[Woodcarver] Muras first show report

[Ivan Whillock]

The first few shows are not a selling experiences; they are educational
ones.  The people have no way of knowing the value of your work until they
see it with a value placed on it.  The closest relationship many people have
to carving is  with knick knacks and quite logically expect prices to be
similar.  That's not strange because none of us automatically knows the
value of items we've not seen priced before.  We can't blame the buyers when
they expect a ten inch carving and a ten inch figurine to cost the same.

It is up to wood carvers to educate the public.  That's the importance of
getting out, displaying your wares, and letting the people learn that it has
value.  To drop your prices to the price of a knick knack defeats your
efforts to make a living and does nothing to advance the notion that your
work has artistic value.

It sometimes gets frustrating to have people show interest and then pass you
buy when they discover the price, but put yourself into their shoes.  When
you went car shopping you probably got sticker shock, looked over several
options before you determined the amount  a new car would cost you and
whether you cared to buy at that price.

People also need affirmation.  They need to know that they are not making a
foolish purchase.  Seeing your work, not just once, but again and again,
lets them know that you are not a fly-by-night operation.