Some of our readers are already aware of this as they have shops on Etsy - but there have been some recent changes at Etsy involving the site's forums which are open to all who come to the site, buyers and sellers. Many of the forums that have existed since the site opened are now gone. What remains are forums directed only at sellers - and this is a shame for the shopping public.
It was always possible before the change to announce a new item that went into a shop by using the Promotions Forum. This was a busy place. Some sellers felt that it was too busy - but it brought results. A shop could announce a new item or cleverly remind everyone of other items in the shop and buyers could go and see what was new and for sale. Discounts could be announced. Coupons could be offered. It was the only place on the site that a seller could go on their own and promote their work without paying a fee. That is now gone.
Many of my sales have come from the Promotions Forum. Many buyers have found me there and have come back as repeat customers. This was a way to get your work looked at and ultimately make a sale. Now this opportunity is gone.
There is nothing of any practical application that has taken its place. It is possible to pay to be noticed on the overall site - but why should the customer have to pay the cost for a shop to advertise - no matter what anyone will say - all expenses are reflected in the cost charged.
There is no logical reasoning offered for this change - at least not one that makes any sense to anyone selling on the site. Could the forums been revised to make them more manageable? Sure! But eliminate the ones that the general public would benefit from? No sense at all!
Several sites suddenly sprung up to take the place of the Etsy Forums and also provide a Promotions Forum. One of the most notable is UEF (Unofficial Etsy Forums). But it is too soon to see if this site has any effect on sales. And unless buyers find that site - it will do no good. Take a look at UEF. If you are looking to buy, you will find shops and new items promoted there.
Showing posts with label marketplace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marketplace. Show all posts
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Craft Selling Venues Online
Most of the readers who come to this site know about Etsy and many have their own Etsy shops. There are changes going on at the Etsy site that may greatly have an effect on the sales potential at that site. Many are scrambling to expand to other selling venues online.
One of the problems is that many sites charge not only a setup fee but also a monthly fee to keep a shop on that site. I have looked at many sites, tried a few who either charge no fee or just a listing fee and I have not had the success that I have had making sales as I have had on Etsy. Will that success continue there remains to be seen.
A few months ago I wrote about trying a shop on a site called Zibbet. So far that shop has made no sales - and it went through the holiday season as well.
A site that many talk about is Artfire. Artfire requires payment for the site but offers a small free shop site as well. My shop at Artfire - though it only has one item listed - my best seller - has had no sales.
A site that has had sales for me is called Silkfair. I have made several sales on the Silkfair site but these have been over the course of more than two years. Silkfair is a sales site that is not just limited to art and craft. General merchandise is sold on the site as well. The owner of the site had tried hard to make it visible and bring customers to the site. There is also a way to migrate your Etsy listings to your Silkfair shop.
I have shops on two sites that are strictly art and I have photography on both and my ACEO mats on one in addition to the photography. One of those sites is Redbubble. Redbubble is a site that prints your artwork, in my case my photography, and ships it to the customer for you. All you do is upload artwork. You set the percentage of the selling price that you will get and Redbubble sets the price. You can sell prints, cards, shirts, calendars, and framed art. All of the work in production is done by Redbubble. The site is based in Australia so the shipping prices to the US are high. I have made sales on Redbubble BUT I have yet to be paid. WHY? Redbubble pays you when your sales balance reaches $50. It has been a couple of years and I have yet to reach that.
The other art site is Art by Us. Here there are no fees AT ALL. You list your artwork or art supplies and you can either set a flat price or run an ebay like auction. Listings remain for months and are easily renewable - and they are free. The site is set up with an emphasis on individual listings and not on "shops", though it is possible to create a single link to all of your listings.
So now we wait and see. Will the changes that have been announced and started to be enacted on Etsy cut down on sales? I certainly hope not but without the ability to interact on the site with potential customers, I think that there will be a downturn coming.
One of the problems is that many sites charge not only a setup fee but also a monthly fee to keep a shop on that site. I have looked at many sites, tried a few who either charge no fee or just a listing fee and I have not had the success that I have had making sales as I have had on Etsy. Will that success continue there remains to be seen.
A few months ago I wrote about trying a shop on a site called Zibbet. So far that shop has made no sales - and it went through the holiday season as well.
A site that many talk about is Artfire. Artfire requires payment for the site but offers a small free shop site as well. My shop at Artfire - though it only has one item listed - my best seller - has had no sales.
A site that has had sales for me is called Silkfair. I have made several sales on the Silkfair site but these have been over the course of more than two years. Silkfair is a sales site that is not just limited to art and craft. General merchandise is sold on the site as well. The owner of the site had tried hard to make it visible and bring customers to the site. There is also a way to migrate your Etsy listings to your Silkfair shop.
I have shops on two sites that are strictly art and I have photography on both and my ACEO mats on one in addition to the photography. One of those sites is Redbubble. Redbubble is a site that prints your artwork, in my case my photography, and ships it to the customer for you. All you do is upload artwork. You set the percentage of the selling price that you will get and Redbubble sets the price. You can sell prints, cards, shirts, calendars, and framed art. All of the work in production is done by Redbubble. The site is based in Australia so the shipping prices to the US are high. I have made sales on Redbubble BUT I have yet to be paid. WHY? Redbubble pays you when your sales balance reaches $50. It has been a couple of years and I have yet to reach that.
The other art site is Art by Us. Here there are no fees AT ALL. You list your artwork or art supplies and you can either set a flat price or run an ebay like auction. Listings remain for months and are easily renewable - and they are free. The site is set up with an emphasis on individual listings and not on "shops", though it is possible to create a single link to all of your listings.
So now we wait and see. Will the changes that have been announced and started to be enacted on Etsy cut down on sales? I certainly hope not but without the ability to interact on the site with potential customers, I think that there will be a downturn coming.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Trying to Find a Real Craft Show
It is harder and harder to find a craft show that makes sure that all that is being offered for sale is actually handmade by the artist who is selling in the booth. We no longer will do a craft show that we have not seen in advance. We attend many shows - walk through the entire show and count how many people selling are selling commercial imports and the numbers are staggering.
We have stop doing most shows that we have done over the years. The few that we do have remained with a majority of real craft being sold but those shows have their growing share of commercial import vendors. One has to question why even call these craft shows at all. Some shows that had wonderful reputations for many years have now started to call themselves craft and gift show because the majority of vendors are selling commercially made items - known in the retail industry as "buy and sell".
Are there fewer craftspeople? Certainly not. What there are - are more people who are out of work who have decided that it is easy to wholesale purchase imports and sell them at craft shows. Some will be very open about what they are selling - offering them in their commercial packaging with the Made in China stickers in place on the items themselves. Some think they are pulling something on the public and when asked if they have made something say yes - and that something is what was seen on the infomercial the night before being sold for $19.99 and you get two plus all of these extras. Really - one guy insisted he made the pocketbooks with the insides that move from bag to bag - just ignore those packing cartons with the commercial name of the product on them under the table. These people think they are pulling something on the craft-buying public and I guess they are because they are there at the craft show selling and people are buying.
I have been asked why can't the two - real craft and buy and sell items go together at a show. The reason is very simple - there is no way to compete. I can purchase from a catalog at wholesale very attractive jewelery that I could sell and make a good profit for at two for ten dollars. And I have seen vendors at craft shows selling exactly this. Now, if it takes me an hour to make a handmade necklace and it costs me ten dollars in materials, how could I sell that necklace at two for $10 to compete with the import seller? There is no way.
I have been at craft shows - very prestigious craft shows - where a customer will come up and ask if I make what they are looking at in my booth. I have to say "of course" which is the truth - but just that someone is asking me and the rest of the real crafts people selling is an indication that something is really wrong. I have seen other legitimate crafts people put signs up that say, "We make everything that we sell." How sad to have to do that at a craft show.
There had been a problem in some states around what could be called a "flea market" and what should not be and some states passed laws about the use of the name "flea market". When the same has been proposed by the craft community about the name "craft show" it has been ignored.
I wish I had an answer. The best that you can do is let the promoters at a craft show know that the people who are selling are not selling crafts - but you know what has happened when I have done that - the response is " So?"
We have stop doing most shows that we have done over the years. The few that we do have remained with a majority of real craft being sold but those shows have their growing share of commercial import vendors. One has to question why even call these craft shows at all. Some shows that had wonderful reputations for many years have now started to call themselves craft and gift show because the majority of vendors are selling commercially made items - known in the retail industry as "buy and sell".
Are there fewer craftspeople? Certainly not. What there are - are more people who are out of work who have decided that it is easy to wholesale purchase imports and sell them at craft shows. Some will be very open about what they are selling - offering them in their commercial packaging with the Made in China stickers in place on the items themselves. Some think they are pulling something on the public and when asked if they have made something say yes - and that something is what was seen on the infomercial the night before being sold for $19.99 and you get two plus all of these extras. Really - one guy insisted he made the pocketbooks with the insides that move from bag to bag - just ignore those packing cartons with the commercial name of the product on them under the table. These people think they are pulling something on the craft-buying public and I guess they are because they are there at the craft show selling and people are buying.
I have been asked why can't the two - real craft and buy and sell items go together at a show. The reason is very simple - there is no way to compete. I can purchase from a catalog at wholesale very attractive jewelery that I could sell and make a good profit for at two for ten dollars. And I have seen vendors at craft shows selling exactly this. Now, if it takes me an hour to make a handmade necklace and it costs me ten dollars in materials, how could I sell that necklace at two for $10 to compete with the import seller? There is no way.
I have been at craft shows - very prestigious craft shows - where a customer will come up and ask if I make what they are looking at in my booth. I have to say "of course" which is the truth - but just that someone is asking me and the rest of the real crafts people selling is an indication that something is really wrong. I have seen other legitimate crafts people put signs up that say, "We make everything that we sell." How sad to have to do that at a craft show.
There had been a problem in some states around what could be called a "flea market" and what should not be and some states passed laws about the use of the name "flea market". When the same has been proposed by the craft community about the name "craft show" it has been ignored.
I wish I had an answer. The best that you can do is let the promoters at a craft show know that the people who are selling are not selling crafts - but you know what has happened when I have done that - the response is " So?"
Thursday, May 27, 2010
So Many Just Don't Know
I have written about CPSIA - the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 before. See this article. This law was passed almost two years ago in August and has been in full effect now for some time. This law effects every craftsperson and artist who works in children's themed craft or art. Anything made to be used of for a child under the age of 12 comes under this law.
