Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Barns are Selling

I had an email from Sara at the NC Crafts Gallery today that my work is selling, including several barns. I was happy to hear that the barn with the pear niche sold, I really liked that one. I am working on some more niche pieces. My dad used to run a furniture plant and in the evenings he made furniture on the side in a little old barn out on a farm in Conway SC. I have been thinking about that barn and him a lot this week, I spent a lot of time playing in that barn at night while he worked. This barn is sort of a tribute to him, a little niche with a chair in it. What a pain in the arse these little chairs are! But I really like them.
I have also been working on a new barn shape. I used to go to this plantation near where we used to live and wander around in the old slave houses like the one above. I really like the shape of this one and am working out the shape in clay.
The roof is a little too pitchy but I like it....
These are all spoken for, but there are some more in Carrboro and if you come by Friday night I will be there!
My friend Laura gave me an owl cookie cutter to go with the cow and pig, so I made a few owl ornaments from the scraps after cutting out the barns. cute. I also like to have these little stars for kids that only have a couple of bucks to spend at the farmer's market, they look good with a raku glaze and are fun to give away to extra nice little folk. I have been putting in full days in the studio this week but the barns are taking so long, I work with pretty stiff slabs and I'm drying them slower, but the wet weather is not cooperating, so things are moving at a snail's pace. I read an article last week that said if you are selling work faster than you can produce it, it's time to raise the prices. I have raised the price on my little barns to $85 because everyone kept telling me that they were too cheap, I feel like that is a fair price, but raising prices in a down turned economy may not be the brightest plan...... Oh well, if you want one, there are still a few at the gallery. If you can't make it, I hope to get some on Etsy one of these days......

11 comments:

Dennis Allen said...

I love to hear about people buying pottery.

Tracey Broome said...

I love it too Dennis! Especially when they are buying mine :) but I'm happy for everyone selling pottery these days!

Hollis Engley said...

Those barns are wonderful. Good to see people recognize it.

Tracey Broome said...

Thanks Hollis!

Anna M. Branner said...

Gotta send you a sheep! I have an extra somewhere....

So glad others appreciate your barns.

ang design said...

oh well done you!!! keep cranking trace..

Tracey Broome said...

Hey Anna, I made a little sheep today, the gallery had two like I sent Cindy Shake and they both sold, a cookie cutter sheep would be so cool. Hey Ang, thanks, cranking is right, lots of caffeine!

Unknown said...

Rock on Tracey!

Ron said...

Hey Tracey! I am catching up on all of your posts. Sorry to hear about that tree crashing down! That totally sucks!
I'm glad you're selling barns though. Way to go. They look fab and the photo you sent out of the set up at NC Crafts looked really nice. Keep doing what you're doing!!

cindy shake said...

Not surprised your work is selling -right venue for the right items. Thought the Owl's would be stamped with "Whoooo?" ha!

My lil' sheep is on my mantel :o) Like the barns & sheep so much. I also like your pears...know they are a pain but the shape with your Raku is the bomb.

Tracey Broome said...

Hey Kathy, Ron and Cindy, thanks for the comments. Yeah the tree crash is still a pain, lots of wood to split now and Gerry still doesn't have his car :(
Cindy,was thinking of you yesterday as I made more sheep, and yes the pears are a pain, and yes I need to make more!