“The Business of Crafts” workshop returns March 29 and 30 at ArtWorks in Edmonds, for a weekend of information for artists looking to take their creative works to the marketplace.
Artists and craftspeople often find it difficult to figure out how to sell their art works. Many newer artists and craftspeople began pursuing a creative endeavor as a stress relief from a difficult job or life situation, and thus have never been exposed to an entrepreneurial approach to anything. Some artists start selling their work on a small scale, but then have no idea how to take it to the next step.
Taught by Pam Corwin, artist and owner of Paper Scissors Rock, and Manya Vee, jewelry designer and owner of Manya Vee Selects, formerly Kindred Circle Art Gallery, glean the fruits of their experiences to share with workshop participants.
The weekend seminar includes classes on selling craftworks in retail settings as well as through wholesale outlets. Pricing and marketing tips will be addressed, as well as ideas on how to make a display booth stand out in the middle of a crowded show. There will be an opportunity to hear the stories of other artists who earn their living through selling their art. There will even be a panel of art gallery owners who will share their tips on how to make a great impression on them.
Participants will also have the opportunity to get honest yet kind feedback on their artwork from Corwin, Manya Vee and other retailers. There will be tips on how to price items, marketing aspects best suited to specific styles, and where the best targets markets lie, all of this from experts who are in that area of business already and want to offer feedback and encouragement.
Corwin and Manya Vee met many years ago at an art show — Corwin selling her clocks and Manya Vee selling her jewelry. Both businesses grew over the years and the two stayed in touch sporadically. Manya Vee opened her gallery of contemporary fine art and craft in 2000, which is highly successful. Corwin became more well known too. By coincidence, both started teaching about the business of crafts independently. Years later both are successful and business savvy, and are joining forces to create a workshop to help other artists travel the road they traveled — but without as many bumps. As they both say, it’s everything we wish we’d known when just starting out so many years ago.
To register for this seminar, visit www.businessofcrafts.com, or call Pam Corwin at 360-357-3480, or email Manya Vee at Manya@ManyaVeeSelects.com.
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