Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
I just discovered the work of Katie Turner. Below is my current favorite and very applicable I must say. Check out her site. Buy something. Enjoy.
"Boyfriend Criteria" - Katie Turner
"Boyfriend Criteria" - Katie Turner
Monday, August 23, 2010
| CLAY ON THE WHEEL - All Levels | |
 with Gina DeSantis Mondays 6:30 - 8:30pm, 6 weeks Session I: Sept 13, 20, 27, Oct 4, 11 & 18 Session II: Oct 25, Nov 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 Class fee: $150 Class fee includes: 25 lbs of clay, glazes, firings Registration deadline: Session I Sept 7 Session II Oct 19 These classes are offered at Art House in Cleveland, Ohio. Call 216.398.8556 to register today! | |
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Florence +The Machine - Drumming Song
New Obsessions....
You need to hear Florence and the Machine. This CD has been on repeat for months now. Totally inspiring. Enjoy.
You need to hear Florence and the Machine. This CD has been on repeat for months now. Totally inspiring. Enjoy.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Hand Building with Clay. All levels.
These classes are taught at my studio in the Lake Erie Building (AKA The Screw Factory Artist Studios). Sign up soon. Spots are limited.
This 4 week class is perfect for beginners or more seasoned students. Basic methods of hand building including slab building, coiling and pinch pots will be covered along with decorating techniques. Students are encouraged to bring ideas to class. Demonstrations will be given at the beginning of each class then students will work independently on their projects. Its a small class therefore you will have a lot of one on one instruction.
Cost $105.00. Payment must be made to secure your spot in the class. Cancellations will be refunded minus a $25.00 charge for supplies up to one week before the class. No exceptions.
Class minimum size is 3 students. Maximum is 8. Sign up early to secure your space! Please note there is no air conditioning in the space. It can be toasty sometimes. If for some reason its too hot to hold class I will provide multiple make up times.
Email artzy_grl@yahoo.com for more information.
Times/Dates: Wednesday evenings from 7-9pm.
Session 1: Aug 25, Sept 1, Sept 8, Sept 15
Session 2: Sept 22, Sept 29, Oct 6, Oct 13
***no classes will be held in Nov or Dec due to my holiday shows.
These classes are taught at my studio in the Lake Erie Building (AKA The Screw Factory Artist Studios). Sign up soon. Spots are limited.
This 4 week class is perfect for beginners or more seasoned students. Basic methods of hand building including slab building, coiling and pinch pots will be covered along with decorating techniques. Students are encouraged to bring ideas to class. Demonstrations will be given at the beginning of each class then students will work independently on their projects. Its a small class therefore you will have a lot of one on one instruction.
Cost $105.00. Payment must be made to secure your spot in the class. Cancellations will be refunded minus a $25.00 charge for supplies up to one week before the class. No exceptions.
Class minimum size is 3 students. Maximum is 8. Sign up early to secure your space! Please note there is no air conditioning in the space. It can be toasty sometimes. If for some reason its too hot to hold class I will provide multiple make up times.
Email artzy_grl@yahoo.com for more information.
Times/Dates: Wednesday evenings from 7-9pm.
Session 1: Aug 25, Sept 1, Sept 8, Sept 15
Session 2: Sept 22, Sept 29, Oct 6, Oct 13
***no classes will be held in Nov or Dec due to my holiday shows.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Rethinking.
I have just completed the Lakewood Arts Festival. Its my last big show until November. The weather was perfect and the crowd was steady. They were there to shop although the one thing missing from shows the past few years have been large sales. The kind of sales that pay for your entire booth in one big swoop.
My frustrations are mounting with sales this year. I do not rely on my art sales as income. But I would be lying if I said I didn't hope that these sales could provide a steady secondary income. On the bright side I have a healthy inventory for holiday shows so I don't need to panic and crunch to make work. Just have to crank out some ornaments. This means I can experiment and work on the wall pieces some more.
It also means I can focus on grant applications. I just invested $150 in a new backdrop and light tent. I think its worth the investment in the long run to have a reliable set up for portfolio and website shots. I hate photographing my work and frankly I think I'm really really bad at it. Well lit photos are what I need to get some $$$.
But as always I'm sitting here wondering how long it will take me to get a return on my investment...
