Selling your pottery is a multi-layered decision. You must be confident in your work (or desperate because you are drowning in bowls and mugs) to put your pottery out there.
My first selling venue was a local art gallery. This was a good opportunity for me because the curator was one of my former pottery instructors. She was encouraging and guided me through the process. I filled out the paperwork and left an assortment of pots for the board to jury for their sales gallery. I was so excited (and relieved) when my pots were accepted into the gallery for sale.
When considering a sales gallery or store, do some research. Review the establishment’s sales/consignment/commission policies. Then, visit the store to evaluate if it is a good fit for you and your work. A practical resource with valuable guidelines that I used when I approached other galleries is “How to Sell Your Ceramic Artwork Through Galleries: A Guide for Ceramic Artist”.
It may be a bit nerve-wracking to approach a store or gallery, but if you are sensitive or shy about you pots or if selling makes you uncomfortable, it might be easier for you to have a third party handle the sale.
Even though there is a commission charged, selling through a third party has other advantages. The store handles paying sales taxes and credit card fees. Also, selling through a store can be a good solution if you have limited inventory because you don’t have to fill a large display space. And finally, your pots are exposed to many potential buyers. With these benefits, stores/galleries are a good sales outlet for many potters.
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