Where and how to sell carvings

[Allcutup]

My friend is a gifted carver from oversea and does not know how to sell his work. I offered to help him but need advice on how to get started.

Thanks,

Allcutup

[pallin]

There are "art shops" in affluent communities that specialize in hand-made creations - ceramics, glass, jewelry, etc.
Most prefer to work directly with the artists and usually prefer local artists. You might have better luck on eBay.

[chuckbolton]

if you "import" these-- you have a whole new set of regs to deal with-- and id think the freight would be horrendous- i dont mean to rain on your parade-- just to give you something to think about

[Allcutup]

he just became a US citizen so that won't be a problem. He also was a Fruit and ice sculpture on cruise ships for 11 years. This man hand carved the handles for cormet fruit sculpture tools and created a company in his home country. He has his own blacksmith and puts out an impressive leather caring case with tools that will never require sharpening. The set runs about $250 and can be imported in large quantities if I can connect him with the right people. If anyone has information on something like this I would love to help out o fellow carver getting started here in the US.

[chuckbolton]

if the product is made overseas-- and that can be on a cruise ship- it still has to be imported-- his citizenship is not the question, its the origin of the product. your last post said it can be "imported in large quantities"

[Jim Arnold]

There are several outlets for marketing and selling your artwork. You can go to galleries and pay a commission anywhere from 20-50% of the sales price. You can also do 'Art Shows' which can be anything from a Saturday afternoon 'church' show (which are sometimes "GOLDMINES" and cost very little to get booth space) to the fancy foo-foo shows that run on weekends and cost up to $350 per show. The hard thing about the shows is to pick the ones where you'll do well with your sales. The third option is to market your work online. Marketing online has worked best for me, but I still try to pick out 3 or 4 good shows to do every year. I just participated in the Hillsville, VA, "VFW Gun and Flea Market Show" over Labor Day weekend and was very happy with the results!!!

I've found that, at first, you need to spend as much, if not more time marketing then you do carving to make it go.

Best of Luck!

Jim

[Donsexton]

To me your friend sounds like a talented sculptor in the culinary arts as well. I know a guy that is an ice sculptor by profession and a wood carver for a hobby. A good way is to join a local artist guild that will help him make contacts and sell his work.

[wisardd1]

Originally Posted by Allcutup

he just became a US citizen so that won't be a problem. He also was a Fruit and ice sculpture on cruise ships for 11 years. This man hand carved the handles for cormet fruit sculpture tools and created a company in his home country. He has his own blacksmith and puts out an impressive leather caring case with tools that will never require sharpening. The set runs about $250 and can be imported in large quantities if I can connect him with the right people. If anyone has information on something like this I would love to help out o fellow carver getting started here in the US.

Sounds more like a sales pitch than a genuine request for help.

[Blackjaxe]

Just a question I have to ask.....what are CORMET FRUIT SCULPTURE TOOLS.....is that a brand name or a type of carving tool especially suited to carving fruit or vegetables.

Ken