There is a very exciting online store that I want to share with you – both for the sellers and buyers.  It is a new concept and very helpful. It is a portal … sounds exciting, doesn’t it?  Keep reading to find out.  If you can’t wait, skip to the bolded paragraph below. As you know, there are tons of new online stores in that have begun in the last year … and even more in the last few years … It has become confusing and a bit overwhelming for many of us artists and crafters to know how to navigate all the choices to decide where to put our work.  Customers too are able to go to so many different stores that it can all get a bit much.

Snowy Owl Tile from CafePress © Diane Clancy

I have been lucky enough to be steered in the direction of an unusual site – The Handmade Product Shopping Directory. This shop is different from most shops that nothing is actually sold to customers there … Instead artists and others can list their shops and items there and then customers are directed to the individual shops. There are about 40 categories … and art is only 1 category – so you can see there are lots of types of merchandise. This place is worth checking out!  When you go there … look on the left bar and you will see all the many choices.  My listing is under the art one.

Emma in Flowers I Ornament from CafePress © Diane Clancy

But there is a very exciting new concept at Handmade Product Directory!! They have started an Arcade … which consists of storefronts of many customers … This Arcade has 8 categories on the side .. you can see them when you go there.  If you click on Art, you get a list of items from different shops in the Arcade. So, as a customer, you get to go through all the listings from the various shops at once.  As an artist, people who go to the Arcade and look for art, can see my work without looking specifically for me.  It is a win-win storefront.

Conundrum I Postage from Zazzle © Diane Clancy

In this Arcade you can have your own storefront. This is an incredible new concept and great for me! In one place I can show my vibrant, colorful paintings on mugs, postage and prints all in one place. My Arcade Shop has mugs from CafePress, postage from Zazzle and prints from Etsy. I am delighted with this concept!  For me to be able to show the variety of my work on the different merchandise is wonderful!!

Violet Mist Print from Etsy © Diane Clancy

This way I do not have to send you to lots of different shops so you can see what my paintings look like as prints, mugs, tiles, totes, postage, cards and more. When you click on an item, you go to the actual shop where it is sold.  That is what is so unique – listing merchandise from different shops – all under ONE roof!

In the Garden Mug from CafePress © Diane Clancy

It costs nothing to open an Arcade and only 10 cents – for a whole year – to list an item.  I think it is a brilliant idea and I will be putting many more of my works into my Arcade!! What do you think … does this concept work for you as an artist, crafter, other seller or buyer?  Thanks for coming by!!

~ Diane Clancy

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