Where Should I Sell My Work?

From time to time, new artists who are just starting to think about selling their work online contact me about how to go about this. While composing another such response on Etsy this morning, I realized that a blog entry would make it even easier for new entrants to stumble across this information!

In addition to my main online store, Jellybug.com, I have a few of online boutiques, and Etsy has definitely been the most fruitful. I've had two sales among the four other third-party stores I maintain. However, Etsy is a vast sea of products, so it's hard for anyone to find you.

If you have programming expertise in the family, though, my own online store is the source of most of my sales. People generally find it by Googling for what they're looking for, and the vast majority of my customers use it.

Here are some online boutiques you may want to set up a storefront with. They're all free or free-per-sale sites -- I don't bother with any of the monthly-fee sites because I don't know whether they're worth it and I already have the monthly expense of Jellybug.com.

Etsy
Etsy, the 800-pound gorilla of indie art scene, is, in my experience, the best of the bunch, at least for US sellers. It's fairly easy to use (though you'll find that setting up sales is annoying and very manual), and it's been the source of most of my sales outside of Jellybug.com.

Dawanda
Geared toward international markets, all prices are in euros and the US is considered a foreign country. I've had one sale here, and it was to a very nice lady in Switzerland.

Smashing Darling
Definitely meant for the indie clothing market, I've had one sale here. Their commissions are the highest -- 18% -- but they absorb the Paypal fee, so it's more like a 15% commission.

Shop Handmade
The tool for setting up products is incredibly irritating, so I use it minimally. No sales here. You can either pay a listing fee, or allow a sponsor's ad to appear on the product page.

SilkFair
Another zoo of a site, SilkFair has the advantage of bulk uploading (thought I've never gotten it to work, and I'm a computer professional, and it can import from your Etsy store (though it's necessary to check every product afterward for accuracy of shipping costs and such). I haven't had any sales here.

1000 Markets
Haven't tried this one yet, but I intend to.

ArtBreak
Haven't tried this one yet, but I intend to.

Made It Myself
Haven't tried this one yet, but I intend to.

Supermarket
Very indie-looking site for buying straight from the artist. Haven't tried it.

Where do you sell your work online? Any good sites I've missed? I've love to add them to the list.

One Day Mardi Gras Sale!

Celebrate Fat Tuesday with 25% off purple, green, and yellow items! This sale will run for one day only -- Tuesday, February 24th. Below are some of the lovely things that will be discounted next Tuesday. Browse all of my sale items now so you'll be ready to pounce when the sale starts!

Capitol Region Etsy Street Team Sale

I'm not the only one having a Fat Tuesday sale! Some of my fellow members of a local artists collective are also offering discounts on the 24th!

SewArtsy.etsy.com
Half price on this pink and brown paisley tote - (regularly $44.95)



Brigabauble.etsy.com
50% off Sterling Silver and Rose Quartz 5-decade Catholic Rosary (regularly $65)

UndefinedVillage.etsy.com
50% OFF all 8x10 photos!


MaryEllenDoran.etsy.com
Half-off hand cold forged sterling silver hoop earrings (2-inches long) (regularly $15)


MaggieSueDesigns.etsy.com
All Hair Accessories 50% off the listed price!


Shelbyb.etsy.com
10% off Yarn and FREE SHIPPING!


ArtStudioShanti.etsy.com
All Neckwarmers 50% off Listed price

Escapees from the bead show!

I went to the Baltimore Bead Society's winter show yesterday. I was after a few findings that I can't get from my main suppliers, and I was trying hard not to buy anything else. Bead and gem shows are candyland for us, and it's very easy to come away with hundreds of dollars worth of treasures.

I did really well through the main showroom ... but then I saw orange.



They're doing some craaaazy stuff with turquoise these days. These brilliant orange pumpkiny beads are dyed white turquoise! I can't keep my hands off anything this bright, and it only takes one thing off the table to break down my resolve not to buy anything. Oh yes, some spotty turquoise! And some crazy lace agate! And some striped agate! Mine mine mine!

Inaugural Sale

It's time for change! Save some change with free shipping on everything from Jellybug Artworks and 25% off items with patriotic color schemes. The sale starts Saturday, January 17th and extends through Sunday, January 25th. Take a sneak peek at the sale items so you'll be ready on Saturday!

New! Chainmaille Key Rings and Recycled Glass Paperweights

Chainmaille Key Rings

I'm taking great delight in chainmaille lately! I've created a set of darling key rings that feature a pretty rock, coin, or bead and a section of hybrid woven byzantine chain. Each chain is securely fastened to the key ring with double jump rings and a solid metal ring. If you have a sweetheart with an interest in the Renaissance or medieval things, I'll be making them with red glass hearts for Valentine's Day! View all my key rings.

If you like chainmaille, don't miss my new Byzantine Starfish Pendant -- an artglass starfish on a sparkling byzantine chain -- and Princess of the Forest Woven Chainmaille Necklace!

Recycled Glass Jar Paperweights

I've been having splendid fun slumping small glass jars into paperweights. I soften them vertically instead of laying them on their sides to flatten, and they come out with luscious folds like fabric! Take a look! Couldn't your desk use a little fun?

Twelfth Night Costume Extravaganza

Every January, a friend has a Twelfth Night masquerade ball. I love making festive costumes, and her fancy-dress parties are always an opportunity.

I bought a purple Mardi Gras mask with tall feathers and embellished it with shoots of metallic steamers and butterflies.

My dress is a white prom affair that I found at a thrift store. For decoration, I purchased a horde of butterflies from Michael's. The butterflies had clips on the back, so I snapped and removed each one with a pliers, glued pin backs onto them, and attached them to my dress. For additional adornment, I wore blue satin gloves, black and white ostrich feather wrist poofs, arm bands that I made with elastic and ponytail holders, and a ring with another butterfly. And purple high heel sandals the color of my mask, but you can't see them in any of the photos.

I really just like making the costumes. Once I arrive at the party, I'm ready to go home!

Win a Beautiful Woven Wire Bracelet from Mana Moon Studios

My inestimable friend Sharon of Mana Moon Studios is nearing a great milestone in her career as an artist! She is soon to create her one thousandth gorgeous piece of jewelry, and to celebrate, she's giving away one of her signature woven wire bracelets which she's designing specially for this contest!

Sharon's speciality is a very recognizable style of chunky cuff bracelet which features a handmade artisan focal bead in a nest of carefully wrapped wire, set off with other matching beads and dangles. You must see them to believe how beautiful they are, so here are some examples!

Not content to use focal pieces that aren't one of a kind, Sharon forms partnerships with talented glass and clay artists all over the world to find the most exquisite and fascinating centerpieces for her bracelets and necklaces. She also makes keychains and earrings!

Scuttle over to Sharon's blog now for your chance to win her special commemorative bracelet!