Now, I am not going to write another article telling you about this law, but I am going to tell you about my amazement that no one still knows that this law even exists. With the exception of the craft artists that are active on the Internet, no one else knows. Crafts artists don't know. Consumers don't know. The media - newspapers, television, and radio - does not seem to know.
This past weekend we were at a very high class art show - visiting, not selling. The show featured fine art and also high end craft. One of the craftsmen there was selling children's furnishings, toys, etc. All handmade of wood and painted. Now the wood is not a problem under this law, as long as the wood is not finished or coated in any way. This wood was painted and therein lies the problem. The paint is not permitted under the law without extensive and expensive testing. And the testing process for the most part is prohibitive to those selling craft.
There is also a labeling requirement in this law. Every children's item must be labeled permanently in a certain way. Was any of this fine work for children labeled? No. Was this craft artist ignoring the law. No. He knew nothing at all about the law and neither did the people who were buying from him.
Even commercial items for children under 12 that are supposed to now all be labeled to be in compliance with the law are not. Many, many retail stores have new inventory on their shelves without the required and specific label. While large retailers may be very much aware of what they risk and have decided not to sell anything out of compliance, many small businesses, like everyone else, have no idea about CPSIA.
This is just amazing. Why is this law kept such a big secret? It is like saying that now everyone must stop at a red light but not tell anyone. What can be done about it? Frankly, I don't know. I do know that this law needs to be drastically changed and amended or at best repealed and rewritten to be responsible legislation. But that is not going to happen. But at least, while everyone that is involved with making or selling children's items must comply with this law, tell people about it.
Just my observations...
Now, I am not going to write another article telling you about this law, but I am going to tell you about my amazement that no one still knows that this law even exists. With the exception of the craft artists that are active on the Internet, no one else knows. Crafts artists don't know. Consumers don't know. The media - newspapers, television, and radio - does not seem to know.
This past weekend we were at a very high class art show - visiting, not selling. The show featured fine art and also high end craft. One of the craftsmen there was selling children's furnishings, toys, etc. All handmade of wood and painted. Now the wood is not a problem under this law, as long as the wood is not finished or coated in any way. This wood was painted and therein lies the problem. The paint is not permitted under the law without extensive and expensive testing. And the testing process for the most part is prohibitive to those selling craft.
There is also a labeling requirement in this law. Every children's item must be labeled permanently in a certain way. Was any of this fine work for children labeled? No. Was this craft artist ignoring the law. No. He knew nothing at all about the law and neither did the people who were buying from him.
Even commercial items for children under 12 that are supposed to now all be labeled to be in compliance with the law are not. Many, many retail stores have new inventory on their shelves without the required and specific label. While large retailers may be very much aware of what they risk and have decided not to sell anything out of compliance, many small businesses, like everyone else, have no idea about CPSIA.
This is just amazing. Why is this law kept such a big secret? It is like saying that now everyone must stop at a red light but not tell anyone. What can be done about it? Frankly, I don't know. I do know that this law needs to be drastically changed and amended or at best repealed and rewritten to be responsible legislation. But that is not going to happen. But at least, while everyone that is involved with making or selling children's items must comply with this law, tell people about it.
Just my observations...
Thursday, October 22, 2009
FEATURED ARTIST
I would like to introduce you to an interesting artist that works in hemp! Come and meet
Here is our interview with the artist, Courtney...
Briefly describe what you make?
I must admit to being yet another Etsy jewelry designer, but I like to think I have a different take on design than other sellers! Personally I love taking a concept that others may think of as drab or boring and making it come alive. For instance, I base all of my design ideas on things I've seen in nature. I've had many people convo me saying that they love how my designs are so bright and full of different textures since they think of nature-inspired items as being a bit monotone in both color and texture. However, I feel that the natural world is full of different colors, shades and textures that many people just never notice!
What mediums do you enjoy working in most?
In particular I love macrame because I like taking hemp and dressing it up to be more than a "teenage" accessory, which I feel is how many people think of it. I also enjoy the feel of the fibers in my hands and how easy it takes on any shape or pattern I envision.
How long have you been creating craft?
I, of course, began tying hemp jewelry as a teenager and later began to expand my designs to include beaded and wire jewelry.
How did you get started?
I started designing jewelry because I needed a creative outlet and felt that I had no artistic talent, which I recently realized isn't true! It actually turns out that the OCD control freak in me was just afraid of the lack of control I feel over the paint and the canvas. I originally began selling my designs to make a little money on the side for groceries and extra spending money. Then a couple of months back I began to realize how much I love to create and that if I took my work more seriously I could actually turn it into a legitimate business, which it is well on its way to becoming!
Where does the name of your shop come from?
My shop name was created while I was on one of my hippie chic fashion kicks and derives from the word eco-friendly. I thought I may end up regretting the name, closing shop and starting over, but as my design aesthetic has developed I have realized just how much I believe in being "green" and using as many earth-friendly materials as possible. After all, the rest of the world shouldn't suffer just so you can look fabulous!
What would you most want people to know about your work?
Personally I believe the most important aspect of my work is the fact that it is all environmentally friendly. I use locally made materials, materials I create myself and scour yard sales and rummage bins for things to take apart and reuse by incorporating them in my designs. I feel that it is extremely important to keep as many items out of landfills as possible and this environmental consciousness definitely carries over to my designs.
What words of advice do you have for other artists?
The most influential advice I ever received both as an artist and a person is to be true to yourself and let it flow through everything you do because that is the only way to be truly happy.
______________________
You have got to go and take a look at this very different jewelry. Go and look at this shop and then please leave your comments here and let Courtney know that you appreciate her work!
Here is our interview with the artist, Courtney...
Briefly describe what you make?
I must admit to being yet another Etsy jewelry designer, but I like to think I have a different take on design than other sellers! Personally I love taking a concept that others may think of as drab or boring and making it come alive. For instance, I base all of my design ideas on things I've seen in nature. I've had many people convo me saying that they love how my designs are so bright and full of different textures since they think of nature-inspired items as being a bit monotone in both color and texture. However, I feel that the natural world is full of different colors, shades and textures that many people just never notice!
What mediums do you enjoy working in most?
In particular I love macrame because I like taking hemp and dressing it up to be more than a "teenage" accessory, which I feel is how many people think of it. I also enjoy the feel of the fibers in my hands and how easy it takes on any shape or pattern I envision.
How long have you been creating craft?
I, of course, began tying hemp jewelry as a teenager and later began to expand my designs to include beaded and wire jewelry.
How did you get started?
I started designing jewelry because I needed a creative outlet and felt that I had no artistic talent, which I recently realized isn't true! It actually turns out that the OCD control freak in me was just afraid of the lack of control I feel over the paint and the canvas. I originally began selling my designs to make a little money on the side for groceries and extra spending money. Then a couple of months back I began to realize how much I love to create and that if I took my work more seriously I could actually turn it into a legitimate business, which it is well on its way to becoming!
Where does the name of your shop come from?
My shop name was created while I was on one of my hippie chic fashion kicks and derives from the word eco-friendly. I thought I may end up regretting the name, closing shop and starting over, but as my design aesthetic has developed I have realized just how much I believe in being "green" and using as many earth-friendly materials as possible. After all, the rest of the world shouldn't suffer just so you can look fabulous!
What would you most want people to know about your work?
Personally I believe the most important aspect of my work is the fact that it is all environmentally friendly. I use locally made materials, materials I create myself and scour yard sales and rummage bins for things to take apart and reuse by incorporating them in my designs. I feel that it is extremely important to keep as many items out of landfills as possible and this environmental consciousness definitely carries over to my designs.
What words of advice do you have for other artists?
The most influential advice I ever received both as an artist and a person is to be true to yourself and let it flow through everything you do because that is the only way to be truly happy.
______________________
You have got to go and take a look at this very different jewelry. Go and look at this shop and then please leave your comments here and let Courtney know that you appreciate her work!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
FEATURED ARTIST
Our new feature is a shop on Etsy that is a must see for new mothers or anyone needing a gift for a new mama. Here is
Come and meet the artist, Amy -
Briefly describe what you make?
I make a variety of items, just based on whatever idea strikes me, or something I see that inspires me. I started up shop in April of this year with some Baby Bodysuits & cute boutique Baby Wipes Clutches, but have since branched out into Drink Coasters, and beautiful Sparkling Hair Pins & Hair Blossoms. I use only the best designer fabrics, Swarovski crystals, and other ingredients for my items.
What mediums do you enjoy working in most?
My favorite right now are my Wipes Clutches & my Sparkling Hair Pins...I've found them almost addictive! Every time I see a cool fabric, or a pretty finding, I rush home from work to start making something new. My head swirls with ideas constantly!
How long have you been creating craft?
I have been creating things for friends and family just about forever, but I just decided to open up shop in April. I just couldn't find the right outlet before, but when I found Etsy, I knew I had found a new home for my shop!
How did you get started?
My desire to create started long long ago, as a little girl. My Mom used to sew beautiful things for us to wear, so it started with sewing little projects of my own, cutting patterns, picking materials. I then moved on in college to creating gift baskets for weddings of my friends and family using my crafting skills & premium gifts, but couldn't find a way to translate that into a business that would work for me. I then started making baby gifts, including my Bodysuits & Night Lights for friends & family, and people told me I should set up shop so it would be easier for them to purchase things to give, and to tell others about my items. So in April, I opened up my Etsy shop, and have had so much fun since then!
Where does the name of your shop come from?
One of my other favorite things to do is work in my garden, and though I have many favorite flowers, Camellias are one of the most hardy and beautiful that I grow. When I decided to open up shop, I wanted something that reflected not only who I am, and what I love, but something beautiful and sort of catchy. The Pink Camellia was inspired by my "In The Pink" Camellia plants, a gorgeous hot pink ruffled Camellia. I tossed it around for a few days, and the name just sort of stuck.
What would you most want people to know about your work?
I would mostly like to say that my work is a labor of love. I don't sell anything I wouldn't be happy to buy or give myself, and I'm proud of every single item I've created. Each item to me is special, and I work extremely hard to make sure they are of the best quality. I also take pride in keeping my prices affordable to just about everyone. There's nothing better than giving a gift that is original, and can't just be picked up at the local big box store! Nobody else will have what you have purchased!