I have just completed the Lakewood Arts Festival. Its my last big show until November. The weather was perfect and the crowd was steady. They were there to shop although the one thing missing from shows the past few years have been large sales. The kind of sales that pay for your entire booth in one big swoop.
My frustrations are mounting with sales this year. I do not rely on my art sales as income. But I would be lying if I said I didn't hope that these sales could provide a steady secondary income. On the bright side I have a healthy inventory for holiday shows so I don't need to panic and crunch to make work. Just have to crank out some ornaments. This means I can experiment and work on the wall pieces some more.
It also means I can focus on grant applications. I just invested $150 in a new backdrop and light tent. I think its worth the investment in the long run to have a reliable set up for portfolio and website shots. I hate photographing my work and frankly I think I'm really really bad at it. Well lit photos are what I need to get some $$$.
But as always I'm sitting here wondering how long it will take me to get a return on my investment...
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Lakewood Arts Festival. Saturday, August 7th. 10am-6pm.
I hope to see you there! Its my first year in the show. All the info can be found here.
Monday, August 02, 2010
Craft Show Booth Merchandising 101
A very very very long time ago I worked in retail hell. While I hated it for the most part (the bad pay, the mean customers, inevitably getting sick right before Christmas every year due to exhaustion) I learned a lot of things that have helped me as an artist. I was a Visual Merchandiser in home furnishing so it lends itself to ceramics. I never intended to be a Merchandiser nor did I go to school for it. I fell into it and as it turns out I was quite good.
When I go to art shows I sometimes cringe. Its hard to set up your booth at first and every show becomes a trial and error. Here are some tips that I hope help in merchandising your work effectively.
1. Always have finely pressed tablecloths that extend all the way to the floor. No matter how great the rest of your booth looks seeing boxes under the table can totally distract the eye. Wrinkles are messy and make you look lazy. You spent a lot of time preparing for the show and making new work. Take a few minutes to make sure that is exemplified in your booth.
2. Color block. This is soooo important. I have brightly colored work. If I kept all of the mugs together, all of the plates together, etc it would be a bombardment of the senses. If I organize the work by color suddenly the eye can rest easy and the shopper can easily target the colors that appeal to them.
3. Make sure your displays enhance your work rather that distract from it. One great example is a local artist that uses cigar boxes to show off his jewelry. His style is clean, masculine and has a weathered antique look. The boxes create varying levels of height and accentuate the work. His displays garner just as much attention as the work but you can resist his pieces because of how it draws you in.
4. Don't set all of your work on the table with no varying degrees of height. Work should pyramid towards the center of the table if using one table. This helps draw the eye. If you are in a 10x10 booth space you can place with this idea a bit more. It just takes some time.
5. Have some of your work at eye level to attract customers. Simple and effective. Try putting your best sellers there first. Once they are gone experiment to see how product moves from show to show.
6. Have enough work out to fill the table but don't over or under crowd. Too sparce and it looks like that's all you have left leaving the customer will little options. Too much and it looks quite simply like a mess. You can replace pieces as they sell. Or if I have 8 mugs in one style I only put 4 out at a time. If a customer inquires I can tell them I have more if they wish to see them.
7. Make sure all work is price tagged but try to put it somewhere that isn't distracting from the piece. I try to keep my tags low towards the foot of the piece. Also price tags don't have to be huge. Its all about the work. Keep it that way.
8. Experiment from show to show until you figure out what works with your wares. I know through years of practice (and screw ups!) that some pieces sell themselves. No matter where I put a mug or coasters I sell them. But other items move slow so I experiment with their placement.
9. Be original. This is hard especially for jewelers. The standard displays for necklaces, etc are great but when you are 1 in 60 at a show a unique presentation can help bring attention to your work. If your display is original chances are your work is as well.
10. And finally if you have a 10x10 space try to make it inviting to the customer. Play with table arrangements so that a few customers can move around freely.
A very very very long time ago I worked in retail hell. While I hated it for the most part (the bad pay, the mean customers, inevitably getting sick right before Christmas every year due to exhaustion) I learned a lot of things that have helped me as an artist. I was a Visual Merchandiser in home furnishing so it lends itself to ceramics. I never intended to be a Merchandiser nor did I go to school for it. I fell into it and as it turns out I was quite good.
When I go to art shows I sometimes cringe. Its hard to set up your booth at first and every show becomes a trial and error. Here are some tips that I hope help in merchandising your work effectively.
