I'm still tired from last weekend's show and looking for an excuse not to get up and start rebuilding inventory for next week's show. My academic training (BS, PhD) was in science but to better market my art work I took some classes on sales and marketing. I spent about 22 years in the mining industry as a research/ exploration geologist and did a lot of field work. I pursued my art work part time then and have been doing it full time for the last 22 years. Belts are my big seller at shows. Walmart pre-closes sales for me when client's bring in their $20-25 Wally belt made in China that has lasted about a month. They are usually two thin plys of leather (cat or dog?????) sewn over a cardboard core. The other person is one who hems and haws about spending $35-$50 for a plain belt. I close these sales by showing them my old plain geology field belt worn every day for about 38 years. Sale made! I finally quit wearing it when a friend and colleague chided me at a trappings show in Phoenix with: "Dick, that is a h___ of a belt for a professional saddlemaker to be wearing". I now wear fancy carved belts with silver buckles and some with exotic leather inlays. Time to get to work.
Colorado resort areas during the summer. I went to Texas, Scottsdale and Tubac,AZ in 2011 and although I made money at all of the shows, my margins are greater if I stay closer to home. Tried it, won't do it again. I am better off using the fall and winter to stay on top of studio orders and build Inventory for the summer.
Comments
I have favourite pieces I wear too - regardless that I may have made them years ago. Your belts sound wonderful!
Good for you, Richard! Your belts sound amazing!