Presentation for shops and galleries

Here are relevant links to my main website, beautifulfrog.com.

You will be most interested in The Frog Archive. Just scroll down the list of Frogs to see all the frog sculptures I have made over the years. This is not a comprehensive list. I've been working making frog sculptures for over 30 years. But it will give you an idea of what I am capable of. Since the bulk of my work in the past has been larger work, that is what you will see at beautifulfrog.com. Keep in mind that I am now making sculptures half the size of these. I am quite capable of making any of these sculptures at half the size, something I am currently doing.

Copperfrogart.com

This blog has many of my sculptures listed in categories. A lot of the work are smaller pieces so you can see a range of what I do with copper frog sculptures. Just take a look at the categories listed along the right side of the blog. There is also a downloadable ebook.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens Gift Shop Shipment

Here is a link on a blog where I post new work for clients. The link provided is to the recent shipment I made to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens gift shop. They were very happy to receive. When my work is at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Gift shop, it sells very well. I will also note that my large frog sculptures are in the Atlanta Botanical Gardens where many enjoy them every day.

Recent work.

Why Frogs.

One of the all time FAQs: Why frogs? I humorously explain why frogs.There are many reasons as to why I make frogs. I don't give all those answers here. One of the main reasons why frogs is that they are a niche market. and so far no one has been able to compete with what I do. Oh, other people make frogs, but not the way I do.

I've been making frogs (and selling them) for over 30 years. I know what I'm doing. My frogs are a niche market that no one has yet to rival exactly what I do. Although, granted, there are other types of frog sculptures out there. But not like mine.

The Art

My phone number is (770) 843-5585 and my personal email is beau@beautifulfrog.com .

You will find that my sales materials, including this audio, are anything but slick. That’s not my style. However, my sculptures are incredibly well crafted. One of my goals is to be at the forefront in my medium, a leader in the craftsmanship of metal sculpture that highlights copper, brass, and steel. I am capable of creating many types of sculptures but my niche, which has always served me well, is large human-sized frog sculpture.

My work is comparable to a bronze at a fraction of the cost. I create one of a kind frog sculptures that are human-like. Quality pieces. These are anthropomorphized frog sculptures with a lot of personality. I have quite a following. Presently I want to sell most of my work through dealers, shops and galleries.

Everything I do is hand made. I’ve been creating such sculptures for over 30 years now and I have many copy cats. But none of them produce the kind of work I produce. One cannot compare other work to mine. My work is original.

Large human sized frog sculptures is not necessarily what I’m offering - unless you're interested. Having a large frog in your shop or gallery, or better yet, in front of your shop or gallery will get you attention and drive foot traffic. You will also find that many people will take pictures or have their pictures taken with the Frog.

I do make smaller work. Smaller work is typically easier to sell. A mid-sized sculpture is about half the size of a large, human-sized frog sculpture and costs about half as much or even a little less.

The best combination is large and small sculpture. Not everyone can afford a large sculpture, hence, smaller pieces, which are affordable to most art buyer pocketbooks. Not everyone can afford the larger sculpture. But they appreciate it, for sure.

Depending on the shop or gallery, the smaller work or the larger work may be preferable. Ideally, you have both. At least one large piece. But you can also start out small and see how you like having the sculpture and working with me. I'm easy to work with. I think sales can be an enjoyable, fun process.

As you peruse the large frogs I have made, realize that I can make such creatures half the size of the same type. I also have small pieces. I make the small pieces differently than the large and medium sized pieces. You can see this in the small squatting frogs in the pictures of recent work.

Price

I hit most price points. A mid-size frog sculpture, that is, half the size of a large frog sculpture, goes easily for between $1,600 and $2,200. Smaller sculptures range from $300 to $1,500. My large human-sized sculptures, which are in many public places including parks and gardens and libraries and centers of town, are $4000 to $5000. A large human sized trio of musician frog sculptures goes for $11,000.

These are retail prices.

