by Carole Epp | Mar 4, 2013 | Uncategorized
The
International Ceramics Festival is a biennial ceramics event,
organised by Aberystwyth Arts Centre and North and South Wales
Potters Associations at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, on the campus
of the University of Wales. The festival takes place over
three days and attracts about 800 participants. As well as
demonstrations by invited guests, there are illustrated talks,
international exhibitions, lectures, kiln building
etc.
International Ceramics
Festival
Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth
University, Ceredigion SY23
3DE
Tel:
01970 622338 (to leave a message please wait to be transferred
to the mobile number
below)
Mobile:
07531146638
by Carole Epp | Mar 2, 2013 | Uncategorized
Yes, we still have Great Bowls of
Fire tickets to offer you, and they are now being sold in three
locations, $45 each. Cash please! This is the 8th year that the Ottawa
Guild of Potters volunteers are oganizing this event with proceeds going
to the Ottawa Food Bank.
Il Primo Ristorante, 371 Preston St.
Allium Restaurant, 87 Holland Ave.
Thyme and Again, 1255 Wellington St. W.
Remember
the action takes place this Saturday, March 2nd at the Glebe Community
Centre, 175 Third Ave. starting at 5pm. Check our blog for the 14
delicious soups and fresh baked breads that are in store for you. And
admire the variety of handcrafted pieces that will be auctioned during
the evening.
Also, don’t forget that after you have tasted these wonderful soups, you keep your handcrafted bowl for future dining.
www.ottawaguildofpotters.ca
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 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday
The Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute School of Art is seeking 7 qualified applicants working in different media for its NEW 12
month Artists-in-Residence program to begin Fall 2013. Arrival on
campus is expected during the week of August 19, 2013. Artists must
commit to the full 12 month residency program.
Objective: The objective of the Artists-in-Residence
program is to provide additional expertise and experiences and
awareness of new techniques and approaches to our students, faculty,
staff and general public within our educational programs at MWPAI. MWPAI
Artists-in-Residence will have the opportunity to work in a stimulating
unique environment that consists of our Museum of Art, Performing Arts
and School of Art. The MWPAI School of Art is comprised of two programs –
PrattMWP college program and Community Arts Education program of art
and dance. Artists-in-Residence must be willing to live and work as part
of a close-knit community in this perfect opportunity for an early
career artist. The Resident will have exceptional resources in which to
hone their skills, develop new works, gain experience as a working
artist or to pursue a teaching career, gain public exposure through
PrattMWP and CAE events, help educate the public about the arts while
making connections with the Utica community and have unique
opportunities to interact with Museum professionals and visiting art
professionals. The Artists-in-Residence will also have access for
personal and professional research at our on-campus Art Library that
hosts an impressive art reference collection of more than 26,000 titles.
Qualifications: MFA preferred with residencies available in the following studios: Ceramics, Communication Design, Dance (Costume Design), Jewelry/Metal Arts, Painting/Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture
Length of Residency: 12 months with opportunity for
renewal of 2nd year depending upon individual faculty/departmental
needs. Arrival on campus is expected the week of August 19, 2013.
For more details visit their website here.
Application and Selection process
Application deadline is March 15 with notification
to selected Artists mid-April. Interested applicants should provide the
following in their application packet: Cover Letter, CV/Resume, Artist
Statement, 15 to 20 digital images of recent work with corresponding
image list, images of student work if available, list of 3 professional
references and SASE for return of materials if appropriate may be sent
to:
Ms. Janelle Roginski
Community Arts Education Coordinator
MWPAI School of Art
310 Genesee Street
Utica, NY 13502
315∙797∙0000 ext. 2304
Email
by Carole Epp | Feb 28, 2013 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday
The EnergyXchange in
Burnsville, North Carolina provides residencies for artists in Clay and
Glass, as they launch their careers. We’re accepting applications for 2
Clay residencies, both beginning in October, 2013. Applications are due
May 15, 2013.
The EnergyXchange
Craft Incubator program was established to support six talented artists
in starting, managing, and operating their own small businesses in the
crafts of glass blowing and pottery. The residents have years of
experience already devoted to their respective craft. The goal of the
program is to help artists at the beginning of their careers further
develop both their craft and business skills, leaving EnergyXchange with
the ‘know how’ and experience necessary for success on their own or in
other craft studios.
The
artists while at EnergyXchange perfect their craft, develop their
businesses, and live in our community. The program supports two glass
artists and four clay artists. The clay kilns and glass furnaces are
fired with landfill gas at no additional cost to the residents. In the
creation of their pieces of art, the EnergyXchange artists are also
helping the environment and the local economy.
The
idea for EnergyXchange was created through the partnership of three
organizations–Blue Ridge Resource Conservation and Development Council
(BRRC&D), HandMade in America (HandMade), and Mayland Community
College (MCC)–all recognized for their strong track records in
education, the promotion of crafts, and community and resource
development and environmental protection in Western North Carolina. EnergyXchange
has become one of the nation’s model energy recovery projects and is
used regionally, nationally, and internationally as an example of
successful small landfill gas projects. Methane
gas from the decomposing trash powers a hot shop for glass blowers, a
pottery kiln, and supplies radiant heat for the studios, greenhouses,
education center, offices and art gallery.
Please visit www.energyxchange.org