1. Always have finely pressed tablecloths that extend all the way to the floor. No matter how great the rest of your booth looks seeing boxes under the table can totally distract the eye. Wrinkles are messy and make you look lazy. You spent a lot of time preparing for the show and making new work. Take a few minutes to make sure that is exemplified in your booth.
2. Color block. This is soooo important. I have brightly colored work. If I kept all of the mugs together, all of the plates together, etc it would be a bombardment of the senses. If I organize the work by color suddenly the eye can rest easy and the shopper can easily target the colors that appeal to them.
3. Make sure your displays enhance your work rather that distract from it. One great example is a local artist that uses cigar boxes to show off his jewelry. His style is clean, masculine and has a weathered antique look. The boxes create varying levels of height and accentuate the work. His displays garner just as much attention as the work but you can resist his pieces because of how it draws you in.
4. Don't set all of your work on the table with no varying degrees of height. Work should pyramid towards the center of the table if using one table. This helps draw the eye. If you are in a 10x10 booth space you can place with this idea a bit more. It just takes some time.
5. Have some of your work at eye level to attract customers. Simple and effective. Try putting your best sellers there first. Once they are gone experiment to see how product moves from show to show.
6. Have enough work out to fill the table but don't over or under crowd. Too sparce and it looks like that's all you have left leaving the customer will little options. Too much and it looks quite simply like a mess. You can replace pieces as they sell. Or if I have 8 mugs in one style I only put 4 out at a time. If a customer inquires I can tell them I have more if they wish to see them.
7. Make sure all work is price tagged but try to put it somewhere that isn't distracting from the piece. I try to keep my tags low towards the foot of the piece. Also price tags don't have to be huge. Its all about the work. Keep it that way.
8. Experiment from show to show until you figure out what works with your wares. I know through years of practice (and screw ups!) that some pieces sell themselves. No matter where I put a mug or coasters I sell them. But other items move slow so I experiment with their placement.
9. Be original. This is hard especially for jewelers. The standard displays for necklaces, etc are great but when you are 1 in 60 at a show a unique presentation can help bring attention to your work. If your display is original chances are your work is as well.
10. And finally if you have a 10x10 space try to make it inviting to the customer. Play with table arrangements so that a few customers can move around freely.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Craft Show Check List
Setting up for a show is overwhelming. Its easy to forget things and if you are just starting out in the whacky world of selling your wares you are bound to not think of something. Here is my general checklist. Obvious things are included and well as the less obvious.
1. Table
2. 2 chairs. One for me. One for intern Ruth.
3. Tent
4. Tent sides
5. Tent weights
6. Bungee cords or whatever you use to attach tent weights
7. Tablecloths (Press them!)
8. Any display items
9. Work that is boxed up in an organized fashion. I make myself notes on boxes on which to unpack first. With ceramics its easy to lose track and I want to be able to find work quick if a customer asks for something that isn't on my table.
10. Bag (multiple sizes)
11. A few empty boxes just in case I have a big sale
12. Packing tape
13. Wrapping material
14. Lots of business cards (more than you think you will ever need)
15. Mailing list sign up
16. Flyers with my classes listed on them for hand out
17. Receipt books/Cash/Change/Cash Box
18. Credit card swiper do-dad
19. Pens
20. More work than you think you need. The rule of thumb is that a good show will have earnings 10x your booth fee. Therefore a $100 entry fee should be a $1,000 show. Not always the case. But if you only have $1,000 of merch prepared you are limiting yourself to only selling $1,000. I've been in shows where I have barely broken even and I have also had shows that garnered 20x the entry fee. Worst case scenario, you have less work to make for you next show. Or the leftovers can go on Etsy.
21. A positive attitude and a smile. I absolutely hate when I walk into a booth and a vendor is totally ignoring me and reading a magazine. You need to greet your customers and engage them. Acting like you don't care if they are there or not doesn't help you sell a thing. If I learned anything from retail hell its that your body language can effect the shopper. Sitting around with your arms crossed also bad. Look happy. Even if its a slow day. No one knows that. You have great work and need to show people the personality behind it.
22. Don't complain about the show or the other vendors in front of customers. Go home, pour a glass of wine and THEN complain. We all have our unprofessional moments. Keep meltdowns and criticisms to yourself.
Well there's my list. I'm sure I forgot something. But hopefully it helps when you start to prepare for a show.
