Both my husband and myself are laid off I saw an ad on Craigslist of a gallery wanting fiber artists, I want to do a wallhanging and submit it but am afraid of rejection. We need the money if it sells but oh the fear is almost as great as the need. I know the saying it doesn't hurt to try but when your already down more rejection hurts.

Have you checked out their criteria and made sure that what you are planning to submit fits those criteria? If your answer is an enthusiastic YES! then by all means go for it.

I encourage you to do it. Don't take it as a rejection, but an opportunity to share with others the beautiful gift and talent you possess. I hope things get better for both of you.

Ask yourself this: If you enter and are rejected are you any worse off than of you hadn't made the quilt and entered?

We don't always realize it, but so much of what we call 'luck' in other people is really hard work and taking claculated risks.

IN other words, go for it!

Is there an entry fee?

I would read the "fine print" and go from there.

I would go for it!

You definitely need more details before you decide whether to go further. Some things to consider: What type of gallery is it? Commercial, co-op, vanity? Are they looking for new artists to represent or is this for a one-time only exhibition of works from many new artists? Does the gallery's style match yours? Ask to see a copy of the contract in advance.

Be aware that commercial gallery commissions can be as high as 60% of the sales price and their contracts are fairly restrictive as far as sales rights. In other words, even if you sell a hanging piece to your neighbor while it's on exhibit, the gallery gets their commission. They do work very hard to market the artists they represent and the works they have however, and gallery representation is considered a major career step for many serious artists. Good luck to you!

when we first started looking for galleries to sell our quilts, the same quilt, in two shops, brought two reactions
A- it's too traditional for us
B- it's too modern for us.

If they reject you it is not because of anything YOU did (unless you are making really bad quilts, lol) - it is just a reflection of what they are looking for.

Go for it gal!!

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Jump in.

This is a great point. Go for it!

Need to watch craigslist ads - most are honest people looking to sellk what they have - unfortunately others are there to prey on people like you who need money and see it as quick fix - be sure to check on fees etc and ask around to see if they have ever done this before - doesnt hurt to ask for references!!! Good Luck - why not just do a craigslist ad of your own and put a few on to sell. If no one buys I bet its because many are like you and cant afford to buy !!! cheryl

I entered my first quilt this fall. The fear of public rejection/critisism was almost paralizing. I was a wreck! I consider my self a confident quiler and have sold many many things over the years , but never entered a real judged art show. Well to my shock I won. It brought me to tears!
Go for it !! I never would have had the thrill of victory if I had done nothing. I learned that if I had not won there was still something to learn from the experience .. life goes on!

I agree. Check out the fine print. Also cherck out the gallery.

Submitting your work will hopefully also give you positive feedback and help you go forward in your quilting. All my friends who have put quilts in shows have found the experiences to be great learning oportunities.

ali

DO it!!! You'll never know how good you are until you try. Don't believe that rejections means you're NOT good, either! They can only say no! Then go back after you're accepted/rejected and see what's being shown there. It'll give you an idea of what to do or not do.....

I had a woman approach me years ago to put some of my paintings in their JURIED church craft show. I was so reluctant, but finally did it. ALL my paintings sold in the 1st hour. I know, because I was there an hour after opening!!!!! Sure gave me a boost!

Let us know what you do!

Go for it!!!

You GO girl!

Lots of other issues to consider, as has been mentioned already, but to strictly stick to what you initially asked.

I know what you mean about the rejection aspect, but don't let that be your fear. Let your fear be not knowing, not the outcome. That itself is empowering. It's not how many times you fall but how many times you get up. You can do it!

The truth is that it isn't about rejection at all...it is about what "they" are looking for. If you don't win, it isn't at all because your quilt is inferior in any way...it just isn't what they are looking for at that time.
It might win the next one.
Go for it...and don't you dare feel rejected for doing so!

Go For It! :thumbup:

If it does get rejected for some reason, ask them the reason. The answer may help make your work even better for the next submission.

And remember....Rejection is a part of life. We all get rejected at some point and we grow stronger because of it.

You seeing that ad might just have been God's way of talking to you. I say go for it & let it be a learning experience.

Yes, go for it. You will learn and others will get to see your work. Look at it as sharing.

You should read every single line of that contract. Here we mostly have county fairs and I've sent some to Georgia to my daughter to take to the county fair there. Be prepared for judges to be very nit picky about the quilts. They will go over every inch of your quilt. But do not let that stop you.I havn't won one yet,but out of those shows I have gotten a lot of quilt orders from people who saw my work and liked it.

