Two weeks ago we had Spring Fair. I sold a lot of pots but it did essentially nothing toward clearing out some space in the studio. This left me with a lot of old stuff sitting around filling up my rapidly shrinking shelf space. I know this is a controversial thing in the arts but a seconds sale became more appealing.. Do you really want to sell stuff at a reduced price? Do you really want your "less than best" out there with your name on it? When is something a second instead of landfill? For years I have donated to a seconds sale that our club has in conjunction with our Empty Bowls event. I have had people buy from me at shows to get pieces to go with those they bought at Empty Bowls so I don't think it hurts me in that way. Quality wise the worst stuff I will put out may have a thin spot in the glaze or a handle that is a little crooked. and a big black X on the bottom to show that it is a second. I also include a lot of pots that have just been around too long or do not fit my current body of work I think that when I explain why these pieces that look fine to them are seconds, it enhances the quality of my regular stock.
To cut to the chase, a few of us got together and had a sale last Saturday.It was promoted with handouts at Spring Fair and on social media.There were only half a dozen of us and we really did not draw a big crowd, especially after Facebook started showing the wrong address for some reason. Even so, I put out two tables of stuff, yard sale style. No tent, no racks, just put it on the table.Sitting in the shade with friends is not a bad way to spend the day but when you sell a bunch of pots at the same time it is even better. I sold about half of what I brought including several big jars that were eating up space. Didn't get rich but I had several hundred dollars and it only took a few minutes to pack up at three o'clock. Yup three not five. Very civilized.
I got so inspired that I have been reorganizing the shelves in the studio and boxing up remaining seconds for Empty Bowls. It is not until November but they will store in the other shed all boxed up. I will have more space and not have to rush around in October. Let me know your opinion on selling clearance and seconds. Thanks for stopping.
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I think you get more traffic at your place than mine, several hundreds is a good day in my book.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea...tomorrow I'm having a multi family yard sale, and the seconds of pots will be included.
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes potters are more critical of their work than the general public. I have sold seconds that the customer could not for the life of them, figure out why I thought it was a second. I say, if they will buy it, sell it to them. Life is short!
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more Tracey. I'm trying to build a brand and can get pretty particular about these things.On the other hand, If I don't mark my seconds for Empty Bowls they often end up in the "Bowl Room" where they replace someone else's firsts.
ReplyDeleteJeff and I sell seconds and like Tracey said, many people can't find flaw. When I point it out they often say, "It's hand made, I expect things like that".
ReplyDeleteOnce a year we set a tent up in the yard and get rid of the "one offs" and seconds. It usually brings in, like you said, a couple hundred extra bucks. And who can't use extra money?!