Wisdom of the Craft Sellers

Crackedpots

• Crackedpots.org is an environmental art organization that focuses on waste reduction and reuse. Our events feature up-cycled artwork made from at least 80% recycled materials.
• Edgefield | Glean | ReClaimit!

Know Thyself

• Know your capabilities and capacity and push it a little
• Find your fit - show research
• Design Process

Calls to Artists

• Where? Towns, craigslist, calendars, other artists, RACC
• Criteria - don't push it
• Is this a good location for your work? Test? Network
• Are you familiar enough with computers to apply as requested?
• *Take Quality Pictures

Applying

• Keep things streamlined, short, sweet and professional.
• Don’t make assumptions - give dimensions, your email, ask questions, be responsive
• Make it easy to work with you - Don’t be too creative or cute with application

You got a "No"

• Don’t take it personally & don’t make accusations. We are working under conditions that require certain work for various reasons. Such as criteria, recycled, outdoor, weight of the work, demographics of location, is there work like it already.

You're Accepted!

• Read the emails and contract carefully especially in regards to expectations on you. Art focus & sales focus How are you going to take money? Do you have diverse work that will allow you to test the audience?
• Don't be hard to work with.

Making & Tracking

• Bust it out!
• Develop a regular making practice.
• Over deliver - inventory, set up
• Know how you work
• Start Small
• Inventory Sheets with photos

Set Up

• Observe: Merchandizing, Signage, Display
• Tool kit, Packaging, Cards, Story Tags
• Height, Color, Weight, Lighting, Ease of Set Up

Pricing

• Can be a sensitive conversation - soul forward | boundaries firm - Application Fees - Registration Fees - Booth Fees - Commissions rates (?) - Cost of doing business - Cost of Goods - Advertising
• Group Shows

Break Even | Make $

• Do you know your break even point? Set sales goals! What price point do most people buy at ? $10 - 60 @ the store - N.PDX How much do you think you make per hour making and selling your work?
• Get feedback - go to shows and observe pricing of other folks

Rules of Thumb

• If you can make $10 dollars an hour on your work you are doing pretty well. Got a time heavy piece no one is buying? Test your work in a different demographic and locations. Alter it. Find out what sells, be efficient at making it and repeat - evolve. What are your goals for making the work. Joy? Money? Both?

Marketing

• Unfair advantage
• Style
• Look & Feel
• Objective 3rd Party
• There is enough for everyone

The Model

• Business looks different - service, rental, offset fees, workshops, education
• Customer Interface -whincing

Concerns

• Competition
• Copy Catting - Like Work
• Accountability Partners
• Business & Art Support
• Accountability Partners

Mind Set Tricks

• Don't take it personally! Feedback loops make you better
• Experiment & check out The Lean Start Up - Eric Reis
• Get clear and honest with yourself about what you want.
• Make Mistakes & Learn

Play and Explore

Contact Information

• Chelsea Info@crackedpots.org
• Call for Artists Sign Ups