Go for it. you would hate yourself for not trying. some one is bound to like your work, may not like that particular piece, but is impressed with your work. I see that all the time, just on posting pics of my work here.

Its wonderful all the positive thoughts you ladies are sending my way. I am going to enter after I check out the gallery and contract. It will be my second attempt to be in a show the last one I was in I won Judges Choice it was a wonderful feeling that made me continue working on art quilts. Thankyou so much.

I think it's worth trying. Though if you're the type of person who really can't handle rejection, you may not want to. I entered a quilt in our Guild Show 2 years ago, and I was so excited since I had worked so hard on it, and I wanted to win the ribbon they give to new quilters that the guild votes on, and I knew I was going to win... well, I didn't win, and my quilt judge was absolutely horrible - she said everything was fair except for my points which were poor and I spent FOREVER matching up the points with the 3 pin method and they were pretty darn good if I do say so myself! I was so discouraged I came close to quitting quilting. It took awhile to recover, but once I did, I said I wouldn't do competitive type stuff like that since I can't handle rejection/non winning very well. I would still say try it, but be careful about getting too obsessed with having your quilt for sale, ya know?

DO IT! You'll be so proud of yourself. It's your "ART"

Find out all the details and if you have followed all the rules -GO FOR IT!!! Nothing ventured nothing gained.
My DS#2 told me to do that with my first book proposal, he said, "whats the worst thing that can happen? You get turned down, they can't take your birthday"!!!! That's his crazy sense of humor, that saying is now a family tradition. By all means try and I hope you find work soon.
Oh, I'd also check out the gallery with the BBB. Lots of scams out there now days.

Give it a go...I entered my local competition this year didn't win anything or sell anything but it was a good experience because I now know what the level of skill is. It becomes a talking point and I learn from others in preparation for the next challenge, which if I can complete my 'masterpiece, will be next June.So, give it a go!

Just make sure you can actually see the gallery in person.
I got a scam letter once from a "shop" several states away, that wanted me to send some of my quilts to sell in their "shop". Being a very suspicious person, I called the PO in their town (their return address did not sound like a business). It was a small town, postmaster said there was no such shop.

BEWARE of scams

nothing ventured nothing gained- good luck

This is so true.
I once entered a photograph (one on which I had already won awards) in a local gallery show. Now, in my youth, I was quite competitive in this medium and won awards in every show I entered (and this was in Los Angeles). So when I entered this photo, which is one of my favorites and quite possibly one of the best prints I ever made (film & darkroom), I quite expected to win Best of Show.
The print won nothing that time.
Oh well. It happens.
Then again, you might win!
If the gallery checks out and you are satisfied with the terms, go for it!

You are right about the rejection thing but at the same time you might be able to make a little money. I'd say go for it.

check fine print, then go on with it! Do you have to pay up front money, a fee, commission or whatever its called. I didn't know you had to pay for entering your quilts, what do I know? I guess I am still a beginner!

Feel the fear and do it anyway!!!!!

First off my dear, don't admit you are in need of the money - no one has to know that part of it - then you shouldn't have anyone taking advantage of you -

And by all means take all these good peoples' advice about looking into it very carefully, know for sure what you are getting into and research first of all what they might be looking for - and then proceed... and you'll do wonderful!

Have confidence in yourself and you'll be just fine! Like one lady said, you'll never know the value of your talent until you have tried. Good luck and best wishes!!

I understand your hesitation. No one likes rejection, but there are different ways of looking at this. I'm with cathyvv who asked if you would be any worse off. Even if you are rejected, isn't the possibility of being accepted worth it? Further, no one becomes a famous designer without getting a few rejections. It reminds me of the time I submitted my first poem for publication (my first and last because I wasn't serious about writing poetry). Of course, it was rejected, but on a whim I wrote back to the publication and thanked them. I said, "Wow! My first rejection! Now I feel like a REAL poet!"

Don't let your fear prevent you from taking advantage of an opportunity that could go either way, but in this kind of thing, I always think it's best to keep your sense of humor about it. It isn't life or death, after all.

Go for it!

go for it....remember, it's just their opinion.

I understand your fear of rejection bc I have it too. I have never even shown my quilts in any type of judging show. I did several times put my quilts in a showing and the reason I did it was bc I knew the venue would be kind. Also I had partial control of the showing. Come to think of it I only got one negative comment and I appreciated it.
Good luck with what ever you decide and I hope it sells for more that you could have dreamed.

I think it was Wayne Gretsky who said, "You'll miss 100% of the shots you don't take."