I work in tandem with shops, galleries, and agents. We all must charge similar prices although I understand that we also must have some leeway depending on the situation. I’m easy to work with. I want to sell my work and I want those who sell my work to enjoy the work and make money. If you can make more money for the sculpture you buy outright, do so. It's all original work and there is no reason not to treat it this way. No two sculptures are alike even though I repeat themes and even though currently most of my sculptures are frogs.

I have but given ballpark figures here to give you something to think about. Serious inquiries will get more exact figures. We will work together to make sure you prosper.

Terms

My terms: Buy the work outright, I’ll go 60/40 split. You receive 40% of the sale. You can ask more for the work and get a better percentage. That’s up to you. I make that possible because I suggest the least the sculpture should sell for and I ask for 60% of that.

I work with expensive materials, I have to get at least 60% of the lowest price. At 40%, you can do very well. But it is also possible for you to make 50%. This depends on you and your market. Work a little harder, make 50%.

One of the sweet spots right now for my mid-sized work is $1,750 retail. Which is not that much considering what I provide. If you sell a mid-sized piece, and I make sure you get the most salable work possible, you make – I’m sure you can do the math as well but – you make $700. It is quite possible you can expect several sales a month, especially as the work gains a following. If something doesn't sell within a certain time, I'll exchange it for something else. If that doesn't work for you, I'll buy it back. How can you lose? If you like, I can provide you with a sales agreement.

If you want consignment art, I must go 70/30 split. This is simply to take care of my cost of investment because I have a lot of labor and expensive materials in the work. I know you have overhead as well. So consignment might not work for you or me.

If you need incentive, we can start with small consignment pieces simply so you can get a feeling for the sculpture and working with me. I expect you will delight in the masterful craftsmanship and artistry in the sculpture as you get to know it in person. I don't do a lot of consignment art. I prefer to sell my work wholesale to shops and galleries.

To get you started, I’m willing to negotiate. I want you to see what my work can do for you. I chose you out of the many sales avenues out there. I want your business. Let’s discuss the possibilities.

Trust

Several shops, galleries, and dealers can vouch for me. I'm happy to provide you with a list and also letters of recommendation. I've worked with the gift shop at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens for decades. I know the manager there well. They are always happy to have my work.

As I said, I can provide a legally binding sales agreement. We can dialogue about your concerns and how best I can take care of them.

I own a nice home in a nice neighborhood in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, next to Charleston. I just moved my studio here and all is going well. I have one apprentice who works for me. His work is outstanding. He is truly an artist and an artisan. If you ever decide to pass this way, I welcome you to visit. I am a widower. I live with my eighteen year old son. He is an artist but I don't know if he's going to make frogs. We shall have to see about that. I am sure he will have something to do with the business. He already does, actually, because he critiques my work.

Google me. If you Google "Beau Smith Frogs" and look in images, you will see a lot of my sculptures. My websites will show up on the first page. You may also notice how many people have taken pictures of my sculptures. It happens every day.

Here are some links to shops that carry my work: One of a Kind Gallery; Bain's Outdoor Living; Native Threads.

You can't go wrong with me. If it doesn't work, I'll buy back the sculpture. Or perhaps we can try other sculptures. I sell my work. I don't have a large inventory. I and my apprentice make everything by hand. With love. Give us a chance. I know you won't regret it.

I am offering you original art like no other made of superior materials, by hand. With over 30 years’ experience. Made in the United States, in South Carolina, at present. The work has character. People fall in love with my frog sculptures and they have to have them. It’s just that simple. I’m worth a try because I know you will sell the work. If you don’t sell the work, I’ll pick up my sculpture or have it shipped back to me and we can part ways.

But I don’t think that’s going to happen. I know the places my work will sell best and I’ve chosen you out of many possibilities. You really can’t lose with me. I guarantee my work. If we don’t work out, you lose nothing. I’ll make sure of that. On the other hand, I am offering you a wonderful opportunity to sell original work that has mass appeal created by an artist who has been working in metal, producing frog sculptures, for over 30 years. I must be doing something right.