Craft Collective

[shelley]

Hi all,

Have any of you sold work through a craft co-operative and if so what do you think about it?

Have been asked if I am interested in joining one, I suppose it would make sure I kept busy making and I pay a certain amount of money each month for the space and then they sell all my items for me.

What do you think/ experiences do you have?

S x

[karen]

Sorry shelley i dont have any experience in this but Ruth or Ann would be able to help you im sure

[Shepherdess]

I don't have any personal experience but have spoken to several people who have been in them. is it a new group or has someone left the group and they need to fill space. If you are willing to put time into being in the store selling they seem to work OK. No one else puts much effort into selling your product. They are there selling their own stuff. You need to know how they keep track of sales and what they do about thefts. How is your area maintained when you are not there. do you have your own dedicated space or are things mixed up. You have to make sure your things will be displayed nicely and not just used as back drops for other things. This is a problem I have heard about from many textile people whether a collective or consignment. Ruth has the retail or shop owner side info. I am sure there are as many problems form her side as from the artists. Ff you have a good group then it will work great if not then not. .

That's a bit hap hazard but all I can think of at the moment.

[shelley]

Thanks Ann,

I think I will go and see them.

Reading between the lines I am hiring shop space. I pay a monthly amount depending on the size of the space I have, I'm not sure on the amounts yet.

I go in and keep my stock up to date but I don't have to be there to sell. The owner has her own people who sell on behalf of all the artists, some craft, some jewellery, some vintage. They charge 5% for each sale made and forward the money directly into you account.

You have to commit to the space for 2 months, with 1 mionths notice if it doesn't work out for you.

It sounds like a cross between a gallery and craft co-op doesn't it. Could work well as long as things sell.

Tricky.....

[MTRuth]

Shelley - do some investigation before you make a final decision. Is there a contract to sign? Does it specify what happens if something is damaged or stolen? The 5% for each sale is a real deal and I'm not sure how the shop makes any money at all. We do 60/40 for consignment and that is a standard amount. Oh - but I see you're paying for space. How much for how much square footage? Are they selling a lot of competing stuff? A lot of imports?

See if you can get references of others who have space there and talk to them. Find out if they pay on time, if there has been any issues that come up. Find out what the traffic is, how many customers do they have per day on average, what percentage of these customers buy etc?

Do you get a say on where you space is? Up front on the right side is best. How long have they been open? A new venture will be much more risky than an established business. Definitely go in and check out what they already have, see what their average price point is so you know whether your work is too expensive compared to everyone else. Find out if you get paid once a month or with each sale. Standard is once a month.

If you decide to do it, keep track of what's going on. I would suggest going in every couple of weeks at first to see if anything is selling and what your space looks like. Get to know the owners or managers and you'll do better. If they like you, they will do better at selling your work.

Hope that's not too much info at once

Feel free to ask more questions once you've been in and seen them.

[shelley]

Ruth, that's fantastic. Thanks. Am going to go in there next week to check it out...with my list of questions from you and Ann. Much appreciated. x