[Clayart] pricing

[mel jacobson]

one thing that i learned years back.  `get over it`...price so you
are happy, and don't worry about others.  you build your own
stock pile of customers, do business and make them happy so they
keep coming back.  but sit down and work it out...how long does it
take, how fussy are you, do you make your own, or buy ready made.????
it all adds up.

artists are not in a union.  we are independent agents.

if you deal with a gallery, you have better have sharp fangs.
they bite...they are not in business because they love artists.
they love money.   many of you know that new york galleries
are often taking 70% commissions.  i was stunned when they
went to 60% about 15 years back.

i live in the land of mackenzie.  a big plate at $38 would be
over priced for him.  he sells his work at very low prices.
so.
what i say...`he can give his pots away...not my business.`
he had a great job college teaching, has his bills paid, insurance,
health care, great pension still.  he does what he does. 
not my business.
those working full time have to set their prices around him.
he is unique.  and, no one can do anything about it.
he is 93 years old and still making pots...good for him.

what i do object to is institutionalized pots.  art centers that now
control the art shows.  people that make pots in an institution and
sell on the streets and at the center.  they have a venue, pay back to 
the venue, a closed
group of buyers....they don't order clay, make glazes, fire kilns, sweep 
the
floor.  often the inst. is tax payer sponsored.  or some very rich people
pay and take huge tax breaks.

we just had a big minnetonka studio tour and sale.
but, not a studio in the bunch...they sold from their homes.
back yards...the pots are made at the art center...every one.
they sell a ton.  pretend to be serious home studio potters.
not a home kiln in the bunch.  (maybe one gal is firing at home..
damn fine potter.  she came of out the melvin school)

that playing field is not level.  it is like people that gather at the
junior college clay room...fill all the classes...pay a fee, have full
use of the studio, ready made.  clay, glazes and kilns.  often the teacher
loves it...becomes a club.  out to lunch with the gang...and the
classes are always full.  no room for new people however.
(this is metaphor, there are huge regional differences, but by
in large, i am dead on.)  and, without doubt there are fine
teachers that see through that stuff and refuse to be a party to it.
hooray for them.

many art centers have the same club system . early enrollment, and the gang
gets all the spots. class full.  newcomers are shunned.

the things that i have suggested in the past still work.  go to your high
priced gift store, bridal registry store like macy's....talk to the 
department
leader...ask what the price of weddings gifts are....ask what people buy
for good dishes...see what a full set of quality dishes sell for. what 
is a place
setting worth.?  you will be stunned.

the average wedding gift in america should be ...if you are invited to a big
wedding with food etc....$120.00     that is from the mouth of the macy's
department head. (minnetonka.)  a blender does not cut it.
many now register for ...wait for it....MONEY  yes, i have seen
it...`we are fussy and don't like to return things.so, just write a check
for $120.`

i sell my smaller teapots and plates for $65.00.....half the cost of
down town.  i tell the customers that `the bride will think they paid
a hundred.`..make sure my brag card is in place...and come back to
me for all your gifts.  at the speed i make pots...at $65 i make a
very neat profit.  i can make 8 teapots in one afternoon.  i can
throw ten platters in the morning. and, i don't fart around with
two hours of fussy decoration on those pots.  white, black and red.
and some violet.  out the door they go.  i compete with no one.

i have told folks for years...it is,  can you sell what you make?  not, 
`i got a $150 for
a teapot says the kid potter.`.  how many did you sell?  oh, one last year.
25x65 is $1625.00

i also have a section C on my taxes...i declare, deduct...keep books.
some cash is nice.  if you are just having fun, go for it...but don't piss
and moan about pricing.  not your business.  and like the fine potters
on this list that make their living....look to them, they know what they are
doing, and do it every day.  it is not an easy job...but, they selected it
and love the life.  i have had 2-4 sales at my home for 55 years.in a 
row...well.
except when we lived in japan....but, i had seven shows in japan.
so, i have kept at it.
mel
and, i see the rocket potters...flash into the sky, make a huge fire and
crash in the sea...gone for good.  they will always be showing up.
they are worth nothing.  ignore them.   some of you have seen the
signs...maybe hand made pots are going to come back.....there are
rumors.


-- 
Mel's Website:  www.melpots.com
CLAYART PAGE:
http://www.melpots.com/CLAYART.HTML

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