What words of advice do you have for other artists?
My advice for other artists would be to just follow your heart. Sometimes you create something and think nobody else will be able to see what your inspiration was, or nobody else will love it as much as you. I have to say that I have been proven wrong every time! We are always our own harshest critic, and I think people need to believe in themselves and in their own talents, and share them!
__________________________
Great interview!!! Come and see this shop! Leave some comments for Amy!
Come and meet the artist, Amy -
Briefly describe what you make?
I make a variety of items, just based on whatever idea strikes me, or something I see that inspires me. I started up shop in April of this year with some Baby Bodysuits & cute boutique Baby Wipes Clutches, but have since branched out into Drink Coasters, and beautiful Sparkling Hair Pins & Hair Blossoms. I use only the best designer fabrics, Swarovski crystals, and other ingredients for my items.
What mediums do you enjoy working in most?
My favorite right now are my Wipes Clutches & my Sparkling Hair Pins...I've found them almost addictive! Every time I see a cool fabric, or a pretty finding, I rush home from work to start making something new. My head swirls with ideas constantly!
How long have you been creating craft?
I have been creating things for friends and family just about forever, but I just decided to open up shop in April. I just couldn't find the right outlet before, but when I found Etsy, I knew I had found a new home for my shop!
How did you get started?
My desire to create started long long ago, as a little girl. My Mom used to sew beautiful things for us to wear, so it started with sewing little projects of my own, cutting patterns, picking materials. I then moved on in college to creating gift baskets for weddings of my friends and family using my crafting skills & premium gifts, but couldn't find a way to translate that into a business that would work for me. I then started making baby gifts, including my Bodysuits & Night Lights for friends & family, and people told me I should set up shop so it would be easier for them to purchase things to give, and to tell others about my items. So in April, I opened up my Etsy shop, and have had so much fun since then!
Where does the name of your shop come from?
One of my other favorite things to do is work in my garden, and though I have many favorite flowers, Camellias are one of the most hardy and beautiful that I grow. When I decided to open up shop, I wanted something that reflected not only who I am, and what I love, but something beautiful and sort of catchy. The Pink Camellia was inspired by my "In The Pink" Camellia plants, a gorgeous hot pink ruffled Camellia. I tossed it around for a few days, and the name just sort of stuck.
What would you most want people to know about your work?
I would mostly like to say that my work is a labor of love. I don't sell anything I wouldn't be happy to buy or give myself, and I'm proud of every single item I've created. Each item to me is special, and I work extremely hard to make sure they are of the best quality. I also take pride in keeping my prices affordable to just about everyone. There's nothing better than giving a gift that is original, and can't just be picked up at the local big box store! Nobody else will have what you have purchased!
What words of advice do you have for other artists?
My advice for other artists would be to just follow your heart. Sometimes you create something and think nobody else will be able to see what your inspiration was, or nobody else will love it as much as you. I have to say that I have been proven wrong every time! We are always our own harshest critic, and I think people need to believe in themselves and in their own talents, and share them!
__________________________
Great interview!!! Come and see this shop! Leave some comments for Amy!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
FEATURED ARTIST
I am going to start featuring some on-line shops again on this site. This is a site on Etsy. I would like you to meet
Here is our interview with the artist, Leslie!
Briefly describe what you make?
Illustrated greeting cards, pocket mirrors and recipe cards with friendly, happy animals and creatures.
What mediums do you enjoy working in most?
I love Adobe Illustrator - the program I use to illustrate. I also love the 100% recycled brown bag envelopes I provide with my cards.
How long have you been creating craft?
Since October 2008.
How did you get started?
A co-worker turned me on to Etsy, and I decided I wanted to have my own shop. I'm a graphic designer, so it seemed like items with my own illustrations was a pretty good idea. I started with my beaver illustration, and many of the other animals and critters just kind of flowed from there.
Where does the name of your shop come from?
It was just a silly nickname I used for my boyfriend - not even sure where it came from. It was just one of those goofy things that stuck, and it seemed like a good name for a shop containing mostly animals!
6. What would you most want people to know about your work?
That I love it! I just really love illustrating and coming up with new ideas - it makes me feel, errr, sparkly! I think that's so important. When you love what you do, it really shows. And it also gets you through the hard times.
What words of advice do you have for other artists?
Find something you love, and do it! When there is passion and love behind your art, you will succeed.
__________________
Great shop and great cards. Be sure to check out the mirrors! Please do visit Leslie at her shop!
Here is our interview with the artist, Leslie!
Briefly describe what you make?
Illustrated greeting cards, pocket mirrors and recipe cards with friendly, happy animals and creatures.
What mediums do you enjoy working in most?
I love Adobe Illustrator - the program I use to illustrate. I also love the 100% recycled brown bag envelopes I provide with my cards.
How long have you been creating craft?
Since October 2008.
How did you get started?
A co-worker turned me on to Etsy, and I decided I wanted to have my own shop. I'm a graphic designer, so it seemed like items with my own illustrations was a pretty good idea. I started with my beaver illustration, and many of the other animals and critters just kind of flowed from there.
Where does the name of your shop come from?
It was just a silly nickname I used for my boyfriend - not even sure where it came from. It was just one of those goofy things that stuck, and it seemed like a good name for a shop containing mostly animals!
6. What would you most want people to know about your work?
That I love it! I just really love illustrating and coming up with new ideas - it makes me feel, errr, sparkly! I think that's so important. When you love what you do, it really shows. And it also gets you through the hard times.
What words of advice do you have for other artists?
Find something you love, and do it! When there is passion and love behind your art, you will succeed.
__________________
Great shop and great cards. Be sure to check out the mirrors! Please do visit Leslie at her shop!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
A New Concern for Wholesaling Your Work
In my last article I provided links for the new CPSIA law that effects anyone creating items for use by children 12 and under in the United States. This law includes specific labeling requirements - which you will see a link about in that article.
Many retail shops that buy wholesale will often remove the label that the craft artist placed on the item. They do this for a variety of reason - the most common of which seems to be not wanting to identify the source of the item to their customers for fear that the customer will go directly to the artist/craftsperson to buy directly. This has happened to my work at several stores I have sold to in the past. I had not concern about this because I already made my sale to the retailer. Under CPSIA this becomes a problem. Now, the manufacturer's label (YOU) must remain on the item - and that label must be permanent. A retailer clipping that label off will place you liable under the law.
This is something that you must discuss with any retailer you are selling wholesale to. You may need to have the retailer sign in your wholesale agreement that the retailer will under no circumstances remove the label that you permanently attach to the item being sold to them, in compliance with the Federal law, C.P.S.I.A.
The idea of what happens to it after it leaves my hands no longer apply under this law. Of course, this only applies to items intended or marketed to children of the age 12 and under.
Many retail shops that buy wholesale will often remove the label that the craft artist placed on the item. They do this for a variety of reason - the most common of which seems to be not wanting to identify the source of the item to their customers for fear that the customer will go directly to the artist/craftsperson to buy directly. This has happened to my work at several stores I have sold to in the past. I had not concern about this because I already made my sale to the retailer. Under CPSIA this becomes a problem. Now, the manufacturer's label (YOU) must remain on the item - and that label must be permanent. A retailer clipping that label off will place you liable under the law.
This is something that you must discuss with any retailer you are selling wholesale to. You may need to have the retailer sign in your wholesale agreement that the retailer will under no circumstances remove the label that you permanently attach to the item being sold to them, in compliance with the Federal law, C.P.S.I.A.
The idea of what happens to it after it leaves my hands no longer apply under this law. Of course, this only applies to items intended or marketed to children of the age 12 and under.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Basic Product Photography - Part 2
In the first part of this series we talked about the features that you want in a camera to take good product photos of your crafts. We will now explore what is needed to set up the pictures that you are going to take. But before we do, let's add one more thing to your camera.
All digital cameras should take a memory card of one type or another. One of the most common is an SD Card (SD for Secure Digital). You want to get a card for your camera with two features - one, that it is as large a capacity as you want to pay for and two, that it is a "fast" memory card. Memory these days is cheap. You can get a large capacity card for as little as ten dollars in the right stores. Two gigabites (2 gb) is the largest capacity that an SD card comes in. Some cameras that take SD cards MAY also take SDHC cards which are High Capacity Secure Digital Cards. These cards are always more than 2 gb - from 4 gb and way up. Some cameras will only work to a certain capacity card and you may want to look into this BEFORE you purchase a camera. Not all cameras that work with regular capacity cards willwork with high capacity cards. This is all common and easy to know by looking at the package when you are purchasing a card. The second feature is not so obvious and easy to know - the speed of the card. The faster the speed the faster the time is between the moment you press the camera shutter button, the picture is taken, and the camera becomes ready to take the next picture. For product photography this is not essential - but you paid enough for your camera to want to use it for other things, right? Not all of the brands of memory cards will even mention speed. Some do by describing the card as good for video - video needs a fast card. Some do by placing a number after model names - Ultra, Ulra II, Ultra III. Some cards will specify a rating. A "D" rated card is perfect for digital cameras and is fast. If the only card you can find has an unknown speed don't knock yourself out trying to find one, but if you can find a fast card get one. Now that you hvae your camera set up to take hundreds to thousands of photos - yes, higher capacity cards will hold thousands of photos - you are ready to get shooting.
In some way you need to create a photography studio - nothing elaborate but a place to take your photos. The simplest studio is the great outdoors. You can set up your object to be photographed outside which eliminates the greatest necessity for indoor photo shoots and that is proper lighting.
Taking product photos outside requires a clean table (picnic tables left out all year are not always the most desirable places to layout your beautiful craft piece), a place with a neutral background, and something that you can rig around the object you are photographing that will stop any wind from moving it. This last part may or may not be necessary due to the weather and the season - or your determining whether or not to shoot based on the wind that may or may not be blowing. You do not want to fight the wind when you are shooting a macro or closeup photo. Remember, from the first article - the slightest movement will blur a macro photo. Even with image stabilization if the wind moves what you are shooting you are not going to get a good shot. First, it moved - out of the position that you will take so much care in putting it into to take the picture. Second, the movement is going to change the picture - even if shooting with a fast shutter speed which can capture objects in motion - but generally with a price in quality.
