Quiltgranny

Moonpi, Loretta and ghostrider,

They are all very new at this. I will visit them next time I go into town and ask for a written contract.

The first item I sold was not a quilt, and certainly not anything I thought was worth the money they got for it. Okay, so "fool me once, shame on them, fool me twice, shame on me." I will not allow that to happen again. Thanks for everyone's thoughts on this. I needed this important info to be able to speak intelligently to them when I bring it up. This is all new to me, too.

kluedesigns

sorry for the long rant.

i just can't stand when people take advantage of artists and their lack of business knowledge.

ghostrider

You didn't rant, Klue. :wink:

Good luck, Quiltgranny. Let us know how it goes!

QuiltMania

Klue is right. Get everything in writing up front. It used to be that a handshake deal would be adequate but not any more. I would go back to the shop, express my concerns regarding the price I heard quoted and get a written agreement. If they weren't willing to put it in writing, I would remove my quilt and not give them anything more for consignment.

Quiltgranny

Oh, no need to be sorry, Klue. I need to learn these things. I value what each and everyone of you all have to say, and I can tell you're all looking out for my best interest - which sadly may not be happening at my LQS. Thanks.

Quiltgranny

What suggestions do you have, Klue, for selling quilts on my own? I'd sure be interested to hear in some alternative ideas. Thanks so much.

Quiltgranny

That's part of the problem, the handshake way of doing business. That's what this ol western town was founded on, and many still do business that way. As well, that's the way we've often conducted business, too. Guess that doesn't work so well in this real world we live in, does it? I suppose a person needs to put things in writing anymore to protect themselves and the other parties involved.

Mousie

quiltgranny, did you get anything in writing?
I was once given a box of brand new clothing. I picked out the ones I wanted to keep, and added some of my own stuff, (which, now all of it, was mine), took it to a friends consignment shop. She had an assistant, and my friend was out on an errand.
This was my first time taking anything to a consignment shop, so, when she took my big box of stuff, and gave me a card and wrote down my name and number, I thought that was all there was to it.
I didn't hear anything for a few weeks, so I called them.
What's your receipt number?
Me: I don't have a receipt. I described what I had taken in.
Consignment store: Too bad. It's all gone, and if you don't have a receipt there is nothing we can do.:evil:
I was ripped off! Don't let this happen to you. Go there in person, and re-negotiate, or take your stuff home. I wish I had known. I've actually, never taken anything to another store, since.
I have heard the same story, from friends. Hope you have a better experience. :D

bearisgray

a written contract should help minimize misunderstandings -

it is a shame that is necessary now, but it seems not everyone operates on the same plane

as you said - fool me once, shame on you - fool me once, shame on me

I think Klue's comments were excellent

kluedesigns

places would be arts and craft festivals, fairs, local gift shops and hospitals, and online sites to name a few.

generating a client base takes more effort. you really need to focus on your location and the type of work those people like to buy.

in my area its much easier to move "art" then "bedding". i can charge $500 for a small wall quilt but have a hard time getting $200 for a twin size bedding quilt.

once you understand your local shoppers and what they like you need to develop a way to reach them.

i live in a dense population with many artists so it was easy to find festivals but i also have a lot of competitors.

once i established a small festival business i started to do charity auctions at the local "clubs" to develop my name among these people.

typically after these auctions the people who didn't win would hire me on the spot to make them work.

it also helps to enter your work into shows - this can and does drive up the price you can sell your work for.

you need to study the income of your area and estimate the amount of disposal cash they have and what they like to spend it on. then you produce works that you are willing to sell for that price.

many people make projects that they want and like to make and typically they can't get a fair price because they put to much into the project without thinking about how much they can get in the market place.

please feel free to ask me anything about starting down this road. the more specific info you can give me the more i can help you.