http://www.davistudio.com/2009/04/19/sustainable-studio-make-art-for-money/ Fine Porcelain by Mary Anne Davis Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:14:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.davistudio.com/2009/04/19/sustainable-studio-make-art-for-money/#comment-457 Mary Anne Davis Wed, 06 May 2009 11:04:21 +0000 http://www.davistudio.com/?p=413#comment-457 Hi Chris- That sounds like a reasonable plan. Outsourcing regionally is a way to build a business and grow with conscience. If you have items selling faster than you can produce them, then go for it! I would even advocate using a regional factory if that is around or help develop one. My objection to outsourcing is more about outsourcing to remote producers. Tough to keep an eye on all kinds of standards when things are done afar. Your business model sounds like it has real potential. Look forward to hearing how it goes. Hi Chris- That sounds like a reasonable plan. Outsourcing regionally is a way to build a business and grow with conscience. If you have items selling faster than you can produce them, then go for it! I would even advocate using a regional factory if that is around or help develop one. My objection to outsourcing is more about outsourcing to remote producers. Tough to keep an eye on all kinds of standards when things are done afar. Your business model sounds like it has real potential. Look forward to hearing how it goes.

]]> http://www.davistudio.com/2009/04/19/sustainable-studio-make-art-for-money/#comment-453 Chris Tenenholtz Tue, 05 May 2009 00:52:28 +0000 http://www.davistudio.com/?p=413#comment-453 I hear ya, Mary Anne--I'm referring to a line of original and unique porcelain and silver jewelry that I would employ local women (or men!) to assemble at home with my components....I totally agree with you on the point of outsourcing to another factory--although I have been tossing the idea around for some of my already popular items....it IS a conundrum! I look forward to being able to work in my home studio and continue my lifestyle, but with some products that I don't have to do each and every part of....luckily I live in a small tourist town with many folks who need side work and many shops that need locally made items...trying to piece it all together to keep my creative integrity and increase my income. I feel like I can provide work and marketable product and keep my head above the waves! I'm in discussion with a few shops that have been selling my work for years, and I am one of the only local artists left in these shops--in a town that used to be known for local artisans! Right now I am working with these shop owners to come up with designs that are original and priced right for their market. A different way to approach art--by analyzing the market first--but I feel that will bring me what I need financially and I will continue to throw pottery but without the pressure that I've had in the past, whereby I would exhaust myself producing and still keep banging my head on the $$ ceiling.... I hear ya, Mary Anne–I’m referring to a line of original and unique porcelain and silver jewelry that I would employ local women (or men!) to assemble at home with my components….I totally agree with you on the point of outsourcing to another factory–although I have been tossing the idea around for some of my already popular items….it IS a conundrum! I look forward to being able to work in my home studio and continue my lifestyle, but with some products that I don’t have to do each and every part of….luckily I live in a small tourist town with many folks who need side work and many shops that need locally made items…trying to piece it all together to keep my creative integrity and increase my income. I feel like I can provide work and marketable product and keep my head above the waves! I’m in discussion with a few shops that have been selling my work for years, and I am one of the only local artists left in these shops–in a town that used to be known for local artisans! Right now I am working with these shop owners to come up with designs that are original and priced right for their market. A different way to approach art–by analyzing the market first–but I feel that will bring me what I need financially and I will continue to throw pottery but without the pressure that I’ve had in the past, whereby I would exhaust myself producing and still keep banging my head on the $$ ceiling….

]]> http://www.davistudio.com/2009/04/19/sustainable-studio-make-art-for-money/#comment-450 Mary Anne Davis Sat, 02 May 2009 12:26:59 +0000 http://www.davistudio.com/?p=413#comment-450 Sounds like a solid game plan. Good luck and keep up posted! Have you tried Etsy? Sounds like a solid game plan. Good luck and keep up posted! Have you tried Etsy?