Set your table up in a clear spot with attention to anything that results in a shadow falling on the table top - trees overhead, edges of buildings, etc. When you look at the surface of the table you should see a nice and brightly lit from the sun clear surface. The position of the sun will effect the shadows that may be created on your object. At noon the sun is overhead, but at other times of the day you may want to adjust your position by the direction that the sunlight will fall on your object and then the table. The sun behind you may cause unwanted shadows. The sun in front of you may cause a problem in the proper lighting adjustment of the auto adjusting camera lens. The best thing about a digital camera is that you can see immediate results and then with the simple click of a button erase those results, make adjustments, and start again.
If you are photographing an object that does not stand on its own you will need something to hold and display your piece on to photograph it. This is where imagination can come in or you can resort to standard displays - much like or exactly what you use to display your work for sale at craft fairs (presuming you do craft fairs). There are all types of jewelry displays, mannequins, etc. that may be used. You may want to step outside the common box and look for artistic things to display your piece on such as large rocks, shells, etc. Just be sure not to display your work on anything that is going to distract the eye from what you want the buyer to see most - YOUR WORK. I have seen many product photos that I have to look at for several moments until I figure out what is being sold . They are all very nice pictures, but I see the shell before I see the earrings. You can just get a piece of neutral color fabric and pin your work (if it can be pinned) and have that fabric placed over a cardboard or wood that is made to stand on the table. When you have set up your piece exactly as you want it on the display put it down on the table - or set it up on the table if moving it will cause it to move out of place. Now, look behind what you are photographing. What do you see? Do you see your neighbor's swing set? Do you see a trash dumpster at the building next door? Take a test photo and see if that item in the distance has blurred away to the point that is is unrecognizable - it should when shooting in macro mode. If it doesn't you need to move your work in another direction so that you have a non-distracting background behind your object in the photograph.
At this point you are ready to shoot and all you need to do is swap your items in and out of this position on your table to take your photos. Set up your tripod in front of the object (or get into a comfortable position with your Optically Image Stabilized camera with no need for a tripod), set your camera to Macro mode, set your white balance to sunlight, and check the distance that you are from your object. If you are within the macro range specified for your camera then you are ready. If not, then move your tripod or yourself to where you need to be. You might even want to use a ruler or tape measure to make sure you are where you must be.
Check each photo on the screen of the camera as you shoot each shot - look closely and you will see if you are ok or you need to make an adjustment. Always take several shots of each set up object. It costs you nothing and it is all disposable and you are only limited by the size of the memory card in your camera.
Outdoors, the perfect studio! Well, not really. As you can see on the clearest day you have to contend with shadows, a breeze, what is behind your yard, and where the sun is. Outdoor shooting is a great thing and many use it, but what do you do if you need to shoot pictures for a new internet listing and it is raining and the forcast has rain for days - or if you would like to shoot at night - or it is 98 degrees or 12 degrees outside?
No outdoors is not the perfect studio. Sometimes you are going to need to move indoors - and for that you must wait for our next installment....
To be continued...
All digital cameras should take a memory card of one type or another. One of the most common is an SD Card (SD for Secure Digital). You want to get a card for your camera with two features - one, that it is as large a capacity as you want to pay for and two, that it is a "fast" memory card. Memory these days is cheap. You can get a large capacity card for as little as ten dollars in the right stores. Two gigabites (2 gb) is the largest capacity that an SD card comes in. Some cameras that take SD cards MAY also take SDHC cards which are High Capacity Secure Digital Cards. These cards are always more than 2 gb - from 4 gb and way up. Some cameras will only work to a certain capacity card and you may want to look into this BEFORE you purchase a camera. Not all cameras that work with regular capacity cards willwork with high capacity cards. This is all common and easy to know by looking at the package when you are purchasing a card. The second feature is not so obvious and easy to know - the speed of the card. The faster the speed the faster the time is between the moment you press the camera shutter button, the picture is taken, and the camera becomes ready to take the next picture. For product photography this is not essential - but you paid enough for your camera to want to use it for other things, right? Not all of the brands of memory cards will even mention speed. Some do by describing the card as good for video - video needs a fast card. Some do by placing a number after model names - Ultra, Ulra II, Ultra III. Some cards will specify a rating. A "D" rated card is perfect for digital cameras and is fast. If the only card you can find has an unknown speed don't knock yourself out trying to find one, but if you can find a fast card get one. Now that you hvae your camera set up to take hundreds to thousands of photos - yes, higher capacity cards will hold thousands of photos - you are ready to get shooting.
In some way you need to create a photography studio - nothing elaborate but a place to take your photos. The simplest studio is the great outdoors. You can set up your object to be photographed outside which eliminates the greatest necessity for indoor photo shoots and that is proper lighting.
Taking product photos outside requires a clean table (picnic tables left out all year are not always the most desirable places to layout your beautiful craft piece), a place with a neutral background, and something that you can rig around the object you are photographing that will stop any wind from moving it. This last part may or may not be necessary due to the weather and the season - or your determining whether or not to shoot based on the wind that may or may not be blowing. You do not want to fight the wind when you are shooting a macro or closeup photo. Remember, from the first article - the slightest movement will blur a macro photo. Even with image stabilization if the wind moves what you are shooting you are not going to get a good shot. First, it moved - out of the position that you will take so much care in putting it into to take the picture. Second, the movement is going to change the picture - even if shooting with a fast shutter speed which can capture objects in motion - but generally with a price in quality.
Set your table up in a clear spot with attention to anything that results in a shadow falling on the table top - trees overhead, edges of buildings, etc. When you look at the surface of the table you should see a nice and brightly lit from the sun clear surface. The position of the sun will effect the shadows that may be created on your object. At noon the sun is overhead, but at other times of the day you may want to adjust your position by the direction that the sunlight will fall on your object and then the table. The sun behind you may cause unwanted shadows. The sun in front of you may cause a problem in the proper lighting adjustment of the auto adjusting camera lens. The best thing about a digital camera is that you can see immediate results and then with the simple click of a button erase those results, make adjustments, and start again.
If you are photographing an object that does not stand on its own you will need something to hold and display your piece on to photograph it. This is where imagination can come in or you can resort to standard displays - much like or exactly what you use to display your work for sale at craft fairs (presuming you do craft fairs). There are all types of jewelry displays, mannequins, etc. that may be used. You may want to step outside the common box and look for artistic things to display your piece on such as large rocks, shells, etc. Just be sure not to display your work on anything that is going to distract the eye from what you want the buyer to see most - YOUR WORK. I have seen many product photos that I have to look at for several moments until I figure out what is being sold . They are all very nice pictures, but I see the shell before I see the earrings. You can just get a piece of neutral color fabric and pin your work (if it can be pinned) and have that fabric placed over a cardboard or wood that is made to stand on the table. When you have set up your piece exactly as you want it on the display put it down on the table - or set it up on the table if moving it will cause it to move out of place. Now, look behind what you are photographing. What do you see? Do you see your neighbor's swing set? Do you see a trash dumpster at the building next door? Take a test photo and see if that item in the distance has blurred away to the point that is is unrecognizable - it should when shooting in macro mode. If it doesn't you need to move your work in another direction so that you have a non-distracting background behind your object in the photograph.
At this point you are ready to shoot and all you need to do is swap your items in and out of this position on your table to take your photos. Set up your tripod in front of the object (or get into a comfortable position with your Optically Image Stabilized camera with no need for a tripod), set your camera to Macro mode, set your white balance to sunlight, and check the distance that you are from your object. If you are within the macro range specified for your camera then you are ready. If not, then move your tripod or yourself to where you need to be. You might even want to use a ruler or tape measure to make sure you are where you must be.
Check each photo on the screen of the camera as you shoot each shot - look closely and you will see if you are ok or you need to make an adjustment. Always take several shots of each set up object. It costs you nothing and it is all disposable and you are only limited by the size of the memory card in your camera.
Outdoors, the perfect studio! Well, not really. As you can see on the clearest day you have to contend with shadows, a breeze, what is behind your yard, and where the sun is. Outdoor shooting is a great thing and many use it, but what do you do if you need to shoot pictures for a new internet listing and it is raining and the forcast has rain for days - or if you would like to shoot at night - or it is 98 degrees or 12 degrees outside?
No outdoors is not the perfect studio. Sometimes you are going to need to move indoors - and for that you must wait for our next installment....
To be continued...
Monday, April 20, 2009
Basic Product Photography - Part 1
For those selling on-line or in catalogs good photos of your items is essential. When you sell in person your customers can look at the actual piece, hold it, and see its beauty and value. When you must convey that with a picture you want to be sure that picture is perfect. This is just a basic guide to creating photographs that will best represent your work.
The first thing required is a good camera. There are many levels of digital cameras on the market. You can certainly do everything that you need to do to take product photos for your purposes with a point and shoot camera - one that has auto focus and auto exposure (which are basic to most). You do not need the best camera available but you do want a camera that has certain features that are required for good product photography.
The first feature that is a must have is Macro mode. A macro is a close up photograph. A camera lens has a set range of distance at which it will take clear images. This range determines how close you can get to the subject to take a focused image. Generally the shortest distance most lenses on point and shoot cameras will focus on is about three feet. While this may seem close it is really not close enough for product photography where the aim is to get close detail of the product. For this you need to be able to focus as close as six inches or closer and that is what the Macro mode setting on a camera will do. What is important to understand about macro mode is that this has a set range of distance also - and that range will change at different changes between the wide angle and telephoto range of your lens. So, if you set to macro and you are set to full wide angle you are set to the closest distance that you can get an image in focus. This range will always be specified in your camera's manual. If you move the telephoto control on your camera you will change that range and you will need to move the camera further away from the object in order to get a focused photo. Again, these ranges are stated in your camera manual. Some cameras add a Super Macro mode along with Macro mode. The Super Macro mode will allow you to get as close as a fraction of an inch to your image. This will make a remarkable image but generally this is way to close for a product photo. Remember, you want detail but you don't want your work examined as if under a microscope.
A second feature to look for on a camera is the ability to change the white balance on the camera. Most cameras come with auto-white balance, but there are situations where the auto setting will not do what you need it to do. White balance is the adjustment of the photograph to the light that it is taken in. Incandescent lights give off a yellow glow and when an object is photographed under regular room lights the image tends to look yellow. Auto-white balance should correct this but it does not always do so. Many cameras - but not all - will allow you to set the camera to the light you are shooting in. The type of light is indicated by little pictures - a light bulb for standard incandescent light bulb light, a bar with little rays coming from it for fluorescent lighting (which tends to give off a blue tint), a sun for sunlight, etc. When shooting under room lights you will want to set your camera manually to the incandescent setting to get a balanced, non-tinted image.
