by Carole Epp | Mar 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
Please join us for the visiting artists workshops taking place in
Ceramics at the U of M from March 5 to March 9
For more info contact:
Professor E. Grace Nickel, Ceramics
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
(204)474-8318
[email protected]
http://gracenickel.ca/
by Carole Epp | Mar 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
The
Parkland Potters Guild was established in 1976 and is a non-profit
organization run by volunteers to promote and foster an education in
clay throughout our community. Our membership is made up of 65 members
from Stony Plain, Spruce Grove and The County of Parkland. We offer member led classes for adults, teens and children.
We
have completed 3 murals on the building adjacent to the guild and have
completed mural projects for the Alberta Summer and Winter Games. One can be found on the gazebo at Rotary Park in Stony Plain and the latest one on the facade of our gallery. Stony Plain is well known for the town murals and we are pleased to be active in mural making.
The Crooked Pot Gallery is the store front for the guild. It contains work from more than 30 local guild artisans. We offer unique handmade collectables, art, sculptures, jewelry, seasonal items as well as functional pottery. Each month we offer featured artists displays. The blog is a pictorial diary of the work of gallery potters and of many of the events we participate in or sponsor.
by Carole Epp | Mar 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
When Melissa contacted me about a guest post about wholesale markets I was thrilled. This is an area of business growth I’ve glanced at only to shy away and figure I was no where near close enough in my practice to even consider. But at the same time I’d like to move away from consignment shops towards wholesale orders. Maybe someday I’ll be orgazined enough. Thanks Melissa for this insight. You make it feel less intimidating!
I encourage everyone to comment on the post with their advice and experiences. Would be great to have a bunch of perspectives added to the discussion.
Thanks Melissa for sharing your experience and your beautiful work with us.
When I started making and selling pottery five years ago, it
was easy to grow my business one local show at a time. I started out with farmers markets and
grew into doing larger juried shows around the Chicago area. These shows have
been great and I have been very happy to be successful and profitable. While attending the art shows, my work
was seen by various store owners who were interested in selling my
pottery. When I was first
approached for a wholesale order, I was completely unprepared and unsure of how
to handle this type of marketing. After
a year of thinking and planning I decided to attend my first wholesale show
last January.
I attended the Beckman’s Handmade Market at the Merchandise
Mart in down town Chicago. This is a market runs in conjunction with the other
wholesale shows within the Merchandise mart. I was excited to wholesale and also completely nervous. I really wanted to have a successful
show.
Most of the work I create is one of a kind and based on a
theme. I knew I had to limit my
selection of pottery for a whole sale event. I selected pieces from my most popular sellers on my Etsy
site and best sellers at my shows. I then I started narrowing down my color combinations and creating
sets for ordering. I needed to make
things that I would be able to reproduce easily with consistent results. After settling on the pieces to bring
to whole sale, I made a catalog of the work to hand out. Then I created the
hardest part, a price sheet.
It is hard to cut retail prices in half. I have a very good
idea of what price point my pieces will sell and I knew doubling my retail
would not work. When I consider
show fees and time spent and fairs (rain or shine), I knew I could accept half
of the retail cost and still make a profit.
The wholesale show itself is an entirely different event
from a regular art show. The
crowds are smaller and the pace is much slower. Buyers want you to be ready to
point out best sellers and write up the order (bring a clip board). Payment for work is usually collected
when the items are shipped out, not when ordered. Some artists take half up front and collect credit card
numbers at the show. It is up to the artist how they choose to take payments.
The show went well and I made my personal goal of finding
retail stores that want to sell my work.
I feel comfortable that I can fill these orders within reasonable amount
of time. I am hoping reorders will continue to help me grow my business and
maintain a steady income throughout the year. Wholesale may not be for every artist, but for myself, I am
glad that I tried this method of selling my work.
Melissa Monroe is an artist living and working in Mokena IL.
She sells her work through her Etsy store Melissa Z Monroe Pottery and at shows around Chicago.
You can see her work at www.melissazmonroe.com
by Carole Epp | Feb 28, 2013 | Uncategorized
a 6-week e-course with Diana Fayt
Registration: $139
March 11 – April 18, 2013
(registration ends April 25th)
The Clayer, Part One: Surfacing, will be a place to learn how to
create rich and dynamic surfaces on clay. The course will run for six
weeks from March 11th to April 18th, 2013. During the six weeks we
will cover various surface applications on clay such as: mishima inlay,
monoprinting on clay, carving and printing with your own block prints.
