Selling Your Art – Part I (Offline Marketing)
Sue O’Kieffe of Sacred Circle Mandalas (http://sacred-circle-mandalas.blogspot.com) recently wrote me “i am curious to know out of all the ways you sell your art, which is the most profitable for you and which is the most enjoyable?”
What a great question, Sue!! I know some other artists sometimes read my blog – I hope everyone will chime in – this could be very helpful to us all! There is a handful of sites that I use regularly and really enjoy. I am really looking forward to hearing from others too! This is mug from CafePress showcases my vibrant, colorful bubblescape painting of Violet Mist.
Violet Mist Mug © Diane Clancy
Today I am going to give an overview of the ways I sell my work offline – and what works about these ways and what doesn’t. Tomorrow I will give an overview of the online ways I sell my art. The next day I will talk about specific sites and venues and what I like. (This post was getting too long and I know I prefer to read shortish posts). But I will probably write them all today so they hang together.
There are 4 basic ways I sell – 2 offline and 2 online. Locally I sell to stores or have items on consignment. This is great because there is no running to the post office to send things off. Consignment doesn’t work as well as an outright sale of course because there is no money paid to me upfront and I may get my merchandise back with stickers and such or other damage, which gives me more work to deal with. I love selling my work locally and having people come up to me saying they have seen my work in a specific place and they like it. I am a big supporter of the local economy.
Of course in a rural area, there are only so many appropriate stores to sell to … and the local market is smallish – our whole county is only 70,000 people. I have gone to a bigger distance (I have sold in 3 states) but then the mileage eats up that much more profit. So it is a wonderful piece of the mix – but not enough to sustain my business.
The other local, offline way I sell is at art or craft fairs. I have not found my stride in this venue yet. My work hasn’t sold all that well at the local, inexpensive craft fairs. Art hasn’t tended to sell as well as functional items there. People don’t seem to be too much in the market for art at these things. The ones that are inexpensive represent low risk financially – yet they are also the ones that I am less likely to sell art at.
The expensive ones that cost a substantial amount (hundreds of dollars and up), I am leery of for me – I have never tried them. Some people have made these kinds of fairs a cornerstone of their art or craft business. I am concerned about such a big investment of time, energy and money. Also, many people say that market has changed substantially … yet I am sure that many artisans are still doing quite well.
For me personally, part of what doesn’t work well at art and craft fairs is the carrying things to the fair and the needing to be there to sell. As many of you know, I have substantial health issues, and this type of event wipes me out for a good week. That doesn’t seem like a good trade-off.
Yet last holiday season the Artists of Franklin County put on an Art Fair and it worked quite well for us. There was no entrance fee and we were competing with other artists. The networking was fabulous and we made more sales than we usually have. Part of what I think needs to happen is figuring out how to get more repeat buyers … they love my work and buy something to support me – but sometimes I think then that is that.
So it is great to potentially know my customers locally and to support the local economy. It is wonderful to meet the store owners and customers face to face and have that personal relationship potentially. Delivery is local. Those are big pluses. Tomorrow I will give an overview on online selling. Thank you for stopping by!!
Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, mug, bubblescape, CafePress, Artists of Franklin County, Sacred Circle Mandalas, Sue O’Kieffe
Diane – wonderful set of topics. Granby has an artists association that sells art. It has been running for 8 or 9 years now – local people in the town come out and support artists. The other areas that our local artists sell art at is at the annual landtrust – so a portion of the proceeds go to sell protected land in the area. We have one abstract artist who does spectacular work – not as well received as the reprsentational artists. We have another artist who sells greeting cards of her work at the local drug store, is well know, and does well. I guess it is small town stuff though.
great tips, Diane. I sell primarily at those arts/craft festivals and i tend to stick to the higher end shows. i also don’t have much luck at the inexpensive shows you mention, often because those tend to not really be juried and quite a bit of very low cost buy/sell jewelry tends to make its way in. since i create artisan jewelry with precious metals and handbeads beads, my prices are quite a bit higher. i’d love to sell more online so i look forward to hearing your online tips. kelly
p.s. found you on facebook through karen faulkner.. sending you a fb invite! 🙂
Hi Anne, what a great thing that local people come out to support artists through the artists association!! I think that is so true that sometimes abstract art has a harder time selling. Great to sell through the local drug store … Thank you!
Hi Kelly, I am delighted you are following this! (We are Facebook friends now) I think jewelry tends to sell well from what I hear from people … so glad the high end ones are working for you! Given that I have been mainly selling prints, I have been hesitant to try them myself. I think the higher prices make a big difference. We charge in the mid-range for what we sell … but some people sell cards for $1.50. I can’t compete with that … I think the quality of my cards are much higher, but that is part of the art market.. Thank you!!
~ Diane
Diane! Great post. I am trying my first Art and Crafts fairs this summer and I am not sure about that decision. Since I have already invested in a tent and other display items, I have to give it a go!
Off to read about ON-line – you know I really value your opinion on this topic.
Hi Lynne,
Once you have invested like that, it sure makes sense to give it a try!! Also I think people DO sell more at the higher end ones. If it is higher end, you are likely to sell more – if it lower end, you risk less. It is definitely worth a try for sure!!
I do not have the physical mobility, strength or stamina to have it work for me. But for someone who can handle it without a great cost like that – try and see what works. I will be VERY eager to hear!
Thank you so much for your great support on this!
~ Diane
(in response to part I)
you should join (or start) an art collective. then as a group you can participate in art shows, and eventually even host them. i’m part of a very large group called ArtLoveMagic. it is an art activist group, that does lots of charity shows and events. very helpful to me in keeping my name out there. you can peep their website at ArtLoveMagic.com.
i try not to do too many shows. once a month is good, but some months i do more. when i’m doing lots of them, i ramp down my efforts so i don’t wear myself out! since i got married in ’07, i moved to a rural area, but found it helpful to continue participating in ALM (about 50 miles away in Dallas,TX) because of my budding market there.
anyways, this is a very helpful blog. i haven’t tried HALF of the stuff you mentioned. i’m looking to take a stab at some of your suggestions! i’m saving your blog to my book marks to revisit later (don’t wanna overload my brain!)
thanks!
-samax
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Hi,
thanks for the great quality of your blog, each time i come here, i’m amazed.
HI,
Hey very nice article Diane… It is amazing to read about the each details of your content. And I too suggest that you must go for more art collection.
Thanks,
Daniel
Hi,
Hey you must try for more art center for showcasing your talent. It is really wonderful… Good job
Thanks,
Mar
Wow… the mug seems very beautifully made and adore by you… Why don’t you level up yourself for some artistic sites?
Thanks
judith