New Years Resolution
I’ve enjoyed looking back on my blog to see what progress I’ve made over the past year. It will be interesting to see what 2010 brings. In my last post I mentioned an ambitious new years resolution. It’s something I’ve always thought about doing since I was at uni, but I was put off but my tutor who thought it wouldn’t be the right path to go down.
Anyway, I’ve decided I want to give it a go. I’m aiming to stock my work in a garden centre this year! Since a lot of my ceramics are suitable for outdoor use, I’m hoping it will be a good idea to approach garden centres. I’ve had success with galleries and will continue to restock my current gallery stockists but I want to try something different as well.
I’ve had a look around a few near-by garden centres and I’m aware that most items like pots, vases, trinket gifts, decorations and ornamental items are sold in batches of the same thing – just like other shops. However all of my work is made as individual one-offs, so I would need to find out if a display of my individual one-off items would be ok, or if I would need to make batches of items the same or similar.
At my local garden centre there is a nice gift shop that sells handmade glassware and other gifts (its all quite expensive!), so I might see if my coasters, clocks, magnets and brooches could fit in there too. I’m excited just thinking about it!
I’d really appreciate any hints, tips or thoughts anyone could give if you have experience approaching shops with your work. I’m comfortable approaching galleries but I think a garden centre in particular will be much different.
Visit my Shop…
Me with Theo Paphitis
NEW Card Designs!
As Featured in The Light Direction
My Craft Gawker Gallery
I'm thinking you might have a tough go competing with the $10 48" pots from overseas out in the common area. I don't know how big their gift shop is, but that seems like the place to be for handmade, one off, more expensive items. Should be a win-win for you and the center since they would also have an easier time selling your work in with the more expensive 'boutique' items.
It'd also be less likely to get knocked over by a pallet of mulch…
Lovely ceramics! Happy 2010 x
I don't really have any advice, but a little encouragement perhaps..
I think you have a great new business goal, and I think your work could do very well in garden shops! I wish you the very best of luck!
Please let us know how it works out!
Happy New Year!
Chrissy
Hi Charlotte, You should try the Bell Plantation garden centre in Towcester and the big one near Harlestone – both have good gift areas and are quite upmarket too – your work should fit in there really well! See you soon, Claire xx (LLJ)
Good luck! (i used to live in Towcester)try there, how about a portfolio and just a few examples so you could make to order?
x