Setting up for a show is overwhelming. Its easy to forget things and if you are just starting out in the whacky world of selling your wares you are bound to not think of something. Here is my general checklist. Obvious things are included and well as the less obvious.
1. Table
2. 2 chairs. One for me. One for intern Ruth.
3. Tent
4. Tent sides
5. Tent weights
6. Bungee cords or whatever you use to attach tent weights
7. Tablecloths (Press them!)
8. Any display items
9. Work that is boxed up in an organized fashion. I make myself notes on boxes on which to unpack first. With ceramics its easy to lose track and I want to be able to find work quick if a customer asks for something that isn't on my table.
10. Bag (multiple sizes)
11. A few empty boxes just in case I have a big sale
12. Packing tape
13. Wrapping material
14. Lots of business cards (more than you think you will ever need)
15. Mailing list sign up
16. Flyers with my classes listed on them for hand out
17. Receipt books/Cash/Change/Cash Box
18. Credit card swiper do-dad
19. Pens
20. More work than you think you need. The rule of thumb is that a good show will have earnings 10x your booth fee. Therefore a $100 entry fee should be a $1,000 show. Not always the case. But if you only have $1,000 of merch prepared you are limiting yourself to only selling $1,000. I've been in shows where I have barely broken even and I have also had shows that garnered 20x the entry fee. Worst case scenario, you have less work to make for you next show. Or the leftovers can go on Etsy.
21. A positive attitude and a smile. I absolutely hate when I walk into a booth and a vendor is totally ignoring me and reading a magazine. You need to greet your customers and engage them. Acting like you don't care if they are there or not doesn't help you sell a thing. If I learned anything from retail hell its that your body language can effect the shopper. Sitting around with your arms crossed also bad. Look happy. Even if its a slow day. No one knows that. You have great work and need to show people the personality behind it.
22. Don't complain about the show or the other vendors in front of customers. Go home, pour a glass of wine and THEN complain. We all have our unprofessional moments. Keep meltdowns and criticisms to yourself.
Well there's my list. I'm sure I forgot something. But hopefully it helps when you start to prepare for a show.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
To tweet or not to tweet...
I had the pleasure of attending the Cleveland Foundation's Tweet Up this morning at MOCA. It was held for area non-profits so that they could discuss social networking and its benefits and challenges. I was there representing the Orange Art Center. It was a great opportunity to meet other area non-profit employees. Staff is often small so its nice to meet other people who do what you do. I learned some new things about Facebook and Twitter such as how to track demographics on FB. Who knew?!
It was also beneficial in a personal respect. Its hard to see how social media outlets are benefiting my art sales (or not). I have some new ideas on how to strike up some business. We'll see what happens in the coming months. Wish me luck!
I had the pleasure of attending the Cleveland Foundation's Tweet Up this morning at MOCA. It was held for area non-profits so that they could discuss social networking and its benefits and challenges. I was there representing the Orange Art Center. It was a great opportunity to meet other area non-profit employees. Staff is often small so its nice to meet other people who do what you do. I learned some new things about Facebook and Twitter such as how to track demographics on FB. Who knew?!
It was also beneficial in a personal respect. Its hard to see how social media outlets are benefiting my art sales (or not). I have some new ideas on how to strike up some business. We'll see what happens in the coming months. Wish me luck!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Location. Location. Location.
I have been doing shows consistently for five years although I began selling work 10 years ago. I have learned a lot the hard way. The biggest lesson learned thus far is to find your niche. Your art is not the same as anyone else's therefore what is good for one artist does not hold true for others. My work thrives at some galleries and is dead in the water at others. Luckily I am thick skinned.
The only trick to finding out what shows and festivals are ideal for you and your work is through trial and error. You have to lose some shows to understand your market. In the last few years I have added and crossed shows on the list. My rule of thumb is no shows in churches or schools! My list is constantly in edit mode. In addition I have learned my sales are strongest October through December. Therefore my priorities should be to make January through September and concentrate on my busiest season.
Another rule of thumb is consistency and continuity. I set up my booth in a similar manner at all of my shows. I was a Visual Merchandiser for three years and I understand how to display my work. If I have the same display at all of my holiday shows then I can see how work is moving and what needs to change. If its a completely different display for each show its hard to understand what is benefiting my work: the display or the show. I do slight tweaks at each show but not a complete overhaul. This is based on what is moving and what product I have left towards the end of the holiday season.
