dirty up the folks' car.Sometimes have them throw some clay
at a big vase that I've made.It's all gimmicky, but it's all awesome
to see their faces light up. What works for you? Warmly, Kathryn in
NC
> I sat up my wheel at the corner of a double booth and threw pots
for the
> whole weekend, wife manned the cash register, son drove back and
forth to
> the studio with ware, boards, and brought back clay. Lots of
Chris Groat on sun 25 feb 07
>Hi Chris, I am no king of the positive thinking thing but give me a break.
>If you are going to just make a couple bucks and know that this is not
>something you really want to succeed at - why bother? Every industry is
>full of those folks who took a half hearted swing at something and gave up
>at the first little bump in the road. Then they spend the next twenty
years
>sulking because they failed, just like they knew they would, or like
others
>said they would. You make the choice.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not copping out. I've got too much invested in
ceramics to just quit. I'll be doing ceramics for the rest of my life I'm
sure. I am currently putting everything I have into ceramics because I
love it and I know that my life will be headed in a different direction
come August. So don't think that I am going into it half-heartedly just
becuase I have to stop soon. It's quite the opposite. I will make the best
pots I possibly can, and I will try to sell them. That's just about all I
can do, right?
Larry Kruzan on sun 25 feb 07
Hi Kathryn,
The folks are pretty fascinated with just seeing the clay move up and then
be stretched out then shaped into the final form. I admit to being a little
of a "showman" and I try to keep up a steady conversation with the
bystanders. If anyone ever asks if it is easy, and is willing to get dirty,
I just move out of the way, slide a stool up and give them a beginner class
right there on the spot - they ALWAYS buy something afterwards. No cost to
me (I'm there any way) and the word gets out about my classes, that I'm a
good teacher, it was fun, etc.
I don't do demos at every fair or show - frankly I only go to just a few
-but I enjoy those where I can demo the best. The more Artsy the show is
the less likely I will demo - more likely I will be dressed nice with the
wheelchair washed free of clay talking like an "artist".
The last time we made small cup shapes for some of the kids that hung around
a lot and stamped their names on them - had them and the parents drop by the
studio the next week to pick them up, glazed, fired with the name visible.
No charge for the kids little tumblers - sold parents lots of pottery and
signed about half up for "Clay Camp" this winter. $75 each - two afternoons
- ten kids each of three sessions - net cost to me of around $30-40.
Cheapest advertising I did all year.
The family is becoming more involved with the work, especially the fairs and
shows. My wife recently discovered that she really like to carve on my
leather hard pots and is doing wonderful leaf and vine patterns. She helps
me teach the kids classes along with watching the store when I am teaching
or traveling.
My son is my heavy lifter and is starting to find his way into this media.
He is a blacksmith but finds things he can do in clay that are very
difficult of time consuming in iron. I hope he will move this direction but
I will not push - he is a major help to me physically.
Doing the shows provides exposure to new customers and reaffirms to existing
customers that I am a serious artist. Plus many folks see my advertising in
newspapers across Illinois and seeing me at a fair reminds them of that. We
work hard to trademark the name, logo, reputation, and name recognition is a
big part of that. A Holistic approach to promotion. Of course, if the
pottery is not up to par forget everything else. :O)
Thanks
Larry Kruzan
Lost Creek Pottery
>to see their faces light up. What works for you? Warmly, Kathryn in
NC
Anne Webb on mon 26 feb 07
Chris....
Take what people say with a grain of salt (nothing is gospel, just opinions)
and take a positive attitude with whatever you do.
If potting full time is the avenue you choose to pursue, I would encourage
you to explore ALL avenues to see what suits YOU best and know exactly what
you are getting into. Craft shows aren't perfect, but neither is
wholesaling or consignment.
Often times doing shows, especially when you are starting out, is a good way
to get your feet wet, see what might sell the best, get feedback, talk to
other artists, etc.. Start compiling your mailing list, regardless. Have
fun!
The key to good art marketing, and marketing in general, as has been
discussed many a time on clayart, is diversification. In less than ideal
economic times, we need to regroup and sometimes be more adaptable and
creative in our marketing just to stay afloat. Having all your eggs in one
basket it shortsighted.
Paul, I was sorry to hear of your friends bad times. Sometimes having a
large operation isnt all its cracked up to be. Your gross sales may be big
but your overhead is too. The chief complaint of people I have known who
expanded their business to accommodate growing market demand is that they
spent more time administrating, dealing with staff & staff headaches, and
not enough time on clay itself. ...and they still really weren't that much
further ahead.
Even the smartest business person can miss the mark in estimating when its
the right time scale back operations. Things getting ahead of you can
happen awfully fast.
I seem to remember one potter in Ontario, Don Zver, who had a larger
operation. He scaled back, got rid of staff, and only accepted orders for
what he could produce. Sounded pretty good to me.
Have fun at your first craft fair. Hope you do well. :)
Anne
Paul said:
>my advice would be to find a better way to sell your pottery. I apprenticed
>for two years at a studio owned by a friend of mine, he pretty much went
>full time right out of high school and within a few years was making some
>serious money - at one point he had 10 employees. He really cleaned up at
>the sugarloaf craft fairs for a while and almost all his money was made at
>shows. He had three vans and some weekends all three would be at different
>shows.
>
>About a year or two ago his credit card bill was $100,000 and he was
>thinking about filing for bancruptcy. His only full time employess is an
>illegal alien from guatemala who walked in off the street one day looking
>for work - he is actually a good potter.
>The shows just went down hill, gradually of course, but steadily. Craft
>fairs are a thing of the past, just say no.
>I make a lot more money working out of my garage and wholesaling most of it
>that my friend. He is still "in business" but only because a relative of
>his recenlty passed away and left some money, and because he owns his
>buildings (paid them off when the shows were good).
>
>don't be surprised if you come away from the show disapointed - but don't
>give up either, there are better ways to sell pottery.
>
>Paul
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Nancy on mon 26 feb 07
Chris
Think of your craft fairs as advertising. My first local show here in
upstate NY, I went with about 100 pieces, sold about 60. Gross profit
of 1500. Now I did not go just to sell but to give every person who
looked and even those who didn't, a business card. I had part of a
table set up with student pottery so they could see what they could
make. I have received quite a few orders from that show, a couple of
students and a great contact with a candy/nut company that sells my
pottery with their nuts/candies.
Shows are not just about what can I see right this minute, but think of
it as promoting yourself and your ware. They are worth the time and
investment. Getting your name out there on people's minds is great.
Nancy
www.hilltoppottery.com
Chris Groat wrote:
> Paul, I really appreciate your post. I feel like some people wouldn't have
> had the 'balls' to say it. Pardon my french. I have never sold pots at
> shows, but I have been to a few, and I can certainly see what you are
> saying. Sometimes really good potters are overlooked. I am still going to
> try to sell my stuff there. I will only be able to do pottery for a few
> more months, so I might as well try to sell something at the show. After
> that, I think I will try to sell some things through a few local art
> galleries.
>
> Chris
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> 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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