scroll saw portraits

Important Announcement

The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More

I am relatively new to the show scene and scrolling. New meaning not retired and have been scrolling for a few years. I do mainly portraits and Wildlife "welcome plaques" as well as Anything for the Denver Broncos.Yes I am in Colorado and our life here revolves around the Wildlife and the Broncos LOL

I still haven’t figured out these shows. I will do well one week and sell nothing the next. I change up my pricing depending on the shows location and type. I have found with the portraits, matting them nicely and displaying in a brochure stand as wall as showing the extra nice pieces framed hanging on a grid wall has improved my store front appeal. I did a new show this past week end and made a whole $23.00. Ate well at McDonalds afterwards. This was suppose to be a WILD WILD WEST SHOW where we were told they would have 1800 period themes with gun fights and all. Bands playing all day long and all kinds of fun happenings. I was offered a space for the 2-1/2 day event for only 25 bucks. Hard to turn down. Take in to mind that I have 250 portraits available and my set up is time consuming and hard work. So we are all ready for show time and�? NO ONE CAME! It was 102 degrees Saturday and there were only 2 of us venders to show up. Yes this is not a typo, ONLY 2!I opted not to show today ( hmmm.. wonder why) My 1^st show of the season back in May was the same thing. Hard to sell with no patrons. I am starting to get very discouraged as I work out in my hot garage for up to 14 hours a day. With-out going into detail, I am disabled and have found scrolling to be my salvation. The portrait making in particular because it takes my mind off things and it is light weight. I hate feeling like a unproductive part of society so this is what I do.

I do have a larger established show I am doing this weekend up in the mountains. It is their 49^th annual show and all items sold are to be handmade. This year they have combined the Fine Arts with the crafts. I sure hope this is a better choice, and yes a much higher entry fee. I guess my purpose for writing this is actually needing to hear some encouraging words from friends that understand what I am feeling right now. In the past I have only done 2 shows a year. With my disability that was all I could handle at the time. We have moved this year and have family who has offered their help in setting up so I have increased my shows to 7 this summer. The families good intentions have falling a bit short so I am now obligated to these shows with very little help. Because of this it takes me about 2 hours to set up and the same to break down. It takes me about three days to recover from a one or two day show. I am working as hard as I can possibly can and don’t know where to go next.

My prices are about as low as I can go right now. I do the portraits in 3 sizes the smallest is 5x7 matted out nicely to 8x10. These sell for 10.00. the next is 8x10 matted to 11x14 for $20 and the largest 11x14 matted to 16x20 for 30.00. I have the nicer pieces matted and framed running form 30 as high as 65.00. I do personal portraits for $65.00 but pay a pattern maker for those as I haven’t figured this out yet. Although even if I do figure it out someday, I think I will keep my pattern maker as he is awesome.

Okay, now that I have written my novel, any suggestions , hints, advice, encouragement’s are greatly appreciated!

Deb

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but hope I am wrong. I am not sure about your area but here on the east coast things are slow in the summer and this is one reason I do not do summer shows. You may have a street fair that will do alright but the closer you get to the holidays and of course Christmas being the big one is when things pick up. I have had people tell me they do well at street fairs but I have been to them and only see people there for the fun and games. I will use the summer months to build stock for the winter shows. This way there is no rush and I don't have to beat myself up come winter.

I can symphasize with you on the setup thing because I scroll clocks and big things so there is alot more boxes and things but the thing I can not realize is the handicap thing for I am not and it still is a chore. People just don't realize the time and effort put in just to get it there let alone make the stuff. So when I overhear people say the price is too much I politely say then the piece is not for you.

Look on the bright side though you are doing something you love and it is a relaxing thing. I won't give it up even if I have to give the stuff away. I look at it this way I just want to make enough to support this habbit for it becomes addictive that is for sure. Hang in there because the forcast is for the econemy to be picking up and hopefully people will be opening their wallets more. Your prices seem right on so don't worry about that. Like I try to do is have different price ranges available for the people to pick through and hopefully you can sell a few of the pricier things to bring your sales to a big haul.

Hang in there Deb. Your pricing seems very reasonable and within the price range that I use. You may try to concentrate on themes that are in line with the locality. In other words, if you are doing a show in Fairplay, you should have some burro portraits, Gold Panner portraits and maybe some Cowboy and Horse poptraits. In Central City I would have some Old Time Dance Hall Gals.Just my suggestion. Hope it helps. P.S. I was raised in Salida ages ago.

Sorry to hear about your bad encounter with the craft shows. I have three books to lay on the table along with my work and people can see that I have started this up and I still dont sell much at all myself.

The main thing you need to do is get the word of mouth going. Make some portraits to donate to local churches, highschools, vet clinics, etc. Make up some cards and tell the business managers or owners that if someone inquires about them to give them a card. This puts you out one portrait for a business but the foot traffic may yeild some orders and the owner gets a free portrait.

This is more of an art form so try to get into the local gallery's. Present your work to your local papers. They should have an art section and it would make a good story to get your name out.

The hardest thing to do is to keep your chin up when you are sitting on a garage full of finished portraits. I know because I have one myself. Try to remain positive in thinking about all of the enjoyment you had in cutting them out. I even hang a bunch on my garage walls to keep me motivated. Craft shows are a gamble but you have to put it out there to get feedback and ideas of what sells. I would try to get your name and presence set in your community a little bit and then you will have orders to keep you busy in between shows.

Hope this helps some,

After doing a couple of shows where there were other activities going on, I decided never to do those type of shows again. People are ther for the entertainment mainly, a place to bring the kids, etc....

I do about 6 shows a year, 3 of them that I normally do very well at. One of those shows I did a few weeks ago and did poorly this year. In fact my first 3 shows so far have not done well. You're right, people will gawk at the awesome artwork, but not make a purchase.

My suggestion is when you do a higher end show that is geared toward the arts and not low end crafts, raise your prices. If your prices are too low, the public may feel you don't consider yourself professional enough to ask a higher price.

I'm in New England and the economy is very poor right now, hense the low sales. I charge between $25-35 for unmatted 8x10's and $30-42 for 8x10's matted to 11 x14. I also have a couple of pieces in the $75-125 range. Usually price my pieces by complexity and popularity. I also bring some other scroll work such as mini clocks, tealite holders, kids puzzles, napkin holders and more just so I have a variety of products and prices.

Several of the larger shows around here have volunteers that work the fairs. When you apply for a show, you may want to call first and ask if they have any type of volunteers who maight be able to help you set up concidering your handicap. Even if it's a smaller fair, they may have enough people who can help you where needed.

Good luck and don't be discouraged. I've heard from many crafters in many different types of crafts that this year has not been very good for sales for anyone. Most of us do them because we enjoy out craft and meeting people and feeding our habbits. I realize you do it as a living as well and others have given you some ideas to get your name out there. An article in your local paer would be great and make sure you laminate a copy and display it in your booth each time.

Important Announcement The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More
scroll saw portraits	[email protected]