Thursday, April 25, 2013

Joining an Artist Co-op



Last week it was the tophatter auction, this week, it's a artist co-op gallery. Sometimes I do wonder if it's possible for me to say no. This has been said before on the blog and it probably won't be the last time, when it comes to business opportunities I am always willing to try something new.

Here's the story, a few weeks ago a woman from Roswell Georgia e-mailed me about an artist co-op that she was opening in May, was I interested. Roswell is a suburb of Atlanta, it's super cute, has an old covered bridge an abandoned cotton mill, and a gluten free bakery(for Fletch)!

My thoughts were:
1. I miss having a store because I love to make jewelry and display items.
2. I don't like having store hours, this way I didn't have too.
3. On my wish list, to find some local places to sell my work, this would fit the bill.
4. It was a really good reason to get to Atlanta once a month, I am very lazy about making it there.
5. My gut was telling me, if I waited, there wasn't going to be available space when it was convenient.
6. The only Dick Blick Art Supply is in Roswell and I have a bad habit of buying pencils and paints.

Good reasons right?



The boys and I drove up there last weekend to look at the space. We got there and it was packed with folks who wanted to sign up. The hitch that made me almost not sign up.... she needs the work by Saturday, this Saturday! Uh, hello, can you say Quilt Market and Surtex?

That's when my you can't say no reflex kicked in, I signed the papers. I have a little round table right up front. I'll take pictures when I go set up, and actually it won't be until Monday or Tuesday, I talked her into a few extra days, whew!

I already needed to make jewelry for Pewabic Pottery that carries my work, and I needed beads and jewelry for the Etsy shop so I just added some more. This shop is a children's boutique but will have women's gifts and accessories as well. I made some teen tiny little beads for some children's jewelry. It's weird I have never made children's jewelry, it seems like something I should have done a long time ago. I am pretty excited to try it. This is why I am always willing to try something new, you never know what will come out of it.

I'll keep you posted on my progress, it kind of reminds me of the time time I got ready for the artfair in Atlanta a few years ago, if you want to peek, the posts are below in order.

When Opportunity Knocks
Step 1: Clean Up
Yesterday Was a Good Day
Painting
Still Getting Ready
Bringing In The Back Ups
All Packed Up and Ready To Go
The Art Fair

Have a great day!









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2 comments:

  1. I hope it is a good opportunity for you! I have been part of a local artists' co-op for about 5 years now. I pulled back my membership a bit in the last year to deal with a mounting family issue. They are now coming back hard and wanting me back full time. I am not sure that I can feasibly commit. I really do need to get more of my work in there, and I do have a lot I just need to organize, but the % they take really makes me second guess doing it. If I want to pay more dues I can get a lower rate, but I also have a commitment to work there. Time is my nemesis. It sounds like you have some great opportunities lined up and I look forward to hearing more as you fascinate me, Miss Jennifer! Enjoy the day. Erin

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    Replies
    1. Hi Erin,
      Happy to hear someone else's experience. I feel like this co-op is a very low percent. She plans on having loads of classes and birthday parties in the back to keep folks coming in. Maybe she plans on getting her profits from there. Who knows. But the best part is I can pay an extra 10% of my sales and not work. I wouldn't be able to commit to the time either. I have a couple consignment galleries and they are good steady income but I need a few more to make it easier for me to break from other job stuff to make jewelry. I would much rather spend a day making jewelry for several places all at once than just one. Does that make since? Ah, the struggle for the perfect balance never ends....

      Have a great day!

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