SELLING YOUR ARTWORK
Heather Castillow: To sell your work to the public, here are some guidelines:
• Visit galleries that you are interested in to make sure your lamps
would “fit” in the price range and also fit with the type
of art that is sold.
• Call to find out what the gallery requires to show your work.
Some galleries accept Tiffany reproductions, while others prefer to show
original designs.
• Most galleries require photographs of your work. (Use a dark background
when taking photos of your work to add to your application packet.)
• So that you don’t find yourself waiting for a reply, find
out if the gallery only accepts and considers applications at specific
times of the year.
Preparing your application packet
Studies show that for every 10 well-organized packets that are sent out,
at least 1 to 2 positive responses are received.
• Your application packet should include a cover letter stating
the reason you are writing, what you like about their gallery and why
you would like your lamps to be shown at their location. The letter should
include words of appreciation for their time in considering your work
and information about how theycan get in touch with you.
• The packet should include a resume stating your background in
glass, length of time you’ve held a business license and your membership
in ASGLA. If there are any public places where your work can be seen and
if you have received awards for your work, include them in the letter.
Use high quality paper with a professional-looking letterhead for your
cover letter and resume.
• The packet should include slides and/or photos of your work.
• Two business cards should be included in the packet.
For more information, contact your State’s Association for the Arts.
These Associations are federaly funded to help artists and crafters find
places to display their art.
DESIGN FEES, CONTRACTS & BIDS
Joan Bengtson: Many times clients don’t consider the time and effort
spent on designing to be part of the project. Early on in my glass career,
this happened, but I finally realized that I wasn’t even making
minimum wage, mainly because I would underprice in an effort to get projects.
For my studio to survive, I had to take on a more business-like approach.
Now, I ask for a down payment - in an amount that covers most of the cost
of design time. The only time I provide more than one design is when the
client is willing to pay for this “extra”. (This tells me
how serious they are about wanting my work.) When I get “up front”
money, I do everyting to please the client - no matter how many re-drafts
of the design it takes. If the time taken turns out to be substantial,
I slip the extra time into the final bid as a miscellaneous cost. I also
write a clause into the contract to the effect that I reserve the right
to add charges for any changes the customer makes that add to my time
or materials. Not all projects are accepted by the customer, however,
these designs are in my “rejected” file and could possibly
be used in future work.
SAMPLE CONTRACT
This agreement is entered into as of the_____day of _________,_______by
and
between_______________________(“Seller”) and________________________(“Customer”).
The
Seller and the Customer are sometimes collectively referred to herein
as the “Parties” and, individually, as a “Party”.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual agreements of the
Parties contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties,
intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. The Seller shall make for the Customer a stained glass_________________with
the specifications and
description as set forth on Exhibit “A” attached hereto (the
“Product”) THE PARTIES INTEND THE
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODUCT CONTAINED HEREIN TO BE FOR PURPOSES OF IDENTIFICATION
OF THE GOODS TO THIS AGREEMENT AND NOT TO BE MADE PART OF THE BASIS OF
THIS
BARGAIN OR A REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF THE EXACT SPECIFICATIONS OF
THE PRODUCT.
2. Upon execution of this Agreement, Customer shall deposit with the Seller
$_________________as a nonrefundable deposit. Upon delivery of the Product,
the deposit will be applied against the Purchase
Price. THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THE ACTUAL DAMAGES THAT MIGHT BE SUSTAINED
BY THE SELLER BY REASON OF THE BREACH BY CUSTOMER TO TAKE DELIVERY AND
PAY THE PURCHASE PRICE ARE UNCERTAIN AND WOULD BE DIFFICULT OF ASCERTAINMENT,
AND THAT THE DEPOSIT WOULD BE REASONABLE COMPENSATION FOR SUCH BREACH.
THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE THAT SUCH SUM SHALL BE LIQUIDATED DAMAGES, AND
NOT AS A PENALTY, IN THE EVENT OF SUCH BREACH.
3. The price for the Product is $________________(“Purchase Price”).
The full amount of the Purchase Price, less the deposit, will be due upon
delivery of the Product. The Product shall be available for delivery
to Customer upon completion by Seller. Seller has made no representation
as to when the Product will be completed.
4. SELLER HAS MADE NO AFFIRMATION OF FACT OR PROMISE RELATING TO THE GOODS
BEING
SOLD THAT HAS BECOME ANY BASIS OF THIS BARGAIN. FURTHER, SELLER HAS MADE
NO AFFIRMATION OF FACT OR PROMISE RELATING TO THE GOODS BEING SOLD THAT
HAS CREATED OR AMOUNTED TO AN EXPRESS WARRANTY THAT THE GOODS WOULD CONFORM
TO ANY SUCH AFFIRMATION OR PROMISE.
5. THE PRODUCT DESCRIBED IN THIS AGREEMENT IS SOLD ON “AS IS”
BASIS, AND SELLER DISCLAIMS AND CUSTOMER WAIVES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT.
6. The Parties agree that, in the event of any failure, defect, or malfunction
of the Product, the only remedy available to the Customer shall be a refund
of the Purchase Price or repair or replacement of the defective product,
at the Seller’s sole and absolute discretion and in the event of
a default by Seller hereunder, the only remedy shall be a return of the
deposit to Customer. The Parties agree that all claims by Customer under
this Section 6 must be brought to the attention of the Seller by written
notice
within____(days/months/years) of the delivery of the Product to the Customer.
Failure to timely bring any such claim under the terms of this Section
6 will result in a final waiver of any such claim.
7. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties, and
supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral or written understandings
regarding the subject matter hereof.
8. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with theState
laws of _____________
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the Parties
as of the date first above written.
“SELLER”
By:________________________________________
Name:______________________________________
Title:_______________________________________
”CUSTOMER”
__________________________________________