Sometimes people, even well-meaning people, say just the wrong thing to artists and crafters, especially at shows and festivals. So we asked our Facebook followers to tell us the top things not to say to an artist or crafter, and we got some great responses!
10 Things Not to Say to an Artist or Craftsman:
- “I’ll just get my friend to make me one of those.”
- “You know what you should make…”
- “Do I get a price break if I buy two?”
- “I can make that myself.”
- “Why does it cost so much?”
- “How do you make this?”
- “Will you donate your artwork to our event? We can’t pay you, but it will be great exposure.”
- “My nine-year-old makes this kind of stuff too.”
- “Kids, this is what happens if you don’t go to college.”
- “I can buy that at Walmart for $3.99.”
I want to thank all those who contributed with your feedback. We hope all of you have a great day doing, you know, whatever artists and craftsmen do with all their time…
Comments
Well said Cindy, the more proactive we are to each event we attend and causes we can align with the better we are to make our donations count.
#7 ... donating
I have donated a few things, but they are never high priced (which is relative to what we do, right?). Like everyone, I suppose, I get asked but don't always donate because it's not a good fit. For example, a show I did charged a booth fee as usual, then asked for a donation of something for door prize drawings for customers. I did it the first year, begrudgingly. After that time, I read here about how my free door prize was competing with what I was selling in my booth. Since then I have not donated anything. There were 2 years in a row where I had applied in the spring then family emergencies kept me from going. Since I notified them before the show began they agreed to roll over my fee to the fall show. I have not been back the last year or year and a half. But I digress.
I have decided to donate something to a cause that is near and dear to my heart. They will be having their 2nd annual fundraising dinner in March. They do a silent auction and all proceeds go to the cause. It's actually a local crisis pregnancy center. They literally live on a shoestring budget. I will be donating 2 items for the auction. The difference from the show I mentioned is that I am choosing ahead of time to participate, and what I want to donate. I was not asked, pressured, nor did I receive an arm twisting.
Now that I think about it I did one other donation where I chose to participate. It was a fundraiser for a family whose toddler was going through treatment at St. Jude's. This fundraiser was helping meet living expenses---to help them keep their house, keep the lights on, etc. Some friends of the family put it on. I did not get to go that day but heard it was very successful.
I guess my point is that not all requests for donations should be treated the same. Some are more like a wrestling match where they are trying to take advantage of the artist/crafter. Others can be a worthy cause and they are thrilled with whatever help you can give.
#9: Kids this guy's apprenticeship paid his way thru college and his kitchen table business enabled him to leave grad school with $$$$ in the bank. Follow your dreams kids.
David - These are so insightful and painful to read. The creative mind and those willing to commit blood, sweat, and tears to their creative passion can be a lonely path. I am just glad there are places for artists and craftsmen like "ArtFair Insiders" available to support each other and re-charge their batteries and keep on fighting.
I have had number 7 'bestowed' upon me. A woman from legitimate money making business, an ice rink, had the nerve to ask me if I would paint a 8' x 30' mural in their room they rented out for birthday parties. I asked her what their budget was and she gave me the "For the exposure" line.
I simply told her I make my living with my art and can't give up 2-3 weeks of income for exposure. Not to mention the cost of paint it would have taken!
I was escorted out of a potential customers home twice JUST for giving them a price on a mural and the other an elaborate faux finish. The mural, "Can you paint scenes from Mulan on each wall of the room? It's my daughters favorite movie." When I gave her an estimate price she stood up and ushered me to the front door. Same with the faux finish, a small bathroom that would have required 5-10 passes and two days to do what she wanted. She actually got mad at me and nearly cursed me out! I was only giving her a price!
I only work with interior designers now because they know what a professional's time is worth.
I think most people equate the time it takes making any kind of art with the crayon drawings their kids do they hang on their fridge!
Number 2. Way too many times! People really think they are original.
Number 5. Another long story. A woman at a gallery opening night show. "Why is it so expensive?"
I broke down the numbers. Cost of materials, show fee's, framing, my time and experience ( I have a college degree) and you are buying the original painting not a print.
Nothing. No affect of her what-so-ever. I put it to her this way.
I asked her what she did for a living? Some office job with a company, benefits, perks, the usual.
I told her we do the work first then maybe or maybe not we'll get paid for it. We aren't earning when we are creating it, that may come later. We'll never sell it all so we average out sold vs unsold and that's our real number. She still wasn't convinced.
Well, what if your boss came to you and said for the next month or two you're going to work for free then at the end of that I'll decide how much of that time you're actually gonna get paid for. Half? Two-thirds?
Her response was OH NO! I don't want to do that! NOW she understood.
Great suggestions Kaytee, these are some awesome suggestions to help all of us.
Thanks for your comments Sandra, we all need more comments like "I can't live without your art in my home.
“How do you make this?”
If you teach... this is the time to promote your classes.
Otherwise, it's "storytime"-- how you search out the perfect materials, inspiring sceanery, set up your studio space and tools, and carve out the necessary hours/days/weeks from your life to create your art. And as an aside, "mention" the classes, training, etc., and all the time you've spent practicing to have the experience to create the piece.
And for "I can make that myself"-- answer, "But will you?"
For #9 (which I haven't "gotten")-- "I have an MS already, and no interest nor time to get another degree". Besides-- I'm in my "golden years", don't have the time left for another career.
#10-- "Then do so."
And we've all heard every one of these! Love it!