We will explore using unusual objects as printing tools as well as
learn how to use other clay drawing media.
Throughout the course Diana will discuss image development as well as
teach you how make templates from your own images and how to transfer
those images to your clay surfaces. The setting will be a warm and
safe, no pressure environment, where we share what we make and learn
with other participants and positive feedback is encouraged.
You will also get a glimpse into Diana’s world, where she will share
her own personal inspirations, stories as well as a recipe or two. Are
you ready to be a Clayer?
by Carole Epp | Feb 28, 2013 | Uncategorized
So back in January you’ll likely remember me writing about Arrowmont and the amazing artists I meet there over the course of a week long residency called Ceramic Surface Forum, put together by the sickly talented, and ever so lovely Jason Bige Burnett. Well I’m thrilled to say that this Friday “In the Mix” will be opening at Crimson Laurel Gallery and will include work by all of these incredible artists. Just looking through the images tonight to put together this post I was struck by how much I missed them all and by how much I learned from them even in such a short period of time. So it’s a honor that my work will be shown beside these great artists, and in such a prestigious gallery as well. If you’re in the neighborhood please stop by and check it out in person. And take some pictures for me as my heart will be there, but sadly I can’t make the long trip!
Artists in order of images above:
Adams Puryear, Alex Irvine, Ben Carter, David Eichelberger, David Gamble, Elisa Difeo, Elizabeth Kendall, Carole Epp (that’s me!!!!), Emily Reason, Kelly O’Briant, Lana Wilson, Natalie Tornatore, Rachel K. Garceau, Roberta Massuch, Richard Nickel, Sandi Pierantozzi, Tracey Gamble, Nathan Prouty
23 Crimson Laurel Way
Bakersville, NC 28705
(828) 688-3599
Email:
[email protected]
www.crimsonlaurelgallery.com
by Carole Epp | Feb 27, 2013 | Uncategorized
West Virginia
University (WVU) China Ceramics announces Walter Ostrom as one of our
Fall Semester China Ceramics Program Visiting Artists!
More Info: http://art.ccarts.wvu.edu/international_programs/china_program
Join Walter and WVU at the Pottery Workshop this Fall Semester in Jingdezhen!
Walter
Ostrom is an influential ceramic artist who has revived and modernized
the making of low-fired tin-glazed pottery in Canada. He was born in
Binghamton NY and is a graduate of Ohio University. Walter recently
retired as the Professor of Ceramics at Nova Scotia College of Art and
Design (NSCAD). His work has been featured in collections and
exhibitions worldwide, including the Canadian Museum of Civilization and
the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Walter was one of the first
western artist/educators to begin traveling to Jingdezhen, to study,
teach, and research Chinese Ceramics. Announcements for additional
Visiting Artists will be made in the near future.
Through a
unique linkage, West Virginia University and Pottery Workshop have
teamed to offer a comprehensive study and travel opportunity for
students and the serious advanced or professional ceramic
artist/potter. Join us for a once in a lifetime experience and join us
in the Imperial Porcelain Capital of Jingdezhen. Participants will have
the opportunity to study with some of China’s most prominent teachers
and ceramic artists. For those who interested in undergraduate or
graduate credits, the WVU China Ceramics Program will enable you to earn
accredited WVU credits for the programs.
Imperial Blue
& White Porcelain Capital of Jingdezhen, Qin’s Terra Cotta Army,
Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the hustle and bustle of
Shanghai. Join us for a experience of a lifetime!
Fall Semester 2013
September 7 – December 14
(Dates and prices may vary slightly)
12 Credit Hours: Graduate or Undergraduate
Cost: 12 Credits/Tuition and fees $10,900*
6-Credits Studio Ceramics
3-Credits Chinese Ceramic Art History
3-Credits Basic Language and Culture
Participants
will be expected to pay for tools not supplied by the program, brushes,
personal acquisitions, and local travel outside of the program.
Students may also be expected to purchase their own meals during the
Xian and Beijing travel components.
This fee covers the entire
cost of International airfare, in-country travel, all program fees,
insurance, living accommodations and 12 transferable credits from West
Virginia University.
If you or anyone you know may be interested in either of the 2 programs, more information and applications are available at:
http://art.ccarts.wvu.edu/international_programs/china_program
If you have any questions feel free to contact us. Hope to see all of you in Jingdezhen, China!
Shoji Satake
Assistant Professor of Art
West Virginia University
College of Creative Arts
School of Art and Design
Creative Arts Center
PO Box 6111
Morgantown, WV 26506
304-293-3512
[email protected]
