The Price Of Hand Thrown Pots

bnsaijim

Jay,

Take into consideration that's based on pictures- a "cold" estimate. Some of your pots were not my cup of tea, some caught my eye- or might IRL.

Since we are both pot makers I'm sure you understand my desire to touch and hold and immerse myself in a handmade pot. If I enjoy the piece, money is not so critical anymore.

More thoughts to consider...

If you are selling in a gallery, is this going to be a place bonsaists seek out your pots or is it the yuppie looking for that oriental-ish accent to complete the feng shui in her new condo?

Will this lady seek you out- probably not. The bonsaists who like your pots will.

Both sales are good. I'd snub neither. One, however, creates a "following". At this stage moderate prices may represent an investment.

They are different markets. A friend who enjoys keeping twigs in pots but is far more accomplished as a potter tried selling her "bonsai pots" at a show. They were clunky garish things with a $75 dollar price tag. Not a one sold. She was used to galleries- probably would have sold there...

How does your "bio" compare to other artists represented at the gallery? If similar, you should be able to command similar prices for similar work in that media.

Another example.

A guy came to the kimura gig with some excellent pots- very slick and technically perfect- this guy was not self taught, making them in his garage. They were glazed well, used interesting clays, had wire holes, etc. Can't remember exact prices but for a 12" oval he'd want $125-175.

Where am I going to spend my money with Sara, Dale Colchoy and Mike Hagedorn in adjacent booths? I'm going to go with the name and the booth where I can get maybe 1.5 or 2 pots for the same money... I'm going to pick out the pots that speak to me, have "soul"...

So, it's not all gigilo pricing..."dollars per inch".

Materials, time, quality, demand, brand recognition, market, and all sort of other business "stuff" are in the equation.

You can always put some pots out with one set of prices and adjust accordingly as sales dictate. Would you feel better selling out at a modest price or packing the whole lot up at the end of the day?

Jim

__________________
Jim Stone
Seki Bonsai Studio
sekibonsai.com
Santa Fe, TX

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bnsaijim

Oh yeah,

I sign my pots, paintings and anything else I do with the kanji for my name and space allowing, for the full name of my studio...

Sometimes I date them...

Jim

__________________
Jim Stone
Seki Bonsai Studio
sekibonsai.com
Santa Fe, TX

Jay

Jim you have put to paper (or in this case computer screen) ideas that have been on my mind.
This is for sure a major reason why I am trying to stay away from on line sales. There are a few members of this Board that I may send a pot or two to in the future and suggest a price but tell them to pay what they think it is worth. I want to get their opinion.
Sugarloaf is an artist community in NY. It draws from many states and has a great reputation, but you are correct, I am more likely to sell to a 'chance' sale than to a real Bonsaist. The thought of multiple pots being sold, or future sales to an individual is slim... but as you said, a sale is a sale.
Well if my pots are being sold in the forth booth, I better plan on taking all of them home... unless either I have a price that is inviting (as you imply) or I have pots that are different than the rest. All of these potters are WAY better than I am. If I get to the point that my work is as good as theirs I will be overjoyed! But You know a Sara pot when you see it, same goes for many of Dale's and Michaels... not a bad thing just that they have pots that are somewhat stock to their line. Go into their booth and many of the pots look alike, perhaps differing sizes but very much alike. I am trying to make a pot for the Bonsaist who wants something different... wants their tree to be in a unique pot.. for now that is the goal, but I'm sure I will also develop a bit of a stock line. Price.... the stock line better be competitive (read less than the three potters above) but the unique pots will be priced with the best of them. Who know, maybe I may become a perfeshonuhl many times over..... hey I can dream!

Not to be forgotten, in trying to make a unique pot, it must NOT become the center piece, the story. Even with its uniqueness it must be the supporting member in the group. The Tree MUST remain the thing.....
Jim you have been must helpful in getting my mind in order and thinking clearly......... T H A N K Y O U

Jay

__________________
A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

bnsaijim

Jay,


I know Sugarloaf... I'm a damn Yankee born and raised in Schenectady... Came back two weeks ago to visit family...don't miss it...

Jim

TreeBay

Does that mean "I don't miss it..." or "You shouldn't miss it?"



Regards

Matt

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Jay

Matt, I have a feeling it means something different to Jim and I

I think this part of the country (northeast) is by far the must beautiful and has a wonderful 4 season year. Jim, I feel may differ in his opinion.

Jay

__________________
A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

bnsaijim

All in all it was a pretty fun trip. I stopped at the National Arboretum on my way down to Ron's place.

I waxed nostalgic at the old farmhouses and the some of the revolutionary war era architecture. I miss rolling hills and the Adirondack mountains.

My birthplace, however is now predominantly a crime ridden slum.

I could never seem to find the horizon when I wanted to. And the weather doesn't behave- storm clouds are supposed to roll on by and dump on Houston, just like they do here...

And then there's that white stuff that falls out of the air. I had my wake up call driving back through the Poconos- the sumac was turning a beautiful fiery red.... Mom said the leaves are already falling in Charlton...

For the time being, I prefer the oppressive humidity and endless summer of the deep south. ;^)

Jim

Jay

We could start another thread on the differences in weather and our likes and dislikes of the same. I find it interesting that Bonsai is able to bridge the gap between individuals from different parts of the world and from differing climates.

The ability for us to talk 'trees' when they are so much a product of their location and weather while we are so differing in our climates is amazing. True there are trees that will not grow here or there but for the most part in most parts of the world we can grow and talk to each other on the same tree types.

Jim, I'll make a deal with you.... I'll keep all that (wonderful) white stuff up here, if you'll keep that (horrible) heat and humidity by you .... now I know you might switch this abit if you were writting it!!

All the Best
Jay

__________________
A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing