“Lonesome Companions”; hand-forged iron and copper.

At my studio, I forge unique items for the home and garden. I sell much of my work at Handwork, a 40-member artists cooperative in Ithaca, N.Y., and through individual commissions. The Ithaca area is home to Cornell University, Ithaca College and many stable businesses that afford a market for my wares, allowing me to live and work in a rural community.

I like working with metal because of the timeless beauty that a hand wrought piece of iron exudes; it portrays a sense of permanence. Blacksmithing is hot, dirty and physically demanding, but there’s nothing else I’d rather do.

Contact: Dale Barrows, Savage Creek Forge,
Marathon, New York; (607) 849-3198.

“Guarded Secrets” by George and April Witzke.

We were ecstatic when we grossed $64 at our first show because it proved people were willing to pay for our artwork. This year marks our 10th year participating in shows.

We’ve found that there’s a market at every level for artists to sell their work, be it the church craft bazaar, the art association’s annual art show or shows like the prestigious Cherry Creek Festival.

I think it’s a rare exception for an artist to decide to do shows and, within the first year, be accepted in the “Cherry Creeks.” So, the best market is wherever our abilities allow us to sell our artwork to the public.

Contact: George and April Witzke, Witzke Ironworks, Camp Verde, Arizona; (928) 567-4382; www.4ironwork.com.

Handspun pewter bowl measures 10x5 inches.

I do about 20 shows a year and demonstrate the 4,000-year-old art of metal spinning — the forming of a flat piece of metal over a shape cut on a metal spinning lathe — in about 15 of those shows. I do this on a Civil War-era treadle lathe.

I don’t think my demonstrations always increase sales, but I do educate people about metal spinning. It’s hard to believe how many people do not have any idea what metal spinning involves and most are amazed to discover this art.

Contact: Thomas G. Pierson, Burton, Michigan; (810) 743-6797; 3217MSS@juno.com.

Metal vessel by David Huang.

I've found that consignment to galleries is the best route for selling my metal vessels. For my work, I do best in high-end, respected galleries. Excellent presentation is important to substantiate the prices I need, and these galleries offer such a setting.

To find such places, I’m always listening to what galleries people are most impressed with and why. I study ads in national magazines over a span of time and do specific Web searches. When I’ve focused in on a gallery, I try to find and talk to people who have direct experience with that gallery.

Contact: David Huang, Sand Lake, MI ; (616) 636-4877; huang@davidhuang.org.

“Piña Colada” by Nan Wollman.

To market and sell my craft, I get my work out there in every way I can. This means galleries, open studios — whatever I can do to make my work visible. I have a brochure that I give away for a reminder. I build my mailing list at every chance, and send out cards and e-mails for every event.

I keep reminding my audience that I’m out here working, so they will come and buy again and again.

Contact: Nan Wollman, Wollman Studios, Los Angeles, California; www.wollmanstudios.com.