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In-Booth Portfolios

Posted by Chris Fedderson on June 20, 2019 at 3:49pm

Hello All,

A question for those of you who have a catalog or portfolio of "Other Available Artwork" in your art fair booth... Which do you have --or recommend-- a hardcopy or electronic presentation?  How do you have yours displayed in your booth... on a pedistal... on your desk... pull it out on request... other?

Thanks, in advance, for your input.

--Chris Fedderson

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40 Questions Blog Series: Question #12 What are some signs that what I am making should be phased out?

Posted by Michelle Sholund on March 22, 2010 at 10:16am

As we go about creating our own unique artwork and craft work, there comes a time we get desensitized from our work. What I mean is we make it because it is what we are comfortable doing, we like it, or its cute never really thinking about if it will sell and consistently sell well. There are timeless art forms that no matter what the economic climate brings us, it will sell, however this isn't the case with every craft artist that makes their living at art fairs. This is why I hope this question and answer brings to light the reason why we all should be keeping our eyes open to how people react and buy our art/craft work.

Question #12 What are some signs that what I am making should be phased out?

The skills of both a business person and salesperson should come out of hiding. As an artist, we often can't take rejection well, but being our own best critic and putting on the “business hat” to analyze our work is the ideal approach in this situation.

The best way to check the “life cycle” of your work is to chart it. Simply make a chart listing the months of the year on one side and dollar figures of the sales of the item – each item on the other side. Next, plug in the sales for each piece of art you sell each month. This can be applied to painters or photographers tracking each subject matter to a fiber artist who makes scarves. It doesn't take long before you see a pattern of how the piece starts to sell, maybe becomes steady with a peak and then a decline. Granted, seasonal items always have a low and high and low, but there are many pieces of work that aren't seasonal, thus giving the craft artist a clear picture of how well their work is selling as well as not selling. As pieces “loose” their selling luster, that is the time to start introducing new work. And for that reason it is always wise to spend part of your production time devoted to creating new lines, fine tuning your techniques and explore other mediums to enhance what you already make.

Lastly, the why some items may not always sell well. The success of new products as well as your “bread and butter” pieces really look at all aspects of your work. People are attracted to the appearance, the appropriateness of it in the marketplace, availability of materials, design, labor hours, price, how profitable it is, technique, timeless (will it last forever or always “be in”), unique factor, and its useful/functionality of the work. If these traits change, especially once the item peaks, this could be a sign of why items should be phased out. For example your supplier of raw materials went out of business and now are forced to go with another supplier. You may find the new supplier might not have the same quality of supplies as the original or the price is higher. Regular customers expect consistency (same quality work every time) and it be priced reasonably. If one of these change over night, you'll find the art or craft might need to be phased out list.


Look at the photo I took at a museum in Arkansas of 2008 provided. What do you think might cause this piece to be phased out? Or should it be phased out?

Do you find this helpful? Left with more questions? Use the comment button and share your thoughts. Of course, share this blog with others you know! - Michelle, www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com
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