A third very valuable feature to look for on a camera is a good optical image stabilization system. This is a system built into the camera that will compensate for any movement of the lens when a photo is taken. This is especially important when macro shooting because when shooting that close even the movement of the camera button will blur the image. Canon Powershot cameras excel in Optical Image Stabilization. Other cameras offer this feature as well, but many rave over the results from the Canon cameras. This has been my experience as well. If you have a camera without this feature then a must have is the next thing to get for product photography.
The second thing required (unless you have a good optical image stabilized camera) is a tripod. As stated above, when shooting in macro mode the slightest breath of movement will result in a blurred image. A tripod will hold your camera solid and steady. It also has the advantage that it sets a fixed distance between the camera and the object that you are photographing. You want a decently made tripod that will hold your camera steady. They attach easily with a screw knob to a screw hole that is on the bottom of most cameras, put there for just this purpose. A floor standing tripod is best, but you will see small tripods and similar gadgets that will hold your camera on the table you are shooting on. These can be just as good, but they are not as steady as a good floor tripod.
To be continued...
The first thing required is a good camera. There are many levels of digital cameras on the market. You can certainly do everything that you need to do to take product photos for your purposes with a point and shoot camera - one that has auto focus and auto exposure (which are basic to most). You do not need the best camera available but you do want a camera that has certain features that are required for good product photography.
The first feature that is a must have is Macro mode. A macro is a close up photograph. A camera lens has a set range of distance at which it will take clear images. This range determines how close you can get to the subject to take a focused image. Generally the shortest distance most lenses on point and shoot cameras will focus on is about three feet. While this may seem close it is really not close enough for product photography where the aim is to get close detail of the product. For this you need to be able to focus as close as six inches or closer and that is what the Macro mode setting on a camera will do. What is important to understand about macro mode is that this has a set range of distance also - and that range will change at different changes between the wide angle and telephoto range of your lens. So, if you set to macro and you are set to full wide angle you are set to the closest distance that you can get an image in focus. This range will always be specified in your camera's manual. If you move the telephoto control on your camera you will change that range and you will need to move the camera further away from the object in order to get a focused photo. Again, these ranges are stated in your camera manual. Some cameras add a Super Macro mode along with Macro mode. The Super Macro mode will allow you to get as close as a fraction of an inch to your image. This will make a remarkable image but generally this is way to close for a product photo. Remember, you want detail but you don't want your work examined as if under a microscope.
A second feature to look for on a camera is the ability to change the white balance on the camera. Most cameras come with auto-white balance, but there are situations where the auto setting will not do what you need it to do. White balance is the adjustment of the photograph to the light that it is taken in. Incandescent lights give off a yellow glow and when an object is photographed under regular room lights the image tends to look yellow. Auto-white balance should correct this but it does not always do so. Many cameras - but not all - will allow you to set the camera to the light you are shooting in. The type of light is indicated by little pictures - a light bulb for standard incandescent light bulb light, a bar with little rays coming from it for fluorescent lighting (which tends to give off a blue tint), a sun for sunlight, etc. When shooting under room lights you will want to set your camera manually to the incandescent setting to get a balanced, non-tinted image.
A third very valuable feature to look for on a camera is a good optical image stabilization system. This is a system built into the camera that will compensate for any movement of the lens when a photo is taken. This is especially important when macro shooting because when shooting that close even the movement of the camera button will blur the image. Canon Powershot cameras excel in Optical Image Stabilization. Other cameras offer this feature as well, but many rave over the results from the Canon cameras. This has been my experience as well. If you have a camera without this feature then a must have is the next thing to get for product photography.
The second thing required (unless you have a good optical image stabilized camera) is a tripod. As stated above, when shooting in macro mode the slightest breath of movement will result in a blurred image. A tripod will hold your camera solid and steady. It also has the advantage that it sets a fixed distance between the camera and the object that you are photographing. You want a decently made tripod that will hold your camera steady. They attach easily with a screw knob to a screw hole that is on the bottom of most cameras, put there for just this purpose. A floor standing tripod is best, but you will see small tripods and similar gadgets that will hold your camera on the table you are shooting on. These can be just as good, but they are not as steady as a good floor tripod.
To be continued...
Saturday, April 11, 2009
ETSY
There are a number of internet sales sites and I have tried several of them. The best that I have found so far is ETSY. This is a site that you list your work of art or handcraft and it is offered for sale to the thousands and thousands of buyers who know and visit Etsy regularly.
Setting up a shop on Etsy is easy. You register first as a buyer and then convert your account to a selling account. There is no fee to register and it is free to have a shop on the site. You pay a 20 cent fee for each listing you create. The listing will remain for four months for that one 20 cents fee. When the item sells you pay Etsy a very small percentage. Buyers may pay through your Paypal merchants account or you could just accept checks or money orders. Etsy is an international site but all sales are transacted as US Dollars.
This is not an auction site such as Ebay. You set a price for your item, list how much the shipping will cost for that item and it sells for the amount that you have specified.
Of course, the greatest question is do shops make sales on Etsy? The answer is yes. I cannot say that for other sites that I have tried that are similar. Are sales guaranteed? Of course not! But if you make an effort to get your shop and your items noticed you have a very good chance of making sales.
On Etsy promotion is key to success. You can open a shop, list items, and walk away and wait and you will not make any sales. If you work at getting found you will make sales. The simplest and free way to do this is to use the forums that Etsy provides to both buyers and sellers. The promotions forum is the place to start with forum threads calling attention to what is in shops for sale. The promo forum can move fast on some days and at certain times. The secret to using this fforum successfully is to start a thread with a title that will not only get buyers to look but that will also get other sellers to add thier listings to that thread. This is OK because that thread will stick around for a while on the first forum page and each time someone clicks on that thread YUOR item is at the top and is the first thing that is seen.
Other Etsy forums will bring you attention as well. Answering questions, adding your opinions, aksing questions will get those on the site to notice you, look in your shop and maybe make a sale. Participating in the forums is FREE advertising!
Of course, as with all sites and venues, Etsy has its drawbacks. There are not only thousands of buyers, but there are hundreds of thousands of sellers. Now, often sellers are buyers too so that is ok, but with that many sellers you can figure out how many things for sale there are at any given moment. Shop design is very limited to one standard Etsy template with no way to modify that.There is no way to rearrange the order of your items in your shop - they remain visible in the order they were listed. This is something that has been requested over and over again, but the Etsy administration has yet to change that. The checkout process on Etsy is lacking in that it reaures two buttons to be found and clicked to complete a purchase all the way to payment through Paypal. This is a stumbling block for many first time and even experienced buyers and will result in lack of payment that requires the seller to contact the buyer and explain the remaining process so that the item is acutally paid for. Etsy claims to be working on this.
Does Etsy work? Yes! Have I made sales? Yes! I cannot say that for other sales sites that I have used.
If you would like to see two different examples of Etsy shops come and take a look at
Past Perfect and Q Branch Ltd.
Setting up a shop on Etsy is easy. You register first as a buyer and then convert your account to a selling account. There is no fee to register and it is free to have a shop on the site. You pay a 20 cent fee for each listing you create. The listing will remain for four months for that one 20 cents fee. When the item sells you pay Etsy a very small percentage. Buyers may pay through your Paypal merchants account or you could just accept checks or money orders. Etsy is an international site but all sales are transacted as US Dollars.
This is not an auction site such as Ebay. You set a price for your item, list how much the shipping will cost for that item and it sells for the amount that you have specified.
Of course, the greatest question is do shops make sales on Etsy? The answer is yes. I cannot say that for other sites that I have tried that are similar. Are sales guaranteed? Of course not! But if you make an effort to get your shop and your items noticed you have a very good chance of making sales.
On Etsy promotion is key to success. You can open a shop, list items, and walk away and wait and you will not make any sales. If you work at getting found you will make sales. The simplest and free way to do this is to use the forums that Etsy provides to both buyers and sellers. The promotions forum is the place to start with forum threads calling attention to what is in shops for sale. The promo forum can move fast on some days and at certain times. The secret to using this fforum successfully is to start a thread with a title that will not only get buyers to look but that will also get other sellers to add thier listings to that thread. This is OK because that thread will stick around for a while on the first forum page and each time someone clicks on that thread YUOR item is at the top and is the first thing that is seen.
Other Etsy forums will bring you attention as well. Answering questions, adding your opinions, aksing questions will get those on the site to notice you, look in your shop and maybe make a sale. Participating in the forums is FREE advertising!
Of course, as with all sites and venues, Etsy has its drawbacks. There are not only thousands of buyers, but there are hundreds of thousands of sellers. Now, often sellers are buyers too so that is ok, but with that many sellers you can figure out how many things for sale there are at any given moment. Shop design is very limited to one standard Etsy template with no way to modify that.There is no way to rearrange the order of your items in your shop - they remain visible in the order they were listed. This is something that has been requested over and over again, but the Etsy administration has yet to change that. The checkout process on Etsy is lacking in that it reaures two buttons to be found and clicked to complete a purchase all the way to payment through Paypal. This is a stumbling block for many first time and even experienced buyers and will result in lack of payment that requires the seller to contact the buyer and explain the remaining process so that the item is acutally paid for. Etsy claims to be working on this.
Does Etsy work? Yes! Have I made sales? Yes! I cannot say that for other sales sites that I have used.
If you would like to see two different examples of Etsy shops come and take a look at
Past Perfect and Q Branch Ltd.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
DAISIES
One of my newest photographs is being offered at a site called RedBubble. The photograph is titled simply Daisies.
RedBubble is a site that hosts photography and graphic artworks for viewing and for sale. Different than sites such as Etsy or Ebay, RedBubble does the actual printing and shipment of the images that it hosts. The benefit is that the artist creates the photograph and allows the host site to fulfill the sales. One of the drawbacks of this site is that the artist only is paid when a minimum dollar amount in sales is reached and that amount must be reached each time a check is to be issued. An advantage is that photograph sizes may be offered that may not be in the artist's ability to print. There is also the ability to offer graphics on teeshirts and there are a variety of interesting tee shirt creations that many artists have designed. The work that RedBubble does when printing is fabulous!
