I’m an artist in tarpon springs, FL and I’m just starting to market my work. I have original pieces but also prints (in various sizes) and greeting cards. I’ve gone to a lot of local gift shops and ask them how they acquire their merchandise while all of them have said vendors. Are there any ideas/resources on how I can sell my work? I’d like to eventually do art shows but need some income on the smaller merchandise first.
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One way to first start out is to find a boutique shop that will take some of your cards on consignment or to participate in some small local shows. Obviously the best way to get your merchandise into shops is to do a wholesale show but they are very expensive. Doing some indie shows might work well depending on your cards. My other suggestion would be to get involved with local groups of artists &crafters or networking groups that may have leads to local shops. Good luck
One on-line site you might try is etsy.com. Also artfire.com. Artfire is in beta stage, but a good time to get in on the ground floor. I sell at both, and have the site on my business cards. Everyone who comes into my booth at craft shows gets a card so it's great for business after your show.
You might try some online sites to sell your greeting cards. Either at wholesale or retail, there are many sites available. But you'll need professional photography to sell well online. Wholesale shows would be too expensive for you at this stage in your career, but you could see if the FL Craftsmen guild is doing any trade shows. They may be doing the Philly or NY shows and you could get great experience at wholesale, in a safer, less expensive environment if you go to a show with a guild. Gift shops typically buy their merchandise at wholesale trade shows. Some buy direct from the artist via wholesale web sites or other online means. Maybe the question you should ask the stores where you'd like to sell your work is: What shows do you typically attend to buy products? You'd need to understand wholesale pricing if you plan to go the wholesale route. If you can afford travel, the Arts Business Institute provides training to artists who are entering the wholesale arena. The training is set against two real live shows...American Craft Retailers Expo, Las Vegas (MY Show) and Buyers Market of American Crafts, Philadelphia. Google ABI for more info.
you can contact some of these vendors they are speaking of, they are sometimes small and often market many diff lines for artist and wholesalers. gail sterns is a name that rings a bell. the markets in atlanta also have perment show rooms but both of these avenues will require you to be able to produce a wholesale order quantity. anyways good luck on your research
It's time to institute guerrilla craft shows. Just drive around until you find an abandoned gas station or an empty parking lot next to a big grocery store.....and set up. Set up next to the spring greenhouse out in front of Big Lots that sells bedding plants.........zero show fee.......set up and break down is easy, and you can park right next to your both. Anytime you bring a third party into the mix it dilutes your profits. I've seen a lot of changes over the years, one of the big ones is that we seem to be taking ourselves far too seriously. Attempt the outrageous and accept the consequences whatever they are. Try not to lose sight of your goals, whatever they might be. And remember, when you start doing shows and a bad photographer driving a large box van pulling a 28 foot trailer takes up three spaces in the set up area...using his parking cones to reserve the extra two, wait until he's not looking and steal the cones.
Connie Mettler > Jack StoddartNovember 26, 2008 at 4:22pm
You, go, Jack! Do artists really need this kind of advice?? I mean the last part, not the first part which is serious food for thought.
Jack Stoddart > Connie MettlerNovember 26, 2008 at 10:56pm
Once upon a time it was the lifestyle......bunch of damn hippies avoiding the straight life and enjoying what success came their way.......then in .....1987 I think, someone blew a whistle and the next thing I knew it was a business.......damn that made it hard......Artist? Craftsmen? what are we......who's to say? Is it retail or just refusal to participate in illusive pragmatism? I think I'll work with music for a while...at least those folks have refused to grow up.....it keeps me focused on the shows I choose to do, instead of the shows that choose to do me.
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