]]> http://www.davistudio.com/2009/04/19/sustainable-studio-make-art-for-money/#comment-449 Mary Anne Davis Sat, 02 May 2009 12:26:24 +0000 http://www.davistudio.com/?p=413#comment-449 Congratulations on your success! I would caution you on outsourcing production in the mass production arena. I firmly believe our current economic crisis is a result of overproduction of mass produced and marketed goods that have undermined our quality of life, both environmentally and qualitatively. It poses a huge conundrum as to how to increase profitability in the face of meeting demand, but organizing production on site and hiring an appropriate manager might be ways of keeping production in house. My 2 cents. Thanks for sharing your success with us! Congratulations on your success! I would caution you on outsourcing production in the mass production arena. I firmly believe our current economic crisis is a result of overproduction of mass produced and marketed goods that have undermined our quality of life, both environmentally and qualitatively. It poses a huge conundrum as to how to increase profitability in the face of meeting demand, but organizing production on site and hiring an appropriate manager might be ways of keeping production in house. My 2 cents. Thanks for sharing your success with us!

]]> http://www.davistudio.com/2009/04/19/sustainable-studio-make-art-for-money/#comment-448 Mary Anne Davis Sat, 02 May 2009 12:22:13 +0000 http://www.davistudio.com/?p=413#comment-448 I agree making our things and selling them is a far better way to live than inhaling and throwing away the vast mass produced goods our "consumer" market foists upon us. Quality of life is a multi-faceted gem. I agree making our things and selling them is a far better way to live than inhaling and throwing away the vast mass produced goods our “consumer” market foists upon us. Quality of life is a multi-faceted gem.

]]> http://www.davistudio.com/2009/04/19/sustainable-studio-make-art-for-money/#comment-447 Mary Anne Davis Sat, 02 May 2009 12:20:15 +0000 http://www.davistudio.com/?p=413#comment-447 I have been thinking of your Arshile Gorky comment all week. Thank you for posting that. Somehow, I find that fact encouraging. I have been thinking of your Arshile Gorky comment all week. Thank you for posting that. Somehow, I find that fact encouraging.

]]> http://www.davistudio.com/2009/04/19/sustainable-studio-make-art-for-money/#comment-446 Mary Anne Davis Sat, 02 May 2009 12:18:32 +0000 http://www.davistudio.com/?p=413#comment-446 There is a need and a market for higher priced master works and edgier art works for a sophisticated audience. Those people may be fewer but they are interested in quality not quantity. Quality of idea as well as craftsmanship. I find that an interesting market to investigate. There is a need and a market for higher priced master works and edgier art works for a sophisticated audience. Those people may be fewer but they are interested in quality not quantity. Quality of idea as well as craftsmanship. I find that an interesting market to investigate.

]]> http://www.davistudio.com/2009/04/19/sustainable-studio-make-art-for-money/#comment-445 Mary Anne Davis Sat, 02 May 2009 12:15:36 +0000 http://www.davistudio.com/?p=413#comment-445 Our kids are training for jobs that don't exist, according to current thinking. How can we even imagine continuing in our parents footsteps? Good for you for endeavoring to follow your passion. It is a hard but rewarding road. Our kids are training for jobs that don’t exist, according to current thinking. How can we even imagine continuing in our parents footsteps? Good for you for endeavoring to follow your passion. It is a hard but rewarding road.

]]> http://www.davistudio.com/2009/04/19/sustainable-studio-make-art-for-money/#comment-444 Mary Anne Davis Sat, 02 May 2009 12:13:38 +0000 http://www.davistudio.com/?p=413#comment-444 :)

]]> http://www.davistudio.com/2009/04/19/sustainable-studio-make-art-for-money/#comment-443 mary starosta Sat, 02 May 2009 08:37:08 +0000 http://www.davistudio.com/?p=413#comment-443 I am in the first stages of selling my pottery. Last year (Oct-dec) I focused on folks I knew,etc. This year I have begun the outside tent sales and a small coffee shop. I guess I am testing the waters to see what of mine sells and how I would go about it. It still is a second income for me as I would be too scared to dive into it without a stable income. PS I love your studio! I am in the first stages of selling my pottery. Last year (Oct-dec) I focused on folks I knew,etc. This year I have begun the outside tent sales and a small coffee shop. I guess I am testing the waters to see what of mine sells and how I would go about it. It still is a second income for me as I would be too scared to dive into it without a stable income. PS I love your studio!

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