Looking to Get Your Work Featured? A Lil Note to Artists

Before we opened, we knew that we wanted to partner with local artists to showcase their work in store as part of our commitment to finding unique items for the home.

For those of you out there who are interested in getting your work in a store, here are some tips to up your chances.

1) Do not drop in unannounced with your stuff. This is rule #1 for a reason and is the most important one to keep in mind. Running a store has a lot of "behind the scenes" work, so even if there aren't customers present, it doesn't mean the owner/ manager isn't busy working.

2) Research the store before sending any sort of information. What do they sell? What are their price points? What is their aesthetic? Are they Modern? Traditional? Whimsical? Compare it to your own aesthetic.

3) Quick, friendly emails are much preferred to cold calls. See #1. Just give a brief explanation on how you found the store, what you like about it, a quick note about you and your work and a link to your site. If you don't hear anything, send a friendly reminder a week or two later.

4) Be professional and organized. Have an inventory system for your work; spreadsheets that have identification for each piece which include description, price, quantity are much appreciated.

5) Know that most stores will be more inclined to feature your work if it is on consignment instead of buying it outright.

6) Be flexible. If things are not selling, offer to bring new selections by.

7) Network. The store will likely promote you and your work on their own, but take matters into your own hands and reach out to your own network. Send email blasts with pictures, post things on your social networking sites, etc. The more people that know about where your stuff is, the better chance you have of it selling.

8) Be easy to get a hold of. Check voice mail and emails often and respond quickly.

9) Be friendly! Its easy to promote the person behind the work when they are likable!

10) Have fun. Nuff said!!