More shows, more pics, more wholesale... just more.
10.22.08 (5:51 pm) [edit]
I applied for my first juried show today. I won't say where in case I don't get in, but it's a big one. I'm really hoping it works out, but I feel so unprofessional. Not an hour after I turned it in, they wrote me back and told me that they needed a booth pic without me in it. Okay... seeing as how I don't even have a proper booth yet, this will be difficult. I'm going to have to take my crappy tent over to the medical center after they close some evening, and set it up with my tree, table, a chair, and my curio cabinet full of eggs. Should be interesting, and I hope to avoid getting arrested for looking like I'm camping at a medical center.
I found another show I'd love to go to. It's in NYC, and it's a huge wholesale show where I could show my stuff to 45,000 gift store buyers. Fantastic!! The biggest problem isn't even the expensive airfare to get there, nor the insane hotel rates. The biggest problem is that they want $27.50 per sq. ft. for booth space, and the booth is 10'X10'. By my math, that's just shy of three thousand. Anyone want to buy a kidney?
I finally got some really great pics together and made my own wholesale brochure. (Which will be very helpful since I can't afford to go to the wholesale show.) It looks S-L-I-C-K!! I need to get a copy printed up, but it's a beautiful black background with some of the eggs. All laid out very well, and it looks really professional. This weekend, I'm hitting a couple of flower shops to see if they are interested in carrying some ornaments.
First Friday is coming up soon, and I hope to have a lot of my ornaments in the studio. And the gallery show is coming up pretty soon. I can't wait.
I found another show I'd love to go to. It's in NYC, and it's a huge wholesale show where I could show my stuff to 45,000 gift store buyers. Fantastic!! The biggest problem isn't even the expensive airfare to get there, nor the insane hotel rates. The biggest problem is that they want $27.50 per sq. ft. for booth space, and the booth is 10'X10'. By my math, that's just shy of three thousand. Anyone want to buy a kidney?
I finally got some really great pics together and made my own wholesale brochure. (Which will be very helpful since I can't afford to go to the wholesale show.) It looks S-L-I-C-K!! I need to get a copy printed up, but it's a beautiful black background with some of the eggs. All laid out very well, and it looks really professional. This weekend, I'm hitting a couple of flower shops to see if they are interested in carrying some ornaments.
First Friday is coming up soon, and I hope to have a lot of my ornaments in the studio. And the gallery show is coming up pretty soon. I can't wait.
posted by: Ladyg (reply)
post date: 10.22.08 (4:41 pm)
Renting booths are very expensive but I heard that the rewards were awesome. the only drawback at this time is the economy, people are really holding on to their money right now.
Good Luck.
Your work is beautiful, flower shops is a good place also some antique shops that carry things on consigment.
posted by: Intricategirl (reply)
post date: 10.23.08 (6:55 am)
Reply to: Ladyg
Yeah, this economy, it's hard to do anything like this.
I think flower shops and small little quirky gift stores would be a good place. There's a couple of places around here that I can think of. I'm afraid I'm not only battling the economy, but bad timing. If I had tried this a month or two ago, I'd have better luck. As it is, a lot of people think ornaments=Christmas, and they've already got their Christmas merchandise set. Oh well. If it's meant to happen, it will.
posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 10.27.08 (11:20 am)
You're funny! I guess you could take your tent to the show in NY, and camp out in it. That sounds like a lot of money, but I wonder if you have researched the profit potential from the show? I don't know, but it may be worth more than ten shows in lesser markets.
posted by: Intricategirl (reply)
post date: 10.27.08 (11:44 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
So does that mean you're in the market for a kidney?? ;)
I'm sure it would be worth it. WELL worth it. But at $2750 plus additional costs of actually getting and staying there, it's just not an option. So, my plan is to contact retailers on my own, get some wholesale orders, do some medium-size shows (small ones just aren't worth it), and build up to where I can afford it.
I've been extremely lucky so far, and I'm extremely grateful to my boss. Through being an artist's assistant, I've been able to watch various things, and see what works for her and what doesn't. I've gotten into shows and taken shortcuts that aren't available to 99% of artists, and everything has come too easily so far. There is no way I could repay her generosity of time, knowledge, or advice. So, it kind of feels like it's time to maybe start fighting for it on my own. If I want some wholesale orders, I need to get those brochures out and work the phones. And then, when it's time for the bigger shows (and bigger money), I'll be ready for them.
