Discussion about selling wraps

[NDK]

I've done a little digging, and see there's an art sale downtown once a month in the summer. I think I may check this out and see if it may possibly be worth persuing. I don't really want to go this route, but if it's not all "crafty" stuff for sale, it might be worth a sit as it's close and only 5 shows in the summer. $300 for a booth would be way too much for me though. I know they do that so they keep it from turning into a flea market, but I don't want to put that much into it not knowing what I'll get out of it.

Nate

[dbrealityrocks]

A good resource for people on here iss Zapp Events. It's free for artists to sign up to enter juried shows. One problem is you have to pay for the jurying. I just applied for Jackson Hole,Wy for their 2 summer shows and whether I get in or not it cost me $35 to apply for each one. The good thing is if I get accepted is all the rich people there. Jackson Hole is where the billionaires are driving out the millionaires. Whoo-hoo, need to double my prices so they see good value!!! LMAO

[christopherl1234]

Funny how that works. The more you charge the better they perceive it to be.

[tandl]

Is hobby lobby possible ?

[roy]

nate 50% i wouldnt do i make a few thing here and there i have two places here were i live and they onley charge me 10%

[NDK]

LOL DB, I can't double my prices. I've never sold anything before. I hope that works out for you. Take advantage of it while you can. I agree wit Christopher too. But we all know price dosen't reflect quality.

Ted, I don't think Hobby Lobby would be an option. I believe it's corporate owned, and I don't want to deal with that.

Roy that sounds much better as far as commission goes. I understand they have overhead and all that, so honestly I think you're getting a smoking deal paying 10%. I have to look around yet to see what other shops are available and I can maybe shop them against each other to get the best deal lol.

Nate

[superioragates]

Nate - I sell 90% online, Etsy and Facebook, but I do have the rock shop in Princeton, who buys my stuff periodically, at a discount, then he re-sells it, and I also have about 8 pieces down here in 1 of the local convenience stores that I frequent. They have sold a few for me as well, but they only charge me 15% commission. There is a place here in town that does "space for rent" kinda thing, and several people have stuff in there, but the fee in 275.00 a year, paid in advance, plus commission, whch just cant see doing.
I think 50% is a bit high, unless they are buying it from you, for what you ask for it, then they have a 50% mark-up. Then at least you dont have any worries about it.
The online selling is a time consuming, constant uphill road, which you have to stay on top of all the time I have found. I sold 300 pieces so far, but like I said, it's constant for me, all the time posting, listing, re-listing......

[NDK]

Thanks Marie. I figured the online route was a lot of work, and for wanting to just sell a few pieces wouldn't be worth the time to put into it for me.

Nate

[amyk]

Check with your local gem and mineral club. A lot of them have a show once a year. I sell at ours here. It cost me $80.00 for 2 8 ft tables and I sold $480.00 in a weekend. Not bad for a first try. Plus I filled 3 wire wrapping classes at the show, and got a special order. I had only sold 3 wire wraps at the show. I was also selling slabs, tumbled stones and necklaces. So It was definately worth it. Next year I will do it again.

[NDK]

My local show is next weekend. Things here are different than out west. It's a lot of finished jewelry and even the requisite table or 2 of chinese and mexican eggs and little carved animals. For me to set up a table and compete with the "career sellers" that do the show circuit would probably be a waste of time. I'll have to check out their prices and styles though, and see if I could offer something different. It's at least something to consider. I guess I'll go into this show with a different perspective of things.

Thanks Amy,
Nate

[jakesrocks]

To draw a crowd to your table, take your wire and tools with you. Folks love to watch things being made, and at least they'll know you're making them yourself, and not importing them.
Don

[dbrealityrocks]

I agree w/Don, I always bring my tools and wrap...very slowly between talking to people. Wouldn't want people to think it's something done quickly.

[NDK]

Good point guys. Thanks!

I went up to my parent's house today to visit and do a little welding/repair on my dad's garden tractor. On the way through my hometown, I see there's a goft shop on main st. I stopped on the way home, but they're closed mondays... I did peek in the windows a bit, and they have some classy looking beaded necklaces, earrings, etc. I'll have to get up there again when they're open, and see about displaying my pieces there.

