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Advice on displays & indicating pricing for my first show?

M

Maggie Shapiro

Joined
Dec 4, 2024
Messages
45
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74
Location
Santa Fe, NM
Morning folks, I have my first show coming up March 14-16 (the Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival Spring show in Albuquerque). I have never done a show before, and this one seems to be on the fancy side (I had to get juried in, people aren't allowed to have swag at their booths, etc). I'm looking for advice on what has worked for you in the past as far as displaying your items (I'm thinking a gallery approach where less is more) and how to indicate prices and descriptions of items. I'd rather not put stickers on my pieces for obvious reasons, but is there a discreet approach you've used that you (and customers) have liked? Also any nuggets of wisdom are appreciated :) Much thanks!
 
Pricing is so subjective - depends on the show, the region, etc. So research in your area is helpful. Find a few friendly club members that sell stuff and ask them about pricing. Ask them about a few of your specific pieces (vs generic answers).
Beyond that, I'd say make your prices a bit higher than you probably think. If someone wants an item, the difference between $70 and $90 (or $250 and $300) is not going to change their mind.

For me, if I have a group of alike things they get priced with a sign "Things $XX each" (I make "Shot Barrels" by the dozen, and last show I had a group of miniature hollow forms).
Everything else is unique, and priced individually. And once I go thru the hassle of deciding on prices I don't want to memorize them or have to figure out how to keep prices with items in the transport bin, or get things mixed up in a gust of wind etc. So I go with these price stickers on the bottom of bowls and hollow forms. I replace the stickers before each show so they're "fresh", and before putting the sticker on the piece, I stick it to my thumb or back of my hand just to "use up" some of the sticky - seems to help. I have a white scotch brite pad, some walnut oil, and a rag to help if there's sticky residue when I remove the sticker for a sale. But they usually come off clean. Goblets and similar things get a string around the stem and the sticker stuck to the string.
Gallery where I have my stuff does basically the same thing with their price stickers (stuck to the item or hanging on a string).

Works for me, won't work for everyone.
 
I would go and check out what other turners are charging for similar things. Did that a number of times. Main thing is you don't want to undersell yourself. If you list high, you can always offer "discounts". Every show and area are different. I had a guy who used to come up from LA and he would buy my stuff at retail because he could still sell it for a profit in LA, but I could never get those prices locally.

robo hippy
 
I would have many stacks of bowls and plates. I took to using the blue painter's tape. If I put it on the bowl, it would not leave residue. It would also stick to and pull off easily from shelves. I would have a desk with a covered top and a bunch of drawers to hold "stuff" in. The desk top would have rolling pins and boxes and smaller items, but I never got into pens. Shelves down to about 4 feet, and furniture under the shelves. Every one is different. Some shows can and will "advise" you on how to do it, some won't. For me, most of what I sold was the bowls and plates. I was never very artsy....

robo hippy
 
I bought a package of these. They're very handy for pricing, peel off easily and don't leave any residue.

616ph+3ivCL._AC_SL1500_.jpg


I had a customer that didn't even look at the price. I think he saw a bowl of mine from a distance, walked over and picked it up, and without looking, asked "Do you Take VISA?" Easy sale! It was marked $350, but he might've paid double without a second thought. I wish all customers were like that. I've also had shows that people will look, feel, then move on. I'd like to ask if they think it's overpriced, or if their budget is just too tight.

Taking cards can be a big help. Square and PayPal are the 2 big ones that come to mind, but I'm sure there are others. It's convenient and allows people to spend a little more freely, but just a heads-up, they tend to favor of the buyer, not the seller, when/if something goes wrong.

I had a woman buy about $400 worth of my stuff. I processed her card and all was well until about 4 or 5 months later. On a Friday night, I got an email from PayPal saying she was disputing the charge with her bank and they had reversed the charge. PayPal had "opened a case" and I figured they'd get her side of the story, then ask me for mine; not so. On Sunday morning, I got another email saying case was closed in her favor. (and that my account balance was negative and would incur more fees if it stayed that way. They wouldn't give me any info on her except for her name. Lucky for me, it was a very unusual name and she lived and worked nearby. I wrote a non-threatening but very firm note and left it on her front door, in her malbox and at her office. She did pay me back plus the overdraft fees. (she said she didn't remember??) I just do cash, check, or Venmo. No more card processing for me.

I have not done many shows, and I'm not sure I will do more in the future. It's fun meeting people and seeing/hearing their reactions to my work. It was fascinating that at one particular show, with a large table full of pieces, there were 2 bowls that got picked up way more than all others. I never would've guessed it, it was far from a favorite, but this one bowl was picked up by almost every single person that went by. I sold a decent amount that day, but that one came home with me.
 
robo hippy said:
I would have many stacks of bowls and plates. I took to using the blue painter's tape. If I put it on the bowl, it would not leave residue. It would also stick to and pull off easily from shelves. I would have a desk with a covered top and a bunch of drawers to hold "stuff" in. The desk top would have rolling pins and boxes and smaller items, but I never got into pens. Shelves down to about 4 feet, and furniture under the shelves. Every one is different. Some shows can and will "advise" you on how to do it, some won't. For me, most of what I sold was the bowls and plates. I was never very artsy....

robo hippy
Click to expand...
Thank you so much!! I haven't gotten into pens either lol
 
Darryl Fective said:
I bought a package of these. They're very handy for pricing, peel off easily and don't leave any residue.

View attachment 72305


I had a customer that didn't even look at the price. I think he saw a bowl of mine from a distance, walked over and picked it up, and without looking, asked "Do you Take VISA?" Easy sale! It was marked $350, but he might've paid double without a second thought. I wish all customers were like that. I've also had shows that people will look, feel, then move on. I'd like to ask if they think it's overpriced, or if their budget is just too tight.

Taking cards can be a big help. Square and PayPal are the 2 big ones that come to mind, but I'm sure there are others. It's convenient and allows people to spend a little more freely, but just a heads-up, they tend to favor of the buyer, not the seller, when/if something goes wrong.

I had a woman buy about $400 worth of my stuff. I processed her card and all was well until about 4 or 5 months later. On a Friday night, I got an email from PayPal saying she was disputing the charge with her bank and they had reversed the charge. PayPal had "opened a case" and I figured they'd get her side of the story, then ask me for mine; not so. On Sunday morning, I got another email saying case was closed in her favor. (and that my account balance was negative and would incur more fees if it stayed that way. They wouldn't give me any info on her except for her name. Lucky for me, it was a very unusual name and she lived and worked nearby. I wrote a non-threatening but very firm note and left it on her front door, in her malbox and at her office. She did pay me back plus the overdraft fees. (she said she didn't remember??) I just do cash, check, or Venmo. No more card processing for me.

I have not done many shows, and I'm not sure I will do more in the future. It's fun meeting people and seeing/hearing their reactions to my work. It was fascinating that at one particular show, with a large table full of pieces, there were 2 bowls that got picked up way more than all others. I never would've guessed it, it was far from a favorite, but this one bowl was picked up by almost every single person that went by. I sold a decent amount that day, but that one came home with me.
Click to expand...
Wow so interesting! I am always amazed by what people really like - anything I ebonize or burn gets a ton more attention on my Instagram than my other pieces. I guess because it's not 'round and brown'? 🤷‍♀️😂 Anyway thanks for the heads up about the credit cards - I signed up with Zettle/Paypal because they have the best processing fee rates. I will also print receipts - maybe I can have folks sign one for me as well. I'll have to look into ways to cover myself in case someone disputes a charge. We put too much work into our pieces to have anyone just walk away with something for free! Quite annoyed at that lady on your behalf!
 
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