It's more then that. People are more inclined to buy from an artist when they feel like they KNOW THEM. In person events provide that opportunity. UA-cam vlogs also provide a way to learn about the artists, almost like they know the artist in person.
You’ve shared a lot of great insights. For functional art and ephemeral work it might be good for sales. However, these things haven’t worked for me in terms of sales but I really wish I sold at local pop ups and you’re tempting me to try again. That is saying a lot because I’m almost 54, lifelong artist (corporate/govt type until 2010) and now have a local studio in the city where I live. I actually did a weekend festival and didn’t have any sales. Maybe I’ll revisit some pop up shows with a more restricted collection of work.
I started at a church fall festival and it was spectacular and gave me great information. I agree this was a real confidence builder and understanding what people thought of my work. Thanks for sharing.❤❤❤
I just made what I liked. Things that interested me. People want authentic rather than your attempt at making the trendy thing. Just make the stuff you like in the way you like it and you’ll find your people.
But: How do you go about finding these small pop ups? I have searched online with the terms "craft shows near me," but those are usually mid to large shows. I am looking for those one day only, one to two table deals for starters.
Yeah pop ups don’t usually get advertised as much. That being said, we’re in the best time of year. Holiday season there’s tons of craft holiday pop ups. I would go to breweries around you and talk to them. If they don’t have one, they should. People love them, tell the business how it will benefit them. I would just focus on going to the physical locations of small businesses or talk to your local chamber of Commerce, lions club, etc. then when you get into one make sure you promote it.
Get in contact with your elderly neighbors, and get into reading local publications. The newspapers and free advertising publications locally will alert you to upcoming events. If you have an older long-time local in your life, ask them! They often have a wealth of knowledge on these things.
Do you have a winter farmers market? Check with them if they allow day vendors with handmade items/art. My market allows it, I’m usually there as a baker, but when I set up my art I’ve had great success.
I’m actually an introvert too. I always feel bad for people around me at busy shows because I just get peopled out and don’t talk to anybody around me. I find a happy medium of just letting people come into my booth and I don’t say much. I will chime in if they are looking at something. Tell them to let me know if they have questions and then just answer questions confidently and it seems to work haha. But I definitely feel your pain. Try bringing a friend to help you get some confidence, especially an extroverted friend that loves your stuff and can just talk it up for you. My wife does that for me a lot haha.
It's more then that. People are more inclined to buy from an artist when they feel like they KNOW THEM. In person events provide that opportunity. UA-cam vlogs also provide a way to learn about the artists, almost like they know the artist in person.
This is so true! Can’t believe I forgot to talk about that. Great point.
Thank you for this video and I love all your displays. The pots on the displays are really great too❤
The color combo on the Winter Park mug is beautiful!!! I can see why you sold them all!
I am a leather craftsman, and I really appreciate your input on craft shows. Hope you keep posting on a regular basis! Beautiful work, by the way!
Thank you! I’ve got quite a few hours of video I need to comb through and edit. Hopefully more videos on a regular basis this month
@@BeardedPottery thanks much appreciated
You’ve shared a lot of great insights. For functional art and ephemeral work it might be good for sales. However, these things haven’t worked for me in terms of sales but I really wish I sold at local pop ups and you’re tempting me to try again. That is saying a lot because I’m almost 54, lifelong artist (corporate/govt type until 2010) and now have a local studio in the city where I live. I actually did a weekend festival and didn’t have any sales. Maybe I’ll revisit some pop up shows with a more restricted collection of work.
Great advice. You have a humility about you which is really nice. Also thanks for keeping clean language, so many content creators don’t bother.👍🏻
Thank you! I’m actually surprised about how many people have commented about the language, that’s crazy.
I started at a church fall festival and it was spectacular and gave me great information. I agree this was a real confidence builder and understanding what people thought of my work. Thanks for sharing.❤❤❤
Great timing for this… I’ve got my first market in 3 weeks. Ahhhh. 😅
Tis the season! Don’t stress it too much. Just enjoy the journey
Thanks so much!
Thanks for this video , heading into my first Christmas market ! How did you find your style ?
I just made what I liked. Things that interested me. People want authentic rather than your attempt at making the trendy thing. Just make the stuff you like in the way you like it and you’ll find your people.
But: How do you go about finding these small pop ups? I have searched online with the terms "craft shows near me," but those are usually mid to large shows. I am looking for those one day only, one to two table deals for starters.
Yeah pop ups don’t usually get advertised as much. That being said, we’re in the best time of year. Holiday season there’s tons of craft holiday pop ups. I would go to breweries around you and talk to them. If they don’t have one, they should. People love them, tell the business how it will benefit them. I would just focus on going to the physical locations of small businesses or talk to your local chamber of
Commerce, lions club, etc.
then when you get into one make sure you promote it.
Get in contact with your elderly neighbors, and get into reading local publications. The newspapers and free advertising publications locally will alert you to upcoming events. If you have an older long-time local in your life, ask them! They often have a wealth of knowledge on these things.
Snall towns
Do you have a winter farmers market? Check with them if they allow day vendors with handmade items/art. My market allows it, I’m usually there as a baker, but when I set up my art I’ve had great success.
Would like to see more about your fold up shelving
Like how it’s built? I’m in the middle of the holiday prep but when I set up for my next show I plan to film the shelves
Uh oh that’s not good, I’m an extremely introverted hermit 😢
I’m actually an introvert too. I always feel bad for people around me at busy shows because I just get peopled out and don’t talk to anybody around me. I find a happy medium of just letting people come into my booth and I don’t say much. I will chime in if they are looking at something. Tell them to let me know if they have questions and then just answer questions confidently and it seems to work haha. But I definitely feel your pain. Try bringing a friend to help you get some confidence, especially an extroverted friend that loves your stuff and can just talk it up for you. My wife does that for me a lot haha.