Replies

1. 
   PrideWdWrks | Apr 04, 2005 04:43am | #1

   I have sold boxes, carvings and custom furniture through galleries. Going rate for consigned goods is usually 60% here. One drawback is most galleries won't let you attach your name or your business name to the piece so customers cannot deal directly with you. This is good for them,and understandable, from a business point of view. This makes it hard for you to promote your work though. Some will allow signatures on your work . Check first and get a written contract.

   Steve S.
1. 
   jazzdogg | Apr 04, 2005 06:05am | #2

   Steve,

   Here (San Diego, CA), the galleries conspicuously give the artisan credit for his/her work, take 50% of the sales price, and stipulate a period of time by which the work will be removed from the sales floor if not sold. I was very lucky with the only piece I sold through a gallery; an owner saw my work and approached me, and the whole thing was done on a hand-shake - no written contract; the work sold in a little over a month, and I was, quite frankly, a little surprised that they got as much money for it as they did.

   Good luck,

    

    -Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

2. 
   MarkRD | Apr 04, 2005 06:26pm | #3

   Interesting, with my consulting firm, we'll happily send a commission to anyone that sends us a customer. Winning new customers is really dificult so I pay a lot for the help.Seems to me that you can probably work out a similar arrangement with the gallery. And thanks for the idea, I hadn't considered going through a gallery. We have several in our town and I've been thinking about a venue. The fall fairs (like Topsfield or the Big E in Massacusetts) seem like too much work and not targeted enough customer).Mark

   Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.

1. 
   RickL | Apr 11, 2005 08:37pm | #6

   Since you are in Mass, have you been to the Paradise Arts Fest in Northampton and they have one in the east as well. Pretty high level of workmanship required. The Big E is a whole different thing.   Then there is the Deerfield Craftfair. I went ot that one for the first time a few years ago and was severely disappointed. Get the Crafts Report for a source of craft shows. UMASS Amherst has a department that specializes in resources for such matter. Never heard of the Topsfield one.

1. 
   MarkRD | Apr 12, 2005 12:11am | #7

   No but I've heard of Northhampton.Topsfield is like the Big E only smaller. Topsfield is north shore (north of Boston)Thanks,
   Mark
   

   Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.

1. 
   RickL | Apr 12, 2005 03:34pm | #8

   http://www.craftsreport.com/

   http://paradisecityarts.com/spring/homesprg.html

   You read American Craft magazine? There's a lot more out there. The Big E is not even close to a good source to sell quality crafts.

    

2. 
   forestgirl | Apr 04, 2005 07:30pm | #4

   A few suggestions:  Don't base your decision on the percentage that you get to keep.  Base it on

   • How that gallery will help build your business (stay away from the one's where your business info is kept secret).  You shouldn't ever try to cheat them out of a commission, but there should be a way for the customer to contact you if they want to see other examples of your work, or to custom-order something.  Having a web site will help in this regard.
   • How likely you are to get paid your share, and paid on time (you need to talk to other artists who participate).
   • The quanity and quality of foot-traffic in the gallery.  A 70% cut doesn't do you any good if it only comes along once every 6 months.  You need a place that gets good traffic, treats the customers right, and is successful at moving product.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

3. 
   GHR | Apr 05, 2005 02:50am | #5

   I have been offered both good deals and bad deals from people wanting to help sell my work.

   My practice now is:

   My name and literature goes on my products.

   50% discount for wholesale (50% for me).

   25% commission for consignment (75% for me).

   0% discount for people who want my work as a display item in their business (100% for me).

   $500/day plus expenses if I am asked to be present.

   I don't give discounts to retail customers so there is no competition.