Thread: Furniture Making. Show room vs Consignment selling

One of the advantages of having a showroom adjacent to your workshop is that customers can see work in progress - don't underestimate the power of that. Also, don't underestimate the power of direct contact with the customer. Of course, you have to balance that against the interruptions to your work.
Selling on consignment can be good - you leave the 'selling' to the gallery, and they should have a better position, and should be better at selling, while you can concentrate on making.
Sorry, there's no right answer.

Hey west oz, in my opinion I think going the shop nextdoor and putting a window in between to see customers walk in is a good option. As Alex said you have the chance to show your customers some of the making processes which I'm sure would be a draw in point for further customers, word of mouth is the best advertising and to see someone knocking up a new job would draw me in if someone told me about it. Also, from a business point of view you could also sell other peoples products (turned bowls, pens, paintings etc) for a percentage of the sale price. Also it would be a good opportunity to have gallery nights/days for local artists/makers and you can take a protion of the profits.

These are just a few ideas you can think about. Hope it helps a little. Let us know if you open up, would love to visit.

Spencer.

Thank you Alex and Spencer for the encouragement. Oh well I think it's time to jump into the deep end. I hope by having the gallery that I will eventually be able to employ someone to man the shop a couple of days a week once I get up and running.

Yeah Spencer current tenant is not due to move out until July but will post progress on setup if all goes to plan. Might have cocktails and champaign Bridgy style on opening (sausage sizzle and beer).

Thanks....Mark

You could look at getting a second artist in with you. someone who will compliment, but not compete with you, like a turner or similar. That way you can share the "selling" time and costs. Plus don;t lose customers who don't wait for you while you duck out for a few minutes.