A question I just thought of. How many of you use a receipt that has your logo on it? The more your logo is seen the easier it will be to remember. You want people to remember where they bought an item, especially if it is yours. We used to silk screen a design on our bags.
Something I'm sure you already know, your display pedestals are your packing boxes unless you use unusual pedestals like logs or plastic buckets, both viable. Using what you already have is an art in itself. Have fun, joke with people, be friendly, take time to explain what you do and why you do it.
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I love branding! Branding is all the buzz now because it represents a symbol that essentially is you or your art business. People easily remember a symbol and connect it with good as well as bad customer service. Dominoes pizza, Coke, The Golden Arches... I am in the process of coming up with a newer logo for my business that is similar to the shopping bags I use and integrate it more on my website and product labels.
I first started making potpourri - which is now being phased out, but still make lavender items (like herbal bath teas), incense sticks, and now have a line of elegant palm wax candles which I call Destination Scentsations. The candle line has a label with a compass, but the business - By the Bay Botanicals - incorporates lime greens and teal blues with a leafy/bay grass motif. So now I am trying to tie them together - use it on my website, my business cards, t-shirts or polo shirts worn at fairs, my shopping bags, background on my twitter site, profile pics, labeling of my products. When I think of branding I think of product and some times classify my "art" as "products" - sorry if that offends some.
I agree the more people see your logo - they might not remember your name but they will associate the experience they have with your work with your logo.
I think some people feel branding and art shouldn't mix. But think of the art fairs with nice logos - used in advertising, websites, volunteer's t-shirts, etc. Think of the artists who have magnet car signs and similar business cards showing they make jewelry or furniture. These people get it because they realize potential customers could be next to them in traffic, in line at the grocery store, etc. Of course people's names are brands too and the goals should be having people associate your name with being an expert and the best artist in your field. My point? Branding is everywhere, 24/7, and those who embrace it find their popularity grows exponentially. Those who resist find their sales are sub par and stressed out trying to figure out what else can he/she do to get more people to find them and recognize them. - Michelle
Larry, we used to give everybody a brochure with the art work we sold. People like to hang on to brochures and could order from them anytime they wanted to.
Jacki B