Our first field trip took us to Renegade Handmade, an arts and crafts store that sells all kinds of stuff that is handmade. The employee Kevin was a friendly, fashionable host.
Everyone was surprised by how high the prices were at this store. We learned that the prices are set by the artists, but they have to be reasonable so they can sell. The store sells the artists' crafts on consignment. We learned that this meant that they don't pay the artist for their work until it sells and then they get a percentage of the price. So both the store and the artists are motivated to set the right price. This means that the prices can't be too low because both the store and the person who made it need to get a cut.
The store got started from a craft fair that began in Wicker Park where everybody brought their handmade items for sale. The craft fair spread to other cities in the United States and now even to London. Eventually, in 2001 the craft fair opened the store on Division near Damen. Ever since the craft fair started the mascot was an owl. The sign outside the store has an owl, as well as all the craft fair posters, which are displayed inside the store. The owl makes a theme for the store and fair so that they'll be known and recognized kind of like a store logo like Target, Burger King or McDonalds, school mascots, car company hood ornaments, or even gang signs. Another interesting thing we learned is that you don't necessarily have to go to college for four years to start your own business in the arts.
Next we left Renegade and headed for an art business and legal seminar in Logan Square in an art space called I Am Logan Square (2644 N. Milwaukee Ave). Michael Schlesinger, a lawyer from John Marshall Law School who presented was explaining how to start art businesses. Florence Pittman, who also spoke from the Law School, explained that artists should be given credit for their creations. This can be done through copyright, which can be registered or not. If not given credit, artists can sue.
We were lucky because Florence actually owned her own knitting business online at www.remixboutique.com, so she could give specific advice on how to make money through knitting and crocheting. She provided personal knitting or crocheting lessons, sold materials, and also hosted knitting parties. She explained some of the details of accounting and starting up a business. Thanks also to Natasha from I Am Logan Square for helping us organize this visit.
We had fun riding the bus around different neighborhoods, tweeking off the people on the streets. Jayria was having whole conversations with people at the corner through the bus window.
Some of the things we learned were pretty interesting even if it was hard to sit through some of the more complicated legal questions. We liked our first field trip and look forward to going on the road again.
Hey all,
ReplyDeleteJust a note: while some of the people we spoke to may have said that four years of college isn't necessary to start your own art business, many expressed that it sure can help! Florence Pittman, in particular, wanted to point out that she didn't say that... I'm sure she noted that you are all very intelligent, and college-bound, and any college or university would be lucky to have you as part of their student body. So while it's not mandatory to have a college education, it's a good idea and these universities need great folks like you!
with pride,
Karen