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Written by Donald Clark
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Q: Is there any advantage to selling wholesale over retail and vice-versa?
There are clear advantages as well as disadvantages to both. I think this decision is really about lifestyle choices and your income target. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of each.
Selling your work only at retail shows means more travel and many more shows. Work sold at retail immediately returns the entire retail sale price to the maker. While it is possible to develop repeat customers, the retail customer at shows most often will only buy from you once. Retail selling returns immediate rewards, there is little follow-up office work and shipping is usually not a requirement.
Those selling their work at wholesale shows will typically do two or three shows a year. While work sold at your wholesale price returns only half of your retail price, wholesale selling is about taking many orders, and making money from volume. Often orders are dated months in advance and require cash flow to buy materials and pay both personal and professional expenses until payments begin to arrive. The hope is the wholesale buyer will reorder again and again thus spreading the cost of making the initial sale over many orders. Wholesale selling success requires more office work, printing, accounting work and shipping.
What about making a list of the things about the two selling approaches you like and those you dislike, and then similar lists for tasks you are good at and those you prefer are done by others? This exercise will give you a picture of your work/lifestyle and may guide you to the right choice. Don’t be surprised if you conclude a mix of wholesale and retail shows will best help you meet your goals.
 Is there any advantage to selling wholesale over retail and vice-versa?
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Written by Donald Clark
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Q: I’m a newbie to the world of shows, and I feel like I’m prepared as far as what to bring for supplies, but are there instances that come up unexpectedly that I may not be ready for?
I assume you have a comprehensive checklist of supplies to bring to a show. It can be helpful to organize this by their function; this will assure you have the tools you need. But alas, you know what they say about the best-made plans. Before you leave home, go online and Goggle hardware stores, copy centers and any other supplier you think you’ll need in the ZIP code or location of the show. You could also contact the presenters and ask for names and addresses of businesses—they should have this readily available and you won’t be the first to ask. Also remember your network: no doubt you will have friends at the show who may be able to assist with an unexpected need.
You will also want to talk to the promoter about the rules and regulations of the venue housing the show, and find out if it is in a union venue. Union policies, which will vary from venue to venue, may be more troublesome for you. These policies may prohibit you from painting your booth on site, draping a table, installing your own lights (seldom are you allowed to plug them in, if it is in a union hall) and moving your freight from the dock to your booth. There may be personnel from the venue to help move your freight, but be absolutely sure of the costs for these services before shipping to or arriving at the show. Some venues charge per box for delivering shipped-in freight, and you need to know these costs before you decide to ship with a commercial carrier. There are a number of art movers who will pick up your booth and materials at your studio and deliver them to your space at the venue; they deal with the unions and all that entails.
 I feel like I'm prepared for shows as far as what to bring for supplies, but are there instances that come up unexpectedly?
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Written by Donald Clark
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 What are your suggestions on the best retirement areas in the United States that cater to persons with small arts and crafts businesses?
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Written by Donald Clark
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 How can I communicate issues and problems to show management without being a squeaky wheel?
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Written by Donald Clark
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I haven’t done a press release before—do I need to?
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Written by Donald Clark
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 Whose fault is it when a gallery sends back an item and it arrives damaged?
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Written by Donald Clark
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 Do I have to take back a piece of my handmade jewelry if a customer doesn’t like it?
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Written by Donald Clark
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How do I get stores to understand my new focus on ceramics?
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Written by Donald Clark
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 Should I skip demonstrating my work at shows so I can dress nicer?
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Written by Donald Clark
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 Do I need specialized insurance for my craft business?
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Written by Donald Clark
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Is there a rule of thumb on what should be charged for art and handcrafted items?
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Written by Donald Clark
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 No one asked but…
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Written by Donald Clark
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How do I approach a gallery owner about telling the right story about my work?
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Written by Donald Clark
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What are some of the advantages of attending a craft school?
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Written by Donald Clark
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How do I stop someone from selling replicas of my jewelry line?
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Written by Donald Clark
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 Should I use Etsy.com or sell from my own website?
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