Round Platter, 18-inch diameter.

I’m always looking for new ways to show and market my work. Each piece is unique, and I want to keep the prices reasonable, so I’ve been involved in several craft cooperatives in my area. I do the occasional small show, because I love the direct contact and feedback from customers. Many of my customers are architects and designers, so this year I will be at the Philadelphia Furniture and Furnishings Show to increase my exposure in that market.

Contact: Kingsley Weihe, Brookline, Massachusetts
(617) 731-5158
kingsley@capecod.net.

Green and Yellow Teapot.

As an emerging artist, I’m currently researching the best markets for my work via various methods. The Internet is a great place to find local, national and international art fairs and galleries. Magazines, such as The Crafts Report, are a good way to find out what’s going on. Join local artist community groups (including Web-site based groups), network with other artists, and attend conferences and workshops. At visits to galleries, check out the type of work being sold, prices, the crowd, and talk to fellow artists who do similar work to see if it is a good event for them. Ask them to suggest other fairs/galleries.

CONTACT: Sheri Goldsmith, Earthly Expressions LLC, St. Louis, Missouri; (314) 773-1510.

Engobe Combed Plaid Stoneware Pitcher; 10x11x6 inches.

I find the best markets for my craft at seasonal fine craft shows, at arts centers, such as Main Line Art Center in Haverford, Pa., Guilford Handcraft Center in Connecticut, and Celadon, A Clay-Art Gallery in Water Mill, N.Y. These are excellent venues for my work as well as invitational and juried exhibitions at local and national clay centers, galleries, museums, and schools.

Local shops like Earth Tones in Merchant-ville, N.J., as well as regional galleries like Galleri Urbane in Silver City, N.M., are also great places to showcase my one-of-a-kind clay work. Networking, teaching and media exposure have played an important part in establishing all of my retail connections.

CONTACT: Barbara Hanselman, Cherry Hill, New Jersey; BHClaysmith@hotmail.com.

“Colors of Autumn.”

Artspace, in downtown Raleigh’s Historic City Market, is the home of my studio and small gallery space. Artspace offers space to artists and craftsmen and has been in existence for 17 years. It has an established reputation and following in our area. I’m in an area that gets daily walk-through traffic as well as large crowds for the First Friday Gallery Walks. Selling directly from my studio allows me to meet and educate the public about my work. But an even bigger advantage is the ability to interact with other artists and craftspeople.

Four years ago, I moved from a home studio where I made functional wheel-thrown work. The encouraging atmosphere in this space has facilitated my growth and change as an artist. I am now making only one-of-a-kind pieces that are sculptural, painterly and completely hand-built. With these changes, I am as excited about my work as when I first put my hands in clay.

CONTACT: Susan Farrar Parrish, Raleigh, North Carolina; www.susanparrishpottery.com.

Celtic Knotwork Candle Globe measuring 3x4.25 inches.

Knowing whom my work appeals to and where they are spending money was the most important step for me to find the right market for my work. When I first decided to try selling my pottery, I entered a few local art festivals. While I received favorable comments on my work, the praise was not supported with sales.

I found that a very wide range of people appreciated the beauty of my work but only a very specific audience was going to buy it. When I moved to the more targeted market of Irish festivals and Celtic events, my sales improved dramatically.

CONTACT: Patty Rau, Patty’s Pottery, Minneapolis, Minnesota; www.prrpots.com.