Although I have been making pottery for a while this is only my second year doing fairs, and last year I only did a couple to try it out.This year I went all out and applied to lots of shows, and now have 6 good size shows on my calender so far with more to come.
I, like most people I am sure, had another job before this to pay most of the bills. And the hardest part for me so far is transitioning from my old job running a remodeling business to making and selling pottery. I am sure it is much easier than someone who had a regular 9-5 working for a company, as I can schedule my jobs as I please, and don't have to make that decision of "is it time to quit my job", because I can always go back to it. But is has been hard making time to make pots to get ready for the fairs and still keep the bills paid. Not to mention paying all the booth fees before I have even sold a single piece. Luckily I have been able to borrow money from my folks to make that transition, I actually don't know how I would have done it without them. I would probably be forced to only do like 3-4 shows this year, and them add on a couple next year, and so on until I could support myself on just the pottery.
I have also been lucky in that I have been selling good so far, and selling at a price point were I can make a good living off of it. If most of my shows go well I should set myself up well enough to be able to retire my other job and throw pots all winter long in preparation for next year.
So how have others gone about it? Do most people go through similar growing pains? I guess it can be different for different mediums.
Replies
I began making my jewelry for family- my mother and daughter have multiple allergies- really severe ones. They only wear what I create, because I source specifically to be Hypo-allergenic. NO NICKEL, and Lead Free.
After several years of this I gained a small following, through word of mouth. I was still working full time in my career field, but as the economy tanked, after several plant closures, layoffs and pay freezes, decided to get serious about my future. I now work part time, 5 minutes from home. No more 40 min. commute, less expenses for travel,tolls and vehicular wear and tear. During the "unemployed times", I furthered my education, taking business and managerial classes, took a Small business course for entrepreneurs, and perfected my skills at my chosen Craft. I continue to do so. I decided I needed to do Fairs, Festivals and some Events, to to market my creations, expand my Customer Database, and in general, build my Brand., and grow my business.
Since 2006, when I did my first "Craft" show, I have learned what venues are my target market, which ones will be colossal failures, how to create an inviting booth on a restricted budget, which promoters here, are worth working with, and which ones have NO FRICKEN clue, what MY Target Market wants, how operate my business in a very sluggish economy, what mistakes to avoid.
And in this process, I can honestly say- I LOVE what I do. I love doing the shows, events , and fairs. I love opening my booth, introducing my creations to new, and returning customers. I now have my studio open part time too. I don't have a daily customer base, but I do have fans, who love to stop in, check out the new offerings, call for custom orders.
I do not do juried shows. Where I live, those are few and far between. There are a few, and this year I may get my feet wet with those. But we Fete and Fest just about everything here...Moxie Fest, Lobster Fest, Blueberry Fest, Strawberry Fest, Whoopie Pie Fest, even an Egg-fest and MooseMania. Various and sundry Music Fests. June to October is the outdoor season for us. That is when we can safely set-up, and not suffer from hypothermia, major storms, and dangerous driving conditions. I am right in between (about 20-25 mins.) two of the biggest "cities". This has allowed me to be able to do many varieties of shows. I also have the advantage of growing up "Down-East", as we say here, in the Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park area. TOURISTS. Love 'em! I have started branching into the New Hampshire- Massachusetts area, doing more shows in those areas.
It's been an educational process, a fun process, and at times- stressful. But I wouldn't want to do anything else.
The best part is, I am always growing, and learning- on a personal level, as well as a business level, creatively and constructively. I guess you CAN teach "an Ol dog new tricks", as the saying goes.
"Growing Pains"- bring em on! Without 'em, we'd all just stagnate, and that is NEVER good for Artisans or Crafters!