RedBubble is based in Australia but all of the sales are handled in US Dollars. It is a site worth checking out. You can see other works by this photographer there as well - several not offered on other sites.
RedBubble is a site that hosts photography and graphic artworks for viewing and for sale. Different than sites such as Etsy or Ebay, RedBubble does the actual printing and shipment of the images that it hosts. The benefit is that the artist creates the photograph and allows the host site to fulfill the sales. One of the drawbacks of this site is that the artist only is paid when a minimum dollar amount in sales is reached and that amount must be reached each time a check is to be issued. An advantage is that photograph sizes may be offered that may not be in the artist's ability to print. There is also the ability to offer graphics on teeshirts and there are a variety of interesting tee shirt creations that many artists have designed. The work that RedBubble does when printing is fabulous!
RedBubble is based in Australia but all of the sales are handled in US Dollars. It is a site worth checking out. You can see other works by this photographer there as well - several not offered on other sites.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Art to Share
One of the best ways to share art is to find artists creating their work as greeting cards. Often these cards are quality prints that are suitable for framing. For some time now, Past Perfect, has offered note cards and greeting cards featuring the photography of this artist.
The newest cards celebrate Spring and warmth - the warmth that is symbolized in the sunflower. The first of these cards is called Peep Peep.
Little chicks in their nest welcome Spring. This card makes a wonderful Easter Card and is great for any occasion. It would be a wonderful invitation to a baby shower! The inside of the card is blank so that any personal sentiment may be added.
The second card features the sunflower. There is a great fascination with sunflowers - perhaps because they are so large and grow so tall. This one is reaching the sky.
There are so many occasions that this card is perfect for. The sky and the sun - but the sun is the sunflower. Its warmth comes right through this image.
Cards make a wonderful way to share art. And, believe it or not, these cards are only two dollars each. There is also a special offer to mix or match any six of these same size cards for just $6.00 - including individuals of those offered in sets. And all with very low shipping. Come to Past Perfect to see all of the photo art cards that are offered!
The newest cards celebrate Spring and warmth - the warmth that is symbolized in the sunflower. The first of these cards is called Peep Peep.
Little chicks in their nest welcome Spring. This card makes a wonderful Easter Card and is great for any occasion. It would be a wonderful invitation to a baby shower! The inside of the card is blank so that any personal sentiment may be added.
The second card features the sunflower. There is a great fascination with sunflowers - perhaps because they are so large and grow so tall. This one is reaching the sky.
There are so many occasions that this card is perfect for. The sky and the sun - but the sun is the sunflower. Its warmth comes right through this image.
Cards make a wonderful way to share art. And, believe it or not, these cards are only two dollars each. There is also a special offer to mix or match any six of these same size cards for just $6.00 - including individuals of those offered in sets. And all with very low shipping. Come to Past Perfect to see all of the photo art cards that are offered!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Pricing Your Work - Art or Craft
If you have read my articles on this site on Selling Wholesale, some of what you will read in this article will not be new to you (some of it will). But many who have no interest in selling wholesale, have many questions about how to price their crafts or artwork for sale.
Pricing is a difficult issue for many artists and craftspeople. They tend to devalue their work and place lower than market prices on their work. There is a whole psychology of this that we will not go into detail here, but it is important to understand the basics of pricing.
To price an item you need to take the costs of all materials, supplies, and expenses that make up an item and then add that to an hourly rate that you as the artist must determine that your labor and talent are worth. Start with the minimum wage and work up from there. You should certainly be paid the minimum wage. Of course, you should be paid more than the minimum wage. It is up to you to decide what you are worth per hour. Multiply the number or fraction of hours that it took to create your item. Add that item to your costs. The result is actually what should be your wholesale price and not your retail price.
You are not finished yet. To sell that item on your own you may have other expenses. If you are on an internet site that charges fees you now need to add those fees. If you sell at a craft show the table space will cost you money. You need to proportion that into your prices. If you take credit cards or use Paypal you must pay fees. Those fees need to be added into the price. Ideally when you are done you are at or near doubling that wholesale price that you came up with a few moments ago. (See why retailers double your wholesale price - they have these expenses too, only greater if they have a brick and mortar store.) Many craftspeople will feel that their item will not sell at double that initial price and feel uncomfortable about offering the doubled price when they try to sell the item on the internet or at a craft show. Eager to make sales they often offer their wholesale price to the public. This is a problem if you ever decide to sell wholesale. Retail shops do not want to compete with you and want to see that the price that they are paying wholesale is significantly less than your usual prices.
Put all of this together and we get a basic formula that anyone can follow to determine a price for a handmade item:
Cost of materials +
Cost of supplies +
Cost of Expenses (utilities consumed in creation) +
Self-determined Hourly Rate +
Fees to Sell (listing fees, show fees, credit card fees) =
PRICE
There is also a factor that many retailers consider and add or subtract from the price. It is the concept of "what will the market bear". This includes competition and demand. You may come up with a price of $5.00. Other similar items sell for $3.00. You may have to find a way to reduce your costs to be able to make your item for $3 to be able to sell. If you can't find a way to do this you may need to decide that this is not an item that will sell. If you can test market it for a time at the higher price you will be able to know for sure. The other thing to consider is that some things are just not worth the higher price that you want. There is just so much that people will pay for some things. On the opposite end of this, you may find that you can price an item at $20 but other similar items sell for $50.00. You could try to sell your item for $30 less with the idea that you will sell more because you have a better price. But - some buyers will look at your less expensive item and start questioning why is it so much less. They may conclude that it is "not as good" as the similar item selling for more. In this instance you may want to raise your price to keep it in line with similar items.
All of this is not as hard as it may read. Follow the formula and you will get solid prices. Compare your prices to similar items on the sites you are selling on or at the craft shows that you participate in and make adjustments if necessary.
Pricing is a difficult issue for many artists and craftspeople. They tend to devalue their work and place lower than market prices on their work. There is a whole psychology of this that we will not go into detail here, but it is important to understand the basics of pricing.
To price an item you need to take the costs of all materials, supplies, and expenses that make up an item and then add that to an hourly rate that you as the artist must determine that your labor and talent are worth. Start with the minimum wage and work up from there. You should certainly be paid the minimum wage. Of course, you should be paid more than the minimum wage. It is up to you to decide what you are worth per hour. Multiply the number or fraction of hours that it took to create your item. Add that item to your costs. The result is actually what should be your wholesale price and not your retail price.
You are not finished yet. To sell that item on your own you may have other expenses. If you are on an internet site that charges fees you now need to add those fees. If you sell at a craft show the table space will cost you money. You need to proportion that into your prices. If you take credit cards or use Paypal you must pay fees. Those fees need to be added into the price. Ideally when you are done you are at or near doubling that wholesale price that you came up with a few moments ago. (See why retailers double your wholesale price - they have these expenses too, only greater if they have a brick and mortar store.) Many craftspeople will feel that their item will not sell at double that initial price and feel uncomfortable about offering the doubled price when they try to sell the item on the internet or at a craft show. Eager to make sales they often offer their wholesale price to the public. This is a problem if you ever decide to sell wholesale. Retail shops do not want to compete with you and want to see that the price that they are paying wholesale is significantly less than your usual prices.
Put all of this together and we get a basic formula that anyone can follow to determine a price for a handmade item:
Cost of materials +
Cost of supplies +
Cost of Expenses (utilities consumed in creation) +
Self-determined Hourly Rate +
Fees to Sell (listing fees, show fees, credit card fees) =
PRICE
There is also a factor that many retailers consider and add or subtract from the price. It is the concept of "what will the market bear". This includes competition and demand. You may come up with a price of $5.00. Other similar items sell for $3.00. You may have to find a way to reduce your costs to be able to make your item for $3 to be able to sell. If you can't find a way to do this you may need to decide that this is not an item that will sell. If you can test market it for a time at the higher price you will be able to know for sure. The other thing to consider is that some things are just not worth the higher price that you want. There is just so much that people will pay for some things. On the opposite end of this, you may find that you can price an item at $20 but other similar items sell for $50.00. You could try to sell your item for $30 less with the idea that you will sell more because you have a better price. But - some buyers will look at your less expensive item and start questioning why is it so much less. They may conclude that it is "not as good" as the similar item selling for more. In this instance you may want to raise your price to keep it in line with similar items.
All of this is not as hard as it may read. Follow the formula and you will get solid prices. Compare your prices to similar items on the sites you are selling on or at the craft shows that you participate in and make adjustments if necessary.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER
I am so happy to introduce you to another photographer who is selling her work on the Web. This is another member of the Photographers of Etsy group. Please come and meet April and her shop -
Here is our interview with April.
Briefly describe what you make?
I actually have 2 shops on Etsy, this one is dedicated to my photography and I also have a shop for beaded stuff. So I guess you could call me a beading photographer!
What mediums do you enjoy working in most?
I'm a digital girl! I would really like to have a dark room some day and process my own film! As far as my subjects, I'm partial to nature, especially flowers. But, I also like to find the abstract in everyday things. And, thanks to my husband I like cars!
How long have you been creating craft?
I've been taking pictures since junior high (although I would NEVER show anybody any of that!!). I only really got serious about being artistic with it towards the end of last year. I, by no means, consider myself a professional photographer. This is more of a hobby for me. It was my husband's idea to start selling my photos, so I figured I'd give it a try.
How did you get started?
Just point and shoot! I think my dad was a big influence in my interest in photography. I always remember him with the camera around his neck, especially on vacation. I was amazed at the things I learned from simply reading the instructions for my camera. I can't imagine what I could come up with if I were to take a few classes.
Where does the name of your shop come from?
My mom has called me Apple for as long as I can remember and I have recently become obsessed with the color orange. So, Apple Loves Orange! I do happen to like both fruits!
What would you most want people to know about your work?
Like I said before, I am not a professional photographer! I just hope that people like what I have to offer. I do this mostly for me as an outlet for stress, I have 2 children that like to drive me crazy!
What words of advice do you have for other artists?
Do what you love and do it for you! It's mot much, but I am still so new at doing this. I'm rather like a sponge taking in any advice I can get myself!
_____________________
Come and take a look at April's photography and while you are at it, check out her other shop as well!
Here is our interview with April.
