Ok - so I talked to the organizer of the charity auction that wants me to donate some work. Too cool. She also invited me to attend the auction. Is that typical?
I'd kinda like to go but I'm having artist fear - what if my pieces are the only ones that don't sell or go for like a 1.00 or something AND I'm there to see this???
Any comments/suggestions from others who have donated to charity auctions would be greatly appreciated. I know Kathy N-V wrote up a description of how she "packages" her stuff - now to find it again!
I'm in the same boat. A friend asked me to donate a piece. I won't be there but I'd really hate to think that something I put that much time in wouldn't sell for at least what I paid in supplies.
A lot of charity auctions will let you set a minimum starting bid. Generally it seems that the minimum starting bid is low enough to be a bargain, but high enough to send a message that the piece should be taken seriously.
My husband does two or three charity auctions a year and if he can't set a minimum, they get a $20 wine stopper rather than a $500 bowl.
I'll bet they sell for lots! But I know what you mean - I would be scared to go, too. It's because your work is such a huge part of you. I am sure they will do fine, though. :)
On Mon, 5 Apr 2004 15:28:59 -0400, KDK wrote (in message ):
No need to look - I'd be happy to tell you:
I arrange each set (bracelet and necklace, sometimes matching earrings) on one of those velvet easels from any of the display suppliers like Fetpak. Then I use rubber cement one the back of the easel to attach either a velvet or silk drawstring bag to hold the jewelry. The jewelry is pinned in place with "U" shaped floral pins, they're dirt cheap and hold securely. I also glue a piece of pretty paper with a description of the piece to the front. On the back of the easel, I glue a business card and a card with care instructions. Sounds complicated, but it really isn't.
My goal is to make it easy for the auction volunteer to set up my jewelry in an attractive manner with no effort on their part. The way I have the pieces arranged on the easels, all the volunteer has to do is stand up the easel to make an attractive display, exactly the way I wanted, without my being there.
Oh yes, buy the cheapest velveteen easels you can find - In the three years I've been doing charity auctions, I've gotten a total one one easel returned. The bidders seem to want to take them home along with the jewelry. Rather than stress myself, I buy the cheap easels and forget about them once I've dropped off the pieces.
One last thing: if this is your first year doing the charity auction, don't be overly surprised if your pieces don't make a ton of money. Mine didn't the first year. (I was serously bummed and thought I was being personally rejected) They made a lot more money the second year, and people were calling to make sure there would be some of my stuff the third year. The necklace/bracelet sets go for decent prices, and usually earn about $1,000 for the charity. (for between 8-12 sets, depending on which year)
My MIL has several charity auctions a year. I always have a set limit or she will tell me not to make something too much or to do it up big time. That helps a lot.
I don't like to be at the auctions for the same reasons, but you'll miss seeing other works I bet you could kick yourself for not seeing. Remember you get a tax break for the piece, so does it really matter? Someone gets something lovely, they are contributing to the auction, and you get the tax break. It's all a win.
It's a risk. Usually the stuff starts at a price over $1.00 -- can you ask them if you have any control over this?
It *is* a risk. I've had stuff go for high and low prices at auctions for the law school Kevin went to. The low prices aren't so good for the ego! But the high ones are fabulous.
I simply packaged my stuff nicely as I always do. ~~ Sooz
------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links
This has actually happened to me. I donated 3 jewelry pieces to a silent auction which was a benefit my son's school. One of my friends was the chairman of the auction, her daughter was the president of the organization. We were sitting with them. Two of the pieces had bids on them, but one of the pins didn't have any bids. Meanwhile, the auction was closing and the volunteers started at the opposite end of the room, going around taking off the bid cards and reading aloud the artists' name, the winner's name and how much it sold for. My friend noticed I was upset & wanted to know why. I told her, and she and her daughter both put in bids for the pin. Right after that, some teenagers who were apparently hoping for a bargain, outbid them. So the pin sold for more than the other two jewelry pieces, but it was touch and go for awhile! Patti
------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links
Thanks everyone. I'm still not sure about going to the auction. I should be getting my info packet in the next few days and that may help me decide. It should also let me know if I get to set a minimum bid etc. I also hope to get an idea of what other types of works are being donated.
The group is raising money to bring 7 orphanage kids over from Russia and one of the ...stans. The kids stay here for 6 weeks - go to camps etc with the hope that they will be adopted. last year the raised enough to bring over 5 kids and they have all been adopted - the first one arrived here in the states last week.
Thanks Kathy N-V for the re-post - I remembered some of it but not all.
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