Market Lessons
This past Sunday I participated in the Independence Park Farmer’s Market in the Irving Park neighborhood of Chicago. The market runs about 4 hours every other Sunday from late spring to mid-fall. One of the members of my community studio is in charge of recruiting and setting up the artist’s tents. Other artists from our studio have participated in the market, but this was my first time. I felt excited and hopeful, but also anxious.
The studio had been closed between summer and fall sessions so I knew I wouldn’t be able to make any new work for the market. My pottery is hidden all over my house so finding all the pieces I wanted to sell was a longer search than anticipated. It also made my eyes wide at the amount of pottery I actually had TO sell. Seeing it all amassed on my dining room table was a little overwhelming at first. So instead of putting all the mugs together and vases together, I saw there were many through lines in a lot of my work and started grouping by color and style. Slowly I started to realize that I had these small collections which I didn’t even think I had given that’s my intention of having this website.
Once I had everything organized, I also needed to make sure I had proper signage for my table and all items priced out. I made a detailed spreadsheet to keep track of all sales and totals. Then came the endless wrapping and packing of all items. Tedious, but necessary work. In total, I had over 50 pieces.
The day of the market was beautiful - the sun was shining, it wasn’t too hot, perfect weather for potential traffic at the market. Within the first hour, I had my first sale. The checkered mug set that I’ve heard loud and clear from friends and family that I need to make more of (I’m on it!). In that moment, I called it a success. All of the work I put in to be able to have a customer find a piece that they loved made it all worth it. After that things were pretty slow and with only a couple hours left in the market, I had only sold a couple of things. I tried to not allow myself to feel disappointed, but then things started to pick up. I had friends and family stop by and show their support which meant so much to me! I met new people and made new customers. By the end of the market, I had sold around 15 pieces and donated a piece to the market’s raffle. It felt great! I overcame my anxiousness and felt a boost of confidence once I had packed up.
So what are my biggest takeaways? First and foremost, I CAN do something that feels overwhelming and scary. This is only my second market ever - the other being our school’s holiday market last year - so this felt more like I was really putting myself out there. Secondly, I learned that what sells is not always what I think will sell. So I need to look at what sold and make more of those forms and/or glazing techniques. And lastly, and really I already knew this, but how much love and support I have in my friends and family. Without their (your) support, I couldn’t do this. So thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Onto the next!
