[Woodcarver] shows vs. galleries

[nancydenis]

I agree with Marcia, selling through galleries has advantages. You do not 
need to collect sales tax, you don't need to fight off those "acquaintances" 
that want you to sell for $10, the gallery usually has a strong customer 
base and in my opinion pricing is much easier. I currently work with four 
galleries in three states. The last gallery I connected with is a very high 
end gallery and believe me it is a pleasure to deal with a gallery that pays 
up front at better than expected prices. The better galleries work hard to 
help promote your name so customers come back again and again to buy work by 
you.

Just my opinion.

Denis

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marcia Berkall" <whitwood at fairpoint.net>
To: "[Woodcarver]" <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:16 AM
Subject: [Woodcarver] shows vs. galleries



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> Well, I suppose I may be outnumbered here, but my experience has been the 

> opposite.  I used to do a lot of art/craft shows but for the past 10 years 

> have found that galleries and high end gift shops have worked out a lot 

> better for me.  I think a lot depends on price range.  In Maine, at least, 

> it seems that people have a "flea market" mentality about craft shows, 

> even the better ones (and art shows!).  I have done shows throughout New 

> England, some with entry fees as high as $500 or more.  When you figure in 

> the expenses of doing a show like that, including motel, food, travel, 

> etc, the 40 or 50% that galleries charge suddenly doesn't sound so bad. 

> Add to that the fact that since working with galleries, my prices have 

> tripled.  Carvings that were a struggle to sell for $85 at shows are now 

> selling for $250 and more through galleries and shops. With shows, it's a 

> numbers game.  A certain percentage of people may buy.  Yes, they do have 

> money or plastic in their pockets, but most are looking for a good bargain 

> and few are prepared to spend hundreds of dollars on one carving. There 

> were many times when my under $50 items saved the show for me.  My goal is 

> not to carve small items, though, so that just doesn't work FOR ME. A GOOD 

> gallery or gift shop owner knows the clientele and is able to connect your 

> work with a collector/purchaser and IMHO is worth the commission.  I do 

> some local demonstrations just to keep people aware that I am here, but 

> for me shows are history.  I have over $1000 in display equipment in my 

> cellar...I think it's time to sell it. :)  I will add that when starting 

> out, I think shows can be a big help in giving you some exposure.  Getting 

> your name out there is important.

>

> Marcia (aka Mush)

> South China, Maine

>

> See Marcia's wood carvings at:

> http://www.pivot.net/~whitwood

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