Comments on: what direction to go in

By: heather

heather — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 04:20:19 +0000

Hi Annie,
My first time stopping by your blog and this post struck a chord. I currently have about 5 wholesale galleries that I sell only a specific ‘line’ of my work to. It’s work that sells really well for them and is my bread and butter. While I have to be in production mode to make it, it is work I developed quite naturally and on my own and fortunately people started liking it.
I also have a ton of work that I make here and there for my own enjoyment. Sometimes I sell it, sometimes I keep it around just to inspire me to keep moving forward. I also have kids and think it is wise to only commit to a small amount of galleries or shops- really good and credible ones, instead of spreading yourself out too thin.
Hopefully you can find your way in this. I recently talked to a production potter (who’s been potting in a home studio in a small community for 30 years) who does 2 shows a year out of his home studio. That pays his entire living for the year. Occasionally he gets the odd drop-in, but he has built a network of repeat customers all these years. So no, wholesale isn’t the answer for everyone- and it is a big decision, effecting your prices and your style and work.
All the best! Heather

By: annie

annie — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:14:57 +0000

Wow. the blogging community has blown me away with great advice. this is awesome. thank you all so much. i appreciate every word.
and have come to some great conclusions.

By: judi tavill

judi tavill — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:43:34 +0000

Annie,
I too am participating in that show and I thank goodness for the blogging community!
All of your issues are mine as well.. and granted when it comes to putting food on the table, I would never fault anyone for compromise…
However, I designed clothing for years and the retail community can take your work, YOUR ART, and twist it into something that “SELLS LIKE HOT CAKES” and then it can become a case of “Be careful what you wish for” meaning: You may very well end up a “production potter” making the same work over and over in glossy red….and is that what it’s all about? I think not. If you can continue to evolve and grow and live…I say keep going down that road.
Just an opinion(obviously…)

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 01:52:20 +0000

Annie, I’m so sorry I read your blog and admire your work (of course you already know how obsessed I am with your work) but I never leave you a comment on here… It’s wonderful to hear your heart on the matter and to see you wrestle through things and grow as a potter as God opens doors and you seek wisdom on the best path for your gifts and heart for your art. I’m so glad your community is growing on the blog and I hope you are able to find a solid mentor as well.

Thanks for reminding and challenging me in my own art. You are inspiring and talented…it’s good you are wrestling with all of these decisions… you are the only one with your specific gifts, vision, calling …and family…keep seeking God’s wisdom in all aspects.

I love you my dear friend and can’t wait to keep witnessing your future.

By: soubriquet

soubriquet — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:16:28 +0000

I was there once. I was a production potter, i can, i suppose, make thousands of things the same, and sometimes I used to enjoy that, there’s a something, a something I used to think of as zen, to working over and over with a single form, but… but indeed.
I had galleries tell me what they wanted. And customers… always the promise of more sales if I would just… But I don’t want to make it in red with a glossy glaze!

But hey, there was the rent to pay, so, i did it. And I didn’t feel good about it. And I didn’t do it well, because I had no love for a bastard piece that’s only part mine.

Go with your heart. Don’t get trapped into being a machine, turning out things you cease to love, in order to pay the bills.
Go with your heart.

By: tracey

tracey — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:30:13 +0000

I am one of the potters Meredith invited to the Clay and blogger show, and found your blog through that listing. Hi! I could have written this very same post myself. This past year I have had many of the same questions as you. I started doing shows on a more serious level in 09 and I found a gallery here in Chapel Hill that likes my work and buys whatever I bring in to her. I figured out what sells well, what people will and will not buy and the prices that work well at the shows I did and then I took those pieces in to the gallery, telling her what I got good feedback on from customers at shows. I also thought more carefully, when making things, if that was something I would want to make over and over. There are some things I love to make and will make repeatedly and then I try out new stuff and think, God, I’ll never make more than two or three of these. I get bored so easily with repetition. But I do have my core items that sell well, have a good price point and keep me inspired when trying new pieces. I also Raku fire so I have to think of non functional work food wise but functional somehow so people would have some sort of use for it, ie: incense burners, soap dishes, etc. I’m also doing hippie-ish kinds of festivals so I try to think about what stoners might like
I love that Meredith has put this show together and I hope a lot of us in cyberspace will get to meet! Good luck!!

By: Linda Starr

Linda Starr — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:24:19 +0000

I’m hoping to move to an area where I can find more of a community of clay; a clay club and mentor would be icing on the cake. I was definitely making more work when I was taking classes, something about the commradorie and total immersion that stimulates me.

By: zygote

zygote — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:44:45 +0000

The feed back is priceless.

By: becky

becky — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:03:35 +0000

Annie, I love that you just got feedback from potters. I realized that is what I lack and have always lacked with painting is a good painting community. I find that I always produced more when I was taking classes! You have inspired me to seek out other painters and I am totally open for suggestions!
I do agree with your friends don’t let other people tell you how to make your art because that is what makes it so special!

By: mo

mo — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:01:59 +0000

“Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.” John Cotton Dara