Should You Consign to Galleries?
May 27, 2009 by admin
Filed under Crafting A Living
The question of consignment keeps coming up and while I’ll address it in more detail in the tele-seminar series this summer, let’s touch base on some basics since it’s the time of year to get started.
Assuming you’ve selected the galleries where your crafts will be most compatible, you’ve narrowed down the choices and set up appointments, it’s time to prepare for your meeting.
Show up well prepared with your pieces attractively tagged, with the information we’ve discussed. Price the pieces at retail. Number each piece so that it coincides with a number on your inventory list. (which you will duplicate and leave a copy with the gallery.) Ideally, a thumbnail photograph of each piece next to the number will help you and the gallery owner identify them easily. This doesn’t need to be a high resolution photo, it’s for reference only, not a marketing piece. If your objects are fairly flat, for example jewelry, a simple way to do it is to just place it on your photocopier, scan it and reduce to thumbnail size..
Also, if you have a display that shows your work off well, present the gallery owner with that option. You always want to have display recommendations.
If you are consigning work to gallery far from home, consider asking someone in the area to periodically “shop” the gallery for you. (they are actually your spies.) I can’t count the times I’ve walked into galleries to see a particular artist’s work and it’s nowhere on display. The artist has no idea why he isn’t receiving commission checks and it turns out
Right Now is the Best Time to Get Your Craft in Galleries and Shops
May 26, 2009 by admin
Filed under Crafting A Living
If getting your work into boutiques and galleries is on your agenda, don’t wait another week. This weekend begins the wholesale show season and the likelihood of a gallery or shop owner taking your work on consignment is far greater now than it will be all summer. When retailers return from a wholesale show, they have generally spent their budget for the next few months and are anticipating the delivery of all the crafts they’ve placed orders for and they’re concerned about having space to display it all once it arrives. So, make time this week to connect with your target shops.
There are some great tips on approaching galleries in the “13 Tips” at right so do download them. Good etiquette for approaching owners/buyers is key. If you walk in with a box of our wares, you’ll likely blow your chance of them even taking time to view them. Since you aren’t early enough to mail a brochure, line sheet or info package, second best is Read more
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