My biggest gripe with selling is when show organizers give you their tips for why your work is not moving. This is agitating for many reasons. First of all, not all of the vendors will sell at each show. Its not realistic. Each show is going to have a range of sales amongst vendors based on the clientele. Its a fact. It sucks to be the vendor that isn't selling (and I have been on both ends of the spectrum) but it is something you cannot control. Again, find YOUR market.
As a former merchandiser and salesperson I have learned that my experience in retail has helped me as an artist (even though I hated retail!). Never, ever come into my booth and tell me why I am not selling. I once had an organizer tell me at a holiday show that was poorly attended my problem was that I need to wrap my booth in twinkle lights. How is cluttering my booth with blinking lights going to help sales? Another suggestion...Move outside your booth because the other vendors who aren't sitting within the booth are selling. In this case the vendors on either side of me were also sitting within their booths and had sales. How is that my problem when its not affecting my neighbors profit? I sit inside my booth at every show and have had success.
It takes time and money to perfect a show calendar and a plan of action. It also takes patience and thick skin.
I have been doing shows consistently for five years although I began selling work 10 years ago. I have learned a lot the hard way. The biggest lesson learned thus far is to find your niche. Your art is not the same as anyone else's therefore what is good for one artist does not hold true for others. My work thrives at some galleries and is dead in the water at others. Luckily I am thick skinned.
The only trick to finding out what shows and festivals are ideal for you and your work is through trial and error. You have to lose some shows to understand your market. In the last few years I have added and crossed shows on the list. My rule of thumb is no shows in churches or schools! My list is constantly in edit mode. In addition I have learned my sales are strongest October through December. Therefore my priorities should be to make January through September and concentrate on my busiest season.
Another rule of thumb is consistency and continuity. I set up my booth in a similar manner at all of my shows. I was a Visual Merchandiser for three years and I understand how to display my work. If I have the same display at all of my holiday shows then I can see how work is moving and what needs to change. If its a completely different display for each show its hard to understand what is benefiting my work: the display or the show. I do slight tweaks at each show but not a complete overhaul. This is based on what is moving and what product I have left towards the end of the holiday season.
My biggest gripe with selling is when show organizers give you their tips for why your work is not moving. This is agitating for many reasons. First of all, not all of the vendors will sell at each show. Its not realistic. Each show is going to have a range of sales amongst vendors based on the clientele. Its a fact. It sucks to be the vendor that isn't selling (and I have been on both ends of the spectrum) but it is something you cannot control. Again, find YOUR market.
As a former merchandiser and salesperson I have learned that my experience in retail has helped me as an artist (even though I hated retail!). Never, ever come into my booth and tell me why I am not selling. I once had an organizer tell me at a holiday show that was poorly attended my problem was that I need to wrap my booth in twinkle lights. How is cluttering my booth with blinking lights going to help sales? Another suggestion...Move outside your booth because the other vendors who aren't sitting within the booth are selling. In this case the vendors on either side of me were also sitting within their booths and had sales. How is that my problem when its not affecting my neighbors profit? I sit inside my booth at every show and have had success.
It takes time and money to perfect a show calendar and a plan of action. It also takes patience and thick skin.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Friday, July 09, 2010
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
The Glamourous Life of An Artist???
Yesterday I spent my early evening having my photo taken for a local magazine. The article is about the Screw Factory/Lake Erie Building. Picture me wheel throwing in 95+ degree weather in a studio that gets the lovely western sun. This shoot was of course during the hottest time of day. I could feel the sweat dripping off my face into the cup I was throwing. I continued to break a sweat posing with a vase and a bowl. Just standing there I thought I was going to pass out. I asked if she could Photoshop out the sweat and heatstroke. I wasn't joking although I think perhaps she didn't think so.
But all press is good press, right? We'll see what happens in September. I'll post the link whenever it comes out. Maybe.
This weekend I sweat it out throwing more bowls for the Lakewood Arts Festival. Its crunch time as I have the Pittsburgh show next weekend. At least 2 more glaze firings await and I need to get items boxed, tagged, etc. And a few need to have a photo shoot this weekend. No matter how far you plan ahead sometimes the unforeseen (like the glorious Cleveland weather) bites you in the arse.
On the brightside I like to think I'm sweating off some weight.
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