In the beginning…
My first iteration of my -not so fine- fine art booth down at Saturday Market. 2015
I’ve been in the arts for 22 years now- I started selling paper in the rain @portlandsaturdaymarket back in 2003 - I was so green and so excited, my first weekend I think I made a total of $75 selling handmade journals and pretty things - even though I sold almost nothing I could feel something click and I knew I was on the path to figure out how to become a working artist.
So how does it work? How do you go from being a table top crafter to breaking into the art scene?
There are so many ways to sell what you make these days, from an online shop(ie Amazon Handmade / Etsy) to local craft markets, high end art shows, wholesale and galleries, if you make something people love, you can find a way to sell it.
The most important thing in sales is knowing your demographic.
Who is buying what you make and how do you find them? My general advice for people just starting out, find a local craft market and take your work out in person. See how people react to what you do, see what they are excited about, what sells, what doesn’t. Ask questions, take emails, watch closely.
If you prefer to be online, Etsy is an inexpensive place to set up shop and it has a built in audience. Look for work similar to yours and tag and title your work in the same manner until you get the hang of the language there. As always, watch closely. What are people favoriting? What is selling? Are your products seasonal? Where are your buyers from?
Most full time artists have a mix of revenue streams.
I sell the majority of my work at Art Shows but I also sell wholesale via Faire, have a few galleries and I do a lot of commission work when I am in between events. I make a comfortable living and I get to travel frequently. I hire assistants when I need to and I take time off to reset and revitalize - I have worked 100+ hours a week for years on end to get where I am, I still work hard but I have built enough of a presence most of the time I work smarter these days.
Interested in specific information about selling what you love to make?
Contact me about a consultation for your creative businesses!