Briefly describe what you make?
I actually have 2 shops on Etsy, this one is dedicated to my photography and I also have a shop for beaded stuff. So I guess you could call me a beading photographer!
What mediums do you enjoy working in most?
I'm a digital girl! I would really like to have a dark room some day and process my own film! As far as my subjects, I'm partial to nature, especially flowers. But, I also like to find the abstract in everyday things. And, thanks to my husband I like cars!
How long have you been creating craft?
I've been taking pictures since junior high (although I would NEVER show anybody any of that!!). I only really got serious about being artistic with it towards the end of last year. I, by no means, consider myself a professional photographer. This is more of a hobby for me. It was my husband's idea to start selling my photos, so I figured I'd give it a try.
How did you get started?
Just point and shoot! I think my dad was a big influence in my interest in photography. I always remember him with the camera around his neck, especially on vacation. I was amazed at the things I learned from simply reading the instructions for my camera. I can't imagine what I could come up with if I were to take a few classes.
Where does the name of your shop come from?
My mom has called me Apple for as long as I can remember and I have recently become obsessed with the color orange. So, Apple Loves Orange! I do happen to like both fruits!
What would you most want people to know about your work?
Like I said before, I am not a professional photographer! I just hope that people like what I have to offer. I do this mostly for me as an outlet for stress, I have 2 children that like to drive me crazy!
What words of advice do you have for other artists?
Do what you love and do it for you! It's mot much, but I am still so new at doing this. I'm rather like a sponge taking in any advice I can get myself!
_____________________
Come and take a look at April's photography and while you are at it, check out her other shop as well!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
New CPSIA Law to Put an End to All Handmade Crafts for Children
A law unanimously passed by Congress with the intent to protect children from imported items containing lead was written in such a way that it will effectively end the sale all handmade for children. The law goes into full effect in February 2009.
The law requires that anyone - large business or home businesses making any item that can be used by a child under the age of 12 - that is ANY item - must be tested by an independent laboratory that has been approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. This testing must be done on all components of the item. Testing will cost from $150 to $500 per item or component. Every time any component lot changes - that is - let's say you use a yard of fabric for an item - and then you need another yard and that yard comes from a different bolt of fabric - that item must be tested again. At the expense and the nature of handmade craft, it will be impossible for any home craftsman to sell any item that will be on the "children's list".
Beyond the effect on home craft, this law applies to the Toy Industry, the Children's Garment Industry, the Children's Furniture Industry, Children's Book Publishing, and on and on. Imagine what a child's shirt will cost in the next few months. Think about what that doll your little girl wants will cost.
This is a tragedy beyond belief. This may not have been the intention of Congress but it is the result.
The following news article relates the facts of this disaster better than I can.
http://www.patriotledger.com/opinions/opinions_columnists/x845827383/New-law-to-put-thousands-out-of-work
Please read and comment - there and here.
If you would like to be heard by the CPSC regarding this law you may comment at this link.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx
The law requires that anyone - large business or home businesses making any item that can be used by a child under the age of 12 - that is ANY item - must be tested by an independent laboratory that has been approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. This testing must be done on all components of the item. Testing will cost from $150 to $500 per item or component. Every time any component lot changes - that is - let's say you use a yard of fabric for an item - and then you need another yard and that yard comes from a different bolt of fabric - that item must be tested again. At the expense and the nature of handmade craft, it will be impossible for any home craftsman to sell any item that will be on the "children's list".
Beyond the effect on home craft, this law applies to the Toy Industry, the Children's Garment Industry, the Children's Furniture Industry, Children's Book Publishing, and on and on. Imagine what a child's shirt will cost in the next few months. Think about what that doll your little girl wants will cost.
This is a tragedy beyond belief. This may not have been the intention of Congress but it is the result.
The following news article relates the facts of this disaster better than I can.
http://www.patriotledger.com/opinions/opinions_columnists/x845827383/New-law-to-put-thousands-out-of-work
Please read and comment - there and here.
If you would like to be heard by the CPSC regarding this law you may comment at this link.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Selling Wholesale - Part II
We continue the article on Selling Wholesale - Look in our archives for Part I.
When you sell wholesale you are going to sell in quantity. You determine that quantity. It may be determined either in number of pieces or a minimum dollar amount. For example - wholesale order is a minimum of 12 pieces. This means the retailer must by 12 pieces from you at the same time. If your work is uniquely one of a kind for each piece then these 12 might be completely different. If you make earrings and bracelets you may require that the order be 12 pairs of earrings or 12 bracelets, but not mixed. If you wish to offer them mixed you might do that as well. If you can duplicate items and make several the same then you could offer the order as 12 of one design. This is all up to you as the wholesaler. You set the terms. The other example is by dollar amount - wholesale order is $100.00. The retailer may buy anything that they want from you at wholesale as long as they purchase a minimum of $100 in merchandise.
It is this bulk buying that can make it easier for the craft artist to lower the price needed for any item. Often you can make two items in the same time that you can make one. You have the same tool and work area set up time, the same equipment to set up, etc. but you now can use that one set up for two items - you have just cut your labor time by a significant amount. Sometimes you can make three or four or even six items in almost the same time as you could make one or two. Now you have decreased your labor time even more. Supplies in bulk often cost much less than supplies purchased a few at a time. You have just reduced your materials costs to fill a bulk order. See where this is going. Of course, with some things you are not going to save very much time or expense money, but whatever you can trim on your end will help you offer your work at a wholesale price that is attractive to a retailer. Also keep in mind that the time that you put into selling your work is time that may not be compensated for. By selling in quantity you are putting much less time and effort into selling a dozen items at one time than selling each of the 12 one at a time. Here it is worth your while to make that wholesale sale - even if your prices are a little lower than you would like. (Don't lose money, however. No sale is worth losing money over.)
Now that you have established good wholesale prices you are ready to make wholesale offers. I am not going to go into finding retailers to sell to here. Rather, I am going to concentrate on retailers who find you and ask if you will sell your work to them wholesale. Before we go on, understand the difference between wholesale and consignment. A wholesale sale is an outright sale - you receive the money for the goods up front, deliver the goods, and the transaction is over. A consignment arrangement is not a sale - it is the opportunity for a sale. When you sell "on consignment" the retailer takes your goods and you get no money until each item sells. You will then get a percentage of the sales price - which is generally 40 to 50%. You need to offer your work to the consignment shop at full retail and then you must be satisfied with the 60% or 50% of that price as your sale. Consignment is a whole other complex area and we will go into it in detail in a future article.
So, a retailer contacts you and says that he/she would like to buy from you wholesale. What do you do? First, you want to make sure that this wholesale offer is from a legitimate retailer with a sales venue - either a brick and mortar store, an established catalog, or an active internet sales site. You want to verify that this is not someone who is just looking to buy your work at a discount. If this is a store that is local to you visit it. If this is a catalog retailer, get a copy of the catalog. If this is an internet site, check it out. When you speak or email with this shop get as many details up front as you can. Always be polite. Never be demanding. Try to be as diplomatic as possible. Flatter them and be discrete at finding out what you need to know. If this is a brick and mortar shop and you can see it you do not need to ask anything - your proof of legitimacy is in the concrete - as long as it is a store that actually sells the things that you are wholesaling. If you sell jewelry it is unlikely that a plumbing shop is going to be selling jewelry retail. So just be cautious and you won't be scammed.
When you are satisfied that you are in a legitimate situation, present your wholesale pricing and minimums to the retailer. If this is a local shop you might answer the initial inquiry by making an appointment and going in to meet with the wholesale buyer. If not, then you are doing this by email, mail, or over the telephone.
If you are dealing with a retailer in your state and you are in a sales tax state, you are going to also present to the retailer that you require a signed copy of their business's sales tax form. This will cover your wholesale sale obligation with your state's sales tax requirements. If the store buyer has a problem with this there is something seriously wrong with this transaction. This is standard retail buying procedure. It is expected and any buyer who is unaware of this or refuses to provide this is doing something wrong. This is a warning signal to walk away!
When you present your prices also present your shipping and "handling" prices. This should not surprise the retailer either. They are seldom offered free shipping and expect to pay shipping costs as a day to day cost of business. Shipping in bulk is cheaper than shipping one item at a time. Know what it will cost to ship your items before hand including the costs of your packaging. You may be able to "sweeten" the deal by offering free shipping if you need something to close the sale. Keep in mind that what you establish on the first order may effect future orders so if you cannot afford to offer free shipping do not - or establish up front that future orders will require shipping charges.
Your retailer may ask you about reorders. Some wholesalers offer no minimums on reorders. Some offer no minimum on reorder but raise the wholesale price if less than X is ordered. This, again, is up to you the seller to determine what you will offer. For example - on one item that I wholesale I offer free shipping on quantities of six but on reorders if less than six are ordered the price is slightly higher and I add shipping charges. It is worth the retailers while to reorder six or multiples of six at one time.
When should you get paid? If the retailer is a major business - a large department store or a known business you should be safe accepting payment by check after the shipment is received. With a big business you know that they will not run away and they really cannot hide from you or your attorney (if it ever came down to that). To protect yourself always have something in writing - a sales agreement that they sign and return to you (with that sales tax form) or an email that clearly states the agreement of the sale and the name of the person who is making the arrangements for the store. Get this no matter how big the business is! Your agreement in writing is what is known as a "Letter of Credit". This is something else that real businesses are fully aware of and have no problem with.
If you are dealing with a small business - even a brick and mortar store - especially one that is out of your local area, get paid up front before your ship. Tell the business that it is your policy to be paid on all first orders (or all orders) before delivery. If they have a problem with this, find out why. Do they not trust you? Should you then not trust them? Do they not have the money right now? You are not in the business of making loans. Be sure that you are paid - and when you get the check, deposit and make sure that it clears before you send your shipment to them. You may also want to place into your written agreement that bounced checks will require a $25 fee. Your bank is going to charge you a fee if you deposit a check and it bounces. Cover yourself in advance. Stores have no hesitation to have this policy when they take your check.
What happens if you are dealing with a local brick and mortar store and they want to hand you a check when you hand deliver the items. For the most part you are going to just take the check and hand over the merchandise and take a chance. Here is another example of knowing absolutely where they are and that you and your lawyer can find them if need be. Let's hope that shops have some integrity. Most do!
