needing a favor from fellow brooklyn-ites

as you likely know, i'm a ceramist. i'm about to send out a giant mailing to stores and while i have our `hood covered, i know little about the kind of boutiques around the country that would sell things like my bowls.

so........have you found any shops while traveling that you feel would be a good fit? anything in your hometown?

thank you thank you thank you.
love, alyssa

Bennett Galleries in Knoxville, TN
865-584-6791

Oop Inc in Providence, RI
(401) 455-0844 297 Thayer St

If I think of any more, I'll send you a pm. Museum shops might also be worth looking into. Have you considered getting a booth at the Gift Fair in the Javits Center?

Yavel wrote: Bennett Galleries in Knoxville, TN
865-584-6791

Oop Inc in Providence, RI
(401) 455-0844 297 Thayer St

If I think of any more, I'll send you a pm. Museum shops might also be worth looking into. Have you considered getting a booth at the Gift Fair in the Javits Center?

thanks yavel.

i've thought about booths but they are wickedly expensive. thousands. i'm selling crap on ebay just to afford the stamps for this mailing

Subject: Re: needing a favor from fellow brooklyn-ites

brooklynpotter wrote: as you likely know, i'm a ceramist. i'm about to send out a giant mailing to stores and while i have our `hood covered, i know little about the kind of boutiques around the country that would sell things like my bowls.

so........have you found any shops while traveling that you feel would be a good fit? anything in your hometown?

thank you thank you thank you.
love, alyssa

Im not sure of the names but there were some really great stores on the main strip in Key West.

Have you though about street fairs?

Subject: Re: needing a favor from fellow brooklyn-ites

stacey wrote:

Have you though about street fairs?

going to be doing atlantic antic in sept.

but. have you seen the articles in the times about street fairs in the city? gak

Is your work more functional or decorative (not that they're mutually exclusive)? If it's the latter, you could try to look into galleries as well.

Carnivore wrote: Is your work more functional or decorative (not that they're mutually exclusive)? If it's the latter, you could try to look into galleries as well.

both. click on my web icon and take a peek.

I know there is a big market in atlanta that happens every so often. Not sure what its about, but I know thats where all the small gift stores in my hometown that would sell that sort of stuff shop at. Good luck.

Subject: Re: needing a favor from fellow brooklyn-ites

brooklynpotter wrote:
going to be doing atlantic antic in sept.

Great - I dont care what anyone says the Atlantic Antic is my favorite street fair.

brooklynpotter wrote: but. have you seen the articles in the times about street fairs in the city? gak

Thats the whole reason why we need some fresh ideas at these fairs!

Subject: Re: needing a favor from fellow brooklyn-ites

brooklynpotter wrote: [quote=stacey]

Have you though about street fairs?

going to be doing atlantic antic in sept.

but. have you seen the articles in the times about street fairs in the city? gak

ah, yea, so the Times gave 'em a bum rap but ya know what, people will still come, and I'm sure with the Antic the turnout (weather permitting of course) will be even larger than the year prior. I mean really, where else are ya gonna get a friggen Mozzerepa? Do you have to pay a heafty price tag for a space there? also, when is it again?
Wish I had some ideas for you on where else to sell your wares but I grew up here in NYC, I sure as shit ain't gonna refer you to the Queens Center Mall

Subject: Re: needing a favor from fellow brooklyn-ites

trixieNYC wrote: [quote=brooklynpotter][quote=stacey]

Have you though about street fairs?

going to be doing atlantic antic in sept.

but. have you seen the articles in the times about street fairs in the city? gak

ah, yea, so the Times gave 'em a bum rap but ya know what, people will still come, and I'm sure with the Antic the turnout (weather permitting of course) will be even larger than the year prior. I mean really, where else are ya gonna get a friggen Mozzerepa? Do you have to pay a heafty price tag for a space there? also, when is it again?
Wish I had some ideas for you on where else to sell your wares but I grew up here in NYC, I sure as shit ain't gonna refer you to the Queens Center Mall

atlantic isn't that $$ for craftspeople. it's just a matter that the fairs are so crowded it's hard to get anyone to see you when they're looking for friend dough.

but i'll let you know where my table is so all my homeys can come visit.

Have you ever thought about hosting a pottery party - inviting friends and asking them to bring a friend?

I would be thinking about going door to door (to appropriate shops), or direct mailing, in the city neighborhood by neighborhood. I would think you have a better chance of developing an ad hoc network of shops that will sell or consign your bowls in NYC, and then developing a wider national network.

stacey wrote: Have you ever thought about hosting a pottery party - inviting friends and asking them to bring a friend?

That's actually a good idea Stacey. I get some many invites for Candle Parties, Jewelry Parties, Pampered Chef Parties, but most of the stuff is overpriced junk. people come and buy anyway I think out of obligation. HOWEVER, with BP's pieces, they're actually quite nice, look very well made, great colors/style and affordable (no, I'm not her Rep.)...and they're useable for both yourself and a gift for someone else. I think you should do it. I think you'd do quite well.

wow, you guys are so nice.

stacey: can't do that because those other types of parties make me a little sick.

steve: that's what this mailing is doing!

trixie: thanks for your compliments.

i love you guys.

brooklynpotter wrote: i'm selling crap on ebay just to afford the stamps for this mailing

Have you thought about selling on Etsy.com as well? Might want to check it out if you haven't already!

apollonia666 wrote: [quote=brooklynpotter] i'm selling crap on ebay just to afford the stamps for this mailing

Have you thought about selling on Etsy.com as well? Might want to check it out if you haven't already!

etsy's already being worked on!

Different style of pottery, but my good friend's family business was/is very successful even though they're not in all that many retail shops - they've thrived on aligning themselves with B&Bs, special events, and such (I saw a mug that Charles Barkley had commissioned from them for a personal party - it was pretty cool!). Take a look at their website - like I said, it doesn't directly translate, but maybe you'll find a marketing idea to borrow, or maybe something there will serve as inspiration, taking you down an avenue that you hadn't thought of before...

I've heard that the Union Square booths are very good, not sure if they're expensive though. My friend has been doing well there for years. He also does well with the little ads in the back of the New Yorker.

Don Drumm Gallery and Studios
437 Crouse Street
Akron, Ohio 44311
330.253.6268
fax: 330.253.4014

Great collection and definitely worth a shot.