As promised, here is Rite McKay's tal. which many so enjoyed at
our March meeting. Rite generously donated her speakers fee back
to the Guild. Her long and continuing interest in promoting

B.C. potters and selling their work is much appreciated.
Thankyou Rite,

AS A NEW POTTER

Are you really ready to approach the Shops 4 Gallertes?

This discussion ta primarily directed at the new potter.
I eanmnot speat for other people in the field of selling pottery
to the publie or for people that are also in the position of
selecting potters for exhibiting worke. Sut I'm fatrly certatn
they will agree on many of the pointe Drought forward.

Phone or write and ask a shop or gallery owner when tt
would be conventent to show your work. Take a cross section of
your work and the glazes you use. If tte retatier tan't familiar
with some of the techniques that you use ezplatn it to them.
We ail can't be potters. Present them wita a resume of your
pottery training, craftfatre, exhibits that you have partictpated
in. Have a Wholesale price list printed or typed that you can
leave with them. Don't forget to also have your address and
phone number on tt. Aek what percentage a gallery marks up. That
information should be juat between you and that particular merchant.
If the retatler placea an order for a spectfie date and you are
unable to meet that date phone or write and tnform them when you
eam make your delivery. They will apprectate thie courteay.
Inform the retailer how far in advance you take ordera for Chriatnas
or peak season times, Don't sell your work in vartous shopa in one
given district. When thia happened to ue we ceased to carry the
potters work. We have never asked a potter to deal with us exclusively
but we do ask them to use good judgement ag mentioned above.

OK, so your order ta ready to go to the ahop. Gut please
sheek the foilowing and teat:

Pinholes in your work: Nobody wants to sell pottery with
pinholes. You have a real problem. If you can't overcome it
check with a good teacher,

6