So you have made your first wholesale sale! You now know what to do and the best thing is that usually you will hear from that shop again wanting more!
When you sell wholesale you are going to sell in quantity. You determine that quantity. It may be determined either in number of pieces or a minimum dollar amount. For example - wholesale order is a minimum of 12 pieces. This means the retailer must by 12 pieces from you at the same time. If your work is uniquely one of a kind for each piece then these 12 might be completely different. If you make earrings and bracelets you may require that the order be 12 pairs of earrings or 12 bracelets, but not mixed. If you wish to offer them mixed you might do that as well. If you can duplicate items and make several the same then you could offer the order as 12 of one design. This is all up to you as the wholesaler. You set the terms. The other example is by dollar amount - wholesale order is $100.00. The retailer may buy anything that they want from you at wholesale as long as they purchase a minimum of $100 in merchandise.
It is this bulk buying that can make it easier for the craft artist to lower the price needed for any item. Often you can make two items in the same time that you can make one. You have the same tool and work area set up time, the same equipment to set up, etc. but you now can use that one set up for two items - you have just cut your labor time by a significant amount. Sometimes you can make three or four or even six items in almost the same time as you could make one or two. Now you have decreased your labor time even more. Supplies in bulk often cost much less than supplies purchased a few at a time. You have just reduced your materials costs to fill a bulk order. See where this is going. Of course, with some things you are not going to save very much time or expense money, but whatever you can trim on your end will help you offer your work at a wholesale price that is attractive to a retailer. Also keep in mind that the time that you put into selling your work is time that may not be compensated for. By selling in quantity you are putting much less time and effort into selling a dozen items at one time than selling each of the 12 one at a time. Here it is worth your while to make that wholesale sale - even if your prices are a little lower than you would like. (Don't lose money, however. No sale is worth losing money over.)
Now that you have established good wholesale prices you are ready to make wholesale offers. I am not going to go into finding retailers to sell to here. Rather, I am going to concentrate on retailers who find you and ask if you will sell your work to them wholesale. Before we go on, understand the difference between wholesale and consignment. A wholesale sale is an outright sale - you receive the money for the goods up front, deliver the goods, and the transaction is over. A consignment arrangement is not a sale - it is the opportunity for a sale. When you sell "on consignment" the retailer takes your goods and you get no money until each item sells. You will then get a percentage of the sales price - which is generally 40 to 50%. You need to offer your work to the consignment shop at full retail and then you must be satisfied with the 60% or 50% of that price as your sale. Consignment is a whole other complex area and we will go into it in detail in a future article.
So, a retailer contacts you and says that he/she would like to buy from you wholesale. What do you do? First, you want to make sure that this wholesale offer is from a legitimate retailer with a sales venue - either a brick and mortar store, an established catalog, or an active internet sales site. You want to verify that this is not someone who is just looking to buy your work at a discount. If this is a store that is local to you visit it. If this is a catalog retailer, get a copy of the catalog. If this is an internet site, check it out. When you speak or email with this shop get as many details up front as you can. Always be polite. Never be demanding. Try to be as diplomatic as possible. Flatter them and be discrete at finding out what you need to know. If this is a brick and mortar shop and you can see it you do not need to ask anything - your proof of legitimacy is in the concrete - as long as it is a store that actually sells the things that you are wholesaling. If you sell jewelry it is unlikely that a plumbing shop is going to be selling jewelry retail. So just be cautious and you won't be scammed.
When you are satisfied that you are in a legitimate situation, present your wholesale pricing and minimums to the retailer. If this is a local shop you might answer the initial inquiry by making an appointment and going in to meet with the wholesale buyer. If not, then you are doing this by email, mail, or over the telephone.
If you are dealing with a retailer in your state and you are in a sales tax state, you are going to also present to the retailer that you require a signed copy of their business's sales tax form. This will cover your wholesale sale obligation with your state's sales tax requirements. If the store buyer has a problem with this there is something seriously wrong with this transaction. This is standard retail buying procedure. It is expected and any buyer who is unaware of this or refuses to provide this is doing something wrong. This is a warning signal to walk away!
When you present your prices also present your shipping and "handling" prices. This should not surprise the retailer either. They are seldom offered free shipping and expect to pay shipping costs as a day to day cost of business. Shipping in bulk is cheaper than shipping one item at a time. Know what it will cost to ship your items before hand including the costs of your packaging. You may be able to "sweeten" the deal by offering free shipping if you need something to close the sale. Keep in mind that what you establish on the first order may effect future orders so if you cannot afford to offer free shipping do not - or establish up front that future orders will require shipping charges.
Your retailer may ask you about reorders. Some wholesalers offer no minimums on reorders. Some offer no minimum on reorder but raise the wholesale price if less than X is ordered. This, again, is up to you the seller to determine what you will offer. For example - on one item that I wholesale I offer free shipping on quantities of six but on reorders if less than six are ordered the price is slightly higher and I add shipping charges. It is worth the retailers while to reorder six or multiples of six at one time.
When should you get paid? If the retailer is a major business - a large department store or a known business you should be safe accepting payment by check after the shipment is received. With a big business you know that they will not run away and they really cannot hide from you or your attorney (if it ever came down to that). To protect yourself always have something in writing - a sales agreement that they sign and return to you (with that sales tax form) or an email that clearly states the agreement of the sale and the name of the person who is making the arrangements for the store. Get this no matter how big the business is! Your agreement in writing is what is known as a "Letter of Credit". This is something else that real businesses are fully aware of and have no problem with.
If you are dealing with a small business - even a brick and mortar store - especially one that is out of your local area, get paid up front before your ship. Tell the business that it is your policy to be paid on all first orders (or all orders) before delivery. If they have a problem with this, find out why. Do they not trust you? Should you then not trust them? Do they not have the money right now? You are not in the business of making loans. Be sure that you are paid - and when you get the check, deposit and make sure that it clears before you send your shipment to them. You may also want to place into your written agreement that bounced checks will require a $25 fee. Your bank is going to charge you a fee if you deposit a check and it bounces. Cover yourself in advance. Stores have no hesitation to have this policy when they take your check.
What happens if you are dealing with a local brick and mortar store and they want to hand you a check when you hand deliver the items. For the most part you are going to just take the check and hand over the merchandise and take a chance. Here is another example of knowing absolutely where they are and that you and your lawyer can find them if need be. Let's hope that shops have some integrity. Most do!
So you have made your first wholesale sale! You now know what to do and the best thing is that usually you will hear from that shop again wanting more!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Photography
I have been a photographer for many years. I have just started offering my photos for sale - some as greetng cards on Etsy and some as prints and framed prints at my new store front at lulu.com.
I had an opportunity last week to do a photo shoot at an event at a garden nursery that not only featured a fabulous array of tropical and domestic house flowers, but also had birds of prey from a local wildlife preserve. I got some wonderful pictures that I have just started to process. I must say that the results so far are fabulous. I am sure that you will agree.
Come see my prints at
www.lulu.com/qbranchltd
and come see my photo greeting cards at
www.qbranchltd.etsy.com
Be sure not to miss this one!
But before you look - that one is for adults only!
I had an opportunity last week to do a photo shoot at an event at a garden nursery that not only featured a fabulous array of tropical and domestic house flowers, but also had birds of prey from a local wildlife preserve. I got some wonderful pictures that I have just started to process. I must say that the results so far are fabulous. I am sure that you will agree.
Come see my prints at
www.lulu.com/qbranchltd
and come see my photo greeting cards at
www.qbranchltd.etsy.com
Be sure not to miss this one!
But before you look - that one is for adults only!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Craft Show Wisdom
I am changing the name of this regular feature from Craft Show Tip of the Week to Craft Show Wisdom. The articles will continue to be short and to the point and offer tips and knowledge for new craft show participants or those who would like to sell at craft shows.
So -
If I were titling these articles for each topic they cover, this article would be titled, "Having a Thick Skin". Craft shows are not for the sensitive. Why? Because you hear some of the most off hand and sometimes insulting comments from potential customers at craft shows. These comments are not directed at you directly, but happen in conversation between two or more people standing in front of your display of the work that you have poured your heart and talent into.
Here are a few examples -
"Oh look, Grandma made those in the nursing home!"
"Jimmy made those in sixth grade woodshop!"
"I could just make that at home."
and the most recent comment that I have heard -
"Any woodworker could make those!"
Now, I try to have a thick skin and I tell myself to ignore the comments, but with that last one I found myself saying out loud, "No, not just any woodworker can make these. It takes a woodworker with a lot of talent and skill to make them." The reaction that I got was a semi-apology.
They are not saying that your work is not good, but they are saying that your talent is meaningless - after all grandma, little Jimmy, and anyone could do what you have done.
Try to smile to yourself and let it pass, but expect to hear anything!
So -
If I were titling these articles for each topic they cover, this article would be titled, "Having a Thick Skin". Craft shows are not for the sensitive. Why? Because you hear some of the most off hand and sometimes insulting comments from potential customers at craft shows. These comments are not directed at you directly, but happen in conversation between two or more people standing in front of your display of the work that you have poured your heart and talent into.
Here are a few examples -
"Oh look, Grandma made those in the nursing home!"
"Jimmy made those in sixth grade woodshop!"
"I could just make that at home."
and the most recent comment that I have heard -
"Any woodworker could make those!"
Now, I try to have a thick skin and I tell myself to ignore the comments, but with that last one I found myself saying out loud, "No, not just any woodworker can make these. It takes a woodworker with a lot of talent and skill to make them." The reaction that I got was a semi-apology.
They are not saying that your work is not good, but they are saying that your talent is meaningless - after all grandma, little Jimmy, and anyone could do what you have done.
Try to smile to yourself and let it pass, but expect to hear anything!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Craft Show Tip of the Week
Talking to your customers - yes or no? This is a question that can be debated for weeks, but it has been our experience that the answer is let your customers look without talking TOO MUCH to them. Smile always. Greet your customer with a friendly hello and then let them look. At most tell them that you are there to answer any questions - and perhaps introduce your work - "I make everything that you see!" Then shut up. Let them look. If you talk more they will WALK AWAY. People like to look and not feel that they are being pressured. Talking to your customers - whether you intend it or not, will be interpreted as pressure to buy. So keep smiling, be friendly and welcoming, but keep your mouth shut. Once they have picked out their purchase and begin the payment process, you can talk all you like.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
