The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 48 No 3 November 2009
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Techn ical: Selling <strong>Ceramics</strong><br />
Life In5tyle, Melbourne <strong>2009</strong>,<br />
Royal Exhibition Centre<br />
I scraped, begged and borrowed to put a studio together, a small and modest space with a shop<br />
front in Bondi. My idea was to sell my pots from the front window, have a work space where I could<br />
also teach night classes, all <strong>of</strong> which would help to pay the rent. I made pots during the day and<br />
taught throwing classes two nights a week to the locals. This micro plan was also aided by working a<br />
few weekend waitressing shifts and although this seems pretty crazy, it was the only way to keep on<br />
making.<br />
After a couple <strong>of</strong> years I decided that it was time to move outside the safety <strong>of</strong> my lovely studio and<br />
bring the pots to the people. <strong>The</strong> distraction <strong>of</strong> waitressing had to end, and the world <strong>of</strong> being an artist<br />
had to come in to the picture. My solution was to increase sales and revenue, and this is where markets<br />
came to the rescue. I symbolically traded my apron and wine knife for a trestle table and a pop-up tent<br />
and became a bona fide 'carnie'.<br />
Markets are a great way to become established, and finance a potter's life. It takes time and<br />
perseverance and a lot <strong>of</strong> packing up and unpacking, but it is worth every minute. It is also a great way<br />
to get instant feedback and to connect with the many different kinds <strong>of</strong> people I would never normally<br />
meet. Markets also enable me to try out new ideas and, importantly, to see how people respond to<br />
the work in a very short space <strong>of</strong> time. <strong>The</strong>re are many great markets across Australia that can get you<br />
started, as well as art shows, trade shows and galleries. And let's not forget shops. <strong>The</strong>re are so many<br />
outlets that are looking for something different in an effort to avoid mass produced work. People love<br />
handmade for a reason - it's personal and unique!<br />
Promoting and selling work is a full time job, and a website in this day and age is compulsory! Start<br />
by getting some great photos. Reading and working with magazines is a good way to get a feel for<br />
what makes a good picture. Stylists are always looking for something handmade for their feature stories,<br />
58 THE JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIAN CERAMICS NOVEMBER <strong>2009</strong>
Change language