How to compete?

Cheryl just went to Wal-mart and got some new dinnerware ...I know ...a disgrace!  But the thing is she got :

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ten-Strawberry-Street-Simply-White-Round-16-Piece-Dinnerware-Set/14118809

Which is a 4 place setting-  with 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 bowls and 4 cups for $20.00!!!

How is that possible!!??

How can potters compete?  I may just start going up to Wal-mart and buying my dinnerware and then put decals on them and resell them for $25.00. Wait a minute...I still couldn't make any money!!???

WTF!

Comments

mikpo saidā€¦
The way to compete is to raise your prices, to differentiate your work: us clowns know how to run a biz. Keep the fun in fun. We're on a different plateau, don't you see?

Would you supply Walmart if asked? Aye, there's rub.
Jay Wiese saidā€¦
Says Rob Barnard:

I don't want to mislead anyone into thinking that I am trying to compete with K-Mart in providing useful everyday objects. My goal has never been to provide America with a good $2 mug. Rather, it has been to make a mug that compels one to be aware of every aspect or the act of drinking and hopefully to transform that commonplace act into the kind or rare aesthetic experience that has a life beyond that fleeting moment. This may not, to some, be a very ambitious goal. But it is in this very private and domestic part of our lives, I believe, where art's ability to help us cope with the hardships of life, has its greatest potential.

http://www.rob-barnard.com/essays/2jin/jinone
Lori Buff saidā€¦
We're making good art, Wal-mart is selling crap. I don't see how you can even put yourself in the same category. To me it's sort of like saying "Wal-mart sells foot-ware for $4 so how can Ford or Toyota compete?"
Emily Reason saidā€¦
return the Walmart dinnerware
John Britt saidā€¦
Emily, could you come by with some of my concerned clay friends and preform an intervention and take them from me.... and make me break them, one by one in a trash can while repeating the phrase, Wake up asshole- hand made crafts have more "meaning".