Nate

[Saskrock]

You might want to try talking to some of the vendors at shows. I sell stuff to a show vendor, he buys it upfront then adds his profit on. I have seen his booth he sells for 2x what he pays me, but I get what I want for it and I don't have to try selling anything. The most important thing is to figure out exactly how long it takes you to make a wrap and what your material costs. Then you can determine what a fair cost is. You don't want to work for nothing and it is common to under value your own work.

[NDK]

I like that idea Scott, thanks!
I did get downtown to look at a few other shops, and one said if she likes my work she might buy a few pieces, or she can point me to other shops that would be interested. I'm starting to get an idea what's out there and what my options are.

I also need to keep a record of the time and materials used to make one so I can price it accordingly. That will be a tough one for me, as I never pay too close of attention when wrapping.

Nate

[metalartz]

If you consigning ask if your work is insured.

If they don't want you selling any where around them, how far is that? And what are they doing for you? 60/40 consignment, buying outright.

Do keep good records, what you take in, the price. if is returned (ie you take it for a show) and DO have them sign for it

If they buy it they want to sell it, it's their money, if it's consigned well it's not their, but they make money, if you have rented a shelf, do they care if it sells?

Doing shows cost money and time, you will be schlepping your stuff in and out, sitting or standing for how many hours? If you are good at selling, and have a good product at the right price, shows CAN be good, what if it rains, snows, there is a some thing else happening near by.

If you do shows. have your prices at retail, so if some one comes and wants them in their store you can sell them at 50% of what you are showing them at. Remember that 50% is what you are paying your self for being at the show selling the work, or if you need help it's to pay them.

Good luck

[peachfront]

The main problem with consignment is that you won't get paid. The person who couldn't afford to pay for your item will not pay you when the item sells. They always have a story. They will also claim that some of the items were stolen/shoplifted and they are not responsible for stolen/shoplifted items. Insurance? That's a laugh. We are not talking about a fine art gallery. The kind of person who is taking an inexpensive wire-wrapped item on consignment doesn't have insurance. How could they afford insurance? They can't afford to pay you a couple bucks upfront for your item? Unless you like filing claims in small claim court to get paid, I strongly suggest that you never get involved with consignment. I'm still owed several thousand dollars I'll never be able to collect. These small "local" shopkeepers who offer to take items on consignment go out of business as a matter of routine, leaving everyone unpaid. You're WAY down on the list. The state tax guys, the electric bill, the landlord...these are the guys who can spend years chasing down former owners of "consignment" craft stores and "shabby chic" junk shoppes. Life is too short. Sell the items yourself. I've done MUCH better over the years at eBay than I ever did putting stuff in stores. Before I could sell online, I did OK selling at shows and booths, but be careful of unreasonably high booth fees. I also sold to honest stores who just paid me upfront. Better a lower price in cash upfront, than a consignment "deal" that leaves you holding an empty bag when the store-owner declares bankruptcy and absconds with your stuff.

Someone in this thread said: Consignment is out. They suck. That person is 100 percent correct. Ask yourself, why should someone else have both my item AND they're the person who collects the money from the customer? Why would they ever pay me back? The answer is, most of the time, they don't! There is always some story. One store owner told me that all of the items were stolen. Really? ALL of them?

The woman who wants you to give her the items on consignment AND give her an exclusive, is testing to you to see if you are a complete idiot. I wouldn't do business with the person again, not as a customer, certainly not as a supplier. If for some reason you did, I'd tell her, "It's cash upfront if you want to carry my items." When someone makes a crazy, abusive request, it's a warning sign, in my opinion.

[NDK]

Thank you for the candid reply. I never looked at it that way.
I tend to be optimistic. If this is more the rule than the exception, I may have been taken for a ride.

Definiely something to think about.

Nate

[Rockoonz]

Look for an artists coop. We have a display in a coop, we pay for the space rather than commission. To keep the rent low we man the shop one day a month.

Lee

[NDK]

I'm going to get a few wraps done, and try to sell at work first. I inquired last night, and I am apparently able to post pix on our bulletin board. I will have Abigail design me a simple website and start there.

If I could sell a few pieces to local shops, that will be a bonus.

Lee, you and Donnie both mentioned renting a space, and I like that idea better than consigning. I will have to look for a shop that may offer that too.

Thanks,
Nate