[Rizak]

The Dragonlady is an artist. She hates admitting it, but she is.

This link is not intended as an ad (http://dragonquilts.ca). It is simply to show a bit of her work to help make informed decisions/suggestions. If it is a problem, I can remove the link and embed a couple of pictures.

She has been having trouble selling her works because most of the shows we go to have booths on either side that are selling $5 items. She has gotten a few commissions (mostly from other artists) who can see what great work she does, but making these little art quilts and knitted bowls and such is what she does to keep sane. She modifies clothes that she finds at the local thrift shops for herself and when she gets tired of them, they sell quite readily. However, that isn't what she wants to do. She wants to make the little quilts. :wah

I'm just wondering if this type of thing is likely to run into the same type of problem there?

Every artist is familiar with the phrase "Oh, I could do that myself!" I had to actually make up a sign for one of her last shows.

No. You probably couldn't do this yourself. :laugh

Apart from that, she only wants to work a handful of hours a week which makes things interesting to say the least. It's hard to find a business that will only give you a few hours, but in a regular fashion. Combine that with the fact that she knows a little bit about everything, is extremely smart and learns really fast ... and she feels overqualified for a lot of stuff. Then angry again because nobody is buying her art.


AAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUGGGGGGG!


sigh

It's a long road.

[zardell]

Your wife's art is beautiful - really beautiful.

I must say that I have been to and seen a lot of craft fairs advertised since we have been here.

I'm not good with links (pc's are not friendly towards me !) but there is a craft fair on every month near us at a place called Ohope. I'm sure I've seen it on the internet............

Anyway, we went there a couple of weeks ago and I think your wife would do very well both there and in places like that.

Julie

xx

[Rizak]

The funny thing is that she has a room full of wool at this point and now we might be packing it all up to move it to NZ. Kind of like taking coal to Newcastle ...

:laugh

[zardell]

The funny thing is that she has a room full of wool at this point and now we might be packing it all up to move it to NZ. Kind of like taking coal to Newcastle ...

:laugh



:laugh :laugh :laugh

Yeah, but you probably bought it for less than you would pay here.....who knows......

Having said that, there are loads of Op shops (second hand clothes shops) so she wont be short of materials.

Cant wait to get my hands on some of her goodies........just LOVED the bowls and the purses.

Julie

xx

[dave k]

Go to Wellington. Really.


If it doesn't work out for her there doing that sort of thing, it probably won't anywhere else in NZ.

[Avalon]

You would certainly need to be looking at the Martinborough Fair. Its held twice a year on the first saturdays in February and March. ALthough there is a lot of what I call "tat" on sale - there is also a lot of rather beautiful stuff for sale at higher prices. Theres alos a fair at Levin held every year ion the second saturday in February. Its supposed to be a medieval "fayre" - but I found it was almost Identical to the martinborough one with many of the same stands. But as its on the other side of the North Island - you would generally pick up completely different customers (Im guessing most people wont do what we did and travel!)

I would also consider trying to get the items into some of the shops round here. Greytown especially has many shops that would probably look at items like this. And bear in mind - an awful lot of Wellingtonians spend thier weekends in greytown spending money!

Im really sorry I cant comment on the stuff your wife makes - because it really not my thing. But I do think it may go down well in this area - its certainly worth a try.

[katandbob]

There are a lot of quilting shops/classes and exhibitions/shops that sell crafts such as Pats. I think that she could quite easily make a fair 2nd wage selling her crafts.

I have also seen alot of people/students who alter op-shop clothes to make individulised clothing.

I am sure that NZ is more 'artist' friendly, there are alot of independent artists here also, many local art exhibitions and shops/restaurants that have artists work on show for sale.

Kat (frustrated artist/embrodery/sewing......wow I wish I didn't work:( ):exit

maybe one day

[oldtimbo]

I cant comment on NZ as a whole, but as far as the Coromandel peninsular goes, there are simply HEAPS of folk up here who make a living (or dont) by making/painting/sculpting etc etc etc.
If you have dream, go with it. You sure wont get shot for trying.

[Sam B]

Hey Rizak
Stopped off to eat at a cafe called L'arte cafe and sculpture garden just outside Acacia Bay at Taupo - it was a great place, but doesn't appear to have a website. Anyway it was selling lots of stuff that was similar to Dragonlady's - it might be worth getting in touch with them. It was really busy, and lots of people were buying art as well as eating. As well as large sculptures and pottery, there was jewellry, bags, scarves and other stuff.

[Rizak]

Thanks Sam. I'm getting the impression that the art community is a bit different there than here. Perhaps a bit more accepting. Still, I think the biggest problem for people to overcome is the belief that textile art is actually ART. Yes, you can hang it on the wall or put it on your couch. You can even wash it. Just because it isn't delicate and easily broken doesn't mean that it isn't ART.

I'm not going to call it prejudice, it's just hard for a lot of people to work around. It's like the difference between hand-painted porcelain dolls and hand-stitched teddy bears.

This is something that will be same no matter the location.

[Rizak]

Your wife's art is beautiful - really beautiful.

I must say that I have been to and seen a lot of craft fairs advertised since we have been here.

I'm not good with links (pc's are not friendly towards me !) but there is a craft fair on every month near us at a place called Ohope. I'm sure I've seen it on the internet............

Thanks Julie. I found this with a quick search.

Ohope Craft Market

Large monthly market. 8am - 1pm. Stalls include arts and crafts, vegetables and plants, food and wine.

Maybe I'll have to buy that 10'x10' tent after all. The one we used to use for summer shows finally broke last year. I think you can see a picture of the one I want to get. It'd be one of the last ones on her Gallery page.

[Singel]

Your wife's art is beautiful - really beautiful.


I think your wife's artwork will do very well here (this is one of my favourite place) .............. http://www.craftworld.co.nz/sellingyourcrafts.html
:cheers