[Woodcarver] Maura's First Carving Show

[TWWOODWORK at aol.com]

Hi Maura,
    Well, join in the fun. Read Joe Dillette's articles  in Woodcarving. 
Marketing is the name of the game. I won't go near a craft  show unless I am 
trying to sell items for $20. or mostly less. 
    As my wife told me, "go where the money is". I  know that sounds simple 
minded, but she pushes me to always go to the upscale  things, i.e., such as 
the Wintertur arts and crafts show that comes once a year. 
    I saw one gentleman who makes upscale tall  clocks there and he wrote up  
three orders while I stood there. No  order was less than $4,500. That sure 
got my attention. Another  acquaintance of mine used to make large hobby horses 
up to 5' high. He was truly  an artist with a paint brush. That is what 
really sold his things. He  never could sell much around here (in our immediate 
suburb). He went to several  shows annually on Long Island and that became his 
biggest market. Got about  $1200. for a 5' horse. Those folks in a lot of 
neighborhoods got lotsa'  money.
    It's a shame  to be crass, but you have to  find people who make money to 
sell. 
    I do custom woodturning and furniture repair.  Took a female greenwood 
teal duck to myist's office as he had asked to see  an example of my carving. 
When I brought it out, there were lots of oooh's and  aaah's. Since they were so 
interested, I pulled out my business cards and every  employee (about 8 or 
10) in the office asked for one and I walked out with and  order to repair an 
antique chair in the next couple of weeks. 
          
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