Opportunities for Artists Who Wholesale

Do you sell your collection wholesale to galleries and retailers? The American Made Show presents a marketplace that draws members of the trade, and all types of buyers for handmade goods.

Selling wholesale is a business model that helps create sustainable businesses through repeat sales to retailers of all types. It’s the primary way I built my own production studio business. Wholesaling also works as a complementary method with retailing, commission work, and selling online, helping to provide steady income and offer the opportunity to work as a full-time artist.

When I exhibited at trade shows, the Buyer’s Market of American Craft was a major driver of sales for my studio. With over thirty years’ reputation as a top marketplace for the handmade and fine craft industries, Buyer’s Market has recently re-branded as the American Made Show. The event will take place in Washington, DC in January, 2015 and is accepting submissions from artists who wish to exhibit.

Mary Strope is in exhibitor services at the American Made Show, and works closely with artists who are interested in developing their lines for the wholesale market. I spoke with her recently about this opportunity, what is offered, and which artists would be a good fit.

AS: What does exhibiting at a wholesale trade show involve?

MS: At a wholesale show, exhibitors bring only one sample of each item they wholesale, unlike a public craft fair where multiples of each item are brought to restock the shelves. Buyers will place orders and the artist will produce the order after the show and ship it to the store, usually within 4-6 weeks. In this way, artists are not required to keep a large inventory of their work on hand or purchase raw materials far in advance of the show.

Artists must be able to travel to Washington, DC to show their work. Many artists drive to the show, but those who are farther away would need to ship their display and their work. A trade show space is divided using a pipe and drape system. This means there is a drape around the perimeter of your space which is supported by a metal pipe system. Your display sits inside the draped area. A pop up canopy is not appropriate.

The American Made Show includes 1,000 watts of electricity for each booth space. Exhibitors would bring or rent their own display equipment (pedestals, shelves, and tables), lighting fixtures and flooring. Anything you need for your display can be rented from the show’s decorator. Booths range in size from 6’ x 10’ for first time exhibitors to multiples of 10’ x 10’. Corner booths carry an additional premium. Most exhibitors go all out to decorate their booth. It’s really one of the most beautiful and dazzling shows I’ve ever seen!

Artists need to bring order forms and catalogs or brochures with images of their work. The goal of selling your work at wholesale is to sell in small quantities and get re-orders from store buyers. The re-order can come in at times that are traditionally slow for art fair artists, thereby keeping an artist at home and in the studio more than on the road. Artists who wholesale tend to do fewer shows than artists who sell at craft fairs.

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