tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650505838849412496.post1652954018590262143..comments2024-03-22T09:01:35.039-07:00Comments on Fine Mess Pottery: Making Art, and Making MoneyLori Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636118097692465116noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650505838849412496.post-74938883765088995242015-08-27T12:31:34.404-07:002015-08-27T12:31:34.404-07:00As I go into show season, this is my ongoing inter...As I go into show season, this is my ongoing internal debate, shows or stores, or just hang it up. For this season I am doing shows, but trying to decrease costs by adding in stops along the way for other reasons, or hotel or gas sharing by carpooling, which is tough unless I carpool with a jeweller. It is not an easy road we have chosen, that is for sure!!!Nancy Bloklandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13222785996055485731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650505838849412496.post-3316966647558770332015-08-23T10:32:43.380-07:002015-08-23T10:32:43.380-07:00Lori, I raised the prices of some of my work for t...Lori, I raised the prices of some of my work for the farmer's market; there are some who are drawn to the work but look at the prices and walk out but there are also some who snatch pieces up and don't bat an eyelash. Some have told me they've been looking for a special or unique piece for quite some time and I suspect they are splurging on a meager budget. Some potter's in this area have a more muted or earthy pallete and folks have remarked they like my brighter, variable glaze colors and contemporary style of pottery; you might find the same to be true in your area. I have a mid sized SUV so that helps, but packing and unpacking is a drag, we wish we could afford a small trailer so we can keep it all packed up but that's somewhere off in the distance.Linda Starrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04364078667554676592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650505838849412496.post-49003203773365998322015-08-23T08:28:33.703-07:002015-08-23T08:28:33.703-07:00Those are some interesting numbers on average sale...Those are some interesting numbers on average sales at the top shows. Thank you for sharing that info.<br />My partner and I have considered doing more shows. We currently do 2-3 small shows a year and two larger ones. Only one of the larger shows involves a high booth fee and big travel expenses. We are doing ok with a combination of the shows, online sales, some consignment & wholesale, along with our own studio sales gallery... but we would like to do a little more than ok!Michèle Hastingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11346907762804197879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650505838849412496.post-32569326997833389082015-08-23T08:21:27.015-07:002015-08-23T08:21:27.015-07:00Hence the reason I quit and got a job at a garden ...Hence the reason I quit and got a job at a garden shop! After I did my taxes last year, I felt like a dumbass for how hard I worked, how much spent and then to get so little in return. Now I go to work, love the guys I work with, love the beautiful plants, the farmers that shop with us, the gardeners. Mostly love the money that goes into my bank account every two weeks<br />I don't miss the "show business" one dang bit!Tracey Broomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14560971496423789576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650505838849412496.post-54050315549571148382015-08-23T07:49:40.615-07:002015-08-23T07:49:40.615-07:00There is a farmer's market in Augusta but I fi...There is a farmer's market in Augusta but I find my prices, although modest for studio pottery, are too much for my impoverished city. The farmer's market in Portland might be able to support these price points, but it is 58 miles away: more costs, more time, and I can only bring so much ware, with display, in my Kia. <br />Still, might try it in the fall. Lori Wattshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08636118097692465116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650505838849412496.post-15440509391686668642015-08-23T07:38:07.636-07:002015-08-23T07:38:07.636-07:00I could never afford to go to a show with those ex...I could never afford to go to a show with those expenses, nor could I make the inventory needed. I've been doing my local farmer's market, two miles from my home so it is extremely convenient. The cost for a covered booth (10 x 18 with electricity) is about $250 for the season (June through October) Tuesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. I have yet to go on Tuesdays. I just got a permanent spot about six weeks ago (there are 89 vendors both food and arts/crafts). My income is steadily increasing and I know I could double my income if I take credit cards, hope to invest in that soon. People are now asking "will you be here next Saturday"? Several local stores now want to carry my work and lots of folks are becoming repeat customers and others are referring folks to me. There is another potter at the market but he makes a completely different type of work than I do. A soap vendor started purchasing some of my mini ribbon vases and leaf plates to package with her soaps and wants more. We have a lot of tourists in this area so every Saturday different people show up to the market. <br /><br />Do you have a farmer's market near you? The income isn't nearly as much as an art or craft show but slow and steady selling retail direct and building a local customer base, I am finding, is really worth my time. Linda Starrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04364078667554676592noreply@blogger.com