IsabeauxStudio

So with pieces done and my slides made, I was ready submit the slides and forms in the mail for the jury process.  Again, several weeks went by before I heard that they accepted one of my pieces for the show.  Wahoo!  I was elated, feeling that this was the continuation of the good fortune that I had with the Emeryville show.

They accepted, Wallflowers,  one of my favorite pieces that I had recently done.  Next steps were to get it framed, and to coordinate the shipping.  It was at my expense to ship both to and from Brand.  I had to ship it via UPS second day so it could be tracked and signed for.  It was a HUGE BOX, 4 ft long, 2 ft wide, 1ft deep =$$$.  Shipping to and from the show, including insurance was $150 alone.  Combined with framing costs, and the shows percentage....ouch!  I was in the same pickle with this piece as I was with the pricing of my previous piece from the Emeryville show.

Let's tally up what I have learned thus far:

1.  Be smart about my pricing.  Determine all my hidden costs prior to pricing my pieces for shows.

2.  Yes, size does matter:  be conscious of size when estimating framing and shipping costs.   Think about size when starting the piece initially.

3.  Location of the show.  When looking at show opportunities, think about how do I get the piece there?  Can I attend the reception?  Whenever possible, go LOCAL. 

4.  Network: find other cost effective resources for framing, shipping, supplies.

Again, I am living and learning the hard way.  Still even though my life as an artist definitely has me in negative cash flow for these two shows,  I was still very excited that my work was chosen.  Suddenly all the art work created from playing and the experimenting in my shop was regarded by someone other than myself.  That in itself is a very eye opening thing.