Is it ethical?

I am finally ready to offer my work for sale or consignment after 13
months of creating.

I have several appointments with shop owners this weekend. My pieces
are one of a kind.

Is it ethical to show the same pieces to the first appointment that
I plan to offer at the second appointment, etc? How would I handle
it if I show the pieces at the first stop and they want them and
then I have none to show the second appointment, which is really
where I want to consign or sell the pieces because of the customer
volume/traffic?

J. S. Ellington

i try to investigate the market surrounding the shop, and also look
at what pieces might look good in that particular shop in terms of
price and style (what if one shop likes chunky and another delicate?
what if one only sells $15 baubles, and another only $150 + items?)
also, i always keep something back in my case, either for further
inspiration, or to show those stray potentiates what you might have
on you the instant you meet them!

good luck! erhard.

Janie, Re your questions, two thoughts:

    Is it ethical to show the same pieces to the first appointment
that I plan to offer at the second appointment, etc? How would I
handle it if I show the pieces at the first stop and they want them
and then I have none to show the second appointment, which is
really where I want to consign or sell the pieces because of the
customer volume/traffic? 
First - unless they purchase your work outright, don't leave all

your pieces in one place. If you consign one of a kind pieces, there
is no duplication, but why not give yourself the widest exposure you
can.

Second - logically, I’d go to my first choice shop and work my way
down from there. If your first choice buys everything (unlikely),
you contact the others and explain that much of your work has been
taken by another establishment(s), leaving you with an inadequate
display for them. You would like the opportunity to reschedule with
them when you have more unique pieces to show. That should indicate
to the remaining prospects that your stuff is desired and they should
plan to get some too! Best of luck, Judy in Kansas

Judy M. Willingham, R.S.
Biological and Agricultural Engineering
237 Seaton Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan KS 66506
(785) 532-2936

Janie One of the things that is important is your prioritys
,selling your creations is exciting and some times you just want to
go ,But it takes alot of thought on the marketing end also 13 months
of creating dfserves alot of thought in selling ! John

Janie - Congratulations on getting a body of work together. I’m
confused by your use of the term “one of a kind.” If your pieces
are truly “one of a kind,” when they are sold you will be creating
more “one of a kind” items and offering them for sale. Whatever is
not purchased (or taken for consignment) by the first appointment
will be offered to the second appointment.

If you’re showing prototypes that you’ll be replicating (not one of
a kind), then you’ll take orders from both appointments and keep the
prototypes to show elsewhere.

Good luck.
Charleen Tyson Weigel

Janie-- I think I understand the situation that could occur, and I
would say, no, it is not at all unethical to show the same pieces to
more than one place, especially if you tell them that what they are
looking at is representational of the work you do, and that
individual pieces may or may not not be available. This is presuming
you are willing to make, or have at home, other pieces in the same
vein. Later, the owner will not remember the exact details of the
pieces–he or she will remember the feel and general look of the
work. Plus, if what they recieve doesn’t satisfy them, alternatives
can be offered. As long as you are up front about it, it should not
present a problem. The statement about being “representative” is the
key, along with a general attitude of cooperation–willingness to
"work with" the owner to make sure things are satisfactory.

Noel

Dear Janie, i realize your post was up a week ago so people have
probably moved on. i have been selling my jewelry on consignment
and also on a whole sale basis for over a decade now. I make one of
a kind pieces and also pieces which I intend to make more
reproductions of. I would reccommend, being forthright with the
owner/ manager you see. Tell them that the pieces they are seeing
are already on hold for someone else, but that they are
representative of your style of work and that you desire to get to
know their store and create work that fits with the atmosphere they
are trying to create. i don’t know many store owners who wouldn’t
appreciate that sort of attitude. you are then, basically, offering
to custom design for them and their clients. -Naomi Lumsden Pottery
and Silverworks